Throughout the month of January, the Casbah is celebrating 24 years as a venue, which means many of the bands that have made the venue such a success over the years will make special appearances. In Friday's case, you can experience the return of Uncle Joe's Big Ol' Driver and Fluf. If you had any interest in local music in the early '90s, you know that these bands were a really big deal. I suppose, in a way, you had to be there to see the bands' energy and catchy lyrics as everyone in the audience swayed and danced with bottles of Bud and their ripped jeans, flannel shirts and Doc Martens. But after seeing the bands resurrect annually for the Casbah's anniversary parties, it's clear that the music has stood the test of time and goes beyond nostalgia. So even if you were unfamiliar back in the day, you just might find some music to love today.
Friday, Jan. 4:
- Uncle Joe's Big Ol' Driver, Fluf, Black Hondo, Ghetto Blaster @ Casbah
- Love & the Skulls, Black Cassette (Belguim), Allophone @ Eleven
- Homeless Sexuals, the Mice, the Red Devil Squadron, New Rome Quartet, Moosejaw @ Soda Bar
- Hip Hop vs Punk Rock featuring Parker & The Numberman vs. D.P.I., Moodswingking vs. El DJ DE TJ, DJs Unite, Cesh, Mr Henshaw, Pelengue @ The Tower Bar
- Pato Banton with Shoreline Rootz @ Belly Up (9:00 p.m.)
- Betamaxx @ Belly Up (5:30 p.m.)
- Middlefinger, Somali Pirates, Strangely Strange & Making Incredible Time @ The Shakedown
- Motherboys, the Coltranes, Griever, My Iron Lung, TBA @ The Che Cafe
- Oliver Trolley, I Am the Conqueror, At the Premier, Aqua Rhythm, Saphead @ Epicentre
- DJ Brett Bodley @ Fluxx
- Ink Bomb Clothing presents the Name in Lights Competition featuring Big Bad Buffalo, Small City Calling, Landis, We Are Sirens @ House of Blues (7:00 p.m.)
- Social Distortion @ House of Blues (7:00 p.m.)
- Makai @ Humphreys Backstage
- Aaron and Jane, John & the Time, Traveling Bicycle, Sarah Maisel @ Lestat's
- Blood Dancer, Thirty/30, the Suicide Chords, Chanauk, Raise the Guns @ Ruby Room
- Impending Doom, the Browning, Hearts & Hands, This or the Apocalypse, Thick as Blood, Fit for a King @ Soma
- Sandollar, KNG MKR @ The Griffin
- Therapy/Darkwave Garden @ The Flame
- Just Press Play @ The V Lounge (Viejas)
- Phora with Anthro Beats, Style Crafters, Devour MC @ Worldbeat Cultural Center
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.
