Slickee Boys Ticket Give Away

Skeptics and believers, it's true-The Slickee Boys last shows are coming up this weekend, and DC ROCKS has a pair of tickets to give away to Sunday's show at the 9:30 Club. The Slickee Boys are a major player in DC musical history, and have played  9:30 more than any other band so it's a good place to say good bye.


If you (or the kids) are wondering if they've still got what it takes after 35 years, take a look at this cool little film shot by Jeff Krulik when the Slickees played at the Black Cat in 2009.


Also on the bill are The Factory- another DC band on its way back IN after twenty years. DC ROCKS was at their Surf Club show last winter and is happy to report this is a good thing.  But there's more: the Nun Chucks , devotees to vinyl and classic rock, bring their own style and high energy to the table as the opening act. 


Be a part of this historic show. 


Send an email to dcrocksblog@gmail.com. for your chance to win a pair of tickets. The Slickee Boys have had numerous bass players.  Name all six and be eligible for a drawing.
One entry per person, please. Deadline 9 p.m. Thursday, June 30. Winner announced July 1.

Veteran's Park Rocks This Thursday

Drummer man Nick Ruggeri's latest project LaRue Boogaloo will be playing this Thursday at Veteran's Park one of the tiniest but liveliest parks in downtown Bethesda. If you are like me you might get lost in what is now the booming metropolis, but if this helps at all-you can see it from Tastee Diner. 

Here's the word from Nick:

"The band was started by Pete Ostle and myself. It is a soul jazz band in the vein of the 60s and 70s organ groove bands. The grooves are on the funky soul side and the horn melodies are straight ahead jazz lines. It's really fun groovy music. We have a lot of originals and fantastic arrangements of tunes by Paul Murtha, a national arranger/composer."

 

The line up:

Chris Watling - Tenor/Bari Sax

Vince McCool - Trumpet

Tim Ford - Organ/Keyboards

Dan Hovey - Guitar

Pete Ostle - Bass

Nick Ruggieri - Drums

Rob White - Congas/Percussion

The Time: 6-8 p.m.

The Cover Charge: Gratis

 

She Made Her Decision When She Saw the Slickee Boys by Lynn Thorp

You wouldn’t believe what happened to me the first time I saw the Slickee Boys. Let's just say there's a reason I have these not so professional photos in my scrap book.

You never know what the Universe might do next so get thee to the 9:30 Club on Sunday July 3 for the last “reunion” this legendary band is going to play. Some things define DC, and I think it’s safe to say that the Slickee Boys will go down in the record books as a monumental example of the diverse and influential force that is our homegrown music scene. Also it’s fun and friends. See you there.

Some Slickee Boys when they played at our wedding

Slickee Sighting

photo by LC

"

"Deep in the jungle where evil resides there's an ancient curse of the Slickee Tribe..."


It's coming. They're alive.


The Slickee Boys July 2 @ 8X10, Baltimore: July 3 @ 9:30 Club, Washington DC.

Hold the Fort

What are Cat Jack, Elephant Pistol and Hundred Acre Wood?  Recipes for cocktails? Guests at Piglet's after party?
Actually these are just a few of the bands you can see this summer at Fort Reno.  The tradition of summer concerts here has a rich history for music lovers who thrive outside of the box. This is a great place to see off the radar DC centric bands. It's a unique all ages scene- and there are always surprises- be it the weather or who you might run into, or the bands themselves. Last summer, the Black Sparks, very young rockers, (average age 12?) blew other bands and the crowd away with their energy, talent and originality.

Fort Reno's summer season kicks off on this Monday June 27. All shows run from 7:15-9:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. (except July 4)
Bring a blanket, a picnic, and a wide open mind.

Nighthawks HIt Classic Dive

Hank Dietles stands on the godforsaken Rockville Pike as a living reminder of the way things once were when roads had landmarks rather than homogenized big boxes. This little bar has outlived many an invention- like the pay phone. Last time I was in there it still had a one- booth and all.

This SUNDAY DC's own Nighthawks will be there from 5-9. The Nighthawks haven't been around as long as Dietles, but  they've been here long enough to become a household name in these parts. Hard working, too. They'll play just about anywhere from the State Theater to a private party, from a Blues Festival to Hank Dietles - and that's just this week!

A sawbuck gets you into what has got to be a great local party, and a trip down memory lane.

Can't Wait for the Summer?

Summer is finally here, DC!  Or Midsummer depending on how you look at things. The Summer Solstice officially occurs today, June 21st, at 1:16 p.m. to be exact. Schools are out, and Fort Reno's Concert series will be kicking into gear next week, but most noteworthy, The Slickee Boys, creators of Washington's summer anthem "When I Go To the Beach" will be headlining the 9:30 Club on July 3 - their final appearance. Of course, the standard reply around this town is sure to be: "Oh, yeah, we've heard that before," but the Slickees have been around for 35 years. 
Yep, thirty five seasons of the sun. 
Do the math for yourselves people and trust me. This is it. 
Take heed and get your tickets now. 

Give It Up For Dave This Sunday

Aloha means a lot of things in Hawaii- hello and goodbye, good luck and peace.  This SUNDAY the Birchmere is putting on an aloha sort of event for Dave Giergerich- a benefit for his sons and a tribute rolled into one bigass show. The loss of Dave last winter left a gaping hole in the heart of the local music scene. Hula Monster fans think of him as the Hawaiian type where as the bluegrass and roots pickers claimed Dave as one of own.  Dave was a master at dobro, Hawaiian steel, almost any instrument with a string or two and desert dry humor.

The all star line up this Sunday includes some of the best players around: Mike Auldridge,  Robin & Linda Williams, The Aloha Boys, Dede Wyland & Band, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Bill Kirchen, Jimmy Gaudreau, Ralph Gordon and of course, The Hula Monsters.

From Mark Noone: "This will be a sad but joyous event, with all proceeds benefitting Dave's cool kids and their education costs." A long long long awaited CD of Dave's music will also be on sale as well as a recording of the night. Buy your tickets now as this show may indeed sell out. As with all of these benefits, top notch musicians are giving it up for the cause. A mere $25 buys you a stellar show, good karma and a fun night.

Dude, Where's the Parking Lot?

Once upon a time there was a man, a plan and a camera- that went terribly wrong or terribly right depending on your point of view. I'm always happy to see what Jeff Krulik is up to because his camera goes for the microcosm- the local view that reflects and refracts our corner of the world.

This Friday the AFI Silver Theater is screening the film "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" which celebrates Jeff and his friend, John Heyn's eye for the absurd when they managed to capture the sub culture of the Capital Centre's parking lot just before a Judas Priest concert in 1986. (Need I say more?)

But wait there is more...also showing is "Heavy Metal Picnic" a small film about a big party in Potomac, Maryland of all places. (and not your mother's Polo Club outing) Once again Jeff and John were on the scene of a happening which defies description. Invited guests include both film producers  as well as "alumni" which sounds like ANOTHER party to me.
Show time 9:30.

Wrangle Yourselves

Ruthie and the Wranglers have toured Texas enough to feel just as at home at a  BBQ joint as a well, maybe as a Texan.  Step out and celebrate their new CD with a dance party this Friday night at Hill Country BBQ.  Hill Country has the atmosphere of a road side honky tonk, and Ruthie's got just the right sound to go with it. No cover.

Another Out of This World Show Sunday at Galaxy Hut

It's not easy to keep a bar going through the rolling waves of our economy. Add to that a myriad of  regulations some of which sound like direct issues from the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland.  That's why it's a good thing to see a cool little place like the Galaxy Hut survive the slings and arrows of our times. And speaking of Wonderland, DC's own Alice- Alice Despard created the "Hut" many moons ago. She has since handed the reins to her long time friend and employee, Larry Hoffman who has kept the same atmosphere going and offers an astounding number of beers for such a little joint. The Hut had to suspend its live music in May to align itself with the Rules of Arlingtonland, but shows have resumed this month.

This Sunday Alice Despard herself returns to Galaxy Hut playing a solo show along with the irrepressible Marshall Keith, ( Slickee Boys) Ken Moss ( 7 Door Sedan) and  Stuart Chandler. A lot of talent crammed in this amazing little universe. 9 p.m.

Local Boys And I mean LOCAL!

Musical roots- deep in DC from these guys. They grew up (almost) in my back yard. Go see what the next generation is coming up with at the Velvet Lounge this Saturday.

Bar Sold Out from Under Yachtsmen ! Show Cancelled Tonite

Toyland has changed hands so if you planned to go to Yachtsmen show tonight- you might want to think about Chuck Brown intsead. Stay cool y'all!

Hot Summer Nights Can Be Cool

Summer nights at Comet Ping Pong - one of the few and far between live music venues in upper Northwest are hot and cool. Good pizza, cold beer and  cool bands.  Check it out this Friday for 7 Door Sedan, The Dirty Lungs and Loose Lips.

It's Hot Enough So Stay Inside and Watch A Movie

Congratulations to the Washington Area Music Association for holding it together for 25 years and giving local music a place to belong. If you don't know about WAMA, check out this very cool little DC centric  film.

If We Could We'd Vote for Chuck Brown

This flyer about a rally for DC Statehood this Thursday just came across the DC ROCKS' news desk.
See where it says "live musical presentation" at 7 p.m.? Sources at DC ROCKS say take that to mean none other than Chuck Brown  will be winding up DC!

Play Out This Thursday at Toyland

I am a sucker for old things.. When I was nine or ten, I gravitated towards junk yards and thrift stores. When I grew up, I was digging up music albums from the past rather than listen to what was on the radio. Later in life I dragged my parents all around town making them point out all the places they had lived from Southeast to Northwest- over 20 between the two of them- almost all in DC.
My father was born at home and grew up just off  H Street. When we drove down there, he could point out places long gone like the Kavakos Grill and the Gatsos family's shoe shine shop. Here's a picture of the Gatsos Family.

So that's why I was happy to hear about Toyland- an old H Street variety store turned into a retro- atmospheric bar where you can say clever things like "I'm GAME for a Martini." They have a wide beer selection and plenty of stuff to play with- plus live music now and then.
The Yachtsmen - an original and talented rock trio of mildly insane yet harmless Gilliganic characters will be playing there THIS THURSDAY along with house band The Mavins. Please support local music. It really is all fun and games.

Warning: This Product May Cause Excessive Laughing

Langley Punks? "Hyattsville Holiday?" Do any of these ring a dim or deafening bell?
Then you, fellow Earthlings, must walk, run, hydroplane if you must, to the AFI Theater in Silver Spring Friday JUNE 10th at 7:30 pm for the extravaganza reunion known as  From Here to Obscurity. Haven't heard of them? DC Rocks is proud to present this contribution from Mark Noone, DC scene veteran and self proclaimed International Rock Star:


I knew of these guys long before they made the two Slickee Boys' videos. The first film I saw was "Intestines From Space," a local low budget B&W with a cool funny theme song and so much beer in it, it should have been financed by Anheuser Busch! The quality of the movies seemed to get better after that, but still lots of beer, and dumb white guys doing even dumber things- always a hoot to watch. Their love for the Three Stooges is evident in almost all of their features. 
I could not believe my good fortune when we became friends, and worked on three projects together, the most notable being the "When I Go to the Beach"-a  video that eventually made it to MTV back in the day when they actually showed rock videos. (thanks, Leo) 


Speaking of reunions- Slickee fans take note! Catch the Slickee Boys this summer at 9:30 Club July 3 only!