Author: Amanda

The Bard Chronicles: Song Preservation Society at Soda Bar 7/16/13

Posted on by Amanda

If you were to cross The Milk Carton Kids and Mumford and Sons, the resulting offspring would be Song Preservation Society. Take the live show, melodic harmonies, simple instrumentation, and a passion for speaking from the heart and you have all of the important elements that make up this band. Admittedly, I was tired from a record number of musical outings by my current standards but watching them play more than made up for it. If you didn’t make it out to the Soda bar for their show, you can catch them August 25th supporting Truth & Salvage Co. at the Griffin. Check out their video Terra  below and peep the few decent photos from the show.

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 7/29-8/4

Posted on by Amanda

Oh, Monday.  The start to my typical week. Unfortunately my dog had me up off and on from 4:15 am onward so my mental capacity is not at peak performance. Thankfully I have time to rest up before the onslaught of shows this week from Dead Feather Moon, Tom Odell, Wolfmother, Writer, and Jesse LaMonaca to name a few. Get ready cause it’s going to be one crazy week!

Also, the SDMA nominations have been announced. Get over to their site and cast your vote!

Monday: Wolfmother @ Belly Up at 9pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Fallen Riviera @ Soda Bar at 9pm 

Tuesday: Writer, Mrs. Magician @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: Jeff Bridges @ Belly Up at 9pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Hollywood Undead, Escape the Fate @ House of Blues at 7pm

Wednesday: Tom Odell @ House of Blues Side Stage at 7pm
AND: We The Kings, Breathe Carolina @ Soma at 7pm
AND: Jesca Hoop, Gayle Skidmore, Vanja James @ Casbah at 9pm 
AND: Albert Lee, Brawley @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Nikki Lang @ Lestats at 8:30pm

Thursday: Mattson 2 @ Casbah at 9:30pm
AND: Wild Cub @ Soda Bar at 9:30pm 
AND: Redlight King, Icon for Hire @ House of Blues at 7pm 
AND: Lee Koch, Low Volts @ Griffin at 8:45pm

Friday: Dead Feather Moon, Trouble in the Wind, Elijah Ford @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Blackout Party, The Beautiful View, The Hollerin @ Soda Bar at 9pm 
AND: Son Volt @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: From Indian Lakes, Tallhart, Makeshift Prodigy, Blacktop Royalty @ House of Blues at 8pm 
AND: Emily Elbert @ Lestats at 8pm

Saturday: Jesse LaMonaca @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: The Flowerthief @ Tin Can Alehouse at 9pm

Sunday: Kris Angelis @ Lestats at 8pm

Keep in Mind:
August 5th- The Heavy, The Silent Comedy @ Belly Up 
August 7th- Andy Clockwise @ Griffin 
August 8th- Foals @ House of Blues
August 9th- Tyson Motsenbocker, The Darrows @ Griffin 
August 13th- Plain White T’s @ Belly Up 
August 15th- Cold War Kids @ House of Blues
August 15th- Kopecky Family Band @ Soda Bar
August 16th- Deadly Birds, Get Back Loretta, Stripes and Lines @ Casbah 
August 17th- Weezer @ Del Mar Race Track 
August 25th- Courtney Love @ Belly Up
August 25th- Truth and Salvage Co., Song Preservation Society @ Griffin
August 28th- K. Flay @ Griffin 
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
September 11th- Minus The Bear @ Belly Up 
September 13th- Ra Ra Riot @ Birch North Park Theater  
September 13th- The Features @ Griffin
September 13th- Milo Greene @ Casbah 
September 13th- North Park Music Thing
September 14th- North Park Music Thing 
September 16th- Bastille @ House of Blues
September 20th- X-Fest feat: Blink 182, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Offspring Silversun Pickups, Fitz and the Tantrums, Atlas Genius, Capital Cities, New Politics 
September 20th- Young Dubliners @ Belly Up 
September 21st- FM 94/9 Independence Jam feat: Cage The Elephant, Smallpools, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., American Authors, Royal Teeth, The Colourist and Dead Feather Moon
September 22nd- Depeche Mode @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre 
September 22nd- Fall Out Boy @ Valley View Casino Center 
September 25th- The Naked and Famous @ House of Blues 
September 30th- Vampire Weekend @ SDSU Open Air Theater 
October 2nd- Jake Bugg @ House of Blues 
October 4th- Phillip Phillips @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre
October 5th- You Me At Six @ Soma
October 8th- Pet Shop Boys @ Copley Symphony Hall 
October 8th- Conor Oberst @ Belly Up 
October 9th- Tony Lucca @ Griffin
October 9th- The Pretty Reckless @ House of Blues
October 10th- Phoenix @ RIMAC Arena @ UCSD 
October 15th- Frank Turner @ House of Blues 
October 18th Jack Johnson @ Balboa Theater 
October 19th- Ms Mr, Wildcat! Wildcat! @ Casbah 
October 22nd- Passion Pit @ SDSU Open Air Theater 
October 23rd- Paramore, Metric, HELLOGOODBYE @ Viejas Arena (Cox Arena)
October 28th- The Neighbourhood @ House of Blues
October 31st- Two Door Cinema Club @ Humphrey’s
November 1st- Father John Misty @ House of Blues 
November 3rd- The 1975 @ Belly Up 
November 8th- Nine Inch Nails @ Staples Center 
November 21st- Pearl Jam @ Viejas Arena (SDSU) 

The Bard Chronicles: Better Looking People With Superior Ideas at Soma 7/13/13

Posted on by Amanda

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Soma. Actually, I tend to avoid that place and all it’s punk ass underage kids who think they know what’s up. However, when invited by a band to see their debut performance in San Diego, I’ll make an exception.

While attempting to haggle my way inside with my camera, I ended up meeting the band out front when they overheard me drop their name. Since I was only armed with emails and a Soundcloud link , I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.

Despite it being a rather quiet Saturday at Soma, Better Looking People With Superior Ideas (whew that’s a mouthful) had some fans in the crowd. For a two person band, they create a surprisingly full sound and I was very happy to see a trumpet up on stage. Perhaps my favorite element of theirs was the use of a glockenspiel. Or was it a xylophone? Either way, I though the delicate tones were a great addition and a nice layer. My only wish for BLPWSI is that they find more of a concrete direction in their music. They was a wide range and variety from raging guitar to the delicate glockenspiel and it didn’t always feel like it was coming from the same band. I do see a lot of potential for growth and can’t wait to see where they go from here!

Check out my favorite song below and the gallery while you’re at it.

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Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 7/22-7/28

Posted on by Amanda

What happened to July? Wasn’t it just February? Maybe I’m just a tiny bit not right in the head after all that Comic Con craziness. We go from Comic Con craziness to a week of music craziness. This week we have Kid Karate at the Griffin, Saint Motel at the Soda Bar, and the 1975 at the Casbah just to name a few. Strap in, it’s going to be another long week. 

 

Monday: Papa, Wardell @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Chamber Band @ Soda Bar at 9:30pm

Tuesday: 91X Loudspeaker Live Presents: Spero, Kid Karate, & more @ Griffin at 8:30pm
AND: The Filthy Violets @ Casbah at 9:30pm

Wednesday: Get Back Loretta, The Palace Ballroom, Deadly Birds @ U31 at 9pm
AND: The Tilt, Midnight Pine @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Matchbox Twenty and The Goo Goo Dolls @ Valley View Casino Center at 7:30pm
AND: Dirty Sirens, Mrs. Henry @ Griffin at 9pm
AND: Roadkill Ghost Chior, The Lonely Wild @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: BoDeans @ Belly Up at 8pm

Thursday: Saint Motel, Hockey @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: The Cult @ House of Blues at 8pm- SOLD OUT
AND: The Hollerin @ Lafayette Hotel at 7pm

Friday: The 1975 @ Casbah at 9pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Fitz and the Tantrums @ Del Mar Racetrack at 4pm
AND: The Heavy Guilt @ Whistlestop Bar at 9pm
AND: Oh, Spirit @ Lestats at 9pm

Saturday: Shakey Graves @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: Okapi Sun @ Bar Pink at 9pm

Sunday: Peter Murphey @ Belly Up at 9pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Speedy Ortiz @ Soda Bar at 9:30pm

Keep in Mind: 
July 29th- Wolfmother @ The Belly Up
July 30th- Writer, Mrs. Magician @ Soda Bar
July 30th- Jeff Bridges @ Belly Up
July 31st- We The Kings, Breathe Carolina @ Soma 
August 2nd- Dead Feather Moon, Trouble in the Wind @ Casbah 
August 5th- The Heavy, The Silent Comedy @ Belly Up 
August 8th- Foals @ House of Blues
August 13th- Plain White T’s @ Belly Up 
August 15th- Cold War Kids @ House of Blues
August 15th- Kopecky Family Band @ Soda Bar
August 17th- Weezer @ Del Mar Race Track 
August 25th- Courtney Love @ Belly Up
August 25th- Truth and Salvage Co. @ Griffin
August 28th- K. Flay @ Griffin 
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
September 11th- Minus The Bear @ Belly Up 
September 13th- Ra Ra Riot @ Birch North Park Theater  
September 13th- The Features @ Griffin
September 13th- North Park Music Thing
September 14th- North Park Music Thing 
September 16th- Bastille @ House of Blues 
September 20th- X-Fest feat: Blink 182, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Offspring Silversun Pickups, Fitz and the Tantrums, Atlas Genius, Capital Cities, New Politics 
September 20th- Young Dubliners @ Belly Up 
September 21st- FM 94/9 Independence Jam feat: Cage The Elephant, Smallpools, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., American Authors, Royal Teeth, The Colourist and Dead Feather Moon
September 22nd- Depeche Mode @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre 
September 22nd- Fall Out Boy @ Valley View Casino Center 
September 30th- Vampire Weekend @ SDSU Open Air Theater 
October 2nd- Jake Bugg @ House of Blues 
October 4th- Phillip Phillips @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre
October 5th- You Me At Six @ Soma
October 8th- Pet Shop Boys @ Copley Symphony Hall 
October 8th- Conor Oberst @ Belly Up
October 9th- Tony Lucca @ Griffin
October 9th- The Pretty Reckless @ House of Blues
October 10th- Phoenix @ RIMAC Arena @ UCSD 
October 15th- Frank Turner @ House of Blues 
October 18th Jack Johnson @ Balboa Theater 
October 22nd- Passion Pit @ SDSU Open Air Theater 
October 23rd- Paramore, Metric, HELLOGOODBYE @ Viejas Arena (Cox Arena)
October 28th- The Neighbourhood @ House of Blues
October 31st- Two Door Cinema Club @ Humphrey’s
November 1st- Father John Misty @ House of Blues 
November 8th- Nine Inch Nails @ Staples Center 
November 21st- Pearl Jam @ Viejas Arena (SDSU)

 

The Bard Chronicles: Nico Vega and Crash Kings at The Griffin 7/11/13

Posted on by Amanda

The last time I saw Nico Vega in San Diego was at the Casbah to a relatively rowdy crowd but it was by no means a sold out show. They did tour through here with Imagine Dragons playing the SDSU Open Air Theater but I didn’t attend that show.

Crash Kings have playing down at Griffin off and on during the year and I’ve noticed two separate shows there that I was unable to attend. Sad Amanda. Even sadder because I hadn’t seen them play in well over a year.

So what happens when you take two popular LA bands who are friends that even share a rehearsal space and you put them on the road together? In a word, amazingness.

Watching Crash Kings play for the first time in over a year was like no time had passed. Despite having a different drummer, their set was filled with the same enthusiasm as the first time I saw them years ago. And I had honestly forgotten how much that clavinet will rock a room. It was so refreshing to see a band rock out with a piano, keys, and a clavinet. I didn’t even miss the guitar.

It was fantastic to see them rock old favorite like “Mountain Man”, “It’s Only Wednesday,” and “14 Arms.”   Their set was a nice blend of old and new tunes and I have to tell you, those new tunes are awesome. Their set was so awesome, it inspired an encore because the crowd just wouldn’t stop yelling for them. You should really do yourself a favor and go pick up Dark of the Daylight  now.

Nico Vega is an amazing band. And you can tell they are fully on their A Game after having toured all over with Imagine Dragons earlier this year. They are tighter than I’ve ever seen them and somehow even more dynamic than before. Maybe it’s the drums. The tiny stage was hardly big enough to contain them as evidenced by only one painted barrel on stage and Aja’s continual departure from the stage.

At one point during the set, someone yelled for them to play “Wooden Dolls” and the band all sat down on the stage and quietly played the song. I should also mention that one of the barrels was dedicated to an audience member’s deceased pet turtle and Aja informed the crowd that she would be taking it home with her after the show. How sweet! What was even sweeter was seeing other old favorites like “Gravity” and “Beast” mixed in with all the snazzy new tunes from their forthcoming album Lead to Light . If you love Nico Vega or just want some cool stuff from them (their designs are rad) then you should pledge your support here. I’m personally getting a shirt and the font that is Rich’s handwriting.

 

Check out more pics in the gallery below!

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Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 7/15-7/21

Posted on by Amanda

This is one of my favorite weeks of the year in San Diego because it’s Comic Con time! I know that doesn’t seem to have much to do with music but with all the free events downtown and special pop up shows, you don’t have to have a badge. Rumor has it that Metallica will be playing a secret show sometime this weekend which is pretty cool. Also, The Silent Comedy will be playing at the Vikings off site on Saturday at 6pm. Now, those are the only events I know about, but I know there will be a lot more music related activities happening. After my 3 day show binge this past weekend, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to keep up with everything!

In case you aren’t going to Comic Con, there are lots of other music delights to tickle your fancy.

 

Monday: Sara Petite, Chuck Mead @ Griffin at 8:30pm

Tuesday: Song Preservation Society @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
AND: 91X Loudspeaker Live Presents: The Filthy Violets and more @ Griffin at 8:30pm- FREE with RSVP
AND: Caravan Palace @ Belly Up at 9pm

Wednesday: Adam Ant @ Balboa Park Theater at 7:30pm
AND: Nina, Storey, Sam Vicari, Sarah Donner @ Lestats at 8:30pm
AND: Lauren Mann and The Fairly Odd Folk @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
AND: Blacktop Royalty, We Are/She Is @ Tin Can Alehouse at 9pm

Thursday: The Aquabats @ House of Blues at 8pm
AND: Guggenheim Grotto @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Grand Tarantula, The Fixtures @ Soda Bat at 8:30pm

Friday: The B52’s @ Del Mar Racetrack- After last race
AND: Rips Entertainment Presents: Animals of Kin, Hills Like Elephants at 9pm
AND: The Gregory Page Show @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: The Styletones @ Bar Pink at 9pm
AND: En Vogue @ Embarcadero Marina Park South at 8pm

Saturday: Josh Damigo, Katy Burgess @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: The Silent Comedy @ Viking Offsite at 6pm
AND: Futurebirds @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: En Vogue @ Embarcadero Marina Park South at 8pm

Sunday: Rogue Wave, Hey Marseilles @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: California Wives @ Soda Bar at 9pm

 

Keep in Mind:

July 21st- The Postal Service @ SDSU Open Air Theater 
July 24th- Matchbox Twenty and The Goo Goo Dolls @ Valley View Casino Center 
July 25th- The Cult @ House of Blues 
July 25th- Saint Motel @ Soda Bar
July 26th- The 1975 @ Casbah
July 26th- Fitz and the Tantrums @ Del Mar Racetrack  
July 28th- Peter Murphy @ Belly Up 
July 30th- Writer, Mrs. Magician @ Soda Bar
August 5th- The Heavy, The Silent Comedy @ Belly Up 
August 8th- Foals @ House of Blues
August 15th- Cold War Kids @ House of Blues
August 15th- Kopecky Family Band @ Soda Bar
August 17th- Weezer @ Del Mar Race Track 
August 25th- Courtney Love @ Belly Up
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
September 13th- Ra Ra Riot @ Birch North Park Theater  
September 13th- The Features @ Griffin
September 13th- North Park Music Thing
September 14th- North Park Music Thing 
September 16th- Bastille @ House of Blues 
September 20th- X-Fest feat: Blink 182, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Offspring Silversun Pickups, Fitz and the Tantrums, Atlas Genius, Capital Cities, New Politics 
September 20th- Young Dubliners @ Belly Up 
September 22nd- Depeche Mode @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre 
September 22nd- Fall Out Boy @ Valley View Casino Center 
September 30th- Vampire Weekend @ SDSU Open Air Theater 
October 2nd- Jake Bugg @ House of Blues 
October 4th- Phillip Phillips @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre
October 5th- You Me At Sox @ Soma
October 8th- Pet Shop Boys @ Copley Symphony Hall 
October 8th- Conor Oberst @ Belly Up  
October 10th- Phoenix @ RIMAC Arena @ UCSD 
October 15th- Frank Turner @ House of Blues 
October 18th Jack Johnson @ Balboa Theater 
October 31st- Two Door Cinema Club @ Humphrey’s
November 1st- Father John Misty @ House of Blues 
November 8th- Nine Inch Nails @ Staples Center 
November 21st- Pearl Jam @ Viejas Arena (SDSU) 

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 7/8-7/14

Posted on by Amanda

After all my Warped adventures, it’s been hard to get myself out of the house. I did manage to see Joan Jett and The Blackhearts at the fair this week which was a blast. Did you see my show review? Anyways, I think this week the tides will turn because Nico Vega is coming to town with Crash Kings! In addition to that we have Portugal. The Man, Transfer, Say Anything, and another Lauren Ruggles show this week as well. Start your engines…

 

Monday:  Gayle Skidmore, Little Brave @ The Void at 8:30pm
AND: Quiet Company @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Tuesday: Ummmmmmm

Wednesday:  Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues at 7pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Palms @ Belly Up at 9pm

Thursday:  Nico Vega, Crash Kings @ Griffin at 9pm
AND: Say Anything, Eisley, I the Mighty @ House of Blues at 7pm
AND: The Burning of Rome @ Casbah at 9pm

Friday:  Lauren Ruggles Presents: A House for Lions, Ladylike @ Bar Pink at 9pm
AND: The Heavy Guilt, Trouble in the Wind, Dirty Sirens @ Soda Bar
AND: Cuckoo Chaos, Ed Ghost Tucker @ The Void at 9pm
AND: Tolan Shaw @ Lestats at 8pm

Saturday: Transfer, Blackout Party, Flaggs, The Palace Ballroom @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Switchfoot Bro-Am @ Moonlight Beach at 12pm
AND: Bro-Am After Party with Fiction Family @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Better Looking People With Superior Ideas @ Soma at 6:30pm
AND: Josh Krajcik @ Lestats at 8:30pm

Sunday: Heavy Hawaii @ Soda Bar at 9pm

 

Keep in Mind:
July 19th- B52’s @ Del Mar Racetrack
July 21st- The Postal Service @ SDSU Open Air Theater 
July 24th- Matchbox Twenty and The Goo Goo Dolls @ Valley View Casino Center 
July 25th- The Cult @ House of Blues 
July 25th- Saint Motel @ Soda Bar
July 26th- The 1975 @ Casbah
July 26th- Fitz and the Tantrums @ Del Mar Racetrack  
July 28th- Peter Murphy @ Belly Up 
July 30th- Writer, Mrs. Magician @ Soda Bar
August 5th- The Heavy, The Silent Comedy @ Belly Up 
August 8th- Foals @ House of Blues
August 15th- Cold War Kids @ House of Blues
August 15th- Kopecky Family Band @ Soda Bar
August 17th- Weezer @ Del Mar Race Track 
August 25th- Courtney Love @ Belly Up
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
September 13th- Ra Ra Riot @ Birch North Park Theater  
September 13th- The Features @ Griffin
September 13th- North Park Music Thing
September 14th- North Park Music Thing 
September 16th- Bastille @ House of Blues 
September 20th- X-Fest feat: Blink 182, 30 Seconds to Mars, The Offspring Silversun Pickups, Fitz and the Tantrums, Atlas Genius, Capital Cities, New Politics 
September 20th- Young Dubliners @ Belly Up 
September 22nd- Depeche Mode @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre 
September 22nd- Fall Out Boy @ Valley View Casino Center 
September 30th- Vampire Weekend @ SDSU Open Air Theater 
October 2nd- Jake Bugg @ House of Blues 
October 4th- Phillip Phillips @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre
October 8th- Pet Shop Boys @ Copley Symphony Hall 
October 8th- Conor Oberst @ Belly Up  
October 10th- Phoenix @ RIMAC Arena @ UCSD 
October 15th- Frank Turner @ House of Blues 
October 18th Jack Johnson @ Balboa Theater 
October 31st- Two Door Cinema Club @ Humphrey’s
November 1st- Father John Misty @ House of Blues 
November 8th- Nine Inch Nails @ Staples Center