AltWeeklies Wire
The Rise and Fall of The Viewmastersnew
I meet The Viewmasters at Pizzeria Luigi in Golden Hill after they finish one of their final practice sessions at nearby Black Box Studios. It's a "Last Supper" of sorts for a San Diego band that's nearing the end after six tumultuous years.
San Diego CityBeat |
Dave Tow |
08-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: The Viewmasters
Kill Me Tomorrow Survives Rock's Rigors to Play Another Daynew
The trio might be a different band entirely if not for a string of drama-queen drummers.
San Diego CityBeat |
AnnaMaria Stephens |
08-06-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Coheed and Cambria Shake Off the Bumpsnew
Coheed and Cambria knew they had unfinished business ahead after releasing Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV in 2005. It just wasn’t the kind they were expecting.
San Diego CityBeat |
Alan Sculley |
07-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Grand Ole Party Makes Its Breaknew
GOP has been earning heavy local media buzz for more than a year. But it's only been in the last few months that the band has earned national press and exposure with slots at South by Southwest, Coachella and Bonnaroo.
San Diego CityBeat |
AnnaMaria Stephens |
07-16-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Grand Ole Party, Humanimals
The Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra: A Labor of Lovenew
The band consisted of Michael Buchmiller (channeling a mad scientist character), playing music using samples and a keyboard, and a robot named SPO-20 that would sing nonsensical lyrics about time machines and Jacques Cousteau.
San Diego CityBeat |
Seth Combs |
07-09-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Modey Lemon Drops 'Season of Sweets' After an Extended Breaknew
Three years have passed since Pittsburgh's spaced-out, punk-blues trio last released a proper studio album. It's a startling drought for a band that released its first three albums in a span of four years. But singer/guitarist Phil Boyd says the sabbatical was exactly what Modey Lemon needed.
San Diego CityBeat |
Scott McDonald |
06-25-2008 |
Reviews
The Helio Sequence Reinvents Itself on 'Keep Your Eyes Ahead'new
Lead singer Brandon Summers' lost voice has undeniably altered the band and its music. But, in a strangely serendipitous way, it may also be the best thing that could have happened to the band's music.
San Diego CityBeat |
Eddie Shoebang |
06-11-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
How One Ohio City Got Revenge with the Crappiest Music Sub-genre Evernew
Music authorities and health officials alike are concerned that the shitgaze (named for it's resemblance to shoegaze and because, well, it sounds shitty) may be a new low for even the most snobbish indie-rock fans.
San Diego CityBeat |
Seth Combs |
06-11-2008 |
Music
Roots Album Taps the Sound of Angernew
Incisive lyrics, assertive vocals, ear-grabbing hooks and pummeling beats are the hallmarks of Rising Down.
San Diego CityBeat |
Alan Sculley |
06-04-2008 |
Reviews
San Diego's Piano Crooners Sing Memoriesnew
These local musicians have extraordinary stories to tell and share a passion for performing, even in less than glamorous venues.
San Diego CityBeat |
Kinsee Morlan |
06-04-2008 |
Music
You Don't Remember Swervedrivernew
Not really. They're the quintessential band you've heard of without ever actually hearing. You discovered them late or after-the-fact, if you discovered them at all. But don't beat yourself up.
San Diego CityBeat |
Dryw Keltz |
05-28-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Reasons Why Robert Smith Just Might be the Rodney Dangerfield of Rocknew
Even within The Cure's seemingly bread-and-butter demographic (the Goth community), reverence is reserved for bands like Joy Division and Bauhaus while The Cure is often relegated to condescending comments like, “Fisher Price: My first Goth band.”
San Diego CityBeat |
Seth Combs |
05-28-2008 |
Music
Switches Aim to Become Masters of Reinventionnew
What they are about, Michael Bishop says, is making sure the band's escalating success -- thanks to the Billboard Top 10 single "Drama Queen" -- doesn't make them lazy.
San Diego CityBeat |
Scott McDonald |
05-08-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Yo Majesty are as Nasty as You Want Them to Benew
Jwl may be at ease, but the idea of a black, lesbian, hyper-sexual rap duo from Florida is outside a lot of comfort zones. Even if it weren't, Majesty's type of booty-shaking hip-hop has historically been reserved for sexually aggressive, often misogynist men.
San Diego CityBeat |
Seth Combs |
04-30-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
John Reis Sinks His Teeth into The Night Marchersnew
If you live in San Diego and listen to rock music, chances are you've heard of Reis' endeavors: Rocket from the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, The Sultans, Hot Snakes and Pitchfork are familiar to any self-respecting local music fan.
San Diego CityBeat |
Todd Kroviak |
04-23-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
