Summer sounds and decade battles

Red Fox Tails bring the surf jazz to Summer Fun on the 101.
- Photo by Andrew Riley

Summer has its benefits. The rule requiring shirts and shoes becomes more lax, and people (not me, but others) leave the comfort of their couch and a Real Housewives marathon to actually go outside.

Luring folks out of their air-conditioned cages of laziness on Friday and Saturday, June 29 and 30 is Summer Fun on the 101. Since we no longer have one big, kickass summer music festival look forward to (RIP Street Scene), we have to make do with alternatives. This two-day fest brings 16 bands to several venues in North County. Among those hitting the stage are The Donkeys, Red Fox Tails and Mattson 2 with Ray Barbee. Organizers are asking for a $10 donation to support Paul Ecke Central School, but if you’re a total jerk, you can forego paying.

One of the biggest debates in musical history (not really, but play along) is which decade produced better music—the ’80s or the ’90s. While each gave the world amazingly good and bad tunes, it’s kind of like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. You can like both but only love one. Pick your side and head to Whistle Stop Bar (2236 Fern St. in South Park) on Saturday, June 30, for ’80s vs. ’90s. DJ’s Saul Q and Kid Wonder will play the best from each decade even though the Willenium is very much over and you stopped putting Aqua Net in your hair.

While I can’t deny my love for Erasure, and I’ve put pretty much every R&B song that came out in the ’90s in a knockin’-boots mixtape, the decade that really speaks to my heart is the ’60s. For those who feel a tingle in the crotch every time Aretha or Otis hits a high note, there’s A Night of Motown at El Dorado Cocktail Lounge (1030 Broadway, Downtown) on Wednesday, June 27. This night is also brought to you by Saul Q and Kid Wonder. Geez. Nostalgic much? It’s only a matter of time before those two have a roaring ’20s dance party at Voyeur.