Hello, I'm Tim Pyles of 91x. Whoa, that sounds weird! Ten years ago, I left the legendary alternative station and joined FM 94/9, but now I'm back. It really is my home. Expect big support for the local music scene from the X. Speaking of local, the month of December is filled mostly with local-band shows, but there are a few touring artists. I was given a bunch of nights to book at the Casbah this month, so take a gander.
Dec. 2: Jonathan Richman at Casbah. He was in the Modern Lovers!
Dec. 3: Author & Punisher, Archons, Red Wizard at Casbah. All local bill, very heavy!
Dec. 4: The Wild Wild, FMLYBND at Soda Bar. Electronic groove to shake your booty to.
Dec. 5: Supersuckers, Streetwalkin' Cheetahs, Screamin' Yeehaws at Casbah. Rock & roll like it's supposed to be done.
Dec. 6: Ace Frehley at Ramona Mainstage. An original member of KISS!
Dec. 7: The Ataris at Casbah. Pop-punk legends!
Dec. 8: The Routine, Taurus Authority, Mimi Zulu at Casbah. All local bill, funky and groovy!
Dec. 9: Marujah, Speaker in Reverse, Zombie Barbie at Casbah. All local bill, a cornucopia of sounds will be heard this night.
Dec. 10: Quel Bordel at Casbah. All local bill, gypsy punk!
Dec. 11: Gunner Gunner, Desert Suns at Maryjane's Underground (inside the Hard Rock Hotel). All local bill, free with RSVP.
Dec. 12: 91x presents "Wrex the Halls" with Cage the Elephant, Alt-J, Billy Idol, Spoon, Banks, Interpol, Schitzophonics at Valley View Casino Center. A gift from 91X.
Dec. 13: My Brightest Diamond, Island Boy, DJ Heather Hardcore at Casbah. For fans of St. Vincent!
Dec. 14: College, Nicky Venus at Casbah. If you liked the movie "Drive," you will love this.
Dec. 15: Ryan Adams, Jenny Lewis at Copley Symphony Hall. It's Ryan freakin' Adams and Jenny Lewis -- damn!
Dec. 16: Brian Setzer Orchestra at Belly Up Tavern. The former Stray Cat still shreds!
Dec. 17: Francisco the Man, Sundrop Electric, Philosopher's Ray Gun at Soda Bar. The headlining band describes their music as regional Mexican/Italian pop/shoegaze -- whoa, yeah.
Dec. 18: Johnny Marr at Belly Up Tavern. The dude was in the Smiths!
Dec. 19: Who's Bad, the ultimate Michael Jackson tribute band at Belly Up Tavern. I'm bad!
Dec. 20: Big Sandy & His Fly Rite Boys at Casbah. Big Sandy has played the Casbah more than any other artist!
Dec. 21: Burning of Rome, Barbarian, Low Volts at SILO (Maker's Quarter). 91x and CityBeat presents this wrap party for the Casbah's 25-year anniversary.
Dec. 22: Idyll Wild, Boychick, Casanova Frankenstein at Casbah. All local bill, cool indie-rock night.
Dec. 23: The Blind Boys of Alabama at California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Gospel legends who just released a new song with Taj Mahal called "Talkin' Christmas."
Dec. 24: Scheff's All-Star Band doing the Rolling Stones, Schitzophonics Stone Soul Revue, the Little Richards at Casbah. A new tradition begins?
Dec. 25: Merry Chrismahanukwanzakah.
Dec. 26: Rosie Flores at Belly Up Tavern. Legendary rockabilly and country artist.
Dec. 27: Hideout, Tropical Popsicle, Wild Wild Wets at Soda Bar. The headliner is Gabe Rodriguez (Cults/Boomsnake) and Cory Stier (Cults/Mrs. Magician).
Dec. 28: The Aggrolites at Belly Up Tavern. Aggro-reggae from the kings of the genre!
Dec. 29: Josh Damigo birthday celebration at Casbah. All local bill, the dude is bona fide -- happy birthday, Josh!
Dec. 30: Cracker, Camper Van Beethoven at Belly Up Tavern. Same dudes in both bands for the most part and both influential -- "Take the Skinheads Bowling" is still a classic!
Dec. 31: Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers, the Mother Hips at the North Park Theatre. A beautiful theater and two great bands? Sounds like a NYE plan.
Only so many shopping days until Christmas, and Hanukkah begins at sundown on Tuesday, December 16, so be prepared and remember your local businesses when making your purchases -- buy local, listen local, eat local, live local!
Thanks for reading -- I'm Tim Pyles of 91x, and I will see you at a show!
Tim Pyles, a longtime local who grew up in La Jolla, is the unofficial mayor of local music and hosts the Loudspeaker show via 91x every Sunday from 7-10 p.m. He also books local acts at the Casbah, where he hosts the weekly Anti-Monday League, and books/hosts the monthly Maryjane's Underground at the Hard Rock Hotel. Follow him on Twitter @thelocalpyle or reach him directly here pyleste@yahoo.com.
