Music Scene 2.10

By Bart Mendoza

There are few San Diego-connected musicians as influential on a worldwide level as the members of The Nashville Ramblers, who appear in a reunion homecoming show at The Tower Bar on Feb. 5, 9 p.m. Led by Carl Rusk (guitar), with Ron Silva (drums) and Tom Ward (bass), the three have spent time in numerous other groups with heavy acclaim, including The Crawdaddys, Mystery Machine and Gravedigger V. However, it’s with the Nashville Ramblers, a local mainstay during the mid-80s, that their love of ’60s music best coalesced, taking in elements of Merseybeat, rock ‘n’ roll, garage and rhythm and blues. Silva also returns to the Tower Bar on Feb. 19, alongside another well-known former San Diegan, keyboardist Nicolas Rossi, and their current R&B combo, Bay Area-based Ron Silva & The Monarchs.
The Nashville Ramblers: Friday, Feb. 5, The Tower Bar, 4757 University Ave. 9 p.m. 21 and up. $5. myspace.com/thenashvilleramblers.

80s vintage Goth rockers Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel, who appear at Bar Pink on Feb. 10, 10 p.m., may have split into two competing camps with nearly identical names, but the one appearing on this night is the one to see. In addition to its now namesake frontman, the group includes two original era members, bassist Pete Rizzo and guitarist James Stevenson. The latter makes this gig particularly exciting, as he’s also a former member of legendary 70s punk bands Chelsea and Generation X. The band has recently released new music, but expect this show to be heavy on the hits, from “Desire” to “Jealous.”
Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel: Wednesday, Feb. 10. Bar Pink, 3829 30th St. 10 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. genelovesjezebel.co.uk.

It’s true that there is a seeming over-abundance of acoustic performers at the moment, but there are still many that, given the right circumstances, have what it takes to make it to the next level. Such is the case with Lindsay White, who appears at The Radio Room on Feb. 11, 10 p.m. A singer-songwriter with an adventurous side, White’s love of her craft extends to recording techniques, her Myspace page filled with everything from primitive wire recordings to full studio productions. However, it’s Lindsay’s sense of song-craft that draws the attention, with songs that like the best of a key influence, Bob Dylan, tell a story with a deft melodic hook.
Lindsay White: Thursday, Feb. 11, at the Radio Room, 3519 El Cajon Blvd. 10 p.m. 21 and up. TBD. myspace.com/lindsayannwhite.

Jack Tempchin, who appears at AMSD Concerts on Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m., may not be quite a household name outside of San Diego, but it would be a rare household that didn’t have at least some of his music. One of the most successful songwriters ever, he’s penned such classics as “Peaceful Easy Feeling” (The Eagles), “Slow Dancing” (Johnny Rivers), “You Belong To The City” (Glen Frey) and the theme to the TV drama, “Seventh Heaven,” to cite just a few. Currently touring behind his seventh album, “Songs,” Tempchin continues to be the barometer that all other aspiring tunesmiths should measure against.
Jack Tempchin: Saturday, Feb. 20, at AMSD Concerts, 4650 Mansfield St. 7: 30 p.m. All Ages. $20-$45. acousticmusicsandiego.com.

Though billed as a primarily Americana and roots with rock overtones, that description seriously sell’s Portland’s Kasey Anderson short. He appears at Lestats on Feb. 21, 9 p.m. Anderson’s acoustic material is as folky sincere, down to it’s Dylan-esque touches, and it’s his rockers that really make a connection. Coming across like a mix of vintage Marshall Crenshaw and The Plimsouls, the touch of powerpop melody added to his heartland rock songs, such as “Sooner/Later,” make them sound like lost classics.
Kasey Anderson: Sunday, February 21 at Lestats, 3343 Adams Ave. 9: 30 p.m. All Ages. Cover TBD. myspace.com/kaseyanderson.