Get your Folk On Sunday...

Marian Fahey, a self described psychedelic-folk DC songstress, will be playing DC9 on Sunday February 12th with Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon.  Sounds like a very mellow way to end the weekend and or ponder Lincoln's birthday....
8 p.m.

DC ROCKS is at a loss as to how to describe this event so we will leave it up to the original scribe's description:




 "... a night founded by Brooklynite/former bassist of These Are Powers and Liars, Pat Noecker, comes to town featuring a Sasha-Lord-assembled cast of local greats from NPR, Fugazi and more. The players will assemble on the floor in a circle, each seamlessly exchanging 3-5 minute micro jams. Live video projection Robin Bell will flood the circle with eye candy as the sonic vignettes roll out over two 30 minute sets. A 10 minute improvised group piece will top it off to be followed by a sure to be blistering set from Pittsburgh beat busters, Expensive Shit, side band of Paul Q from !!!"



Comet Ping Pong is an interesting place: you can play ping pong while waiting for your dinner, and this sounds like a really interesting night, but be forewarned the sound there is often earplug worthy with or without the "blistering" caveat..

Three Out of Four Troubadours Cross Over

DC is a relatively small town with a big music scene...a big fat incestuous music scene as far as bands go.
This Friday see what I mean at IOTA when The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours open for King Soul, and don't be surprised if you see three of those Troubadours in soul suits later on in the night.
It's just a DC party kind of thing with good music all around.

Always Something To Do- Even On a Monday

Route One: A Travelogue of Sorts

Driving down Route One from College Park to the District is not the most scenic of journeys.
The landscape mostly consists of suburban sprawl- even when you cross into the city. Not much changes except for the names of the road, but there are places to fortify your soul for this journey.

Anyone who attended the University of Maryland since 1950 may or may not remember wandering into the lounge side of Town Hall Liquors.  Here Route One is Baltimore Avenue, and last week brought me back to this place- now an outstanding landmark for me because all of the other watering holes I knew-the Varsity Grill, Italian Gardens and even the Rendezvous are gone.

Town Hall has a slightly scary feel from the outside, but the inside remains virtually unchanged since visits during my college career in the late 1970s. Dead animal heads and aquatic type trophies still decorate the walls. The booths look original as does the vomit proof concrete floor. It can basically be described as a drinking bunker with pool and pinball.  And prices couldn't be more reasonable with or without happy hour specials. (One hand written poster proclaimed: Knob Creek $3 on Wednesdays!) There is no way to further describe this place without resorting towards ugly, but it's a mooring to the past where you can dock yourself at the bar and hoist one to the Terrapin.

A little less than three miles down the road, Franklin's Brewery and General Store in Hyattsville is now a favorite for those in need of fresh beer and decent grub. With one foot in the past, the building dates back to the 1890s, but slightly ahead of its time, Franklin's began producing its own beer and good food in 2002.  The recipes are a success. Happy hour is every day from 4-6, but towards the week's end, evenings are generally PACKED with very happy patrons- families and students alike. Although the beer menu changes according to what's being brewed-the quality does not.

If you have a driver, from Franklin's you have to jog back north just a bit on Route One to the first right which gets you onto Route One Alternate South or Bladensburg Road. ( I told you you'd need a driver now.) Our next stop- again only about 3 miles- is DC Brau  one of only two breweries located within the confines of the District of Columbia. This is not a pub, but the brewery is open for tours, tastings and growler fillings most Saturdays usually from 1-4. It's a bit hard to find- but their website shows the secret passage to get you behind the post office. The beer is DC centric- owned by DC guys with DC pride- and it's a dang good potation on top of all that.

Support the Avalon and Contribute to the Delinquency of Minors (In a Good Way)

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."

In Between Time

This is a weird week- these lame duck days between Christmas and the next thing. Traffic is sparse. You can drive around relatively unmolested by commuters and park in Adam's Morgan without taking a taxi. (Where is everyone? Are you all still in the malls returning things?) The news is all about looking backwards- the year in review- the best and the worst of everything- none of which is news.

New Year's Eve has never been a favorite of mine- maybe because I never had anywhere to go. Our idea of excitement was to pick up the phone and dial up the time continuously from about 11:45 on, then at midnight, run outside and bang pots and pans together. "At the tone the time will be..."

You get the idea.

Then when I was older there were suddenly too many places to be, and all kinds of confusion about where the most righteous place was to land when the clock struck twelve. I soon realized that was all just a goose chase on a hamster wheel.

But if you are looking for somewhere to be without a lot of running around, there's a great New Year's Eve party going on via the Knights of Columbus, and it's got a DC Rocks kind of price tag: $45 for all you can drink (what?) appetizers, a champagne toast, and a full breakfast at mid night thirty. Oh and a band. A big band- the ever raucous eight piece King Soul will be playing all night and then some. Find all this under one roof at the Rock Creek Mansion on Cedar Lane  in Bethesda.

And by the way in case you do feel like staying home and calling the time- you're going to have to call a friend instead. As of last Spring, dialing up the time became another lost thing of the past.

New Space for This Place

Greetings Survivors of the Yule. Time to turn our thoughts to Other Things like the new club in town. Everyone is raving about The Hamilton- the newest venue from Clyde's featuring a large beautiful performance space which holds at least 300 people seated and more standing.

Tons of local bands are playing there coming up- too many for DC ROCKS to list, but for starters the schedule includes a humongous variety of local talent: David Kitchen, Wil Gravatt, Christylez Bacon, Soul Crackers and Justin Trawick- and that's just this week! The Hamilton is located in the old Garfinckles Department store building which was built in 1929.  inches away from Metro Center. The restaurant upstairs is open 24/7 in hopes of adding true night life to our sometimes stodgy downtown.

Merry

Hope this holiday seasons brings fond memories to keep you company,

and great  friends to keep you laughing...

Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas from DC ROCKS.

Dance This Mess Around

Yahoo and Then Some!

Please note the Music Cafe is deep in the heart of the country- tiny, no bar, and last time I went I ended up parking in the back yard. But that's all part of the charm. This Saturday is going to be a killer two for one show:  Ruthie and the Wranglers and Billy Coulter. A good place to land after you get lost looking for Christmas trees.

What the Holiday Heck?

What do you want to do? Run around like a chicken with your head cut off? Sit in a car stuck in traffic circling the drain of a shopping mall?

Heck no! Yes, dear humans, just walk away. Join the 99 percent and drop that manic consumerism. Give the gift of freedom- take someone you love to see live music. There are two traditional shows this weekend. Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun await you at Jammin Java this Friday.
And the Last Train Home once again pulls into IOTA station for the entire weekend which peaks with an all ages show and juice boxes for all my friends at the Sunday matinee.

Shopping is for sissies. Spend your money on an experience. Memories last longer.

A Preview of The Past

Unicorn Times 1979

The Bayou brings back a lot of memories for a lot of people around here. The club opened in 1953 and morphed with the times showcasing jazz, bluegrass, rock and more. The list of bands that played there- both national and local ran the gamut from Count Basie to the Ramones. Nils Lofgren to Chuck Brown. U2 opened for The Slickee Boys on their first U.S. tour. (There are a lot of stories buried under what is now a movie theater in Georgetown.)

 This Wednesday the  DC Music Salon will be hosting a discussion looking back on the bar and looking forward with a sneak preview of a new film "The Bayou: DC's Killer Joint" at the Shaw Library from 7 until 9 p.m. Bring your memories or curiosity. Both are welcome.

Music Meets Art Head On This Saturday

Bob Boilen, Robert Goldstein and Robin Rose. Any of those names sound familiar?
(Picture a Tiny Desk Unit on an Urban Verb kind of street with art thrown in.)

This Saturday find all three at Hemphill Gallery where Robin Rose currently has an exhibition up called "The Big Payback." (now think James Brown) Hemphill is hosting a rather eclectic panel discussion with Robin Rose and the musical minds of both Bob Boilen and Robert Goldstein about the relationship between art and music and the blurry lines that connect and inspire.
10 a.m. Free.

Sunday Night Train

Move Over, Rover-There's a New Club in Town

Washington has seen a lot of clubs come and go, that's for sure, but the 9:30 Club which is constantly garnering national acclaim in Billboard magazine, has definite staying power. Now 9:30 has partnered up with the U Street Music Hall to catch both local and national acts that may be clawing their way up or sliding their way back down in a smaller venue. The club's capacity at 500 (somewhat smaller than the Black Cat)  fills a much needed niche in DC, and it's only a block from the Metro.

There's been press lately about the electronica music partnership between the two clubs, but keep your eye on the schedule for "9:30 Presents"- early shows at U Hall which will feature all kinds of live music, all ages, and all over by ten p.m. (Adults, however, can hang later and rehash the show over another cocktail as the club transforms into the late night groove.)

This Saturday night Chopteeth and Alma Tropicalia will be sure to give you motion loving music fans a chance to try out the "1200 square foot cork- cushioned dance floor." Show starts at 7. $15 cover.

Thank You Ian Hunter

DC Rocks was driven North last Friday to stalk the man who inspired the name of this blog in a tiny club in a tiny town in Pennsylvania.  Ian Hunter has spent most of his seventy plus years rocking the world, but I get many a blank look when I mention his name. Mott the Hoople usually rings a bell. If that fails, "Cleveland Rocks" might work, but both the band and the song are just the tip of the iceberg of this soul filled man. His songs are anthems and ballads, well written and magnificent live-his voice full of character-his songs ever relevant.

Less than a hundred people turned out in New Hope last Friday, but I am thankful I was able to be one of them. And to everyone who is reading this- thanks for helping keep DC Rocks going...
Thanks for playing music
Thanks for writing.
Thanks for reading.
And thank you, Ian Hunter.

Happy Thanksgiving from DC Rocks.

Black Friday

"Friday- it's Friday Gotta get down on Friday..."

Yes, that's from the uber- annoying song made famous by Rebecca Black. If you have a kid around,  you might have had this tune inserted into your brain, and can't get it out. In our house, the ear worm was administered by my ten year son singing falsetto, complete with a dance routine.

What may be even more annoying is all the hype surrounding Black Friday due to FFS. (Frantic Shopping Syndrome) Remember when George Bush Junior told us to shop our way out of  9-11? Well, we ought to have enough stuff by now. The only thing I would consider purchasing on Friday is a deeply discounted turkey. Or tickets to a rock show.

So consider Friday as the perfect time to turn your back on the mall and go out to the Barns of Wolf Trap for The Grandsons' annual show with Derek Huston winging his way in from New Orleans.

Or you could take yourself downtown and meet up with a bunch of old 9:30 Club types at the Black Cat for the big reunion with American Corpse Flower, Sister-Ex and Throwdown Syndicate. Our old pal, Freak Fred will be back in town for this ear plug worthy show which pays tribute to beloved DC music man, the late Tom Terrell.

Last but not least The Nighthawks and Skip Castro are over at the State Theater- a great place to see live music brought to you by seasoned pros.

The Past Isn't Even Past with the Vi-kings

This Friday The Vi-kings- are playing at Clyde's at the District Line. (You know where that is, right? Just across Wisconsin Avenue from Woodies?)  The Vi-kings were born out of a Whitman High school reunion, but what they do best is take you for a ride back to the past- back when we gave peace a chance.

Actually I don't know WHAT is across the street now, but Clyde's is still there even after the Beverly Hillsification that happened to Friendship Heights/Chevy Chase a few years ago. My classmate, Catherine's  dad, John Richards Andrews was one of the men who designed that Clyde's, and I think it was the first one that branched out from the original dive down in Georgetown. On your way downstairs to see the band, look at the big honking mural over the stair well. See the little guy in the kilt under the tree? That was painted in Mr. Andrews' memory. Now you know.

Great music. No cover. No minimum. Have one for "Rick."

Remember Those Salad Days and Other Things

In 1606 the term "salad days" first cropped up when Shakespeare's Cleopatra was pondering her youthful hot romance with Julius Caesar. In 1971 "Salad Days" was known as Episode 33 of Monty Python's Flying Circus. Some years and a cart load of fake blood later,  DC's own punk rockers Minor Threat produced a song by the same name  in 1985.

And that song has inspired former Slickee Boy drummer, Dan Palenski to sequester himself in a radio station down in Richmond, Viriginia. He keeps that punk rock thing alive with his show- you guessed it- Salad Days on WRIR from 7-9 every Friday. This Saturday, however, Dan will host another show- "Songs From the Big Hair " from 3-5 p.m. Joining him to send out a shout out to DC's own 80's scene will be long time pal, Robbie White, who is driving all the way down there so we can hear him up here.

WRIR is an independent radio station- a rare breed. Listen on the net, DC- this one's for you.

So Long to Surf Club...Really

Yes, the rumors are true, and the unbelievers will just have to take this picture as proof. "Chick Hall's Surf Club" and "Surf Club Live" is no more. The building has been sold, gutted and is on it's way to becoming a laundromat.

Thank you to the Hall family and the Byrums for all the effort you put into this place, and for giving DC a place to dance for over fifty years. No amount of detergent can wash away all the musical memories you helped create.

Don't Let Little Red Down

Live music needs live bodies. Please support this show and the venues that give life support to local bands. Little Red and the Renegades will be kicking up (the imaginary) Texas dust at Hill Country BBQ this Thursday. It's a lot more fun than a telethon.

Occupy This

We don't usually do bands from out of town, but Danny Ross has spun our attention his way with his "Laid Off Tour." Keeping up with current events, Danny Ross is a recently laid off Congressional staffer on his way here from New York with a nine piece band which is NOT economical, but will be a lot of music for just $12.
Danny will be occupying IOTA this Friday night along with local favorite Justin Trawick.
Spend your tax dollars wisely- support local clubs and music!

Local Bands at Local Hangout Rule DC

A Winner On Eighteenth Street

Though we're not big on sports here at DC Rocks - this review from good friend and sports fan, jholbax, gave us food for thought:

"I still find it hard to speak about the Phillies loss in the first round. I watched a lot of those games, as well as many other of my favorite teams games at Ventnor, a little slice of Philadelphia on 18th Street N.W.  To me, the place has always been very friendly. They have a knack for hiring fun staff, the food is good, and Philly Phans Phlock there, so it's always easy to talk to anyone at the bar. 

Now to why I am writing about this place: I was really hungry. One of the reasons I stopped in there was because they have this great pigs-in-the blanket appetizer. I ordered a Bud and the pigs.  Catherine, the bartender, says, "Ahhh we just took them off the menu."  I am crushed and ask for a menu.  She gives it to me, and I peruse. I see "Fried Lobster Mac."  Ask the bartender about it- she says get it. I do. 

Mac and cheese with lump lobster, seemingly formed by an ice cream scoop, and then deep fried lightly with a really nice bread crumby crust.  Ladies and Gentlemen - may I present the newest best plate on 18th St.  It is fantastic and only $11."

Trick...or Treat? That Is the Question

DC Rocksphoto

All Souls Gather Saturday

Like the tide over the years, Chick Hall's Surf Club has been up, and Surf Club has been down. In its country music hay day amazing things happened there including the likes of Patsy Cline and Lefty Frizzell, not to mention Chick Hall himself, one of DC's secret music legends. When JB Byrum took over the club several years ago, he did his best to keep the Surf Club music scene alive and well, despite the ups and downs of the economy and lack of community support. 
This Saturday - show JB the love- come out to the last live show booked at Surf Club for the foreseeable future. (If I were a music fan with nostalgic leanings and a craving for grits and similar groceries, I would definitely make the effort to be there.)
 King Soul is playing, and on the eve of the eve of All Hallow's Eve, Tom Clifford and his very capable band can take care of all your soulful needs.

Surreal Is the New Real

Parties down at the water's edge take on a reality of their own...and this one on Friday night featuring Color School (not the art movement but a band)  looks like it will take on a life of its own.

Ghoul's Night Out

Every year I hear some confusion over the event known as All Hallow's Eve or Halloween. The origins of this celebration are murky, but some stories include a Celtic festival marking Summer's end. Flash forward a few hundred years, and we've got the Christian twist which turned things Saint-ward. Still later traditions included wandering from door to door begging for food in exchange for prayers for all those lost souls.

What I know is Halloween is Monday. Trick-or-treaters go out on Monday, and adults better go out over the weekend in order to spiritually prepare themselves for the upcoming sugar fired effects of over active young beggars. This Friday Strathmore Arts Center is hosting a mixed media event including three bands and poster art called Rock Paper Zombies.  I love this description:

"Just like the hip party you would host—if you lived in a mansion with an art gallery, a cool band and a bartender."

Doors at 8 for Happy Hour specials. (Happy Hour, by the way, was invented to combat the effects of small children and/or beastly co workers on the adult nervous system. Use it wisely and with abandon.)

Virginia Is For The Lost

JVs is a tiny little joint stranded out there in Falls Church near Seven Corners, Virginia. Seven Corners, by the way, should be on the DC area's list of top ten traffic horrors. I also nominate the obvious - the Springfield Mixing bowl, but also- how about trying to merge onto and cross over I-395 from Maine Avenue to the D Street Exit? Scares me every time.

Why would DC Rocks send our readers to this godforsaken suburban outpost?  (Wait-would using godforsaken and suburban in one sentence be the same as a double negative?)

Here's three reasons:

Because the music you will stumble upon there is just that good.
Because they just don't MAKE places like JV's anymore,
and because what do you have to lose besides yourself in Virginia?

Okay 2 out of 3.

There are 2 shows worth checking out at JVs this weekend the first being guitar guru, Dan Hovey and Mary Ann Redmond on Friday night. On  Sunday starting at 5 look for an old fashioned country jamboree running all night and hosted by the legendary Hall Brothers (former proprietors of Chick Hall's Surf Club.) No telling who will show up, but guaranteed the music will be well worth the trip- on both nights.

Be sure to bring your GPS.

This Crew Has Gotta Swing

Vi-Kings Do Rock a Party

The Vi-kings don't like to think of themselves as putting on a concert so much as creating a Happening. A lot of talent is packed into this band including percussion legend, Bob Berberich. This from Stock Wilson pretty much sums things up. Hope it works for you: "The Vi-kings are the breeze that blew through Liverpool, Surrey and Richmond. Out of the Haight, down Sunset Boulevard, up the Mississippi and along south Michigan Avenue, it blew down Beacon Street, across Washington Park and into... Chevy Chase."

Yes, the Happening happensat the Chevy Chase Women's Club. (7931 Connecticut Ave, Chevy Chase, MD) Friday 7:30- 12  Doors open at 7 p.m. with limited tickets available. $20

Gotta Love the Title: "Anti-Mosquito Activist Tells City to Put a Sock in It"

Just when I despair of DC radio being the most boring thing on the planet, along comes my neighbor and local hero, Doug Dupin who has taken the role of David in this summer's battle of Man Vs. Mosquito. On WAMU this morning,  he provokes a DC official into talking about dirty socks.

d.c.space still on our mind(s)

The corner of Seventh and E Streets, Northwest D.C. It's a Starbucks now; it was Clara Barton's office long ago. In the middle of all of that it was d.c. space where all kinds of art and music took place from 1977 until 1991. If this means anything to you, or if you would like to get a glimpse into how cool this little place once was-the DC Music Salon is hosting a retrospective this Wednesday at the Watha T. Daniel- Shaw Library. A discussion, a presentation and a happening featuring people who were there, live footage, music and more. 7- 9 p.m.

The Basement People

photo by chip py

Quarry House types (and you know who you are) or if you ever wanted to be one -there's a great show this Saturday night featuring the David Kitchen band. As usual DC Rocks promotes a lot of music for very little money in a not to be replicated, genuine throw back dive.

Save Where Poe Slept

Quite a few towns like to claim the relatively short and somewhat tragic lifespan of Edgar Allan Poe.  There's a square in his honor in Boston. (though he once called his birth place a "provincial frogpondium") His dorm room is well preserved on the lawn at the University of Virginia. (even though he had to drop out for lack of funds) There's a museum in Richmond where Poe grew up with the people who almost adopted him. And there's The Poe House in Baltimore where Poe met and married his young cousin. Mr. Poe died in Baltimore on October 7, 1849, and his death is still a bit of a mystery which  I suspect is just how he would like it.

Baltimore, I have to admit is a way cooler city in many respects than this humble burg, but the city has cut funding to this very romantic site. This Friday- 162 years to the day after his demise, The Velvet Lounge on U Street NW is hosting a benefit to save the Poe House with a raffle and live music including DC ROCKS' fave- Nunchucks. The event kicks off at 9:30 p.m.
Only $8 admission.

A sculpture of E. A. Poe by Paul Spaulding landed in NW DC