Amanda’s Top 10 Musical Experiences of 2011

Although this post is coming to you much later than I had anticipated, there is a (somewhat) valid reason behind the delay. Let me explain…
The problem I faced with coming up with my “Top 10” list is one that I’m sure plagues others but I really didn’t know how to handle it. This is only my second time creating a top something list and I’m new to the rules. The problem was if I did it based by show, one band (or two) would have multiple spaces taken on the list which really isn’t fair to other bands. If I went based purely on bands, I feel like many experiences would have been left behind and that’s not fair because the entire experience was a part of seeing a band play. So, I give you my hybrid “Top 10” list. This is a combination of both bands and experiences alike. Hope you enjoy!

 

10. Scarlet Grey

After capturing my heart sometime in 2010, Scarlet Grey has been one of my favorite LA bands to drive up and see. Unfortunately those guys have been across the pond playing shows for the Brits and capturing their hearts as well. Despite their absence, my love for them presses on. After attending most of their shows up in LA this year, especially their last one at the Troubadour which was filled with lots of love and new songs, they still leave an imprint in my mind. Here’s hoping they come home soon!

 

9. The Nervous Wreckords

I’m not going to lie, it took me a minute to truly appreciate the glory that is The Nervous Wreckords. I knew going in that frontman Brian Karscig was San Diego’s rock royalty with his previous band Louis XIV but I wasn’t fully aware of what to expect from his new endeavor. I believe the first time I really stopped to watch The Nervous Wreckords was at the FM94/9 Independence Jam and they had me. I was finally able to understand what all the buzz was about. I had the privilege of helping to shoot this video for one of their new songs “Love Jammed the Radio.” These cool cats are about to hit the road (or should I say the ocean) with Weezer so check them out when you can!

 

Stay tuned, more to come!

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 1/2-1/8

Happy New Years!! It’s a brand spanking new year full of promises, hopes, dreams, and of course shows! I hop everyone had a lovely New Years Eve. Mine was glorious and probably the best dang New Years Even I’ve ever had. I’m still recovering from the lack of sleep but that doesn’t mean I can’t be productive (and get out to see some shows)!

 

Monday: Erik Spencer @ Ruby Room @8

Tuesday: Be productive!

Wednesday: Olin and The Moon, Maxim Ludwig and The Santa Fe Seven, Jesse LaMonaca and The Dime Novels @ Casbah @9 $8
AND: Ninja Love @ Soda Bar @830 $5
AND: Chad Taggart and Jessica Hull @ Lestats @8

Thursday: The Henry Clay People, The Bloody Hollies, The New Kinetics @ Casbah @9 $8
AND: The Spells, Family Wagon, and Tall Ships @ Belly Up @8 $9

Friday: The Nervous Wreckords, Blackout Party, Grand Tarantula, and The Heavy Guilt @ Casbah $8/$10
AND: Heavy Hawaii @ Soda Bar @9 $5
AND: Chris Carpenter and Folding Mr. Lincoln @ Lestats @8

Saturday: A Scribe Amidst the Lions and The Flowerthief @ Casbah $8/$10

Sunday: Little Lo @ Soda Bar @830 $5

 

Keep in Mind:

January 10th- Mattson 2 @ El Dorado
January 11th- Milk Carton Kids @ Anthology
January 12th- Zane Carney @ Lestats @8 $10
January 12th- Sister Hazel @ Belly Up @9 $18
January 13th- Fierce Creatures @ Tin Can Alehouse @930
January 13th- Everest and Midnight Rivals @ Casbah $13/$15
January 15th- Transfer, The Silent Comedy and Hyena @ Casbah @9 $15
January 16th- The Silent Comedy, Transfer, and Dead Feather Moon @ Casbah @9 $15
January 18th- Olin and the Moon @ The Casbah @9 $8
January 20th- Dashboard Confessional @ House of Blues
January 22nd- Wilco and With Denim @ House of Blues
January 26th- Nico Vega and The Filthy Violets @ Casbah @9 $8/$10
January 27th- Jesse LaMonaca & The Dime Novels, and Family Wagon @ Casbah @9
February 2nd- The Burning of Rome @ Soda Bar
February 3rd- Mute Math @ 4th & B
February 4th- Where’s the Band Tour @ House of Blues
February 7th- Dr. Dog w/Purling Hiss @Belly Up @9 $18/$20
February 10th- Young the Giant @ Soma
February 11th- You Me At Six @ Soma @6 $12
February 19th- Craig Finn @ Casbah @9 $12
February 23rd- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up @8 $18
February 23rd- Hot Chelle Rae w/Electric Touch @ House of Blues
February 23rd- Scars on 45 @ Anthology @730
February 24th- The Soft Pack @ Casbah @9
February 25h- Mat Kearney @ House of Blues
February 26th- Cursive @ Casbah @9
February 29th- Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Valley View Casino Center
March 3rd- Jackie Greene @ Belly Up @9
March 6th- Flogging Molly @ House of Blues
March 8th- William Fitzsimmons @ Anthology @7
March 9th- The Stone Foxes @ Casbah @9
March 21st- Cults @ Belly Up @9
April 15th- Rise Against @ Viejas Arena

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/7-11/13

I’m still recovering from the awesomeness that was last Thursday night. Between Twin Atlantic at The Music Box and all the music, dancing, and friends at the High Voltage Magazine release party at On the Rox, I’m still beat. Could be because I’m still recovering from my bout of ill health. This cold weather isn’t helping. But I suppose I need to get used to it as I’m jetting to the east coast at the end of the week.

Friday night in Philadelphia I’ll be at The TLA with IKE, Stargazer Lily, The Shakers, Zelazowa, John & Brittany, and Placid Admiral (featuring members of one of my all-time faves, Jealousy Curve). If you’re on that side of the country, please come out and say hi!

We’ve also got some great shows in LA this week. Vanaprasta starts their Monday night November residency at The Satellite accompanied this week by Rocco DeLuca and Beatnik Jr, Kill the Alarm is in town at Room 5 on Friday, and my beloved Milk Carton Kids are back opening for Over the Rhine at The El Rey Saturday night.

 

Here’s the whole list:

Monday: Vanaprasta, Rocco DeLuca, Beatnik Jr. FREE at The Satellite (9pm)…first night of Vanaprasta’s November residency
ALSO: Moderne Man and Roman Candle Wars at The Viper Room (8:15, 12:15)
ALSO: Maxim Ludwig, Little Hurricane and Fierce Creatures FREE at Bootleg Theater (8:30, 10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: Lights at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Thrice at The Mayan Theater (10pm)
ALSO: First Aid Kit at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Hey Rosetta! At The Echo (9pm)

 

Weds: Harper Blynn and The Damnwells at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at The Mint (11pm)

 

Thursday: Irontom at Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: Lady Sinatra at The Viper (11pm)

 

Friday: Kill the Alarm at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Queen Caveat and Unwritten Law at Saint Rocke (9, 11)
ALSO: Jack’s Mannequin and Guster at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Liam Gerner and Jim Bianco at The Hotel Cafe (7,10)
ALSO: Brett Detar and Olin and the Moon at The Mint (9,10)
ALSO: The Sheepdogs at The Echoplex (10pm)
ALSO: Toy at The Roxy (6:30)

 

Saturday: Experience No Ho Arts Festival featuring Taylor Locke and The Roughs, Maxim Ludwig, The Nervous Wreckords, and many more FREE at The Federal Bar (12-8pm)…for more info about the festival http://nohoartsdistrict.com/experience-noho/
ALSO: Purple Melon at The Central (11pm)
ALSO: Feist at The Wiltern (8pm)

 

Sunday: Honeyhoney at The Troubadour (10:30)
ALSO: Milk Carton Kids and Over the Rhine at The El Rey (7pm)
ALSO: Empire at TRiP Santa Monica (7:30)
ALSO: Elliot Yamin at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Kyle Nicolaides at Room 5 (10pm)

 

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
November 14th: The Silent Comedy at Bootleg
November 15th: Augustana at The Hotel Cafe
November 16th: The Stone Foxes at The Viper Room
November 17th: Marketa Irglova at The Troubadour
November 19th: Milo Greene, The Belle Brigade, and The Civil Wars at The Wiltern
November 19th: Semi Precious Weapons at The Roxy
November 29th: Rachel Yamagata at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Fair to Midland at The Troubadour
December 2nd: Allen Stone at The Echo
December 2nd: Priscilla Ahn at The El Rey
December 2nd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 9th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 14th: Deas Vail at The Roxy
December 16th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 16th: Oh Land at The El Rey
December 23rd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
Feb. 2nd: Mutemath at Club Nokia
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)

 

~ Kristen

 

http://twitter.com/#!/_localmusicnat

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 10/24-10/30

You know, waking up today with a gloomy sky made me think I was still on the east coast. Sadly, my alarm to get up for school today reminded me otherwise. I had a fantastic and most memorable trip. It was lovely to be on the east coast not in the dead of winter for once. I wish I was still out there but sometimes, you need to come back to the real world. Maybe. Alright, who needs the real world? Oh wait, the real world has shows. Hmmmmmm.

 

Monday: David Cook and Gavin DeGraw @ Humphrey’s By The Bay
AND: The New Kinetics @ Casbah @9 $8

Tuesday: He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister @ Casbah @9 $8/$10
AND: April Ventura & The Magnolias @ Soda Bar @9 $7

Wednesday: Manchester Orchestra, White Denim, The Dear Hunter, and Little Hurricane @ House of Blues SD @730 $17-$51

Thursday: Patrick Norton @ Eleven @9 $6
AND: Jamuel Saxon @Soda Bar @830 $8
AND: April Ventura & The Magnolias @ Lestats @8

Friday: The Donkeys, Cuckoo Chaos, and Bully @ Casbah @9 $8 adv/$10 day of
AND: The Burning of Rome @ Ruby Room @9
AND: 91X Boo’s Cruise w/ GroupLove and Grand Tarantula on Hornblower @730 $25/$30

Saturday: The Nervous Wreckords and Republic of Letters @ Casbah @9 $10

Sunday: Matt Nathanson @ House of Blues SD @730 $23-$40

 

Keep in Mind:

December 31st- Deer Tick, Guards, The Kaabs and Low Volts @ Casbah @9 $15
December 31st- Josh Damigo’s Acoustic Bash @ House of Blues @6
November 2nd- Minus the Bear and The Lonely Forest @ Soma @730 $25
November 2nd- Simple Plan, Forever The Sickest Kids, The Cab @ House of Blues SD @7 $21-$35
November 3rd- Mayday Parade @ House of Blues SD
November 5th- The Parlotones @ Casbah $12
November 7th- Purple Melon and Kevin Martin @ Casbah $8
November8th- Mattson 2 @ El Dorado
November 9th- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up
November 11th- Thrice @ House of Blues SD
November 16th- The Dirty Heads with Gym Class Heroes @ House of Blues SD
November 17th- The Sounds @ Soma @7
November 20th- Newfound Glory @ House of Blues
November 22nd- Morrissey @ Escondido Center for the Arts
December 3rd- Little Hurricane @ Casbah $14
December 10th- The Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Belly Up
December 19th- Pinback @ Belly Up
January 22nd- Wilco and With Denim @ House of Blues
February 3rd- Mute Math @ 4th & B

Amanda’s SD Show Calendar 9/6-9/11

My apologies for being late with this. I checked the music last night and since SD is is low key, there was only a show or two to be seen but nothing super noteworthy. I did say on our Twitter account (@_localmusicnat) last night that I had a surprise and I didn’t lie… Our friends over at the Belly Up hooked us up and I happen to have a pair (or two) of tickets to give away for Lucas Nelson and Promise of the Real with The Tilt on Sept. 22nd, as well as Mother Hips with Nikki Bluhm and the Gramblers on the 23rd.

Now, if  you or someone you know would like to attend either show, write us on Twitter (@_localmusicnat) and tell us why you should get the tickets!

 

To the calendar!

 

Tuesday: Gayle Skidmore, Johnny Corndawg and Tim Easton @ Casbah @9 $10
AND: The Midwinters @ Tin Can Alehouse @10 $5

Wednesday: Matt Curreri @ Belly Up @8 $8

Thursday: San Diego Music Thing Kickoff Party with Telekinesis @ Casbah @9 $12
AND: AWOLNATION with The New Regime and Reason to Rebel @ Belly Up @8 $0.91
AND: The Good Hurt @ Eleven @9 $5
AND: The Silent Comedy (acoustic) @ MOPA @7 $10

Friday: San Diego Music Thing feat. Andy Clockwise, The Silent Comedy, Saint Motel, Little Hurricane, Endoxi, Kevin Martin, Purple Melon, Midnight Rivals, White Apple Tree, Queen Caveat, New Kinetics, Republic of Letters, Youngblood Hawke, Nico Vega, Mattson 2, and so many more!
AND: Assemble the Skyline @ Soma @630 $8

Saturday: San Diego Music Thing feat. Gayle Skidmore, Josh Damigo, Jesse LaMonaca and the Dime Novels, The Heavy Guilt, Inspired Flight, Dead Feather Moon, Cuckoo Chaos, The Nervous Wreckords, The Donkeys, Steve Poltz, Maren Parusel, Dynamite Walls, Writer and more!

Sunday: Givers and Kopecky Family Band @ Casbah @9 $10
AND: The Kills and Mini Mansions @ House of Blues SD @730 $27
AND: Diana Ross @ Pechanga Resort and Casino $85-$120

edit: Sorry about the funky formatting. We did some updating on the backend and it’s been messing things up for me. Hopefully we have it fixed!

Keep in Mind:

September 12th- Hanson @ House of Blues SD @ 7:30 $25-42.50
September 13th- Blue October @ House of Blues SD
September 13th- Ray Lamontagne and The Pariah Dogs @ Copley Symphony Hall
September 14th- The Vaccines, Tennis, and Young Buffalo @ Casbah $15 adv/$17 day of
September 17th- The Bloody Hollies and Low Volts @ Casbah @9 $8
September 18th- Howie Day @ Anthology @9 $10-$39
September 21st Bright Eyes @ Soma @7 $25
September 23rd- Ladytron @ House of Blues SD $25
September 24th- Arctic Monkeys w/ TV on the Radio @ SDSU Open Air Theater
September 24th- Two Door Cinema Club @ House of Blues SD
September 27th- Bush with Chevelle and Filter @ 4th & B @630 $40
September 30th- Portugal. The Man @ House of Blues SD
October 1st- Crocodiles and Dum Dum Girls @ Casbah $14
October 5th- The Naked and Famous @ Belly Up
October 6th- Honda Civic Tour w/ Blink 182, My Chemical Romance, and Matt and Kim @ Cricket Wireless
October 9th- Dawes and Blitzen Trapper @ Belly Up @8 $18 adv/$20 day of
October 11th- Dropkick Murphys @ House of Blues
October 12th- Dropkick Murphys @ House of Blues
October 14th- The Head and the Heart @ House of Blues @7 $17.50 adv/$20 day of
October 16th- The Naked and Famous @ Belly Up @9 $15
October 17th- Foo Fighters w/ Cage the Elephant @ Viejas Arena
October 19th- Foster the People @ Soma $25
October 26th- Manchester Orchestra @ House of Blues SD
October 30th- Matt Nathanson @ House of Blues SD $23-$40
November 9th- Ra Ra Riot @ Belly Up
November 11th- Thrice @ House of Blues SD
November 16th- The Dirty Heads with Gym Class Heroes @ House of Blues SD
November 20th- Newfound Glory @ House of Blues

Amanda’s SD Show Calendar 6/15-6/19

Fail, fail, fail, and fail some more. Bonnaroo just swept my brain clean away and I missed out on posting the shows from yesterday. I’m sorry 🙁

But fear not! I’m coming back with a vengeance to get this calendar out. We have an awesome rest of the week for music so get your butts out there!

 

Wednesday: Weird Al Yankovic @ Del Mar Fair @8 (free w/fair admission)

Thursday: Fierce Creatures @ Bar Pink @10
AND: White Apple Tree @ Soda Bar @9 $10

Friday: Switchfoot @ Del Mar Fair @730 (free w/fair admission)
AND: Tony Lucca @ Del Mar Fair @9 (free w/fair admission)
AND: The Maine and Augustana @ House of Blues SD @630 $23
AND: The Gregory Page Show @ Lestats @9
AND: Red Pony Clock, John Meeks, and The Donkeys @ Casbah @9 $10

Saturday: Switchfoot Bro-Am with The Silent Comedy and The Howls @ Moonlight Beach @11-5 $FREE
AND: Bro-Am After Party feat. Johnny Rzeznik, Fiction Family, and Little Hurricane @ Belly Up @9 $20 adv/$25 day of
AND: Melissa Etheridge @ Del Mar Fair @730 (free w/fair admission)
AND: SD Oysterfest w/ Pepper, The Nervous Wreckords, and Vokab Company @ Marina Embarcadero North @12

Sunday: Panic! at the Disco @ House of Blues @730 $30
AND: Hellogoodbye @ Soma @7 $15 adv

 

Keep in Mind:

June 21st- Nico Vega @ Anthology @73- $10-$21
June 22nd- Neon Trees @ Del Mar Fair @730
June 29th- The Beach Boys @ Del Mar Fair @730
June 30th- Joan Jett and the Blackhearts @ Del Mar Fair @730
June 30th- Belly Up Rock Festival w/ Dead Feather Moon, The Stone Foxes, The Tilt, and The Howls @Del Mar Fair @9
July 4th- Cash’d Out @ Del Mar Fair @9
July 5th- The Silent Comedy and Saint Motel @ Casbah @9 $16
July 5th- Eddie Vedder @ Copley Symphony Hall
July 6th- Foster the People @ House of Blues $17.50
July 7th- Anya Marina @ Casbah @9 $15
July 26th- Cold Cave and Austra @ Casbah $12 adv/$14 day of
July 26th- A Perfect Circle @ SDSU Open Air Theater
July 27th- Indigo Girls @ Humphrey’s
July 29th- Yuck @ Casbah
July 30th- LA Rising w/ Rag Against the Macheine, Muse, Rise Against, and more @ Los Angeles Memorial Colliseum
August 9th- Vans Warped Tour
August 9th- Avi Buffalo @ Casbah @9 $10
August 16th- Death Cab for Cutie @ RIMAC Arena
August 18th-20th- Sunset Strip Music Festival
September 2nd- Fitz and the Tantrums @ Del Mar Racetrack
September 4th- Kings of Leon with Band of Horses @ Cricket Wireless
September 24th- Arctic Monkeys w/ TV on the Radio @ SDSU Open Air Theater
October 5th- The Naked and Famous @ Belly Up
October 15th- Honda Civic Tour w/ Blink 182, My Chemical Romance, and Matt and Kim @ Cricket Wireless
October 17th- Foo Fighters w/ Cage the Elephant @ Viejas Arena

 

Amanda’s SD Show Calendar 1/10-16

Is it Monday already? When did that happen? I guess time blends when you go up to LA for a show and come back down to SD and go to another show. As long as fun times were had (which they were) that’s all that really matters.

Happy show going!

Monday: Recover from your weekend 🙂

Tuesday: 30 Seconds to Mars @ House of Blues San Diego
AND: Everest @ The Belly Up @ 8 $6

Wednesday: 30 Seconds to Mars @ House of Blues San Diego

Thursday: Johnny Swim @ Lestats @9

Friday: Blackout Party and Brothers Grimm @ The Casbah $15 (sold out)
AND: Get Back Loretta @ Soma
AND: Miss Erika Davies @ Whistlestop Bard

Saturday: Josiah Leming @ Lestats @9

Sunday: Trevor Davis @ Lestats@9

Keep in Mind:

January 18th- The Album Leaf and Little White Teeth @ Casbah $17 adv $20 day of
January 19th- White Apple Tree @ The Casbah @9 $7
January 19th- Buckcherry @ 4th & B
January 20th- Nervous Wreckords @ Bar Eleven
January 21st- Transfer and New Mexico @ The Casbah $14 adv/$15 day of
January 21st- Wavves and Best Coast @ Soma
January 22nd- Dashboard Confessional @ House of Blues $22.50
January 24th- Dynamite Walls @ The Casbah @9 $8 adv/$10 day of
January 29th- Crocodiles @ The Casbah @10 $10
January 29th- Underoath, A Skylit Drive, Animals as Leaders @ Soma @7 $20
February 2nd- Interpol @ RIMAC Arena @8 $31.50
February 6th- The Silent Comedy and Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses @ 730 $20
February 12th- The Pretty Reckless @ Soma @7 $12
February 13th- The Decemberists @730 $30 adv/$32.50 day of
February 20th- Linkin Park @ Viejas Arena