Friends! Friends of friends! Friends of friends of friends! I ask for your indulgence for a moment so as to alert you to the Fuzzy Logic fundraiser that is entering its' final week.
As many of you know, I've been trying to raise some funds to help out with the upgrading of my technology. To blog is to need a functional computer, and my hand-me-down is getting long in the tooth and rather tempermental (like your favorite cantankerous old relative, possibly), rendering me more than a little technologically-challenged.
So a few weeks back I decided to start a Booster campaign. Why, you ask? Well, friends, to be frank with you, the life of an unemployed blogger can be a little difficult. It also makes upgrading things on ones own next to impossible. Believe you me, if I could, I would. But alas! I finally decided that it was finally time to try to make some Fuzzy Logic tee shirts happen, something I've wanted to do for quite a while now, and that any and all funds raised from the campaign would go towards the purchase of a computer. With upgraded technology it'll be much easier to continue to put forth content that (I hope) you know and love. It brings me nothing but joy to be able to share my finds with you, and while I'll soldier on regardless, any and all help is appreciated more than I can even say.
Check out the campaign if you have a minute. It will end late night on April 23rd. To make the tees a reality, 20 need to be ordered, and there's still a ways to go. If you can help, you have no idea how thankful I will be.
Much love, and much thanks for your indulgence. You're too good to me, really.
12:01 PM
6th and I Synagogue, 9:30 Club, Black Cat, CD Cellar, Comet Ping Pong, Corcoran Gallery, DC, DC9, Galaxy Hut, Hill Country, Iota, Rock'n'Roll Hotel, The Hamilton, The Week In Shows
A beautiful, actually sort of Spring-like early afternoon is as good a time as any to plot ones weekly live music schedule, I think. Let's take a look at what's happening in the greater DC metro this week, with the added bonus of filling you in on what I may or may not be taking in over the course of the week. Hot diggity!
This week is an allergy-abbreviated week...I love Spring, but could definitely do without all that allergy nonsense. I may or may not be out there this week, but there's a whole lot of good bands that will be. You should go and check some of them out. And as always, anything that's starred has a high forecast of yours truly being there (though this week the odds are a bit long).
WEDNESDAY, 4/16/14
-Cloud Nothings + Ryley Walker (Black Cat)
-Pleasure Curses + Furniteur + Chris Burns (Corcoran Gallery of Art)
-Beds + Sellout Youth + Curse Words (CD Cellar - Arlington)
THURSDAY, 4/17/14
-We Are Scientists + Paws (Black Cat)
-Horse Feathers + James Wallace & The Naked Light (The Hamilton)
-Woody Pines (Hill Country)
-Bobby Bare Jr. + Cory Branan (Iota)
FRIDAY, 4/18/14
-The War On Drugs + White Laces (9:30 Club - SOLD OUT)
SATURDAY, 4/19/14
-Local H + Crook & Pony (DC9)
-Cloud Cult (6th & I)
-Sunwolf + Loud Boyz + Total Slacker (Rock & Roll Hotel)
SUNDAY, 4/20/14
-Tycho + Gardens & Villa (9:30 Club)
-The Coathangers + Chain & The Gang + Audacity + DJ Kid Congo Powers + DJ Baby Alcatraz (Comet Ping Pong)
-America Hearts + The Good Graces (Galaxy Hut)
[posted 4.16.14]
A wonderful thing happens every year in the beauteous mountains of Western Virginia. For one weekend in early April, the city of Harrisonburg is the epicenter of a dynamite little festival, the Mid Atlantic College Radio Conference, otherwise known as Macrock. I’ve been to a couple of these events, and have had a brilliant time taking in the bands and breathing the beautiful mountain air. Alas and alack, I won’t be in Harrisonburg this weekend for this year’s Macrock, but that doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention to who’s going to be playing. I’ve made a list of bands I think worthy of your time, whether you’re heading to the mountains or not.
I love the restlessness that crawls along through the songs of Big Ups. They are jittery, they are high strung, they are nervy and lean. The exclamation point of a plaintive, frustrated howl releases waves of frustration and it sounds oh so good. Don't sleep on Big Ups.
[posted 4.5.14]
A wonderful thing happens every year in the beauteous mountains of Western Virginia. For one weekend in early April, the city of Harrisonburg is the epicenter of a dynamite little festival, the Mid Atlantic College Radio Conference, otherwise known as Macrock. I’ve been to a couple of these events, and have had a brilliant time taking in the bands and breathing the beautiful mountain air. Alas and alack, I won’t be in Harrisonburg this weekend for this year’s Macrock, but that doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention to who’s going to be playing. I’ve made a list of bands I think worthy of your time, whether you’re heading to the mountains or not.
You know how it goes. The grass is always greener...except this time. Grass Is Green has some pretty green grass in their own right. They're loud, they're shouty, they're grimy, and I like it. Methinks this is a band that could seriously throw down in the flesh. So go and find out.
[posted 4.5.14]
8:47 AM
6th and I Synagogue, 9:30 Club, Black Cat, DC, Galaxy Hut, Jammin Java, Lincoln Theatre, St. Stephens, The Pinch, The Week In Shows, Velvet Lounge, Wonderland Ballroom
A Saturday morning is as good a time as any to plot ones weekly live music schedule, I think. Let's take a look at what's happening in the greater DC metro this week, with the added bonus of filling you in on what I may or may not be taking in over the course of the week. Hot diggity!
It's Spring, and it's baseball season, and yours truly is a happy kitten. April is looking like an awesome month for live music, so I'm pretty dang excited about it. You never know, I just might see you out and about during the week, and as always, anything that's starred has a high forecast of yours truly being there.
MONDAY, 4/7/14
-Two Ton Twig + Atoka Chase (Galaxy Hut)
TUESDAY, 4/8/14
-Carolina Chocolate Drops + David Wax Museum + Birds of Chicago (9:30 Club)
-James Vincent McMorrow + Aidan Knight (6th & I)
WEDNESDAY, 4/9/14
-The Love Language + The Escape Artist (DC9)**
-Black Checker + Cherie Sweetbottom (Wonderland Ballroom)
-Those Mockingbirds + Wanted Man (Black Cat)
THURSDAY, 4/10/14
-Teething Veils + Overly Polite Tornadoes + Elemental Canyon (The Pinch)
-Bencoolen + Three State + Bells & Hunters (DC9)
FRIDAY, 4/11/14
-Damaged City Fest (St. Stephens, after-party at The Pinch)
-Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra (Black Cat)
-Title Tracks + Passing Phases + Cane & The Sticks (Travis Jackson Memorial Fundraiser) (Comet Ping Pong)
-Emmylou Harris (Lincoln Theatre)
SATURDAY, 4/12/14
-Damaged City Fest (St. Stephens, after-party at The Pinch)
-Nina Persson + White Prism (Jammin Java)
-Clones of Clones + Molehill + Dirty Jacks (Velvet Lounge)
-Neil Finn + Midlake (Lincoln Theatre)
-The Sounds + Blondfire + Ghost Beach (9:30 Club)
-Humble Fire + Teen Mom + Pleasure Curses (Comet Ping Pong)
SUNDAY, 4/13/14
-June Star + Birds & Arrows (Galaxy Hut)
-Dan Rossen + William Tyler (6th & I)
[posted 4.5.14]
A wonderful thing happens every year in the beauteous mountains of Western Virginia. For one weekend in early April, the city of Harrisonburg is the epicenter of a dynamite little festival, the Mid Atlantic College Radio Conference, otherwise known as Macrock. I’ve been to a couple of these events, and have had a brilliant time taking in the bands and breathing the beautiful mountain air. Alas and alack, I won’t be in Harrisonburg this weekend for this year’s Macrock, but that doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention to who’s going to be playing. I’ve made a list of bands I think worthy of your time, whether you’re heading to the mountains or not.
I'm really digging me some Myrrh Myrrh lately. Local DC types, the trio combines exceptionally pretty lady vocals with exceptionally sludgy, scuzzy noise. And it totally works. Call them what you will, just don't call them shoegaze (because they don't want you to, and because they're not). Just make sure you give them a good once-over (or two).
[posted 4.14.14]
A wonderful thing happens every year in the beauteous mountains of Western Virginia. For one weekend in early April, the city of Harrisonburg is the epicenter of a dynamite little festival, the Mid Atlantic College Radio Conference, otherwise known as Macrock. I’ve been to a couple of these events, and have had a brilliant time taking in the bands and breathing the beautiful mountain air. Alas and alack, I won’t be in Harrisonburg this weekend for this year’s Macrock, but that doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention to who’s going to be playing. I’ve made a list of bands I think worthy of your time, whether you’re heading to the mountains or not.
A word to the wise, y'all. If you're going to Macrock this weekend (as you should) and are planning on seeing Ovlov (as you should), make sure you have at least one pair of earplugs. So very loud in the best of ways, Ovlov is sure to deliver plenty of delicious distortion and waves of brain-liquifying noise. They are a definite can't-miss, so don't.
[posted 4.4.14]
A wonderful thing happens every year in the beauteous mountains of Western Virginia. For one weekend in early April, the city of Harrisonburg is the epicenter of a dynamite little festival, the Mid Atlantic College Radio Conference, otherwise known as Macrock. I’ve been to a couple of these events, and have had a brilliant time taking in the bands and breathing the beautiful mountain air. Alas and alack, I won’t be in Harrisonburg this weekend for this year’s Macrock, but that doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention to who’s going to be playing. I’ve made a list of bands I think worthy of your time, whether you’re heading to the mountains or not.
There's something I like so very much about My Darling Fury. They've got a lovely, pastoral quality to their songs, but don't make it overly sweet or lay it on too thick. The Richmond collective keeps it pretty, but without being too twee. A great listen live, I would imagine.
[posted 4.4.14]
A wonderful thing happens every year in the beauteous mountains of Western Virginia. For one weekend in early April, the city of Harrisonburg is the epicenter of a dynamite little festival, the Mid Atlantic College Radio Conference, otherwise known as Macrock. I’ve been to a couple of these events, and have had a brilliant time taking in the bands and breathing the beautiful mountain air. Alas and alack, I won’t be in Harrisonburg this weekend for this year’s Macrock, but that doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention to who’s going to be playing. I’ve made a list of bands I think worthy of your time, whether you’re heading to the mountains or not.
Ex Hex is rad not only because they're local, but because they're doing seriously killer glam-tinged punky sass that, when you boil it down, plays to their self-proclaimed "power trio" soul. They are awesome, in short, and will more than likely melt some willing and able faces this weekend.
[posted 4.3.14]
A wonderful thing happens every year in the beauteous mountains of Western Virginia. For one weekend in early April, the city of Harrisonburg is the epicenter of a dynamite little festival, the Mid Atlantic College Radio Conference, otherwise known as Macrock. I’ve been to a couple of these events, and have had a brilliant time taking in the bands and breathing the beautiful mountain air. Alas and alack, I won’t be in Harrisonburg this weekend for this year’s Macrock, but that doesn’t mean I’m not paying attention to who’s going to be playing. I’ve made a list of bands I think worthy of your time, whether you’re heading to the mountains or not.
Calling themselves "future folk-rock," Baltimore's Other Colors sounds mighty fine. There's a dreaminess to their "exploratory pop" songs, calling to mind the frothy notes Aztec Camera could produce but with even more sugary sweetness. This girl's in smit.
[posted 4.3.14]
Lean, raw, and badass. You could certainly apply those terms to actual big cat panthers, but they also more than apply to Chicago’s Flesh Panthers. Holy hell, y’all.
I somehow stumbled upon Flesh Panthers and was all sorts of impressed by their live recording from earlier this year. Their songs are no frills, sweat-drenched and sinewy good god almighty rock and roll for the sake of rock and roll. Veering from jittery to in your face to straight up sexy, this is a band with some presence, to say the least. And any band with the cajones not only to tackle “Sister Ray” but do a damn fine job covering it is top dollar in my book.
I don’t know about y’all, but I’m pretty excited about Flesh Panthers (and not just because they have ridiculously awesome cat tee shirts).
[posted 4.2.14]
The very idea of their name is quite an interesting one. Think about it: Dead Fame. All things considered, fame is just another one of those things you won’t be taking with you when you’re gone and six feet under, though in some cases fame will certainly outlast a lifespan. For now, Dead Fame seems content to look for mortal love, and to my ears they’re more than ready for it.
Richmond serves as the band’s home base, though their sound isn’t what you might expect from the city that’s got more of a penchant for metal and quirky indie. Instead, Dead Fame defiantly waves the flag for brooding, black-clad Brit-inspired synthpop. Decadent yet deconstructed, it’s a style they wear incredibly well. Their newest effort, the Vicious Design EP, is a deliciously dark, seriously danceable assault on the senses. Titillating with their knob-twiddling and taut, spiky riffs, the band is anchored by pitch-perfect and somewhat theatrically crooning vocals.
Tearing myself away from listening to opening track “Joan Crawford” on repeat proved to be quite a struggle, so addictive is that menacingly honeyed two and a half minutes. As with most Dead Fame songs there’s an underlying sinister vibe, married here to something almost coquettish, resulting in a feeling akin to getting in over your head. And it’s something I can’t get enough of. Thankfully, the rest of the EP delivers some major goods. “My Body, My Fool” is so catchy it’s ridiculous, wiry and edgy and irresistible, while “Girl Undone” turns the screws so very prettily, dancing along in the gloom. “Lift” is another treat, dizzyingly rambunctious and threatening to “set this place on fire.”
These four songs would have been more than enough to make yours truly happy, but the band has included three remixes of “My Body, My Fool,” including an slinky, vaporous treatment by Xiu Xiu and a seriously club-ready interpretation courtesy of Nightstalker.
This is a band that’s looking like they mean business. I’d strongly advise you to keep an eye on Dead Fame.
[posted 4.2.14]
1:43 PM
9:30 Club, Black Cat, DC, DC9, Galaxy Hut, Hill Country, Iota, Rock'n'Roll Hotel, State Theatre, The Week In Shows, Velvet Lounge
A dare I say springlike afternoon is as good a time as any to plot ones weekly live music schedule, I think. Let's take a look at what's happening in the greater DC metro this week, with the added bonus of filling you in on what I may or may not be taking in over the course of the week. Hot diggity!
It's Spring, but that's STILL not stopping snow from rearing its annoying head. Seeing as it's just about April, we can only hope the weather will finally start to act like the right season. Maybe, just maybe, I'll see you out and about during the week, and as always, anything that's starred has a high forecast of yours truly being there.
MONDAY, 3/31/14
-Cosmonauts + Black Sea (Black Cat)
-The Plums + Chester Hawkins + Tag Cloud (Galaxy Hut)
TUESDAY, 4/1/14
-North Of Nashville (Hill Country)
WEDNESDAY, 4/2/14
-Real Estate + Pure X (9:30 Club)
-Case Conrad + Mittenfields + King of Prussia + Giraffetermath (Velvet Lounge)**
-Yellow Ostrich + Pattern Is Movement (DC9)
THURSDAY, 4/3/14
-Psychedelic Furs (State Theatre)
-Dave Hause + Northcote (DC9)
-Skaters + Team Spirit (Rock & Roll Hotel)
FRIDAY, 4/4/14
-Elikeh + Alma Tropicalia + Backbeat Underground (Black Cat)
-The Very Small + Bearshark (Rock & Roll Hotel)
-Kraftwerk (9:30 Club - Both Shows SOLD OUT)
SATURDAY, 4/5/14
-The Pack a.d. + Big Country Express (DC9)
-Jukebox The Ghost + Holychild (Rock & Roll Hotel - SOLD OUT)
-Rocket From The Crypt + Dan Sartain (Black Cat - SOLD OUT)
SUNDAY, 4/6/14
-Jon Langford & The Skull Orchard (Iota)
-Elsinore + Sons Of Steve + Go Cozy (DC9)
[posted 3.31.14]
Well, my loves, I finally got there. The list was made. I hope you enjoyed my foray into the best that 2013 had to offer (to my ears, anyway). There was a lot of the expected (psych rock) and perhaps a smidge of the less-so expected (some popular records!). There were bands I was certain would be on the list all year, and bands that came out of nowhere to blow my house down. Amongst this list of 60, I hope you found something that you hadn't yet heard, something that warmed the cockles of your music-loving heart. For the sake of review purposes, below you'll find my list all the way from number 60 to number 1a.
And heck, let's do it all again next year.
Happy listening!
60. Air Review – Low Wishes
59. Pontiacs – Atacama Dreaming
58. The ACBs – Little Leaves
57. Dead Professional – Don’t Be Cruel
56. Phosphorescent – Muchacho
55. Lumerians – The High Frontier
54. Spindrift – Ghost Of The West
53. Yuck – Glow And Behold
52. The Palma Violets – 180
51. John Grant – Pale Green Ghost
50. Speedy Ortiz – Major Arcana
49. Ell V Gore – Ell V Gore
48. Useless Eaters - Hypertension
47. Spectrals – SOB Story
46. M.I.A. – Matangi
45. The Phoenix Foundation – Fandango
44. Generationals – Heza
43. GEMS – Medusa EP
42. Jagwar Ma – Howlin
41. Running – Vaguely Ethnic
40. Gringo Star – Floating Out To See
39. Veronica Falls – Waiting For Something To Happen
38. Lorde – Pure Heroine
37. Clinic – Free Reign II
36. Surf City – We Knew It Was Not Going To Be Like This
35. Day Ravies – Tussle
34. Tape Waves – Tape Waves EP
33. CHVRCHES – Recover EP
32. Dame Blanche – Taking Happiness
31. Mystic Braves – Mystic Braves
30. Hookworms – Pearl Mystic
29. Native America – Bad Weed/Still Weed
28. Coke Weed – Back To Soft
27. The Flying Eyes – Lowlands
26. Mind Spiders – Inhumanistic
25. BRMC – Specter At The Feast
24. Neko Case – The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight…
23. Disappears – Era
22. Ttotals – Spectrums Of Light
21. Grooms – Infinity Caller
20. Camera Obscura – Desire Lines
19. Gnod – Chaudelande
18. Mazzy Star – Seasons Of Your Day
17. The Laurels – Plains
16. The Living Eyes – The Living Eyes
15. Arcade Fire – Reflektor
14. Bazooka – Bazooka
13. Joanna Gruesome – Weird Sister
12. L.A. Witch – L.A. Witch
11. Washed Out – Paracosm
10. Night Beats – Sonic Bloom
9. My Bloody Valentine – MBV
8. CHVRCHES – The Bones Of What You Believe
7. Primal Scream – More Light
6. Psychic Ills – One Track Mind
1e. Crocodiles – Crimes Of Passion
1d. The Black Angels – Indigo Meadow
1c. Snowden – No One In Control
1b. Weekend – Jinx
1a. Cult Of Dom Keller – Cult Of Dom Keller
[posted 3.31.14]
