The Bard Chronicles: Semi Precious Weapons at The Belly Up 6/6/13
Semi Precious Weapons is a band that admittedly, I just didn’t “get” at first. Maybe it’s because I went to their On the Rox shows where half naked women were running around or being Saran wrapped to a pole. It just didn’t make any sense to me. Then I saw them at SXSW last year and it finally clicked and I fell in love. They have been back in the studio ever since with nary a show with the exception of heir residency at Sayers Club. I caught their one show at SXSW this year and my life has been devoid of Semi Precious Weapons ever since. That is, until they came down to San Diego as part of Sunset Sessions Rock. How thrilled was I to be seeing them down here and at a venue with great sound and no *ahem* clothing requirements/restrictions.
Generally speaking, The Belly Up is not a place I would expect to find Semi Precious Weapons playing a gig. That surely didn’t stop them from making themselves right at home and taking the place hostage. They played all new tunes such as Cities, Cherries on Ice, Wish I Had A Drink, and Aviation High to name a few. Their sinfully exciting glam-rock show is something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime and it’s something I hope to repeat very soon.
Click the link below for a video of WIsh I Had A Drink at the Belly Up or check out their video for Aviation HIgh directed and editing by their own Stevy Pine.
Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 6/10-6/16
There’s nothing like the bliss that comes from seeing a band you love take the stage and kick some ass. What’s rough to deal with is the comedown from the show high and the subsequent withdrawals that begin to take place. Such has been my Monday after last week which was filled with Semi Precious Weapons kicking ass at the Belly Up and Neon Trees and The Active Set rocking out at a high school stadium in Murrieta. Bliss! We have some great bands in town this week like Cyndi Lauper at Humphreys, Dead Feather Moon and The Tilt at the Del Mar Rock On stage, and Free Energy at the Casbah on Sunday. More below!
Monday: The Steelwells, Nena Anderson and the Mules, Ed Ghost Tucker, Luke Williams Band @ Casbah at 9pm
Tuesday: REO Speedwagon @ Del Mar Fair Grandstand Stage at 7:30pm
AND: Bad Veins, Harriet @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: The Paragraphs @ Griffin at 8:45
Wednesday: Cyndi Lauper @ Humphreys by the Bay at 7pm
AND: Said the Whale @ The Casbah at 9pm
AND: Megan Combs @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Casey Abrams @ Griffin at 8:30pm
Thursday: Belly Up Music Festival feat: The Tilt, Dead Feather Moon @ Del Mar Rock on stage at 3pm
AND: Cold Cave @ The Void at 9pm
AND: Animal Steel @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
Friday: Switchfoot @ Del Mar Fair Grandstand Stage at 7:30pm
AND: The Front Bottoms, Weatherbox @ House of Blues at 7:30pm
AND: The Gregory Page Show @ Lestats at 8:30pm
AND: The Bloodflowers @ Tin Can Alehouse at 9pm
AND: Small Black @ Soda Bar at 9pm
Saturday: The Burning of Rome, The Howls, Ed Ghost Tucker @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
Sunday: Free Energy @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: A Mayfield Affair @ Lestats at 8:30pm
Keep in Mind:
June 19th- Warped Tour @ Sleep Train Amphitheater
June 19th- Family Wagon, The Hollerin @ Casbah
June 20th- Sea Wolf and Savior Adore @ Belly Up
June 20th- A Fine Surprise @ The Griffin
June 20th- Martina Mc Bride @ Del Mar Fair
June 21st- She and Him @ SDSU Open Air Theater
June 22nd- Wildcat! Wildcat! @ Casbah
June 27th- Belly Up Music Festival feat: The Stone Foxes @ Del Mar Rock on stage
July 2nd- Summerland Tour feat: Everclear, Live, Filter, Sponge
July 2nd- Adam Lambert @ Del Mar Fair
July 3rd- Joan Jett and The Blackhearts @ Del Mar Fair
July 7th- Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms @ Humphreys by the Bay
July 10th- Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues
July 11th- Say Anything, Eisley, I the Mighty @ House of Blues
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
August 5th- The Heavy, The Silent Comedy @ Belly Up
August 8th- Foals @ House of Blues
August 15th- Cold War Kids @ House of Blues
August 17th- Weezer @ Del Mar Race Track
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
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
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 31st- Two Door Cinema Club @ Humphrey’s
Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 6/3-6/9
I hope all of you have been able to get out and enjoy some music. I’ve been so busy running around doing other important things that it’s hard to get myself out at night. I guess that’s what happens when you have to be a responsible adult and can’t behind the guise of schoolwork. Hopefully once I get this stuff taken care of or I can find some kind of rhythm or schedule to make it work. I think I’m going to have to start implementing mid-day naps.
Monday: Mumford and Sons @ Sleep Train Amphitheater at 8pm-SOLD OUT
AND: The Steelwells, Family Wagon, Midnight Pine, The Heartbeat Trail @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Jewel, Atz Lee, Steve Poltz @ Humphreys by the Bay
AND: Miss Erika Davies “Part the Sea” Album and Music Video release @ Old Town Theater at 7pm
Tuesday: Scott Weiland @ House of Blues at 8pm
AND: One I Red @ Casbah at 9pm
Wednesday: The Unlikely Candidates @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
AND: Generationals, Young Empires @ Casbah at 9pm
Thursday: Sunset Sessions Rock feat: Cameron Rafati, The Unlikely Candidates, Faulkner, Semi Precious Weapons, Monster Truck, Feral Vinca, Big B @ Belly Up at 7:30pm
AND: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals @ Humphreys by the Bay
AND: Cayucas, JBM @ Casbah at 9pm
Friday: Sunset Sessions Rock feat: Leogun, Dale Earnhart Jr Jr, 7Lions, Redlight King, Heaven’s Basement, Ed Hale And Transcendence, Michelle Delamor @ Belly Up at 7:35pm
AND: Newfound Glory @ House of Blues at 7:30pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Mrs. Henry @ Tin Can Alehouse at 9pm
AND: Chi McClean, Nena Anderson @ Lestats at 8pm
Saturday: Neon Trees @ Vista Murrieta High School at 7pm
AND: SPF 94/9 – Matt & Kim, Younblood Hawke, Capital Cities, Family of the Year, The Mowgli’s, The Palace Ballroom @ Oceanside Pier at 3pm
AND: Sunset Sessions Rock feat: The Boxer Rebellion, Eve To Adam, Acidic, Dig The Kid, Burn Halo, Strange Native, D-Strutters @ Belly Up at 7:30pm
AND: The Beach Boys @ Del Mar Fair at 7pm
AND: Big Black Delta, Okapi Sun @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: The Donkeys @ Soda Bar at 9pm
Sunday: The Fixtures @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
AND: Shake Before Us, Bart Mendoza and True Stories @ Casbah at 9pm
Keep in Mind:
June 12th- Cyndi Lauper @ Humphreys by the Bay
June 13th- Belly Up Music Festival feat: The Tilt, Dead Feather Moon @ Del Mar Rock on stage
June 14th- Switchfoot @ Del Mar Fair
June 16th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
June 16th- Free Energy @ Casbah
June 19th- Warped Tour @ Sleep Train Amphitheater
June 20th- Sea Wolf and Savior Adore @ Belly Up
June 20th- Martina Mc Bride @ Del Mar Fair
June 21st- She and Him @ SDSU Open Air Theater
June 27th- Belly Up Music Festival feat: The Stone Foxes @ Del Mar Rock on stage
July 2nd- Summerland Tour feat: Everclear, Live, Filter, Sponge
July 2nd- Adam Lambert @ Del Mar Fair
July 3rd- Joan Jett and The Blackhearts @ Del Mar Fair
July 7th- Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms @ Humphreys by the Bay
July 10th- Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues
July 11th- Say Anything, Eisley, I the Mighty @ House of Blues
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
August 5th- The Heavy, The Silent Comedy @ Belly Up
August 8th- Foals @ House of Blues
August 9th- Pinback @ Del Mar Racetrack
August 15th- Cold War Kids @ House of Blues
August 17th- Weezer @ Del Mar Race Track
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
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
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 31st- Two Door Cinema Club @ Humphrey’s
Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 5/27-6/2
Happy Memorial Day to everyone out there. Thank you to all our troops both active and retired for your dedicated service to our country. I know most people opt for having a barbecue on such a holiday but I will be driving to the Happiest Place on Earth for some Disneyland fun. We have some fun shows this week to carry on the entertainment. If you have tickets to the sold out Cold Wars Kids show, have a blast!! If not, there are plenty of other delights this week such as The Tilt, Little Hurricane, and Imagine Dragons to name a few.
Monday: Cold War Kids @ Belly Up at 8pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Fiction Family and The Howls (acoustic) @ Casbah at 9pm
Tuesday: Trouble in the Wind @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Mice Parade, Midnight Pine @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Inspired and The Sleep @ Griffin at 8:30pm
Wednesday: !!!, White Arrows, @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Marilyn Manson @ House of Blues at 8:30pm- SOLD OUT
Thursday: The Tilt @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Trixie Whitley, Rocco De Lucca @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: New Mexico @ The Void at 9pm
AND: Radiation City, Cuckoo Chaos @ Soda Bar at 8:30pm
AND: Western Scene, Okapi Sun @ Hard Rock Hotel at 7pm
Friday: Little Hurricane, The Stone Foxes, The Hollerin @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Tame Impala @ House of Blues at 8pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Heavy Hawaii @ The Void at 9pm
Saturday: Imagine Dragons @ SDSU Open Air Theater- SOLD OUT
AND: The Beautiful View @ Griffin at 9pm
AND: We Are The West, Hills Like Elephants, The Heavy Guilt @ Winstons in OB at 9pm
AND: Art Around Adams feat: The Burning of Rome, Hills Like Elephants, The New Kinetics, The Flowerthief, Josh Damigo, Scott Mathiasen & The Shifty Eyed Dogs and more at 2pm
AND: Fiesta Del Sol feat: Wheeland Brother, Shake Before Us, The Tilt, and more @ Solana Beach at 1pm
Sunday: CHVRCHES @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: The Cerny Brothers @ Griffin at 8:30pm
AND: Lenka @ Soda Bar
AND: Lisa Loeb, Gayle Skidmore @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Fiesta Del Sol feat: Dead Feather Moon, The White Buffalo, and more @ Solana Beach at 3pm
Keep in Mind:
May 27th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 29th- !!! @ Casbah
May 30th- The Tilt @ Belly Up
May 31st- Little Hurricane, The Stone Foxes, The Hollerin @ Belly Up
May 31st- Tame Impala @ House of Blues
June 1st- Imagine Dragons @ SDSU Open Air Theater
June 2nd- CHVRCHES @ Belly Up
June 2nd- Lenka @ Soda Bar
June 3rd- Mumford and Sons @ Sleep Train Amphitheater
June 3rd- Jewel, Atz Lee, Steve Poltz @ Huphreys by the Bay
June 4th- Scott Weiland @ House of Blues
June 6th- Grace Potter and the Nocturnals @ Humphreys by the Bay
June 7th- Newfound Glory @ House of Blues
June 8th- Neon Trees @ Vista Murrieta High School
June 8th- SPF 94/9 – Matt & Kim, Younblood Hawke, Capital Cities, Family of the Year, The Mowgli’s, The Palace Ballroom
June 12th- Cyndi Lauper @ Humphreys by the Bay
June 16th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
June 16th- Free Energy @ Casbah
June 19th- Warped Tour @ Sleep Train Ampitheater
June 20th- Sea Wolf and Savior Adore @ Belly Up
June 21st- She and Him @ SDSU Open Air Theater
July 2nd- Summerland Tour feat: Everclear, Live, Filter, Sponge
July 7th- Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms @ Humphreys by the Bay
July 10th- Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues
July 11th- Say Anything, Eisley, I the Mighty @ House of Blues
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 26th- The 1975 @ Casbah
July 28th- Peter Murphy @ Belly Up
August 5th- The Heavy, The Silent Comedy @ Belly Up
August 8th- Foals @ House of Blues
August 15th- Cold War Kids @ House of Blues
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
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
October 2nd- Jake Bugg @ House of Blues
October 4th- Phillip Phillips @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre
October 8th- Pet Shop Boys @ Copley Symphony Hall
New Music Tuesday 5/21/13 featuring 30 Seconds to Mars, Willy Moon, New Politics
Since Kristen is a bit indisposed this week, I’m filling in for her weekly New Music Tuesday post. This is also why it’s a few days late. While I haven’t had time to sample everything listed below, I can tell you that we are in the prime time for some awesome new music. Sample and enjoy!
30 Seconds to Mars– Love Lust Faith + Dreams
I bought this on pre-order because I have a bit of a soft spot for this band. From rather humble beginnings they have amassed a huge following. What I like even more is their ever evolving sound. Below is the music video for their single Up In The Air.
Willy Moon– Here’s Willy Moon
I remember Willy Moon from his catchy Apple ad and his crazy dance moves and awesome energy during SXSW. His debut album has finally been released in the states! If you’re up for a blended drink of old and new, check this out.
New Politics – A Bad Girl in Harlem
I’m not super familiar with this band but their single Harlem makes me dance in my car and that’s all I really care about sometimes. Their video is here and if you hop on their site, you can listen to the whole album. Try before you buy!
Also:
- Emma Louise- vs. Head vs. Heart
- The National – Trouble Will Find Me
- Airbourne – Black Dog Barking
- Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa – Seesaw
- Winery Dogs – Winery Dogs
- The Spring Standards – live album
- JC Broooks and The Uptown Sound
Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 5/20-5/26
I’m noticing how I start off every post talking about the weather. At least, I have been the last few times. In keeping with tradition, the weather is a wonderfully sunny 85 degrees outside. It’s been pleasant all weekend but all I’ve wanted to do lately is sleep. Maybe it’s because I’m finally done with school or maybe it has to do with being out 3 times in a row last week. I have to say that Friday night’s Jimmy Eat World and IAMDYNAMITE show was pretty epic. I’m smitten with IAMDYNAMITE and despite not being super familiar with Jimmy Eat World’s discography, I had a blast watching them play. Such good times. We have more coming this week with the likes of Bloc Party, The Neighbourhood, and Cold War Kids this week.
Monday: Foreign Film @ Casbah at 9pm
Tuesday: JJAMZ, Hills Like Elephants @ Griffin
AND: The Presidents of the United States of America @ Belly Up at 9pm
Wednesday: Bloc Party @ House of Blues at 7pm- Sold Out!!
AND: Twin Shadow @ Belly Up at 9pm
Thursday: Jay Nash, David Ramirez, Patrick Norton @ Soda Bar
AND: The Neighbourhood @ House of Blues Side Stage- Sold Out!!
AND: Mikal Cronin, Mrs. Magician, The Kabbs @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Midnight Pine, Crash and the Burns @ El Dorado at 9:30pm
AND: The Noise Tour feat: Marianas Trench Powered by Journeys @ House of Blues at 6pm
Friday: Shake Before Us @ Ruby Room at 9pm
AND: Katie Leigh and the Infantry, Aaron Bowen @ Lestats at 8:30pm
AND: Turbonegro @ House of Blues at 8pm
Saturday: Cold War Kids @ Belly Up at 9pm- Sold Out!!
AND: River City, Boy King @ Bar Pink at 9pm
Sunday: Cash’d Out, Lexington Field @ Belly Up at 9pm
Keep in Mind:
May 27th- Cold War Kids @ Belly Up
May 29th- !!! @ Casbah
May 30th- The Tilt @ Belly Up
May 31st- Little Hurricane, The Stone Foxes, The Hollerin @ Belly Up
May 31st- Tame Impala @ House of Blues
June 1st- Imagine Dragons @ SDSU Open Air Theater
June 2nd- CHVRCHES @ Belly Up
June 2nd- Lenka @ Soda Bar
June 3rd- Mumford and Sons @ Sleep Train Amphitheater
June 3rd- Jewel, Atz Lee, Steve Poltz @ Huphreys by the Bay
June 4th- Scott Weiland @ House of Blues
June 6th- Grace Potter and the Nocturnals @ Humphreys by the Bay
June 7th- Newfound Glory @ House of Blues
June 8th- Neon Trees @ Vista Murrieta High School
June 8th- SPF 94/9 – Matt & Kim, Younblood Hawke, Capital Cities, Family of the Year, The Mowgli’s, The Palace Ballroom
June 12th- Cyndi Lauper @ Humphreys by the Bay
June 16th- They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up
June 16th- Free Energy @ Casbah
June 19th- Warped Tour @ Sleep Train Ampitheater
June 20th- Sea Wolf and Savior Adore @ Belly Up
June 21st- She and Him @ SDSU Open Air Theater
July 2nd- Summerland Tour feat: Everclear, Live, Filter, Sponge
July 7th- Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms @ Humphreys by the Bay
July 10th- Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues
July 11th- Say Anything, Eisley, I the Mighty @ House of Blues
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 28th- Peter Murphy @ Belly Up
September 6th- Dave Matthews Band @ Cricket Wireless
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
October 4th- Phillip Phillips @ Sleep Train Amiptheatre
October 8th- Pet Shop Boys @ Copley Symphony Hall
New Music Tuesday 5/14/13 featuring Cary Brothers, Better Looking People With Superior Ideas
I haven’t had much time this week to give many of these a listen, but just in case, you’re looking for some new tunes, here’s what I’d recommend…
Cary Brothers – Let Me Be
Cary Brothers has a knack for writing the saddest songs you’ve ever heard. Heartbreak oozes from every note, but Brothers is able to take this and make it beautiful. I think my favorite is the gorgeous duet, “Disappear” featuring Garrison Starr.
Steam the EP here: http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/av/2013/05/album-stream-cary-brothers—let-me-be.html
Better Looking People With Superior Ideas – Better Looking People With Superior Ideas
This one was released several months ago, but it just came across my inbox and ears this week, so maybe it’ll be new to you too. The tracks create a very distinct mood…they make me feel like I’m in the middle of watching some obscure art house film about a human falling in love with a robot.
Also new:
- Snowden – No One In Control
- This Century – Biography of Heartbreak
- Patty Griffin – American Kid
- The Boxer Rebellion – Promises
- Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City
- Amy Grant – How Mercy Looks From Here
- Laura Mvula – Sing To The Moon
- The Features – The Features
- Bhi Bhiman – Substitute Preacher (covers)
~ Kristen