San Diego Music News April 2023

from Simply San Diego: Bay Park April 2023

New Releases

Beatles Fair returns on June 3 with a special edition, transforming North Park’s Queen Bee into an official pop-up Cavern Club, celebrating the legendary Beatles related venue’s 66th Anniversary. As such, in addition to Beatles tribute band, Rubber Soul and related Fab Four music and activities, there will also be tribute bands to artists who played the Cavern early on in their career, such as Oasiz (Oasis) and Headmaster Ritual (The Smiths). Meanwhile, author John Borack will also discuss his book, The Beatles 100: One Hundred Pivotal Moments in Beatles History. More info at: www.beatlesfair. com

The San Diego County Fair is taking place from June 7 through July 4 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Dozens of performers will take part during the event, on multiple stages. Grandstand Concerts this year includes Lynyrd Skynyrd (June 17) and Boy II Men (June 22), while artists with a local connection include Switchfoot (July 3), Hirie with Stephan Marley (June 24) and Train (June 7). The latter includes former Skelpin guitarist Hector Maldonado.

The 2nd annual East Village Blues Fest will take place on June 10, from 3-9 p.m. at the Quartyard! An amazing lineup will include SDMA nominees Whitney Shay, Taryn Donath, Anthony Cullins (The Fallbrook Kid) plus special guests Brother Yusef & The Tighten Ups.

The Beat Farmers head to Sevilla Spain on on May 5. The La Jolla High album’s album includes guest appearances from the Kronos Quartet and Steve Martin.

Keyboardist Marie Haddad and her band will be opening for Christine and the Queens at Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay on April 17. Meanwhile her other band, the incredible Kate Bush tribute group, Baby Bushka has two dates this month, at the Music Box (April 26) and at the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles (April 28).

Acclaimed percussionist Nathan Hubbard, has a new album out, Necessary Downturn, featuring compositions from 2009-2020. The album features “nine pieces for mixed ensembles highlighting Hubbard’s kaleidoscopic pieces that focus on new pitch and harmonic relationships.”

On select dates between now and May 9, singer Rebecca Jade is one of the leads in the jukebox musical, “R•E•S•P•E•C•T,” taking place at the Lambs Players Theatre in Coronado.

Skyler Lutes heads out on tour in support of release The Atlantic Years: 1984-1991, a limited-edition box set. The collection includes all five albums the band released for Atlantic Records, a replica “Nobody Rides For Free” 7-inch single, 12 page book, 11×17-inch “wanted” poster, bumper sticker, replica backstage pass, and guitar pick, all in a custom lift top box.

2017 SDMA Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, guitarist Wayne Riker, has returned

July 14 – 15, where they’ll be headliners at the Huercasa Country Music festival.

New band alert: Big City plays a “mix of rock, boogie, blues and a touch of country, dancing shoes required,” says the band, which features local favorites, including singer Linda Berry, guitarist Dan Litwin, keyboardist Terry Fenwick, bassist Dave Lindgren, guitarist Joe Torres and drummer Chas Benedict Jr.

Grammy winning banjo player Alison Brown releases her latest album, On Banjo, his new album, Never Leaving, opening April 14 in Phoenix, AZ and wrapping up April 22 in Paso Robles.

The latest release in Neil Young’s Official Bootleg Series, High Flyin’, by The Ducks, is out this month. The Ducks were a short lived Young side project, which included bassist Bob Mosely (Moby Grape). They played shows over a two-month period in 1977, with the songs on this 25-track live album being recorded during that run of concerts.

Surf legends The Surfaris (featuring guitarist Deven Berryhill of The Tourmaliners) perform at the Surfer Joe Festival in Italy taking place on June 22-25, in Italy. The band also has a new limited edition 12” Vinyl 60th Anniversary release of their Wipe Out album, out on the reconstituted Dot Records.

Rockers Pierce the Veil will be touring in support of their new album, Jaws of Life, with The Used, opening on May 23 in Austin TX, and wrapping up July 2 in Phoenix, AZ.

DJ Tim Pyles is now also a “sticker guy.” “I believe stickers are the simplest form of promotion for a band,” he said. “Every band needs stickers, so with support of a good friend I can now offer a great deal on full color stickers courtesy of the Pyles Sticker Company after the word company. The inspiration for the new business foray comes from the impact Pyles own series of stickers and stencils of his face has made. “For me, it all started with a caricature of my face created by Grant Reinero and the rest is history.” Pyles can currently be heard on KXFM 104.7 FM.

On June 9, platinum selling rockers Ratt to teaching music. He can be contacted at Rock and Roll San Diego for lessons.

Ocean Beach based reggae favorites Slightly Stoopid hit the road for a summer long road trip kicking off on July 6 in Auburn Washington and running through September 3 in West Palm Beach Florida. Opening will be Sublime with Rome.

The latest issue of indie garage / surf / frat rock mag, The Continental (#34), includes a free 28 track, which features The Tourmaliners track, “Swanky.” The song includes a guest appearance from Eddie Angel of Los Straightjackets.

World Premiere Comic Mystery from the novel by

Something’s afoul on the private golf course at Merlinville-SurMer — namely the body of Hercule Poirot’s newest client. Acclaimed playwright Steven Dietz brings the famed Belgian detective to life to solve one of Agatha Christie’s most intricate whodunits. Of course, there are the host of usual — and — unusual suspects. A cast of six versatile actors embody a myriad of characters as they navigate the twists and turns of this lively and fun new adaptation. You won’t want to miss a thrilling moment of this comic mystery.