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.

For those not in the know, Johnny Rad Fest is molded in the likeness of the legendary 80’s skate flick, The Search for Animal Chin – the fest is named after Johnny Rad of Johnny Rad and the Air Jordans.

To get your rock, skate or booze on, here’s a handy-dandy list of what’s going down and where:

Thursday July 22 @ Tower Bar

4757 University Ave.

DJ Mikey Ratt

The Deep Ones  9:30 – 10:15

Grand Tarantula  10:30 – 11:10

The Embalmers  11:20

The Grids  12:15 – 12:55

The Dissimilars  1:10 – 1:45

Friday July 23 @ Ken Club

4079 Adams Ave.

DJ Horsepussy

The Kabbs  9:30 – 10:15

Wax Idols  10:25 – 11:05

The Boy Toys  11:15 – 12:00

Nobunny  12:05 – 12:50

The Zeros  1:00 – 1:45

Saturday July 24 @ Two Roses (Day Show)

2181 Logan Ave.

Heavy Cesna  3:300 – 4:00

Chango Rey  4:00 – 4:45

(Launch Ramp Contest  5:00 – 5:30)

Slab City  5:00 – 5:30

(Wall Ride Contest  6:15 – 7:00)

The Fast Takers  6:15 – 7:00

Typical Culture Video Premiere  8:00 – 8:30

Saturday July 24 @ Ken Club

4079 Adams Ave.

Strychnine DJs

Stalins Of Sound  9:30 – 10:00

Jungle Fever  10:15 – 10:50

Half Rats  11:00 – 11:50

Tokyo Electron  12:00 – 12:50

The Spits  1:00 –1:50

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?

Erik won’t disclose any facts about himself; something to do with government clearance for his job.

Brian is so bad but tastes and smells great.

Matt is missing the pinky toe on his left foot; the result of dropping an antique bathtub on it.

Simon subsides on a strict diet of less than 1000 calories a day.

4. Have anything exciting coming up that people should keep their eye out for?

We are going to be at U-31 for the North Park Music Thing this year.  Since most of us live in North Park we are really excited to not have to go far.   Right after that show we are going back to the studio to record some brand new songs whose desired effect is to end world hunger.

5. What’s your favorite thing about Commune?

We love our girl Jenny!

[haha thanks for the shout out guys =) ]

6. Why do you think it’s important to take a stand against Big Tobacco?

I suppose the biggest bummer about Big Tobacco is that they target teenagers. Teenagers are very stupid and impressionable so it’s not really fair to court their money. I mean if I can trick them into thinking that I’m a cop than I can only imagine how easy it would be to get them to smoke. It would be interesting to devise a policy where Big Tobacco would have to relinquish all the revenue generated from people that started smoking before they reached a legal age to smoke. It would be impossible to enforce but it’s a nice idea, regardless.

Congrats again to all the guys in Hotel St. George for winning Commune Featured Local and thanks to everyone who voted.

For More on Hotel St. George click here to visit their myspace page and here to add them on Facebook.

If you would like to be part of Commune Wednesdays and stand up for a smokefree scene, contact us at jointhecommune@gmail.com or www.jointhecommune.com.

Dan Merino, also known as Sex Mannequin is no stranger to the neighborhood.   I first met Dan a couple years ago at the Casbah and instantly knew he was a fun person to be around, but it wasn’t until I saw him dance to Maneater on vinyl in his living room, that I knew we would be friends. I was stoked to have Dan be a part of Commune last March and even more so that he won Commune Featured Local.  It was a close race between all three nominees, but Dan pulled ahead in the last couple of days of December and finished the month with 487 votes! I met up with Dan to congratulate him and see what he has going on.

1. So, we have to know. Where did the name Sex Mannequin come from?

At the time I came up with Sex Mannequin I wanted to make a name that reflected my own social commentary on the act of promiscuity and that looked good on an iPod. I had just turned 21 and immersed myself into a hedonistic lifestyle.

2. What’s it like being in a one-man band?

Lonely… Very lonely

3. What inspires your music and do you have any other projects you are currently working on?

Gaux Nu Vaux. So far our direction is a mix of electro/ pop/ disco/ new wave. It picks up where Sex Mannequin leaves off by adding the beauty of having a female lead vocalist paired with my own musical creations.

4. Do you have any upcoming shows people can catch you at?

I am currently writing new Sex Mannequin material to follow up my last 2 e.p.’s. As far as shows I am more focused on my new project to get it out there. But I definitely will continue performing with both.

5. Why do you think it’s important to stand up against tobacco corporations?

In all honesty I find myself pretty disgusted with cigarettes at this point in my life. I’ve tried to justify my own reasons for smoking in the past but cigarettes seem to make my sinuses irritated and my lungs weaker. Plus they make you impotent and Im pretty sure my girlfriend has emphysema.

For more on Sex Mannequinn check out his myspace at http://www.myspace.com/sexmannequin and for some demos and more on Gaux Nu Vaux check out www.myspace.com/gauxnuvaux.

It’s time to take 2009 and say sayonara, good riddance, hasta la vista and f off. I know for many of us 2009 was no walk in the park. Between wars, bar take over’s, Rhianna, Tiger the cheetah, Sarah Palin, and the economy; I think we’ve had enough. Excitement shudders over my body as I think about what 2010 has in store. Whatever it is it has to be better than ’09, in the very least we are one year closer to 2012, predicated to be the end of the world, but I really think it was a just an ok mega- budget flick.

If you’re like me and wait ‘til the last minute for everything including putting the final thoughts into this blog, then you haven’t quite solidified your NYE plans. Here is some local options that will make your New Year’s a night to remember.

• The W Hotel has done it right this year, and brought some local heavy hitters together for a night of ass-shaking fun. Gabe Vega, Adam Salter, and Mikey Beats are just some of the deck geniuses set to spin into the New Year. Tickets start at $50 and go up depending on room packages.

• Ken Club is rockin’ tonight.  You don’t want to miss No Bunny, The Atoms, Jungle Fever and the Kabbs.

• The Super El Camino in Little Italy, which by the way is my new favorite spot, (take care of my girl Jasmine she’ll take excellent care of you) will be featuring one of Commune’s favorite bands Buddy Akai. Along with The Office Twins, the native SD electro-rock band is sure to set your disco night off right with some glittery tunes. Been trying to get the skinny on prices, but I’ve been told between $10 and $20; not bad for the grand opening of South Park’s sister bar.

• Finally Corey Biggs will be spinning at The Fleetwood for what is sure to be a ballpark size party. Biggs is one of our favs out in the scene, and will assuredly bring some unique and sexy beats to your NYE.

From everyone here at Commune, we would like to wish you a safe and fantastic NYE. Remember to take your vitamins and drink lots of water, cause the 1^st of the month isn’t always like Bones’ Thug’s say it is.

Commune returns January 27^th at the Whistlestop. Hope to see you there!

Keep A Breast will be at U-31 tonight as part of our Music For Awareness campaign. We have developed a unique avenue for musicians, DJs, clubs or just plain awesome people to donate their time and influence the lives of others. This campaign allows anyone to play a role with KAB and throw his or her very own benefit show in support of the cause. Keep A Breast acknowledges and enables the fact that young people do want to be activists, to play a part of a bigger and better good and inspire people to better themselves and their communities. See you there!!

Check out more from Keep a Breast at : http://www.keep-a-breast.org

Congratulations to Apes of Wrath for being voted by you as Commune’s Featured Local of the Month.

Apes of Wrath are a three-piece rock group from SD. Band members Robert Kent (vocals/guitar), Jake Bankhead (bass) and Dustin Elliot (drums) are no strangers to the SD music scene and were Commune’s featured band in June ’08.  I met up with Rob to congratulate Apes on being voted Featured Local and to get the dirt on what they’ve got going on.

How did you come up with the name Apes of Wrath?

Dustin thought of it while making fun of metal band names at a rehearsal in a warehouse behind a sex shop.

How long have you guys been together?

We’ve been playing out in San Diego since summer of 2007 and recently completed a short west coast tour.

What is one cool fact about each person in the band?

Dustin loves candy, Jake loves science and Rob loves steamed buns.

Have anything exciting coming up that people should look out for?

We’re excited to record our first full-length album this year at Blue Roof Studios and the album should be out in late Fall.

Why do you feel it is important to stand up against tobacco corporations?

I find it absolutely pertinent to stand up and stand against big tobacco. When I was 13, my mother died of cancer, making a huge impression on a highly impressionable kid. An occasional smoker, my mom would keep Marlboro Lights stashed in her purse and I was always so curious to try them. As soon as I got the chance, I began to experiment with them. That’s where our generation can actually change the state of the tobacco industry. If kids today don’t see their older brothers, sisters and cousins smoking, they won’t either. The old school tactics of trying to make the act of smoking look cool don’t apply anymore. That’s what’s so cool about Commune, it’s cool NOT to smoke and it’s ever cooler to help friends STOP smoking. I commend and thank the staff and contributors of the Commune event for the action they’re taking.

For upcoming shows and updated tweets by the guys, check out Apes of Wrath at www.myspace.com/apesofwrathmusic.

If you would like to be part of Commune Wednesdays and stand up for a smokefree scene, contact Jenny at jointhecommune@gmail.com

Adrenaline Apparel celebrates the 90’s – Wallpaper, DJ Corey Biggs and Guests

Everyone in San Diego has been to The Casbah at least once, and if you haven’t, you definitely should check it out. Pumping out great music since 1989, it’s a staple of the SD music scene.

This Friday The Casbah will be featuring one of Commune’s favorite DJs, Mr. Corey Biggs. The kid is fresh to death, and will be keeping the beats sick & neat for Adrenaline Apparel’s “Celebrate the 90’s” partay (ßnope, not a typo), while Wallpaper will bring justice to this live music demigod. $12 cover, steep by most NP standards, but this concert won’t disappoint. With Biggs on the one’s and two’s, partying to his beats are priceless. Check out www.casbahmusic.com for ticket info, doors open at 9pm, and unfortunately music dies at 2am, so get there early! It would be too cliché to say “party likes it 1999,” so let’s just leave it at “have a killer time,” and Keep Commune’s next party at the Soda Bar marked on your calendar for August 26^th.

If you can’t make it out to the Casbah on Friday check out what else is going on this weekend:

Thursday August 20^th:

Bar Pink: Glory Bound Presents SQZMYLMNS feat. DJs Saul Q & Disc O

Beauty Bar: Tan Sister Radio

Casbah: As Tall As Lions, Lanterns and The Color Of Glass – $12

El Dorado: Ikah Love presents: GROWN FOLK SHIT w/ The Grown Folk House Band

Radio Room: Static Thought (Hellcat Rec) Societies Parasitics (Hellcat Rec) Bumbklatt

Soda Bar: Expressway to Yr Skull – DJ Mario Oruno and Friends

U-31: 80’s and 90’s Hip Hop with DJ Artistic & Cros 1 EVERY THURSDAY

Voyeur: Nite Vision with DJ Adam Salter and DJ Corey Biggs plus Special Runway Show at 10PM presented by Mimi and Red & The LAB

Whistlestop: CABOOSE – GOODTIME FUNK-DANCE PARTY WITH DJ TRAIL-MIX-A-LOT! – 10 PM

Friday August 21^st:

AC Lounge: DJ Junior the Disco Punk

Bar Pink: Repeater, Lemon Sun

Beauty Bar: Flesh Skin Grafix Tattoo 15 Yr Anniversary Party

**Casbah: Adrenaline Apparel celebrates the 90’s – Wallpaper, DJ Corey Biggs and guests

El Dorado: DJ Saul Q

Radio Room: Synesthetic, Leisuresuit, Days Of Anomie

Soda Bar: Powerchords (7″ release), Atoms, Casey and Brian

U-31: Feel the Noise w/ DJ Gabe Vega, Saul Q and special guest DJs

Voyeur: Tom Stephan aka Superchumbo w/Anthony Ross & Rifat Ziadeh

Whistlestop: THE MONOCLES & COZY CORNERS – PARTY TIME AT THE WHIZ! FREE! – 9 PM

Saturday August 22^nd:

AC Lounge: Rock Boxx – Electro, Disco, Club Bangers

Bar Pink: “Neon Beat” w/ Djs Junior, Atari

Beauty Bar: The Notice

Casbah: Zeros, The Dabbers, The Old In Out

El Dorado: DJ Groundfloor presents: YOUNG GUNS

Radio Room: CLUB DEAD LINE!!!

Soda Bar: Tijuana Panthers

U-31: Bombs Over North Park With DJ Adam Salter

Voyeur: Teenage Bad Girl w/French Horn Rebellion vs Database

Whistlestop: BOOTY BASSMENT – AREN’T YOU SAD YOU ONLY GET TO SHAKE IT ONCE A MONTH?!! – 10 PM

Sunday August 23^rd:

AC Lounge: “Jon Ji’s Jazz & American Roots Music Night” w/ special guest

Bar Pink: Ramona Falls w/ Silver Darling

Beauty Bar: A Fight For Fame

Casbah: Goin’ Fishin’ – a fundraiser for Mark Johnson – Steve Poltz and the Cynics, MEX, Midnight Rivals, a.m.vibe, Black Hondo + Bartenders Bible in the Atari Lounge + DJ Gary Shuffler, El Torito y mas!!!

Radio Room: Generals(Sacto), Renaissance Blvd.(LA)

Soda Bar: Beaters, Anasazis, Sex Church Now, Defektors

U-31: 100% Reggae Vibes Tribe of Kings Present DJ’s Jestor, Peril Dash Eye, Unite and Rashi

Whistlestop: Too Many Creeps – DJ Mario Orduno and friends spin Post-Punk and beyond! PLUS MARIO’s BDAY!

Boys and Girls @ El Dorado w/ Adam Salter and Corey Biggs

The El Dorado Bar & Lounge has been getting mad reviews lately. From the sickest birthday parties to the best in electro turntablism, El Dorado definitley has the skinny on what to do on a Saturday night, or any night you want to let your hair down. This Saturday, resident DJs on the scene Adam Salter and Corey Biggs will be blazing up the one’s and two’s with their 1^st and 3^rd Saturday spot “Boys and Girls.” Both are out of this world talents and El Dorado is a great excuse to leave 30^th and its splendorous surroundings to hit up downtown. If you can’t get enough of Salter and all his deck glory you can check him out at Commune on August 26^th at the Soda Bar, spinning something special for all you lovelies.

If you can’t make it to El Dorado on Saturday check out what else is going on this weekend:

Friday August 14^th:

AC Lounge: DJ Junior the Disco Punk

Bar Dynamite: DJ Ikah Love

Bar Pink: Repeater, Lemon Sun

El Dorado: DJ Rat.Star

The Office: “Overtime” w/ DJs Beatnick, Mr Mention

Radio Room: The Beautiful View, The Drabs,Human Record

Ruby Room:”Too Cool for Karaoke” w/ Geezer

Soda Bar: River City

U-31: Feel the Noise w/ DJ Gabe Vega, Saul Q and special guest DJs

Voyeur: Miels Dyson, Anthony Ross, Rifat Ziadeh

Whistlestop: Club Pussy Galore – With Bitter Sober and Camp out (SF) – FREE

Saturday August 15^th:

AC Lounge: “Juicy” W/ DJs Mike Czech, SG

Bar Dynamite: DJ Beatnick

Bar Pink: “Neon Beat” w/ Djs Junior, Atari

Beauty Bar: Broken Dreams, Suga Bear, guest DJ

*El Dorado: “Boys and Girls” w/ Adam Salter (Commune’s Local Spot of the Week)

The Office: “Ikah Love Presents”

Radio Room: Faraway Boys, The Red Devil Squadron

Ruby Room: Little White Teeth, Greg Gibson CD release

Soda Bar: Japenese Motors, Apes of Wrath, Gestapo Khazi

U-31: VEGA (live), Memo RX ,True Pseudo, Colour Vision

Voyeur: Does it Offend You, YEah? (DJ set), Mr. White, Frankie La Fete

Whistlestop: 80s VS 90s -DJs Gabe Vega and Saul Q – Battle of the Decades! Dance!

Sunday August 16th:

AC Lounge: “Jon Ji’s Jazz & American Roots Music Night” w/ special guest

Bar Dynamite: “Sunday Skool” w/ Needle Ninjas

Bar Pink: Schmaltz

Beauty Bar: A Fight for Fame, DJ Yalda

The Office: Karaoke

Radio Room: Desert Heir, Random Orbits

Soda Bar: Visioneers screening

Whistlestop: Too Many Creeps – DJ Mario Orduno and friends spin Post-Punk and beyond!

Rolling Stone calls him a “scenemaker,” but I like to call him my “Diggie.” Actually diggie came from a gchat typo, but it’s too funny not to keep it going.

Mario Orduno, a San Diego native, is no stranger to the neighborhood. You may have caught him at one of his DJ nights, booked a show through him, or maybe just seen him around town with his “doggies” (his closest of friends), but if you have had the privilege to hang with Mario you know that he is pretty damn hilarious.

Mario joined Commune in the fight against Big Industry and DJed at our June Commune event. I met up with Mario to get the scoop on some of the projects he has going on and to find out if there was anything cool we should be keeping our eyes out for.

So, what exactly is Art Fag Recordings and how did you come up with the name?

It’s a label with an awful name that releases underground music on vinyl and cassettes.

Have you thought about changing the name?

A couple times, but it’s too late. Some people tell me how much they like it and I just don’t understand. It makes me cringe.

How long ago did you start the label and do you work alone?

The label started in 2005 and yes, I’ve always done it alone.

Who are some of the bands we can look out for on your label?

The bands I’ve released include Kill Me Tomorrow, The Plot To Blow Up the Eiffel Tower, The Prayers, those were the first. They are all from San Diego. Since then I’ve focused on more music from other places. My newest lp release is a project called Ye Olde Maids which is Wesley Eisold (Cold Cave) from Philadelphia. The next bands/projects I’m releasing are Dum Dum Girls (LA), Crocodiles (SD), PENS (UK), Grafitti Island (UK) Internet Forever (UK) and Best Coast (LA).

You seem like a pretty busy fellow, what other projects are you involved in?

Well, I book a lot of shows. Between three and five a month. In addition to the weekly nights I do.

How about a little self-promotion… what and where are your DJ nights?

I have two weeklys. Too Many Creeps at The Whistle Stop on Sundays and Expressway To Yr Skull at Soda Bar on Thursdays. Both are with Brandon and Chuck who play in a band called Crocodiles. Dimitri Dickinson (Booty Bassment) joins us on Thursdays.

Do most people know how hilarious you are?

No.

Do you have any funny stories to share?

Not really, my life’s pretty boring.

Anything else you want people to know about you?

Nah, I’d rather people know less.

Mario cracks me up and I am sure that if you have had the chance to hang with him he has most likely cracked you up too. If you haven’t had the chance to catch Mario live be sure to check him out Thursdays at the Soda Bar and/or Sundays at the Whistlestop.