June already? The older you get, the faster time flies. Which reminds me, to remind all of you, I’ll be turning 30 on the 30th. Send gifts…

I’ve also noticed the older I get, the harder it seems to detect the proverbial musical pulse I used to seemingly be so in tune with. Rare were the occasions I was caught unaware of an album release or show. I knew every damn song to every damn CD I had in my Case Logic (and that number hovered somewhere around the 300 mark). My how the times they are a-changin’…

I happened to be on a venture with the lil’ lady to Santa Barbara the last weekend in May, and while record shopping on the infamous State Street, I stumbled upon what appeared to be a brand-spankin’-new NoFX album. What?! How could this be? No, it couldn’t… The band I had come to grow and love for the past 15 years had released an album without notifying me? How dare they?

The album’s been on perma-repeat ever since, and that goes for both the car and in my head; however, I was violently ripped from my punk rock paradise when Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” crashed my cranial celebration whilst shooting photos at Bar West this past Thursday.

Ah yes, now I remember what I’m here to really write about. Must be that Alzheimer’s kickin’ in…

You’re pissed you missed: Flight of the Conchords at UCSD’s Rimac Arena on Wednesday, May 20. Yeah, I know… I’m pissed too. As a matter of fact, I had tickets for the show months in advance (the lady happens to be a huge fan of the show); however, due to last-minute work/scheduling conflicts, neither of us ended up making it out. Not to mention I ate the $100 for the tickets. And to the Craigslist guy who was trying to talk my lady down to $60 for both, for shame… Yes, I’m proud to say I lost a Benji on them; and yes, I am that stubborn. (pictured)

Do yourself a favor: Check out some of these local bands making noise (in more ways than one) around San Diego County: Cell Therapy (myspace.com/celltherapymusic) – Sure I happen to be mildly biased given I used to play drums for these guys (back when we were Calabria), but they’ve honestly got an inherently unique sound that affords a welcomed respite from what has become an exceptionally saturated scene. And if heavier happens to be your particular brand of scotch, there’s Six Reasons, a foursome hailing from Santee who regularly rocks crowds at local venues throughout San Diego County. Check ‘em out at myspace.com/sixreasons. For the more folky folks, I suggest giving A Band About Reason a listen. Solo singer/songwriter/guitarist Adam Seligman is behind the project and much of his material is, well, in a word… beautiful. Also coming soon is a brand new album from San Diego’s Buddy Akai. If you didn’t catch their new set at Art Around Adams on June 6, check back for an Insider preview this month (myspace.com/buddyakai).

And on the one’s and two’s: Summertime in San Diego (although the season doesn’t officially arrive until June 21), kicks off, well, let’s be honest here… Does it ever really end? Okay, let’s just say for argument’s sake the season begins with the first pool party of the year; and while Float’s Intervention has already been running for quite some time, Sunday, May 24, drew one of its biggest crowds to date.

Of course, superstar DJ Paul Oakenfold may have had something to do with the appeal, and while his set was signaturely Oakie, most revelers had little memory of the occasion. View party pics.

There was also Eddie Halliwell and Ms. Lisa at Wave House Sundaze the very same afternoon. And while Oakie did indeed pack the Hard Rock, Halliwell and Lisa did a fine job of drawing scantily-clad asses to the beachside bash.

On the non-water(front), there was house legend Roger Sanchez at SPIN on Friday, May 8; and electro giant Steve Aoki at Ivy’s Envy on Friday, May 22.

More DJs in San Diego: Kassim Osgood hosted a birthday pool party at Hard Rock on Saturday, May 23 and invited his good friends the Ying Yang Twins to perform poolside at Float (view party pics). Mark Farina played Envy on Friday, May 29 and Ivy’s rooftop pool party Euphoria again on May 31.

Hip happenings: Remix master Anthony Gonzales paid a visit to the Belly Up with his electronic/rock road show, M83, on Thursday, May 21; much to the delight of all in atten”dance”. Sleeping Giants Music celebrated their 5 Year Anniversary with a weekend-long party at Wave House, The Office, and Stingaree May 29-31, featuring your favorite SGM DJs Fresh One, Mikey Beats, Beatnik, Chris Cutz and more (giantsarise.com).

In the local spotlight: Many of the best San Diego DJs belong to either the Sleeping Giants Music, Starry Eyed Music or Fortune Music crews. Who we saw spin this month at KIN Lounge, Side Bar, SWAY, 207 and more: Lavelle Dupree, DJ Sid Vicious, DJ Kurch, DJ Fresh One, Mikey Beats, DJ G*Roy, Craig Smoove, DJ Theron, DJ DeVoy and DJ Scotty Boy.

Making noise:

Lady Gaga, “Just Dance” (of course)
Atmosphere, “You”
DJ Rockid, “Girlz”
DJ Digital Opinion; Blondie, “Calle Ocho” remix
Lady Gaga, “Starstruck”
Alex Gopher, “Neon Disco” Black Mix
Heavy D and The Boys, “Nuttin’ But Love”
Mr. Scruff, “Get a Move On” (Original Mix)
Various vs. Javi Mula, “Come On” (DJ Fabian Party Mix)
DJ Class; Lil’ John, “I’m the Shit” remix

Until next month kiddies, keep your ear to the grindstone…

View new San Diego event photos and discover what’s coming up next in our San Diego event calendar. See what you missed in April in New in Music: Diplo to Scotty Boy and DJ AM.

Insider Tip: The lineup for 2009 Street Scene was released this month, announcing M.I.A., Thievery Corporation, Silversun Pickups, Girl Talk and more. Details here.