For the second time in just a few months, the VEER condo complex located on the southwest corner of Abbott Street and Saratoga Avenue flooded following rains on the afternoon of January 5. For years, …
January 5, 2016
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Stories by Johnny Caito
Ocean Beach flood ritual
Unexpected Budapest
The two cities of Buda and Pest once stared each other down with nothing but the Danube separating them. But in 1873, they merged to form Budapest after the Chain Bridge opened as the first …
December 28, 2015
Back to nature in Tucson's Ventana Canyon
The long section of Highway 8 heading from San Diego toward Tucson, Arizona, is mostly flat and dead, with the occasional string of mountains popping up across the landscape. But as I barreled my way …
Lake George, NY: Upstate tranquility
I opened my eyes and peeled my head from the pillow, waking to a lush wilderness of massive maples and juniper pines. “The city” was a mere 220 miles away, but the silence and serenity …
Band of Skulls takes House of Blues, Himalayan style
Band of Skulls erupted at House of Blues with their edgy, high-octane blues rock that at times sounded like the love child of Cream and Black Sabbath. The UK trio rolled in, strapped up, and …
May 23, 2014
Bamberg, Germany: the "beer city"
The nearly four-hour train journey north from Munich whipped us past a landscape of farmland, old Bavarian villages and rolling hills. Our destination: the historic city of Bamberg. We booked a small room at the …
March 25, 2014
Hipster Tucson
Tucson’s becoming a hipster destination? Get out of town! Recently, Tucson was named one of the top up-and-coming "hipster" cities in the U.S. Someone must have stumbled out too deep into the desert and started …
January 31, 2014
Hoppy trails in Austin
It's no surprise to anyone that Austin, Texas, is a hip destination, boasting one of the best live music scenes in the country, some fantastic barbecue, and the University of Texas. I was already aware …
December 20, 2013
Explore the Columbia River Gorge
When you think of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is most often the first city that's called to mind. After all, it's the Emerald City, and it's home to the famous fish market, a Starbucks on …
With a curse like a knife
Rhode island–based alt-country act Deer Tick belted out the lyrics to “The Bump” — "We're full grown men, but we act like kids, we'll face the music next time we roll in!" — as the …
November 1, 2013
Willie Nelson sprinkles Stardust on Hollywood Bowl
With his recognizable voice and picture-painting lyrics, it's hard to imagine a more iconic singer-songwriter than Willie Nelson. Accompanied by his guitar "Trigger" and backed by the Hollywood Bowl orchestra, Nelson treated the near-capacity crowd …
August 24, 2013
The Mad Greek
What am I doing out here in the middle of the desert? The lights of Las Vegas are a distant memory, faded away into the early morning, and now about a hundred miles into the …
Ladies and gentlemen, the Rolling Stones!
Iconic rock band the Rolling Stones continues to defy the odds with their ability to seemingly turn back the hands of time. After 50 years, they continue to fill arenas, ignite crowds, and deliver Satisfaction …
May 10, 2013
Gaslight Anthem brings the '59 Sound to Belly Up
"You can tell Gayle if she calls, that I'm famous now for all of these rock and roll songs," sang Brian Fallon. "And even if that's a lie, she should've given me a try," he …
May 4, 2013
Down in Austin, Franklin is the king
As Waylon Jennings once sang, Austin, Texas, is "the home of Willie Nelson, it's the home of Western swing..." And today, it's also home to the famed Franklin BBQ. This will not be your "off …
May 3, 2013
NYC: In Search of America's First Pizzeria
Red-and-white tablecloths with Dean Martin music in the background. It sounds like every other pizza joint in the United States – and it's got every possible cliché you can think of when it comes to …
April 4, 2013
Soma infected by Bad Religion
"This is the second stop on a tour that will take us around the world," Bad Religion's lead singer and cofounder Greg Graffin informed a packed Soma, as the band opened their 26-song set with …
March 22, 2013
Escape to Amsterdamse Bos
Bicycles more than double that of the number of cars in Amsterdam, coming in at over half a million. In the city center, the number is probably closer to 5 to 1, as thousands of …
January 29, 2013
Bushwick – Brooklyn's Hip Haven
Directions scribbled on the back of a napkin or coaster usually lead you to unforgettable locations. It was no different on this Sunday afternoon. As I sat and enjoyed a very good East Coast brew …
January 3, 2013
Delta Spirit rocks the vote at House of Blues
Matt Vasquez for president! That’s what I was thinking as Delta Spirit rocked House of Blues on election night, giving fans of the band a much needed break from politics. Delta Spirit delivered a full-throttle …
December 7, 2012
Go Dutch in Delft
Breaking out of Amsterdam can be a difficult task, as there's so much to see in the vibrant city. In fact, it took me numerous visits to finally venture outside the capital. If you're looking …
October 26, 2012
Good Dog!
When it comes to writing catchy tunes and melodies that get buried deep in one’s skull, not many bands do it as well as Dr. Dog. Their performance at 4th&B proved that they're also a …
October 18, 2012
Slash slays sold-out House of Blues
Slash slithered into town with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators and slayed a sold-out House of Blues with a high-octane, ear-splitting performance. It was evident from the first two songs, "Halo" and "Night Train," that …
September 21, 2012
Chicago... a Midwest Mirage
The Cubs. The Bears. The Sears Tower (actually, it's now the Willis Tower), Wrigley Field, elevated trains, deep dish pizza, Italian beef sandwiches, the Midwest, the beach....wait...what? The beach? This is Chicago we're talking about, …
Alabama Shakes Bring Heat Lightning to House of Blues
The Alabama Shakes brought southern soul and blues to a sold-out House of Blues. The hot and sweaty crowd swayed, danced, and soaked in the soulful voice of lead singer Brittany Howard, the blues licks …
August 24, 2012
Scum-Sucking Ticket Scalpers
Ticket scalpers! Besides Ticketmaster, they are enemy number one to any concert goer. The other night I attended the Alabama Shakes concert at the House of Blues. Luckily, I was able to get in, but …
August 18, 2012
Jack White, Steady as He Goes
Jack White rushed the stage of the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, plugged in his blue Stratocaster, and started his set of high-speed blues, country, folk, and rock ’n’ roll. The opener, “Sixteen Saltines” from …
August 16, 2012
Into the Czech Beer Abyss...
A dark, ominous hallway leads to a door. Silence. Not a sound. I open the door to find a series of steep wooden stairs spiraling downward. Is this a trap? My mind starts to wander. …
July 31, 2012
Mallow Madness
My heart’s pumping, adrenaline is flowing and I am smack dab in the middle of a full-fledged war. A huge bonfire rages, growing larger with each passing moment, and the ground has become littered with …
July 17, 2012
De Kulminator in Antwerp, Belgium: A Beer Odyssey
Is it possible that I've pinpointed the Holy Grail, the pied piper of beer geekdom heaven? Dare I say…the greatest bar on the planet? The recent craft beer explosion in San Diego has turned this …
June 26, 2012