Rock stars have it all: They get to drink copious amounts of alcohol, bite the heads off of bats, trash hotel rooms, race fancy cars, light guitars on fire -- it’s all in a day’s work. They’re just living the dream, right? Wrong. Most musicians aren’t living a life of luxury, and, sometimes, they’re struggling to get by. We’re also pretty sure the decadent days of David Lee Roth, Motley Crue and Led Zeppelin are finished.
Regardless, when the show’s over, the fans clear out and a band loads its gear out of the venue, reality sets in. Back to the day job. While a lot of musicians find employment as bartenders, record-store clerks, retail workers and as waiters and waitresses so they can work within a flexible schedule, there are some living their dream off the stage. Here are some examples of the cool jobs a few of our favorite local musicians are working. If you know of others, let us know in the comments below -- we’re always looking for ways to support our local peeps!
- Erik Canzona: While not knocking out soul, jam-band rock songs with the Heavy Guilt or playing solo (his latest release joined our SoundDiego Record Club), Canzona co-owns Paws Play, which is a pet-care service providing daily walks, hikes, dog-park visits, one-on-one playtime and care for your furry babies while you’re away.
- Erika Davies: Davies has one of the greatest voices around (and a new album coming out in January), but it’s not the only thing she’s got going for her -- she also runs her own Etsy store as a seamstress and designer. Have a look at her custom creations, using raw and reclaimed materials, right here.
- Dan Faughnder: Not only is Faughnder the driving force behind punk-folk troupe Sledding With Tigers, he’s also a core member of the Che Cafe (you may have seen the news about the co-op's recent troubles), occasional sound guy at Soda Bar -- and a "music and play teacher" at Gymboree Play & Music. Sign us up!
- Dave Lowenstein: As the bassist for the soulful alt-country band the Black Sands and the country rock group Mudgrass, Lowenstein also helms his own company, the Snappy McGee Photobooth. Book him for your next event -- he’s a pro.
- Tess Passero: The woman behind alt-surf-rock group Mini Death (who we just shined our SoundDiego Spotlight on), Passero is also the marketing director at Macbeth Footwear and Apparel. That’s a killer gig, if you ask us.
- Greg Peters: We just saw Greg and his Dead Feather Moon cohorts at SoundDiego LIVE at the Office on Halloween (watch ‘em again here), and we’re always impressed by their all-out rock assault. When he’s not shredding guitar, Peters is the cellar manager at Saint Archer Brewing Company here in San Diego. We have a feeling this guy is super popular at parties.
- Austin Prince: Prince heads up the hard blues rock band Hit Dog Hollar (who just released a new single, “Devil Don’t Dance,” featuring Sonny Sandoval from P.O.D.) when he’s not working as the “assistant to the assistant to the neck guy” (according to his Facebook page) at Deering Banjos. We might have to start calling him Austin Schrute from here on out.
- Kevin Weiss: Brothers Weiss have made a name for themselves with their complex indie rock (as we saw in their SoundDiego Spotlight segment), but their drummer, Kevin Weiss, has everyone else in the scene beat when it comes to his day job: He currently works as a chess teacher at the American Chess Institute. Checkmate.
Links to some of our other lists:
- 8 of San Diego's Top Drummers
- 11 of San Diego's Top Bassists
- 9 of San Diego's Most Stylish Bands
- 12 Best Spots for After-Show Grub
- 11 of San Diego’s Best Singers
- 14 of San Diego’s Best Guitarists
