“I’d been living in pain and without health insurance for about six years,” says Cathryn Beeks, who nonetheless managed to promote over 500 local concerts during that time period. “I finally got insurance and had …

Tropi-Cali act Red Pony Clock has a fluid lineup ranging from 10 to 13 members, and they describe their music as “clarinet and xylophone–driven vaudeville-a-delic joy pop, influenced by mariachi and seething with the eternal …

“I make street-level music for the people,” says alt-country crooner Chad Cavanaugh. In 2008, the North Park singer/guitarist says he was surprised at his Best New Acoustic Artist nomination for that year’s San Diego H.A.T. …

Zach Goode dresses in costume every time he plays with Geezer, a Weezer tribute disguised as senior citizens who’ll play the Belly Up’s ’80s Halloween show on October 31. But he’s donning a different costume …

A Project 365 is when a person posts a new photo of themselves online every day for a year. O.B.’s Jefferson Jay, founder of the San Diego Musicians Collective, took the idea a step further. …

“I went toward the stage hoping to get his attention and some respect,” says drummer Harold Brown of the last time he saw former bandmate Lonnie Jordan, performing in 2009 at the Canyon Club with …

This week, Netherlands-based Mascot Label Group launches a worldwide rerelease of Transfer’s Future Selves, SDMA winner for Best Rock Album of 2010, while Atlantic Records releases Switchfoot’s eighth studio record Vice Verses, produced by Neal …

"Lightnin’ Hopkins meets Social Distortion,” is how Scottie Blinn describes his head-rush heartland music. “I call it ‘grease punk’: deeply rooted blues, with a lot of attitude that tells a good story.” Blinn first came …

“We were originally called Kitten’s Pharmacy, back in the ’90s,” says singer Kathleen “Kit” Johnson of Pharmacy. “We opened for bands like Bow Wow Wow at Brick by Brick and Third Eye Blind at Canes, …

Ace keyboardist Mighty Joe Longa of Joey Harris and the Mentals has spent around four months receiving chemotherapy and “catching up on a lot of sleep.” The Mentals have been playing around town with a …

Matt Arbaugh and Paul McFaddin of Escondido’s hard-rocking Caustic Felon have formed a new side band with Arbaugh’s son Mitch on drums, James E. Meidinger on guitar, and singer Ryan Brink. “Atropal is visual metal,” …

“I heard that Lemmy has a sword collection,” says self-described “freak-show” performer Scott Nelson, aka Murrugun the Mystic, who appeared with the Motörhead frontman in a locally shot “clown Western” called Crackwood, narrated by Gilbert …

John Meeks and Joanie Mendenhall will debut their From My Grave EP on September 3 at Tin Can Ale House. “We’ll play all the EP songs, plus a few you’ve never heard,” says Meeks, “as …

“I was raised in the idyllic beach town of Encinitas, the daughter of a surfboard shaper,” says singer/songwriter Nena Anderson, known for her soulful vocals, distinct phrasing, and charismatic stage presence. “Blues players like to …

“I get to keep my minivan,” says MP3tunes owner Michael Robertson, who is claiming a victory in the copyright infringement lawsuit filed by record label/music publisher EMI Group Ltd. against him and his company in …

Formerly known as Tragic Tantrum, the goth theatrics of London Below will include bassist Randy Renaud and drummer Cruz Caudillo when they play Electric Ladyland on September 2. According to band cofounder Zoe Tantrum, “When …

Singer/guitarist Stoney B. grew up in Chicago listening to the music of his father, Lil’ Howlin’ Wolf, aka Jessie Sanders. “My dad was mentored by Howlin’ Wolf, and he introduced me to many blues legends …

Hocus is fronted by Lando Martinez (aka Fat Lando), who retired from the U.S. Navy in 2008 after serving 20 years. “I’m a rarity,” he says. “I’ve served my country honorably, and I write great …

Last month, several members of the 1990s hardcore/screamo band Swing Kids reunited for a European tour under the name Blue Note, with local All Leather guitarist Nathan Joyner in place of the late Eric Allen, …

“I played piano for a porn star, Olivia O’Lovely, at the former Bing Crosby’s Piano Lounge in Linda Vista,” says frequent Red Fox Lounge performer David Owen. “I spotted her as soon as I walked …

“I’ve managed to generate a very sustainable income in less than a year as a full-time musician,” says singer/songwriter Lenny Morris, “playing three to four shows a week for private events, upscale restaurants, and wine …

“Barry McGuire, best known for his antiwar hit ‘Eve of Destruction,’ has put together a musical show called Trippin’ the Sixties,” says promoter Carey Driscoll, who’ll bring the production to AMSD in Normal Heights on …

When the Glossines came together in summer 2001, Kristin Warnken had just left the band Dizzy, for whom she played guitar (she’s also a drummer now). Bassist Amber Everson was a go-goth dancer at Sabbat, …

“I call my music ‘Brooklyn style,’” says Puerto Rican vocalist Zulayka. “I mix R&B, Latin, house, hip-hop, traditional Spanish, Caribbean, and reggaeton sounds in a synth-driven pop/dance format. After 15 years in the music business, …

Pharmacy’s release party for No Drugs Included happens Friday, August 5, at the Go Lounge in La Mesa. “One of the covers we plan on doing is an old Zeros song,” says frontwoman Kitten Johnson. …

On July 30, Lestat’s Coffeehouse will rock and jangle in homage to the Los Angeles music scene centered around the Sunset Strip during the mid 1960s, featuring music by Love, Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, and …

“This is the first year that I’ll be coming in under a professional badge,” says local comic writer Carolyn Watson Dubisch. “My plans are to hand out preview copies of my books and, as dorky …

Pink Army began as a trio of Tween girls in 2008 — Charisma Kain, Alicia Randolph, and Lia Johnson. The group is modeled after Disney Channel/Nickelodeon stars such as Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez. “Our …

Plenty of musical events are happening at and around Comic-Con next week. On Thursday, July 21, Japanese rocker Yoshiki (X Japan) will debut his Blood Red Dragon #0 comic, cocreated with former Marvel mainman Stan …

Drummer Bill Ray has played with dozens of local groups (Tubby, Playground Slap, the Wild Truth), though he’s probably best known from Ike Turner’s band, having appeared on the late rocker’s Grammy-winning 2006 album Risin’ …

“I don’t know of any other mimes that have written songs, unless you consider Charlie Chaplin, who did write and record music for his movies,” says singer/songwriter Larry Keough. Having spent over a decade as …

“Our work permits weren’t in order when we arrived, and we were held in immigration most of the day Thursday and all day Friday,” says Scott Stephens of San Diego–based dance band Liquid Blue, which …

“The Nervous Wreckords started out as a production company that I had when I worked with other artists as a producer,” says singer/guitarist Brian Karscig. “As my own music started to take precedence over producing, …

Scribe Amidst the Lions will debut their EP The Lidless Kind on July 1 at the Casbah. “This one was completely recorded, produced, and mixed by the band at our own Controls for the Sun …

“After four albums, we’re playing our first show,” says Eric Nielsen of High Mountain Tempel, who’ll make their stage debut June 25 at Kava. A duo featuring Nielsen (Maquiladora, Buzz or Howl) and Keith Boyd, …

David Rinck’s local ties date back to 1981, when the singer/guitarist/sax player cofounded the original Wallflowers. Somewhat punk, a little mod, and always rockin’, the band wrote songs about dangerous San Diego locales of the …

With a name inspired by their role models the Jackson 5, the brothers of the Garcia 3 were age 7 (Angel), 9 (Hector), and 11 (Juan) when they founded a band last year. The boys …

Downspell’s release party for their new full-length The Violent Majority happens Friday, June 3, at Brick by Brick. “It’s the kick-off to our West Coast tour with To Violently Vomit,” says singer Tyson Montrucchio. “The …

“Our music intertwines upbeat reggae riffs with fist-pumping, melodic rock,” says Jet West singer/guitarist Scott Floquet. “We pull influences from blues, funk, country, and we’re even starting to experiment with techno.” Jet West’s debut Dropping …

Bassist David Flemminger, drummer Matt Johnson, and guitarist David Rinck have left the Cardiac Kidz. “Jerry [Flack] and I have decided that we’re the official Glimmer Twins of the punk-rock world,” Jim Ryan tells the …

“The City of Escondido had their concerns, but I got verbal blessing from the city council and we’ll start with live music as soon as we finish work on the building,” says promoter Joe Troutman, …

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, ‘You’re like a female Johnny Thunders,’” says singer-guitarist Diana Death. “If I have to be compared to somebody, it may as well be him. His talent …

New local tuneage now available includes Born with Stripes, from surf-slackers the Donkeys, who will play an in-store at M-Theory for the event on Saturday, April 30; Best Days, by spiritual songsmith Steven Ybarra; Plague …

"Being in a band is like being married to four or five very different people at once,” says singer/songwriter Amanda Waggener. “And, let’s face it, being married to just one person is tough enough. I’ve …

“ASCAP does not track songs that are publicly performed in stadiums, which policy ASCAP has intentionally hid from composers,” according to a lawsuit filed by Bobby Kent, the former musical director for the Chargers. Kent …

“We only had a couple of records, but [the songs] were turning up everywhere and everybody was cashing in except us,” says singer-bassist James Ryan of ’70s punkers the Cardiac Kidz, whose recent reunion was …

Charlie Imes first earned local notice while playing guitar with local classic rockers Signs of Life and Against the Grain. For his 2008 solo debut, On an Island, he gathered nearly a dozen locals — …

“We’re busy getting the van in order and getting our T-shirts and CDs all packed up,” says singer-guitarist Jonny Q, whose band Privatized Air released their sophomore album Tomorrow or Something in February. “I booked …

“You’re a douchebag, that’s the only explanation/ for the same mistakes that you keep on making.” “Think of it as a public service announcement,” says Casbah bartender Ben Johnson, aka rapper Grammatical B, of “Rules …

Mandy Gasparich — aka Miz Mandy — is one of several female singers from the local pop band Liquid Blue to go from BlueGirl to solo recording artist. “Historically, my music has been pop and …