San Diego Shows–Wednesday, Dec. 23

PLAN A: The Preteens, Whales Whaling, Machete @ Che Café. It’s not surprising that co-ed local duo The Preteens (above) are friends with former Moldy Peach Kimya Dawson on MySpace. They play the same blend of anti-folk and punk that made all the peons run out and buy the Juno soundtrack. And you may not be able to tell from the rough demos on his site, but Peter Ryan’s side project, Whales Whaling, is definitely worth checking out. A former local boy who played in a number of bands around town before moving to Portland, he’s probably best known for his kick-ass drumming with blues-rockers Kusikia. Whales could probably be best described as noise-folk, but it’s a treat to hear that Ryan’s been staying productive. PLAN B: Annie Bethancourt @ Lestat’s. Wow, this is kind of eerie. Bethancourt is another former local who moved to Portland (why didn’t she carpool with Ryan?). This will be the release show for her new album, Three Hundred Suns, and judging by what I hear, the stuff I wrote about her nearly five years ago (“a lucid mixture of Joni Mitchell and Fiona Apple that goes from hushed whispers, operatic heights, and then coal-walking wails, all within the same song.”), well, it still fits. BACKUP PLAN: The Fascination @ Ruby Room.

OTHER COOL STUFF: 

“Jivewire Before Christmas” feat. Smile Now Cry Later, DJs Bart Blackstone, ATARI @ The Casbah.

The Greyboy Allstars, DJ SK @ Belly Up.

Linnzi Zaorski @ Bar Pink.

DJs from Holiday Matinee and Dirty Needles @ Whistle Stop. $1 from every drink benefits the Lindsay Community School for Pregnant and Parenting Teens.

Steve Poltz @ Java Joe’s at Cafe Libertalia.

DJ Mother Dear @ Tin Can Ale House.

“Cherries Jubilee Holiday Burlesque Show” w/ DJ Bob Bartosik @ The Office.

Sunnyside, DJs Crank Science, Miggs @ Soda Bar.

El Monte Slim @ Riviera Supper Club.