The Cult kicked off their American tour in San Diego to a packed house at 4th&B. Touring in support of their most recent release, Capsule One, 2010 finds the band sounding fresh. Even 25-year-old hits …
September 23, 2010
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Stories by Earl Dove
The Cult Maintains Mystique at 4th&B
You Don't Know What You Got...
Cinderella brought their brand of blues-infused glam-rock to San Diego to the delight of a room full of hardcore ’80s metal fans at Viejas Casino. They remain today one of the few "hair bands" still …
August 16, 2010
Diehards
Sunday night I saw the latest incarnation of ’80s rock icons W.A.S.P. Lead singer and sole original member Blackie Lawless has led W.A.S.P. through three decades of touring and several lineup changes but has held …
March 3, 2010
Honky-Lofting
The Loft on UCSD campus is the last place you would expect to find traditional country music in San Diego. Regardless, this was the setting for some honky-tonking, courtesy of Joe Pug and Justin Townes …
February 11, 2010
91X Wrex the Halls
The lineup for Wrex the Halls 2009 provided something for everyone in attendance at Viejas Arena. Festivities began with a great set by local act and battle of the bands winner Chasing Claymore. Followed by …
December 16, 2009
Battle Studies
John Mayer’s fourth studio set is mix of mid-tempo soul-pop, melancholy blues, and romantic serenades that combine to provide a genuinely satisfying experience. Taylor Swift joins Mayer on the poppy "Half of My Heart" that …
December 13, 2009
Wolfmother Lays a Cosmic Egg
After three years of silence, Wolmother returns with their sophomore effort, Cosmic Egg. Singer-songwriter Andrew Stockdale channels his inner Robert Plant for track after track of in-your-face 1970s hard rock. Larger-than-life riffs, extended guitar solos, …
December 9, 2009
House Party at the Brick
Rocking their signature red tracksuits and sunglasses Tuesday night, Datarock transformed Bay Park nightspot Brick by Brick into an electro-pop dance party. Despite the low turn out, the Norwegian duo rocked the intimate setting as …
October 1, 2009
Old Crow Medicine Show
Friday night, September 22, Old Crow Medicine Show took the stage at 4th & B with a driving set of bluegrass, folk, and rock. I first saw these guys in Nashville in 1999, transitioning, at …
September 30, 2009
Before the Frost
Before the Frost, the Black Crowes latest release, was recorded live in drummer Levon Helm's home studio in Woodstock, NY. A few fans sat in on the session, providing applause between tracks. The vibe throughout …
September 15, 2009
Used Artwork
Album number four finds Bert McCraken and the Used back with their patented hard, guitar-driven riffs and passionate, introspective lyrics. Though, with Artwork, the volatility of past albums has been replaced with a more structured …
September 14, 2009
The Blueprint 3
The Blueprint 3 is Jay-Z's strongest album since 2003's Black Album. Many thought Jay had lost his edge, but one listen to this new batch of tracks dismisses that notion. It’s got to be difficult …
September 14, 2009
American Saturday Night
American Saturday Night is filled with the wit and honesty that has made Brad Paisley one of the brightest stars in country music today. He is one of the few authentic artists in Nashville who …
September 3, 2009
Heartbreak on a Beautiful Day
Charlie Robison delivers his signature whiskey-soaked country on Beautiful Day. The theme of the collection, most noticeable on tracks such as "Reconsider" and "Down Again," is emotional turmoil, a response to his divorce from Emily …
September 2, 2009
Nothing Personal
The third effort from Baltimore foursome All Time Low finds the band struggling to establish credibility in the saturated pop-punk market. Lead single "Weightless," like a majority of the record, is by-the-numbers upbeat power pop. …
September 1, 2009
Kickin' It Old School with Cool Kids
Clipse and the Cool Kids may not get the airplay of mainstream rap acts, but their importance in rap world is undeniable. Fans filled Canes on Tuesday to celebrate a pair of rare performances in …
August 21, 2009