Let's face it: This is really the first weekend of 2016. I mean, last weekend was the big NYE stuff and Saturday was mostly a recovery day, and then this week was back to the grind. So I don't know about you, but I am ready to seize the night and enjoy at least one, if not a couple, of tonight's awesome shows. The most stressful thing will be deciding where to go, as San Diego legends the Paladins lead a throwback lineup at the Casbah while the Downs Family and Screamin' Yeehaws, also around since the '90s, get rowdy at Soda Bar. Of course, quality local bands don't have to be around for several decades to be worth your while, as evidenced by Hills Like Elephants, who play at Bar Pink, and the Schizophonics Soul Revue at Music Box (read our interview with the Schizophonics here). Plus, you've got Mary Jane's Underground at the Hard Rock Hotel and Jesse Nova at the Merrow -- so bottom line, you're just a few decisions away from a great night.
Friday, Jan. 8:
- The Paladins, Blue Largo, The Bedbreakers @ Casbah
- The Downs Family, the Screamin' Yeehaws, the Bum Deals @ Soda Bar
- Hills Like Elephants, John Meeks @ Bar Pink
- The Schizophonics Soul Review, Stephen Rey Sextet, Bullfighters @ Music Box
- MaryJane's Underground ft. Spooky Cigarette, Big Bloom @ MaryJane's, Hard Rock Hotel (free)
- Jesse Nova, Roger!, Emily Davis @ The Merrow
- Chase Morrin & his trio @ Dizzy's
- Atomic Groove Hello 2016 @ Belly Up (happy hour, 5 p.m.)
- The California Honeydrops, Euphoria Brass Band @ Belly Up
- Eric Freeman and Jeffrey Joe @ Templar's Hall in Old Poway Park
- The Savage Young, Milo, ArtMonk, Flakes, Lady Zephyr, Sad Muffin @ SOMA
- Nice World @ The Black Cat
- Gravehill, Thanatology, Army Of Darkness, Morbid Eclipse @ Brick By Brick
- Flight of Ryan, Rachel Bradford @ Lestat's
- Kelly McGarry Presents @ House of Blues
- ArtPower Presents: Mal'akh Ensemble @ The Loft, UCSD
- The Distractions @ Tio Leo's
- Nate Donnis @ Tin Roof (6:30 p.m.)
- Cassie B Project @ Tin Roof (9:30 p.m.)
- Robert Dove Quartet @ Croce's Park West
- Y3K @ Humphreys Backstage Live (5 p.m.)
- Rising Star @ Humphreys Backstage Live (9 p.m.)
- SoundOn Festival @ La Jolla Athenaeum
- Jason Lee & the R.I.P.Tides, Surfer Joe, the Sand Devils @ Tower Bar
- The Routine, the Verigolds, Kid Wilderness @ Winston's
- Egyptian Lover, Brian Ellis' Reflection @ Til-Two Club
- Fast Heart Mart, Stacey Barnett, and Greg Santogrossi @ Across the Street at Mueller College
- Deejay Al @ Fluxx
- Jesse Marco @ Omnia
- Drezo @ Bang Bang
- Aimee Nolte @ 98 Bottles
- Junglists Fridays @ Kava Lounge
- The Upshots @ Gallagher's Irish Pub
- Club Musae @ Boar Cross'n
- The Brewhahas, Bomb Squad @ 710 Beach Club
- Autograf, Big Toe, Los Lizzy @ Ramona Mainstage
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.
