The Surfaris return to Solana Beach

When I was 10 or 11 and in the fifth grade at Henry Clay Elementary near Rolando Park, I got my first gig as a sax player. It was as a member of a surf rock combo with some other …

A fundraiser will be held at Larry's Beach House for Brokers bassist Emory "Emo" Moe. The event will feature Joey Harris & The Mentals, Roni Lee, Sam Jamz, The Decades and more.

On June 1, members of the area’s music community will come together at Larry’s Beach Club, in Oceanside, for “Have A Heart,” a fundraising concert to help bassist Emory “Emo” Moe of classic rock cover band, The Brokers. Money raised …

Pacifico Booking presents over 20 bands and artists representing the experimental underbelly of Baja's capital.

On Friday, June 7, Mexicali culture-movers Pacifico Booking present their first installment of Festival de Musica & Arte Pacifico at Palo Verde Anthro & Bar (Boulevard Benito Juarez and Avenida Magisterio next to the Home Depot). This all-ages event showcases …

Sprague used ethnic percussion-loops and guitar synthesizer to negate the lack of bass and drums, making for a thrilling three-way conversation.

Tenor saxophonist Brian Levy, with guitarist Peter Sprague and pianist Mikan Zlatkovich combined for a knockout concert of modern jazz at its finest May 25, dispelling the notion that a rhythm section is absolutely necessary for potent music making. They …

The symphony that started it all ends it for the symphony this year.

The absolute last piece of music for the San Diego Symphony season was Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3: Eroica. This may have been the final piece this year but it is the piece of music that started it all. The Eroica …

Vibraphonist Nathan Hubbard enlists an ensemble from San Diego and Tijuana to perform conceptual series

For the last several years, vibraphonist Nathan Hubbard has been presenting concerts under the moniker Passengers, usually as a five piece group playing “post-post-post-minimalist/rock/etc.” For Hubbard, this was a move away from the multi-section compositions of his groups Return To …

"We are really beyond words at this point."

"Why is San Diego Music TV being targeted again?" Megan Erickson reports that the offices of San Diego Music TV were robbed again, this time during the Memorial Day weekend. "Yes, we have security and cameras," she emails, "but these …

The Masterworks Season came to a conclusion last weekend at San Diego Symphony.

The final concert of the Masterworks Series at The San Diego Symphony started with Smetana’s overture to The Bartered Bride. This was the most satisfying piece in the concert. The energy in the orchestra was good and the music itself …

Outdoor festival on the coastline of Ensenada features Maniquí Lazer, Fax, Letters From Readers, The Electric Healing Sound, Celofán, and more.

On Saturday, June 15, Buenasolasfest is bringing a full day of Baja jams to Anfiteatro de Viento at Colectivo Gastronómico – km 104 on Highway 1, just north of Ensenada in El Sauzal. Topping the bill is Mexicali’s recently reunited …

Strange Stage Stories from San Diego Musicians: John Bowe (52nd Street), Louis Brazier (Lestat's booker), Lou Curtis (Folk Arts Founder), Clay Colton (Damaged Goods) and Jarrod Lucas (The Phantoms, The Dragons) relate odd and interesting moments that have happened while performing...

John Bowe / 52nd Street: “I think the most embarrassing thing to happen on stage was one night at Humphrey's. We had been making some changes to Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl" for a couple of weeks in practice. We were …

This past weekends Ugly Things Magazines 30th Anniversary Celebration at the Casbah delivered the goods for fans of sixties inspired music, complete with a surprise appearance from sixties icon and former Paul Revere & The Raiders front man, Mark Lindsay.

Sunday, May 26, the closing night of Ugly Things Magazine's 30th Anniversary celebration at the Casbah, was capped off by the surprise appearance of former Paul Revere and the Raiders frontman, Mark Lindsay, who jumped on stage toward the end …

Elvin Bishop guitarist celebrating 50 years in the music biz at Kona Kai Resort & Marina

"I joined San Francisco’s Local 6 in 1963 with a note from my mom," says guitar god Johnny Vernazza. Born in San Francisco and raised in Daly City, California, he spent the 1970s touring with a gospel band and recorded …

Ian Tordella led a tenor-heavy ensemble and a crack rhythm section at the Little Italy venue.

Local saxophone wizard Ian Tordella delivered a mostly cerebral set on May 24 at 98 Bottles, billed as The Twin Tenors, Vol. III, featuring LA saxophonist Joe Berry along with pianist Kamau Kenyatta, bassist Rob Thorsen and drummer Charles Weller. …

A few weeks ago, Sixties Guns posted a video for their third track, "Atypical Weirdos" - a triumph of low-budget effects and lethal babe factor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXEYGVgujc4 Interview, videos, and so much more, this way.

STP (with new singer from Linkin Park) suing to protect band name and songs

Stone Temple Pilots are suing their former frontman Scott Weiland, in an attempt to prevent him from using STP's name or songs. The suit, filed in L.A. on May 24, accuses Weiland of "hijacking its name and songs to promote …

Four of the world's top players joined forces for a concert in La Jolla.

Athenaeum Jazz concluded its Spring series of concerts on May 23, with the Anthony Wilson Seasons Guitar Quartet in front of a nearly sold-out house at TSRI in La Jolla, shattering some expectations and succumbing to others in the process. …

67 year-old actor/singer suffered a stroke this week

67 year-old Rocky Horror Picture Show icon Tim Curry suffered a stroke yesterday and is said to be recovering in an L.A. hospital. We at the Reader hope he gets well very soon and, seeing as how Curry once (briefly) …

The Russian equivalent of Row, row, you're boat gets thrashed by Tchaikovsky.

When I went to the Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4 a few weeks ago I didn’t realize how famous the theme of the finale movement is Russia. The theme is exactly the tune to In a field a little birch tree …

Sex, drugs, and mashups: what a deejay does

This is how Cubic Lust starts: "Wake up in a pool of blood. It's soaked into the sheets of this oversized bed. Everything is blinding white." Cubic Lust, a first novel written by Bay Area deejay/producer Gavin Hardkiss is due …

Free street fair on Revolucion with Carlos Marks, Los Zaragoza, Steph Johnson, Pico de Gallo, Tico's Big Band, and more.

On Sunday, May 26 from 1 to 11 p.m., you are invited to a free afternoon and evening of music, food, wine, and craft beer in a street fair atmosphere with the Tijuana Jazz & Blues Festival on Revolucion between …

My Bloody Valentine, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, MGMT, Beach House, FLAG (Keith, Chuck, Dez, Billy & Stephen playing the songs of Black Flag), Deerhunter, Devendra Banhart, The Breeders, Yo La Tengo, Solange, Washed Out, Toro y Moi, Holy Ghost!, Death Grips, Strfker, Thee Oh Sees... and many more

FYF Fest returns to Los Angeles Historic Park for their tenth annual extravaganza with what may be their most compelling lineup to date. Headliners for the Saturday, August 24 - Sunday, August 25 weekend festival include: Yeah Yeah Yeahs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpGtkz-449U …

Three local beatmakers are working together to create a community space for like-minded musicians.

A trio of local beat producers is putting their resources together to create a community space for fellow music creators. “Music is deeply personal and perfectionism can strangle the life out of what you are capable of and prevent others …

A night dedicated to Spain brought all the warmth and flavor of Andalusia.

The San Diego Symphony took us on a trip to the Andalusian Plain of Southern Spain with a concert full of gypsies, flamenco dancers and romantic guitars. The concert opened with Granados’ Tres danzas espanolas. The sweltering Spanish flavor of …

New CD with Matt Hensley (Flogging Molly) debuting at the Mingei Museum

Patric Petrie's release party for Pocket Venus happens May 31 at the Mingei Museum in Balboa Park. “Pocket Venus refers to a woman who is petite in height, yet voluptuous and curvy at the same time,” says the Skelpin fiddler. …

There is a special, exploratory chemistry happening with these three.

Veteran double bass artist Rob Thorsen celebrated the recent release of his CD, Rob Thorsen Trio: Live on May 18, in front of a healthy crowd of jazz aficionados at Dizzy's in Pacific Beach. Featuring pianist Joshua White and drummer …

Wanicur's charts are tricky, but with Peter Sprague, Ian Tordella and Charles Weller in the band, easy to digest.

San Diego bassist Ben Wanicur held a CD release party May 17, at Dizzy's celebrating his new disc The Excluded Middle, fronting an all-star band featuring Peter Sprague on guitar, Ian Tordella on saxophone and Charles Weller on drums. Opening …

This is Vol.III in the series, pairing Tordella with LA sax man Joe Berry

Saxophonist Ian Tordella continues his Twin Tenors series, which spotlights up-and-coming saxophone talent (as well as established players) in the southern California area, accompanied by an outstanding local rhythm section comprised of bassist Rob Thorsen, pianist Kamau Kenyatta, and drummer …

King Kruk brings home silver from Las Vegas

"At the end of the contest," James Kruk says, "I was taking a photo with Linda Thompson, and she whispered in my ear, "You were my favorite." That's a big statement, considering that James 'King' Kruk is an Elvis impersonator …

USCD grad mixes music, projection mapping, and culinary prowess to woo South Korean pop star.

“I have applied to be Psy's chef because I love mixing cultures through food and media,” says Will ‘CutMod’ Michaelsen, a 2011 UCSD graduate and projection mapping artist who moved to Los Angeles to work in the music industry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifU_4QywNcc …

What's a theory of the role of Mother Earth without a musical reference?

When I wrote about Gaia versus Medea as models of motherhood I should have mentioned that this distinction was developed as an argument by a scientist named Peter Ward. Ward holds that the Gaia Theory of the Earth as a …

Loving local music and local food: "not a sausage fest."

"This is a dinner party. I want people to understand that." LJ Livingston is on the phone to talk about her coming benefit banquet/concert affair Loving Local Music and Local Food. "This is not a sausage fest." Livingston is hard …

The creative Chicago/ Southern California guitarist brought his tight trio to town for some jagged explorations on the jazz aesthetic.

Concert promoter Bonnie Wright's importance to the music and arts community received some rare public acknowledgement on May 14, when she was awarded a proclamation signed by Mayor Bob Filner declaring it to be Bonnie Wright Day in San Diego. …

Zona Norte, neon lights, ladies of the night, and cold-blooded murder.

Tijuana two-piece Dancing Strangers recently posted a video for "Nightwalker" from their January EP, Lost in Lust. Lost In Lust by dancing strangers "It's a song that was inspired by adolescent memories walking through Zona Norte and seeing these women …

Country rocker Billy Joe Clements on the art of bending cow hide to his will

"I gave one as a gift to a buddy once, and I pre- loaded it with cash." Sweet. It's Billy Joe Clements on the phone, and he wants to get me caught up on his new thing: the handcrafting of …

The youngest Kmak steps up with a knockout alt rock debut

Seen last week on Joshua Kmak's Facebook page: "To the girl that was sitting across from me at Rubio's, I was going to say hello, but I didn't and have been kicking myself in the ass ever since. I was …

Featuring interviews with members of Melvins, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tomahawk, Antioch Arrow, Holy Molar, Head Wound City, Regents, Dangerous Boys Club, and more.

Retox recently posted a ten-minute preview for their film, YPLL: Documentation, featuring tour footage and interviews with members of Melvins, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Tomahawk, Antioch Arrow, Holy Molar, Head Wound City, Regents, and Dangerous Boys Club, among others. The full …

Gaia and Medea, they're both mothers.

Gaia has a beautiful yoga practice, she harms not the earth with all of her green tech, and she is vegan to the bone. Gaia is “one of those” mothers--at least that's the modern version. There are a few archetypes …

Mom-centric music by locals Wag Halen, Fake Booby Judy, Nicky B. Le Grand, more

San Diego's own Wag Halen sent over this salute to "Encinitas Moms (So Hot)," with a music video now viewed over 103,000 times on YouTube. http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/may/12/45379/ “Encinitas moms are the hottest moms in the world,” said Wayno Wag Halen. “We …

Jazz should always be like this: exciting, connected to the blues, swinging, grounded in tradition while surging into the future.

When jazz is hitting on all of its cylinders, there is no more important art form on this planet. On May 10, the newest incarnation of the Mark Dresser Quintet demonstrated, in front of a packed house of vocal supporters, …

The Chicago guitarist returns to Fresh Sound @ Space 4 Art with his longstanding trio.

Bonnie Wright closes out her Spring String Theory concert series with a bang on May 14 by way of a special appearance by Chicago guitar hero Jeff Parker's trio, featuring bassist Chris Lopes and drummer Chad Taylor. These three have …

Tijuana / North Park quartet hits the ground running.

There’s something going on with Sixties Guns. They’re too put together to have formed just seven months ago. The sound is too cohesive, the feel too natural. Their second of three released tracks, “Cuts,” is too prodigious to have been …

Moran, bassist Tarus Mateen and especially drummer Nasheet Waits laid it down.

The May 8 Athenaeum Jazz concert featuring Jason Moran & The Bandwagon was a fascinating conceptual affair that's reach occasionally exceeded its grasp -- even though there were plenty of bright moments. Using his i-pod to play transitional material from …

Free local music video service takes a hit and regroups

The update from San Diego Music TV's Megan Erickson: "As of right now," she emails, "there has been no recovery of any of the items that we taken during the robbery at our office/studio, but the investigation is still ongoing …

Tasty multi-genre jam down at the Kava Lounge

Nuke a bag of popcorn and grab a jar of jelly, because Doo Doo Roo (yes it’s named after a novelty adult beverage, yes it’s a science, yes you can make it, too) is back for another round of sweet …

Liquid Geometry beatmaker remixes Tijuana cosmic cabaret quartet with spellbinding results.

Back in January, my buddy Hugo Fierro and I curated a show at Visual in Normal Heights with a handful of artists and musicians who had caught our attention during weekend jaunts across the border to Mexicali and Tijuana. Closing …

Police allege Tim Lambesis tried to hire someone to kill his wife

As I Lay Dying singer Tim Lambesis was arrested on Tuesday, May 7, for allegedly trying to hire an undercover police officer to murder his estranged wife. The band was scheduled to tour with Killswitch Engage, Miss May I, and …

The bassist's brand new disc features Ian Tordella, Peter Sprague and Charlie Weller.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/may/07/45158/ Although he hasn't been in San Diego long, bassist Ben Wanicur has been making waves on the jazz scene, and he recently released an album under his own name, The Excluded Middle with saxophonist Ian Tordella guitar hero Peter …

Hillcrest venue hosts Hybris, Sub Killaz, and DJ EVLO for filming of documentary on North American drum and bass.

San Diego’s drum and bass/jungle scene has caught the attention of filmmakers behind The American Jungle, a feature-length documentary that explores U.S. and Canadian subcultures spawned by a high-energy, Amen-break-based genre of electronic dance music that originated in London around …

East County rocker Scott Frazier explains where he's been for the last couple years.

"I'm probably the most addictive personality you'll ever meet." A familiar figure is sitting behind the mixing table in a private recording studio in Casa de Oro, near Spring Valley. It's Scott Frazier, in white T shirt and jeans, wearing …

The San Diego Symphony turned in a performance so epic that Game of Thrones should be ashamed of itself for being too trite.

I’ve been trying to come up with a way to express the grandeur of the San Diego Symphony’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. Let me first say that I thought the orchestra sounded better than they ever have during …

Charles Ives has an answer for every question except the last one while the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto is technically brilliant.

On Saturday night, the fourth of May, 2013, the San Diego Symphony stood victorious upon Tchaikovsky’s mountain of pathos. The concert began with Ives’ The Unanswered Question which was structurally unique with a choir of woodwinds being conducted upstage by …

Introducing new members Ben Schachter on saxophone and Kjell Nordeson on drums, Dresser, Joshua White and Michael Dessen pack a big punch.

Friday, May 10, contrabass master Mark Dresser will debut the latest version of his West Coast Quintet, which features new members tenor saxophonist Ben Schachter and drummer Kjell Nordeson alongside veterans pianist Joshua White and trombonist Michael Dessen. I had …

Moran is one of the most highly regarded pianists of his generation.

Internationally acclaimed pianist Jason Moran returns to San Diego May 8, at TSRI under the auspices of Athenaeum Jazz, produced by Dan Atkinson. Moran will be leading his longstanding trio The Bandwagon featuring bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits. …

Tenor man Halley leads a veteran ensemble through some wicked free-bop.

Oregon based tenor saxophonist Rich Halley has been producing superior free-jazz music for many years and his group, the Rich Halley 4, shows the weight of that experience on their brand new release Crossing The Passes on Pine Eagle Records. …

Family Matters beat showcase organizer and Kava manager Mateo Silva signs off

It’s the end of an era for San Diego’s most eclectic underground electronic, experimental, and world music venue as manager Mateo Silva departs after eight years at the Kava Lounge. Anyone who’s spent time at this Middletown organic cocktail bar …

A couple romantic hits and Ives this weekend at SDSO.

The concert I’ve been waiting for all season is finally here this weekend at the San Diego Symphony. Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky are both on the ticket--and Ives. The Rachmaninoff is the Piano Concerto No. 1 and the Tchaikovsky is the …