San Diego Shows–Tuesday, June 30

PLAN A: John Vanderslice, The Tallest Man on Earth @ The Casbah–John Vanderslice has always been, if anything, consistent in that every one of his seven albums is pretty damn good. His new release, Romanian Names, might be his most personal and tender to date. Often stripped down to voice and minimal sonic texturing, there’s more than just a hint of heartbreak in lines like “freedom is overrated” (“Too Much Time”) and “to come back to me again you’d break everything I’ve had.” His whole catalogue is great, but if you can’t stop listening to the new Grizzly Bear or your favorite Beck album is Sea Change, then check out Vanderslice. Also, show up early for The Tallest Man on Earth. As Todd Kroviak points out in last week’s issue, it’s Scandinavian white-boy blues that’s too good to ignore.  PLAN B: The Burning of Rome, QQC, DJ Lord Nelson, DJ James Barak @ Belly Up–It’s kinda sad, but the closest thing you’ll get to club action in North County is some drunk girl dancing on top of the bar at the Barf N’ Babble (oops, I mean the Surf N’ Saddle). Perhaps smelling the after-racetrack crowds coming, the Belly Up is launching Club Up and Up, a monthly night on the last Tuesday of the month and will feature good local bands and DJs.  BACKUP PLAN: Black Skies @ Radio Room–Decent power-metal trio from Chapel Hill, North Carolina that’s equal parts High on Fire, Ministry and Burning Brides (does anyone even remember that band?). Unlike fellow Confederates, Mastodon and The Sword, these guys really aren’t trying to make some grandiose statement. Seems they just wanna bang their heads because they can.

QUICK PICKS:

“Tiki Tuesday” featuring The Cheap Leis @ Bar Pink

“Jazz Jam” with Gilbert Castellanos @ Onyx Room

“Twisted Tuesdays” featuring Miki Vale @ The Office

Creedence Clearwater Revisited @ San Diego County Fair–Creedence minus Fogerty plus some tool that sings like him=no dice.

Adriana Smith and the Ghost in the Graveyard, The Unruly Bangs, The Pears @ Tin Can Ale House

Post Honeymoon @ Soda Bar

Santos, Audios, Tidepool, None Other, DJ Ant Bo @ Beauty Bar