After thumbing thru the annals of SLO music history, I couldn't find a week that came remotely close to the one that is upon us. This week we will have 4 consecutive shows in downtown San Luis Obispo with artists who have had tremendous impact not only in their respective genres, but on American pop culture as well. First off we have the mastermind behind 70's hitmaking machine Fleetwood Mac, one of Rolling Stone Magazine's "Top 100 Guitarists of All Time" and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM for a special intimate performance May 8 at the Fremont Theater. Then at SLO Brew on May 9 we have country rock stalwart SHOOTER JENNINGS, son of Waylon, engaged to Drea De Matteo of the Sopranos fame, and the only real country dude to actually play on the Warped Tour. Extreme sports soundtracks would not be the same without 90's punk staples PENNYWISE, the band ushered in the Surf/Beach community to the scene with wildly successful results. They play SLO Brew on May 10 with punk pranksters GUTTERMOUTH. Last and certainly not least, we have the undisputed hip hop heavyweight champion of the world SNOOP DOGG returning to the brew on May 11. Fresh off total dominance of the desert couple weeks back at Coachella, Snoop had so much fun his last SLO Brew underplay that he vowed to come back.

Not to be outdone by all the heavy hitters this week, we have a special $5 All Ages show at our fav new spot Kreuzberg on May 11 with locals The Mighty Fine & Sad Dads. Also on the bill is one of our new favorite bands FRENCH EXIT (think the first two Weezer albums with Chuck Ragan's melodic younger brother x 3 yelping and Helmet's Paige Hamilton crunching on lead guitar)

Fine stuff SLO Town. Thank you for letting us make all of this happen.

There is something inherently appealing about dive bars. Maybe it's the slice of life realism of the patrons made up of working class clock-punchers, just released sketchy riff raff, rugged individualists, inebriated bar-stool lifers, & colorful senior locals spinning tales of glories past...maybe it's the dimly lit one cell room with delapitated decor, wobbly pool tables, 1000 proof drinks and outdated jukeboxes...maybe it's the potential for unsupervised anything goes shenanigans. Even though I am the cheapest of dates (with an alcohol tolerance that would make a frat boy crack a predatory smile) it's not the firebomb liquid that is dished out at these establishments that continues to lure me in. In fact, it's a combination of all of the above, with reality being the driving force. This is where you find real people with real stories living real lives. You can't find this sort of realism in the secluded college bubble town or the velvet roped dress code enforced high end discos. Call me crazy but I would much rather share stories and a cold one with a three tour Vietnam vet prisoner of war with Merle Haggard twangin thru a crackled speaker, than spend an evening dodging cologne soaked douches bouncing to brostep at insert club here. Well apparently I am not alone cause the best dive bar in the land Billy O's in Ventura has become THE go to spot for fringe music lovers in the 805. The room's divey aesthetics and DIY charm have made it a virtual must stop for many a touring band. TSOL, The Spits, Dr Know, Davilla 666, Angry Samoans, etc...have done legendary shows here already. The upcoming calendar is equally impressive with PRONG 3/25, THE MENZINGERS 4/3, KYLE GASS 4/5, ILL REPUTE, THE FUCKING WRATH, STOP BREATHING 4/7, Swedish grindcore pioneers NASUM, and the quintessential punk dive bar band SUPERSUCKERS 6/3. So explore outside your comfort zone and bend some goddamn rules already. Come down, get real.

Much love and gratitude for all of you that helped make this
year one of our most funnest ever. Here is a list of our top 20
favorite shows of 2011

20. El Ten Eleven Jan 19 Muddy Waters
19. Mac Miller Jan 15 SLO Brew
18. French Exit, Russ Rankin, Bad Cop Bad Cop Nov 5
Muddy Waters
17. Dead To Me, Flatliners March 25 Oakland Metro
16. Fitz & The Tantrums April 1 Velvet Jones
15. Ryan Bingham Feb 8 SLO Brew
14. High On Fire Sept 11 SLO Brew
13. Aesop Rock, Kimya Dawson, Rob Sonic June 15 SLO
Brew
12. Ceremony Nov 13 Zoey’s
11. Jimmy Eat World Sept 24 the Catalyst
10. Deer Tick Nov 3 Velvet Jones
9. Lucero Feb 5 SLO brew
8. Band of Skulls June 4 Velvet Jones
7. Youth of Today June 7 Oakland Metro
6. Atari Teenage Riot Sept 7 SLO Brew
5. Forgetters Feb 6 Velvet Jones
4. Fury 66 reunion Sept 10 the catalyst
3. Rob Zombie May 25 Ventura Theater
2. The Missing 23RD reunion, Strike Anywhere, Glass and
Ashes, The Fucking Wrath June 18 Zoeys
1. Snoop Dogg & Tha Dogg Pound Aug 9 SLO Brew

The New Noise Music Conference & Festival takes over downtown Santa Barbara this week Nov 3 thru 6. If you have not experienced the full on sensory assault of this event than now is the time. Now in it's 3rd year the fest features a shit ton of stellar shows all over SB, educational music biz classes from industry professionals, community building projects, roof top parties and too much stuff to list. It's like a mini South By Southwest right here in the 805. Even yours truly will be on the Live Music/Touring panel on Nov 5 at the Canary Hotel along with Warped Tour founder Kevin Lyman and Nederlander Don Moss Jacobs. For tickets and info go to newnoisesb.com. And as if all that wasn't enough to move ya all, the proceeds from the festival will be donated to the re-opening of The Living Room, the beloved all ages diy non-profit club that defined the 805 music scene years ago.