Notes from the smoking patio
Local. Music. Gossip.
By Bart Mendoza , Troy Johnson
Louis XIV has released a four-track EP called The Distances from Everyone to You. The mini-release--out digitally now, on vinyl soon--includes three new original songs and a cover of Queen's classic, "Flash's Theme," which is currently being used on Sci-Fi Network's new series, Flash Gordon. After playing Street Scene this weekend, the band will head to Mexico and Guatemala before joining The Killers on an Australian tour. Their second album (as yet untitled) is slated for a Jan. 8 release. MS/louisxiv.
Adult-pop standout Tracy Johnson's song, "December," will be featured in the new film, Winter of Frozen Dreams, starring Thora Birch (American Beauty). MS/tracyjohnson.
Now that his new joint Bar Pink Elephant is up and running, ex-RFTC frontman John Reis has formed his 1,432nd band, called Speedo. The band features Hot Snakes members Jason Kourkounis (drums) and Gar Wood (guitar) as well as Tommy Kitsos (guitarist for Canada's CPC Gangbangs).
Indie-rockers Fing host a CD-release show for their debut disc, Making Love With Fear, Sept. 21 at downtown's Shaker Room. MS/fingband.
Radio station Star 94.1 is accepting submissions from unsigned artists for possible airplay. While there's never any guarantees, Cathryn Beeks sold 80 copies of her latest CD after three spins on the Jeff & Jer Show. Speaking of Beeks, her annual "Band Camp" will be held on Sept. 22 and 23 at the Mission Bay Boat & Ski Club. The festival is a camping/drinking/bonfire sort of thing with three stages hosting 21 bands, including The Farmers, Get Back Loretta, Citizen Band, Blackout Party, Barbara Nesbitt, Deadline Friday and Anna Troy. MS/bandcamp musicfest.
Just in time for the reunion of garage-rock icons The Tell Tale Hearts at the Adams Avenue Street Fair on Sept. 29, Spain's Party Line Records has released an anthology of frontman Ray Brandes' two-decades-plus career. The 24-track disc, which spans 1984 through 2006, includes cameos from longtime San Diego vets Frank Lee Drennan, Gregory Page, Rick Wilkins, Glen Fisher and Richard Livoni.
The San Diego Film Festival will hold its annual music video showcase, "Film Rocks," at House of Blues on Sept. 29 from 2 to 5 p.m. Among the entries this year are clips from Switchfoot, Justin James, Alyssa Campbell and Los Claxons. www.sdff.org.
Got tips? E-mail our music editor at troy@sdcitybeat.com.
Published: 09/17/2007
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