Here's where I'd be

These are bands we especially dig, not
full listings. For those, please see
Concerts and Clubs.

Wednesday, March 19

PLAN A: Bon Iver, Phosphorescent, Paddle Boat @ Che Café. Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon channels TV on the Radio playing acoustic folk songs by The Band, and his new album is so good that it almost made me pee my pants. PLAN B: Portugal. The Man @ SOMA. I thought it was a joke when I heard that Portugal hail from Wasilla, Alaska, and play a hybrid of glam, soul, prog and indie. It’s not a joke. PLAN C: Audrye Sessions, Birdmonster, Aubrey Debauchery @ U-31. Audrye Sessions’ piano ballads conjure a maudlin Radiomuseplay, and they don’t sound very rowdy, so you won’t have to worry about spilling drinks on your new Diesel jeans. BACKUP PLAN: ELEV8 (Dubstep) @ Kava Lounge.

Thursday, March 20

PLAN A: Kool Keith @ The Casbah. The “Halfsharkalligatorhalfman” who was “born on Jupiter” is also blessed with an extraterrestrial flow and alien beats that will blow your feeble Earthling mind. PLAN B: Rafter, The Lisps, These United States @ Epicentre. Normally, I’d wish a slow, painful death on anybody who writes advertising jingles, but Rafter is a musical genius, so I’ll let him slide. PLAN C: RTX @ Bar Pink Elephant. Former Royal Trux frontwoman Jennifer Herrema is off her sleazy Stones fixation, but she seems to have a renewed interest in Alice Cooper. Goodbye, heroin; hello, cocaine! BACKUP PLAN: Lady Dottie & The Diamonds @ Winston’s.

Friday, March 21

PLAN A: DJ Z-Trip @ ’Canes. You might be sick of the mash-up craze, but Z-Trip is one of the originators, and he’s absolutely guaranteed to have your ass shaking all night. PLAN B: Red Feathers CD-release, Paddle Boat @ Whistle Stop. Red Feathers recall Hunky Dory-era Bowie as much as Love circa ’65, so do yourself a favor and buy their new EP at this free show. PLAN C: Built to Spill @ Belly Up. It’s already sold out, but if you hang out front and offer Doug Martsch an Albertsons stir-fry dinner, they might let you in. BACKUP PLAN: Tiltwheel @ Ken Club.

Saturday, March 22

PLAN A: Entrance, Astra, Joshua Emery Blatchley @ Che Café. Guy from Entrance will probably be stoned out of his mind, but he’ll still manage to blow yours with some electric, black-magic-blues jams. PLAN B: The Presidents of the United States of America @ Belly Up. Check out our feature on lumpy peaches (and PUSA) here. PLAN C: Billy Midnight, Trophy Wife @ Ken Club. I’ve been listening to The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers quite a bit recently. Apparently, Billy Midnight has been, too. It’s like they’re reading my mind or something. BACKUP PLAN: The Silent Comedy, Or the Whale, Silverbird @ The Casbah.

Sunday, March 23

PLAN A: Film School @ Beauty Bar. These guys would make a perfect woozy soundtrack for the experimental films of Kenneth Anger or Stan Brakhage. I wonder if they actually went to film school. Huh. PLAN B: The Rippers, The Sess, Tony the Tyger @ Tower Bar. In a rare San Diego appearance, The Rippers play, um, ripping garage rock from Italy. In a common San Diego appearance, The Sess play ripping garage rock from San Diego. PLAN C: Steve Earle, Alison Moorer @ Belly Up. Another sold-out show at the Belly Up, but you might be able to get in if Steve catches you burning an American flag out front. BACKUP PLAN: DJ Ruby Mars @ Live Wire.

Monday, March 24

PLAN A: Saul Williams, Dragons of Zynth @ The Casbah. Saul Williams is awesome. Here’s proof: I once saw him open for My Morning Jacket, and his new album is called The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of Niggy Tardust. See, like I said, awesome! PLAN B: Bob Mould, Saturna, Reeve Oliver @ Belly Up. Bob Mould wrote “Celebrated Summer,” “Ice Cold Ice” and the theme music for The Daily Show. Enough said. PLAN C: José González, Mia Doi Todd @ San Diego Women’s Club. This mellow, folky show will make you sleepy, wistful, happy or maybe even all three at once. My advice—bring someone to hug (and see our feature on José here]. BACKUP PLAN: Ace Frehley @ House of Blues.

Tuesday, March 25

PLAN A: Steve Poltz @ The Casbah. San Diego’s most beloved ex-Jewel-dating, former-Rugburns-fronting singer/songwriter plays San Diego’s most beloved small venue. PLAN B: DJs Mario Orduno & Brandon Welchez @ Starlite. These two dudes make up a significant portion of local DJ crew Skull Kontrol, and apparently they really don’t like electro. Thank God. BACKUP PLANS: Bob Schneider @ Belly Up and Let’s Go Sailing @ Beauty Bar.