As the year winds down and we approach the holiday season, San Diego’s music scene offers locals and tourists alike an incredible array of venues in which to do their celebrating.
Whether the soundtrack to your life requires some blues, rock, jazz or any other, you’ll find plenty being offered at Downtown’s nightspots.
HEAVY TRASH NOV. 9
Blues-rock fans won’t want to miss the San Diego debut of Heavy Trash at The Casbah on Nov. 9. While the band’s name is new, the musicians include old favorites Jon Spencer, of Blues Explosion, and Matt Verta-Ray, most recently seen with Speedball Baby.
As might be expected, blues-rock is the order of the day, and the new combo delivers a wide range of tunes ranging from acoustic workouts to howling R&B rockers bordering on punk.
Spencer performs with the same manic conviction found in his other groups, practically making this show a guaranteed good time for anyone that appreciates roots-tinged music.
AVERAGE WHITE BAND NOV. 14-15
Although the Average White Band has released an impressive 19 albums in their 35-year existence, it’s likely that the average music fan could only name the title track of 1974’s “Pick Up the Pieces” from the band’s catalog. And that’s a shame, because the band has consistently turned out solid dance funk.
The band, which performs at Anthology on Nov. 14-15, still includes frontman Alan Gorrie, though the line-up has turned over several times since their heyday.
Whether you’re interested in a trip down Memory Lane or just want to dance to the music, this show will fit the bill.
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY NOV. 25
The Big Band craze may have died down, but Big Bad Voodoo Daddy doesn’t seem to have slowed down in the slightest. Perennial road dogs, the band brings their latest, “Holiday Show,” to the House of Blues on Nov. 25.
While the band has scored several hits such as “Go Daddy-O” and their cover of “I Wanna Be Like You,” from Disney’s “The Jungle Book,” this evening will feature a host of Christmas and winter classics, all with horn arrangements and dance rhythms.
Swing and jazz aficionados will find much to enjoy at this show, but this show is particularly great for anyone who has jaded ears from hearing the same renditions of these tunes year after year.
The fresh spark Big Bad Voodoo Daddy injects into all their music is exactly what the doctor ordered for anyone with the holiday blues.
JONATHAN BUTLER
NOV. 30
Touring since the age of 7, guitarist Jonathan Butler’s latest road trip brings him to 4th & B on Nov. 30.
A difficult artist to pin down, Butler’s music touches on soul, jazz, pop and the music of his native South Africa.
Touring behind his most recent album, “Brand New Day,” Butler and his trio will perform music from all their releases, but expect the biggest cheer to be for his 1987 Grammy-nominated hit, “Lies.”
WILD CHILD
NOV. 30
’60s rockers don’t come any more iconic than The Doors, and tribute bands don’t come any more authentic than Wild Child, who perform at The House of Blues on Nov. 30.
The next best thing to seeing the band in its prime, the key to their success is frontman Dave Brock, who is the spit and image of the late Jim Morrison.
Ironically, Wild Child has now been playing the Southland for 18 years, almost three times longer than the original’s run.
Even die-hard fans will attest that this band’s aural re-creations of hits such as “Hello I Love You” and “Riders on the Storm” sound so genuine it’s spooky.
THE SWEDISH MODELS NOV. 30
Closing out the month will be a show from hot new local band The Swedish Models, who perform at The Casbah on Nov. 30. Formed from the ashes of rockers Vinyl Radio following their demise earlier this year, the band has already attracted attention with their driving, classic rock-styled material.
While only a few months old, the band is already considered a contender for Best New Artist at next year’s San Diego Music Awards.
This show is the perfect chance to catch a band on the cusp of becoming the next big thing.