Baltimore

Pyles' Marching Orders

Tim Pyles sorts through March's shows and comes up with your best bets

Shows, shows, shows -- my life is full of shows. I can't help myself, I seriously hardly do anything else but go see local and touring bands. I know it's a tough job, but somebody has to do it. These are all things I may or may not do (leaning toward "may"), but things do come up. Have a look and maybe something will tickle your fancy, cause we have something for everyone on this list. I take pride in my diversity, so have fun and tell me what you think.

March 1: Twin Ritual, Little Heroine and the Montell Jordans at the Casbah. Support local music!

March 2: Hippo Campus at House of Blues. A very cool indie-pop band from Minnesota.

March 3: Redwoods Revue with Dani Bell & the Tarantist, Birdy Bardot, the Midnight Pine, Rebecca Jade & the Cold Fact, and Cardinal Moon at the Casbah. An amazing collaboration of local artists.

March 4: Strung Out at Brick by Brick. Punk rock band from the Simi Valley and formed in 1989.

March 5: Desert Daze Caravan Tour at the Belly Up. A tour highlighting the annual fest in the desert with Temples, Night Beats, Deap Vally, Froth and JJUUJJUU.

March 6-7: The Shins for two nights at the Observatory North Park. This band will change your life.

March 7: The Great American Canyon Band at the Casbah. Indie-folk duo from Baltimore that are partners in music and in life.

March 8-9: Social Distortion for two nights at the Observatory North Park. OC punk rock legends!

March 9: Bash and Pop at the Casbah. The band features Tommy Stinson of the Replacements, and who also did a stint in Guns 'N' Roses.

March 10: P.O.S. at the Casbah. Hip-hop from Minnesota and part of the Doomtree collective.

March 11: Death by the Unga Bunga at the Hideout. Garage rock from Norway.

March 12: The Menzingers at the Irenic. A punk rock band from Scranton, Pennsylvania -- home of "The Office."

March 13: Sweet Myths, and Sights and Sages at the Soda Bar. Support local music!

March 14: Meat Puppets at the Casbah. A true American rock band from Phoenix, Arizona.

March 15: Anna Meredith at Soda Bar. Electronic and acoustic music from this British composer.

March 16: Portugal. The Man at the Observatory North Park. A band from Alaska that makes interesting indie rock.

March 17: Xiu Xiu at Ship in the Woods. Experimental music and art from the Ship in the Woods collective.

March 18: Yellowcard at the Observatory North Park. The "final" tour...

March 19: Bob Log III at Soda Bar. Must be seen and heard.

March 20: Wu-Tang Clan at Observatory North Park. "Wu-Tang Clan ain't nothin' to f--- with!"

March 21: Allison Crutchfield and Vagabond at Blonde Bar. Have you been to Blonde yet? Here is a good excuse and you can check out some new music from some touring bands.

March 22: Modern English at the Casbah. "I Will Melt with You" band from the '80s who have a great new album out.

March 23: Electric Guest at Casbah. Back after a five-year hiatus.

March 24: Slothrust at the Hideout. Can't wait to check out this three-piece from Brooklyn and their jazz and blues-infused indie rock.

March 25: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at the Casbah. One of the first bands to take advantage of the internet.

March 26: Loudspeaker Live featuring Omega 3, Kick the Princess, and the Bassics at the Casbah. For free, sponsored by Karl Strauss and 91x. Live broadcast of Loudspeaker from 7-10 p.m.

March 27: In the Whale, the Hiroshima Mockingbirds and Slowkiss at the Casbah. A two-piece from Colorado, a local band, and a band from Santiago, Chile that sounds like the Pixies had a baby with Veruca Salt.

March 28: Eisley at the House of Blues Voodoo Stage. A band of sisters with amazing voices and harmonies.

March 29: Wire at the Casbah. Post-punk legends from the UK.

March 30: Why? at the Irenic. One of those bands you can't really explain, so it's best to listen and decide for yourself.

March 31: Black Joe Lewis and Dams of the West at Pete's Place in La Mesa. At Pete's Place? Is this true? It says so on the internet.

Once upon a time, not too long ago, you had only a few choices of what to do for your entertainment. These days, it's over the top and I only touch on one layer. I at least give you one thing a night, but the thing is, there are now so many other things to do. So have at it, try some place new, support a local band, see a touring band, listen to Loudspeaker -- whatever you do, just get out and be a part of the community. Until the next time: I'll see you at a show!

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 Mary Jane's Underground at the Hard Rock Hotel. Follow him on Twitter @thelocalpyle, or reach him directly here pyleste@yahoo.com

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