CONTEMPORARY MUSIC : ‘Staring at the Sun’ CD Will Showcase S.D. Bands

If, sometimes, the local music scene seems stymied by its own internecine competitiveness, a new compilation of local music offers a refreshing perspective. “Staring at the Sun” features two songs each by 10 of San Diego’s lesser-known bands, but the project grew out of the self-reliant philosophy of one of its better-known groups, Dark Globe.

“We’re very big on ‘product’ (salable recordings),” Dark Globe’s John Gire said in a recent phone conversation. “For a long time, whenever we’d go up to one of these really good San Diego bands after a show and ask them for product, they wouldn’t have any, usually because they couldn’t afford the (production) costs. We decided to get several bands to put their money together so they could put out their own CD.”

Gire shepherded the resulting project, which includes two Dark Globe tracks. Other bands contributing cuts are Contra Guerra, Feral Children, the Shambles (three cuts by these Manual Scan alumni), Friends of Ghosts, Don’t Call Me Sir, David Moye, Miles From Nowhere, the Low Down, Second Sight and Dragonfly.

“People are really excited by the diversity on this thing,” he said. “There are no two bands playing the same kind of music. Don’t Call Me Sir reminds me a little of X; Miles From Nowhere sounds like a melodic combination of the Velvet Underground, and Jesus and Mary Chain; Ray, of the Feral Children, is a huge Andy Partridge fan, so their music reminds me of XTC--it’s the best stuff I’ve ever heard coming out of this town. David Moye, who plays guitar and sings, is sort of the comedy element. Second Sight is like Joni Mitchell-New Age, with acoustic guitars and congas and stuff. Dragonfly is sort of punk-blues.”

In other words, the CD offers a more varied cross-section of music than most local compilations. Gire claims that the CD’s title derives from his belief in the eclectic quality of the local scene.

“This CD is our way of saying, if you live in San Diego, and you can’t find original music you like here, you’ve spent too much time staring at the sun,” Gire said, laughing.

Gire pointed out that “Staring at the Sun” is not being released on a label per se and thus will not have a single address or phone number for fans to contact.

“We’re calling this group effort the Blind Spot Co-op,” he said. “All the bands’ addresses and phone numbers will be on the CD, so anyone interested can contact specific bands to find out where they’re playing or to order more copies. We’re numbering the first 500 copies and giving them a yellow cover. When those sell out, we’ll press and number another 500 and give them a different cover, to make them more of a collector’s item.”

“Staring at the Sun” will be previewed Friday at a release party at the Megalopolis Bar and Grille (4321 Fairmount Ave.), where eight of the 11 bands will play their two tunes from the CD, copies of which will be available for purchase ($10). After Friday, the recording will be on sale at all three Off the Record stores.

Finally, Winston’s in Ocean Beach will host a series of Monday night “Staring at the Sun” shows throughout August. Call 584-1501 for bands and times.

Listening to Him, You Get Opinions: Last Thursday, Pete Townshend and La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Des McAnuff held a press conference at UC San Diego to discuss the current Playhouse production of Townshend’s rock-opera, “Tommy.” Members of the local media got a sample of the former Who leader’s wit and, occasionally, the cut of Townshend’s considerable jib. Some highlights:

On how Townshend’s current dramaturgical involvement could affect the rest of rock: “I think there’s a place for a kind of musical theater in the rock ‘n’ roll stadiums. This endless round of acts that come on, occupy the stage, blow people away, and then drive off in their limousines with half the female population--according to ‘Wayne’s World’--is getting boring .”

On the possibility of another Who reunion: “We’ve done that. (But) it would be nice to write a musical play to accommodate the needs of the Who today--say, ‘Three Men in a Wheelchair.’ ”

On the possibility of taking “Tommy” to Broadway: “Broadway’s too small for us. We’ve got really big plans for it, ‘aven’t we? A sort of global, multicast, simulcast, ‘Wall’-size production. With Michael Crawford as Tommy. (Sings in melodramatic, strangulated voice): ‘See me! Feel Me!’ ”

To a question as to whether he’s undergoing therapy to reverse the effects of a recent wrist injury, which has left him unable to play guitar: “Why should I try to get (guitar-playing ability) back? It’s the worst thing that ever happened to me. Oh, you mean I should engage in really serious, painful therapy to bring you pleasure?”

The circus is trying to get hip. When the 122nd edition of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus plays the San Diego Sports Arena today through Sunday, it will showcase a rock band for the first time in its storied history. N/Motion, a lite-dance-rock trio on the Warner Brothers label will perform at each show.

Local “world groove” band Naked Earth continues to demonstrate that it’s globally conscious in more than just the musical sense. On Saturday, it headlines “River Valley EcoJam ‘92,” a daylong event the band coordinated with noted environmentalist Jim Bell. The purpose of EcoJam is to educate the public about the dangers of river valley development. It will take place at River Valley Farm in Mission Valley and will feature speakers, entertainment and more than 20 environmentally conscious vendors and exhibitors.

EcoJam runs from noon to 6 p.m., with music provided by Jeff Hayes (12:30 p.m.), Don Porcella (12:45), Gene Fintz (1), Dave Howard (1:15), LP Gravel and the Loose Gravel Band (2:25), and, of course, Naked Earth (3:15, 4:30 and 5:30). Speakers include Bell and mayoral candidates Peter Navarro and Susan Golding. River Valley Farm is located at 2496 Hotel Circle Place. Admission is $5 in advance, $7 at the door. Call 294-3449 or 942-0325.

GRACE NOTES: Despite reportedly brisk ticket sales, the Aug. 9 Everything but the Girl show at the La Paloma Theatre has been canceled. No explanation was available from Bill Silva Presents. There are no plans to reschedule. Refunds can be obtained at the point of purchase.

BOOKINGS: (Tickets for the following concerts will be sold at all TicketMaster outlets unless otherwise specified.) Upcoming Sound FX shows include former Camper Van Beethoven point man David Lowery’s current band, Cracker, Sunday at the 91X- presents price of $6.91; Life, Sex and Death (aka LSD), Glorystompers and Arrogance on July 22 (originally scheduled for Winter’s) for five bucks (advance or door); Weird Al Yankovic on July 23, and the Mick Taylor Band featuring Jimmie Wood on July 24. . . . Belly Up Tavern shows include the Free Radicals featuring Dave Wakeling and Dubtet, July 20, and a double bill of Kris Kristofferson and Jack Tempchin, July 23.

Tickets go on sale Friday at 3 p.m. for the Indigo Girls’ return engagement at San Diego State University’s Open Air Theatre on Aug. 28, with Matthew Sweet opening. The Girls’ crack band includes former Dylan backer Scarlet Rivera (violin), cellist Jane Scarpantoni, bassist Sara Lee (Gang of Four, B-52’s), and drummer Jerry Marotti (Peter Gabriel). . . . Tickets for the fall 1992 Champagne Concert Series at the Culbertson Winery in Temecula go on sale Thursday at all TicketMaster outlets. The first confirmed show is singer-songwriter Bobby Caldwell on Oct. 4. For information on the rest of the series, call (714) 699-3021.

CRITIC’S CHOICE: NONSTOP WORLDBEAT

On Thursday at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach, KPBS radio’s third annual “AfroPop Dance Party” will offer nonstop worldbeat music (8 p.m. to 1 a.m.) supplied by deejay Sean Barlow (producer of NPR’s “AfroPop Worldwide”), with a live performance by local soukous band Bitoto. As before, the guest emcee is Georges Collinet, host of “AfroPop Worldwide” and a well-known radio deejay in Africa. Completing the theme is Creole-Caribbean food provided by Lagniappe. Tickets to the 21-and-up program are $15 for KPBS members and $18 for non-members, available through KPBS (594-8129) or TicketMaster (278-TIXS).

As preparation for the “AfroPop Dance Party,” you can attend, for free, KPBS’ “AfroPop Workshop” tonight at 7 at the Better Worlde Galeria (on Goldfinch, half a block north of Washington). Barlow and Collinet will share personal insights into the contemporary music of Africa and the African diaspora, the local band Sankofa will perform, and a sampling of African coffees and teas will be sold. Call 260-8007 or 594- 8129.