The Casbah Drops the Ball

For San Diego's music scene, 2010 has been a good year. Bands like Crocodiles and Dum Dum Girls found national acclaim, Wavves made an unexpected comeback following their much-publicized 2009 meltdown, and upcoming acts like Cuckoo Chaos and Tape Deck Mountain are poised to make their own waves next year, thanks to some freshly inked deals with Lefse Records. It's fitting, then, that the Casbah has lined up three of San Diego's finest bands to help ring in the new year.

The aptly-titled New Year's Eve Bash will get off to a strong start, thanks to openers Shapes of Future Frames. The space-rocking trio made a splash at November's Rumble event, and just finished recording its debut full-length with producer Aaron Swanton (Scarlet Symphony) for a 2011 release.

Next up, R&B maestro Rafter will get booties shaking with some sweat-soaked, auto-tuned dance ditties. His 2010 album, Animal Feelings, was released by Asthmatic Kitty to critical accolades and netted him a San Diego Music Award for Best Alternative Album.

Headliners Transfer are no strangers to SDMA gold -- their recent release, Future Selves, earned them the award for Best Rock Album. After they help their hometown usher in the new year, Transfer will take their driving arena rock on the road for an expansive European tour that will last until March.

Tickets for the December 31 event are $20 in advance or $25 the day of, so you'll probably want to buy them now and use the extra five bucks on a glass of midnight champagne. Here's hoping 2011 proves an even better year for San Diego and all of its much-appreciated music makers.

Chris Maroulakos is a writer and managing editor for the San Diego music blog Owl and Bear.

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