San Diego Shows–Sunday, July 5
PLAN A: Pigeon Religion, High Castle, 60-Watt Kid @ Soda Bar–To assume that Pigeon Religion like The Jesus Lizard wouldn’t exactly be jumping to conclusions. But look a little deeper and you’ll find some serious musicianship under the Birthday Party-esque noise. And I’m loving High Castle’s new EP. A fantastic blast of punk noise (think Crass without the politics or Blood Brothers without the all the whining) with songs about small-town gay bars and the fixed-gear fucks that plague San Francisco. The last time they played here it was at a Music Trader near the Sports Arena, but I see bigger things happening for this band (a tour with The Locust, perhaps?). PLAN B: The Deere Johns, Old Man Markley, Bartender’s Bible, The Tightenups @ The Casbah–Aside from John Meeks, The Deere Johns and Bartender’s Bible are pretty much the only country bands in town that you really need to pay attention to (sorry River City fans, but I just don’t buy it). And if you dig The Avett Brothers or Old Crow Medicine Show, then definitely check out Old Man Markley. It might be from L.A., but it’s as podunk as it is poppy. BACKUP PLAN: The Moondoggies @ Bar Pink–Sounding like a less country version of Creedence or a garage-rock version of The Band, this Seattle band released a gem of an album last year (Don’t Be a Stranger) that no one really heard outside of the Pacific Northwest. Their white-boy gospel rave-ups (“Save My Soul,” “Jesus on the Mainine”) and CSN&Y-influenced ballads (“Make it Easy”) make this show well worth the price of admission (which is free, by the way).
QUICK PICKS:
Drew Andrews, Elisa Ferrari, Joanie Mendenhall @ Ruby Room
Listening To Rocks, The New Archaic, Joey Harris, Skelpin, the Shamey Jays, Blackwater Conspiracy, Marie Haddad @ House of Blues
Dave Booda, Sarah Donner @ Lestat’s
“Too Many Creeps” feat. Mario Orduno and friends @ Whistle Stop
Stereo House @ Beauty Bar
