Top Articles from Notes from the Smoking Patio

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Ché Café's future in question
UCSD venue in dire financial straits, Park Gallery show ends in violence and more local music news Where’s your soul, San Diego?
Singer Rodney Hubbard laments the lack of R&B-friendly venues Locals only
F.o.N. Drummer Pulls a Coup de'tat on NOFX Steve Morris and Pat Kim leave Unwritten Law
Alt-rock band has a lineup change, Eric Howarth launches a new concert series and more local music news Our guide to San Diego Music Thing
The Donkeys, Blue Note and Cuckoo Chaos are some of the two-day fest's highlights Butthole Surfers will not play at 4th & B
Venue owners tangle over upcoming concert, Grand Ole Party’s posthumous second album being released and more local music news Five key tracks by Old English
Up-and-coming rap duo honors National City, takes on haters, lets out inner demons Josh Damigo moves back to San Diego
Singer-songwriter returns from stint in L.A. and more local music news Nathan Williams writing music for MTV series
Wavves releasing new EP, TV Girl moving to L.A. and more local music news San Diego bands grapple with national buzz shortage
Some leave for a shot at the big time; others stay and make the best of it

Wednesday, May 23,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

New ‘Occult-wave’ band in town

Our roundup of music news includes projects from former Pokéz owner Rafael Reyes and soul-funk singer Stevie Harris

By Peter Holslin

“We are not musicians,” Rafael Reyes explains in an email. “We are magicians.”

Wednesday, May 23,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

John C. Reilly returns to San Diego

Actor tells us about his interest in folk and collaboration with Tom Brosseau

By Peter Holslin

When funnyman actor John C. Reilly came to San Diego last month, the trip had nothing to do with acting or comedy. Instead, he spent the weekend performing alongside singer-songwriter and former San Diego resident Tom Brosseau at the Adams Avenue Unplugged music festival.

Wednesday, May 16,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Local musicians share top tunes

From Beach House to Brainiac, a look at what’s hot

By Peter Holslin

An irregular feature in which we ask local musicians, club owners and promoters what they’ve been listening to.

Wednesday, May 9,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Grand Tarantula prep for summer with new EP

Indie-rockers offer a bruisingly fun listen

By Peter Holslin

On their new self-titled EP, even the guys in Grand Tarantula—who’re well-known for their face-shredding, ear-splitting, throat-scraping savagery—sound ready for a surfboard-ridin’, volleyball-bumpin’, suntans-on-the-sand beach party.

Wednesday, May 9,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Kitty Diamond is set to open

A new club is replacing The Flame, Wild Wild Wet gear up and more music news

By Peter Holslin

Details have emerged about the big plans in store for Kitty Diamond, a new nightclub on 3780 Park Blvd. in Hillcrest, where The Flame used to be.

Wednesday, May 2,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Club i-D has that lovin' feeling

Popular ’80s-era club night makes a comeback

By Andrew Scoggins

Club i-D is having a comeback at the Mississippi Room on Saturday, May 5.

Wednesday, May 2,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Wavves releases new video game

‘Weed Demon’ is about delivering weed—plus, a fictional band comes to life

By Peter Holslin

Weed-smokin’ pop-punks Wavves have a new video game out, Weed Demon, and, well, it’s about dealing weed.

Wednesday, April 25,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Tin Can Ale House now serving liquor

Plus, Rob Crow’s telling children’s stories and more local music news

By Peter Holslin

Hard liquor is now flowing at Tin Can Ale House.

Wednesday, April 18,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Coda Reactor release their debut

Rock ’n’ rollers channel the spirit of Misfits and Motörhead

By Peter Holslin

Every pissed-off teenager needs a copy of Parasite, the debut album by Coda Reactor.

Wednesday, April 18,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Club i-D is back

Popular ’80s club night is having a reunion—plus, a roundup of Record Store Day events and more music news

By Peter Holslin

Attention San Diego scene veterans: Club i-D is staging a comeback.One of the city’s most popular roving dance parties, Club i-D took place every Monday for several years in the 1980s