San Diego Music News

Heavy metal combo As I Lay Dying is embarking on month long tour of Europe, kicking off November 15 in Wurzburg, Germany, and wrapping up on December 15 in Oberhausen, Germany. The band will also be performing in the Czech Republic, Italy, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Spain, Finland, Denmark, Poland, Hungary, Belgium and Austria.

Acclaimed Gypsy jazz combo the Zzymzzy Quartet is celebrating their 20th Anniversary with a special concert at Lou Lou’s on Saturday October 12, 8-10 p.m. “We’ve been together continuously for 20 years, averaging something like two gigs a week!” said guitarist Beston Barnett. “It’ll be no cover, first-come-first-serve seating. We’ve already got some cool cameos lined up: Claudia Gomez will tap one with us, Billy Hawkins is going to join on trombone, The Lindy/Balboa dancers are going to choreograph something, and Valentina On the Rocks will be performing her famous Carmen Miranda burlesque routine to “Tico Tico No Fuba!” We’ll probably have a few singers sit in as well.”

The July issue of UK based Mojo Magazine features The Byrds on the cover and comes with a free compilation CD featuring Byrds related tracks. The 15 songs include two San Diego related tracks: “Bells of Rhymney,” from Rancho Santa Fe native Chris Hillman and “Rueben,” by iconic early 1960’s combo, The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers. The latter were 2004 San Diego Music Award / Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. Lots of talent in that group. In addition to former Byrd Chris Hillman, the band also included Bernie Leadon of the Eagles, Larry Murray of Hearts & Flowers, and Kenny Wertz, later of The Flying Burrito Brothers.

The Naked I celebrate the release of their new EP, Artsy Attire, on September 8 at the Music Box. Andrew Barrack and Wasting Light open.

Although Sue Palmer & The Riveters were meant to be a one-time only group, put together to perform at this year’s Gator by the Bay, such a good time was had by all that the group is reuniting for a gig at Tio Leo’s on September 3. “It is a fantastic all women’s 11-piece band with Laura Chavez on guitar, Liz and Ruth Ajuzie and Mercedes Moore on vocals, 4 trombone players lead by April West, Jonesy Jones, Shirley Coggan, Rebecca McKinley, and a tight rhythm section with Sharon Shufelt, Jodie Hill and me,” said Palmer. “We play all covers except, “I Put a Hex on You,” which Laura wrote with (singer) Candye Kane. Every song has 3-part vocal arrangements and April wrote great and cool arrangements for the 4 trombones It’s one of the most flawless shows I’ve ever done with a basically one-time group. We weren’t ready to quit!”

Congrats to Pierce the Veil, whose 2010 single, “Caraphernelia,” earns a Platinum award from the RIAA this month. It’s their fourth single to score an RIAA award this year

Jim Ryan (The Cardiac Kidz) releases his sixth album, Human AI, on August 16. Released under the name, The Jim Ryan Project. “Twelve tracks all carrying a mix of studio and AI software generated recorded tracks which travel through the punk and alternative rock genre,” said Ryan.

On August 3, Slack Key Ohana was joined onstage by a pair of surprise special guests when they performed at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the Hawaiian Grammy Awards equivalent held at the Hawai’i Convention Center in Honolulu. The band was nominated for Best Hawaiian Music Video of the Year, for the song “Nahenahe Ka Leo o Ka Wahine Uʻi,” and in addition to their own performance, they also backed fellow nominee Brittni Paiva on her song, “Heartbeat Melody.”The latter ultimately took home the award for Instrumental Song of the Year. Both of the night’s special guests, along with Paiva, appear on Slack Key Ohana’s latest release, Hawaiian Cowboy. Reprising his role on the title track of the album, Billy F. Gibbons of ZZ Top joined the band alongside four-time Grammy Winner, George Kahumoku Jr. Gibbons and Kahumoku Jr, also joined the band in backing Paiva. “What an incredible night,” said SKO frontman Brian Witkin. “We got in a quick rehearsal the night before with Billy and it went great, so really the hardest part of the event was keeping everything secret until showtime.” While it didn’t win its category this time out, “Nahenahe Ka Leo o Ka Wahine Uʻi” did score a trophy for Best World Music Song at the 2024 San Diego Music Awards held earlier this year.

New band alert! This Unrest is a Siouxsie & The Banshees tribute group featuring Jacquie Bazinet (vocals), Richard Chavez (guitar), Kristin Martin (bass) and Jody Ritacco (drums).

Congrats to Earl Thomas! On August 3 he was inducted into the Notodden Blues Walk of Fame in Norway.

On July 16, The Tourmaliners were joined onstage at their Tio Leo’s gig by legendary guitarist Willie Glover of 1960’s surf era hitmakers, The Pyramids, best known for their 1964, #18 hit, “Penetration.” Also in attendance that night: Mike Palm of Agent Orange and Sppike Mike of the Spice Pistols.