SoundCheck Flix

Austin Mahn, a.k.a Captain Auzmo, is the singer & frontman for Auz Fontaine. "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003): The final film in Peter Jackson's Oscar-winning trilogy finds most of our heroes fighting to save Gondor while Frodo, Sam, & Gollum inch closer to the fires of Mordor. The high stakes fight for middle earth eventually finds Aragorn as King and Sauron destroye...

Alex Jacobelli is a native San Diegan rocker (and sometimes roller, too). He currently operates Sunsick Studio, a music recording facility, and plays guitar in Negative Blast, among others. "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" (2002): The Fellowship is splintered. Frodo & Sam are edging towards Mordor with the help of a shifty guide, Gollum. Aragorn, Legolas & Gimli help defend the king...

Spacewizardinspace (Orion Ferguson) is a San Diego based electronic musician. With influences ranging from Tangerine Dream to Steve Roach, to Japanese Role Playing Game soundtracks. A member of the Casbah crew, and Soundcheck Flix podcast crew, he  brings a sometimes “unique” perspective and complicated relationship with fantasy and sci-fi, specifically Lord of the Rings and Dune. There’s a thing,...

This week the Casbah crew celebrate the incredible life & talent of the late, great Roger Corman. From Drive-In's to streaming, his incredible eye for talent & ability to follow trends while also setting them, made his movies essential viewing for decades of film fans. Beginning with "The Monster from the Ocean Floor", through to "Carnosaur" and beyond, we discuss our favorite Corman films...

Emilie Schumacher is a 25 year old with chronic indecision. At any point in time, you could witness her doing 5-10 jobs at once. Among her jobs and hobbies you will find photography, music, writing, social media, and eating cheese even though it upsets her stomach. One of the things she has always wanted to do is work on a tour, but for now she lives vicariously through many rewatches of Almost Fa...

Francis Roberts is a composer based in San Diego, CA whose music blends cinematic dark fantasy aesthetics with experimental approaches to synthesizers and samplers. His live performances create an unpredictable and oneiric portal into another world. Francis also did this week's guest intro/outro music! “Conan the Barbarian” (1982): After witnessing the destruction of his people and the murder of h...

Robbie Butler: Production Manager at Soda Bar. Man child, obsessive record collector, Persian cat father, skateboard enthusiast, comedy dork, cinephile, vegan asshole, Porto-Shitkid. "Rushmore" (1998): Max Fischer is a precocious 15 year old struggling academically to remain at his beloved private school. Though he has many extracurricular activities, Max struggles to make friends until a wealthy...

If Jerry Lee had a baby with Tina Turner…  After locally fueling the clubs and bars with soulful rock and roll, The Sons of Tennessee have stripped down to the heart and soul of it all, “the roots”. André Carrera on the doghouse, Dr. Bob scaling the Gretch and Jonny holding down the rhythm and pipes... Down home boogie woogie through the veins of  legend. “No filler, all killer”,  with heart and s...

Esteban Rene (The Slashes): Boat Captain & writer of sad songs. “Y Tu Mama Tambien”(2001): Two Mexican teenagers embark on a road trip to a secluded beach with a beautiful older woman they wish to seduce. Their journey teaches them much about their lives and the world around them. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron. Starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Diego Luna & Maribel Verdu. 

Tim Pyles is a local legend. He's a co-host for Soundcheck Flix, has spent years on the radio, and has spent a lifetime being a cheerleader for San Diego local music. He books shows at the Casbah and several other venues, and spends free time running around San Diego, spending the day at Disneyland, or chilling at home playing with his many adorable doggies. His latest venture is Pyles Sticker Com...

Aaron Swanton, recognized for his multifaceted roles as a musician, producer, and audio engineer, has been a part of San Diego's vibrant music scene for many years. Presently, he plays guitar in the band Crasher, having previously garnered recognition during his decade-long tenure with Scarlet Symphony. Beyond his personal musical pursuits, Swanton dedicates time to producing records and engaging...

DJ Root is currently a member of the No Sucker DJ's, Good Vibe SD, and San Diego Best DJ's collectives. There you can regularly catch him spinning at concerts, dance parties, weddings and working as one of San Diego hip-hop's most dedicated and tireless advocates. “The Iron Claw” Wrestling Spectacular/ Bonus Episode #5: In this episode, we celebrate the lives of the Von Erich family & the rece...

Singer and instrumentalist Tamar Berk is a literate songwriter with a haunting, atmospheric sound steeped in 1990s alt-rock, ’70s to ’80s power pop, and ’60s psychedelia.  A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Berk played music growing up, danced in a professional ballet company, and earned a degree in Photo-Illustration from Kent State University before moving to Chicago.  It was there that she formed the...

Art is an upbeat, energetic professional DJ with a natural ability to read a crowd. With over ten years of experience with weddings and corporate events, Art knows what your event needs down to the very last detail. Always keeping a smile, polite demeanor, and professional attitude has made him a client favorite. He takes pride in making your event stand out as one of the most important days of yo...

Declan Halloran has been playing drums for 20 years.  The list of acts he’s played and toured with include Neveready, Pumphouse, Hand of Gavrilo, Hiroshima Mockingbirds, Daytrip, Dani Bell, El Vez, Crasher, Drug Hunt, Rey Wolf, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds.  His parents, Michael and Stephani, moved to San Diego in 1986, and since his debut in 1993, Declan has called San Diego his home.  Having a...

Shane Hall: Blues Soul Americana Artist  Active: 2002 - Present Based in San Diego CA Shane Hall has developed a Sound all his own. His hybrid of Blues, Soul and Americana styles strike you instantly and resonate with you long after the performance. The songs and music are products and accounts of the human conditions we all face, good bad and ugly. The sounds are a soulful accounting of love, los...

The Dune-Off! Our fourth bonus episode has producer Eric Lucero and cameraman Orion Ferguson joining Graham and Tim on mic for a film on film battle: David Lynch's "Dune" (1984) against Denis Villeneuve's "Dune: Part 1" (2021) and "Dune: Part 2" (2024)! Only the Bene Gesserit could know the outcome of this one... Eric Lucero: head fader pusher at the Casbah, fader ape at other places around town....

Demetrius Antuña is a Jersey born skateboarder turned singer, guitarist, producer, film composer and graphic designer who transplanted to San Diego in the late 90’s. Through the late 80’s into the early 90’s he skated for brands such as Spitfire, Thunder and Tour Skates until his love for the music in skate videos turned into a desire to make that music himself. He’s toured extensively with bands ...

Scott Clark, originally from New Jersey, moved to San Diego in the early 90's. Through band connections joined Lucy's fur Coat in 1995, has been a member since. He also plays currently in Mistress77. Hes an amateur photographer, coffee roaster, and is married with 2 boys. He loves running, espresso, mafia documentaries, writing music and hanging with the family. "At Close Range" (1986): A young ma...

Nick Brumbach, founder of Tunewave, Ground Floor Presents, and Talent Booker at Music Box. Brumbach is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and promoter. Following the footsteps of his father and grandfather, both industry veterans, Brumbach is a hungry professional who isn't shy to the music industry. Hailing from Omaha Nebraska, now living in San Diego, Brumbach brings midwest hospitality and work...

Phil Beaumont is a dabbler in many creative endeavors such as his band The Color Forty Nine, video arts, acting for theater and film, photography, and running a public charter school. He loves travel, good food, great cocktails and most importantly, kind people. He loves to collaborate with others, so you should give him a call. "Withnail & I" (1987) In late 1969 London, two chemically depende...

Over the past twenty years, when musicians and producers in Southern California have needed fresh R&B, funk, or hip hop beats, they've called on drummer Jake Najor. A former bandmember of Breakestra, Incredible Moses Leroy, and The Styletones, Najor has performed or recorded with scores of noteworthy artists, including IV on the Radio, Raphael Saadig, Kelis, Joss Stone, Connie Price and The Ke...

Israeli born, Gotham reared Ariel Levine has been lurking in the shadows of the San Diego music scene for the better part of a decade. Donning a variety of capes n' cowls as recording artist, producer, mix engineer, and perennial David Bowie impersonator, recent work includes mixing and mastering Poison Hearts AC's forthcoming EP. When not blithering on about Batman, Ariel enjoys cruising around i...

Austin based musician Aryn Jonathan Black is the co-founder singer/songwriter for Scorpion Child, a heavy psychedelic post punk band that started in 2007. He also plays in Acid Roulette (Austin), and The Ritual (Norway), as well as solo project Blissful Myth. "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada" (2005): Ranch Foreman, Pete Perkins, looks to fulfill a promise he made to a recently deceased fri...

Pall Jenkins is a vocalist, guitarist, musician, producer, artist, knife maker. He started his first punk band when he was 16 called Dark Sarcasm. About 3 years later joined forces with friends to form Three Mile Pilot that performed and released albums for many years and is still active today on occasion. In 1997 he started The Black Heart Procession. Where he made 6 albums and traveled extensive...