North Park Music Scene 1.2011
Taylor Locke
By Bart Mendoza
Rooney’s lead guitarist Taylor Locke and his new side project band, The Roughs, continue his tradition of great rock with pop overtones, adding even more melody into the mix. Currently touring behind thier excellent album, “Grain and Grape,” the band, who perform at the Soda Bar on Jan. 17 (9 p.m.), moves effortlessly between classic rock-tinged material such as “Jennifer” and hook-filled melancholy tunes like “What Have I Done.” If you’re a fan of music in the tradition of Badfinger, Jellyfish and Red Kross, you’ll want to see this group.
Taylor Locke and the Roughs: Monday, Jan. 17, at The Soda Bar, 3615 El Cajon Blvd. 9 p.m. 21 and up. $7. sodabarmusic.com.
David J
Only a few lucky musicians get to have a shot at the charts, but even fewer get three, as is the case with British bassist David J (Bauhaus), a North County resident. He was a member of two influential groups during the 1980s, Bauhaus and Love & Rockets and is now an acclaimed solo artist and DJ. On Jan. 22 (10 p.m.), Bar Pink hosts a record release party and signing for his latest single, “Tidal Wave of Blood,” released in anticipation of his upcoming album, “Not Long For This World.”
David J: Thursday, Saturday, Jan. 22, Bar Pink, 3829 30th St. 10 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. davidjonline.com.
Buskers
One of San Diego’s best Americana-based groups, Shawn Rohlf and the Buskers, who appear at Eleven on Jan. 21, (9 p.m.) never fail to deliver a rollicking good time. The quartet’s instrumentation takes in all the basics of the genre, from acoustic guitars to standup bass, but adds a light rock edge, leaning into Bakersfield honky tonk. Their new album, “Tiny X’s,” even includes covers of tunes by Prince and the Dead Milkmen, recast as country-tinged gems, but anyone who like classic country or roots music will enjoy a set from the Buskers.
Shawn Rohlf and the Buskers: Friday Jan. 21, at Eleven, 3519 El Cajon Blvd. 9 p.m. 21 and up. $6. elevensandiego.com.
It took them three decades, but ’70s punk heroes The Cardiac Kidz have finally released an album. On Jan. 29 (9 p.m.), the recently reunited band plays a CD release show for their new CD, “Meet With Me: Live at Lestat’s West.” Recorded appropriately enough at Lestat’s West by the club’s manager/sound engineer Louis Brazier, the album is a warts and all representation of the band’s high energy live show. Opening the night will be New York-based political folk duo, The Last Internationale, making this one of the edgier shows on Lestat’s calendar this month.
The Cardiac Kidz: Saturday, Jan. 29 at Lestats, 3343 Adams Ave. 9 p.m. All ages. Cover TBD. lestats.com.
ellis paul
Boston based singer-songwriter Ellis Paul will be performing two shows Jan. 22 at AMSDConcerts. The 5 p.m. show will find him in full storyteller mode with a family show based around his award-winning children’s album, “Dragonfly Races.” Admission for this special early event is only $5 for those under 12 and $10 for those over. Paul returns to his regular set for the evening performance, with material culled from his 16 albums to date.
Ellis Paul: Saturday, Jan. 22, at Acoustic Music San Diego, 4650 Mansfield St. 5 p.m. & 7: 30 p.m. All ages. $20-$45. amsdconcerts.com.
