Pink Panther 25th anniversary!

(Bart Mendoza ushers in this salute to the big cat.)

Pink Panther flyerSaturday, Dec. 17, The Casbah will be the site of the Pink Panther’s 25th anniversary party. Expect many familiar faces in attendance to celebrate the late bar’s brief existence. Founded by future Casbah proprietor Tim Mays, Peter “English” Verbrugge and Bob Bennett, the Pink Panther was the meeting spot for much of San Diego’s music scene during its run and fittingly, the night features an eclectic bill.

Tickets are $15 and available online.

Opening the night will be the soul and rock dance combo The Amandas. Fronted by Amanda Suter, the band includes the ace rhythm section of Tom Ward (bass) and David Klowden (drums), with guitarist Jon Erickson, saxophonist Aaron Rossi and keyboardist A.J. Croce.

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Crawdaddys/Unknowns Labor Day
showcase from the McMullen Collection

The Unknowns; Casbah, Sept. 3, 2011 (Sean McMullen)San Diego photographer Sean McMullen is a true friend of Che Underground: The Blog and of most of the participants featured here. He’s also a friend to anyone who cares about preserving gorgeous images of the town’s most exciting gigs.

Sean McMullen, Dave Doyle talk photography

The Crawdaddys; Casbah, Sept. 2, 2011 (Sean McMullen)I’m very grateful to him for his latest contribution: this wonderful set of photos from our recent showcase at the Casbah, which ran Sept. 2 and 3 and featured the 30-year San Diego reunions of the Crawdaddys and the Unknowns, supported by a galaxy of local stars.

Stay tuned in the coming weeks for video and audio from Labor Day Weekend 2011!

Flyer; Casbah, Sept. 3, 2011 (Sean McMullen)Heather Vorwerck, Dave Fleminger; Casbah, Sept. 3, 2011 (Sean McMullen)

Here are the acts, in chronological order:

Read moreCrawdaddys/Unknowns Labor Day
showcase from the McMullen Collection

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