Its been a while since these guys came around. Unlike most bands/artists they make it a point to always make it through when they tour. Their latest album, Beacons of Ancestorship, has not made its oblique meaning clear to me yet but it makes good noise. Known for their hard-to-categorize blend of progressive rock, jazz and electronic influences the new record offers more of the conceptual richness fans stick around for.

Arriving during Das Boton’s opening set, the scene at the casbah was not the hot, crowded affair which is inevitable at a sold-out show.
Tortoise showed up with their usual stage set up; guitar, two drum kits, bass, synths, midi marimba and vibraphone. They all switch instruments as they ran through their catalog in the usual impressive, precise fashion. This is about the fourth time I have seen them and they are always so fun to watch!

Finally. We made it. This place has been on the radar for quite some time. I am reluctant to let this cat out of the bag but here goes. This is a jewel in San Diego’s culinary crown. This is the type of place that inspired this blog to form in the first place. The food is not bad. Add in the view, prices and service and there’s no room to complain. So don’t.

The burger and fries is a solid choice. Turkey and grilled cheese sandwiches are in effect. Fresh soup of the day will set you back $2.50. I have personally not had the pleasure of feasting on their breakfast menu but  gospel has approved the menu fit for consumption. An 8oz draught will set you back…wait for it…..$2.

If you can find it, go. Now.

*Update*
I have dipped into the breakfast menu.  I had the gravy-covered chicken fried steak (which btw is not chicken!!), eggs (over easy), O’Brien potatoes and wheat toast. It was as good as it sounds. I didn’t eat for the rest of the day, but it was good.

Limited to 100 copies
Hand stamped and numbered
Silk screened covers by Good News Ink.

Honeydew Melancholy by rudypalos

Yes, They are still together. Yes, They still play live. Yes, they look/are old. Yes, they still fucking rock. A wise man once told me something to the effect that age  has no bearing on the ability to rock the fuck out (i.e. Nick Cave, Neil Young). We were shown exactly what he meant by that on this night by the All Powerful Sonic Youth.

Selections were mostly from their brilliant, most recent record The Eternal (Check the setlist below). They also played several selections from Daydream Nation which just happens to be my hands down favorite album of theirs. The Sprawl, Cross the Breeze, Hey Joni. They did not play Teenage Riot so I was not able to die happily on this night.

A wonderful show accompanied by a special old friend and we even ran into another special old friend. Great show, good night.

Setlist:
No Way
Sacred Trickster
Calming the Snake
Hey Joni
Anti-Orgasm
Poison Arrow
Walkin Blue
Stereo Sanctity
Malibu Gas Station
Antenna
Leaky Lifeboat
What We Know
Massage the History
-Encore -
The Sprawl
‘Cross the Breeze

Here we go again with the new spots. And what a delightful new spot it is too. Open until midnight, Counterpoint is a pleasant addition to the Golden Hill Culinary scene. They just opened so stay tuned for website and menu links.

Admittedly, I do not own any of these guys’ music. However, that’s not of much consequence since this band is all about their energetic live show anyway. And what a show this was. Besides the fact that I was lucky enough to roll with a fun (and attractive) group of friends this annual holiday show had all the stops pulled. Stage guests included Charlie Tuna, Cut Chemist, Martha Gonzalez (Quetzal), Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, et al. Major energy. Expensive-ass drinks.

Welcome back, indeed. Psychedelic hometown heroes, Tristeza made a triumphant return on this Saturday night. Drew Andrews and Kill me Tomorrow opened the gig on this wonderful rainy evening in San Diego. My crew was out in fullest force. What!?!?

The current lineup ran through what seemed like a quick set culled almost exclusively from their new record, Fate Unfolds. To me this record sounded considerably more upbeat than previous works. Heavier latin rhythms combined with the deep, deep bass grooves and the intertwining guitar lines we have come to know so well. If there were any questions whether these guys could get down, rest assured folks these cats stay on it.

This review breaks our unintended soft opening streak. We just learned about this place on my way to the homies crib. Apparently it’s been open for over a year.

The menu is minimal, just like my personal aesthetic. The venue is small and stylish. Which basically means good luck finding a seat. The burgers are not too big, not too small and very, very tasty. I had the turkey burger. One of the best I’ve ever had at any restaurant in town. ADAMNT had the same and added an order of onion rings. It’s not the most reasonably priced burger in town. But I can say they make up for it with their service which is not unlike the food; not too much, not too little. Catch a show at The Ken, hit these guys up and then come see us at the Ken Club. Add whiskey and stir.

This was the best Cafe Tacuba show I have ever seen. And I’ve seen these guys play a lot. This was also the second show I’ve been to this year where the crowd was as loud or louder than the lead singer. Veinte Años. Twenty years. That’s what these guys were celebrating this time through. They did so by playing deep album cuts from all of their records.

They opened up with their hardest shit. The industrial-ish El Borrego, punk shit, ska shit. Before I knew it I was on the edge of a huge moshpit trying to remember the last time I was on the edge of  a huge moshpit. This show was off the fucking hook. So much energy, such a cool vibe. Great band, old songs. New songs too. fast ones, slow ones, hard ones, ambient interludes; It was going down. Gracias y suerte para otros veinte!