For our first show of 2024, we look back at the previous year in cinema. Casbah crew members Tim Pyles, Graham Stevens & Alfredo Tellez sit down with 2 of our favorite guests, DJ Root & Austin Mahn, to discuss our favorite films of 2023.

Robert Alan Lopez, aka El Vez  is an American institution and San Diego icon. From forming the "Mexican Ramones" in the late 70's with several friends from the South Bay, The Zeros, to Elvis interpreter or cultural ambassador bringing his Hispanic heritage into the mix as El Vez.

He lived in Jane Wiedlin of The Go-Go's apartment, was in the Decline Of Western Civilization film, worked at "The Riot House" on the Sunset Strip serving Little Richard and has several restaurants named in his honor. Lately he's been seen in San Diego a lot performing with The Schizophponics and taking them on tour as his backing band.

"Santa Claus" (AKA "Santa Claus vs The Devil") (1959) - As Santa packs his sleigh for another Xmas journey, Lucifer decides he's had enough and sends his trusted demon acolyte, Pitch, to stop Claus. Will Santa be able to deliver his toys to the good children of Mexico City or will the dastardly demon succeed? Directed by Rene Cardona. Starring Jose Elias Moreno, and Jose Luis Aguirre.

Tatiana Mac is a retired party princess who paradoxically also starred in "50 Shades- The Musical Parody" at Bally's Las Vegas. Out of the bondage and back home in San Diego, Tatiana is the lead vocalist of Toothless George's rock n' roll bandstand, Poison Hearts A.C.

"Little Shop of Horrors" (1986): Based on the off-Broadway musical of the same name. Director Frank Oz weaves a tale of skid row romance and a man-eating plant's thirst for blood and world domination. Starring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin & Levi Stubbs (voice).

John Roy is a legendary local musician and Ska connoisseur. Just look at his pedigree:

Big Express, Citizen X, Gangbusters, Monster Zero, Spy Kids, Colorblind, Unsteady, English Beat, Windsor Hill Steppers, Self-Made Men, Fearless in Fair Weather and the Ska/Reggae supergroup Smoke and Mirrors Sound System.

Not only has he played Saxophone in all those bands, he owns John Roy Sound and can provide sound services for just about any event you can imagine!

He single handedly keeps the Ska scene alive in San Diego and is a true Kingpin of the scene! Cheers to you John Roy!

"Brazil "(1985): A mid-level bureaucrat in an Orwellian world yearns to break free and find the woman of his dreams. Directed by Terry Gilliam. Starring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert DeNiro & Katherine Helmond.

Bart Mendoza is a music journalist whose work has appeared in numerous publications, from the San Diego Union Tribune to Britain's Shindig Magazine. As a musician he toured the world in the 1980's with Manual Scan, in the 90's with The Shambles, and currently performs with True Stories. Meanwhile, for over a dozen years, he worked for Capitol Records, as well as Motown, Angel, Chrysalis and others. He currently runs Blindspot Records and promotes San Diego music any way he can.

"That Thing You Do" (1996): A local Pennsylvania band strikes gold and quickly rises to the top of the 1964 Pop charts. Written & Directed by Tom Hanks. Starring Tom Everett Scott, Johnathon Schaech, Steve Zahn, Liv Tyler & Tom Hanks.

Ake Arndt of Operation:Mindblow light show is a local graphic artist and percussionist for groups Volcano and Banghed. Originally from Downey, CA., he moved to Ocean Beach in 1993.

Apocalypse Now (1979) - A US Army officer serving in Vietnam is sent up river to assassinate a Special Forces Colonel gone rogue. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, and Laurence Fishburne.

Scott Clark is originally from New Jersey, but moved to San Diego in the early 90's. Through band connections he joined Lucy's Fur Coat in 1995, and has been a member since. He also plays currently in Mistress 77.

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. 

"Goodfellas"(1990)- True story of mobster Henry Hill's rise & fall within the Lucchese crime family.

Directed by Martin Scorsese. Starring Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Lorraine Bracco, Joe Pesci, & Paul Sorvino.

Marcos Curiel is the lead guitarist, songwriter of multi platinum rock band P.O.D.

Curiel was born in San Diego, California, in 1974 and is of Mexican descent. He grew up in the neighboring city of Chula Vista. In 1998, P.O.D. was signed to a major record deal (Atlantic Records) and released their hit albums The Fundamental Elements of Southtown (1999) and Satellite (2001) including hit singles, "Alive" and "Youth of the Nation". Both albums have had mainstream success, gaining multi Platinum certifications by the RIAA and three Grammy Award nominations. The band continues to tour and release new music. Latest is slated to be coming out in spring of 2024. Album title 'Veritas'. Marcos also contributes artistically by producing music and DJing under the name 'MARK3YT05'. He has also contributed to numerous motion picture soundtracks and continues to tour internationally with P.O.D. Always trying to spread the PMA.

"The Exorcist" (1973): When modern science can't find an answer for what is causing her daughters increasingly bizarre behavior, a distraught mother turns to a local priest for help with an exorcism.

Directed by William Friedkin.

Starring Ellen Burstyn, Max Von Sydow, Jason Miller & Linda Blair.

You may have seen Matthew Bennett at various locations around the world behind a drum kit with the likes of The Bloody Hollies, The Dwarves, Dig, and most recently with his new project: STEVE. It's also likely you have seen him pumping iron at Gold's Gym, he practically lives there. And while not onstage or dead-lifting massive amounts of Is, you may catch him behind the scenes doing live music production at various clubs around town.

Thanks for listening, and if there is a Buick around this guy might just bench-press it!

"Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982

Based on Claremont High School here in San Diego, Cameron Crowe's first novel follows the lives of several Southern Californian teenagers as their navigate their world of work, school, love & heartache. Directed by Amy Heckerling. Starring Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold & Phoebe Cates.

Jake Davis is the lead singer, lyricist, & guitar player for the alternative band, Ikana. When not at a show, Jake can be found collecting records, guitar picks & posters. Drinks with family & friends are a must.

"The Ring" (2002) Investigative journalist, Rachel Keller, is inspecting a mysterious video tape which seems to cause death a week later to anyone that views it. Can she solve the mystery in time to save her & her sons lives? Directed by Gore Verbinski. Starring Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson & Brian Cox