San Diego Shows–Tuesday, June 23
PLAN A: Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin & Buddy Miller @ Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay–Nearly three years ago, when I couldn’t score an interview with Emmylou Harris, I ended up writing a rather rushed and inane article about how Harris is beloved in the straight-male alt-country scene (you can check it out here if you want to). And while the angle seems a bit forced in hindsight, there’s still no doubting her impact on some of the best names in music, both old and new (Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, Conor Oberst, to name a few). And when it comes to a lineup chock full of talent, you can’t go wrong with this night. Patty Griffin continues to put out great records, and Shawn Colvin is way more than the one-trick pony behind “Sunny Came Home.” And if you haven’t got it yet, pick up Buddy & Julie Miller’s Written in Chalk. One of the best from beginning-to-end I’ve heard all year. PLAN B: Firethorn, The Gift/Curse, Lazerwolf and Thunderbolt, Feet Feet Feet Parachute @ The Casbah–A solid lineup of some of the harder-rocking alternative bands in town. I can’t honestly recommend everyone on this bill, but if you like mid-’90s rock but hate the scenesters who usually show up for a show at The Casbah then this might be your night.
QUICK PICKS:
“Tiki Tuesday” with Adrian Demain’s Exoticatronica @ Bar Pink
Too Cool Karaoke: In The Year 2000 (Pants Guests Hosts) @ Ruby Room
The Pseudo Dates, The Fall Trees, Day of Anomie @ Beauty Bar–I can’t help but wonder if The Pseudo Dates got their name from a line in Chasing Amy, but, to be honest, I don’t find their Kinks-inspired pop-rock interesting enough to inquire.
Original “P” Parliament Funkadelic @ San Diego County Fair–Don’t be fooled. Original “P” is two members of the original Parliaments (who didn’t sound anything like the Parliament.Funkadelic we all know and love) playing with a bunch of jive suckas you’ve never heard of. No George Clinton. No Eddie Hazel. No Bootsy. And no Garry “Diaperman” Shider. So, if you’re the type that doesn’t mind seeing Creedence without Fogerty or listening to “Low Rider” even though that’s not really War on the stage, then, by all means, check this out.
