Top Articles from Notes from the Smoking Patio

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Where’s your soul, San Diego?
Singer Rodney Hubbard laments the lack of R&B-friendly venues 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 Ché Café's future in question
UCSD venue in dire financial straits, Park Gallery show ends in violence and more local music news Locals only
F.o.N. Drummer Pulls a Coup de'tat on NOFX A radio station in Golden Hill?
Community group wants to get on the airwaves—plus, more music news Josh Damigo expands sound, stays romantic
On new album, singer-songwriter sounds as lovestruck as ever Jamuel Saxon frontman gets off drugs
Keith Milgaten almost dies, Crush Effect in a commercial and more 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

Tuesday, June 11,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Author & Punisher seek big melodies on new album

Metal musician is more accessible and graceful than ever

By Jeff Terich

Some of the most crushing sounds of the last half-decade have come from local noisemaker Tristan Shone, aka one-man industrial-metal act Author & Punisher.

Tuesday, June 11,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Stay Strange launches cassette label

Sam Lopez expands his brand with new analog-based record company

By Jeff Terich

The peculiar world of Stay Strange is expanding. Sam Lopez, founder and curator of the regular live-music series, is launching a new tape label, also called Stay Strange.

Wednesday, June 5,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

My goodbye playlist

On the way out, some rad acts that I really dig

By Peter Holslin

This week, I step down as CityBeat’s music editor. (The new guy is Jeff Terich.) As a goodbye present, I’m giving you a list of artists who’ve done some cool stuff I would’ve written about if only I’d had more time.

Wednesday, June 5,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

The Black Heart Procession call it quits—for now, at least

Plus, Pall Jenkins is working on a track with Rafael Reyes

By Peter Holslin

Don’t expect to hear new music from indie-rock gloom merchants The Black Heart Procession any time soon. Black Heart main man Pall Jenkins says he and co-frontman Tobias Nathaniel have put the band to bed.

Tuesday, May 28,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

There's money to be made in the DJ booth

Sleeping Giant Music celebrates its ninth anniversary

By Peter Holslin

With record sales slumping and many bands struggling, being an indie-rocker isn't exactly the most lucrative career. But being a DJ? Now we're talking!

Tuesday, May 28,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Grand Tarantula vs. The Tarantulas

Indie-rockers come up against Arizona surf outfit in trademark faceoff

By Peter Holslin

Indie-rockers Grand Tarantula are considering a name change after having a run-in with an obscure Arizona surf-rock band called The Tarantulas who are on a crusade against musical groups in the United States that have "Tarantula" in their name.

Wednesday, May 22,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Retox polish up on ‘YPLL’

Second album finds punk shredders sharper but just as angry

By Peter Holslin

When Retox charged onto the scene in late 2011 with their debut album, Ugly Animals, the time was ripe for a brutal punk awakening.

Wednesday, May 22,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

New compilation gives a fresh take on bad music

Plus, details are announced for San Diego Music Thing

By Peter Holslin

As you might’ve seen with his recent alternate-universe Coachella poster, Sledding With Tigers frontman Dan Faughnder has a special talent for Internet gags.

Tuesday, May 14,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

What’s new on Bandcamp

A glance at some good San Diego stuff on the music-listening platform

By Peter Holslin

If you run a search for albums tagged "San Diego" on Bandcamp, you'll find some interesting stuff. In this semi-regular column, we sift through the recent Bandcamp postings and report on our findings.

Tuesday, May 14,2013
Notes from the Smoking Patio

‘Sleepwalking’ is looking for a new home

Low-rider-oldies night canceled at Whistle Stop Bar

By Peter Holslin

Sleepwalking, the monthly low-rider-oldies club night at Whistle Stop Bar, is looking for a new home.