When Dave Chappell was in the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours, my daughter used to call him "the angry man", but I think it was because he was and is one serious guitar player. I've seen Dave in a lot of bands over the years, and I don't think I've ever been at a show that someone doesn't turn to me and say: (somewhat like Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy)

"Who IS that guy?

He is one talented man still waiting (like too many of us) for a decent national health care plan. Dave's back in the saddle music wise, but please come out and help him pay down his recent medical bills. Twenty bucks for a whole lot of "who's who" in local music. (Click on the poster if you can't read the line up. It's impressive.)

This THURSDAY evening 8 p.m. at SURF CLUB LIVE.

And please note that the Surf Club will be changing formats so this may be one of the last rock shows for the foreseeable future. DC ROCKS sends a big thank you out to JB for giving this place and local music a second chance.

Here today- gone tomorrow.
What a way to see out the Summer 2009-catch The Slickee Boys Reunion
September 4th at The Black Cat.

Yes I Jam by Lyn2

I've always bristled at the word "jam," and while I definitely discovered my inner Dead Head over the years I never really got into any of the "jam bands" that cropped up. But I've got to say, one part of what 7 Door Sedan is doing is jamming. The other part is infused with rock, glam and psychedelic over and undertones that keep me coming back for more. Feed your ears this Saturday night July 11 at the Surf Club. Also playing are Nunchucks, who are great except every time I see them I get "Good Morning Sentry" stuck in my head for two months. You can hear it at their link. XMC are ex-Holy Rollers, Meatmen, Hyaa and Negative Approach and are on my go-see list.

This Dog Can Hunt

Road Dog debuted last month when they opened up for King Soul at Surf Club, but you wouldn't know they were a "new" band to listen to them. They don't sound like a new band or play like a new band or act like a new band. You'd think they'd been rocking for years, and that's because the band members have- just not under this name. And the energy is there to make old songs sound new. Check out the link or better yet check out the band this Friday night at Chapala's out in Burtonsville which, according to my sources, is a Mexican/Salvadorian eatery by day and a club at night. The cover is low- there's an opening band called CTC at 9 and Road Dog will play two sets.

FORT RENO

(pic courtesy of John Hansen)

Some people go for the free music. Some go for the scene which ranges from little kids playing ball to teenagers lurking behind the stage to the grandparents and parents that remember shows from way back when to yes, robots, gorillas and over sized bananas. Some are hoping for the Good Humor truck or to discover a new favorite band, but whatever you go for it's unquestionably the coolest place to be in DC and you never know what you'll see- Monday and Thursday evenings.

DC ROCKS on the Fourth

wherever you may find it.
Have a good one.

When is a Ballroom Just A Room?

The Grandsons are swinging all the time, but especially so tonight when they will be playing a swing dance at the Chevy Chase Ballroom. If you are thinking like I do when you hear the word ballroom though, then think again. It's not exactly a Cinderella type place. (And I'm not even sure that it's even in Chevy Chase.) It's basically a honking large room with mirrored walls and plenty of room to shake a leg over one of my favorite DC shops- Paul's Liquor Store on Wisconsin Avenue between Tenleytown and Friendship Heights. The dance starts at 9 with a free lesson at 8:30. (Admission $15)