LOCALS ONLY

Super Chargers redux

Either big fans or big opportunists, at least two local bands have penned new theme songs for the San Diego Chargers. Just in time for the playoffs, P.O.D. has recorded a new stadium-ready epic called “Chargers Anthem,” which is available on the band's MySpace page.

“Normally we don't get any [new theme song submissions],” said Chargers spokesperson Sean O'Connor. “This year we get a few a week.”

P.O.D.'s song has the best chance of being used by the team in the long-term, with a booming chorus that could be shouted by 70,000 or so fans. It also doesn't mention any current players, which means it could be used after backup running back Michael Turner leaves next season.

“[P.O.D.] was sending it to Rock 105 and we got wind of it,” O'Connor said. “We started [playing it] last week as soon as we received it-once prior to the coin toss and immediately [after] the conclusion of the game. We like it, we think the fans will like it and it will be in our weekly rotation of music played at the Q.”

P.O.D., who just amicably parted ways with guitarist Jason Truby to make room for the return of original guitarist Marcos Curiel, will play a free-admission Chargers rally at Qualcomm Stadium on Jan. 10.

Local rapper Timz also recorded a Chargers theme song-an updated version of the team's disco classic, “San Diego Super Chargers,” that's also available on his MySpace page. The song is dedicated to the 2006 team in particular, as Timz name-drops nearly the entire team, including the lines “Get too close to Turner, he might burn ya” and “Yeah, that was Phillips right there that just blew right past ya.”

“Yes, I've heard that one-I think he knows Shawne Merriman,” O'Connor said.

“I've partied with [Merriman] a few times; we have a lot of mutual acquaintances,” said Timz, who recorded his song the first week of the Chargers' season and has gotten it played on AM-1090 and 94/9-FM. “We've actually talked to [the Chargers] numerous times, but they have constantly said they are not soliciting new music. And as far as the name drops, I knew that the more detailed I got with the lyrics would create a problem for the song in the future, but I've already accepted the idea of creating a new song for the city every year with updated lyrics.”

Personally, we're still holding out for Rocket from the Crypt's “Scream, Eli, Scream!” www.myspace.com/payableondeath, www.myspace.com/timz.

-Troy Johnson

Notables...

Last week in “If I Were U,” we reported that Brad Artley-former drummer of Brian Jonestown Massacre and co-star of the holiest of unholy rock documentary films, Dig!-had joined local garage-rockers Vinyl Radio. Seems we jumped the gun: While Artley has auditioned, no decision has been made yet to add him to the band. www.myspace.com/vinylradio.

Relatively new San Diego band Boy Raping Priests on the popularity of their name: “Besides a series of completely documented and hilarious e-mails back and forth between us and the band Holiday and the Adventure Pop Collective, all response... has been quite positive. We do, however, strongly encourage people to send us hate mail.” www.myspace.com/boyrapingpriests.

Onethousandpictures-the little-known San Diego band who signed a deal with Columbia Records recently-was dropped from the label. The band was unavailable at press time to tell us how much big record labels suck. www.myspace.com/onethousandpictures.

On Jan. 10, The Casbah will host a fundraiser for Mick Garris, whose film/graphic-design firm, Fourth Project Entertainment, was destroyed in a fire on Dec. 17. A former member of '90s indie rockers Radio Wendy and the man behind Bandwagon Clothing, Garris has helped many a musician over the last two decades. Performing will be Mr. Tube & the Flying Objects, Beehive and the Barracudas, The Heartaches, The Widows and The Sultans (who will be playing their final gig). www.casbahmusic.com.

Extraordinarily tall human and Transfer vocalist Matt Molarius has a new project as the drummer for female-led rock foursome Pussywhipped. Transfer, meanwhile, is busy recording new songs at local studio Black Box Recorder. www.myspace.com/transferband, www.myspace.com/thepussywhipped.

Best thing overheard at a house party this weekend where Vision of a Dying World played: A rather alternative looking man with black eye makeup shotgunning a beer and proclaiming, “Now that is punk rock!” Having misplaced the meaning of punk awhile back, we appreciate the hint that it somehow involves a warm can of Miller Lite. www.myspace.com/thevisionofadyingworld.

In case you haven't heard, Cape May, San Diego Music Awards nominees for “Best Rock,” have broken up. Guitarist Andrew Bernhardt has been playing with Vinyl Radio for a while now, and drummer Dustin Paul has a new project called Upset Schoolbus. Actually, some of the band's members say they don't think they really have broken up, but trust us-they have. www.capemayrock.com.

Troubadour Terry Matsouka hosts a CD-release show for his album It's Rad at The Casbah on Jan. 16. www.crunchysandwich.com.

Switchfoot's latest, Oh! Gravity, entered the Billboard album charts at respectable No. 18. www.switchfoot.com.

-Troy Johnson and Bart Mendoza