Hula Hump Day

It's August. Things slow down- people leave town, and sneaking out mid week might be a lot easier this month.

Hula Monsters- Maryland's answer to the 49th State- will swing the Columbia Lakefront this Wednesday evening 8-10. See 'em while you can as their public gigs are not so common lately. Not to mention this one, like the Aloha Spirit, is FREE.

Out of This World Rock Show Monday

Mark Noone - Slickee Boy, Troubadour, King Soul man, Hula Monster is coming out of the basement (and his clothes closet) with his newest incarnation the Yachtsmen this MONDAY night at Galaxy Hut- one of my favorite tiny haunts thanks to former owner and long time ethereal rocker Alice Despard who will also be playing this extraordinary double bill. It might be a Monday, but this show is a must see. Local rock history will be made before your eyes-don't miss it. Starts early -9 p.m.- so you can hit the pillow, too.

Seven Days Later Slickee Boy Mark Morphs Into Monster by Lyn2

photo by DC ROCKS


Last week it was all about the Slickee Boys reunion which was a gang buster event. Those guys still rock like it was 1989! This week we've got another band on tap, but with a common denominator.
Just yesterday I heard that an Austin radio station was playing our very own Hula Monsters. That doesn't surprise me because they are unique and the word has spread. Hula Monster talking points:

• No one else plays psychedelic rockabilly Hawaiian swing.
• They attract a wonderfully diverse audience including some of our area's most dedicated and talented dancers.
• They have a rack of Hawaiian shirts for sale at every show.
• And where else can you see the legendary Mark Noone of the Slickee Boys playing ukelele?
• They're talented good people, and your support is always appreciated.

The HULA MONSTERS are playing this Friday at the Hyattsville End of the Summer Jam Party. Rain or shine. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Free.

Valentine's Day or Carnival ? Have it All at the Surf Club

Valentine's Day. For some it means making your kids sign and address 66 Spongebob cards which is a hazard not mentioned in those what to expect about childhood books. For others it's the mandatory box of chocolates or a traditional dinner out, and for still others it's a night to get in bed with a book and ignore the whole thing. 

But there's something or someone for everyone out there.  This year why not do that something at The Grandsons and Hula Monsters  Hawaiian Swing Mardi Gras Monster Dance Party at the Surf Club this Saturday night? These guys are the consummate professional party men who happen to be talented musicians as well and can keep that dance floor well occupied.

Get in the on the second line and feel the love.

A DC Boy

Anyone who knows Mark Noone (and that will include a LOT of DC natives) knows that he is a man of many, many talents and often driven towards perfection. You might know him as the lead singer of The Slickee Boys or a mainstay in the Hula Monsters. He's been in bands around here making music all his life, and may very well hold the world's record for the most performances ever at the 9:30 Club. He also has the gift of gab, and a phenomenol memory. Washington is his home town. Click here to find out what Mark was talking about on the playground at Lafayette Elementary-in 1964. He's still talking about it today.

A Spoonful of Strange Brew This Friday on U

When my parents got off work in the 1940s, they used to go down to U Street to check out the night life. There was a lot to choose from including theaters, music venues and after hours clubs. The riots which burned through DC in 1968 pretty much put an end to many things. A lot of that area was either destroyed or abandoned. For a while it seemed like Ben's Chili Bowl was a lonely survivor, but one of the good things about living here in Washington is seeing the old town come back- slowly- really slowly- but surely. Now clubs and restaurants dot the corridor again up and down U Street, and I keep hearing about new spots. This week my favorite Cream revisited band- GHz goes urban when they appear Friday night "Upstairs at Almaz" at 1212 U Street NW. John Zidar of GHz sent me the skinny:

The place is directly across from the Lincoln Theatre. Supposed to be great Ethiopian food, and the upstairs has a full stage with sound, full food service, and it’s own bar. The Little Falls Jazz Quartet will play 7-8:30, Doc Volatile from 8:45-10, and we’ll slam it from 10:15 until we’re worn out. (a 90 minute version of "Spoonful" should do it)

All of this for a mere FIVE BUCKS ! A fin. (That's a mere cinquo dinero in Spanglish.)

For those of you hankering for an even more nostalgic sound-that crazy boy group- The Hula Monsters will be rocking a swing dance uptown at the Chevy Chase Ballroom. ( 5207 Wisc. Ave NW -right above Paul's Liquor)

"Spoonful" or "Rock the Hula".
Choose your poison.

Follow the Bouncing Ball from Rockville, MD to Fort Reno, DC

You may think of Rockville as a suburban wasteland which it kind of is, but Rockville has a lot of history- like Uncle Tom's Cabin, (for real) the grave of F. Scott Fitzgerald (really) and good ole Montgomery Doughnuts. (Man, I miss them.)
Back here in the present you can catch The Hula Monsters- a band that is never lacking in talent. (and I personally know them to be a bunch of damn good sports) You can take just about anyone from 5 to 105 to catch their Hawaiian Swing thing at Town Square Plaza.
Look for Dave Chappell dominating the guitar on this gig. They'll be on from 6-8 this Thursday evening.
AND just down The Pike more history was made when General Jubal Early's troops were spotted in Rockville by look outs stationed at DC's Fort Reno during the summer of 1864. Fortunately now the biggest battles fought there this summer are on the tennis court, and the look outs have been replaced by people walking dogs. The last concert of the season is happening also on this Thursday featuring: The Jet Age, Yell County, and Title Tracks. It's definitely the coolest greenest scene and be seen spot in town.
As always the shows there go from 7-9:30.

Traffic has gotten a lot crazier since 1864 so you most probably can't make both, but at least there's no lack of musical possibilities.

Hula DC Style

Summer in DC reminds me of Hawaii. All that's missing are the palm trees, the beaches, the volcanoes and the island atmosphere. (If you are wondering if this writer is suffering from heat related brain fade- the answer is yes, and what of it?) (Not to mention I've never been to Hawaii, but a girl can dream.)
In actuality, we're probably missing almost everything that Hawaii has - but that's why we're lucky to have The Hula Monsters to help our metropolitan, politicking weary brains cope with living here- not there. Band leader Dave Giegerich is a master dobro and steel player- in fact all of them are accomplished musicians and Hawaiian shirt salesmen. You can even buy a shirt off their backs-or at least off the rack- at their shows. Hula Monsters will be playing The Quarry House this Friday night-just in time to catch a ride on that tropical heat wave headed our way. So if you can't make it to the beach, cruise on over to the shores of Silver Spring.

Cowabunga.

Hula Show Tonight

Anybody just waking up and wondering can you possibly drag out to the car without sweating like a dog?
If you're smart you take it slow on these DC dog days- sleep in the basement and watch reruns of Dick Van Dyke-but if you're tired of laying low and want to venture out tonight- The Hula Monsters will be up and at 'em just after dark at JVs in Falls Church where the beer is cold, and the parking is easy.

Gaffney Benefit Part TWO Coming Up

Local rock stars will be performing Bob Dylan And Bob Wills tunes in this second part of a benefit to help Chris Gaffney's family happening this Wednesday at Jammin' Java. The first show at the Surf Club was a hoot- bands played with special guests sitting in including Bill Kirchen, the organizer and one of the greatest guitar gurus around. These benefits are unique showcases of local talent (with an emphasis on the word talent) Plus they are loads more fun than a telethon.
Click on the poster to see the all star line up, and all the details. ( if you don't recognize those names- here's a clue to some of the bands being represented-past and present: The Grandsons, The Slickee Boys, The Rosslyn Mountain Boys, The Hula Monsters and The Nighthawks)

Hula Monsters Really Do Swing

HULA HULA HULA
Like hubba hubba hubba, you just can't get enough. Especially when it's just what you need to get that summer jump start a goin' even while spring keeps toying with our outfits. ( t shirts last week- sweatshirts today) But it can be Hawaiian shirts from now on.

One thing's for sure-The Hula Monsters can always be counted on to warm things up, and they will be at JVs this Sunday night at 9 p.m. It's so much better than staying home, watching 60 Minutes and getting depressed about Monday- don'tcha think? Plus JVs is another one of those tiny holdouts against The Man. No Olive Garden Here. Just a tiny good ole days kind of bar where you can get a chili dog and groove on Hawaii.
Surf's up.

Last Weekend

(Jake Flack Rhodes Tavern Troubadours)


Well, a it took a while for us all to recover from the shows this past weekend, and we didn't even make it to all of them, of course, but here's what we've got (besides moi) -pictures from Chip Py and a report from roving reporter, Lyn2 who called in from the train to NYC this morning:
Saturday night The Quarry House had a huge unidentifiable crowd. Ottley was first with new material that Martha Hull delivered in her usual powerful way- occasionally wading into the audience for added effect. 7 Door Sedan is really getting its new act together, improving exponentially each time she sees them. And their new song by Ken Moss was a hit. Rambling Shadows was extremely loud and worth the ear damage. "They were jamming on that hypnotic psychedelic thing." Our reporter was married to a drummer for 21 years, and can't figure out exactly why, but she could watch Tommy Carr play the drums all day.
Everybody kept using the word psychedelic about all the bands, but each had a very different sound -a new sound- a 21st century thing. Maybe their roots lie in the past, but it's not a rehash going on- it's a renaissance. Thank you, Jackie at The Quarry House for helping this scene get out there.


Meanwhile in another bar in another part of town-
The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours had everyone dancing Friday night at The Surf Club. It was nice to see them play in a place where there was room to swing more than a cat. Despite their lack of live gigs, the guys were going strong. (Catch them one more time with the kids this Saturday at The Avalon Theater in D.C.)


(birthday boy- i wrestled him for his camera)

Friday was also the kick off to Chip Py's birthday weekend although he stayed on the job-from the Surf Club right through Saturday night at The Velvet Lounge where Haley's Band ( that's it- that's what we're calling it now) got the place full to bursting.


Joe Jack Talcum had the stage to himself as he performed Dead Milkmen songs and other tunes to a dedicated crew who could and did fill in if Joe forgot the words. Punk Rock Girl was probably a highlight-definitely a floor shaker, but in general it was a fun and witty performance.


Finally (and we do mean finally at 12:30) The Hula Monsters crammed on the tiny stage and got the Faithful but Weary Attendees dancing with their drummer, Ben Holmes (a.k.a. Big Beat) leading the charge. Hulas at The Velvet Lounge.
Not a sight you're gonna see every day, maybe never again, but they played as if they were at The Royal Hawaiian. You had to have been there.


(Mark Noone)

Thanks again to Chip for these great, sometimes ethereal shots-click on them to get the full effect.

And The Answer Is...

(Dead Milkmen 1983)
So that common denominator of the bands playing The Velvet Lounge tomorrow night- the one I threw out as a challenge in the last posting that started with P ? Kind of a trick question because it's actually two words in my mind-Psychedelic and Punk. We've got Joe Talcum, once in The Dead Milkmen. Mark Noone of the Hula Monsters, once a Slickee Boy, and Haley Dolan of The Ex Invisible Husbands, daughter of Joe Dolan of The Beatnik Flies.
If that ain't a psychopunkic thread, I'll eat my hat. (Emphasis on thread- it ain't a rope that's for sure)
Free beer for everyone tomorrow night at The Velvet Lounge that submitted the right answer here in triplicate.


(Slickee Boys-mid 80s)

Way WAY Too Much Goin' On

The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours named themselves after one of D.C.'s oldest watering holes which used to hold down the corner of 15th and F NW. Sadly, perhaps even criminally, it was torn down in 1984 to make room for "progress" despite efforts to save it. All three of the guys in this band are as original as that place. They all sing and write their own songs which is a lot of talent for one band. Unfortunately for The Troubadours, Jack O' Dell is touring with Bill Kirchen so their live performances have been cut way back. That's why their gig at Chick Hall's Surf Club is a unique happening in a unique place which is also on its way out- probably in a matter of weeks.

It's a weekend chock full of choices, and here's just some of them. There's the venerable Hula Monsters appearing at The Velvet Lounge's Tenth Anniversary Party Saturday night to consider. (Really- just consider that alone for a moment...Hawaiian Swing appearing on the same bill as... x Dead Milkman, Jack Talcum. That alone is worth a trip downtown.) Also appearing are the Ex-Husband Invisible Deadbeats (the band that Can't Make UP Its Mind on what to call Itself.) All of these bands actually have a common denominator which starts with a P which I will reveal on FRIDAY. Go ahead and place your bets now.
There's The Buddy Holly Tribute Show with too many bands to mention Saturday night at Chick Hall's.
And here's the skinny on another scene happening at The Quarry House- from my guest blogger and alter ego, Lyn2: (complete with footnote)

SIGN OF THE TIMES
I finally figured it out. The re-emergence of so many local musicians and bands had me puzzled. Then I noticed: an economic house of cards collapsing, war without end, climate confusion - the inconvenient truths abound these days. What better response to this than our old shamans tuning in to the cosmos? Be it distraction or cure-you can get a good dose this weekend at The Quarry House- an old-time tavern amidst the chain store glitz that has become Silver Spring. This is the kick off weekend for a series of Geezer Punk shows. You don't have to be a geezer or a punk to go. They have good food and an impressive beer selection. Here's what else you will get:

Friday January 25

The Stoats - Okay, I know virtually nothing about this band, but they come highly recommended from Baltimore with connections to The Mumps and Iggy Pop's band so how can you go wrong? They go on at 10.

Tru Fax and the Insaniacs don't play often but they play hard. The line-up includes the incomparable Diana Quinn, mad-scientist David Wells, Kenny Bugg (who may win the area's prize for being in the most bands at one time) and Deaf Drummer Michael Mariotte (name that song) father of the two coolest teenagers around. They'll serve up an extra-long portion of their special pop/punk/garage/new wave/rocking TRUthiness at 11.


Saturday January 26
Ottley starts at 9 so get there at 8.
- Martha Hull - a grrrrl power role model for wise and wild women far and wide. Bob Berberich - who's provided the beat for bands that define my lifetime exposure to rock and roll. Marshall Keith - who taught the guitar to play. Ottley is a hypnotic velvet tsunami.. Don't believe me? Check out I Wanna Be You on their Myspace page; it's why Humphrey Osmond coined the term "psychedelic." *

Rambling Shadows turn up the volume on the psychedelic experience and then some. Phil Duarte had one of their songs stuck in his head for two weeks. If a song is powerful enough to stick around in there I think you want to hear it live. Also Jay Moglia was featured in a pretty funny Daily Show piece last week so now he's a t.v. star, too.

7 Door Sedan -This band brings together talent from a remarkably diverse collection of local bands (White Boy, Acrylix, Vampyre Bunnies just to name a few) for this season's newest and hottest force on the scene. Your reporter has a 100% attendance rate at their two shows to date and is going back for more. 7 Door Sedan's glam/psychedelic/rock and soul thing will wow you and you will go back too.

* "A psychedelic experience is characterized by the perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly ordinary fetters."

(Thank you, Lyn2)

So there you have it- more music than you can shake a drum stick at, and no excuse to stay home.

P.S. Don't forget GHZ TONIGHT!

Lots of Music Last Weekend

The Hula Monsters played a great hour as promised on Friday out in the park. If you missed it, you can catch them again this Friday at 6:30 pm outside the municipal building in Hyattsville.

And I caught a bit of The Cutaways at the Quarry House which was a lot of fun though
I probably shouldn't have gone for somebody's left over tater tots that late at night.

Monster Rally Tonight

I'm always a sucker for free music, and in the summer there's a lot to choose from around here. Tonight you can get a free solid hour of The Hula Monsters. If you've been napping, the Monsters have been together for almost twenty years and many stellar players have rotated in and out- including Jack O' Dell, Dan Hovey, Dave Chappell- and Mark Noone (Mark is STILL in )
And you can believe that everybody in this band really knows what they are doing.
The show starts at 7:30 in Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale.
All you have to do is show up.

Dan Hovey. If he was dead you'd call him a local guitar legend, but lucky for us he is alive and well. He used to play with the legendary Root Boy Slim- then he left this burg for New York for years. Dan's been back for a while now playing in his own bands as well as with Ron Holloway, The Hula Monsters, Bill Kirchen and Jon Carroll. (just to name a few)
Earlier this summer he started playing with Mary Ann Redmond. You can catch him tonight with his cover band Bad Daddy at good ole JV's Restaurant (no cover) in Falls Church and August 26th with Mary Ann at The Harp and Fiddle in Bethesda.