Of Note
By Tim Pyles
Fair Enough
The San Diego County Fair runs June 8 through July 4 and features entertainment on several stages. It’s got something for everybody, really. Over the years, many legends have graced the Grandstand Stage. My personal favorites were seeing Johnny Cash in 1988 and Berlin in 1983-Berlin only because of the huge signs warning people of the language during tonight’s performance. Their song “Sex” was pretty risqué at the time.
Grandstand Stage: Kenny Loggins, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Switchfoot, Everlcear, Lit, Sugar Ray, Grand Funk Railroad, Scotty McCreery, Credence Clearwater Revisited, KC and the Sunshine Band, Train, Gin Blossoms, Matisyahu, Weird Al, Cobra Starship, Cody Simpson, Hot Chelle Rae and Lonestar. (Some shows are free; some are paid.)
Paddock Stage: Eric Burdon and The Animals, John Tesh Big Band, Vanilla Fudge and Dickey Betts & Great Southern. (All shows on Paddock Stage are free.)
See what I mean, so much to choose from-rock, country, big band, classic rock, disco, alternative and hopefully something for you. Don’t forget your deep-fried Twinkie.
sdfair.com
Time: Warped
The 18th edition of the Van’s Warped Tour rolls into Cricket Wireless Amphitheater parking lot June 27. And as always, I will be there. I have to say, by the looks of the line-up, there is no Old School stage this year-and that makes me sad. The first year, 1995, featured L7, My Bloody Valentine, No Doubt, Sublime, fluf, CIV and the Deftones.
vanswarpedtour.com
HERE’S THE 2012 LINE-UP:
A Loss For Words
After The Burial
All Time Low
Anthony Raneri
Anti Flag
Ballyhoo!
Bayside
blessthefall
Born Of Osiris
Breathe Carolina
Brian Marquis
CatchingYourClouds
Champagne Champagne
Chelsea Grin
Chunk! No Captain Chunk!
Cold Forty Three
Dead Sara
Divided By Friday
Echo Movement
Every Time I Die
Falling In Reverse
Fireworks
For Today
Four Year Strong
Funeral Party
G-Eazy
Hyro Da Hero
I Am The Avalanche
I Fight Dragons
Impending Doom
Into It. Over It.
It Boys!
iwrestledabearonce
Koji
Living With Lions
Make Do And Mend
Man Overboard
Matt Toka
Mayday Parade
Memphis May Fire
Calendar
JUNE 1: ENGLISH BEAT
@ Belly Up Tavern
bellyup.com
Dave Wakeling, the only original member, has been playing the band’s hits all over SoCal for years now. Infectious and danceable sums it up. One of the original U.K. Two-Tone-era ska bands.
JUNE 2 (SOLD-OUT) AND 4 (STILL TIX): DONAVAN FRANKENREITER
@ Belly Up Tavern
bellyup.com
Surfer, musician and personal friend of Jack Johnson. Did you know he had a band when he was 18 called Peanut Butter and Jam?
JUNE 2: MICKEY AVALON
@ Stingaree
stingsandiego.com?
Mickey’s new record is called “Loaded,” as he has been many times in his life. This is Hollywood street rap about hookers and heroin and life on the streets-not South Central, but the Sunset Strip.
JUNE 2: SUPERSUCKERS
@ Casbah
casbahmusic.com
They are the self-proclaimed “Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band In the World,” and you better believe it!
JUNE 3: MOGWAI
@ Belly Up Tavern
bellyup.com
Amazing Scottish post-rock band that goes from soft and sweet to loud and bombastic. It’s awesome! The band takes its name from the film The Gremlins.
JUNE 7: ALY & FILA
@ FLUXX
fluxxsd.com?
A couple of Egyptian DJs who spin their own special brand of uplifting trance. Get lost in the music.
JUNE 11: PINBACK
@ Casbah
casbahmusic.com
Incredible local band with an international following. Look for a new record later this year.
JUNE 13: THE TEMPER TRAP & CROCODILES
@ House Of Blues
hob.com?
You’ve probably heard and sung along with “Sweet Disposition” from The Temper Trap numerous times. Locals who tour non-stop, the Crocodiles, open the night.
JUNE 14: MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK
@ Casbah
casbahmusic.com
Alternative rock band from Minneapolis that writes catchy, pop punk songs. Mark Hoppus of Blink 182 loves them and produced their second record.
JUNE 14: NEW EDITION
@ San Diego Civic Theater
sandiegotheatres.org?
Hear “Candy Girl” and “Cool It Now” from the fellas that did it when they were kids. Hard to believe it’s been 30 years! Think of what this band launched, from Bobby Brown to Bel Biv Devoe.
JUNE 14: VAN HALEN
@ Viejas Arena
viejasarena.com
The little old band from Pasadena reunites with their only lead singer that ever mattered: David Lee Roth. Sammy was okay, but Gary Cherone? Really? I mean, really?! Bassist Michael Anthony is out though, replaced by Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang.
JUNE 15: RHETT MILLER & THE SERIAL LADY KILLERS
@ Casbah
casbahmusic.com
Rhett used to front the band The Old 97’s. The ladies love him.
JUNE 15: SWITCHFOOT
@ Del Mar Grandstand Stage
sdfair.com?
Local band that has reached the pinnacle of the rock ‘n’ roll, and always with a great attitude. Some of the nicest guys in the game.
JUNE 17: THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN
@ House Of Blues
hob.com?
Scottish noise rockers who formed in 1983. Think The Velvet Underground, The Shangri-Las and the Beach Boys, with lots of fuzz and reverb.
JUNE 20: SCORPIONS
@ Valley View Center Casino Center
valleyviewcasinocenter.com
Hard to believe this band actually started in 1965, but it’s true. One of the best of the ‘80s Hair Metal bands, maybe cause they are German. So play “Rock you Like A Hurricane” loud, and turn it up to 11, please.
JUNE 22: COMMON SENSE
@ Belly Up Tavern
bellyup.com?
These SoCal reggae rockers have been at it for a long time. Did you know the rapper Common was once known as “Common Sense” and had to drop the “Sense” due to this band?
JUNE 29: THE SOFT PACK AND HEAVY HAWAII
@ Belly Up Tavern
bellyup.com
Once known as The Muslims, this band has gone well beyond just playing the local venues. This band tours, and a lot. They always make a point to swing through their old hometown, though, and we love them for that. Arrive early for Heavy Hawaii and their psychedelic beach pop.