San Diego’s summer is in full swing, with plenty of warm days and nights, as well as lots of activities to fill them.
While a typical month will always include a plethora of options for music fans to check out, this July finds one of the best collections of talent to ever hit the Downtown area.
From intimate jazz concerts to hard rock performances and everything in between, this month offers up an entertainment smorgasbord not to be missed.
TUESDAY NIGHT TRIBUTES EVERY TUESDAY
The hottest current trend in music is cover bands and The House of Blues is jumping into the fray with a vengeance.
Throughout the summer, the venue is offering up a fun weekly live music event, Tuesday Night Tributes. Each week the venue hosts a different tribute act or themed cover band, and best of all, it’s free.
Upcoming artists include classic rock covers combo Loss of Control on July 3, ’80s metal sound-alikes Way Cool Jr. on July 10 and Social Distortion tribute group Mommy’s Little Monsters on July 17.
LADY DOTTIE
& THE DIAMONDS
EVERY WEDNESDAY
Fans of gritty roadhouse R&B are probably already familiar with Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, but if you haven’t had a chance yet to hear their hard-driving, eminently danceable tunes, then be sure to stop in during their monthlong Wednesday night residency at Henry’s Pub.
Holding forth with another evening of music with no admission charge, the band has an irresistible beat, practically daring clubgoers to dance.
The five-piece group excels at a wide choice of covers, including material from the likes of Etta James and B.B. King, as well as The Sonics and The Rolling Stones, for what could only be called an instant party.
Lady Dottie & The Diamonds have scored two San Diego Music Awards in the past two years, with their new album, “Livin’ It Up,” likely to secure them a third at this years ceremonies in September.
DEAD ROCK WEST
JULY 8
Longtime fans of local music are familiar with the name Frank Lee Drennan.
Over the years he has been a part of such legendary local groups as Loam and The Hatchet Brothers, but it’s his current outfit, Dead Rock West, that has won the most acclaim and has the best shot at hitting the bigtime.
The five-piece group stops in at The Casbah on July 8 with former X frontman John Doe, both as opening act and backing band.
While the band has been given an Americana tag, one listen at their shows or their new album, “Honey & Salt,” proves that description to be limiting.
Rock, pop, folk and country all share equal space in Dead Rock West’s musical palate, with the intricate, airtight harmonies of Drennan and Cindy Wasserman among the band’s strong points.
Where they really succeed, however, is in their songs, each one meticulously crafted to squeeze out every last bit of melody.
REEVE OLIVER
JULY 12
Indie rockers Reeve Oliver have had a wild ride in the music business this year.
Signed to Capitol Records, the band left the label earlier this year when the imprint began downsizing, but without releasing any music.
It’s a shame, as the band’s Beatles-derived name clearly indicates that their liaison with Capitol should have been a match made in heaven.
Although their stay with the label was brief, they did, however, record an album, “Touchtone Inferno,” on the company’s dime.
The group plans to release the disc on their own later this year.
In the meantime, the band makes an appearance at The Casbah on July 12.
While the label’s loss is the band’s gain, anyone who enjoys rock with an abundance of melody, or power pop with a punk edge, needs to see this band.
JIM EARP
JULY 20
Acoustic guitar aficionados won’t want to miss Jim Earp at Borders’ Gaslamp location on July 20.
An incredible finger-picker, Earp is clearly influenced by Leo Kottke and Bruce Cockburn but has developed a dazzling percussive style that is all his own.
Mixing originals from his five albums with a smattering of choice covers, this free performance at Borders is just about the perfect place to take in Earp’s music over a cup of coffee.
BJORN AGAIN
JULY 26
There is probably no guiltier musical pleasure than the music of ABBA.
The lyrics can be inane, the music sticky sweet, and yet the songs still manage to ingrain themselves into our consciousness.
While the real ABBA split over two decades ago, the next best thing, Bjorn Again, will make an appearance at 4th & B on July 26.
Pretty much an exact recreation of an ABBA concert circa 1977, the group has the look, the costumes and, most important, the sound of ABBA, down pat.
Bjorn Again sticks closely to the hits, but does have a little bit of occasional fun with the tunes, such as having the song “S.O.S.” segue into the Police’s “Message in a Bottle.”
Bottom line, if you never got a chance to see the original foursome, this is as close as you’re likely to get.