Johnny Rad Fest summed up in three words (in no particular order): rock, skate, booze. 2010 marks the third year of the festival that merges garage/punk music with competitive skating and recreational drinking and this year will likely be the biggest so far.

The four day festival spreads debauchery across San Diego, starting with day shows at Two Roses Tattoo. Thursday night marks the beginning of the evening shows and Tower Bar will play host, while Friday and Saturday night will go down at the Ken Club. (more…)

As it turns out, Borat wasn’t completely full of sh*t. Although yours truly couldn’t point it out on a map (I would SO lose the final round of “Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?”), Kazakhstan actually DOES exist. Being that it is so far away from the watchful gaze of American interest, it’s the perfect place to attempt some less-than-Kosher business practices.

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Congratulations to Hotel St. George for being voted by YOU as Commune’s Featured Local of the month. I met up with the hilarious lead singer Matt Binder to congratulate him and the rest of the guys on winning and to see what they have going on.

1. How long have you guys been playing together and how did you come up with the name Hotel St. George?
The band started a little over two years ago when I (Matt) met Erik while doing a ride along with a SDPD officer. It was part of a probation program that I was on for when I got busted impersonating a real police officer.  It’s a long story but the short version is that a friend of mine and me had rented some police uniforms and then went out to bust up high school parties for kicks and to take their kegs, pot, whatever else we could find. Anyways, it was a long time ago and we’re much more mature and wiser now.

Anyways, Erik had had a break in at his apartment and we went to investigate. Some of his musical equipment was stolen and that got us talking about music and then boom; we started a band.

We named the band Hotel St. George because that is where Simon lost his virginity.
2. How would you describe your music?

Each member has their own influences and inspirations that are splattered across a canvas.  We put all of those styles into a song and then work collectively to mold a personality for the song.  Garage, punk, shoegaze, pop, rock, electronic, and even metal influences come into various parts of the music to really push ourselves into different and new directions.

Check out the new HSG music video “little childrens bones” below.

3. What’s one interesting fact about each person in the band? (more…)

Congratulations to Jason Feather for being voted by YOU as Commune’s Featured Local of the month. I met up with Jason to congratulate him on winning and also to get the dirt on what he has going on.

1. How would you describe your art?

My work reconciles street art with clean-lined craftsmanship by using a mix of styles, mediums, and techniques.

2. What inspires you?

I rarely draw my material from a single source. My inspiration comes from a multitude of fields, from street art and graphic
design, to modern architecture, technology, music, and magazines and sometimes, my good friend, Jameson.

3. Where can people find your art? Any upcoming shows or cool things you are
working on? (more…)

On May 26^th Commune rocked the Whistlestop for another exciting month of local art, music and fashion.   DJ Francey Pants started the night off with her French pop, classic soul and vintage garage rock tunes and kept the crowd dancing throughout the night.  Sunday Times took the stage and got the crowd movin’ and shakin’ while they rocked out and we all celebrated lead singer, Junior’s bday.  Our artist for the evening was DVICE, a San Diego native, who filled the walls with vibrant prints and brought out beautiful new faces to our monthly event.  His anti-big tobacco poster and tee brought humor and light to the fact that Tobacco Companies kill people. Click here to check out his design.  Throwback was our vintage trunk show for the evening and cosmic soul sisters Jenea and Sarah brought out beautiful vintage pieces from their two online stores: Dollyrocker Vintage and Love Street Vintage. Thanks to Dana Chavarria everyone who made it out can check out his or her beautiful face on our events page. Thanks to everyone who made it out and we hope to see you all  June 3oth @ Whistlestop!

Wow. Did anyone catch this recent video tearing its way through the net? This 2-year-old kid in Indonesia sucks down a cig for the camera. He is reportedly the son of a fishmonger who gave his son his first smoke at just 1 and half years old. The toddler allegedly smokes 40 cigs per day and throws terrible tantrums if his parents don’t give him his cancer sticks.

When I was two, I was into He-Man and PB&J sandwiches with the crust torn off. This kid’s diaper probably looks like an ashtray.

Congratulations to The Dead View Project for being voted by YOU as Commune’s Featured Local of the month. I met up with Mikey to congratulate him on winning and also to get the dirt on what he has going on.

1. When did you start The Dead View Project and where do you draw inspiration?
First off I would like to thank my friends, family and all the supporters. I started The Dead View Project in ‘07.  The idea came from old horror flicks that I enjoyed, but I could never find a cool shirt with any good designs. So, I started making my own.  For the love of films, art, and music TDVP started.  Most of the ideas come from pop culture and all things dead, I try to bring “Dead life to Real Life.”

2. How did you come up with the name? (more…)

Congratulations to Dion Terry for being voted by YOU as Commune’s Featured Local of the month! I met up with Dion to congratulate him on winning and also to get the dirt on what he has going on.

1. How would you describe your art?

My art borders random aspects of what is created during the daily consciousness of human thought that exist when people stare at something for too long. Meaning, when I’m finished with a painting I’m already thinking of projects 2 or 3 series ahead of what I’ve accomplished. As for now, my art consists of giving the bird subject a presence of stature, a simple personality that completes the painting.  But the origin of my undernourished relentlessness to paint was of the advice from two well-established artists named Frank Gonzales from NYC, and Richard Salcido who is from San Diego. They simply told me to just paint birds. (more…)

Commune packed Bar Pink Wednesday March 31^st.  In fact, for those of you keeping track it was our highest attended event thus far but who’s counting… oh wait, we are!  The evening’s festivities began with one of our favorite DJ’s, DJ Peso.  He might be your favorite too because he recently won Commune’s featured local.  Our favorite tunes of the night included Maneater by Hall and Oats and a little NKOTB.

Our band of the night, Buddy Akai, took the stage and the crowd went wild.  We were stoked to hear Memo shout “Fuck Big Tobacco” in support of our stand against big industry and our fight for a smokefree scene.  Buddy Akai put on an explosive show and got the whole bar dancing to their electro-inspired beats.

Our trunk show of the night featured the best accessories you can find in the neighborhood.  Corine brought her hammered pieces, featuring her handmade silver and gold inspirational messages on the most delightful bracelets we’ve ever had the pleasure of wearing.  Natalia trekked all the way down from LA to share her latest n.om collection featuring her signature feathers, precious metals and of course lots of love.

Not to be out done The Style Shark, Ben DeCamp swam through the crowd capturing the scandal and style of all those who attended.  Check out his photos of the night and see just how sexy this Commune was.

Chantel Paul brought to life the disturbing 1996 quote by a tobacco executive who said “At some point they learn to crawl,” when asked how infants avoid second hand smoke. Check out her chilling photo.

Stay tuned for April’s event Wednesday the 28^th at the Whistlestop.  See you next month!

O how I adore summer, I mean spring, I mean the end of fall.. forgive me I get confused.  Weather, like unisex bathrooms, is so ambiguous in San Diego, that you can never tell from one hour to the next whether you should rock the vegan-leather jacket, throw the tunic sweater in the side bag, or say F it and go all “long-cotton-tank” with colored tube bra as the only barrier from nudity. I am a big fan of the tube bra, but that’s just me being semi perverted. Regardless of the perversion, we all feel that SD is ready to warm up and stay up; Mother Earth has filled up our coastline with its yearly prescription of warm weather Viagra and we are ready to ride, ride, ride!

Besides the warm sensations of approaching summer, my mind is a buzz with the fuzzy apprehension of spring’s new fashion lines. One of my fav, fav, favorite boutiques Mimi and Red, has launched their store on the big bad web. Mimiandred.com now features new pieces that you can find in the North Park store, plus extras. Having their own website allows us busy shopaholics to relish in our addiction just a little more. So thank you Mimi and Red, you’ve just made many people re-think their online shopping budget for the month. Already having made a significant dent in my bank account on Mimi and Red’s new site I shall share some of my favorite fixes, I mean purchases.

Often times I will go into a store with the sole intention of buying an item that is necessary for some function and will come out with only accessories. Such a dilemma almost claimed me in my first visit to Mimiandred.com. Nashelle Nameplate Necklace was the piece that stole my heart and half of my budget (it was a small budget for that day). The piece compliments the chest very well, at least my chest, which is 99% of the reason I bought it. If you’re not looking to load up on gorgeous chains, and need something that can work for work and play then you must check out the Jack Susan Dress. This navy-colored gem paired with a fitted blazer could easily take you into the office at the top of your game; add a push up bra, nix the blazer dawn some shiny accessories and viola you’re ready for the club/ beer bar! No matter where you are you’ll be styling. If you’re as stoked about continuous sunshine then you must pick up Mimi and Red’s Haven Amy Romper in coral multi print. This light-airy piece is perfect that in between weather, and also for showing off your killer stems (if ya got’em show’em). The print is mad fun and busy, which for many of us is the quintessential combination.

Regardless of what you are looking for, you’ll find something unique at Mimi & Red, and now you can find it in the comfort of your home or office cubicle. Shop safely friends.

Other Items you may enjoy….

For more great items check out Mimi and Red in North Park (3032 University avenue San Diego, CA, 92104) or online at mimiandred.com.