San Diego Shows–Friday, Feb. 19
PLAN A: Ron Silva & The Monarchs @ Tower Bar. CityBeat columnist D.A. Kolodenko recently hipped me to local legend Silva’s (The Crawdaddys, The Nashville Ramblers) new band, and I’m sure glad he did. Surrounded by a stellar backing band, he plays vintage R&B with no pretense and poseurism. If you won a Stax/Volt box set and can’t wait for that new Sharon Jones record, meet your new favorite band. PLAN B: Steve Poltz, Mojo Nixon @ Belly Up. Speaking of local legends, singer-songwriter Poltz is celebrating his 50th birthday as well as the release of his new record, Dreamhouse, tonight. Never a man to be outdone by crazies like opener Mojo Nixon, Poltz will play different sets with both of his backing bands, The Rugburns and The Cynics. (Note: This show is sold-the-fuck-out). PLAN C: Wale @ 207. Last year’s hip-hop rookie of the year (perhaps you could make that argument for Kid Cudi and Drake, but let’s not split hairs) skips the bigger Downtown clubs for the Hard Rock Hotel’s lobby bar and we couldn’t be happier. After seeing pics of the Fat Joe show there last month, it might be the coziest place to see a hip-hop show in the city. If you get on the list (hit up hardrock@djhere.com), you can also head upstairs to the rooftop Float for free hosted vodka cocktails. BACKUP PLAN: The Donkeys, The Hot Moon, The Modlins, Joel P West (Late show, 9 p.m.) @ The Casbah.
OTHER COOL STUFF:
Joshua Bell @ Copley Symphony Hall. It’s where I’m starting my night, cause I’m cultured like that.
Ozzy Osbourne @ Warwick’s. In his memoir I Am Ozzy, published late last year, Ozzy Osbourne writes, “I’m just John Osbourne: a working-class kid from Aston, who quit his job in the factory and went looking for a good time.” From there on, it was a wild ride on the crazy train for the former Black Sabbath frontman, and, reportedly, the book covers it all, in a starkly honest manner, from the early days of Sabbath through his time as a reality-TV star. The Mumbling Master of Metal Macabre will sign copies of his book at 6:30 p.m. at Warwick’s Bookstore, 7812 Girard Ave. in La Jolla. You have to have a ticket to exchange indecipherable pleasantries with the man, and the only way to get one is by buying a copy of the book at Warwick’s.
International Pop Overthrow @ O’Connells. Here’s a not-so-subtle news flash: The bands playing Coachella are not underground. On the other hand, the two-dozen bands playing the three-day International Pop Overthrow Festival are, indeed, indier that thou. From 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, through Sunday, Feb. 21, at O’Connells (1310 Morena Blvd. in Bay Park), the second-annual festival will feature some of the best in national, international and local talent. And while the emphasis is on pop, there’s a little something for everyone, whether it’s electro-rock sexiness (Bullet & Snowfox), hard rock (SO3) or soft-spoken troubadours (Greg Friedman). Tonight: Plasticsoul, The McGrath Project, Bullet & Snowfox, Roxy Monoxide, Wendy Bailey & True Stories, The Shamey Jays, The New Lead Detectives and The Syrups.
John Meeks, Marquez!, Little White Teeth @ Tin Can Ale House.
The Fascination, The Drowning Men, The Deadly Syndrome @ Beauty Bar.
Bare Wires, Sunday Times, Dead Ghosts, Indian Wars @ Soda Bar.
Haiti Benefit feat. Anticitizens, Scarlet Symphony @ Queen Bee’s.
“Feel The Noise” w/DJs Gabe Vega, Saul Q @ U-31.
Maren Parusel @ Whistle Stop.
Tom Stephan, Antony Ross @ Voyeur.
Bobby Fantasy, Syndicate, Neon Cough, Death On Mars, DJ Velvet Touch @ Ruby Room.
The Wild Yaks, Reverse Cowboys, Mundy Knights @ Ken Club.
The Styletones @ Bar Pink.
Final Fight, Rotting Out, Run With The Hunted, Shadows @ Che Café.
Matt Hires, Jason Castro, Caitlin Crosby (Early show, 6 p.m.) @ The Casbah.
Chad Cavanaugh, Rob Deez, The Unruly Bangs @ Lestat’s.
Vokab Company, Psydecar @ Winston’s.
Stitch Hopeless & The Sea Legs, The Strikers, Death Valley Drifters @ Radio Room.
