Notes from the smoking patio

By House of Blues' account, the June 19 debut of the local-music showcase "San Diego Rocks" was a mild success, with 351 local-music fans through the door (for free with a ticket from band members on the bill). However, there were a few snafus. The second act, Goodbye Blue Monday, played an abbreviated set. Also, Get Back Loretta was scratched from the lineup at the last minute, thus ending the night early. There is some he said/she said matter regarding GBL's cancellation (the band claims it tried to contact the venue for weeks, while event organizers say they didn't hear a peep), but that's neither here nor there. Based on feedback from two performers at the event, it seems House of Blues was professional and courteous, but the workers seemed very eager to get bands on and off stage so they could go home and watch some TV. www.hob.com.

Encinitas-based Punk N Junk Records will issue a self-titled, predominantly local-music compilation on Aug. 14. Compiled by label head Tim Monroe and Rich White Males guitarist Russell Hicks (who also created the cover art), the 15-song comp will include tracks from The Glossines, The Hellraisers, Gizzard, The Dissimilars, PC Death Squad and The Homeless Sexuals. The product is priced to move at $3 a copy. Hicks said he followed a simple guideline in selecting groups: "I used only bands who agree to no contracts, no royalties, no covers, no bullshit, no bitching." In lieu of royalties, bands get free copies and bragging rights. Three groups from outside of the county-The Trashies (Seattle), The Rydells (New Jersey) and The Cummies (Italy)-are included simply because, Hicks explained, "I think they are as underrated as the local artists presented." The Cummies? Really? Oh, the end is near. www.

punknjunkrecords.com.

Singer-songwriter Michael Tiernan will have his song "I'm Ready" included in the fall season of

ABC-TV's Men in Trees. www.my space.com/michaeltiernan.

Nickel Creek guitarist Sean Watkins and Switchfoot frontman Jon Foreman are collaborating on a new project called The Real SeanJon. Is it just us, or is that name ready-made for its own clothing line and possibly an energy drink? www.therealseanjon.com.

Electro-pop singer Victoria Robertson has been chosen to be a guest vocalist with the San Diego Symphony Summer Pops at the Embarcadero Marina from June 29 to July 1. She'll sing a selection of patriotic songs, including the ever tricky National Anthem. www.my space.com/victoriarobertson.

Singer-songwriter Lisa Sanders will hold a CD-release show for her new album, Last Night in Roseburg, on June 30 at Lestat's. Sanders will be joined by an all-star supporting cast, including Lady Dottie drummer Brian Cantrell and session bassist James East (Elton John, Gregory Page), plus Peter Bolland, Robin Henkel, Cathryn Beeks, Chris Klich, Peggy Watson, Mary Dolan and Annie Drew. www.my

space.com/lisasanders.

Punk trio The Prayers officially release God Save The Prayers on July 3 on local label Art Fag Records. You can find it in both CD and 12-inch single formats. www.myspace.com/thefucking

prayers.

Anya Marina will have heavyweight help for her next album. Louis XIV guitarist-singer Brian Karscig will produce four tracks, and Spoon frontman Britt Daniel will add touches to the song "Move You" (which-just to up the celeb quotient of this column a bit more-was produced by Unwritten Law frontman Scott Russo). www.myspace.com/anyamarina.

Got tips? E-mail our music editor at troy@sdcitybeat.com.