Two weeks ago in "Blurt," Guerilla Transammo said "never again" to L.A. gigs. A pay-for-play setup between the band and the Cat Club (and a snafu with their chartered bus) made for a bad experience. …

"Most people laugh at me," says Miz Liberty, a Jewish rapper from Rancho Santa Fe. "But once they hear me, then they stop laughing." Born Stacy Goldstein, Miz Liberty says she loves competitions. "I love …

"As far as I know, this is the only [club] in town that is run by a band," says Dorian Tucker, guitarist in Jezebel. With keyboardist/guitarist Nathan Everett and bassist Mike Croft, Tucker produces Suspiria …

"We knew something went wrong when we heard them announce 'bright star' on the ship's P.A.; that's ship jargon for medical emergency," says an insider connected with the Xingolati Groove Cruise that took off from …

Yung Tage says he has a couple of ways to make sure his Saturday show goes off. First: only wear dressy white or cream-colored clothes. "We got it from Puff Daddy. It's an elegant thing. …

"Dirty politicians, old whores, and ugly buildings all get respect if they last long enough." Deadbolt singer/guitarist Harley Davidson says John Huston's line in Chinatown applies to his band. Formed in 1990, Deadbolt is the …

Classic rock hits of Steve Miller and Journey were snuffed off the air at the Planet (KPLN 103.7-FM) on Tuesday. Industry magazines had said Infinity/CBS, which owns the Planet, would create a nationwide network of …

Local bands Mustache Revolution and Guerilla Transammo chartered a bus to take them up to play the Cat Club in West Hollywood on October 8. "It was a freaking nightmare," says Todd Chandler, band manager …

A 32-inch wide-screen TV reportedly received as payola for airplay has apparently led to the firing last week of Diana Laird, program director of Top 40 hits station "Channel 9-3-3"/KHTS. An October 11 Clear Channel …

British ska band Selecter recently played their first San Diego show in over five years at House of Blues. Chris Wise plays percussion in the local ska band Hi-Lites, which opened for Selecter. He has …

"We get to record a track at their studios," says Seth Torma of Evergreen. The cost of recording a song in L.A. this week will be covered by Napster, the singer/guitarist says. "It's all part …

"If I had sold music alone, I wouldn't have been able to survive," says Elliot Leib, who cofounded Trade Roots with Renee Romano 20 years ago. Leib had a master's degree in African studies when …

"I tried for four years to get people to play with me, and I finally found them," says Andre Beller, a bassist and SDSU education major. Beller says two other musicians round out Nostalgia, an …

Chris Henry, a talent buyer at the Zombie Lounge on El Cajon Boulevard, says the club books bands found on myspace.com almost exclusively. "That's how we hooked up with the Angry Amputees and the Mojo …

For the past two years (and until recently), Santee singer/songwriter Mike Press was Willie Nelson's tour merchandise manager. "After each [Nelson] show, I'd head out to the best local bar in town and I'd get …

After six years, KUSI will curtail the showcasing of live local bands on its weekend news shows. "We are primarily a news organization, not a music channel," says KUSI news director Steve Cohen. Last week, …

Nine Inch Nails manager Jim Guirenot wants it made clear that the band's aborted Cox Arena show on September 16 had nothing to do with drug use on the part of drummer Jerome Dillon. The …

"It's time for us to embrace the suck," 91X DJ Marco Collins told San Diegans last week upon his return to local airwaves. Collins worked at 91X in the '80s, when it became the first …

Promoter David Raynes, who recently brought live bands back to the Royal Palace in El Cajon, died September 19. "They found him Monday morning in bed," says Eric Dogol of Society's Victim. "He's been sick …

Power Chords singer/guitarist John Hammer isn't bummed that his band didn't win "Best Punk" at the San Diego Music Awards, however... "They botched the category of punk," says Hammer. "[Other nominees] Kill Me Tomorrow is …

"I heard the Rolling Stones played here for sure," says Saad Mattia, owner of the Royal Palace in El Cajon. The 750-capacity hall, built in 1932 and named the Bostonia Ballroom, recently became active again. …

When the House of Blues opened in June, some wondered if the smaller venues in town could survive. This month the Belly Up scored with two choice bookings: the Pink Martini orchestra from Portland, Oregon, …

After three years in operation, Margarita Rocks in Oceanside closed its doors on August 31. "The place was definitely mismanaged," says Kathy Baker, redevelopment manager for the City of Oceanside. Before the closure, she says …

"They killed it all," says Loss of Control singer Jason Lee about the elimination of live music at the Vista Entertainment Center. "The general manager stood up for us, then they said to him, 'Okay, …

"Rock Star," a music page of band interviews, concert reviews, and full-color photos of local and national bands, has been published every Thursday since November by the Copley Press. The page can be found in …

"It's very hard to get Balboa Park between Memorial Day and Labor Day," says Benny Garcia, a promoter based in Orange County. For two years he's been seeking approval from the city to let him …

Twenty years ago, concert promoter Bill Silva predicted that there would eventually be two concert markets in San Diego County: North County and metro San Diego. In other words, the same artist could play both …

Clear Channel Entertainment holds exclusive rights to book the Sports Arena. Sources say the agreement won't be renewed when it expires in December. As the largest concert company in the U.S., Clear Channel Entertainment dominates …

If you used Ticketmaster for the August 20 Ryan Adams show at Spreckels Theatre, you paid $25 for the ticket and $11.95 in fees (48 percent!). When the concert was canceled, Ticketmaster refunded the cost …

John Renna, owner/operator of the Coaster Saloon in Mission Beach, recently began hosting live bands outdoors on Friday and Saturday. Attorney James Pyle says he owns apartments behind the Coaster Saloon. "I received some complaint …

Marco Anguiano, who had much to do with organizing talent for the Adams Avenue Street Fair, died August 24 of cancer. He was 50. "He really stressed San Diego groups," says Judy Moore, associate director …

"I was just interviewed for a biography on Green Day," says drummer Chris Coté. His band, Kut-U-Up, spent the summer of 2002 opening every show of the Green Day/blink-182 U.S. tour. Kut-U-Up was the focus …

"She had no idea it was coming." That's what one insider says about the firing of 91X DJ Robin Roth, who's known for her black wardrobe and fondness for Goth artists such as Bauhaus and …

"Ain't nobody listening," says KPBS (89.5 FM) general manager Doug Myrland about the cancellation of Sounds Eclectic. The modern music program lasted a year. (The final show airs between 4 and 6 p.m. on Sunday.) …

Aaron Sherman plays guitar in Guerilla Transammo and works part-time as a stagehand at the House of Blues. He recently took up the offer to go on a ten-date, 16-city tour with the Von Bondies. …

"I Insult Women, homosexuals, and drug addicts...especially tweakers. They are at the low end of the food chain," says Mike Hood, who admits he's a recovering addict. After playing guitar for years with the Shot …

It Was 40 Years Ago Today (almost) when Helen Halmay interviewed the Beatles before their only San Diego concert (August 28, 1965, at Balboa Stadium). Halmay, who was 20 at the time, says she has …

"We would play four to five nights a week," says Warren Lovell, Big Time Operator band leader. During the years '97--'99, BTO played Croce's, the Cannibal Bar, and Tio Leo's. "A lot of the swing …

"I still want to talk to their agent," says Street Scene promoter Rob Hagey about why the Black Eyed Peas were an hour late for their appearance. "I want to know exactly what happened." What …

"I am told 'irie' means getting high and Stone Senses mean your senses are getting stoned," says Ofelia Escovedo, board of directors president of Carlsbad's annual Fiesta del Barrio. At a meeting last week, the …

"Oh, you mean Cheap Channel?" 91X morning DJ Chris Cantore joked on the air last month. A few years ago, nobody at the modern-rock station made on-air jokes about Clear Channel, the mega-chain that owns …

Last week was not a good week for Diana Laird, the program director who oversees Clear Channel stations KHTS/Channel 9-3-3 (Top 40) and Z-90 (hip-hop hits). On Monday, July 25, it was announced that she …

Irradio, Yovee, and Operatic are out. Billy Daniels is incoming managing partner at what is now Martini Ranch in Encinitas. He says a new name and music policy are in store for the bar and …

"We figure we lose $300,000 to $400,000 a year [in profits]," says Patrick Glynn, owner of Wireless Flash news service. Based in Hillcrest, the Wireless Flash sends out at least nine weird-but-true stories daily to …

North Park is getting a new all-ages venue. Having enjoyed success staging shows at the 100-person-capacity club Basement on University between 30th and Kansas, employees of Off the Record, which moved to North Park last …

"This is my life and this is my tribe." Thad Temple has resurrected Revolt In Style, the magazine founded in 1980 as San Diego's "manual of hip." Revolt returns after three years in an attempt …

"I get to take money out of his pocket every Sunday night." For the past six months singer/songwriter Jefferson Jay has organized the Sunday night open mic at the Blarney Stone. He leaves the Clairemont …

"We started two years ago as a tiny little thing with, like, four bands. We drew about 20 people." Gage Herrmann, 19, plays in Ramona indie-rock band Ersatz Dime. His band organized the 2003 and …

"You hope you'd have a little indemnity. You give so much to the public in one night for just $50." Josh Steely, singer/songwriter of local band Sandjackets, learned the hard way that thieves don't care …

"We could have played China. Danny gets calls to play gigs all the time. But he's so humble. He won't take advantage of the situation." Trevor Christ, an ex-pro surfer, plays bass in two bands …