Whenever DeVotchKa comes to San Diego, it's a party, which is a good thing because I'll be celebrating my birthday at the show. Last time I caught them, they poured water on the skin of a tom drum, such that when they hit it, the resulting splash and light show made the crowd go insane. I mean, there aren't a lot of bands with a sousaphone in them, and the Eastern European influences on their music make them one of the most unique bands in indie-rock today (read the new SoundDiego interview with them here). Of course, everyone is touring right now, so you have a lot of rad shows to choose from, including the Wombats at House of Blues, "A Bowie Celebration" at Humphreys, or hardcore act Slapshot at Soda Bar. Just be sure to save some energy for the rest of the weekend because there are tons of events and shows to look forward to.
Friday, Sept. 28:
- Oktoberfest @ German American Societies, El Cajon
- La Mesa Oktoberfest @ La Mesa Village (4-10 p.m.)
- DeVotchKa, Orkesta Mendoza @ The Observatory
- The Wombats, Barns Courtney, Roman Lewis @ House of Blues
- A Bowie Celebration: The David Bowie Alumni Tour @ Humphreys Concerts by the Bay
- Slapshot, Countime, Drug Control, Christ Killer @ Soda Bar
- Jay Aston's Gene Loves Jezebel, DJ Vaughn Avakian @ Casbah
- Western Star, the Phantoms @ Bar Pink (8 p.m.)
- No Duh, Fooz Fighters, Pearl Jammed @ Belly Up
- The Early November, the Dangerous Summer, Jetty Bones, Save Face @ The Irenic
- Creature and the Woods, Coral Bells @ Pour House
- The Montell Jordans, Ready Set Survive, Avenue Army, Nights Like Thieves @ The Merrow
- Billy Galewood's Birthday Extravaganza @ Java Joe's
- Soft Kill, Underpass, In Mirrors, DJ Jon Blaj @ Whistle Stop
- Chyurch with DJs Mikey and Andrew @ Bar Pink (10 p.m.)
- We Are Yr Friends @ Blonde
- Let's Face It, Divided Heaven, Square Shapes @ Tower Bar
- MC3, Inure, Scary Pierre @ Black Cat Bar
- Terror, Harms Way, Backtrack, Year of the Knife, Candy @ SOMA Sidestage
- Paul Combs Quartet @ Dizzy's
- Cholo Goth Night ft. Dave Parley (of Prayers) & Josexx @ Space
- Revocation, Exhumed, Rivers of Nihil, Yautja @ Brick By Brick
- Electric Waste Band @ Winston's
- Kalina & Kiana, Austin Gatus, Andrew Barrack @ Lestat's
- Frankie Ballard @ Moonshine Beach
- Georgia Chrome @ Moonshine Flats
- Rock of Ages @ Park & Rec
- OBtuse Goose, My Mind @ Rosie O'Grady's
- Nosis @ De Oro Mine Co
- Assuming We Survive, RIVALS, Riot Child, Lost Dakota @ Voodoo Room, House of Blues (CANCELED)
- BlackSky Nectar, Never Come Down @ City Pub
- Kimba Light @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido
- Zenith @ Border X Brewing
- Heart of Leo @ Pour House (5:30 p.m.)
- Latex Grenade, Snakefist, Approaching Fiction @ 710 Beach Club
- CRSSD After Dark: Will Clarke @ Bang Bang
- CRSSD After Dark: Layton Giordani, NGHT MVS @ Spin
- Benny Benassi @ Omnia
- Janice & Nathan @ Martini's Above Fourth
- DJ Freeman @ U-31
- Live Acoustic Sessions @ U-31 (7:30-9:30 p.m.)
- Alias! Dance Band @ Tio Leo's
- Anesthesia, Alice Insane, Rage Again, Wicked Tongues, DJ Professor CC @ Music Box
- Beta Maxx @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- Madman, Up the Irons @ Navajo Live
- DJ Charlie Rock & KidRiz @ El Dorado
- Jon B @ FLUXX
Rosemary Bystrak is the publicist for the Casbah and 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.
