“I made a 60-minute video of my original music, set to footage from the original Twilight Zone and subtitled with the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche,” says Grant Clarkson of his jazz-rock DVD Ever So Much …

“I’m originally from Philly, but I had moved to Sweden to be with a Swedish girl I met,” says singer-songwriter Jesse LaMonaca. “I lived there for about a year and put a band together and …

“We’re leaving San Diego to live in Austin, Texas,” says singer-guitarist Ivan Tamayo of the Attack!!, an electro-dance-punk trio with two guitarists and a drummer. “San Diego just has no love for local music. There …

“More and more music videos qualify as ‘short films,’ worthy of screening at the big worldwide film festivals,” says singer-songwriter Scott West, whose video for his song “Keep It Clean” was one of only ten …

“At Humphrey’s, they used to make me hide out back behind the Dumpsters because I was too young to be in the bar,” says 19-year-old Josh Gooch, a working blues guitarist since he was a …

“Lester Bangs attended Grossmont College from 1966 to 1968,” says English professor Raul Sandelin of the late rock critic for Rolling Stone, Creem, and the Village Voice. “The school is honoring its former alum with …

“We are a very modest band and don’t believe too much in putting on stage antics or showboating,” says singer-guitarist Michael Stauffer of post-shoegaze scenesters FMera (“FM era”). “We let the music set the atmosphere …

“We’re a rock band with heavy electronic elements,” says singer-guitarist Ephraim Wecker of San Marcos–based Hello Drama. “Our music is dance-y and energetic, hopefully something you can have fun listening to.” Hello Drama’s track “Here …

“The Reverending Story is designed to explain the strange workings in my past lives,” says North Park resident Reverend Stickman of his musical stage show debuting June 24 at Swedenborg Hall. “The idea behind the …

“Our music sounds like four guys creating something that is greater than the sum of its parts,” says Republic of Letters singer-guitarist Chris Venti. “The songs can be characterized as a combination of melodically driven …

“San Diego holds a very special place in my heart,” says Bhakti Yoga devotee Krishna Das, called “the Chant Master of American Yoga” by the New York Times. “I’ve sung at the Seaside Church in …

Circa Now won the Freedom Sessions band competition in 2008, the same year they were nominated for Best Rock Album at the San Diego Music Awards. Among the opportunities that subsequently opened for the glam-garage …

“Kim Fowley is seeking groups, solo artists, composers, and lyricists who dream of international stardom,” read the large display ads running in the Reader circa late 1980. Several photos of the man behind jailbait rockers …

The Silent Comedy will throw an April 29 shindig at El Dorado to celebrate their new album Common Faults. “Last time we hosted a party there, we surprised everyone with an impromptu acoustic performance,” says …

“I’m kinda on rock ’n’ roll probation,” says Davit Buck, of semi-defunct San Diego band the Homeless Sexuals, which at press time was scheduled to reunite its 2005 lineup on April 23 at the Ruby …

Keyboardist Bill Travis is a prog-inclined solo musician from Escondido. His 2009 release Eclectic Collection showcases his trippy and meandering soundcapes, which pulse and drone before exploding into Floydian bombast. Travis’s instrumental track “4 Hands” …

“Festivals can be real freak shows,” says singer Matt Burke of electro-soul act Vokab Kompany, who just booked Irvine’s Lightning in a Bottle Festival over Memorial Day weekend. “Like, with literal freaks.” He cites as …

Rock & Roll Rip-Off, the second novel in a San Diego–based rock ’n’ roll mystery trilogy, was released last week. “The first book, Rock & Roll Homicide, introduced Little Italy musician-turned-detective Jason Duffy, investigating the …

“I’m actually of Syrian descent, which as of now is still on the U.S. list of terror-encouraging countries,” says singer-songwriter Malek Zavaro. “Which is B.S.” The 30-year-old Usher-inspired crooner was in grade school when his …

“We were originally called Kitten’s Pharmacy back in the ’90s,” says singer Kathleen “Kitten” Johnson of Pharmacy, the reunited power-pop band she cofounded with bassist Sean Siever. “Sean had a lot of music history and …

“I say a lot of crazy shit that pisses people off,” says Tha Core front man Crhymes, “so regular radio isn’t gonna play my shit. DagoSD.com goes out totally uncensored to around 60,000 hip-hop peeps …

“Drugs used to do for me what a phone booth did for Superman,” says Gary Lee Ernst, singer and guitarist for Christian rockers In the Midst 777. “I was in and out of jail about …

Euro futurepop duo VNV Nation picks up where New Wave left off, but the VNV approach adds weight and heft to the otherwise limp-wristed dreck that pop radio drowned in back in the ’70s and …

“My music has no boundaries,” says multi-instrumentalist Brian Ellis, whose two solo albums cover all the musical bases, from free jazz to psychedelic, world, and experimental electronic music. “I use computer programming and multitrack recording …

“Music tunes people,” says singer Sabira Woolley. “If my music appeals to you, then my tuning is attuned with yours. I write songs that come from my truth, with the intention of bringing listeners into …

Beatleholic Dave Humphries debuts his fifth album, Hocus Pocus on Joker Lane, at Humphrey’s Backstage on April 10. “The title came to me after my wife met this interesting guy while in her art studio …

“Frank Sinatra gave me my first singing job, Bob Dylan encouraged me to pursue a recording career, and Buck Owens told me, ‘Cut your damn hair,’ ” says Temecula’s Michael Chain, whose turn at ’60s …

“Young Mass is booked at the City of Las Vegas Detention Center for a domestic issue and for giving false info to the police,” says 40oz Chris at Massterpiece Entertainment. The local hip-hop artist — …

“3against1 split in 2008, after playing for seven years,” says guitarist Arnaud Lemaire. “Each member was personally evolving, whether it was a need to make some money, planning for marriage, or bringing a child into …

“The strippers were breaking it down next door and kept us all very entertained when the band wasn’t onstage,” says Caustic Felon guitarist Matt Arbaugh of playing the VIP room of the Pure Platinum strip …

Anti Citizens are Mr. Ridley (rhymes and beats), Bazerkowitz (rhymes), and DJ Artistry (turntablism). Their song “Effortlessly” (featuring Ras Kass and Apathy) was the most-downloaded local MP3 from SDReader.com during February. Ridley provided some background. …

“Many of our tribute acts look like the original artists in their hungry glory years,” says Brent Meyer, co-owner of Music Zirconia, “not the tired, uninspired versions that might have last toured, if the original …

“The bass player and I hooked up on Facebook, and I made a joking comment about how I guess we’ll be getting back together,” says singer Mark Copeland of the long-defunct band Sanctuary. “Well, long …

“Last year we were just four childhood friends, reuniting in our home town of Poway for a jam session,” says Johnny Airplane, singer-guitarist for Monkeys in Space. “We realized we’re all still young — in …

Twenty-year-old coloratura soprano Alize Rozsnyai has been singing since age two, graduating early from Rancho Bernardo High School in 2006 with an album entitled Sweet Sixteen already under her belt. “I still live in San …

“Vinnie Udo did not start Diatribe,” says guitarist Julius, who cofounded the influential all-vegetarian, antiwar punk band with bassist Sean in 1984. “[Vinnie] provided vocals for the band for approximately one year.… He was fired …

“SDGossipScene is more than understanding when it comes to respecting other’s requests,” says website operator Felicia Canales, “but we find it mind-boggling that photographers, who all supported SDGossipScene, would pull out all at the same …

Phone messages posted January 31 on YouTube are alleged to be recordings of promoter-performer Willie Carter Tuckerson, aka Willie Psycho, threatening rival promoter Captain Sid of the San Diego Pyrate Punx. A few excerpts: “If …

“We try to capture the musical variety and spiritual energy of a Dave Matthews concert,” says singer-guitarist Mike Myrdal of his tribute band Stepping Feet. The group has jammed with Matthews associates such as harp …

“760” by Escondido’s hard-rocking hip-hop crew (760) was the most downloaded local MP3 from SDReader.com during January 2010. Bassist Mark Swanger provided some background. The song opens with police and ambulance radio calls. That was …

“This album was supposed to come out last December,” says Lualta singer Michael Roger Hernandez, “but, when we were in the studio fixing up the kinks, we all had different opinions and ideas about how …

Flautist Holly Hofmann debuts her new CD Three’s Company with a performance at the Athenaeum Wednesday, February 10. Gregory Page’s release party for Heartstrings happens February 13 at Oasis House Concerts. Angels and Airwaves will …

Before moving to North County, singer-songwriter Spud Davenport drummed for various L.A. and San Francisco bands, the most successful of which was Toymuzic. After learning how to play both guitar and keyboard, he penned the …

“We haven’t played locally for over six months,” says Kristofer Towne, singer-guitarist for a Scribe Amidst the Lions. “We’ve been busy working on the first in a concept trilogy of releases.” The Last Sting Trilogy …

“The Jumping Turtle is not going out of business,” says owner Matt Hall, despite having lost his most recent appeal to keep the City of San Marcos from revoking his venue’s entertainment permit. “City Hall …

Long-gone locals reuniting to play the Casbah this week include the Dave and Deke Combo (January 22), the Dragons (January 23), and a triple-reunion bill on Saturday, January 30, with new-wave pioneers the Unknowns (1979–1982), …

Alan Silva plays mostly acoustic songs in a variety of styles, from indie to folk to country blues. “I take inspiration from many sources in music, as well as from literary figures,” he says. “Compare …

“On the Loose” by hip-hop duo Clay Pigeons (featuring guest performer Main Flow) was the most-downloaded local MP3 from SDReader.com during December 2009. Songwriter Jimmy Powers provided some background. If you could sum up the …

“I’ve known film director Jeromy Cox for 20 years or so,” says Trophy Wife singer-guitarist Joe MacAskill, “and when he suggested I wear a horse costume for the video [“Move to the Desert”], I pretty …

Founded in 1977, Forecast specializes in what regional radio used to call “lights-out jazz,” a progressive sort of lounge sound almost verging on rock and roll. Mining the same smooth ground as locals Fattburger and …