Being in high school in the '90s was pretty awesome. The '80s had their musical moments, but we experienced the surge of alternative music that came to replace, or at least counter, the pop music of the radio. Who ever thought Nirvana would top the charts? Around the same time, there was a non-grunge contingent brewing, the forebearers of today's indie-rock. Nada Surf challenged the status quo, while Blake Babies was one of many girl groups doing the same. Fast forward and Matthew Caws has had a successful career with Nada Surf and has linked up with Juliana Hatfield of Blake Babies. They released an incredible record, and the high school me can't believe that the adult me gets to see both of them on Thursday at the teeny-tiny Soda Bar. This is the show for anyone who wants to see how indie rock is done.
Thursday, Nov. 14:
- Casbah presents Minor Alps (Juliana Hatfield and Nada Surf's Matthew Caws), Dan Wilson @ Soda Bar
- Melt Banana, Retox, Rats Eyes @ Casbah
- Mary Jane's Underground, featuring Neighbors to the North, the NFormals @ Mary Janes, Hard Rock Hotel
- TNT: Immerse, featuring Family Wagon @ Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego
- Skabilly Rebels (featuring Roddy Radiation & Lynval Golding of the Specials), Lowlife Soundsystem, Rat City Riot @ The Void
- Oh, Spirit!, Recordable Colors, Tide Pools @ Tin Can
- Fitted, presented by J. Blow, Daeta, the Fresh Yard & Premiere Fits @ Bar Pink
- Oliver Trolley, Swimm, Stained Glass Window @ Belly Up
- Casbah & Soda Bar present Tera Melos, Zorch, Sister Crayon, Creepers @ Che Cafe
- Fmlybnd, Kiev, AJ Davila y Terror Amor @ The Griffin
- Nexus @ 98 Bottles
- Beats Antique, Ill Esha, Sorne @ House of Blues
- Kuok-Wai Lio @ Athanaeum Library, La Jolla
- Carlos Olmeda (CD release), Lou Evans @ Lestat's
- The Little Kings @ Tio Leo's
- Dirty South @ Bang Bang
- Rock & Roll Preservation Society DJs, with Heather Hardcore and Diana Death @ Tower Bar
- Shaggy @ Sycuan
- West of 5 @ Humphreys Backstage Lounge
- Destructo Bunny, Atlantis Rizing, Sighphur One, Alowe @ Winston's
- Tim Schweiger & the Middle Men (Paul Collins Beat, Peter Case, Tommy Stinson), Cadaver Dogs, Little Dove, Beach Patrol @ Til-Two Club
- Caskitt, Rogue Stereo, Front Removal @ The Shakedown
- King Scha Scha & Jerusalem, DJ Reefah @ Gallagher's
- The Room Downstairs @ 710 Beach Club
- The Fail Safe Project, Madlife, Year of the Dragon @ Brick By Brick
- New Order vs the Smiths @ El Dorado
- DJ Mustard @ Fluxx
- Moonlight Serenade Orchestra @ Crystal Ballroom (414 N. Magnolia, El Cajon)
- Gilbert Castellanos & the New Latin Jazz Quintet @ Croce's
- Shot By Shot Film Club @ Whistle Stop
- Seria Star @ Kava Lounge
Rosemary Bystrak writes about the San Diego music scene, events and general musings about life in San Diego on San Diego: Dialed In. Follow her updates on Twitter or contact her directly.
