Suggestions for Lily
I got an email the other day that read:
Hi Conor,
My name is Lily and I read your blog from time to time through hype machine. I live in LA but I am going to be in San Diego this weekend for a friends graduation. I was wondering if you knew of any cool shows happening either Friday or Saturday night, or maybe some good bars to go to.
So I was writing her back, and decided to post it on the blog for all the other people who were in the same situation but were too shy to write and ask:
Yo Lily,
Thanks for asking. I'm not sure what your schedule is as far as graduation and parties go for that, but there are a couple of interesting things going on Saturday night, both of which I am considering checking out. First off you have a show at the Epicentre. This is sort of regarded as...how to put this...the worst venue in town. It's in the middle of a strip mall, and it's obvious that the name "Epicentre" was decided on because "Teen Center" or community center just wasn't drawing in the crowds. The interior of the place is bizarre, and there's an unfortunately placed set of scaffolding that leads you to believe that the place just wasn't intended to have a stage.
The bands playing there are Man Man and the Fiery Furnaces. The Fiery Furnaces I saw open up for the Strokes a few years ago, before I had heard of them. A month or two after I endured them during the Strokes opening gig, they started to get raved about for their album "Blueberry Boat." The way I felt must have been how the guys who went to high school with Lil' Jon felt after he became famous as the king of crunk. Really? Them? You sure?
Homecoming King of Crunk
I wouldn't even be talking about the show if it weren't for Man Man, a band that is undoubtedly not for everyone, but that I think is awesome. They've inspired raves from everyone who's seen them live, were recently dubbed the most exciting live act by Pitchfork, and they are probably about as unique a band as you can get while still maintaining their listenability. I'd check that out and make it option one, that is, if you don't want to instantly turn the music off.
Secondly, you have another more straight ahead punk rockin' option for those who dig their music not so heavy on the accordian or marimba. Fifty on Their Heels and The Power Chords are both punk bands that even I can tolerate, as in their songs have actual structure, melodies, understandable lyrics. They are also playing at a Moose Lodge. I think I would be able to forgive the Epicentre all its faults if it were just called a Moose Lodge. Both of those bands have myspace pages too, so check them out and decide if you think it's worth spending five bucks on. Since you are in town for one night, the local flava may be the way to go, but since I am here all the time, Man Man might be my pick. Either way, both shows are all ages and should be over early enough to enjoy yourself later in the night.
Comments
The important thing is that we're in a posting with "Man Man".
Posted by: cat dirt | June 16, 2006 08:31 AM
Also tonight, the Walkmen are playing at the House of Blues downtown, while long time indie rockers J-Church http://www.j-church.com/ play at the Kensington Club on Adams Ave.
As for good bars, there's plenty depending on your idea of a "good bar". I recommend Landlord Jim's, Nunu's, Live Wire, Scolari's Office, and aforementioned Kensington Club.
Posted by: Andres | June 16, 2006 08:38 AM
also, let's not forget ¡Society! & The Sess tonight @ Tower Bar...
Reeve Oliver... tonight(?) @ Casbah
&
Duke Spirit and Delta Spirit @ BB on Sunday.
Posted by: cat dirt | June 16, 2006 11:44 AM