An Ode to The Past

 Social Butterfly   

Once upon a time, this was my personal blog where I wrote about my crazy days and nights and got real with you peeps. I’ve been struggling with writing here because while I know I have readers that care about what I write about now, I’m just not feeling it any more.

So, with that, you can read about my crazy night if you rawk on. And then after that, who knows? I doubt I will stop writing altogether, but I’m just not going to put the effort into weekly, scheduled posts. I’ve been doing that for over 5 years and I think I need a break.

It’s been fun, kids.

I Suck at Life

 Social Butterfly   

I suck at life today. But last night, I didn’t. Read more at the lamp blog.

MNF + Lamp = Ouch

 Social Butterfly   

Did you know that Winston’s in OB is a Washington Redskins fan bar? Me neither. But since it is, we went there to watch football and debauchery ensued. Because, really, when is it a good idea to go to Lamp after you’ve already been drinking? Oi. But yeah, I was so awesome that I did a Courtney and actually flamed out singing “Doll Parts”. One of my finer moments to be sure.

Sigh. It’s gonna be a loooooooonnnnnnnnnnggggggg day.

Sights and Sounds at SDMA

 Social Butterfly   

Last night, I headed out to the KBZT sponsored Sights+Sounds at SDMA. I’m very supportive of any efforts to get a younger crowd enjoying the museum because I would love to have some company (besides the ton of blue hairs) during member only events. Pre-sale tickets were slow, but the event ended up selling out which is awesome.

There was a hosted bar - free beer and Absolut Currant or Pear samples. I made friends with one of the bartenders early (read:tipped him well) and I was pretty much as sauced as anyone needs to be on a Saturday night. Midori was there (lookiing lovely in a really nicely patterned dress) and I played museum docent and showed her my favorite corner of the museum. I also met some nice people just mingling in the crowd and got to catch up with some people I hadn’t seen in awhile (BSC Tony! what a blast from the past).

At around 9.30, they moved us out of the rotunda into the sculpture garden. It was nice out there and they had some food samples for us. That could have been better - I’ve been to museum events where the catering is much more chi-chi. At around 10, the opened up the auditorium and out came Starline Theorie. Kinda weird and out of context for me as the only time I have been in that auditorium is for art lectures. I only stayed for a bit after they started (I don’t do so well at these chill shows as we all know), but the crowd was into it and that is what matters.

I’m glad the event turned out well because that just means another one of these KBZT/SDMA collaborations will happen again soon.

A Fun Filled Night

 Rawk Shows    Social Butterfly   

I had a fun filled night...one of the best in awhile. I had dinner with my friend from TX and then headed to Canes to check out Blitzen Trapper and Illinois. I was glad to see Dialed In Rosey because I knew she was debating going to both shows (like I did for a brief moment.) Much socializing during Blizten Trapper, including Rosey introducing me to Chris from Illinois. Carri joined us in the midst of all this and we were all set for checking out the glory that is Illinois. They were great. I’m sure Rosey will post some pix later, but all you really need to know is that their live show is not to be missed. Chris is a great frontman and kept us all engaged for their entire set. (Nice skivvies, dude.)

After Illinois, we all headed out so we could get to the Beauty Bar for Great Northern. I had to make a side trip to pick someone else up, so when we got there, Great Northern was already playing. It was packed out there. So cool. Great Northern gave a great performance. (And I’m not just saying that.) Solon and Rachel were captivating and their bassist, Ashley, was the talk of the crowd after the set. Rachel also mentioned that they really enjoyed being on the radio. She raved about Halloran but I’m not sure if she was being sarcastic or not. I did get to meet Rachel after the show and she was super sweet. But I was totally in the way because people wanted merch (yay!) so I melted back into the crowd and grooved a bit to the music (House of Jealous Lovers!!!) before we headed out to the Ken Club to wind down for the night.

All in all, a great night for many reasons. Stay tuned for more on Great Northern. They’re generating a buzz that is very reminscent of the SSPU vibe from last summer.

Hang With Me This Weekend

 Rawk Shows    Social Butterfly   

This is gonna be a stellar weekend for shows.

Tomorrow, I will be hitting as much of the Hold Steady and Illinois show as I can before heading to see Great Northern at The Beauty Bar. The winner of my contest submitted this as a “Great Northern” cocktail:

One cup hot chocolate or coffee
1/2 ounce peppermint schnapps
1/2 ounce Jamison
Whipped Cream and Sprinkles to taste

I think I would put way more of the liquor in this recipe, but that’s just me.....it was fun to come up with a contest and I’m sure there will be more of those in the future.

Saturday, you have to head out to the Tower Bar and check out Fifty on their Heels who are celebrating the release of their single “I Am The Riot” and “Holliday”. The artwork was done by none other than their bassist, Nicky Shingles.

I happen to LOVE “Holliday”. This is a great song and super radio friendly. I go to the FOTH shows just to hear this song. Seriously, it is that good.

So, yeah...if you come to one of these shows and see me, come say hi so we can have a drink together. Cheers!

Out of Hiding

 Rawk Shows    Social Butterfly   

I was feeling anti-social this week. Dunno how that happened. In any case, I dragged myself out to my alma mater last night for a Cat Dirt Presents show and was not disappointed. I only caught the New Motherf***kers and Fifty on Their Heels, but they were both on their game and put on a good show. Though it is seriously the kiss of death commercially to have f*** in your band name. But whatevs. When I was talking to Cat Dirt, I called the Che “a dump” which it is, but I didn’t mean it to sound so harsh. I just have always found it funny to have a “collective” on the campus of a UC school that is part of the “system” and never has really made any impact on the school socially or politically. But I could be wrong, I left UCSD in 1994, so that was a long time ago. As far as a music venue is concerned, the Che is not a dump. It’s intimate, it sounds good and is perfect for your motivated DIY indie band to get some playing time in.

Speaking of being part of the system, I’ll be at HOB tonight to see BRMC. Then I’m driving to the OC as I have to be there for work until Thursday and didn’t want to have to get up at the a$$ crack of dawn to get there on time tomorrow. I’ll try not to be a wallflower while I am there, but we’ll see.