Zombie On

Color School and Yachtsmen at Asylum: Just What the Doctor Ordered by Lyn2

The legendary Dr. Joe Sasfy opened his show on the now defunct WGTB with a prescription for rock therapy. You can get your dose this Thursday night at Asylum with Color School and The Yachtsmen. Here's what will be included: two great bands for $5; six uber-talented musicians who know their stuff and original songs that tromp their way through many influences, but never fail to rock. Also note that Adams Morgan's parking torture and mayhem procedures are NOT in effect on week nights for those who avoid them. Asylum's a cozy spot with food and a nice beer selection. The show is at 9 p.m.

If you're curious about WTGB- it was the radio station that nurtured, if not created, the crazy quilt that was the DC music scene in the 1970s. Listen to archived 24-hour segments on WGAY each Wednesday. How cool is that.

Zombies United

photo by Mark Hall

Even Zombies, perhaps especially zombies need a night out now and then to break up that eternity thing. So bring out your dead this Saturday evening and join the fourth annual Zombie Walk in Silver Spring.

It's Free

Most DC natives will readily admit that we are notorious for NOT taking advantage of all the free amazing things to do here-like the nightly shows on  Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center, and the whole dang mall with all those museums and monuments just hanging around waiting for you to get down there.

For example, have you been meaning to take the kids to see the Norman Rockwell exhibit?
Like since last July?

This Saturday sounds like the perfect day to go as it's Family Day at the American Museum of Art which means there will be a bunch of activities including a live and rocking swing dance by the fountain featuring our friends Natty Beaux. Noon-3.

Attention All Musical Cats -Fight at Jammin Java

The folks at Jammin Java asked DC ROCKS to pass this announcement along:

"Jammin’ Java presents the fourth Mid-Atlantic Band Battle. Everyone
had such a killer time at the first three battles that we’re doing it again! We are searching for the best bands of any genre
from up-and-down the East Coast to prove that they have what it takes to win $2500 CASH and other prizes! Here's how it works:


1. Apply here to compete in the Battle.
Only 24 bands will be accepted.
The application deadline is Saturday, November 20th.


2. Compete in one of four preliminary rounds on January 10, 11, 12,
and 13. Six bands compete per night. One winner per night moves on to the finals.


3. The winning four bands will compete in the finals on Friday, February 18th.


4. Win the Battle and you get $2500 CASH plus studio time at Cue Recording Studios with producer Jim Ebert, and your own headlining show at Jammin’ Java!
The top four bands receive gift certificates from Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center


This is a great opportunity for some MAJOR CASH for your band as well as tons of exposure to many industry professionals.
It's also a great way for us at Jammin’ Java to check out your band in consideration for future shows.
Whether you are acoustic, rock, latin, bluegrass, funk, folk, electronic, reggae,
hip-hop, or anything else,
we want you!"

DC Rocks

The text below showed up in my email today, and the message pretty much poetically encapsulates what DC ROCKS is all about:what makes this town unique. In this case it's great players, deep atmosphere and very little out of pocket:

"Dan Hovey returns to JV's this Thursday Oct. 21st at 9:00pm.

Robbie Magruder is on drums.

Mac Cridlin is on bass

You're sitting in a booth, or at the the bar. 

 Or dancing.

The band sounds great.

You're having fun."

Virginia Rocks Tonight

Sorry for the last minute post, but two great shows are going on in Virgina tonight: straight ahead jive-Jumpin Jupiter is at tiny JVs and so beyond Cream covers GHz will be at Bangkok Blues. (Close enogh to catch a set of both!)

If you subscribe to DC ROCKS, chances are you will be getting this posting a day or so "late." That's up to our third party subscription service. Consider becoming a fan of DC ROCKS on facebook for the latest updates. Social network, baby. It's a Zuckerberg world.

Band O' Mania

Three days of music- no holds barred at the Quarry House in Silver Spring this weekend!

Madness In the Parking Lot

DC ROCKS congratulates our friend, Jeff Krulik. His crazy Capital Centre film "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" made it into the book Reefer Movie Madness and also into  a top ten list in USA TODAY.

You may have never seen Jeff, but he's the guy with a camera securely fastened to one eye. He has been a faithful chronicler of the DC rock scene for many years including this clip of one of the last Slickee Boys'shows at the Black Cat- a little movie all unto itself.

Next month Jeff is hosting a panel on the historical rock scene of Northern Virginia which promises to be quite the event. If the Alexandria Roller Rink rings a bell for you, or if you want to learn more, put aside Saturday afternoon, November 6. Watch this space for details coming up soon.

Sunday Get in the Car With Sister

Dance Dance Revolution by Lyn2

Fort Reno 2010

Be part of history and shake your whatever Saturday night at the Black Cat. Our own up and coming sensation Ra Ra Rasputin will celebrate their debut CD. If you missed them at Ft. Reno this summer where they had everyone from babies on up dancing under the stars, now is your chance. We were wowed. This review from TGRI (True Genius Requires Insanity) spells them out better than DC ROCKS can.

Ra Ra will be sharing the bill with Casper Bangs and the Jaguar Club on the Main Stage. Black Cat dance parties sometimes sell out, and this is a big one, so getting tickets early or showing up around 9 is not a bad idea.

$10
All ages venue!

A Two Step Program

Blob's Park is still alive. It was, ironically, saved from development by the recession, but the folks there still need your support to keep it going. One easy way to do this is to learn how to two step. Local dance guru Ben Pajac gives us the low down:

"In the tradition of the Texas hill country where honky tonk and German beer gardens go hand-in-hand, The Oklahoma Twisters will be featured at Honky Tonk Night this Friday, October 8 at Maryland's hidden (and I mean hidden) treasure, Blob's Park. The 2nd Friday of each month will feature the best of local and nationally-known bands including Arty Hill and the Long Gone Daddys.(November 12)

Furthermore, there will be a painless and free dance lesson before the shows (and perhaps at break, depending on demand) by the old Twist and Shout instructors Ben and Debbie.

Insider's tip: Max keeps a hidden cold-vault behind the bar which holds a selection of fine schnapps and, just as importantly, chilled shot glasses (kept at 12 degrees F).

Dance lesson is at 7:30 p.m. Band starts at 8. Chilled schnapps - anytime."

Admission-just $10.

Surf's Up This Thursday, Cher

Loyal readers may remember the turmoil of a rare remaining honky tonk's demise- Chick Hall's Surf Club. It closed. It was sold. It didn't close. It almost became a CVS, but wait- then new owner James Byrum stepped in and tried to keep it all going with live bands. But "Surf Club Live" had to succumb to a new identity, and show casing local bands didn't pay the bills.

No matter what this room was built for live music, and James is trying to make that scene happen again- for now only on the occasional Thursday night. This Thursday dust off your cowboy boots for a good old fashioned Cajun Zydeco dance with Cypress Trio. Please come out and be a part of it.
Support the place- support the music- support the Cause.
Live music rocks.

$10 at the door. $5 minimum. Free billiards. 8-10:30 p.m.
Brought to you by Dancing By the Bayou.

Coming up- another dance hall struggles to stay alive-
Blob's Park this Friday.

Soul on Sunday

This Sunday is fraught with choices what with the Takoma Park Street Festival  and St  Bernadette's Fall Festival  happening on the same day. Both are good choices, but St Bernadette's has something Takoma Park doesn't have: pony rides!
They will also have food, games, beer and live entertainment. 
And best of all (besides the pony thing) if you didn't have time to get to church, King Soul will be there to help you feel all spiritual again. You can catch their groove from 1-4. Ambitious types can hit both Takoma and Silver Spring for a full day of free entertainment. Takoma runs 10-5. St Bernadette's 1-6.
St. Bernadette's is located at 80 University Blvd. E. just outside the Beltway in Silver Spring .

Do It In the Road by Lyn2

Photo Courtesy of Robert Egger's Love On the Road Project

Just as french fries with malt vinegar taste better at the beach, music sounds better when heard and danced to in the street. You can do that Sunday at the Takoma Park Street Festival from 10-5. The whole commercial area is blocked off for music, crafts sellers, food and folks. There are 3 music stages, and a wide array of genres. Boogie where the cars usually roam and support local vendors!

Crafty Bastards Saturday

Space Worm

Crafty Bastards Arts and Craft Fair features alternatives to mass production. It's happening this Saturday from 10-5 in Adam's Morgan. Boy, when they say one of a kind they mean it.