San Diego

Pyles' Spring Awakening

Tim Pyles awakens the force of spring with this month's best shows

May fourth is a Star Wars holiday, more or less, but it's also my birthday and that came first -- needless to say, imagine my delight as a Star Wars fan when "may the fourth be with you" became a thing. Happy birthday to me when the fourth rolls around -- I think I will go see a show and celebrate. Come celebrate with me all month at any one of these shows, and I'll see you there.

May 1: Nite Lapse, Mayor Taco Ghost and Satellite Sky at Casbah. Support local shows (disclaimer: I booked this).

May 2: B-Side Players at Jacob Music Center Copley Symphony Hall. "Going There" NPR series event.

May 3: AJ Froman and Cardinal Moon at Music Box. AJ Froman's vinyl release show.

May 4: Charly Bliss at Soda Bar. I saw the band at SxSW, and I'm happy to see them again.

May 5: Mariachi El Bronx at the Belly Up. Cinco De Mayo!

May 6: The Weeks at Soda Bar. A rock & roll band from Jackson, Mississippi, that lists spooning and backgammon as hobbies.

May 7: The Flaming Lips at Observatory North Park. I love the band, but I still find it weird that they worked with Miley Cyrus.

May 8: Atlantic Answers, the Wild Young Hearts and Sweet Myths at Casbah. Another disclaimer: This is an amazing local bill I booked.

May 9: Amigo, State to State and Chiefs at Casbah. See above ...

May 10: Kranium at Music Box. I am always open to expanding my horizons.

May 11: Me First & the Gimme Gimmes and Kid Congo & the Monkey Birds at House of Blues San Diego. Punk rock supergroup covering hit songs and Kid Congo opening (who played for the Cramps).

May 12: Timber Timbre at Soda Bar. Canadian indie rock.

May 13: Cashmere Cat at Observatory North Park. Alternative R&B producer and DJ.

May 14: All Them Witches at the Casbah. Three words: Heavy, hypnotic and heady.

May 15: Joe Goddard at the Casbah. He is a member of UK indie dance band Hot Chip.

May 16: Testament, Sepultura and Prong at House of Blues San Diego. Metal!

May 17: Poptone at House of Blues San Diego. A couple guys from Bauhaus, Tones on Tail and Love and Rockets.

May 18: Matthew Logan Vasquez at Casbah. Delta Spirit frontman.

May 19: Thundercat at Observatory North Park. Funk and future R&B.

May 20: The Crawdaddys at the Casbah. Legendary local British rhythm and blues inspired band.

May 21: The Strumbellas at Observatory North Park. This Canadian band has been called several things -- I like Gothic Folk the best.

May 22: Omega Three, Spice Pistols and Dream Burglar at the Casbah. Dammit, sorry, yet another disclaimer: I booked this amazing local show featuring a Sex Pistols/Spice Girls cover band.

May 23: Hoops at the Casbah. It's got a soft rock vibe to me.

May 24: Brian Wilson at San Diego Civic Theater. Might be your last chance to see this Beach Boy.

May 25: LA Takedown at the Casbah. I have a feeling this needs to be seen.

May 26: San Diego Freak Out presents Dream Joints' record release with Vakoum, Hexa and Body Song at the Casbah.  

May 27: The Adicts at Observatory North Park. Punk rock legends!

May 28: Yngwie Malmsteen at House of Blues San Diego. Metal shredder!

May 29: Navvi at Soda Bar. Seattle electro pop band.

May 30: Modest Mouse at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Johnny Marr of the Smiths joined these guys on record and on tour, so that was cool.

May 31: Sam Outlaw at the Casbah. He's a country artist from Poway with a little bit of that Bakersfield sound.

Thank you for your time and for perusing my calendar. These days we have more and more venues to choose from. There are definitely more opening than closing, and I say that because I just heard of one closing, so please go to a show and take a friend!

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, books/hosts the monthly Maryjane's Underground at the House of Blues and is an entertainment writer for Pacific San Diego Magazine. Check out his website thelocalpyle.com and and follow him on Twitter @thelocalpyle. You can reach him directly here pyleste@yahoo.com

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