“Excuse me, I have to put this fire out,” says Joseph Bursey, the doorman at The Tower Bar. I see he’s being literal as I nosily follow him to the corner of the building, where …
September 12, 2024
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Stories by Spike Steffenhagen
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Gonzo Report: Gary Wilson rises again
Brady Bunch beats Partridge Family
It was a bright and sunny day when a pop music revolution took place on a hallowed stage in Southern California. Local singer Zach Goode, who has taken over frontman duties for ‘90s alt-rock icons …
September 5, 2024
Gonzo Report: Playing truth or dare with Rogues of Chaos
Video:GONZO REPORT: Gonzo Report: Playing truth or dare with Rogues of Chaos“If I need one of those, either the spawn of Satan has been born or there’s a dead fucking doctor.” That’s what I tell …
August 22, 2024
Gonzo Report: Working it out at Spacebar’s weekly jazz workshop
“There’s a lot going on in ‘Take Five’ that you miss until you try to play it,” saxophonist and teacher Dave Good tells me. He’s speaking of the jazz standard popularized by the Dave Brubeck …
August 8, 2024
Gonzo Report: Mother Mother, Cavetown, and the medicinal power of music in action
“You’re dealing with a bunch of Gen Zers and Millennials who never get out of the house because of anxiety,” says Sonya, a mother who goes to shows with her daughter. She’s sporting a “No …
August 1, 2024
Gonzo Report: Which One’s Pink? keeps Pink Floyd alive for next generation
“Wygdjgedy Gilmour hednkjehuicehk amplifier cmoiewjcpew.” That’s not my cat walking on the keyboard, but rather an estimation of what I hear from behind me as two people carry on a conversation at normal talking volume, …
July 25, 2024
Adam Jones breaks the fourth wall at The Blarney Stone
It’s been fifteen years since Adam Jones made his debut at The Blarney Stone Pub in Clairemont. “One evening back in 2009, when I stopped in for a weekend nightcap, I heard another band covering …
June 27, 2024
Gonzo Report: TV themes take the stage at The Jazz Lounge
Video:GONZO: TV themes take the stage at The Jazz Lounge“I opened this club, so I can do what I want,” says Leonard Patton from the stage at The Jazz Lounge. He’s flanked by pianist Aimee Nolte …
June 20, 2024
Gonzo Report: Hiroshima shows that rebellion is innate to innovation
“This is why they didn’t let me talk in the band,” joked master kotoist June Kuramoto from a stage at The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad. The band was jazz fusion legends Hiroshima, which …
June 13, 2024
Gonzo Report: Kids rock the Music Box
“Use the force, young Skywalker” reads the note attached to the mixing board at Little Italy’s Music Box. Jedi hijinks might help to explain the flow at Commotion Explosion, which sees several bands taking the …
May 30, 2024
Gonzo Report: Grinnells serve jazz for breakfast at Books & Records
Video:GONZO: Grinnells serve jazz for breakfast at Books & Records in Bankers HillWhen I ask Jenna Angeloni, the manager at Books and Records in Banker’s Hill, if anyone has ever taken their “no dress code” …
May 23, 2024
Gonzo Report: Bad Religion and Social Distortion’s effects on Chula Vista
Video:Bad Religion bassist Jay Bentley reflects on the band's early days playing Iguanas in Tijuana“I don’t even know this fucking guy, he’s not my friend!” says the man who has just pulled a stranger out …
May 2, 2024
Gonzo Report: Kavana takes the stage at Navajo Live
Video:Sparse crowd doesn’t lessen metal magic.“It doesn’t matter,” says a guy I’ll call Drunk Boda after I inform him that I didn’t play at tonight’s Metal Monday show at Navajo Live in San Carlos. The …
April 25, 2024
Dad Darius Degher writes lyrics for his daughters - and himself
Degher and his daughter duo: “W.H. Auden said that reading your own poetry is like smelling your own farts,” says singer/songwriter, producer, and published poet Darius Degher. For some reason, I imagine the noxious fumes flowing …
April 11, 2024
Gonzo Report: TikTok star Ricky Montgomery connects in real life
Video:GONZO: TikTok star Ricky Montgomery connects in real life“There’s nothing more dangerous than the combined rage of teenage girls,” a teenage girl informs me after I ask a group of them to not beat me …
April 3, 2024
Gonzo Report: Young Lions roar at Panama 66
“Wait, what? Protein? Gimme some steak!” The staff member taking my order at Panama 66 in Balboa Park had nearly left me resigned to eating a quinoa salad, a vegetarian meal, because I was unaware …
March 29, 2024
Reader Music Issue short takes
Island civilizationWithin the Coronado Ferry Landing, you will find Coronado Tasting Room. Purveyors of Craft Spirits, Extra Virgin Olive Oils, Balsamic Vinegars, Spices and Gourmet Foods. Every other Wednesday evening, Michael Gonzales (aka Gonzo) and …
March 27, 2024
San Diego Reader 2024 Music & Arts Issue
Some musicians see forming a tribute group as a way to get into the music industry. Copping someone else’s successful act may seem their only chance at earning a bit of applause, adulation, and — …
March 27, 2024
Gonzo Report: Stinkfoot Orchestra conjures Zappa at Winstons
Video:GONZO REPORT: Stinkfoot Orchestra conjures Zappa at Winstons“Don’t ever fucking do that again!” yells the security guard at Winstons Beach Club in Ocean Beach. The recipient of his instruction is a guy named Steve, who …
March 15, 2024
Mojo Nixon, 1957-2024
“I would say that 60 percent of the crowd liked him, and the rest were offended,” recalls Beat Farmers guitarist Jerry Raney about his initial meeting with Mojo Nixon at the Spring Valley Inn circa …
February 22, 2024
Gonzo Report: Roni Lee, Monette Marino, and Shamini Jain bring love and support for violinist Jamie Shadowlight
Video:GONZO REPORT: Roni Lee, Monette Marino, Shamini Jain bring love and support for Jamie Shadowlight“I can’t even begin to understand what you’re going through,” says a woman, comforting her friend as we wait in line …
February 1, 2024
Robert Cowan’s harmonica came with no ego attached
Humble hero on the harp: “Robert had an unusual habit like no other,” says saxophonist Dave Good of Robert Cowan, a bandmate in every band Good formed after their 2015 jam session at Java Joe’s, including …
January 25, 2024
The late Reverend Stickman did what many claim to aspire to
Video:BLURT: Reverend Stickman Memories: "Who We are Now" Behind the scenes and live performanceReverend Stickman left for the great gig in the sky on December 22 of last year, at the age of 59. “He …
January 18, 2024
Surveying the scene at the Heavy Metal Swap Meet
“He died in Sweden; I’m so sorry,” says a man named Daniel who’s checking out my Cliff Burton tattoo. Though Daniel hails from Sweden himself, I doubt he had anything to do with Metallica’s tour …
December 14, 2023
Frankie Silver’s Broadway break leads to 3-year medical ordeal
“I said to myself, ‘Frankie, you’re not going to be one of those people that just drives a normal car and gets in it every day,’” recalls singer/dancer/producer <a href="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/musicians/frankie-silver/">Frankie Silver</a>. “I figured, when I …
December 14, 2023
Gonzo Report: Goblin performs Demons at Little Italy’s Music Box
“Does anyone complain about the dicks on your shirt?” I ask Keshaun, one of the bar staff at Little Italy’s Music Box. He’s sporting swaag from Dwarves, a punk band as notorious for their shock …
December 7, 2023
Gonzo Report: Earplugs not required while hearing (if not seeing) Acid Mothers Temple
“I think I dropped a couple of verses there,” jokes <a href="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/color-forty-nine/">The Color Forty Nine</a> singer-guitarist Phil Beaumont. “Maybe they’re on the floor.” Or maybe it’s drummer-singer John Meeks who’s talking. I can’t see either …
November 9, 2023
Free Rocket From the Crypt tattoos courtesy of Crapman
“I got to tattoo Speedo” — aka <a href="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/rocket-crypt/">Rocket From the Crypt</a> guitarist John Reis — “in Milan, Italy in 2018, backstage at a Hot Snakes concert,” says Italian artist Mayo Maggiore, aka Crapman. “And then …
October 19, 2023
Reader writers try music not to their taste
All this jazz at Tio Leo’s“I see a lot of familiar faces here, and I see three or four new ones. I want to let you know that, when the music is playing, we are …
October 18, 2023
Accepting the escapades with Doc Hammer
“We wanted to be called Brock Samson,” says <a href="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/doc-hammer/">Doc Hammer</a> guitarist Clayton Word, “but the band wasn’t heavy enough to accommodate such an epic killing machine as our avatar,” As fans of the animated …
October 12, 2023
Gonzo Report: 16 bands and one pair of boots highlight inaugural Summer Slam
“What’s with the boots?” I ask several people as they pass the empty footwear resting on the overpass leading to Corazon Del Barrio. The boots, sturdy workman types, could be protecting the feet of any …
September 21, 2023
-(16)- balances international success with local obscurity
“I’m an equal fan of <a href="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/ratt/">Ratt</a> and <a href="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/cattle-decapitation/">Cattle Decapitation</a>,” says Bobby Ferry. “Bottom line, this city has produced some of the best metal music ever made.” The founder/guitarist/vocalist for <a href="http://www.sandiegoreader.com/bands/-16-/">-(16)-</a> fronts a …
August 31, 2023
Gonzo Report: The musical courtship of Dr. Know and Eddie’s father
“Fuck Greg, gimme that white shirt,” I tell Dr. Know’s merch person. Greg Gonzalez is like a brother to me, and I’m attending this show at The Casbah because Dr. Know is one of his …
August 24, 2023
Gonzo Report: Family vibe at Bolt Brewery’s Punk & Brews
Raucous relationsFamily vibe at Bolt’s Punk & Brews“I didn’t get to see T.S.O.L. at The Holding Company; I had to leave because one of my kids needed me,” says Emily Anne Elliot, referring to the …
August 17, 2023
Gonzo Report: GBH stirs memories of diving days at House of Blues
Kevin Grossman — formerly of Rat City Riot, now with LoudMouth — shares a memory of touring with tonight’s headline act, GBH. “There’s nothing like being in a poor punk touring band, going to Paris …
July 27, 2023
San Diegans split on public access to bathrooms
We don’t have a public restroom,” the lead employee at a discount store tells me. “Yes, you do.” I shoot back. “No, we don’t,” she repeats, not looking at me. It’s December of 2022, I’m …
July 26, 2023
Gonzo Report: Musical universe expands at Observatory North Park with Les Claypool & Fishbone
“Some guy jumped from the top balcony onto the speakers and then down onto the floor. And then some other guy dove off the stage onto his face on the floor and had to go …
July 13, 2023
Burning Beard Brewery forms local-centric music label Styrofoam Records with artist David McHank and others
David McHank of Styrofoam Records is an artist whose 30-year career includes illustrating posters and album covers, as well as venturing into animated shorts around a decade ago. Mike Molina is a videographer for Robles …
July 13, 2023
Gonzo Report: Dungeons and Dragons and Mothmen at Lefty’s in Mission Hills
“Aw, man! I thought I might get to dance with some cats today!” Knowing that the man in the purple shirt is using olde-timey slang to describe males — as opposed to our furry feline …
June 22, 2023
Jennifer Mann and Jake Allen are “Both kind of into the esoteric”
“I’ve always associated letters, numbers, flavors, scents, and sounds with colors,” says artist Jennifer Mann. “I never knew there was a term for this, synesthesia, until a few years ago. For me, ‘A’ is red, …
June 8, 2023
Gonzo Report: Punk nirvana approached at Burning Beard Brewery
“What made you think the world needed another brewery?” I ask Burning Beard Brewery co-founder Mike Maass. He doesn’t miss a beat, laughing as he explains the art of brewing, and the environment he and …
May 25, 2023