Sometimes it takes seeing a legend before one can fully appreciate the art of said legend. Growing up in Chula Vista, I was always aware of El Vez, but it wasn't until adulthood that I realized the impact that the man had, not on just music in Chula Vista or even San Diego for that matter, but for the heavy political times that Chicanos faced in my lifetime. Robert Lopez, also known for his contributions to the punk scene via The Zeros, took classic songs and mashed up lyrics that were almost always funny, but also had a heavy political and revolutionary tone, and really brought to light issues that have been important and pervasive in the Mexican-American community over the last several decades, especially in a border community. Naturally, this was accomplished by rearranging lyrics by Elvis, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and other musicians that also had their own political leanings. Never in your face, but always over the top, El Vez shows are always captivating and will keep the man legendary in San Diego's musical lineage.
Friday, June 18:
- El Vez, Fitz & The Tantrums @ Casbah
- Boyscout, Holy Rolling Empire, The Steelwells, Music For Animals @ Beauty Bar
- Jamuel Saxon, Rafter, The Shaky Hands @ The Park Gallery
- The Young Dubliners, Lexington Field @ Belly Up
- Rat City Riot, San Deviant, Ladyparts @ Ken Club
- KC and the Sunshine Band @ Heineken Grandstand Stage, San Diego County Fair
- Northern Towns, Crushed On you, Lualta, Red Devil Squadron @ Radio Room
- Gran Sasso, Swore, Ox Eyes @ Soda Bar
- The Styletones @ Bar Pink
- The Heavy Guilt, The Western Set, River City @ Tin Can
- Hanalei (ex-Ghost), Save Amos, The Red Ribbon Army, The Inheritance, Republic of Letters @ Ruby Room
- Weatherbox, Bedford Grove, Mufasa, Chroma Season, Birds of Paradise @ Epicentre
- Brendan James, Chase Coy @ House of Blues (7 pm, Voodoo Stage)
- Led Zepagain, Fan Halen @ House of Blues
- For Strangers and Wardens, Ian McFeron and Alisa Milner, Kenny Eng @ Lestat's
- Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats), Robert Gordon (King Bees), Gino & The Lone Gunman, Johnny Wadd & The Stiff Sheets @ Brick By Brick
- Deaf Zero, There Will Be Waves, Jeffrey Jackson, Meluplus, Josh Damigo, Bremaedat, Cody Kink @ Queen Bee's
- Joker Face @ 710 Beach Club
- Psydecar @ Winston's
- His Irate Life, Globe & Beast, I Am The Heart Attack, Fear Is My Fate @ Soma
- Slidewinder Blues Band, Roxy Blue & The Handful, Dezease, Rob Deez, The Cat Family @ Dreamstreet
- Rick Estrin & The Nightcats @ Humphrey's Backstage Lounge
- Tierney, Sutton, Hubert Laws, & Larry Koonse @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30pm)
- Chris Pierce @ Anthology (Late Show 9:30 pm)
- JD Souther @ AMSD
- Happy Hour with the Mar Dels @ Belly Up (5:30 pm)
- Infinitum Obscure, To Violently Vomit, Almost is Nothing, Dissolution, Dark Haven, Ossification @ Ramona Mainstage
Rosemary Bystrak writes about the San Diego music scene, events, and sometimes whatever creeps into her head on her music blog San Diego: Dialed In. Check it for even more listings. She also provides social media content for the Casbah. Follow her updates at twitter.com/sddialedin or submit your music listings.
