surf city, here they come

Dave Brooks

Dozens of musical acts are slated to perform at this year’s U.S. Open

of Surfing, with two separate stages at the famed surfing competition

hosting a nonstop series of performances, rivaling the music

festivals that inundate Southern California each summer. Best of all,

its free.

On Saturday, high-school throwbacks Alien Ant Farm takes the main

stage with their tales of half-brain skating boarding tricks, Pee

Chee folders and bad kissing. Anyone who still owns Weezer’s first

album will like these four gentlemen, recently profiled in Details

magazine.

Headlining this year’s Sunday performance is Detroit garage

four-piece the Von Bondies, a too-cool-for-Converse, but not MTV,

outfit laced with distorted power chords and true rock equality --

the band’s bassist and guitar player are both of female persuasion.

“I would advise anyone who plans to see the concerts to show up

early,” promoter Jen Lau said. “It’s going to be totally packed.”

A second stage of music will be featured this year, sponsored by

extreme sports hooligans Transworld Industries. Performers include

coffee-house rocker Matt Costa, L.A. Hip-Hop collective Burning Star

and funk slactivists Most Chill Slackmob.

Come Friday and you can check out 11 musical newbies selected to

participate in the Transworld Battle of the Bands.

“We’re going to try and get everyone to play an acoustic set this

year,” promoter Jack Spilberg said. “We don’t want to lose the

chilled out atmosphere of the beach.”

Here’s the schedule for this year’s musical performances:

Thursday -- Transworld Stage

11 a.m. to noon -- Rayzing Suns

12 to 1:30 -- Rustic Groove

1:30 to 3 -- Bear Montain DJ Lamont

3 to 4 -- Andrew Broschart

Friday -- Transworld Stage

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. -- Battle of the Bands

Saturday -- Transworld Stage

10 a.m. to 11 a.m. -- Roy Joseph

11 to 12 -- The White Buffalo

Noon to 1:30 -- Patrick Park

3 to 4 -- Matt Costa

4 to 5 -- Yovee

Saturday -- Main Stage

4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Green Briar Lane

6 p.m. -- Alien Ant Farm

Sunday -- Transworld Stage

11 a.m. to noon -- North Coast Underground

12 to 1:30 -- Most Chill Slackmob

1:30 to 2:30 -- Rustic Groove

2:30 to 3:30 -- Burning Star

Sunday -- Main Stage

4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. -- Chronic Futures

6 p.m. -- Von Bondies