Don't miss the show this Saturday night at the Velvet Lounge-a tiny little club planted in our new/old U Street night scene. Seeing live music there is always an up close and personal experience. There are no big screens- you don't need binoculars, and the cover is always under ten bucks. The show this weekend is well worth it-a winning combination of veteran talent and new music. Here's the scoop from Glenn Kowalski of 7 Door Sedan:

This Saturday 7 Door Sedan is having the first show in over month. We slowed down a bit after a mad mad October that almost did us in, but we're back baby!

We're thrilled to perform with former members of Razz—The Howling Mad. I've been trying to get a gig with these guys for awhile now. They have been doing this for quite some time and one of my most powerful memories is seeing them at the now legendary Keg in Georgetown. They're howling for sure.

Thanks to Phil Duarte of Pup Tent for putting this gig together, and we're happy to share the bill with them as well. They have amazing material and are a unique experience. A paranoid power trio. I just made that up. But seriously, check these guys out if you haven't yet.

This is a real "Guys with Guitars" show. We're talking major guitar slingers, seasoned singer/songrockers, and a hot Saturday night. 

My understanding is the following Velvet Lounge schedule:
Doors open at 9 for access to band area. Schmoozing, warming up with a drink, etc.
10 pm sharp: 7 Door Sedan, followed by Howling Mad, then Pup Tent.

Lyn2 would like to add: 
Puptent and 7 Door Sedan are so special to me that it should be illegal that they are playing together when I am out of town for work. Howling Mad are one of a kind and previous iterations of these guys' talents define DC music history for me. Please be there for me.

Good Things Come

Intimate is what they used to call tiny clubs. (Now a days I favor hole in the wall.) They are small, perhaps cramped even, but what they lack in space they make up for in attitude. The good kind, not the bad. The kind where the bass player moves over a little so you can get into the bathroom or the heckler in the crowd is your buddy and the drummer's cousin. And this is the place where you find tout these things because the atmosphere is anything but stuffy. So here are a few such dives, I mean intimate places, that i like to frequent and what's going on this weekend. ( I always like to start a weekend early.)
Thursday night Ruthie and The Wranglers are at The Sunset Grille. The Grille is so small you sometimes have to wait in the other room for someone to leave. Mercifully both rooms are equipped with a bar. Once in where the bands play, you can choose a bar stool or sit at one of maybe three tables if memory serves me. You never have to worry about being close enough to the band there- if you were closer you'd be in it. And people still manage to dance.

Then in town there's The Velvet Lounge, Drinks are served downstairs and upstairs is like someone's basement- dark and kind of small with a sound system befitting the 9:30 Club. If the band rocks, the people rock and so does the floor, but that's part of its charm. This Friday catch The Lookies -featuring the Rummager (ex-Velvet Monkeys, Gumball) Rambling Shadows (ex-Velvet Monkeys, Crippled Pilgrims) and 7 Door Sedan (ex-White Boy) My friend, Bill says: I love these 3 bands, they are each quite different, and don't have any following. It's gonna be arty, punky, psychedelic, and all original. And GREAT.

Following the law of PILE IT ON- there's another show Friday that older DC rockers can appreciate, and where young punks can pick up a tip or two at yet another small venue- The Quarry House. You get to know people at The Quarry House because we all smash in there together and steal each other's tater tots. Greenland a young local group with a great older sound and The Howling Mad will be there featuring local rock legends Michael Reidy and Abaad Behram. Look for them between the women's room, several cases of beer and the sound equipment.

And last but certainly not least on Saturday it's Ottley!, 7 Door Sedan and Dollar Bin at The Sidebar in Baltimore. I haven't been there, but according to Glenn of 7 Door Sedan band stickers are holding this place together. More on this show on Friday.

Everybody Was Dancing At The Velvet Last Friday

What happens on your birthday when your Dad is a rock star?



The Beatnik Flies played so hard that the floor bounced like jello!



Or maybe it was just the wood
breathing.

(Pix by Bobby Belfiore)

Catch the Buzz

I used to go see the Beatnik Flies "back in the day." But that's not why I have been enjoying their re-emergence so much. It's because they totally rock. It's like all the creative juices got concentrated. It's no wonder they won Little Steven's Battle of the Garage Bands a few years ago. Check out Black Diamond Halo at Beatnik Flies' Page . You too can get drunk on incense at the Velvet Lounge this Friday night, February 15. It's a multi-generational celebration. Loadrunner and Repelican will join the line-up to celebrate Haley's birthday – she's the daughter of Flies Frontman, Joe Dolan and a fine musician in her own right.

The order is Loadrunner, Beatnik Flies, Repelican. Things usually start between 9:30 and 10 down there. Do it.

Lyn2 (sitting in for the fabulous Lyn1)

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!

Prabir Preview

Prabir and the Substitutes (Mark Noone's new favorite band) will be opening for The Slickee Boys and The Beatnik Flies later this month, but you can get a sneak peek at Richmond's boy wonders tonight at The Velvet Lounge. Part Beatles, part animals-they sing, and they swing from the rafters. Oh, and they rock. Come get out from under this weather. (It's why they made galoshes.)

Dead Beat Dead Beat

(They are....Dead Beat)

Joe Dolan (a venerable Beatnik Fly) wants an APB put out that his lovely daughter, Hayley Baptiste and the somewhat mysterious Mr Bucket will be down at the very Velvet Lounge again this Saturday night, October 20 as their band Dead Beat takes the stage.
Afterwards there will be a dance party with DJs- Pumpkin Jones, Fruit Reader and Mustafa Mustafa (Is that like Butros Butros?) playing Afro-beat, world, disco and dance hits.

(I just want to know if there's room on Joe's dance card.)

Don't forget- the big Beatnik Flies, Ottley and The Howling Mad show coming up next Thursday, Oct 25!


(NOT JO JO DOLAN)

Let's GO!!!!!!!!

So big weekend: Saturday night there's the NIRS party (see below) and Friday night it's what might be the cutest boy band to come out of Richmond ever, not to mention they all can SING and play music, none other than-Prabir and the Substitutes- at the Velvet Lounge which is an experience in itself- just picture yourself watching a band at the old 9:30 club-only it's much much smaller, and when you jump up and down the floor moves - it actually reminds me of an old elevator I was in once on the VCU campus in Richmond of all places which just goes to show you - life is a circle after all.*

*Forgive the stream thing -- my book club is reading ULYSSES. Say no more

Rocking Not Lounging

(Ottley with Marshall and Martha-photo by Mark Noone)

A lot of people missed the big show at The Velvet Lounge last Saturday-
(including Hayley and Bucket-Martha was asking for yous guys)
but I think a little piece of DC Rock History was created when Ottley covered "To Sir With Love," while Mark Noone and Boyd Farrell danced together. Top that.
(Once again proving the old adage you had to have been there.)


(Rustbuckit with Boyd-photo by Mark Noone)




(Marshall and Dan-photo by Mark Noone)

And Dan Palenski made it all the way from Williamsburg putting The Slickee Boys in first place for attendance.

A Quandry

Blogger went to the beach, but came back just in time to ponder which show to go to tonight- Alice Despard is back at the Galaxy Hut, and she won't be playing again for quite a while. Then again there is the old folks' show* at The Velvet Lounge with New Standard ( x Penetrators) Ottley (x Slickees) and Rustbuckit (x Blackmarket Baby) All still alive and very much kicking. I'm not sure how The Velvet Lounge can handle all that energy, but it'll definitely be worth finding out.


*sorry, Mary, but that's what everybody's calling it.

Benefit for John Stabb Tonight

The Saviours, Pup Tent, Jerry Busher (Fugazi) and more are coming together tonight at The Velvet Lounge to put on a show for John Stabb ( Government Issue) who was hurt in an assault.
Please, come down and make this night a success.
Thanks.

Summertime In Washington

Is this It? The end of life as we know it?
Look around- The houses are empty. People are fleeing the city. The bugs are getting louder-preparing to take over. Go down town. There's parking.

Have you lost the will to live as I have?
At least the sun will go down again, and we can crawl out into the night, and look for signs of life
like at The Velvet Lounge where bands who changed their name from a couple of weeks ago persevere...See the Dead Husbands, no the Ex (or is it X?) Husbands- now Deadbeats -tonight, featuring Beatnik Fly, Joe Dolan's daughter, Hayley.

(Sorry. The heat has taken away any slim grasp I had on grammar)

Ra Ra X- Husbands

The Velvet Lounge had a lot of energy going on Saturday night, and it was packed when The X- Husbands played, and even more packed for Ra Ra Rasputin. Us old folks in the audience had to line up against the knee wall, so we wouldn't get knocked over, but Joe Dolan, of The Beatnik Flies (aka Daddy- O) went up there and rocked with the X-Husbands- playing drums for them which made us fogies proud. (Some of us ain't dead yet.)




And it was all hands on deck when they were joined by Hayley's sister, Theresa on maracas and one of the Rasputins. To everybody that missed it- you gotta get out more. Later this month, catch the Beatnik Flies at the 9:30 Club's
DC Space Reunion- July 29th.

Roll Over Beethoven/New Music @ The Velvet Lounge

(That's Ra Ra Rasputin pictured here.)




Earlier this month, when The Beatnik Flies played Sangha, I mentioned Joe Dolan's girls were there dancing, and now turn about's fair play. Joe's daughter, Hayley is in a band called The X Husbands, and they'll be at The Velvet Lounge tomorrow night, opening for Ra Ra Rasputin. Hayley gave me the lowdown on their music:

"The Husbands, Andrew Bucket and Haley Baptiste, prove you don't have to be Yngwie Malmsteen to write a perfect pop song. The Husbands are a punk-folk duo that write songs in the spirit of Shoegaze and neo-psychadelic bands of yesteryear: Beat Happening, Mazzy Star, Lou Reed and the Velvets. Their first E.P is called Shoes and it cost absolutely nothing to record.

what goes here?

Ra Ra Rasputin is what would have happened
if Belle & Sebastian were influenced less by Felt and more by Talking Heads. (circa Fear of Music/Remain in Light). Throw in a little Orange Juice, The Rapture and early New Order and you've pretty much got it.
Oh, and we like to dance. And not in a restrained and ironic way either."

( OK I have to admit, I'm not following all that, but I'm willing to spring my friends from the nursing home, and go give it a try.)