Reliable Rock Cures All

photo by John C Garofolo

Johnny Castle is another great player who has been hanging around this town for a long time. When he is not playing with DC's beloved Nighthawks, you can often find him Thursdays rocking with The Thrillbillys at the tiny Sunset Grille where the distance between the stage and the bar can be measured in (dancing) feet. Head off that deep pre winter end of daylight savings time seasonal depression and dose yourself with the Thrillbillys' cure this Thursday. The tireless Thrillbillys will also be on hand later this month to relieve that post Thanksgiving dare I say despondancy due to turkey/family togetherness overload- back at the Grille November 26.

Bill Kirchen had organized a benefit at Surf Club Live this Sunday for Chris Gaffney, a musician fighting liver cancer, but Chris passed away on Wednesday. The benefit will go on as planned as there are sure to be medical bills and hard times ahead for the family. Please come out and support the musicians who are supporting this cause. The line up will include: Bill Kirchen with Johnny & Jack & Mark Gamsjager, The Thrillbillies with Johnny Castle, The Rhodes Tavern Troubadors, Ruthie & the Wranglers and The Grandsons.

4PM Bill Kirchen with Johnny & Jack & Mark Gamsjager
5PM Thrillbillies
6PM Rhodes Tavern Troubadors
7PM The Grandsons
8PM Ruthie & the Wranglers
9PM Bill Kirchen with Johnny & Jack & more

Hours of good music for twenty bucks. (That's still a deal at only $4 per musical hour or per band.) And if you think Sundays are dull and boring- think again because this Sunday is anything but-Lynn2 has more on what there is to do:

My Favorite DC Sunday

This Sunday I get to do some of the things I like best about my hometown. First, there's the Earth Day event down on the mall. I'm not big on Earth Day- seems like a lot of hype about the issues I work on every day. At the same time, when you're fighting the power (because that's what it's about - not kayaking and cute little critters) you will take any star power you can get. Plus this year it's about global warming. If you are among the 7 people who don't think it's a big deal then you must not get out much. Anyway, I have always loved music events on the mall. It's when we locals get to take over from the tourists. I have great memories of laying down the blanket, assembling snacks and beverages and settling in to hear the bands and see who happens by. It still amazes me that in the years before cell phones you could still run into several dozen people you knew and build a little encampment. Now it's even easier.

In addition to lots of exhibits, speakers and music you can check out something that's really homegrown: Thievery Corporation. More than a band, they're an empire, a concept, a political force. Thievery has a global following, but they could only come from here. The Washington Post once described them as a world beat stampede, and I can't top that. The foundation are local guys Rob Garza and Eric Hilton, but the live line-up is lots more, and usually includes some surprises. DC has birthed a lot of special things: half smokes, Ben's Chili Bowl, Go-Go, harDCore and more - if you haven't checked out the Corporation you've missed one.

When that's done, I plan to mosey up to the Black Cat for the DC CD release party where Prabir and the Substitutes will unleash their new recording. This reporter has used up all her words on this Richmond-based band (wish we could call them our own) who continue to wow the local crowds. They're with Greenland so when you're a bit sun-burnt and ready to play some pool, have a beer and hang out watching two great bands Black Cat is your place. One day you will wish you saw Prabir and the Substitutes way back when.... this might be your time.

The Quarry Rocks

The Quarry House is a refuge of sorts. As Silver Spring gets newer bigger venues, new shops- new everything it seems-The Quarry House remains virtually unchanged. And we like it that way. You can make friends easily, but chances are you will probably run into somebody at a show that you knew ten years ago. And the music there is top rate. Last weekend was The Thrillbillys' debut on this side of the river, and they were one commanding crew.


The place was packed with loyal Virginianites as well as Maryland/ DC music lovers, and they got what they came for- a great show with outstanding musicians. Chip Py was there to catch these pictures. Lots of great acts coming up there soon. Stay tuned.


Johnny Castle And Dave Kitchen

Thrills , Dogs and Teeth for A Song

(© John C. Garofalo).
This weekend coming up there's at least two bands of note on one night. The Thrillbillys- who are usually stationed in Virginia at the Sunset Grill, are crossing the river to play at The Quarry House in Silver Spring Saturday night. The guys in Thrillbilly have longer resumes than Donald Trump. I'm not kidding. Johnny Castle alone has a paragraph's worth in Capitol Rock. (By the time he's finished, he'll have his own book.)

Then there's The Cravin' Dogs another unique talented crew who have been around these parts a good twenty years now. Their Live At The Black Cat recording is finally being released as a CD. As an added bonus- Jon Carroll, one of the most amazing musicians in the area, will be sitting in. They'll be at The Barns of Wolf Trap this Saturday night as well.

Two totally different bands, two totally different venues. Either way you're seeing good music for under twenty bucks at Wolf Trap, and under ten at The Quarry House. Not to mention Chopteeth on Friday at Rock and Roll Hotel for ten.
As I said in the last post-you just can't beat local music as the best value for your entertainment dollar in this town.

Other Birds Seen Around Here Besides Turkeys

I told someone I was going to go see The Nighthawks at the Kensington Armory Thanksgiving "town dance" last Wednesday, and they said, "Are they still alive?"
Well, yeah.
And it was great.
And here are the pictures to prove it from my senior staff photographer, Chip Py:



The show sold out.



Johnny Castle



Keith Grimes



Paul Bell



Mark Wenner



and Dan Hovey sitting in.

Maybe It's Something in the BBQ?

(Derek Huston, Bill Kirchen, Jack O'Dell, Johnny Castle,
and Andy Rutherford @ The Mayfields' 2007)


The Mayfields' legendary party starring Bill Kirchen and friends took place again over the weekend. Last year it was the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours' last gig before Dave Chappell left the band, and this year, the only Troubadour in sight was Jack O'Dell who has rejoined Bill Kirchen.
(Still like The Beatles, we can always hold out for a reunion...?)




(RTTS plus Derek Huston @ The Mayfields' 2006)