Torn

There's a reason DC ROCKS has two authors named Lyn-it's so we can attend different shows on the same night. This is a tribute to the wealth of talent at work around here. This Sunday night, it's a monumental split since the bands involved are among our favorites. Everyone knows we've got a "Prabir and the Substitutes Problem." We've been in withdrawal during their 3 months absence from the DC scene. It's also well known that of the fabulous new entrants of the last year or so, 7 Door Sedan is one that stands out for DC ROCKS, and they haven't played since early December.
Sigh.

You can imagine our dilemma, with both of these acts playing this Sunday night, President's Day Eve.

The answer? Geography among other things.
Lyn1 will cross the Potomac to get to the Galaxy Hut in Arlington for Prabir and the Substitutes and their friends The Palominos- both outstanding acts for a mere $5. Lyn2 will hit the Quarry House in Silver Spring for 7 Door Sedan's first show since early December. New songs are promised and the opening act is King Mixer with Lyn2's childhood friend Danny Ingram on drums.

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.

Dark Night of the Soul

The weather may be weirdly warm in DC right now, but being February you know it's not over yet. Our last snowfall (or should I say snow melt) can be as late as April although that is rare. What isn't rare is that March starts out like the proverbial gentle lamb and ends with my all time least favorite weather-30 degrees and raining. This week the forecast calls for nearly 70 degrees then a wintry mix by Saturday. (which sounds dangerously close to my least favorite weather.)

These dark days call for soul soothing measures like food and music. If you have a hankering for soul food-you could always head over to the Hitching Post in NE DC for fried chicken, greens and macaroni and cheese. If you feel the need for soul/funk/r & b,  DC9's got it this Thursday night featuring Boston based Jesse Dee and DC based Sol and Stacy Brooks.

$8.

And don't forget the Thrillbillys are always ready to shake rattle and roll the Sunset Grille -also on Thursday night if you happen to be on the Virginia side of the river. 

Sunday Night Therapy With Ken Moss and More by Lyn2

Sunday night rock therapy as the weekend ends and the Monday dread sinks in is just what you need February 8 at the Galaxy Hut where you can see three bands for five bucks. Ken Moss (currently 7 Door Sedan, formerly Acrylix and more) will share his prolific song-writing talents. The line-up is Ken on guitar with friend Bill Merkel on bass. If you like 7 Door's Sweden or the one I call "The Crazy Guy Song," you know that Ken has a knack for poetry put to melody across an array of styles. This is a great chance to hear what he's been stocking away.

The Crowd Scene, formerly of London and now of Arlington VA are headlining. Eric Brace calls them "British pop" in his rave reviewl that plus a quick spin through their web site convinced me to stay through the whole show. The openers, Get Off My Lawn are, according to Ken, two guys who were in The Intentions who swear they shared a bill with Acrylix at Baltimore's Marble Bar in the 80s. Get Off My Lawn's Myspace doesn't tell me much so I wandered over to check out The Intentions. Why can't I remember these guys? Apparently they loved Razz and I got a rewarding Undertones feel from the first track on their page. Anyway, I digress. This Sunday at the Galaxy Hut sounds like something not to miss.

RARE RTT RIOT @ The Avalon

Anything can happen at a RTTS concert, and since they are far and few between these days, don't miss this Saturday's show. Here's the scoop from Jake Flack:

"Attention rock n' rollers of ALL ages: The RTTs annual winter dance-party meltdown at the Avalon Theatre is Saturday, February 7.
The fun starts promptly at 10 a.m. and goes until the last kid says, "Mommy, I want to be in a band too." Mission accomplished! In the spirit of inclusion and togetherness we invite all aspiring young musicians to bring your favorite instrument and join us on stage. We've invited our newest fans, Sasha and Malia. After seeing this video rumor has it that the RTTs are in heavy rotation on the 2nd floor of the White House!"

Bye Bye And Chip Py Photo Guy

(JP McDermott)

Local artists and rock fans alike celebrated the life of Buddy Holly last Saturday night at the Surf Club with a musical tribute organized by JP McDermott. The place was packed, and photographer, Chip Py captured the action on stage. See more pix of this show at Chip's Flickr site.

(Chris Watling)

And if you missed that, JP is giving a lecture/presentation at the Smithsonian later today, the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that took the lives of  Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly (The intro to this clip is priceless- "Now no matter what you think of rock 'n' roll, I think you have to keep a nice open mind about what the young people go for... )

That was "a long long time ago..." as Don Mclean would say. 

And would you believe it's been 38 years since that song was an instant hit?  I could barely do the math, but "American Pie" came out in 1971. I was still in elementary school, but I remember that single being all we would listen to at slumber parties. My daughter uses that song to mark a certain demographic divide, but that's another story.

Long live rock and roll.

Rave on, Buddy Holly.

Happy Feb Rock Fans

In February it will be

my snowman's anniversary

with cake for him 

and soup for me!

Happy once 

happy twice 

happy chicken soup 

with rice.

-Maurice Sendak

Due to my son's sixteenth birthday TODAY this will be short and sweet:

Two shows Saturday night- Beatnik Flies and gang at Velvet Lounge

and the Buddy Holly Tribute with a veritable galaxy of local stars at The Surf Club.

At least won't tip the boat over if we divide ourselves up between shows.

If you can't make it to the Beatniks Flies show at the Velvet Lounge this Saturday, you might want to check out the breakUps at the Rock and Roll Hotel on FRIDAY. (or better yet- go to both and compare musical notes) I haven't seen the breakUps, but their grinding sort of sixties rock sound has me intrigued, and sometimes reminds me of the Flies. Check 'em out on myspace to see what I mean.  Plus there's a great fish sandwich lurking around the corner at Horace Dickey's on 12th Street. Or the french fries and mussels at Dr. Granvilles. (Gotta keep up your strength if you're going to dance.)

Inaugural Inspiration Part Two

Lyn2's thoughts can be found at Washington DC My Hometown.

Inaugural Inspiration

I liked this musing from Wayne Kahn of Right On Rhythm:

"Where we find ourselves today

Remember that it was MUSIC that led the way.
It was the musicians (and those that supported them)
on both sides of the racial divide
That pushed open those very first doors.
Doors that would only open grudgingly.
And then might temporarily close again
Only to be forced back open
BY MUSICIANS
And society slowly opened ensuing doors
Doors that the
Jackie Robinsons
Jessie Owens
Thurgood Marshalls
Shirley Chisolms
Barack Obamas
could find their way through
It is MUSIC
That mingles the masses
Breaks down walls & barriers
That finds common ground
And then society catches up

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL MUSICIANS
SUPPORT THE ARTS
THEY MAKE OUR WORLD
A MUCH BETTER PLACE

It was incredible being on the Mall."

YES

DC:Is There Any Other Place To Be?

Indoor Venues Good

The only good thing about this weather is that it gives me a profound appreciation for all things Summer. Plus it makes me grateful for the simpler things in life like four walls and radiators. So if you need to give your senses an attitude adjustment try going out and in again. Once again I've got ONE night - Sunday January 18-and TWO shows to reccomend. Jammin' Java is having the Azalea City showcase which includes solid acts like Ruthie And The Wranglers, Jon Carroll and many more.
And across the river in another galaxy called Silver Spring don't forget the Pup Tent Gang with Sister Ex and Tru Fax at the Quarry House.

Not all bridges will be open!

Got Plans?

Are you ready For The Big Day? Do you know what your plans are? No? Join the club. As the inuguration of our 44th and most exciting president looms but five days away- two songs keep running through my head-Nirvana's "Come As You Are" and The Temptations "Ball of Confusion"। (Great psychedelic link there.)

It sounds like the whole thing is going to be just insane. You can take the Metro, but you know it will be a complete madhouse- just look at a "normal" rush hour. The governor of Maryland,

Martin O' Malley has asked everybody to take alternate routes and stay off the Beltway on Tuesday. (Stay off the Beltway? I could write an essay on that for "This I Believe") I heard bike riding is encouraged, but bikes are not allowed in the "security zones." (Ball of confused, yet?) And unless you are an awfully big wig, plans are something you're better off NOT making which should be good news for all you non committal man types. On the other hand-remember the day after the election- all the hotels in Washington "sold out? Well, no more. According to today's Washington Express- there are plenty of rooms available.

Plans??

Lyn2 planned all her logistical moves around her house being rented, but now it seems that won't be happening. She wasn't planning to go to a ball... until yesterday when she found out that she probably is. I thought the concert at the Lincoln Memorial sounded like a good bet, but this morning my son told me he heard on the radio that "they" are saying don't go unless you are invited.

Invited???

I checked the official Inaugeration website. Gates open at 8 a.m. (Gates? Remember when there were no stinking gates?) Concert starts at 2:30. (Frostbite should set in around noon.) The good news is you can bring a bag as long as it doesn't exceed 6"X 4"X 8."

"Come, as you are. As you were.
As I want you to be. As a friend.
As a friend. As an old enemy. Take your time.
Hurry up. The choice is yours. Don't be late..."

So that's my plan. What's yours?

Homegrown Hero In Reverse by Hometown Girl Lyn2

In DC we're proud of homegrown musicians who make us proud when they make it in the bigger- Chuck Brown, Henry Rollins, Thievery Corporation.... just to name a diverse few. Lots of people can live here a long time and still not meet the "homegrown" test, but that seems not to be the case with the New Boss, President-in-7 Days, Barack Obama. One trip to Ben's Chili Bowl for a chili half-smoke, and he's a DC Guy already according to the local news stations. I'm cool with that, especially since he chose the half-smoke - a delicacy we can rightfully call our own. Jamie Cramer suggests that if DC ever gets its own quarter, it should feature a half-smoke.

Speaking of Jamie Cramer and Barack Obama, on Sunday night you can celebrate the impending inauguration of the latter by checking out Jamie on bass with Tru Fax and the Insaniacs at the Quarry House. They're with Puptent and Sister Ex in the "Light at the End of the Tunnel" show, which you can still make after you go down to the Lincoln Memorial for the star-studded Inauguration Welcome event featuring Bruce Springsteen. (I shall now call him the Old Boss.)

What better way to celebrate this welcome and historic peaceful transfer of power than rocking out with 3 bands - full of homegrown talent. Puptent promises to have some new songs and a righteous attitude. Having rocked us through a lot of administrations good and bad (mostly bad), Tru Fax is sure to be in fine form-and- if you haven't seen Sister Ex who hit the scene last year- it's about time that you did.

This writer is sure the crowd and three of her favorite bands will be jazzed. She's also glad that the most awesome Sylvia Becker can come to celebrate her birthday that night. As for Michael Hennessey, he won't be celebrating his birthday that night even though it's this week but he will still be dancing. Don't ask questions, just do what Hen says.

Dsepard Deprived?

Alice Despard fans take note: Alice will be performing solo tonight-at 7:30 p।m.- for the songwriter's circle thing at DCAC Theater on 18th Street in Adams Morgan.

The Hall Brothers Live and In Person

(photo by LC)

Chick Hall's Surf Club- I still run into a lot of people who are confused because of all the hoopla that went on when it "closed." Yes, the original Chick Hall's did go away as the family business run by the Hall family, but the good news is the new owners have kept it going as a local music venue under the name Surf Club Live. If you haven't been, check out the website and see all the talent that has passed through there in the past year- diligently documented by new owner JB. It's still a down home place with a large dance floor, pool tables, an enormous bar and a really good sound system.
Meanwhile The Hall Brothers might have left the headaches of owning a club behind, but they haven't stopped the music. Both Chick Hall Jr. and his brother, Chris have been on the music scene inside and out for many moons, and they are phenomenal players. They'll be appearing this Friday night at the College Park American Legion Hall from 8:30-11:30 p.m. Plenty of room to dance and catch local legends of the honky tonk rock scene in action.

Do These Guys Look Familiar?

If you were hanging out at the Wheaton Youth Center on January 20, 1969, local film maker Jeff Krulik is looking for you. Legend has it that this is where Led Zeppelin landed on their first American tour. Check out Jeff's on going film project on Youtube. I don't know where I was back then, but I know I didn't make it to the show. My life revolved around critical matters like not doing my homework in hopes that school would close for a snow day, and the C and O Canal would freeze hard enough to go ice skating. 

Happy New Year DC!

(RMB Columbia Station-1978)
DC Rocks is slacking off this week in view of the holidays, but here are a few shows to check out if you are still alive and restless for GOOD music. Greenland is at the Red and The Black this Friday night- a good chance to check out a relatively new scene on H Street, and a relatively young band that has got it- good original songs and talent. 

Saturday night the DC household name band which rocked us in the '70s- The Rosslyn Mountain Boys- (not goats this time) will be At The State Theater along with another DC staples The Nighthawks AND The Charlottesville All Stars.(Anybody remember Durty Nelly's?) This will be a killer show that doesn't need promoting here!

Also on Saturday- get your dancing shoes and your Mardi Gras mood on early-The Grandsons and Little Red and The Renegades will take over Surf Club for all you swinging cats who know what it means to miss New Orleans.

12:00 Eastern Standard Time

New Year's Eve is not my favorite rite of passage. There's something about all that forced gayety at midnight that just leaves me cold. I remember when I was a kid, my friends and I ran up and down the street a couple of times banging pots and pans. That sure was fun. Then there were the years dashing from party to party not exactly sure WHERE the hippest place to be at midnight was but boy, we needed to find it!!! Usually we ended up somewhere in between a bar and a party, usually in the car. And perhaps my favorite dud of all- the big Y 2 K moment when all the clocks were supposed to stop, the internet go haywire, aliens ready to attack- and the last place to be according to the official Y2K survival manual was in a city or an institutional setting. I managed both as I was in Georgetown Hospital in an elevator.

But there are a few good memories in my arsenal- mostly spent outdoors at a bonfire or in the country when the new year slipped in.  One year in particular does stand out though I can't remember the actual date- maybe 1981.  I do remember it was early in the evening, and a few friends and I were sitting around my group house living room pondering what to do. We could hang out in College Park and continue drinking being as we were within walking distance of the bars on Route One. We could cab it down to DC and watch the Love Stamp fall or some such weirdness. Or we could hop a plane to New York and stay at the Waldorf Astoria where my friend's brother had a suite of rooms. 

Hmmmm. Next thing I knew we were at the airport.

Okay that was a good one- I have to admit.

At any rate- no matter what you do this evening- I do wish everyone within my readership all the best for 2009- including all my lame friends that DON"t read me and you know who you are because I will have to personally send this link to you.

Happy New Year.

Slickees Rock Baltimore

(photos by LC)







Otto Bar
Dec 26
2008

Slickees Rule Surf Club!

(photos by Alan Kresse)
The Surf Club was packed last night, and it was a great rocking show thanks to all three bands-Monsters from the Surf, Ottley! and The Slickee Boys.

And hats off to Marshall Keith who pulled off being in two bands back to back. My friend Alan Kresse was there snapping the memories.

Alan and I go way back in the time machine to the University of Maryland, College Park 1979 when we were housemates. It was four guys and me, and the phone rang all the time. There were outrageous parties, and people we didn't even know would show up because they'd heard of The Dog House-aptly named because we shared the couch with Alan's gynormous Great Dane, Shea. We were hippies and jocks and nerds, but we were a gregarious crew. I came home from school one Friday afternoon, and there was a guy hanging out who looked familiar. It took me a minute to realize it was because I often passed him playing guitar and panhandling on Route One. Another time I walked in, and the living room was full of Hare Krishnas dancing around and making dinner. I have a feeling our vegetarian housemate Stuart was responsible for that one.

Anyway Alan was taking pictures back then, and he is still at it now.

Thanks to the glory of the internet- you can see pix of the Dog House - (what a time capsule!) and more importantly shots of all the bands last night plus other shows if you follow the links.

N.B. Slickees Shows Tonight and Tomorrow

Lyn2 says this is a show not to miss. So does the Express Night Out.
Shake off that mistletoe and shake a leg!

Long Ago Around this Time Of Year A Child Was Born. His Name Is Bob

Tuesday Night December 22 it's the birthday bash of the year, and Bob Berberich's bringing it home with The Rosslyn Mountain Goats- a band which always draws a veritable who's who crew of our local rock 'n' roll world to The Quarry House in Silver Spring. Ottley! will also be appearing. (Perhaps they'll slip into the celebrity phone booth to change.)
Every show I've seen (and I'm not sure that I've missed one) has been different and marvelous thanks to the ever revolving gang of guest stars. Last time I saw Mark Noone (Slickee Boys) do a set that couldn't be beat until Joe Dolan (Beatnik Flies) got up and did something completely different, but equally crazy good. With all that talent in the room, it's all good.
The time is 8 sharp. No cover. Three jamming sets. It'll be over around 11 so the working man can drink a toast to Bob and still hit the hay at a reasonable hour. Any and all donations will go to benefit Jr Cline.

Sweet Home Yell County by Lyn2

While it was the band's name that first made me check out Yell County, it's the performance that keeps me going back for more. Named for a county in Arkansas that happens to be where my family lives, this trio puts together a 21st century punkish/new waveish sound in songs about being trapped and breaking out. They haven't played since bass player Arthur Noll took time out to become a Dad, so Monday night is a good chance to see them play some new songs and wash away any holiday stress you might be feeling. To top it off, you can check out The Bickersons, new to this writer. Give them a listen and you'll be heading to Virginia. Despite my bridge-crossing issues, the Galaxy Hut is growing on me. It has a remarkable beer selection for a small place, serves up good simple food and the cover is always $5.

I'm glad someone else pointed out that Prez Bush-in shrugging off the flying shoes so appropriately aimed at his head-was also shrugging off the devastation of the war in Iraq. Hats off to the people from Code Pink who showed up outside the White House and put names to shoes to honor the dead. I also liked what local DC musician, Karl Straub had to say about the whole mess in his posting "Bush Just Glad Shoe Incident Didn't Happen in Holland."

Rally Round The Cause, Boys and Girls

The economic hard times are hitting.  I was in the bank just today and heard a guy loudly forecasting the doom we will face with the new "zero" interest rate. Closer to hitting home, a DC staple musician, JR Cline and his family are in dire need of a place to live. A benefit will be held at The Outta The Way Cafe THIS Thursday featuring a local band that was dear to my heart way back in the 70s when my cousin used to sneak me into bars- Harbison, Bond and Goddard. (You might remember their song that Weasel would include every week in his "Frantic Friday" set on WHFS.) Also look for other DC favorites including soul/blues power singer Mary Shaver with Dan Hovey (Root Boy Slim, Jr Cline and The Recliners) Rico Petrocelli, (Rosslyn Mt Boys, Mary Chapin Carpenter) and Danny Schwartz.
The show starts at 8:30.

And across town- another benefit at Bangkok Blues in Falls Church. This one is for "Hungry For Music"-a great organization that raises money so that kids can get their hands on musical instruments. A variety showcase of local music will start at 7 with Harry Blevins and continue until 10 with Little Pink. In between look for David Kitchen, Dulcie Taylor, Bumpkin Pie, Jelly Roll Mortals and Esther Haynes.

And for you guitar buffs- a Les Paul Epiphone Special II signed by Mr Paul himself will be available for gawking at. (The guitar will be raffled off at a later date.)

Both of these benefits are not high dollar events, but every little bit will help. You can make the difference here.

Get Out And Spend

(Greenland - photo by shervin lianez)

DC Rocks hopes you are not bowing under the weight of holiday angst, but if you are- don't forget there are outlets, and I'm not talking about Potomac Mills. Start the weekend early in Virginia with the annual Santa Jam thing- a benefit and lots of bands at The State Theater Thursday night- or you can head over to JVs and lay back with Dan Hovey- ace guitarist.

Saturday night in DC's northwest quadrant there's Greenland- the opening band of three at Comet Ping Pong. Also on Saturday-in the can't be two places at once category- another great show - Sister Ex and The New Standard will be rocking Surf Club Live.

Spend that hard earned dough wisely-a few dollars will go a long way in supporting our local music scene which could easily become a casualty of the economy.
Plus- gosh darn it- you could have fun.

A Close Encounter with Bo

This area is just teeming with live music, and I mean TEEMING- "abundantly filled or richly supplied; swarming."

Swarming indeed. 

I hope this blog opens the door for some of you to the lesser known DC music scene which includes a lot of musician/writers like Mystr Treefrog.
Check out his story- it's about rock and roll and serendipity or what can happen when you are open to the universe and about to be blown off a roof.

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.

Shopping Tip #1 and A Tale

Yes. It's inevitable. Ready or not the holidays are coming and sometimes that involves hiding assorted items in colored papers and passing them off to other people. (You know what I mean.) For some of us it's a time of joy and for others a time of dread, but make it easy on yourself. For all the rock 'n' roll fans on your list-Mark Opsasnick's book "Capitol Rock" can't be beat. It's an amazing collection of local rock lore and information. Mark is scrupulous about detail, and has scoured libraries and old haunts for information. I asked him how he got started:

My interest in rock and roll goes back to my childhood when my older siblings (brother and sister) would play Beatles and Monkees albums on the family phonograph. I was hooked, and I remember how, at age ten in 1972, my mother brought me Alice Cooper’s “Killer” album from the Greenbelt Library. The music was incredible, though now, some 36 years later, I’m horrified by the lyrics of “Dead Babies.” Good thing I couldn’t understand anything those maniacs were saying back then. Anyway, after watching this shock-rock band on “In-Concert” I went out and, using my saved-up allowance, bought all their albums at the Beltway Plaza Waxie Maxie’s for $3.33 a pop (I also have a recollection of scooping up albums by Santana, Deep Purple, the Doors and Mountain on one piggy bank-depleting afternoon at that particular outlet.) I remember staring for what seemed like hours at the incredible Mothers of Invention album covers, trying to figure out what kind of music could possibly be contained on the vinyl within – I later heard the entire “We’re Only In It For the Money” album on WGTB and was completely mesmerized by the surreal waves of sound that poured out of that cheap radio. And all of this occurred before I turned eleven.

(Two of the greatest rock and roll mysteries of all time still haunt me – where did the Beatles plug in that mess of guitar wires on the cover of their “Something New” album; and what was that crap on the Coop’s face??)

I maintained my love of rock and roll music into my adult years, but it wasn’t until I started venturing into the bars and nightclubs of Prince George’s County in the 1980s that my interest took a unique turn. In places like the Paragon and the Riverdale Pizza Pub I began hearing tales of forgotten killer rock bands that had ruled Washington, D.C.-area stages (the British Walkers, the Cherry People, the Hangmen, Lawrence and the Arabians, etc.) and spellbinding guitarists who had actually resided right in my home county (Danny Gatton, Roy Clark, Link Wray, Roy Buchanan), but I was dismayed to discover on my trips to local libraries that no books existed that documented the lives and times of these remarkable musical heroes.

I decided to try to fill that void.

The rest is history; the future is a Work-in Progress!

All seven of Mark's books including “Capitol Rock” and “The Lizard King Was Here” are available at Xlibris.

Or take a break from the frenzy and read about Mark's trip down F Street, Christmas morning 1999-a Washington DC My Hometown exclusive.

Beam Over, Scottie

Dear Readers Who Get This Blog by Email Subscription:

This note will run every so often because we KNOW you all have ADD like we do, and don't have time to read everything much less remember a thing once you've read it, but please come back to the DC ROCKS' site to read postings by hitting the DC ROCKS link in the email. (It's at the top of the page.)

This way you will be able to see the calender which gets up dated fairly and has more shows . Also there are links to older posts, bands and clubs and other great sites to explore.

Also the site itself gives you the chance to comment by hitting the little word that says- frankly "comment" on the bottom of each post. Please do as feedback fuels the beast.

Thanks and thanks for reading DC ROCKS.

THE FAB FOUR

The Nighthawks. GHz. The Grandsons. The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours.

What do these groups have in common? They are four fantastic DC bands, and they are all playing this Friday night.  Unfortunately they'll be in four different places:

The Nighthawks, one of our longer lasting straight ahead rock and roll bands which has played at many a legendary event will be at The State Theater in Falls Church. The State is one of my favorite places to see a show. There's the old theater balcony seating upstairs - two bars downstairs- a big dance floor/mosh pit and tables and chairs in case you want to have dinner. I especially like being able to roam around as there's no ticketed seating. $13.

 GHz brings back the legends of yesteryear. They'll be at Outta The Way Cafe in Derwood (which really is out of the way) but  you can sit and have a bite to eat and jettison yourself back in time. According to Scott this show will include "Scott and Dan’s explosive psychedelic originals, uniquely orchestrated remakes of some of Cream’s greatest B-sides and classic compositions from Mr. Hendrix and Mr. Morrison. Plus an extra special Cream-block in honor of the 40th anniversary of their farewell concert in 1968." No cover!

The Grandsons playing The Barns of Wolf Trap the day after Thanksgiving has become such an event that they captured the show on a CD last year and the band won a Wammie. It's an all ages dance party with a number of  luminaries sitting in such as Jon Carroll, Derek Huston (all the way form NOLA), and Moe Nelson. The Barns is another good place to see a show- a great open "barn" of a room, good acoustics and a bar with tables in the room right next to it. $16

And last but certainly not least- The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours named after a legendary DC watering hole will be playing Iota. Their shows are becoming harder to find then a cheap strong drink in this town so this might will be a don't miss event if you are a fan. And don't be surprised to find Tom Clifford of King Soul sitting in. Plus Derek Huston and Chris Watling will be joining the fray once the show at Wolf Trap is over. (Truly devoted fans- take note-and carpool!) Pete Kanaras formerly of The Nighthawks will ALSO get in on the act after playing with opening band The Remnants--another talented crew featuring known for its "Southern tinged rock with Annapolis grit." Who knows who else will show up or what will happen at this show, but it's bound to be a whole lot of fun and talent for just $10. 

So forget the madness of the malls-what can you get there for under twenty bucks besides fast food and a headache? Have fun! Boost the economy by supporting our swinging local  music scene!

Happy Thanksgiving

From DC ROCKS

Thank Heaven for DC Girls

Give thanks for local music, and our own wise and wild women on Wednesday night, November 26 at the Quarry House in Silver Spring. DC-area burlesque star, Shortstaxx reports: "I am honored to share the bill with 2 of my favorite rock'n'roll bands fronted by 2 fantastic rock'n'roll women. Sister Ex is led by the amazing Claudia Neuman and Ottley! fronted by the legendary-and I am not dropping the word casually here-yes, the legendary Martha Hull! ...I will perform 2 burlesque acts in between sets. Come on down to the Quarry House for a pre-holiday throw down. Burlesque, Beer, Booze, Burgers and kick-ass rock'n'roll!!!!
No cover AND it's 50% off all whiskeys on Wednesday! Who could ask for more?"

DC ROCKS agrees. Who could ask for more than to hang out with friends and strangers in a cool cozy club while enjoying great performances by women AND men. Note that Ottley! also includes 2 other local rock 'n'roll legends Marshall Keith* and Bob Berberich. You can get your metabolism rolling on the dance floor so that a little bit of pie on Thursday won't hurt you. And Shortstaxx will have you rethinking burlesque if you haven't already.
Last one there's a turkey.

* Check out Marshall's piece about growing up at Washington, My Hometown

LAST DITCH CHANCE- PRABIR AND THE SUBS-THIS SUNDAY

I was raving about Prabir and the Substitutes the other day when a friend asked me-what was a Prabir exactly?
I explained that Prabir wasn't an "it," but a "he." And I looked it up- Indian male name meaning"hero." Very cool and very appropriate. But the talent of this band doesn't stop there- all of these guys have IT. Mark Noone remembers: Lyn2 and I saw Prabir and the boys for the first time at Dogfish Head in Delaware. After 2 minutes into the first song, I turned to her and said, "I wanna be in this band!"
Come and see 'em, and do it now. They are playing The Galaxy Hut in Arlington THIS Sunday with The Palominos. (Prabir describes The Palominos as : "rock and roll with a little dirty South in them now and then.")
Mind the poster -they won't be back this way for quite awhile. Just $5. You can't beat this show anywhere in the universe for that price.

Stuff by Lyn2

I don't know why Rambling Shadows' CD is called "The Tools and Stuff," but lately I have been thinking about how stuff can weigh you down. Clutter, money worries, work annoyances and various real life things take over your psyche and it becomes counter-productive. Music slows the brain parade of issues and reorganizes the thought patterns for me, and no one does it better than Rambling Shadows. They'll be at the Velvet Lounge this Saturday, November 22. Sharing the stage are the Tail Draggers, a high energy garage band which includes members of The Beatnik Flies and Rhomboid. They will have you dancing. The Left originally "a real punk rock band from Hagerstown" will also share the stage. Can you get more real than that?
Get your brain rearranged by local indie talent.

Who Is He?

(Photo by Tom Shea)

Marshall Keith might be best known as a founding member of one of Washington's most celebrated local bands, The Slickee Boys, but he has remained extremely active in the music scene for many years in other bands and as a solo artist. His two solo CDs are out of print but much sought after. Look for them. Part singer, part song writer, part chameleon he is all musician and a heck of a guitar player. Lately he technically reinvented the instrument by utilizing a baritone neck on a rhythm guitar thus enabling him to play bass, rhythm and lead all at once with Ottley- the group he is in now.

Things have changed in this town since Marshall arrived almost fifty years ago. And things are changing again. Change for the good. Marshall reflects on the good, the bad and the sometimes really ugly in his piece for Washington My Hometown.

You can catch Marshall playing live next week- November 26- when Ottley plays the Quarry House in Silver Spring. And don't miss The Slickee Boys reunion gigs just after Christmas. Stay tuned to this blog for details.

Palisades Rocks

(Palisades Museum Of Prehistory )

My DC neighborhood used to be a hide away for people seeking relief from the torrid summers here. We're near the Potomac and up hill from downtown. Now we're a haven for artists and writers by the dozen, but we also have a one of a kind renaissance man named Doug Dupin. He designs his own long boards. He built himself a wine cellar/cabin that Martha Stewart would kill for with little touches and innovations that might have intrigued Thomas Jefferson. Then he turned it into the Palisades Museum of Prehistory which is filled with artifacts from the neighborhood which otherwise would have been lost to bulldozers. He grows his own hops, makes his own beer. He rides around on an old black bike.

As if that all weren't enough, Doug is also a film maker, and he's made a short documentary about another neighbor, James McMahon. Maybe you saw some of the pictures I posted of James' art project in the woods. Now you can get the whole story thanks to Doug from the horse's mouth. Check out this great little film:Portrait of the Artist as A Middle Aged Man.

A truly DC centric thing.

(James' World) Photos by LC

Dance x 4= Great Show

Thursday may be the new Friday, but this week that ole reliable- Saturday night- stands out with four wild and crazy good young bands conveniently located under one roof at the Rock and Roll Hotel down on H Street. I would go to this show just to see one of my personal favorites Greenland-so I was pleasantly surprised to find out there was even more talent on the bill as follows:

 The Dance Party-

I've not seen them, but they've gotten raves for their high energy pop sound and played plenty of well received gigs.

The Nunchucks-

Another high energy band. We've written about these guys before and had a great time at their shows. 

Ra Ra Rasputin- Lyn2 and I saw them  at Fort Reno last summer and were impressed.  Another band that can do.

All of these groups have that indie tag going for them- original music and personality galore. 

So if you are looking to lose those Autumn blues- come out and shake the dust off your tail feathers. Four bands -just TEN BUCKS!!!!  Show starts at 9.

And continuing the theme for the mandated Thursday night out- across the river from the Quarry House in another galaxy far far away (i.e. Northern Va.) GHz is playing at Bangkok Blues in Falls Church. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Dan Hovey is one of the best guitar players around, and GHz is one of the only cover bands that gets coverage here. If you can't wow 'em, why bother with retreads? Because this band delivers the wow.

Also on Thursday- Dave Kitchen, a versatile guy in his own rite with a great band will be doing his usual gig at the Sunset Grille in Annandale. All the bands and bars we cover here at DC Rocks need your support. PLEASE don't let these small venues and great players disappear with these challenging economic times. Just get out and shop. I mean drink. Be merry- it's Thursday.

Thursday is the New Friday

Now that we're in the beginning of a new age, it's actually mandatory to go out on Thursday nights. So this Thursday, November 13, it would be really cool if you went to the legendary Quarry House in Silver Spring to see the even-more-legendary Tru Fax and the Insaniacs. Presidents may come and go, but Tru Fax is a constant. Witness the Ronald Reagan song that evolved over numerous iterations into the W song. This might be your last chance to hear it. Dollar Bin has just been added to the bill too.

The Quarry House has the best beer selection around, good food including their famous tater tots and it's a cozy place that feels like home. Just north of the next state's border on Georgia Avenue and convenient to the Ronald Reagan Silver Spring Metro too. Did I write this whole entry without mentioning Jamie Cramer? It won't happen again.


Lyn2 (photos courtesy of JB at Surf Club Live)

DC-Are You Experienced?

It happened in San Francisco. It happened at Woodstock. But what I love is that it also happened here in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 1967. What was it? A genuine psychedelic phenomenon in the form of rock and light shows at the now defunct Ambassador Theater in Adam's Morgan. Jeff Krulik, local film maker, organized a reunion/forum last year for those who made the happening happen, and it was one of my favorite topics for this blog. If you missed the story-here's my post from last November. Plus now you can experience part of the reunion for yourself thanks to Jeff's film on Youtube.

Random Thoughts

I was at Lyn2's election party- surrounded by people cheering and crying when the results came in for Obama, but here it is four days later, and I'm still waiting for the good news to really sink in. But I also feel like I'm waiting for
another shoe to drop. Maybe it's from the toll of so much BAD news for eight years running- both personally and politically. My daughter is a cancer survivor, but the year 2000 was a bleak one as she was just starting a two and half year regime of chemo therapy. And GW became president. Before 9-11 I could barely stand to hear him talk, but at least he seemed semi- harmless.Then on September 11th, he hid in an airplane leaving us to make do on the ground.

I was sure that four years later people would have had enough of the horrors of the Bush administration. I don't think I've ever been so depressed after an election as I was in November 2004. I couldn't believe the level of fear mongering that went into justifying an invasion- the loss of life and limbs and torture. And here at home the environment was sacrificed for the oil people and the coal industry; basic rights were stripped away in the name of Homeland Security. Even the right to speak out was quashed whenever possible.

But now there is hope as Mark Noone keeps telling me. Yes, it's a very scary scene the Bush people are leaving behind, but at least they are leaving. And my friend, Eric Brace who has been battling a weird and worrisome mystery illness seems to be on the mend as well. He is hopeful, too; ecstatic about this election which is a quantum leap from four years ago.

Maybe I should stick my head out of the covers and begin to believe that it really is going to be okay. At least we have hope.

Asylum Friday Night - Our Time is NOW by Lyn2

Sometimes nostalgia is annoying because it makes people live in the past rather than the now. But I am looking forward to seeing my childhood friend Danny Ingram in King Mixer, playing at Asylum with Fight the Bear Friday night. I'm not going for nostalgic reasons, even though it's tremendous to find so many old friends playing music these days. I'm intrigued by this description of King Mixer's sound: "King Mixer draws on all of these influences to create a sound that blends intense and melodic guitars with songs that tell stories about the things you did but shouldn’t have, and things you should have said but didn’t." Been there. As if that's not enough, the Falls Church-based Fight the Bear guarantees ".... a dose of something genuine." Asylum is a place you want to know - 2471 18th Street NW in Adams Morgan. Doors at 8.

WE WON!!!!!

So far, for me anyway, Bill Hanke said it best when he put this message on his MySpace page: "LOVE  has defeated evil."

With Justice and Liberty For ALL?

DC is rocking with voters today. I hear that the line went two blocks out the door, past the playground, past the parking lot- all the way to Sherier Place earlier this morning in my neighborhood. But being the later bird who usually misses the worm,  I voted in about ten minutes around 9 a.m. I met an older woman in line, and she agreed with me that this was the most exciting election ever- though she did give a nod to the Hubert Humphrey campaign.

Still not all is well here in Washington. The citizens here vote for shadow representatives since we don't have the right to decide our own destiny in Congress- although we CAN vote for president and do. Perhaps we need our own Rebel Alliance to Restore the Republic? (Perhaps I watched Star Wars twenty years too late?) 

Anyway-please- vote heavily and often today, and think of us colonists residing right here- in our Nation's Capitol- who would if we could.

6 Day Bender

Was a 2 night Halloween weekend enough?
Do you want to keep the momentum going until that wildly swinging Election Day party you're going to on Tuesday? (right after you vote)
Well, here's a late breaking bulletin from Bill Hanke, our own local guru of rock. He wants everybody to go see 6 Day Bender -an original young band from Charlottesville tonight at the Quarry House in Silver Spring. Early show so you can have your cake and get some sleep, too. And say hi to Bill- you can't miss him.

Breaking News for Saturday Night and Beyond

From a secret DC ROCKS contributor..... this is fun and chock full of great info! Just click the title.