4th & B cancels upcoming shows

‘We’re not closed,’ co-owner maintains—plus, more music news

What’s going on with 4th & B? On Tuesday, arts group RAW: San Diego announced on Facebook that its “Holiday Rawk” show—slated to be held at the Downtown club on Thursday, Dec. 13—has been canceled “due to the sudden closure of 4th & B.”

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Wednesday, December 5,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Sleep Lady is all post-rock, no jock

Locals get sprawling and cinematic on new album

By Peter Holslin

Post-rock bands are the jocks of the indie-music world. With their extra-long band names and even longer songs, they bludgeon the listener with awesomeness and artistry (and political awareness, in the case of Godspeed You! Black Emperor).

Monday, December 3,2012
Music Feature

The Sword are warriors of the riff

Heavy-metal outfit is a band of lovers (of rock), not fighters

By Peter Holslin

Venture forth into the world of heavy metal and you’ll discover a place as sprawling and complex as J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

Wednesday, November 28,2012
If I Were U

Bad Brains, The Burning of Rome and more San Diego concerts

Wha?, Andreilien, Black Fag are just some of the acts we’re jazzed about this week

By Peter Holslin

Most people would recognize Ben Johnson as that dude who serves up drinks at The Casbah, but many also know him as a badass local musician with many a project under his belt.

Wednesday, November 28,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Alfred Howard debuts The Midnight Pine

Songwriter teams with singer on new band—plus, more music news

By Peter Holslin

Songwriter / percussionist Alfred Howard has been keeping busy. In between his work with The Heavy Guilt and The Black Sands, he’s been doing a new project, The Midnight Pine.

Wednesday, November 28,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Local musicians give thanks

A tip of the hat to guitars, amps, synths and more

By Peter Holslin

If it weren’t for fans, friends and sympathetic bosses, lots of great musicians probably wouldn’t be where they are today. But what about all that gear that makes music happen in the first place?

Wednesday, November 28,2012
Music Feature

How to Dress Well has a ‘good rapport’ with loss

Songwriter Tom Krell creates his own kind of experimental R&B

By Peter Holslin

Tom Krell makes sad music. The songwriter behind the lo-fi-pop project How to Dress Well, his productions are dark and alluring, featuring skeletal instrumentation and wistful melodies.

Wednesday, November 21,2012
If I Were U

Rush, Three Mile Pilot and more San Diego concerts

Delicate Steve, Coda Reactor and Turkey Tornado are just some of the bands we’re jazzed about this week

By Peter Holslin

My friend Hannah Rappleye recently saw Rush in New York City, and she reports that the show was “awesome.” In a three-hour set, the Canadian power trio played every song from its new album, Clockwork Angels, along with many classics.

Wednesday, November 21,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

Future of the Left aren’t happy with Ché Café

‘Worst venue I have ever played,’ band member tweets

By Peter Holslin

Wales-based punk band Future of the Left doesn’t seem pleased with The Ché Café. After the band played a sold-out show at the UCSD venue last Friday night, someone tweeted from the band’s Twitter account (@shit_rock): “Worst venue I have ever played AND I HAVE TO PLAY IT AGAIN TOMORROW.”

Wednesday, November 21,2012
Notes from the Smoking Patio

All My Friends was a blast

Tijuana festival has great music, better organization

By Peter Holslin

The indie-music scene in Tijuana seems to get bigger, stronger and a whole lot more interesting with each passing year. That’s the thought that kept crossing my mind as I attended All My Friends Music Festival at Tijuana’s Casa de la Cultura on Saturday.