VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 11 | November, 2021
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The Spice P istols
All Star Benefit Show This past October 5, The Spice Pistols rhythm section, bassist Sppike Mike Muellenberg, aka Hairy Scary Spice, and drummer Doug Walker, aka Shorty Sporty Spice, alongside roommate Alan Stewart, suffered a devastating house fire, losing all of their possessions and much of the band’s gear as well as tour van. On December 15, a host of Muellenberg’s musical friends will gather at The Casbah to raise funds to help the three friends get back on their feet. It’s a true all-star lineup featuring Peter DiStefano Man Alone, Mike Watt + The Missing Men and Jeff Berkley & The Banned with special guests including Jerry Raney (The Farmers). The whole night is hosted by 91X-FM’s Tim Pyles and Music Scene SDTV’s Bart Mendoza. It’s important to note it’s an early show with former Porno for Pyros guitarist Peter DiStefano opening the night at 8 p.m. This will be DiStefano’s first show
as Man Alone and his first gig in the area since “I think in 2000 with Peter Murphy,” he said. He’s happy to take part in this worthy cause. “I have known Mike for years,” he continued. “He came to (my band) HellRide’s gigs and I also saw his band. We immediately hit it off and have stayed close. I have sympathy for the band losing their gear so it is an honor to come play to help raise some funds for them.” Jeff Berkley concurs. “Mike and I met outside of a radio station. He was on his way out and I on my way in,” he recalled. “We were doing press for our records that were coming out and got to talking and hanging. We were fast friends!” He
considers this show as a way help out someone with an especially good heart. “Those that know Mike know what a great person he is,” Berkley said. “He’s fiercely loyal to his people and if he’s your friend he’s completely in your corner. He’s the guy that bails you out of jail when the time comes and tells you stuff you need to hear with empathy and love. He’s a punk rock Angel in drag! I’m lucky to call him my friend and brother.” Meanwhile guitar legend Jerry Raney is fuzzy on when he first encountered Muellenberg, but is happy to contribute to the show. “I probably met him in the gutter in front of the Casbah,” he said. “He’s a good guy
and could use some help from our music community and supporters, so I’m in.” For his part, Muellenberg is overwhelmed by the response to the three’s unfortunate situation. “Words can’t possibly express the feelings I have as a result of the love and care I have and continue to receive,” he remarked. “I’m truly blown away. When I arrived from Huntington Beach to San Diego in 1995 one of the things that I found amazing was the sense of community in the San Diego music scene. People truly do care about each other here. Around 2003 I made a decision to do everything I could to foster that sense of community in our scene by going out to shows constantly and actually supporting other bands and musicians. This effort has afforded me relationships with so many great humans. I just wanted to help our community thrive even more and it’s apparent that my friends have my back now. I love our music scene and all whom I’ve come to know in it,” Muellenberg said. www.gofundme.com/f/n6wcg
A Musical Christmas in San Diego • The holiday season is upon us and the festive events kick off pretty much as soon as the clock strikes 12:01 on December 1. Here are three top options • The biggest event for musicians is easily the annual San Diego Troubadour Holiday Party, taking place this year on December 12 at Tango Del Rey. There is a big change this year. Rather than the
usual open mic, there will be five bands providing entertainment, including Shawn Rohlf, Whitney Shay, Sue Palmer and her Motel Swing Orchestra, Chuck Schiele’s Quatro and Charlie Arbelaez. All funds raised go to
Tree Lighting” at Santee Trolley Square • November 27 / The Original Starfires & The Siers Brothers at the Concert, Arts & Craft Show and Community Christmas Lighting Ceremony at Prescott Promenade in El Cajon 2-4:30. • On December 5, Eve Selis returns to San Diego for a holiday show at John & Patty’s House Concerts. Check www. eveselis.com/tour for details. Finally, only two local performers have released holiday music
help keep the Troubadour publishing • Earlier on December 12, blues lovers won’t want to miss Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds 20th Annual Holiday Show at Winston’s. The shows
earlier start time of 4:30 – 6:45, gives ample opportunity to take in both Dec. 12 events. • On December 21 surf & rock favorites The Tourmaliners headline the 9th Surfin’ Christmas Party at Tio Leo’s, with openers the Alter Bil-
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lies. This is a benefit for the Pachecho Mission in Mazatlan, MX. The night includes a raffle of a brand new 9’’6” Gordon & Smith Noserider 2 surfboard, deluxe gift baskets from Leilanis Hawaiian Café and more Other Musical Holiday Happenings of interest include: • November 19 / Bayou Brothers Family Band 5:308pm for the annual “Santee @LocalUmbrellaMedia
thus far this year: Jim Ryan of The Cardiac Kidz has a new 7” single, “Happy, Happy Christmas,” while The Tourmaliners album, Surfin’ Christmas Carols, is now available in white vinyl.
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