If there's one thing that I've learned about Orange County during my time here, it's that in the early-to-mid '90s, ska was apparently the only genre that bands were allowed to play. Sadly, the “scene” seems to be pretty quiet these days, but for tonight at least, that changes with the “ska circus” at the Grove of Anaheim.
The lineup is as follows Suburban Legends (pictured), Starpool, Nuckle Brothers, Half Past Two and Task Force: Panda. The event is sponsored by OC Weekly, so I probably look like a real sellout corporate shill for blogging about it, but it legitimately seems like a noteworthy event, given the importance of ska to Orange County's cultural legacy and the current rarity of all-local ska shows.
Other local show options on your Thursday: the third night of Billy Kernkamp's Gypsy Lounge residency (along with fellow Heard Mentality faves We Are the Pilots); OC veteran Michael Ubaldini's CD release show at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.
