There is truly something for everyone on Friday. The Casbah leads the charge with a killer lineup featuring Y La Bamba, the Heavy Guilt and Ivan & Alyosha (a personal favorite), which should bring some life to your weekend. Meanwhile, Birds & Batteries headline a great lineup at the very well air-conditioned Soda Bar. Michael Franti & Spearhead bring some positive vibes to the Del Mar Racetrack's Seaside Stage after the final race, and the Belly Up offers a selection of '90s tribute acts. All of these are great options, though I think the most wall-to-wall action will be found at the Ken Club for the annual Johnny Rad Fest, which features a great variety of rock, garage and punk. These shows are notorious for being really fun but not for the faint of heart, so prepare yourself for a crazy, sweaty night.
Friday, August 17, 2012:
- Y La Bamba, the Heavy Guilt, Ivan and Alyosha @ Casbah
- Johnny Rad Fest 5 featuring Nobunny, Mark Sultan (aka BBQ), Tokyo Electron, Tigerfox, the Kabbs @ Ken Club
- Birds & Batteries, So Many Wizards, Dogcatcher @ Soda Bar
- Michael Franti & Spearhead @ Del Mar Racetrack
- Liquid Blue @ Belly Up (Happy Hour, 5:30 p.m.)
- '90s Tribute Night featuring No Duh, Red Not Chili Peppers, Total Distortion, DJ Man Cat @ Belly Up
- Cumbia Reggae Vibes with Candelaria, Piracy Conspiracy @ The Roots Factory (1878 Main St., Barrio Logan)
- F---in’ in the Bushes featuring DJ Rob & Crew @ Whistle Stop
- Euphoria Brass Band @ Tango El Rey
- Diemonds, Purple Church, Slut Machine, Sister Steele @ The Shakedown
- Hot Mustard, Cassiopeia, Not Machines @ Tin Can
- Taboo @ Til-Two Club
- R.I.P. Moonshake featuring Lee Reynolds, Mark E Quark, Dazzla @ Kadan
- Kill Your Name, Fated Demise, Trailerpark Rockstar, American Hoss @ Ruby Room
- St. Cloud, Sleepers, Someday Assassin, A Suture and A Sunder, I Manatee @ Eleven
- Fish Out Of Water, Chill Clinton, Kinetic Circle @ The Griffin
- Dirty Sirens, Whales @ Tower Bar
- David Sheid @ The Corner
- Dead Rock West @ Java Joe's
- Buckethead, B.I.A.B. @ House of Blues
- idyllwild, Katie Ainge, Raelee Nikole @ Lestat's
- Monophonics, Jetwash @ Winston's
- The Protomen, the Megas, Audio Addiction, the Calefaction @ Soma
- The Burning of Rome, Tan Sister Radio, Saything, Interrobang @ Che Cafe
- Rockola @ Humphreys Backstage Lounge
- Full Circle Music (5:00 p.m.) @ Flying Elephant
- Stone Senses (8:00 p.m.) @ Flying Elephant
- Comedy Nite featuring Tommy Davidson @ 4th & B
- The Grandmothers of Invention @ Anthology (Early Show 7:30 p.m.)
- Manny Cepeda Orchestra @ Anthology (Late Show 9:30 p.m.)
- Fredd's, Cadetes, Santanera @ Harrah's Rincon Casino Pavillion
- BoomSnap, DJ R2 @ Gallagher's
- Whitney Shay @ Marble Room
- Felix Da Housecat, Deth Hertz @ Voyeur
- Hickies & Dry Humps: A Totally '90s Party @ El Dorado
- DJ Jam and Wolfpack presents Jam Sessions @ Spin
- DJ Scooter @ Fluxx
- Dizzys presents Robin Henkel with David Castel de Oro, Troy Jennings, Scott Kyle, Caleb Furgatch, Toby Ahrens @ McCrea’s Music Company in La Mesa
- Zig Zag Jones with 3 TonE and Red Abbey @ 710 Beach Club
- Metalach, Redmond, Sol Sacrifice, the Jackals, Mariachi Aztlan @ Brick by Brick
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.
