The Peninsula area boasts a host of musical entertainment from blues to rock, but until recently, hip-hop lovers have had slim pickings. Now, thanks to the efforts of James Deans, a.k.a. Destructo Bunny, a hip-hop performer in his own right, the genre has found a home at Gallagher’s pub each first and third Wednesday of the month. The next event takes place Wednesday, June 17. The shows began in February. “It’s something that I really felt there was a need for,” Deans said. “There is so much talent in this town. I see it every time I play out. I figured by giving this music a home we could help it grow.” Dean said he sees Ocean Beach as an obvious choice for his music night. “Everyone at Gallagher’s has been great, but this area is known for being supportive of music and the arts,” said Deans. “People here appreciate talent and heart.” Deans, who has been freestyle rapping for 15 years, performs a short set at each show, with the spotlight June 17 focused on artists from Oceanside-based Giant Squid Records. On hand will be the bulk of the label’s roster, including Change, Left ’n’ Company, Future Friends and R2. Each evening’s shows open and close with open mic segments surrounding sets by better-known performers. “There are so many artists that would like to perform that it’s impossible to see them all live before a show,” Deans said. “This way, each evening is a mix of the established and the up-and-coming.” He called the open mic segments as among his favorites. “You never know exactly what you’re going to get, but that’s the magic of it,” Deans said. “If you have the guts to get onstage and on the mic, you have the ability to either embarrass yourself or impress the crowd.” While Deans does not censor performers, he does invoke his right to curtail a song if it’s too over the top. “It’s not something that would happen often, but if someone is being ignorant, disrespectful or a little crazy, I’ll definitely take the mic back.” Deans acknowledges that hip-hop has been given a negative connotation in the press. “I think that’s just wrong,” Deans said. “Rap in particular has had problems, but hip-hop is a culture. Rap is just a part of it. It’s unfortunate, but violence is in everything. Ignorance is in everything. Here at Gallagher’s, it’s just a really good vibe with people who love the music.” While the night has proven successful in its initial few months, Deans has plans to shift his approach already. “I’m developing this into a more organic jam session,” Deans said. To this end, he’s incorporating live musicians into each show beginning in July. “Having live musicians takes everything to the next level,” he said. “You could go straight live with beats or even just have the musicians augment pre-recorded tracks. Either way, you get something that’s organic and of the moment. It can be magic.” As a musician himself, Deans admits promoting local music can be tough, but he feels it’s worth it to keep a scene going and expose new talent. “Oh, yeah, putting together these shows can be a lot of stress,” he said. “I sometimes ask, ‘Why do you do this to yourself?’ But it’s important to me to support something I believe in, and so far things have been great.” Though he’s only a few months into what he hopes is a long run of shows, Deans already considers his hip-hop night a success. “Of course, the ultimate meter for that is that the bar owner is happy,” Deans said. “But for me, personally, success is the reaction I get from people that attend the shows. I can tell if someone is touched by the music or the words or just intermingling. I can tell when they’re smiling.” Hip-Hop Nights takes place at Gallagher’s pub, 5046 Newport Ave., on Wednesday, June 17 at 9 p.m. There is no cover charge. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/gallagherspubob.