So much going on in San Diego’s music scene right now! Let’s dig right in…
- The Third Annual Pacific Records Fest takes place on July 18 at Kate Sessions Park, part of the annual Concerts on the Green music series. This year’s lineup includes Sandollar, The Tourmaliners, Slack Key Ohana, Twilight Highway and VB by the Sea. Free, All ages. 4 – 7 p.m. https://pacificrecords.com/pacific-records-festival-brings-california-coastal-and-island-culture-to-kate-sessions-park-this-july
- This year’s International Pop Overthrow Festival takes place on August 21 & 22 at The Black Cat Bar in North Park. Amongst the artists set to take part are Hector Penalosa, Tamar Berk, Scott Samuels, Super Buffet, and The Rightovers. https://internationalpopoverthrow.com/ipo-2026-schedules/san-diego-2026
- The Dragonfly Music Festival makes its debut September 10 – 12 at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. It’s an amazing lineup that includes Eric Gales, The Paladins, The Beat Farmers, The Texas Headhunters, The Film Company, The Sleepwalkers, Daring Greatly, Whitney Shay and many more! dragonflymusicfestival.com
- In honor of the classic 1966 album, Pet Sounds, 60th Anniversary, The Beach Boys and The San Diego Zoo have teamed up for a fundraiser: www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-Pl4emTq8Y&list=RDf-Pl4emTq8Y
- Garrison Bailey is releasing her second cookbook and matching dinner album, Some Like It HOT HONEY. “It’s 20 groove shakin’ songs to listen to while you’re cooking,” she said. “It’s not just a book and some music, it’s a complete experience.”
- Speaking of The Beat Farmers, they were recently in the studio at Big Fish, recording a pair of tracks for a pending compilation album. Meanwhile the band will head out for a short tour of Northen California that kicks off on August 5 in Morro Bay, followed by dates in Sebastopol, Sacramento, Lovato and Santa Cruz.
- Tamar Berk has designed the logo for Louisville, KY based cafe and bakery Grale Goods.
- Stephen Bishop’s 1976 album, Careless, is being reissued on confetti splatter colored vinyl, with a new gatefold sleeve, updated graphics, a 20-page booklet and two previously unreleased bonus tracks, “Back Again” and “I Don’t Know You Anymore.” The album contained two of Bishop’s best-known songs, “On and On” and “Save It For A Raining Day.”
- Blink 182’s 2001 album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, is getting a 25th Anniversary reissue, with six bonus tracks, tunes that were previously hidden tracks scattered amongst the various editions of the album. The updated Take Off Your Pants includes new artwork, and on side D / 4, of the 2-disc vinyl edition, there will be a randomized etching, one of three possible. A limited silver vinyl edition is also being released for indie retailers.
- A cover version of Jim Croce’s song “Operator” is part of a new advertising campaign from Omni Resorts.
- Los Angeles based group, The Eddies, have released a new album, Moving Forward, produced by Fernando Perdomo. The album includes three songs written by Bart Mendoza: “Anymore” and “Confidence and Love” originally by Manual Scan, and “Blindspot” originally by The Shambles.
- Meanwhile, The Shambles and True Stories also have two songs each in the new film, Water Park Shark, directed by Anthony C. Ferrante. Out now on Amazon Prime.
- Additionally, David Fleminger is featured on three tracks, with three different groups, of the new tribute compilation, I Helped Edward Ball Escape! Released by Canadian label, The Beautiful Music, the 2 CD / 6 panel album includes songs from True Stories, The Answers, and Bartholomew Mellowglass, and comes with a 12-page booklet. In related news look for Fleminger to be running sound at the Grand Ol’ BBQ through July, and an Alvino & The Dwells album is in the works.
- Rosie Flores is heading back out on tour with Robert Plant and Saving Grace with Suzi Dian, opening September 08 in St. Louis, MS and wrapping up on October 15 in Chicago, Il. She’ll play a San Diego homecoming show at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on September 28.
- Hacienda On The Hill Studio is busy! According to owner Scottie Blinn current projects include: Laura Chavez (video shoot & edit w/ full show mix and master), Brenda Gail, Michael Brondstetter (3rd music video), Muddy Boots and the Porch Pounders (from Elko, NV), and Black Market III (“Live in England”).
- Iconic 1980’s UK hitmakers, The Human League, Soft Cell and Alison Moyet were all in at Rock and Roll San Diego at the end of May, rehearsing for their 2026 U.S. tour, which opened June 2 at Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre at SDSU. Other major artists who have used the rehearsal space’s Hendrix Hall include Ace Frehley, The B-52’s, Steve Tyler (Aerosmith), George Thorogood and Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top).
- Jason Hill of Louis XIV has composed the music for the Showtime series, Couples Therapy.
- Guitarist Roni Lee appears in Season 2 of the new Amazon Prime series, Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat. She is cast as the elderly guitar shredder behind Rockin’ Grandma hot sauce, with a limited-edition sauce produced and released to the public to coincide with the shows release.
- The Mothmen have a new EP out this fall, Love Letters, released by Octo-Beat Records. Recorded at Earthling Studios with Mike Kamoo, Love Letters sports cover art by Pat Beers of The Schizophonics.
- Jason Mraz has a two-week tour of the Far East opening on October 27 opening in Manila, PH at Mall of Asia Arena, and wrapping up on November 14 in Seoul, KR at Kintex Convention Center. Mraz’s latest single is “His Eye Is On The Sparrow,” from his most recent album, Sings Grandma’s Gospel Favorites.
- Rocket from the Crypt’s 1995 album, Scream, Dracula Scream, has been reissued, on black & white splatter vinyl and, in Japan only, as a SHM-CD.
- Drummer Mario Rubalcaba (Hot Snakes, Rocket From The Crypt) will be playing drums for Iggy Pop at Mosswood Meltdown festival on July 18 in Oakland!
- 2026 San Diego Music Award Artists of the Year, The Schizophonics next round of touring kicks off September 17 in Santa Cruz., wrapping up on October 22 at The Echo in Los Angeles.
- British all female Slade tribute band, Slady, has released a new video covering 1983 single, “My Oh My.” The clip includes live footage filmed on March 12 at The Casbah during their recent U.S. tour. Other footage was shot locally around San Diego and Encinitas, with Joe Macaskill of The Strangulators making a cameo at 1:03.
- The Surfaris, who feature guitarist Deven Berryhill also of The Tourmaliners, are performing in São Paulo Brazil this Labor Day weekend (Sept 5,6,7) at the Lucky Friends Rodeo IX
- The new album, Earl Thomas featuring The Anthony Cullins Band: Live In Denmark, was recorded at the Blue Heaven Festival in Copenhagen on October 2, 2025.
- On August 2, Hector Penalosa and Robert Lopez of legendary combo, The Zeros, will be at The Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas, giving guided tours.
- Guitarist Patrick Yandall hosts an album release show for his latest album, Center of Unity, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on August 16.
