32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 30-MAY 6, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC Tortellini and eggs at Toasties Cafe in Pacific Grove is a unique dish that rhythm guitarist and vocalist Sammy Skidmore of Seattle-based Dining Dead is looking forward to during the band’s two tour stops in Monterey County. “We’re pushing the boundaries of breakfast,” jokes drummer Bogie Pieper, originally from Pacific Grove, who may have been the one who tipped off his bandmates about the dish. Dining Dead is also pushing the boundaries of music using off-pairing ingredients. The band formed in 2019 with a vision of playing indie-Americana music, but each of the band members’ musical backgrounds quickly sent that off the rails. “We’re getting a little more experimental,” explains Skidmore. “We’re really into composing right now, homing in on small vignettes and moments in the music.” For this group, moments like that mean sounds from Kennedy Webb’s fiddle-esque violin, synth, penny-whistle or maracas and surfy-electric guitar sounds from Emma Hayes, all percussed with groovy baselines from Shannon Barberry. “We have a lot more instruments going on now than we did at the beginning,” Skidmore says. Pieper, the drummer, moved to Seattle in 2018 after playing with his Monterey County-based band Bogie and the Turtles. He says that joining the band was pivotal for his musicianship. “I was just inspired by the skill I was seeing and people who had really dedicated their lives to music,” Pieper says. “There’s a lot of great musicians [in Monterey] but I feel like I was a bit humbled when I moved to a city.” The hodgepodge of musical influences and experimentation led the group to write a first-ever overture for their latest studio album, Is This A House?, which evolves into melodies touching progressive rock, surf-rock and major and minor violin notes, supplied by ethereal harmonies plus spoken vocals. Pieper says the band has come through Monterey County on previous tours but this time is special because it’s the first time he’s able to perform in his actual hometown. “We haven’t got to play in P.G.,” he says. “It’s exciting now that there’s actually a venue there.” At Henry Miller Memorial Library, the band opens for Richard Tripp. Dining Dead performs 7:30pm Friday, May 1 at Henry Miller Memorial Library, 48603 Highway 1, Big Sur. Free. RSVP at henrymiller.org; 8pm Saturday, May 2 at Pop & Hiss, 215 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove. Free. popandhiss.net. RACHEL BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY Dining Set Seattle-based Dining Dead brings experimental jams to two shows in Monterey County. By Sloan Campi “We have more at our fingertips for making weird songs,” says Dining Dead vocalist Sammy Skidmore (center). The band plays two dates in Monterey County. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’25 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com ’25 Best Steak BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS, SANDWICHES AND MORE 11:30AM MON-FRI, 10AM SAT & SUN melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’25 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari ’25 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==