One of the area’s biggest events, Pacific BeachFest, takes place on Oct. 5. While there will be plenty of activities, including a 5K run, volleyball tournament, and a fish taco contest, the big draw is the music, with a wide range of artists on offer, including Electric Mud, The Routine, Casey Turner and more. All are well worth seeing, but the nod here goes to rock quartet Electric Mud. Fresh off a well-received set at KAABOO, the band is hoping to repeat their 2019 SDMA “Best Rock Album” win with a new album in early 2020.
Pacific Beach Fest: Saturday, Oct. 5 at Pacific Beachfest, Crystal Pier. 11 a.m. All ages. No cover. pacificbeachfest.org.
Legendary rock musician Jim Messina stops in for two shows at Humphrey’s Backstage Live on Oct. 5. Now performing solo, with band, Messina has been a part of major combos since the early 1960s. First, as a member of surf band The Jesters, then as a member of folk-rock group Buffalo Springfield, a founding member of the country-rock group Poco, and in the 1970s as half of the duo Loggins and Messina. Attendees can expect hits from throughout Messina’s career, particularly the latter, but whatever material he chooses, fans will be thrilled to hear classic tunes such as “House On Pooh Corner” from a true music icon.
Jim Messina: Saturday, Oct. 5, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. $39-$104. humphreysbackstagelive.com. Australian punk rock band The Living End perform at Brick by Brick on Oct. 6. Formed in 1994, though the band has yet to breakthrough in a major way stateside, at home they are a multi-platinum selling concern, with a string of Top 40 singles that started with 1997’s “Second Solution.” Consisting of original members Chris Cheney (vocals, guitar), Scott Owen (double bass, vocals) alongside Andy Strachan (drums), The Living End will appeal to fans of Green Day and Blink 182, but anyone who enjoys their rock ‘n’ roll loud and with plenty of youthful energy, will enjoy this trio.
The Living End: Sunday, Oct. 6 at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 8 p.m. 21 and up. $25. brickbybrick.com. Jazz saxophonist Paul Combs will perform a special “CD Celebration Concert” at Dizzy’s on Oct. 11. The night’s program will celebrate the release of Combs album, “Unknown Dameron – Rare and Never Recorded Works of Tadd Dameron.” Backing Combs on a selection of pianist Dameron’s music will be an all-star jazz combo featuring Derek Cannon (trumpet), Kamau Kenyatta (piano), Rob Thorsen (bass) and Richard Sellers (drums). Combs has recorded with numerous artists including rockabilly hero Sleepy LaBeef and blues guitarist Robert Lockwood Jr., but this new collection of tunes is special, bringing a spotlight on the music of an underrated artist
Paul Combs: Friday, Oct. 11, at Dizzy’s at Arias Hall, 1717 Morena Blvd. 8 p.m. $20. dizzysjazz.com. Ska seems to be making a strong revival in recent months and one of the bands at the helm locally is 3rd Project. Specializing in the second wave ska of the 1980s, 3rd Project plays favorites, such as The Specials “Ghost Town” and Bad Manners “Lip Up Fatty,” alongside less obvious choices such as “Man In A Suitcase,” by The Police. With a setlist full of uptempo rocksteady tunes that will also appeal to reggae and rock fans, 3rd Project should have the dance floor filled from the first note.
3rd Project: Saturday, Oct. 12 at Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 8 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. tioleos.com. Fans of progressive and experimental rock will want to check out Sluka, performing at the 710 Beach Club on Oct. 15. Based on the music of multi-instrumentalist Christopher Sluka, the quartet will perform songs from his vast discography, which includes 11 albums to date, though the spotlight here will be on tracks from his latest album, “Ready to Connect.” Sluka’s music is impossible to pigeonhole, with songs such as “Number One” mixing elements of world music, pop, blues and beyond, melded into a seamless rock blend that will appeal to fans of Bowie, late-era Beatles or adventurous music in general.
Sluka: Tuesday, Oct. 15, at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 9 p.m. 21 and up. No cover. 710bc.com.