Ever since I discovered a cassette mix of the Smiths (in my then junior-high brother's room),my mom would criticize my music as depressing. "When I grew up, songs had meaning," she'd say. Just because my music didn't speak to her didn't mean it lacked meaning. The indie-rock I gravitate to uses complex lyrics, and, sure, I prefer the melancholy over "happy" music but, every once in a while, there's a band that breaks me from that. For example, the Generationals -- they maintain lyrical complexity with catchy melodies and solid hooks. Their third full-length, Heza, uses the familiar '60s jangly tunes that make you bounce your head without losing your cool as a cucumber sneer. The Generationals return Wednesday to the Casbah for what is certain to be a great show with Young Empires. Maybe I'll even bring my mom ...
Wednesday, June 5:
- Generationals, Young Empires @ Casbah
- 91X presents the Unlikely Candidates, Carousel, the Sinclairs @ Soda Bar
- Walter Trout, Blitz Bros @ Belly Up
- Trails & Ways, Bad Suns, Marco Polo @ the Griffin
- Suburban Campers, El Toro de la Muerte, the Paper Thins @ Tin Can Ale House
- Godwana, El Dulce Lobo @ House of Blues
- Cut Hands, Black Rain @ the Void
- Dan Gindling, Jimmy Lunsford @ Lestat's
- Swimm @ the Saloon (Encinitas)
- Full of Hell, My Iron Lung, Globe & Beast, Haruka @ Ché Café
- The Tighten Ups @ El Dorado
- BLUSD presents Jammingout the House of Blues @ House of Blues Voodoo Stage
- SoMo, Nick Luebke @ Porter's Pub
- Kice Simko & Friends @ Riviera Supper Club
- Backwater Blues Band @ Humphreys Backstage Live
- Sue Palmer @ Croce's
- DJ Grandmasta Rats @ Bar Pink
- Future Wednesdays @ Kava Lounge
- Club M.A.W. @ Henry's Pub
- Lady Dottie & the Diamonds @ Gallagher's Irish Pub
- Christopher Dale, Robin Henkel @ Handlery Hotel
- New Best Thing @ Whistle Stop
- Blue Rockit Band @ Patrick's Gaslamp Pub
- Ron's Trio @ McP's Irish Pub
- Firehouse Swing Night @ Queen Bee's
- Wild Nite @ Coyote Bar & Grill
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.
