A Taste of Fame: Local Tribute Bands (even Bill Shatner?!)
In the 2001 film Rock Star, former rapper "Marky" Mark Wahlberg plays a member of a "tribute" band, singing the music of his favorite hard rock group Steel Dragon. He takes the gig so seriously that he gets in a …
Punk Rock Dads Docu: Blink, Red Hot Chili, Pennywise, more
What happens when a generation's ultimate anti-authoritarians, punk rockers, become society’s ultimate authorities: dads? The Other F Word tackles this question. With a large chorus of punk rock’s leading men, including Blink 182's Mark Hoppus, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, …
Iron Butterfly Archive Releasing 1968 Fillmore East Show
Iron Butterfly made its New York City debut at the Fillmore East in the spring of 1968, recording all four shows from April 26 and 27. The tapes reveal the San Diego-born quartet (singer/organist Doug Ingle, bassist Lee Dorman, then …
Carlsbad Music Festival Preview Sept. 23 - 25
The 8th annual Carlsbad Music Festival will take place from Friday through Sunday, September 23-25. This year’s event will feature the Calder Quartet, My Brightest Diamond, Build, several composers-in-residence, and more. "All festival events will take place within short walking …
Orchestra Nova SD Season Debuts October, 75% Sold Out
It's a rarity in the world of arts these days, but Orchestra Nova San Diego ended its 2010-2011 season in the black and has pre-sold 75% of its capacity with subscriptions for their 2011-2012 Nova Classics series. They're hiring, not …
Red Pony Clock CD Release Sept. 24 @ Tin Can Ale House
A release party for Red Pony Clock's new full-length Whatevz Forevzzz, including a brown vinyl edition, happens September 24 at the Tin Can Ale House. There will be a 6 foot party burrito on hand to stave off the munchies, …
Local-Based Concert App Hits 3.4 Million Users, Sells Out
Launched just over a year ago from its offices in San Diego, Bandsintown has become one of the most-used Facebook applications for live music fans and artists. Facebook currently ranks it among the top five music apps utilized by monthly …
R.I.P. Canyonfolk House Concerts El Cajon: 2003–2011
There are only two more Canyonfolk House Concerts scheduled for the El Cajon home of hosts Bill and Shirlee McAndrews, who are ending the series they began in 2003. If the name “house concert” doesn’t make it clear, they explain …
Staring at the Sun All-Age Release Party @ Lestat's Sept. 16
Volume 9 of the ongoing local band compilation series Staring at the Sun will feature twenty-two bands and performers, including Neon Cough, 321 Stereo, Skid Roper, Red Fox Tails, Gregory Page, Lights On, Echo Revolution, Colin Clyne, Death on Mars, …
1958: The Day Ritchie Valens Played Clairemont High's Opening
1958: Fifty-three years ago, rock and roll originator Ritchie Valens had two hits on the charts, "La Bamba" and "Donna," when a longtime local DJ, the late Harry "Happy Hare" Martin, persuaded him to perform at the 1958 opening of …
Ten-Year-Old Pianist Ethan Bortnick at Balboa Theater Benefit 9-25
Ethan Bortnick, a ten-year-old piano prodigy and national concert performer, will headline a Benefit Concert at downtown's Balboa Theater on September 25, with proceeds supporting Classics 4 Kids and their music education programs. Bortnick has performed on The Tonight Show …
Cults Singer Calls Local Scene "Kids Playing in Their Garages"
"I don't really think there is much of a San Diego music scene, it's just very local," says Madeline Follin of Cults in a Phoenix New Times article published online Monday, September 12. "There's a lot of cool bands that …
Bloody Hollies Bitter End Sept. 17 at the Casbah
The Bloody Hollies' new full-length Yours Until the Bitter End drops Saturday, September 17, with a release party at the Casbah that will also feature Low Volts, Hocus, and the Old In Out. The latter band will also have a …
New Pathology Album Drops 9-13 (Despite Van Crash & Half Dozen Lineup Changes)
September 13 is the due date for the new Pathology album Awaken to the Suffering, recorded at the studio run by Tim Lambesis (As I Lay Dying) and produced by Daniel Castleman (As I Lay Dying, Winds of Plague). A …
Hennessey’s PB Cancels Saturday Shows: No More Live Music?
“Just got some crazy news,” Lenny Morris posted online Saturday night, September 10. “The show for tonight at Hennessey's Pacific Beach is cancelled, including all future music at Hennesseys PB. Crazy…kind of spotty on the details, but I guess they …
45 Years Ago This Weekend: The Monkees Turned Del Mar Into Clarksville
45 years ago this weekend (9-11-66), Del Mar was renamed “Clarksville” for the day, as part of a promotion for the Monkees TV show, which would debut the following night. The Sunday event was historic for pop/rock music, as it …
Rob Crow's Blackout Baby Born in the Dark
In the middle of what will likely be remembered as an historic multi-state blackout, man of a thousand bands Rob Crow and his lady Victoria welcomed eight pound, thirteen ounce Scout Ozma Crow into the (darkened) world! "My third child, …
Black Dahlia Musical Opens at Bootleg Theater
The Chanteuse and the Devil’s Muse, a new play with live music written and directed by local celeb David J (Bauhaus, Love & Rockets), debuts this week at the Bootleg Theater in Los Angeles, running through October 1 before moving …
Jello Biafra & Dead Kennedys in San Diego (SD Music Thing Sept. 9 & 10)
Former Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra has a speaking engagement at the San Diego Music Thing (September 9 & 10). His Resurgence of Indie Labels panel will be held at the Lafayette Hotel at 3:45 p.m. on Saturday. In honor …
Craigslist Funnies: Top 50 Weirdest Local Musician Posts
CRAIGSLIST FUNNIES: I've been collecting these headscratchers that I've found posted in the San Diego Musician section of Craigslist. “Heroine addicts need not apply.” (So no Supergirl collectors) “Need female dancers…no flukes or groupiers please.” (We’re allergic to fish) “Must …