One of my favorite guys with a guitar returns to the Casbah tonight. John Vanderslice is known for his skillful songwriting, and unique voice and delivery, but mostly he's known for being a really nice guy. At his shows you get this sense that you'd wanna hang out and have a beer with him, and his endless supply of songs means he plays for a long while. This usually also includes Vanderslice unplugging and heading out to the smoking patio where he'll lead some sing-alongs with the crowd gathered around him. If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing him before, I'd say this is a pretty great way to spend your Saturday night. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't say congratulations to the Whistle Stop on their 10 year anniversary. The South Park bar was instrumental in reviving the neighborhood and making it a destination, and they're celebrating with music by day and Booty Bassment by night. Congratulations to Sam Chammas and the awesome staff down there!
Saturday, May 28:
- John Vanderslice, Leslie Stevens @ Casbah
- Puma Fest Soccer + Rock, featuring InTransit Audio, Jaws Went Swimming, Mondays Alibi @ Southwestern College (free, all ages, 1-4 p.m.)
- 10 year Anniversary Party, featuring Booty Bassment (10 p.m.), DJ Claire and Jay Porter (5-8 p.m.), the Fremonts (4 p.m.), Shawn Rohlf and 7th Day Buskers (3 p.m.) @ Whistle Stop (free, open at noon)
- Kelsea Rae Little, Meg and Brian, Rob Deez @ Lestat's
- Grand Reopening, featuring DJ Maite @ The Village Hatshop Hillcrest (6-8 p.m.)
- Jesse LaMonaca @ Urban Bar and Grill
- Lessons From Zeke, Forgiving Yesterday, Ankla Luz @ Eleven (9 p.m.)
- Deke Dickerson, Roy Rapid and the Rhythm Rock Trio, the Palominos @ O'Connell's
- Kenny Loggins @ USS Midway
- 40 Oz to Freedom, Social Green, Califarians@ Belly Up
- Pink Punk Lotto Showcase @ Bar Pink
- Just Like Jenna, Boats!, Gloomsday!, Saywhen @ Tin Can
- Roxy Blue and the Handful @ Eleven (6 p.m.)
- The Grims, the Vamps, Cannibal Mad Men, the Revhawks, DJ Johnny Badblood@ The Shakedown
- Roric, Jane of the Jungle, Stepkilla, Peligro, NTRO, Rebellion, Sixfootunda, Shook, RFX @ Ruby Room
- Tramlife, DJ Tru, DJ Matrox, Parker and the Numberman @ Soda Bar
- Thee Strychnine DJs @ Tower Bar
- The Burnsville Band @ House of Blues (Salvation Alley)
- Eventvibe & Amplified Access present Animal House, featuring Stir Crazy, Dipsia and Mr. NiceGuy @ House of Blues
- Indicator Dogs, Oliver Trolley @ Brick By Brick
- Polynesian Underground Present: Tribal Theory and Sono Vero @ Winston's
- Battle of the Bands @ 710 Beach Club
- OttlyMercer, Mayors of Sexytown, Shoot Z Pier, Sherm the Band, Shame and Scandal @ Soma
- For the Win, My Iron Lung, Teamwork!, In Her Own Words, the Rundown, Mascots @ Epicentre
- Igor & Red Elvises @ Tio Leo’s
- Missy Anderson @ Marble Room
- Gilbert Castellanos Trio @ Dizzy's (San Diego Wine and Culinary Center)
- Rock Against MS @ Humphreys Backstage Lounge (4-8 p.m.)
- Betamaxx @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge (9:30 p.m.)
- The Mocking Byrds @ Hensley's Flying Elephant
- Waken Dey Cook Game Up Tour! featuring Messy Marv, Mike Spitz, B-HOP, M.H.B @ 4th & B
- Brenda Russell @ Anthology (7:30 p.m.,9:30 p.m.)
- Battle Cry @ Gallagher's
- CHILLAX showcase, featuring QP7000, Kastle Creeps, Decimal, Lady Jemini, Rinasanz, Kaus and Krazed, Its Mental, Black Sun, Blankspeech, Ceazar Sanchez, 5th Child, Big Slim, Funk Bazzurka, Beatsmith, Resist @ Kava Lounge
- Groundfloor, Gabe Vega @ El Dorado
- Green Velvet, Audrey Napoleon @ Voyeur
- Groovejet, featuring Paul Najera, Impera, Lucky J and more @ Spin
- Fluxx*adelic with Sid Vicious and Rico DeLargo @ Fluxx
Rosemary Bystrak writes about the San Diego music scene, events, and general musings about life in San Diego onSan Diego: Dialed In. She does social media for the Casbah, books at West Coast Tavern West Coast Tavern, and is trying her hand at band management. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly.
