San Diego’s own hard rock heroes, P.O.D. have returned with a new single, the aptly titled “This Is For You,” from the album “The Awakening,” set to be released Aug. 21. The band, which crushed it with a performance at Party in the Park outside Petco Park before the Padres game on June 12, has just kicked off a round of touring in advance of the disc that will have them on the road through at least the end of October. Dates are already booked across the U.S. and Canada, but no San Diego release party has been set yet. Safe to say that with P.O.D.’s last five albums all hitting the Top 20 on the charts, anticipation is high for this new disc. For more information, visit www.payableondeath.com. Blues and Americana enthusiasts won’t want to miss harmonica player Billy Watson, appearing at Tio Leo’s on June 19. The description given sounds a bit stodgy, but nothing could be further from the truth. Watson specializes in juke joint sounds, turbo-charged by his incendiary blues harp playing. Deserving of acclaim far beyond San Diego’s borders, Watson has a string of great album releases, all necessary adds to any blues fans collection. But make sure to see him live, where his wit and energy match his musical skills for as how that’s second to none. Billy Watson: Friday, June 19. Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St. 9 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.tioleos.com. From 8 until 11 p.m. on June 20, the 710 Beach Club will be the site of a fundraiser for Bird Rock Elementary School. On hand will be cover bands Rare Form and the Funk Junkies. The latter in particular is perfect for dance floor action, living up to their name with a set list that includes hits from the Commodores, Kool & The Gang and Pharrell. This is a wonderful opportunity for local music fans to do a good deed while dancing to live music at one of the top nightspots in Pacific Beach, only steps from the water. Funk Junkies: Saturday, June 20 at the 710 Beach Club, 710 Garnet Ave. 8 p.m. 21 and up. www.710bc.com. For fans of progressive rock, it doesn’t get any better than Astra, who perform at Brick by Brick on Sunday, June 21. They haven’t released anything since their 2012 opus, “The Black Chord,” but anyone who enjoys the sonic space between Pink Floyd and Yes will love every second of their albums and performances. This is amazing stuff that really does draw favorable comparison with the bands they revere – they didn’t just get the sounds right, they’ve crafted really good music. Hopefully some new tunes will be played from a projected third album, but either way, this promises to be a terrific show from one of the best bands in town. The only thing missing is a Roger Dean stage backdrop. Astra: Sunday June 21, at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 8 p.m. 21 and up. $10. www.brickbybrick.com. One of the hardest-working bands in San Diego, Detroit Underground, performs at Humphrey’s Backstage Live 9 p.m. on June 26. This nine-piece band, fronted by singer Stellita Lindgren, has a phenomenal sound, perfect for their mix of soul and R&B tunes. The key is their mix of horns, keys and vocals, adding dimensions that other smaller combos could only dream of. Lindgren is a seasoned performer who brings out the best in her fellow musicians with a great stage presence. Matched with Humphrey’s ample dance floor and terrific marina views, this could be the week’s best date night bet. Detroit Underground: Friday June 26, at Humphrey’s Backstage Live, 2241 Shelter Island Drive, Shelter Island. 9 p.m. $12. humphreysbackstagelive.com Lots of successful metal bands in San Diego these days, but in the 1980s only one band truly made it out of the club circuit – Ratt. With hits like “Round & Round” and “Lay It Down” they sold millions of albums and toured the world so it’s only natural that there are numerous tribute bands in their honor around the world, including San Diego’s own Rattz, who perform at Brick by Brick on June 27. Though they are clearly hard rockers, the band doesn’t really look like the hair-metal originals, but do a good job of recreating the sound and energy of the originals. Rattz: Saturday June 27, at Brick by Brick, 1130 Buenos Ave. 8 p.m. 21 and up. $8. brickbybrick.com Rock/jazz fusion flute legend Tim Weisberg returns to Dizzy’s on June 27. Weisberg is a rare talent – fair enough, he’s a virtuoso player who’s performed with the likes of the Carpenter’s and the Monkees, as well as scored hits such as “Power of Gold,” certainly one of the few flute players that can make such a claim. However, he is also a great song interpreter and band leader. Joined by a top flight band consisting of guitarist Chuck Alvarez, keyboardist Barnaby Finch, bassist David Hughes and drummer Maria Martinez, in addition to his own tunes a set from Weisberg might include recast versions of anything from Gershwin to the Moody Blues to Herbie Hancock. It all adds up to what is easily the jazz weeks highlight. Tim Weisberg: Saturday, June 27, at Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive. 8 p.m. $15. www.dizzysjazz.com.
