The Beat at the Belly Up and ASATL at the ‘Bah

I’m not even remotely lying when I assert I’ve attended literally thousands of shows since this music addiction of mine began back before I was able to legally drive my mother’s grey Nissan Maxima station wagon. (Which, by the way, I totaled less than a week after I officially passed my driving test.)

I know I just dated myself with the phrase “thousands,” but truthfully, I don’t care. These few grey facial hairs stand as testament to a life well spent; and at the very least, have earned me the right to force feed you my musical musings.

That said, feel free to scream, “Get on with it Father Time!” I promise I won’t take offense.

Cutting right to the chase, the English Beat (You know, that lil’ 2-tone ska revival band circa England 1978? Hmm… Okay, how about a ditty entitled “Mirror in the Bathroom”? Yeah, I figured that would ring the proverbial bell.), has not one, but two back-to-back shows this weekend at the Belly Up; Friday, Feb. 5, and Saturday, Feb. 6. Friday’s show is with The Lifters; .38 Specials Education joins them on the stage Saturday. I may very well be in attendance, since I currently do not have any pressing photographic duties to tend to. I mean, really… Who knows when, or even if, the opportunity will ever present itself again? That’s reason enough for moi.

Should ska not particularly tickle yer fancy, a truly brilliant alternative to the Belly Up show (at least Saturday eve) will be the vinyl release party for A Scribe Amidst the Lions (ASATL), at the Casbah. (pictured)

If you’ve never heard this band… Well, I don’t quite know how to put this — they’re inspiring, for lack of a better description. And I don’t mean inspirational in direct reference to their music or even message, for that matter; but rather just in their very essence and existence.

Simply put, they transcend the confines of today’s rock genre. And I know that’s a bold statement, but 1) it is my opinion and I’m entitled to it (see intro. paragraph), and 2) take a listen on their MySpace page, to sample the beauty yourself.

Not to mention, The Burning of Rome will be joining them for the occasion. As if you needed another selling point…

Drag the River will be at the ‘Bah Saturday, Feb. 13, and the last two or three times I’ve seen them there, it’s always been a good show, so expect nothing less this Valentine’s Eve.

Backtracking a bit, and to wrap this here b-log up, the Editors are at the House of Blues next Tuesday, Feb. 9, and The Thermals are at the Belly Up Sunday, Feb. 7. You can thank the latter of the two bands for writing that annoyingly addictive vocal hook, “oh way oh whoa,” into their single “Now We Can See”; just in case you were wondering who the hell they were.

And, thanks to that last paragraph and my entirely benevolent endeavor to guide you to worthwhile San Diego music and shows, I will now be humming the aforementioned line until the Xanax hopefully knocks me out before midnight.

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