Heshfest
An April 29 tribute concert for the late Van Bates, aka Black Hesher, who passed away in May 2021, will be staged at Queen Bee’s in North Park featuring live performances from the band he co-founded, San Diablo AllStars, as well as that group’s newest member Katie Ladubz. The New Hampshire transplant released her debut album Moves To Make in summer 2021 on the local Cult Muzic label, earning her a San Diego Music Awards nomination. Bates can be heard on the title track, and the album’s first video, “She Bitch” (featuring Mastero), was shot at Queen Bee’s, where Bates performed frequently and used to tape a radio show. “So many things remind me of him, he was a very diverse individual,” says singer John Risdon, whose band Bathwater Babies will perform. “When I was on tour with my other band, Spice Pistols, I would talk to him every night before taking the stage. He wasn’t here anymore physically, but he was on that tour with me every night, getting me pumped up for the show. I take him with me everywhere.” The bill includes Diastro, Zak Meister, Bloodstone the Street Preacher, and 2021 San Diego Music Awards winner Sloat Dixon.
