Summertime has forever been the season of new music, and not unlike the big screen, where the phrase “summer blockbuster” resonates amidst movie-goers, the months of June through September tend to be when bands time their releases, tours and one-off shows.
Nowhere is the above scenario more prevalent than in the city of perpetual summertime bliss, otherwise known as the “Whale’s Vagina,” or San Diego to the layperson.
This season’s list of musical migrants has been both impressive and expansive, especially from the DJ standpoint; with Nadastrom topping July’s electro list at Voyeur to house music giant Doc Martin taking the reigns at The Office. And of course, the notorious Comic Con didn’t disappoint in terms of the talent pool it drew to the decks.
In short, the San Diego music scene’s been as hot as the weather, sans the humidity of course. Here’s a summertime sampling:
You’re pissed you missed: The Supersuckers at Canes on Friday, July 3. I’ve yet to see Eddie Spaghetti and crew not rock any stage they happen to be on. And whether good ol’ s@#t-kickin’ rock, punk or rockabilly happens to be your genre of choice, they cover all the bases. If I weren’t recovering from my post-birthday/pre-Fourth celebrations, I would’ve been in attendance, mixin’ it up with the best of ‘em.
Another “damn-it-I-should’ve-been-there, but-I-had-uber-important-whatever-to-tend-to-that-night” show was Rancid and Rise Against at Cricket on Friday, July 10. And while I’m not a huge fan of seeing bands I once saw at tiny, hole-in-the-wall venues play stadium shows, this is one of those I was kicking myself for not taking the night off in order to see. I just found it rather intriguing that Rise Against’s ascension to stardom has surpassed that of punk predecessors Rancid. Perhaps I’m giving the boys from the East Bay a bit too much credit, but in terms of influence and timelessness, I’d give rancid the nod any day of the week and twice on Sundays. (pictured - Rise Against, by Evan Hunt)
Do yourself a favor: And check out the Crocodiles, a rather dynamic duo quickly making their mark on the local scene and nationwide (leaving for U.S. tour next week). Think Velvet Underground with a slightly electronic feel. Their post-punk sound has even garnered them not one, but two nominations at the San Diego Music Awards (SDMA) — one for Artist of the Year and the other for Album of the Year. The Crocodiles will be back in town for Street Scene on Aug. 29, with a later show at the Casbah. myspace.com/crocodilescrocodilescrocodiles
 There’s also the Silent Comedy, a band that has somehow managed to combine elements of parlor music, blues, gospel, folk and rock to create a sound all their own. These guys are solid both musically and performance-wise, and those who’ve seen them on stage are generally impressed by both their music and mustaches. Just visit their website, or better yet, go see them live on Friday, Aug. 14, at SOMA, Sept. 10 at the SDMA’s (they’re also nominated for Best Pop) or the following night, Sept. 11, at the Casbah to see what the hell I’m talking about. thesilentcomedy.com (pictured left)
Another SDMA nominee and performer, Scarlet Symphony, is also worth a listen. This foursome is about as straightforward rock as you can get. No prog. No electro. No bull s$%t. These guys are just good ol’ rock and roll. Check ‘em out at the SDMA’s on Thursday, Sept. 10, or Friday, Sept. 18, at Bar Pink. myspace.com/scarletsymphony
And on the one’s and two’s: As summer progresses, this list seems to perpetually expand, and with Comic Con hitting the San Diego Convention Center July 23-26, the talent treating the after-partiers was indeed impressive.
DJ Cobra and Jack LaFleur @ the Ivy, (7_9)
DJ Skribble, Intervention @ Hard Rock’s Float, (7_12)
Villains, Float @ Hard Rock, (7_10)
Kaskade, Float, (7_5) – view party pics (pictured)
DJ Class @ Stingaree, (7_10)
Victor Dinaire @ Wave House, (7_4)
DJ Dan @ Wave House, (7_5)
Fort Wayne & Solomon, DJ Frances & DJ Diamond @ the Hilton, (7_4) – view party pics
Designer Drugs, Float @ Hard Rock, (7_3)
DJ Felli Fel, 207 @ Hard Rock, (7_3)
DJ Scotty Boy @ Wave House, (7_12)
Nadastrom @ Voyeur, (7_10)
Shark Attack @ Voyeur, (7_10) – view party pics
Pitbull and DJ Seize @ On Broadway, (7_17)
Far East Movement @ Ivy, (7_16)
Scooter & Lavelle @ Wave House, (7_19)
Will Bailey @ Voyeur, (7_17)
A-trak @ Voyeur, (7_14)
Morse Code @ KIN Lounge, (7_18)
Tony Arzadon of S.K.A.M. Artist DJ’s @ the Ivy rooftop, (7_19)
Doc Martin @ The Office, (7_23) – view party pics (pictured)
Jack LaFleur, Intervention @ Hard Rock’s Float, (7_26)
DJ DLG @ Voyeur, (7_31)
DJ Reflex feat. Lavelle Dupree @ Ivy, (7_30)
Josh Gabriel @ Ivy, (7_31)
DJ Myron @ On Broadway, (7_31)
Jack LaFleur, Intervention @ Hard Rock, (7_26) – view party pics
The Alchemist (Eminem’s DJ) @ Harrah’s, (7_25)
Mickey Avalon and Beardo, Envy @ Ivy, (7_25) – view party pics
Hip happening(s): The Pack had their Vans on at the Hard Rock Thursday, July 2 (party pics). Common Sense helped ring in Independence Day with a performance on the Ivy rooftop, Saturday, July 4 (party pics). In keeping with the theme of summer, Dorrough performed his hit, “Ice Cream Paint Job,” on Sunday, July 26, at Hard Rock’s 207, and The Paradiso Girls hit the same spot on Thursday, the 30th (party pics - pictured below).
Discover more San Diego celebrity photos in our directory of San Diego nightlife photos.
Making noise:
Drake feat. Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy, “I’m Going In”
Mario feat. Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett, “Break Up”
Buzztech, “Died In Your Arms 2009” (Electro Edit)
Domino Dancing, “You Are My Sunshine”
G&G feat. Gary Wright, “My My My (Comin’ Apart)” (Klaas remix)
Spencer & Hill, “Most Wanted”
Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling”
Lady Gaga, “Love Game”
Kings of Leon, “Use Somebody” (Tom Lally remix)
Ma$e, “Shut the City Down”
Chrisette Michele feat. Wale, “Fragile” (remix)
Kid Cudi, “Call Me Moon Man”
Jay-Z feat. Kanye West and Rihanna, “Run This Town”
That’s about it from me kiddies. Until next month, enjoy the summer, and remember, lubing up your naughty parts with sunblock before hitting Black’s Beach does not constitute playing with yourself. I’m out…
View new San Diego nightlife photos and discover what’s coming up next in our San Diego event calendar. See what you missed in June in New in Music: XM to Shark Attack and Queers.
Insider Tip: Street Scene is hitting San Diego August 28-29, 2009. Get the latest update and lineup in Street Scene: Goodbye Beastie Boys, Hello Flavor Flav. Want to win Street Scene tickets? Sign up to win now in our San Diego contests.
Main photo: Crocodiles by Alex Kacha
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