I’m not gonna lie… August may very well go down in my own personal history book as the shittiest month ever. Of course, there’s the ageless adage, “It could always be worse;” however, I’ve never been fond of considering those less fortunate than I merely to make my own lot in life seem just peachy by comparison. 

I’ll spare you the intimate details, but just be aware it sucked something fierce. That said, if you happen to see me out and about shooting photos or traipsing about any of the local rock clubs in the next few weeks, feel free to buy me a scotch… or ten. 

Fortunately, for the less-afflicted, there was little to bitch about (at least in terms of music) this past month, as our city rarely disappoints when it comes to closing out summer on a high note. 

You’re pissed you missed: A whole bunch of smaller shows I should know about but don’t since I was busy chain-smoking and drinking my cares away pretty much the whole damn month. 

On a more obvious note, if you missed Street Scene… Well, I really don’t have much to say other than, “That was dumb.” While the Scene has certainly gotten too big for its britches — growing by leaps and bounds since the first such event in 1984 — and abandoned any true sense of it being either a “scene” or on the “street,” it remains one of, if not the most highly-anticipated concerts in all of San Diego. And considering this year’s line-up, the appeal is beyond blatant. 

Headliners included the Black Eyed Peas, M.I.A., Thievery Corporation (pictured left - by Rohan Anderson - sevendays.net.au) and Modest Mouse. Throw in other household names such as the Silversun Pickups, Cake, Band of Horses, and The Faint, and you already have the makings for a premier event. Not to mention DJ talent the likes of Bassnectar, Girl Talk and Donald Glaude; in addition to local bands and artists such as Dirty Sweet, the Crocodiles, and Anya Marina. View Street Scene photos and watch Street Scene videos. 

To the chagrin of a number of the Scene’s initial ticket holders, the Beastie Boys, who were added to the bill mid-July, were forced to cancel their appearance due to MCA receiving the diagnosis he had a cancerous (yet easily-treatable) tumor in his salivary gland. Details here. 

Regardless, the Street Scene powers-that-be persevered, and in signature Scene fashion, managed to throw one hell of a party… And will probably continue to do so for another quarter-century. 

Do yourself a favor: And check out a group of local musicians otherwise known as The Brandy Alexander Band (myspace.com/thebrandyalexanderband). I shot photos of these guys during their set at the Casbah on Wednesday, Aug. 12, and they put on one hell of a show (pictured main). Bassist/vocalist Aaron Thompson used to front the band The Strangers Six; which, by the way, will be playing a reunion show (they haven’t played together as a band in over two years) at the Casbah along with the Transit War and Spell Toronto on Saturday, Nov. 28. If you’d like to catch an upcoming Brandy Alexander gig, hit the Ruby Room this Friday, Sept. 18. 

And then there’s the Gaslight Anthem, a Jersey-born foursome which has literally provided my sole source of levity this past month. The band combines honest, poignant lyrics with beautiful rock and roll to create one of the most unique, impressive sounds I’ve encountered in a long while. 91X is hosting their headlining gig this Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the House of Blues with Murder By Death. Not attending wouldn’t even be an option if I were you. 

And on the one’s and two’s: Summer wound down with an impressive talent pool manning the decks all around San Diego. Here’s just a sampling of who rocked the various venues: 

Designer Drugs @ Voyeur, (8_1) – view pics
DJ Tamara Sky @ Ivy, (8_1)
DJ Este @ Ivy Rooftop, (8_2)
Apl De Ap of the BEP, 207 @ Hard Rock, (8_6) – view pics
BIBA.SCUBA @ On Broadway, (8_7)
Hypercrush @ Stingaree, (8_7)
Reid Speed @ Voyeur, (8_8)
The Crystal Method, Intervention @ Hard Rock, (8_9) – view pics
The Bloody Beetroots @ Voyeur, (8_9)
Steve Aoki @ Wave House, (8_9)
Mark E Quark @ The Office, (8_12)
Sky Nellor, Float @ Hard Rock, (8_13)
BOY 8 BIT @ SPIN, (8_15)
Does It Offend You, Yeah? @ Voyeur, (8_15)
Victor Dinaire @ Sway, (8_15)
Colleen Shannon, Eclipse @ Harrah’s, (8_15)
Sharam (of Deep Dish) @ Intervention, (8_16) – view pics
DJ’s Diamond, Miss Lisa and Frances @ Wave House, (8_16) 

Derrick Carter @ Thin, (8_20)
Posso the DJ @ Voyeur, (8_20)
Jump Smokers @ Bar West for DJhere 1-year, (8_20) – view pics
Tom Stephan (a.k.a. Superchumbo) @ Voyeur, (8_21)
The Lawn Chair Generals @ SPIN, (8_21)
DJ Dan, Envy @ the Ivy, (8_21)
Teenage Bad Girl @ Voyeur, (8_22)
3OH3! @ On Broadway, (8_22)
Harvard Bass @ El Dorado, (8_22)
Chris Garcia, Intervention @ Hard Rock, (8_23)
Christopher Lawrence @ Wave House Sundaze, (8_23)
Joey Basu , Rock Bar @ Side Bar, (8_27) – view pics
DJ Cobra @ Ivy Hotel, (8_27)
DJ Frances @ On Broadway, (8_27)
Mark Farina @ SPIN, (8_28)
Paparazzi, Float @ Hard Rock, (8_28)
DJ $uperfox & Beachers Madhouse @ Stingaree, (8_28)
Depressed Buttons (The Faint) & Jeremy Dawson (Shiny Toy Guns) @ Voyeur for the Official Street Scene After-party, (8_28)
Busta Rhymes @ On Boradway, (8_29)
DJ Scene @ the Ivy for the Targa Trophy after-party, (8_29)
Late of the Pier (DJ set) @ Voyeur, (8_29)
Serge Devant, Intervention @ Hard Rock, (8_30)
Anthony Pappa @ Wave House Sundaze, (8_30)
George Acosta @ Ivy Rooftop, (8_30)
LouLou of Thievery Corporation & Yusef @ Se Hotel, (8_30)

Hip happenings: The North Park Music Thing was literally a “hip happening,” as hipsters galore flocked to the Lafayette Hotel on El Cajon Blvd. (headquarters for the event) to see bands the likes of The Presidents of the United States of America, The Night Marchers, Blackheart Procession, Scott Russo & the Big Big Bang, Steve Poltz & the Rugburns, El Vez and others. The three-day festival took place Friday thru Sunday, Aug. 7-9, and featured over 150 bands and artists. 

Side Bar launched new Rock Bar Thursdays, featuring house DJ remixes of classic rock hits with musicians playing live in the club. View new Rock Bar photos and watch Rock Bar videos. (pictured left)

Making noise:
“I Gotta Feeling,” The Black Eyed Peas
“Down,” Jay Sean feat. Lil’ Wayne
“Run This Town,” Jay-Z, Rihanna & Kanye West
“Use Somebody,” Kings of Leon
“Obsessed,” Mariah Carey
“Hotel Room Service,” Pitbull
“Watcha Say,” Jason DeRulo
“Best I Ever Had,” Drake
“Knock You Down,” Keri Hilson feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo
“Throw it in the Bag,” Fabolous feat. The-Dream
“Waking Up in Vegas,” Katy Perry
“Bulletproof,” La Roux
“Sweet Dreams,” Beyonce 

That’s enough sappy shit outta me for the time being. Go listen to the Gaslight Anthem and get your respective asses to the show this week. I’ll be there, so be sure to buy me a scotch to help wash away August’s aftertaste.

View new San Diego nightlife photos and discover what’s coming up next in our San Diego event calendar. See what you missed in July in New in Music: Scarlet Symphony to Silent Comedy.