I was at the very first Street Scene. I loved the mix of bands that year, although, it did lean towards more of my classic rock taste.

I saw Eric Burdon of the Animals (I'm looking forward to seeing him again in Escondido in a week). Doors guitarist Robby Kreiger was there, and a few contemporary bands I dug.

There have been only three years I missed Street Scene. And I have to say, I'm really looking forward to this one.

Sure, I would've loved to have seen the Beastie Boys. But I saw them at the Greek Theatre a few years back, so I'm not as bummed about their cancelation.

I'm excited about seeing the Waves. Or is it Wavves? They have Nathan Williams, who had been getting a lot of press for an on-stage rant in Spain, where he supposedly poured beer on the drummer.

I remember him, I think it was him...from when he worked at a Music Trader in Poway. I did a Blurt about how he stopped a robbery of the store.

The only other local (well, former local)...I'm looking forward to seeing is Anya Marina. She was so great at the Belly Up, and I love her new CD so much. She put down the acoustic guitar to rock and funk it up a bit. And it works.

A year ago, I would've been excited by Delta Spirit. But after seeing them on a few late night shows, the excitement has waned a bit. They're still an interesting band, don't get me wrong. But the night they play on Saturday, I'd rather see M.I.A. (did anyone catch her at Lou's Records in Encinitas a few years back? I met a guy from Rancho Bernardo that had her sign his chest; he then got it tattooed on).

Cake is doing an hour set, which I'm stoked about. Especially since this is the first year in a long time, that they haven't done the Del Mar thing. I never get tired of John's talking vocal style, and interesting trumpet adding some punch.

I'm not a Black Eyed Peas fan, even though I'll admit, their songs always have catchy hooks. If Fergie has a sense of humor, she'll come out on stage with the front of her pants soaking wet. Just for fun. And, will.i.am should come out with a shirt that says "I punched Perez Hilton and all I got was a lawsuit and this lousy T-shirt." Okay, maybe that's too much to slap onto a tee.

I've seen Dirty Sweet, and they're a great local band. But they go on at 4:15 or something. That's too early for rock n' roll. I'm guessing I won't roll up until closer to six, when Devendra Banhart goes on.

Anyone see this cat before? Boy is he freaky. His show at the Belly Up Tavern about three years ago, consisted of a lot of very bizarre behavior. Someone please tell me how he scored a girlfriend like Natalie Portman.

I used to like Modest Mouse, but I'm tired of them now. But when they go on at 10 p.m., there's nobody else I want to see, so I'll probably check out their set.

Conor Oberst is on this bill. And the amount of people I've run into that tell me he's the best songwriter around. Most recently people at the BBQ for Boobs party I wrote about in this Reader.

I recently caught Matt & Kim on a late night show, and really dug them. It'll be easy to catch them, as they're on the same stage as the Wavves, and Deerhunter follows. This is the band with that skinny, freaky dude fronting things. When he stands behind the mic stand, you almost can't see him.

The wearing dresses onstage has gotten old. I was tired of it the second time I saw Steve Poltz do it with The Rugburns. Unless you're Boy George, and out of jail, keep the dresses in the closet.

Cage the Elephant is the last band of Friday night that I really am looking forward to. Although I bought their EP recently, I've still yet to listen to it. Which is a shame, since the only two songs I hear on the radio I love. I guess I'll be hearing the rest of their songs for the first time, like everyone else in the crowd.

I hope things cool down by Saturday. This weather is unbearable, and for the first few bands, that's gotta suck.

I remember a few years back in the stadium parking lot, watching Louis XIV while the sun was still out. They were all in black, and must've been burning up. I think they were sweating so much, the black eyeliner was running down their face, making them look more like Alice Cooper than cool glam.

I'm still excited about seeing Jack White play drums with The Dead Weather. But the CD is horrible. Two good songs, that's it (Hang you from the Heavens and another tune about "enough water"...can't remember the title at the moment). I've seen them play live on a few shows, and they do rock.

Public Enemy is one of the most overrated rap bands ever. People seem to give them mad props because they had the song "Fight the Power." And yeah, Chuck D has some talent. But what an a** clown that Flavor Flav is.

Ozomatli is another band that so many of my friends, and people I meet, just love. They're a little too Santanaesque for my tastes, but they put on a great live show.

And, although I'm almost sick of the song that 91X and 94/9 play every two hours by the Silversun Pickups (dang..what a guitar riff that tune has), I'm glad they're playing.

With the economy the way it is...I can understand if some people can't afford tickets. But to me, with a lineup like this, you're getting a lot of bang for your buck.

I have a friend going to Burning Man this weekend. She's going to be burning up in the desert.

I'd much rather watch these bands. And if I want to see some hot, miserable festival type of thing...I'll catch the new Woodstock film.