Steve Poltz's 50th Birthday/CD Release Party, Belly Up Tavern: 2/19/2010

Friends, border-lining family, of both past and present gathered at the Belly Up Tavern last Friday to celebrate the aging of Steve Poltz and the release of his newest CD, Dreamhouse. Not much tweeting going on that night since everyone was living in the moment whether that was chatting with a long time friend or watch the continuous stream of musicians taking the stage throughout the night and into the morning.

Bob Schneider, House of Blues: 2/18/2010

After an amazingly inspiring night at Bar Basic, I briskly hurried over the 15 blocks to the House of Blues San Diego to see Bob Schneider perform. Glad to see my press pass waiting for me, I rushed down the stairs, bypassing a stiff drink for a spot near the front of the stage. Sadly, I missed one or two songs of Bob's set, as well as the opening act, Smile Smile, whose music I'm sure I would have loved based on the dancy, energetic stuff that I have listened to over the internets.
Over the years I have seen Bob's sets diversify from the solo, sappy, ballad-singing songwriter to the drunken rebel-rouser, cursing and rocking with a full band backing. This show was another experience to add to the list. To understand the context of the contrast... recently, as in less than two months ago, Bob played a KPRI show solo at the Bernardo Winery to an all-ages crowd. Roger and I watched as he appeared to struggle finding age-appropriate songs, songs he could play solo and/or songs that were in his current playlist. If that was your first introduction to him, this HOB show must have come off as a shock. For the KPRI chill, happy family-types, you're probably thankful he didn't go so far as playing "Sons of Ralph" or better yet, "Ass Knockin'."

After several years of playing to Belly Up Tavern crowds, moving back to the House of Blues main stage brought the inevitable disconnect between the audience and the performer. Bob tried his best to connect with the crowd by using eye contact to those individuals he could see through the glaring stage light. I smiled as I caught a bit of that action during "40 Dogs (Romeo and Juliet)." Sweetness.

Unlike other musician-types, he is not the type to make a standard set list. He's more of just going on the fly kinda guy, rarely informing the rest of the band of the path they are taking. They just have to be ready. At one point in the set, I watched as Bob leaned over to the lead guitarist and said, "Feel Good". The guitarist smiled in acknowledgement, and started setting up for the song. However, as Bob launched into "Metal and Steel", the guitarist's smile was crushed as he rushed to catch up to the correct tuning. After "Metal and Steel", Bob did end up playing "Capn' Kirk (I Just Want to Feel Good)". Was this a case of a scatter-brained musician, purposeful prank or me, completely missing something? We'll never know.

The newest addition to the Bob Schneider band is comic relief, Ollie (I think that was his name). His primary job was playing trumpet, keytar, accordion, but attempted to add to the show by performing slip-stick comedy falls, crazy dances and a variety of extreme facial expressions during nearly every portion of the show. His behavior struck me as odd, since Bob Schneider has always served as the focal point of the performances. In essence, Bob shared the stage with Ollie, forgoing his usual ego (or just taking some sort of a break from the crowd adoration). The crowd loved Ollie, however, I was annoyed. His antics really didn't fit in to the overall feel of the show. But again, perhaps it was just me.

As for the crowd, it could be best described as a reflection of the Gaslamp scene. Club-going frat boys and shiny, skimpily dressed girls clamored toward the stage, while the typical Belly Up goers of the older, upper-middle-class-hippie variety sat up in the balcony and left well before the end of the night. Bob again catered to his perception of the crowd. Songs with mambo and other Latin rhythms provided a groove you could really dance to. Club-like beats from "Mudhouse" bounced the house and "Ready, Let's Roll" finished off the night like the aftermath of some good sex.

Continuing the awesome tradition, Bob recorded the night's performance and sold those CDs immediately after the show (also known as the Frunk collection). Every show is unique. Not a cookie cutter in sight. I usually purchase one from each show I attend but due to the long line and knowing it will eventually turn up in the archives, I skipped out on this one.   

Holiday Matinee's Book Launch Party, Bar Basic: 2/18/2010

For one night, Bar Basic was transformed into a place of positive collaborative discussions where creative minds could be set free. The space was packed with people interested in doing good and making a difference. This past Thursday night, Holiday Matinee launched his book, I Swear to Good You Are God at This, an inspiring look into 25 projects and individuals who are thinking beyond the four walls to, as Dave Brown says, "make awesome."

Several projects highlighted in the book were featured at the party, allowing guests to be entrenched in the awesomeness.

As you arrived to the event, a bed with a bleach blonde-haired mannequin tucked under the covers, was parked directly outside the bar. Passers by stopped in curiosity pondering the purpose of object's placement, satisfying Mark Jenkins' artistic mission.

Guest received complementary gift bags from Baggu, a maker of reusable, zip-stop nylon bags. Stylishly made and super compact, guests were given a choice of seven or eight colors, a mere percentage of the actual colors in stock.  

To completely engage the guests, a section of the bar was set up where individuals could live their "Dreams of Flying" through a physical representation of Jan von Holleben's photographs. Natalie, from Too Sunny Out Here and I were given "wings" and became fairies in our own version of Jan von Holleben's piece, Peter Pan.

Both T-post and Anthony Burrill's work were displayed and Sezio was there silk screening shirts on-site.

A couple of my personal favorite things exhibited at the launch included the "Wall of Dave" (as Seth Combs from City Beat called it) , which was a visual timeline of Holiday Matinee's accomplishments, and the wall of concept cover designs for the book, each equally cool that I am not sure how a decision was made.

If you missed the launch party, that is sad. However, the real good comes not from being seen at a party but from the impact you make on the world at large. By supporting projects and people like those featured in I Swear to Good You Are God at This, you are making steps towards making the world a better place.

Upcoming Show: Samuel Stewart at The Casbah, 2/22/2010

Nurtured with music and arts as a child, Samuel Stewart certainly embraces his genetics. His father is Dave Stewart from The Eurythmics & Stewart/Gaskin, and his mother, Siobhan Fahey played with both Shakespeare's Sister and Bananarama. Not to say that is the defining characteristic of his artistry. He has found his own through listening to a variety of music including Smashing Pumpkins, the Pixies, Leonard Cohen, the Beatles, Morrissey, The Smiths, Nirvana and Bowie. You can see bits and pieces of each of these bands in his music that he brings to life.

I often disagree with how publicists describe their artists' music but in this case, I really feel that this description accurately portrays what I have heard in Samuel's music: "Samuel Stewart's solo project is like a fractured waltz from that carnival troupe lurking in the shadows at the edge of town, ominous yet richly atmospheric songs with an irresistible energy that is both timely and timeless."

Take a listen for yourself. The Beginner EP is filled with melodies that trip and stumble through the dark and the fantastical. Yeah, I know that's not a word, but it seemed appropriate. His voice carries hurt and sadness, but the pop and buoyancy of the musical arrangement keeps you riveted.

Samuel Stewart plays this Monday, February 22 at The Anti-Monday League at The Casbah for just $5. Seriously, Tim, awesome find.

3rd Anniversary Show, The Casbah: 2/14/2010

Roger and I celebrated our 3rd anniversary this past Sunday at The Casbah. Three years ago on the Sunday of President's Day weekend (not the 14th of February... that was just incidental this year), we said our vows into the mic on the stage of the most important music venue in San Diego (at least to us). Here is an article from the Union Tribune that tells the whole back story.

Thanks to a few friends at FM94/9 for helping us to promote the show through the concert calendar listings on the Friday before and the locals only show on the evening of. We were also amazed that the show was even listed as alternate plans for both CityBeat and the Reader. SD Dialed In listed our show in her listings and the show was featured on The Casbah website. We thank you for the extra mentions.

The best part of the evening was all of the people who came up to me telling me how much they enjoyed the bands, including ones they had never seen before. Introducing new bands/music to people is something that both of us love to do and is one of the main reasons I started blogging. So for those of you who didn't make it out, for whatever reason, we still love you and we hope that you keep reading to find out about all of the cool bands that played on our happy day.

Langhorne Slim, M-Theory Records & The Casbah: 2/8/2010

Sweet, wholesome and so damn cute. Ok, I couldn't resist. Langhorne Slim swung back into San Diego last Monday for an in-store at M-Theory Records and a show at The Casbah to promote his new album, Be Set Free.

$5 off Bob Schneider, House of Blues: 2/18/2010

I wish I was in collage again. I was really good at writing essays and partying all night while still getting to class on time. But one of the things I miss the most is thelittle piece of plastic with your photo on it, provided by your school, that got you discounts galore. On Thursday, February 18, Bob Schneider, a virtuoso of singing/songwriting based out of Austin, Texas will be playing the House of Blues with $5 dicount tickets to students.

Discounted tickets can be purchased at HERE or will be honored at the door with proof of student ID.




I might have to scrounge around my files to look for my student ID from days of yore (I think my school was stupid/smart enough to not put a date on the thing).

If you want to learn more about my love of Bob Schneider: