Strange Stage Stories! Jerry Raney / The Beat Farmers, Pip Lewis, Kimmi Bitter, Baron Lunbeck / Sandollar and more!

Bart Mendoza's latest for the San Diego Troubadour: Strange Stage Stories with Jerry Raney, Jeff Bloom, Christopher Leyva, Pip Lewis, Baron Lunbeck / Sandollar, Nicolas Peters, Dave Gilbert, Kimmi Bitter and more! Read here: sandiegotroubadour.com/strange-stage-stories-5

The Raspberries / The Shambles 2005

The Raspberries were due to perform in San Diego on October 22, 2005, with The Shambles opening. Unfortunately, the show was cancelled, but not before the show was listed in various publications and a poster was designed. Here's a recently discovered listing included in the October 2005 edition of the San Diego Troubadour. The show is listed on various online sites as having happened, but it never took place.

Times of San Diego: Pacific Records Fest with Sandollar, Gary Puckett, Yachtley Crew, Big Time Operator and more!

Bart Mendoza's latest for the Times of San Diego (print: La Jolla Village News / Beach and Bay Press), includes previews of Pacific Records Fest on July 13 at Kate Sessions Park with Slack Key Ohana, The Tourmaliners, Sandollar and more (free!), a celebration of life for Fattburger drummer Kevin Koch at Humphreys Backstage Live, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap on the Happy Together tour alongside the Turtles, Ron Dante, The Cowsills and more at Humphreys Concerts by the bay, The Magic of Motown Show at Baker Baum Hall, Yächtley Crëw at Epstein Family Amphitheater at UC San Diego and Big Time Operator at Scripps Park in La Jolla (free!) Read here: timesofsandiego.com/arts/2025/06/30/live-from-san-diego-music-on-the-coast-this-week-3

The SceneSD: Concert Previews Elvis Costello, Gong, Daring Greatly and more!

A look back at June's Spotlight Concerts including the Smooth Jazz Festival, Gong, Mike Keneally, Daring Greatly, The Farmers, Elvis Costello and more.
Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/top-spotlight-concerts-of-june-2025

Times of San Diego: The Chili Cook-Off with Mike Akey

Bart Mendoza chats with Mike Akey, founder of the annual Chili Cook-Off taking place at this weekend's Ocean Beach Street Fair.
Read here: timesofsandiego.com/6/23/chili-cook-off-bigger-ever-two-dozen-competitors

The SceneSD: The 45th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair

Bart Mendoza speaks to Michael Head (co-booker with Ted Wigler) and bluegrass musician Travis Oliver about the Ocean Beach Street Fair
Read here: thescenesd.com/event-scenesd/ob-street-fair-2025-45-years-of-music-chili-fun-and-sun

The SceneSD: New Release News Anna Troy, Taz Taylor, Thee Allyrgic Reaction and more!

Bart Mendoza's latest for 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐒𝐃: June's San Diego-centric new music releases, with info on Anna Troy, Thee Allyrgic Reaction, Taz Taylor and more! Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/san-diego-music-release-news-june-2025

The SceneSD Music News: Nathan Hubbard, Vurv, Blame Betty, Creepxotica and more!

Bart Mendoza's latest San Diego music news round up for the 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐒𝐃, with info on Nathan Hubbard, Vurv, Ravi Shankar, Creepxotica, The Zeros, Blame Betty and more! Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/san-diego-music-news-june-2025

Times of San Diego OB Street Fair Preview!

Bart Mendoza's latest for the Times of San Diego (print: Peninsula Beacon) - a preview of this weekend's Ocean Beach Street Fair, with info on everything happening on the day: the chili cook-off, bands, the Seaside Family Fun Zone, ADA parking, Artists Alley, bicycle valet etc., the details are here: timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/06/23/annual-ob-street-fair-chili-cook-off-set-for-june-27

New Staring at the Sun XIII shirt from Scott Shaw!

It's official! Here is the new Staring at the Sun T-Shirt from Scott Shaw- This is Scott's fantastic art for the cover of Staring at the Sun XIII, featuring a concert at the world-famous San Diego Zoo. The perfect addition to your summer wardrobe! More info here: www.teepublic.com/user/the-shaw-shop

The SceneSD: 2025 San Diego Music Awards

From Facebook: "The 34th annual San Diego Music Awards, edited for TV broadcast, airs on Saturday, June 14 at 8pm on Fox 5 in San Diego. Over $65,000 was raised at this years event, for our Guitars in Schools program. Tune in to catch all of the great performances and the winners announcements!" Here's Bart Mendoza's wrap up article for the SceneSD, with words from Josh Weinstein, Riston Diggs, Matthew Phillips and Deven Berryhill of The Tourmaliners. Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/the-2025-san-diego-music-awards

True Stories at Standley Park / University City on August 3

From PR: "On August 3 True Stories returns after a live hiatus with a special show as part of the Standley Park Summer Concert Series. The all-star band normally focuses on original music, but for this show True Stories will perform a special 2-hour, all British Invasion set, with songs from the likes of The Beatles, The Kinks, The Who, Them and more, including tunes the group has never played before. True Stories will include Bart Mendoza (Manual Scan / The Shambles), David Fleminger (Alvino & The Dwells / Manual Scan), Billy Tisch and Martin Martiarena (The national touring company of The Simon & Garfunkel Story), with a special appearance from Laurie Beebe Lewis of The Mamas and Papas and more tba. Info here: www.universitycitynews.org/summer-concerts-in-standley-park

Times of San Diego Concert Previews: Elvis Costello, Mike Keneally, Martin Martiarena and more!

Bart Mendoza's latest for the Times of San Diego (print: La Jolla Village News / Beach and Bay Press): with previews of upcoming shows from Elvis Costello at Humphreys Concerts by the bay, Martín Martiarena at the La Jolla Community Center, Mike Keneally / Nathan Raney at the The Holding Company, Jimmy Patton & Enrique Platas at the Athenaeum, Jeff Ousley's Live showcase / Wookie Garcia at Humphreys Backstage Live and a Piano Competition at Baker Baum Hall Read here: timesofsandiego.com/arts/2025/06/16/live-from-san-diego-music-on-the-coast

San Diego County Fair 2025 with Lissa Dee, Blame Betty, Stone Horse and Matthew Phillips

Bart Mendoza's latest for The SceneSD: A preview of the upcoming San Diego County Fair, with quotes from Lissa Dee, Blame Betty, Danielle Spade of Stone Hors and Matthew Phillips.
Read here: https://thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/san-diego-county-fair-june-11-july-4

R.I.P. Brian Wilson

 From Bart Mendoza's Facebook page: 

"A sad day. R.I.P. Brian Wilson, the architect of so many memories and so much incredible music. I've been going to Beach Boys shows since the mid-1970's and was lucky enough to see Brian live many times as well, always a great time. In 2015 Manual Scan was heading to Spain for a festival date and we ended up in the same airport lounge as the Brian Wilson Band. With thanks to the late great Nick Walusko, being in that circle with Brian Wilson, Blondie Chaplin and others is one of my life's highlight's. But my fondest memory is probably circa 1975 and the first dance I attended at Muirlands Jr. High, where the first song played was The Beach Boys "All Summer Long." Every time I hear that song, I'm instantly transported back in time, part of the magic of Brian Wilson's music. Thanks for everything Brian, it's a great understatement to say, you will be missed."

Manual Scan "Shooting Stars"

 The title track from Manual Scan's EP, Shooting Stars

Bart Mendoza, Shotgun Tom Kelly, Dave Mason to MC

On August 23 Bart Mendoza will be part of a special concert at The Grand Ritz Theatre in Escondido. He will be one of the event hosts alongside radio legends Shotgun Tom Kelly and Dave Mason, with an amazing lineup of Laurie Beebe Lewis and the Electric Underground + award-winning surf combo, The Tourmaliners and surprise special guests! 

The SceneSD: Beat Farmers Springsteen Comp + Hootenanny!

Bart Mendoza's latest for The SceneSD is a feature on The Beat Farmers appearance on an upcoming Bruce Springsteen tribute album, plus the annual Beat Farmers Hootenanny at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, with words from guitarist Jerry Raney.
Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/the-beat-farmers-springsteen-hootenanny

The SceneSD: Seawall Prophet on Tour With Sandollar and more!

Bart Mendoza's latest for the 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐒𝐃: Seawall Prophet, Sandollar, and Skyler Lutes are heading out on tour, with a kickoff show tonight at WinstonsOB! Aaron Markland of Seawall Prophet gives the details. Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/from-the-water-tour-2025

Manual Scan Covered: Sugarplum Live!

The latest blog post from Anthony Meynell / HiLo Records feature details on cover songs, including Sugarplum's version of Manual Scan's "Confidence and Love." The post includes a live version.
Read / Watch here: www.hilorecords.co.uk/blogs/new-blog-post/cover-versions-the-latest-newsletter

With Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill

Bart Mendoza attended the Minus 5 / Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill (with Paul Allen) show at The Casbah on June 2. Photos from Facebook
                                                  

Photos by Donna Daly                 John Cowsill, Bart Mendoza, Paul Allen

Photo by Laura Duffy

Bart Mendoza Times of San Diego Concert Previews with Caroline Lobbin, Punk Rock Karaoke, The Sabrosas Latin Orchestra, Bill Magee and more

Bart Mendoza's Live From San Diego column is now online at the Times of San Diego news site. It still runs in print every two weeks in the La Jolla Village News, as well as the Beach and Bay Press. This editions concert spotlights are Acoustic Evenings | A One-Night Only Evening of Everything Acoustic Evenings Has to Offer with Jefferson Jay, Bri Schillings and Lee Coulter, Punk Rock Karaoke with members of The Dickies, Bad Religion, The Circle Jerks and Goldfinger at The Holding Company, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, Bill Magee Blues at Humphreys Backstage Live, The Sabrosas Latin Orchestra at Baker Baum Hall and Caroline Lobbin at Beaumont's Eatery Read here: timesofsandiego.com/arts/2025/06/03/live-from-san-diego-music-on-the-coast

Conexcion Fanzine

Brian Witkin (Slack Key Ohana), Deven Berryhill (The Tourmaliners) and Bart Mendoza reading their copies of Spain's Conexcion fanzine.

Sugarplum Covers Manual Scan!

 Sugarplum (featuring Anthony Meynell) covers Manual Scan's song "Confidence and Love"!

The SceneSD: A Conversation with Pip Lewis

Bart Mendoza's latest for The SceneSD is a feature on up and coming indie pop artist, Pip Lewis.
Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/pip-lewis-growing-pains

New Music News Roundup! Adam Lambert, Pierce The Veil, Tom Waits, Waaves, Jeff Berkley / The Cry and more!

Bart Mendoza's latest for the SceneSD / All Local Umbrella Newspapers: San Diego Music Release News with Gayle Skidmore, Earl Thomas and more + San Diego Music News, with info on Adam Lambert, Pierce The Veil, Tom Waits, Waaves, Jeff Berkley / The Cry and more!

San Diego Music Awards Cover Story with Nathan East

Bart Mendoza's June SceneSD insert for all Local Umbrella Media Newspapers will include a cover story on this year's San Diego Music Awards, featuring a photo of Nathan East on the front and more inside. The story can be found in Coronado, California's Beyond The Bridge newspaper and many more.

Manual Scan and The Truth with Dennis Greaves July 17, 1985

Manual Scan opening for The Truth (with Dennis Greaves of Nine Below Zero) on July 17, 1985, at the Spirit - Also on the bill, Mojo Nixon, and The Standard!

The SceneSD: The Return of Guitar Workshop Plus with Phil X, Stuart Hamm, Wayne Riker, Fred Benedetti and Greg Vaughan

Bart Mendoza's latest for the SceneSD: a spotlight on this year's Guitar Workshop Plus music camp, with guest instructors Phil X, Stuart Hamm, Wayne Rker, Greg Vaughan and Fred Benedetti. Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/guitar-workshop-plus

The SceneSD: The Return of The Lonely Bulls

Bart Mendoza's latest for the 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐒𝐃: a conversation with Steve Rosenbaum about the new collection of vintage tracks from 1980's era powerpop rockers, The Lonely Bulls, out via Kool Kat Musik Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/the-return-of-the-lonely-bulls

La Jolla Village News Concert Spotlights! The Middle Aged Dad Jam Band, Lucky Diaz, Rob Thorsen, Joe Wood and more

Bart Mendoza's latest for the Beach and Bay Press / La Jolla Village News includes concert spotlights on Jeff Ousley’s Live Music Showcase at Humphreys Backstage Live, The Middle Aged Dad Jam Band at the Epstein Family Amphitheater at UC San Diego, Rob Thorsen's Evolution of Jazz at the La Jolla Community Center, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band at Baker Baum Hall, the return of Acoustic Evenings featuring Wax, Cindy Lee Berryhill, and Gayle Skidmore with Jefferson Jay at the Athenaeum, and a cool show at the The Holding Company, with Joe Wood, The Hector Penalosa Gang and Swive, with Sppike Mike
Read here: sdnews.com/live-from-san-diego-music-on-the-coast-this-week-19/

The SceneSD Concert Previews: Gang of 4, Cheap Trick, Henry Diltz, Taz Taylor, Simple Minds and more!

Bart Mendoza's latest for the 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐒𝐃: May concert spotlights including Opera in Balboa Park, Henry Diltz at the Belly Up, Cheap Trick at Viejas Casino & Resort, Gang Of Four at the Music Box, Wonderfront Festival, Taz Taylor at Ramona Mainstage, the HayBarn Dance at Reds, Whites & Brews, Spitfire Torpedo at the Casbah San Diego, and Simple Minds at North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre Read here: thescenesd.com/concert-scenesd/may-top-concerts-spotight-concerts

San Diego Music Awards Preview with Cascade Effect, Patrick Yandall and John January

Bart Mendoza's latest for the La Jolla Village News / Beach & Bay Press: A preview of next weeks San Diego Music Awards, with words from Alec Peterson of Cascade Effect, guitarist Patrick Yandall and bluesman John January.
Read here: sdnews.com/san-diego-music-awards-to-rock-at-humphreys-concerts-by-the-bay

Concert Updates: UB40, Yale Strom, Daring Greatly and more!

Bart Mendoza's latest for the Beach and Bay Press / La Jolla Village News, with spotlight on Daring Greatly, Kimmi Bitter and Jesse Ray Smith at the The Holding Company, The Wailers at the The Sound, UB40 at Humphreys Concerts by the bay, Yale Strom at the Athenaeum, All You Need is Love with Peter Sprague, Rebecca Jade etc. at Baker Baum Hall in La Jolla, and the The Surf Birdz at Aquarius Bar & Grille
Read here:sdnews.com/live-from-san-diego-music-on-the-coast-this-week-18

J.J.Cale Silver, Gold and a New Cover!

Bart Mendoza's latest for the 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐒𝐃: The late J.J. Cale's music is back in the spotlight, this month scoring silver, gold and a new cover. Read here: thescenesd.com/music-scenesd/j-j-cale-scores-silver-gold-and-a-cover