Notes from the smoking patio
Local. Music. Gossip.
By Bart Mendoza , Troy Johnson
About two years ago, Marc Shannon asked local musician Tim Graves what he wanted to do with his life-besides play in a band.
"Open my own venue," Graves told him.
Two months ago, the two made it happen. Shannon provided financial backing for a new all-ages venue in North Park, called The Avalon. Located at 3925 Ohio St., formerly the site of a 99-cent store, The Avalon will have space for 500 and a 38-by-12-foot stage. For now, the venue will host shows on weekends, which will end by 11 p.m. Graves hopes to keep the price of most shows between $6 and $8, and he'll book all genres-except the harder stuff, at least for now.
"Unfortunately, I've seen way too many fights at hardcore shows," he says. "I'd have to get more security in. There are too many suburban kids with too many pent-up problems. I wish it wasn't the case, since I personally love that scene."
The décor will not be "dingy" or "utilitarian," Graves says. Instead of the usual black-on-black theme of local rock dives, he's adding color, making things more lively. Huge opera curtains will help absorb some of the sound, necessary for keeping residents in nearby apartment complexes from complaining.
"We don't want to be a blight on the community," Graves says. "A lot of people have put up with so much shit in North Park, and we don't want to add to that. We just want a safe environment for kids to come in and showcase their art."
The Avalon will hold its grand-opening show on July 28 with Get Back Loretta, The Silent Comedy and the final show by Graves' own band, Chasing Paper. www.myspace.com/avalongp.
-Troy Johnson
Notes from the smoking patio
The performers at this year's San Diego Music Awards-happening Sept. 17 at Viejas Concerts in the Park-will include Jason Mraz, Reeve Oliver, Buck-O-Nine, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds and The Truckee Brothers, with more likely to be added. There will also be a post-party in Viejas Casino with sets by The Palominos and MEX. Tickets go on sale on July 28. Nominees will be announced on Aug. 6. www.sandiegomusic
awards.com.
The debut single, "Do the Robot" from Sisely & The Safety Pin-Ups-featuring Glossines guitarist Kristen Warnken and Blondie drummer Clem Burke-hit No. 1 on Little Steven's Underground Garage Chart in the July 21 issue of Billboard. Little Steven dubbed it "the coolest song in the world this week." MS/theglossines.
Rapper Miki Vale has been chosen as a finalist in Billboard's Independent Music World Series West Showcase. The contest will be decided on July 26 at 12 Galaxies, a club in San Francisco. MS/mikivale.
The quarterly San Diego Record Show, featuring vendors selling all types of used vinyl and music-related ephemera, takes place on July 28 at The Center in Hillcrest. www.sandiegorecordshow.com.
As expected, Grand Ole Party will tour with Rilo Kiley this fall. The five-week tour starts Sept. 6, with an Oct. 12 stop at Soma. MS/grandoleparty.
A pair of female-fronted groups release new albums this month. Punk foursome Revenge Club just dropped Your Underground, and quirky pop band Secret Apollo will put out Homemade Time Machine on July 28. Unfortunately, the latter's CD-release show at the Honey Bee Hive has been canceled because the venue's been temporary shuttered for not having proper permits. MS/revengeclub, MS/secretapollo.
-Bart Mendoza and Troy Johnson
Got tips? E-mail our music editor at troy@sdcitybeat.com.
Published: 07/25/2007
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