As the holiday season approaches with its anticipated family gatherings and excessive shopping, the action at concert halls slows down a bit. However, any slack in their pace will be picked up by the smaller venues. Whether it’s finding a place to meet up with old friends, holding a special party or just taking in a show, there is no shortage of options in downtown San Diego’s exploding club scene.
Fronted by singer-songwriter Steve Poltz, The Rugburns made a major splash with their turntable hit, “Hitchhiker Joe,” during the mid-1990s, as well as releasing several albums during their original run. Poltz has long since gone solo, but occasionally reconvenes the trio for a run through the back catalog and tries out the occasional new tune from time to time. The band will perform at The Casbah on Saturday, Nov. 11, as part of an excellent bill that includes indie rockers A.M. Vibe and Rookie Card and a bonus solo set from Poltz. Anyone who followed the local music scene during the ’90s knows that The Rugburns manic shows are not to be missed.
Cindy Lee Berryhill’s eclectic sound is hard to pin down. It mixes country and folk elements, as well as touches of pop and rock. At times, it’s quirky but always melodic and fun. Berryhill first caught the eye of the general public during her stint with Rhino Records in the mid-eighties, scoring a minor hit with the tune and video for the song “Damn, I Wish I Was A Man.” In the ’90s she made a pair of albums “” “Garage Orchestra” and “Straight Outta Marysville” “” for Cargo Records. Little has been released by Berryhill in the interim with the exception of a live album.
Fortunately for fans it appears the drought will soon be over. On Nov. 11, Berryhill makes an appearance at Dizzy’s in preparation for the release of a new album next year. She will be joined by an all-star group that includes percussionist Randy Hoffman, bassist Marcia Claire (Citizen Band) and guitarist Jeff Berkeley (Berkeley Hart) to debut material from her forthcoming album, “Beloved Stranger,” in addition to music from her five albums and the occasional Ramones cover.
Despite more than two decades on the cutting edge of music Berryhill has never quite received her due, but the forthcoming album, “Beloved Stranger,” could change all that. While the disc will likely include less topical fare, her current single, “When Did Jesus (Become A Republican)?,” has become a minor hit based on its political message. The result has exposed Berryhill’s music to a much different audience, one other than the usual pop-oriented fans.
Never delivering less than a boisterous, good time, Skelpin has earned a reputation for great Irish music and flashy showmanship. Led by fiery fiddle player Patric Petrie, the band is also known for performing unusual gigs, including a 2005 stint as an attraction at Disneyland Tokyo. On Nov. 11, the group will perform a bit closer to home, aboard the sailing ship Star of India. The show will be part of the historic vessels’ Annual Sail festivities. Incidentally, the Star of India will be joined on the short voyage by The HMS Surprise, which was in the Russell Crowe film “Master & Commander.” This is particularly fitting as Skelpin’s pipe player, Tim Foley, was also in the movie during a brief scene.
Music icon Neil Young will have a tribute show in his honor at Dizzy’s on Sunday, Nov. 12. Organized by Peter Bolland, frontman for country-rock group The Coyote Problem, the show will feature a host of local talent, with each tackling three of Young’s tunes. With a catalog of songs that includes material from Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, as well as Young’s solo work, the possibilities are endless. On hand for the event will be Gregory Page, Peggy Watson, Sven-Erik Seaholm, Lisa Sanders, Joe Rathburn, Shawn Rohlf, Christopher Dale, Cathryn Beeks, Matt Silvia, The Mark Jackson Band, The Coyote Problem and Berkley Hart.
And finally, although few take the music career of Kevin Federline seriously, there can be little doubt that due to media overexposure, at the moment, he is likely one of the most recognizable people on the planet. The butt of a million late-night jokes and best known to date as Mr. Britney Spears, Federline will make an appearance at 4th & B on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The show is likely to draw mostly paparazzi and curiosity seekers (many wondering if Britney will be backstage); but for anyone who follows the celebrity gossip, attendance at the show may be excused as a guilty pleasure.