I got to tell you, it's hard to keep track of all the great shows going on in San Diego and new venues seem to be added weekly. The Del Mar Fairgrounds want to open a permanent concert venue and Viejas is set to re-open its Concerts in the Park; it just keeps getting busier and busier for the discerning music fan -- now get out and see some shows from the list below, curated by lil' ol' me.
June 2: Little Hurricane at the Belly Up. Another local band with a huge national fan base returns home where they got their start.
June 3: In Ko Pah 4 -- the Mattson 2, Zig Zags, Mrs. Magician, Playboy Manbaby, Birdy Bardot, Buckfast Superbee, Creepseed, the Widows, the Mission Creeps, the Strawberry Moons, the Bassics, Stephen El Rey, Archons, and Campfire Cassettes at Desert View Tower. Camp out under the stars!
June 4: Voodoo Glow Skulls and Pinata Protest at Space. Space is the place for some Latin-flavored ska and punk.
June 5: Contact, Necro Monkey and Sundrop Electric at the Casbah. Two local bands and one from Sweden -- do you know which one?
June 6: Skating Polly, Gal Pals and the Touchies at the Casbah. Two step-sisters who formed a band and a re-influenced by the riot grrl scene.
June 7: The Yardbirds at the San Diego County Fair. '60s legends; not sure how many are original members though.
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June 8: Overcoats and Yoke Lore at the Casbah. A NYC-based female duo and some indie-pop.
June 9: Merchandise and B Boys at Space. Post-punk, punk, and maybe a little goth also...
June 10: The Anniversary, Dude York and Fullbloods at the Irenic. Emo is back and so is the Anniversary.
June 11: 91x X-Fest with Phoenix, Empire of the Sun, Bob Moses, K Flay, Missio, the Lemon Twigs, Sir Sly, Lo Moon, Creature Canyon and Lighting Cola. Always a good time, a mini-fest with great bands!
June 12: VHS Collection and Le Chateau at Soda Bar. NYC-based synth rock with locals Le Chateau.
June 13: Robyn Hitchcock and Pall Jenkins at the Casbah. Legend solo or in the Soft Boys with local Pall Jenkins from Three Mile Pilot and the Black Heart Procession, to namedrop a couple.
June 14: Blair Crimmins & the Hookers and Fanny & the Atta Boys at Soda Bar. A night of ragtime, roots and blues music.
June 15: Raekwon at the Observatory North Park. Raekwon the Chef, charter member of the Wu-Tang Clan.
June 16: Japanese Breakfast, (Sandy) Alex G and Cende at the Irenic. As far as I know, they aren't serving beer and wine anymore at the Irenic, so you are aware -- but don't let that stop you.
June 17: Evan Dando, celebrating the reissue of his first solo release, and Gateway Drugs at the Casbah.
June 18: Boston and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts at Mattress Firm Amphitheater. More than a feeling because I love rock & roll!
June 19: King Crimson at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay. Prog-rock legends, Kings!
June 20: My Jerusalem at Space. Austin, Texas indie-rock band that I think you will like.
June 21: The Black Lips, Timmy's Organism and Gary Wilson & the Blind Dates at the Belly Up. One time, the Black Lips played the Hard Rock Hotel Downtown and were shut down after three songs -- it was one of the best shows ever!
June 22: The Revolution at the House Of Blues. Minus Prince, Rest In Peace...
June 23: The Mowgli's at Music Box. Sounds of Laurel Canyon that mix folk and pop, like the Byrds.
June 24: Galactic and Con Brio at Music Box. New Orleans funk and R&B with a hip-hop twist.
June 25: Dopapod and Natural Sound Trio at the Casbah. Rock with jam-band overtones.
June 26: Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds at San Diego Civic Theater. Legend!
June 27: Day Wave, Blonder and Dear Boy at the Casbah. A great night of indie rock.
June 28: Walrus at Soda Bar. Psychedelic-pop from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
June 29: Jacuzzi Boys and the Kabbs at Soda Bar. A great night of rock & roll from both coasts.
June 30: SoundDiego LIVE at Space with the Memories, Colleen Green and Creepseed! RSVP here for freebies!
There you are my friends, a rather extensive look at some of the best shows this month -- but wait, there are more, a lot more. So take the time to see what else is out there, from the breweries to the bars to the clubs to the halls to the amphitheaters, and maybe I will see you there.
Tim Pyles, a longtime local who grew up in La Jolla, is the unofficial mayor of local music and hosts Loudspeaker via 91x every Sunday from 7-10 p.m. He also books local acts at the Casbah, hosts the weekly Anti-Monday League, and books/hosts the monthly Maryjane's Underground at the Hard Rock Hotel downtown. Check out his website thelocalpyle.com and follow him on Twitter. You can also reach him directly here: pyleste@yahoo.com
