Time Travel With Vi-Kings

Symbiosis Rocks

Local musicians will be the first to tell you that their job descriptions generally do not include benefits beyond a free meal or beer now and then which is partly why DC ROCKS exists. Musicians write me, I write about them, and like lichens, we try to keep each other alive.  
But musicians are generally generous souls, and often play benefits or events which can be incredibly reasonable. For example this Friday Lethal Peanut will put aside part of the proceeds of their CD release party at the Rock and Roll Hotel to support DC's own Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Tickets are just $10 for 3 bands.  You get music all night; they get the money and share it with a place that produces musicians.  I could go on, but I think you get the picture.
Doors at 8.

This Thursday Check Out Something New

January's Not So Bad

In January it's so nice
while slipping on the sliding ice
to sip hot chicken soup with rice.
Sipping once, sipping twice
sipping chicken soup with rice.

That's the world according to Maurice Sendak, but here in DC our version might read something more like this:

In January it's bizarre
to still have collards in the yard
and not an inch of snow so far.
Collards once, collards twice
Go see music in a bar.

This Saturday The Vi-Kings will light up the Quarry House in deepest darkest underground Silver Spring where there is no weather to speak of. A bomb could go off while you are down there, and you wouldn't be the wiser what with the yacking of all the people; and you probably won't care once you see the extensive bourbon list. Oh, and then there's the crunching of deep fried pickles and/or tater tots. (This place is not for the feint of heart.) Throw on top of that a legend in its own time band which will kick drum you back to the 60s, and you've got a swinging night out.

NO COVER!

The Underground Scene- You Can Dance if You Want To?

Two bargain basement shows are coming up this week- both a lot of fun- but both lacking in dance floors. The first is worthy of that Hawaiian cowboy shirt you have in the back of your closet- that one you've been itching to wear but had to wait for just the right occasion?
Finally the Time Has Come.
Honky-tonk worthy Ruthie and the Wranglers will be on a double bill with The Hula Monsters this THURSDAY at The Hamilton- the new posh Clyde's in town with tons of space and seating and no obstructed views. The intrepid and inventive dancers among you can go the Hannibal route: "find a way or make one." Early show- starts at 8 p.m. $15


Friday night, head down to Penn Quarter's Hill Country BBQ for a mess of ribs topped off with King Soul. Dancers have been known to push the tables around a bit, but King Soul does not stand on ceremony. Lead singer Tom Clifford was last seen here strutting his stuff on top of the tables.  Hold onto your hats for this one. 8:30 p.m. No cover.

Two Last Minute Events Added - Black Cat and The Hamilton Tonight

It's a new year. You can check out great local music on Thursday nights. This one at the Black Cat.

Grey March, Dot Dash and History Repeated

Who are these bands you ask? History Repeated includes the one and only Mr. John Stabb. Dot Dash are Terry Banks, Bill Crandall, Hunter Bennett and Danny Ingram. Grey March are Baltimore legends. Sounds right to me.

And Billy Coulter will do a FREE show at The Hamilton- DC's newest swankiest night spot.
The upcoming show with Mavis Staples is $100 a pop so this is your chance to get a sneak peek at a new space with a great band and no cover. 8 p.m.

DC Music Lesson Today

Tune in to WAMU (88.5 on your FM dial) today at noon when DC's own Ian Mackaye, formerly of Minor Threat and Fugazi, and founder of Dischord Records, will hit the airwaves to talk about the new online archive and his take of the punk rock history of Washington- a town whose musical history from jazz to bluegrass to punk is so rich and diverse- even the natives are surprised.

P.S. The above perfect example of a run on sentence was brought to you by a caffeine infused haze.

P.P.S. Here's the link to listen for all you who "skipped class."