The Sines are (from left to right), Dave Castaneda, Dave Lein, Phil Dupasquier and Adam Williams. (Photo courtesy of Dave Castaneda)
Dave Castaneda, frontman of local San Diego rock band The Sines, began taping the band’s debut record in his house months ago. Early into recording, Castaneda penned the title of the album — “WARNING! SINES!”
At the time, it was just a clever play on words — but it proved prescient when city inspectors on Jan. 23 deemed his rental house an immediate threat to the safety of residents.
The house was “red-tagged,” or condemned, due to structural issues left unaddressed by his landlord. The bad news gave the band its album art — the red warning sign smacked on the front of his house that also made it illegal for him to step foot on the premises.
“Life imitating art,” Castaneda said.
Since Castaneda cannot enter his home, he’s also unable to collect his belongings. Most of his clothes and recording equipment are locked away with no timetable to get them back. He’s been staying in his drummer’s spare room.
“It could be years before I’m whole again,” he said.
Hoping to speed up that process, Soda Bar is throwing a benefit show for Castaneda on Thursday, Feb. 19. Popular local bands Wild Wild Wets and Sunbendr are playing sets to help out. And the gig will double as an album release show for “WARNING! SINES!”
Castaneda put the show together quickly after his house was red-tagged. He works at Soda Bar, so was able to set a date aside in the venue’s busy schedule and gather a couple of local acts to raise some money while he gets back on his feet.
Mike Turi, vocals and keys for Wild Wild Wets, was quick to accept Castaneda’s invitation. Turi and Castaneda worked together for 15 years at Bluefoot Bar in North Park.
“I just get to do what I love most to assist him during this mess,” Turi said.
Turi said the show will include his band’s “greatest hits,” spanning four albums and many singles. Wild Wild Wets are a long-standing band in the San Diego alternative rock community and have recently been on rotation at San Diego’s Alt Rock radio station, 91X.
91X has played a big role in setting up the benefit show, promoting all three of the bands and the gig on the radio while getting word out about The Sines’ debut record. The band recorded their new album entirely in Castaneda’s makeshift studio in his garage, which he provided as an open space for fellow artists to record for free.
Jacob Turnbloom, frontman of local band Mrs. Magician, jammed and recorded demos in Castaneda’s garage studio space. He was one of many San Diego musicians who passed through Castaneda’s house to work out songs in a low-pressure environment.
“He [Castaneda] invited us into that spot and to see it get taken away is just a bummer,” Turnbloom said.
Castaneda said noise levels make it hard to find a residential space for artists to record and play. But Castaneda’s neighbors were always supportive of his artistic endeavors, and often stopped by to tell him how much they enjoyed hearing him and his friends play.
“WARNING! SINES!” is Castaneda’s last homage to his garage studio. The album was recorded entirely there, but was planned to include two more songs. The band was preparing to record the final two tracks when Castaneda’s house was red-tagged.
With little mixing and two songs left off, they released “WARNING! SINES!” as is, both to have new music to play at shows and to close the chapter of recording in his garage.
“It’s the end of an era,” he said. “Let’s just put out what we got as a little memento to that really cool space.”
Castaneda has also taken to Instagram to reach out for assistance. He’s selling shirts from his band and his former South Park surf shop, Pastel Surf. He’s also selling merchandise at Soda Bar show.
“I got a serious amount of steam to blow off so it’s gonna be high energy,” he said.
But the lifeblood of the show is the local music community that’s pulling together to assist one of their own.
“He [Castaneda] is an amazing friend and we are excited to perform and help him out,” Turi said.
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