Red Flag Warning this Saturday

What can happen when The Yachtsmen, those preppy inmates of Gilligan's Island, meet up with Igor and the Red Elvises at IOTA this Saturday? Nothing more than barely contained international insanity disguised as a really fun rock show.
What to drink?
Why, what else but vodka martinis, darling?

9 p.m. and only $15 rocks the boat at the door.

Spark Up a Tuesday Night in Takoma Park

Once upon a time The Electric Maid was a diner in Takoma Park where Mark's Kitchen is now, but the sign has moved around the corner to a place with no connection to the little eatery.
Electric Maid these days is a space for art and performance, and this TUESDAY The Black Sparks will definitely rock this space. If you haven't had a chance to see this very young punk band, take an aspiring musician and check them out. Their age does not define their talent. EARLY EARLY show starts at 6 p.m.

High Jinks At Quarry House

Here's a show that nobody's going to sit still for: The Ubangis* and Jumpin Jupiter at the Quarry House this Saturday night. Both bands have more energy than a barrel  full of monkeys in a hen house full of hungry poultry chasing June bugs. Or perhaps think jungle drums meet Elvis. Did I mention high jinks and shenanigans?

These are seriously crazy bands at a tiny venue where somebody's sure to lose an eye, but hey, it's sure to be good (almost clean) fun.

********Ubangis had to cancel due to illness, but Jumpin Jupiter will still go on****************

Captured By Pirates

A lot of music rolls across DC ROCKS's desk, but now and then a band really catches our attention, and We Were Pirates is one of those bands. Their CD "Change" has been in heavy rotation in the DC ROCKS office this past month. Check out their somewhat haunting and captivating pop sound yourself THIS FRIDAY when they play with Dance for the Dying, Tomio and The Silver Liners at the Rock n Roll Hotel on H Street NE. Just ten bucks for live human bands playing all night long.

For those of you looking for something a little less urban, Cravin' Dogs will be playing the Friday Night Eclectic series at the Strathmore Mansion which is a fun place to hang out and pretend you live in high on the hog.  $10 in advance/ $12 at the door.

The Man with the Ankh

If you have ever frequented the Galaxy Hut, then you've most probably encountered Art Daniels in one of  his roles as bouncer, door man, sound man and bartender. Art has been there through two owners, and maintains a sense of calm and decorum which permeates the room. What brought Art and his beatific smile here to this tiny place, and what keeps him here? I suspect the music, and Art is a music maker himself.

This MONDAY evening look for  The Art Daniels Band. appearing with The Curious Mystery at the Galaxy Hut.  Hopefully you all were unaware that taxes are not due until April 17th this year so you will have already dealt with that mess early.
Right?



Right?

Easter Redux Depending on Your Moon or Song of the Month

DC Rocks has come to an understanding with itself that it needs something new now and then to keep things interesting. And though we don't do reviews here, I can make up the rules as we go along and have decided to create a Local Song of the Month column to shed a bit of light on local music for all you shut ins who cannot get out as often as you'd like.

April's selection is "Matter and Light" by Marshall Keith - a song that fits in with this mystical season of natural and spiritual renewal when seemingly dead things come back to life. I take some delight in the fact that Easter,  the most important date on the Christian calendar, still bows to Mother Nature, and therefore must fall on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the Vernal Equinox. (No wonder it's so hard to keep track of Mardi Gras.)

And to further muddy the holy waters, here comes Greek Easter which will take place this weekend. The Greeks like to use an astronomical full moon and a Gregorian calendar just to keep everybody guessing and practicing their algorithms.  This is why I shy away from organized religion which has way too many rules and exclusion clauses.

And so it was a Sunday when I first listened to Marshall's CD Roadside Shrine, and my first thought was to take a nap. I figured I'd lay down on the couch, take in the music and fall into a lovely stupor. But the music was too powerful; I had to sit up, entranced, with both my eyes and ears wide open.

"Matter and Light" is my favorite track on this CD, and what I refer to as my kind of church music though not in the traditional sensibility of 100 years of boring. This is a song which feeds and soothes the angst filled modern soul and gives us the possibility of renewal just like Spring.

Give it a listen and see what you think.

Please Make It Stop

Taxes and Death. Here we go again. Nothing puts a pall on a weekend like the thought of sitting down with yourself, adding up what you are worth and forking part of that over to Uncle Sam (who we think might drink a bit despite his best intentions to take care of business).  Still distractions abound this SATURDAY with a rather astounding mix of music on a single night -mostly for free.

Chopteeth brings its multinational groove to IOTA in Arlington with enough people in the band to make it a party wherever they go. Over in Bethesda there are two shows to check out: long time local rockers The Loggers plan to take over Parker's and for all you Dead heads, The Black Muddy River Band is over at the Mussell Bar taking no prisoners. If you want to go a little further afield, you'll find Cream inspired  GHZ at Outta the Way Cafe in delightful downtown Derwood- well worth the drive if you can find it on the map. Last but certainly not least check out this hardcore line up featuring Scream playing a benefit at St Stephen's Church in Mt Pleasant:

All shows are tax free and non deductible unless you happen to be a band member. No cover at Outta the Way, Mussel Bar and Parker's. IOTA $15. Scream just $10- a benefit for DC Jobs With Justice so
if you donate more you can write it off next year.

I Was So Much Older Then

DC ROCKS started as an experimental writing exercise, but early on the topic of music dominated this page,  perhaps because I used to do music reviews or maybe because I've always been surrounded by music living in this town. This week alone, DC's musical past rears up to nip our brains with no less than three events exploring just how rich our history is.

First the Arlington Central Library has a punk rock exhibit being established by an anonymous curator who was deep into the scene back in The Day including a large selection of posters and other collectibles. In keeping with the theme,  the library will be showing the documentary "Instrument-Ten Years with the Band Fugazi" on April 18th at 7 p.m.

Coming up this Wednesday evening-this month's DC Music Salon topic is concentrating on the notable bluegrass scene here. The salon will include stories from local musicians including Tom Gray of The Seldom Scene and the Country Gentleman, and ethnomusicologist Kip Lornell, as well as film clips of local bands and more. 7-9 p.m. at The Shaw Library.

Lastly our local rock curators- film maker, Jeff Krulik and writer, Mark Opsasnick are giving a presentation on the History of Rock and Roll in Prince George's County (1950s-1970s) this Friday evening at the College Park Arts Exchange on Knox Road. Topics include everything from teen dances at the Hyattsville Armory to rock shows at The Varsity Grill and Richie Stadium. The event starts at 7:30 p.m., but seating is very limited.

Both the DC Salon and College Park events are interactive so listeners as well as talkers are welcome.

All three of these events are labors of love, free, and open to the public.

Breeding Lilacs Out of the Dead

Spring in Washington is a wonderful thing to behold. This year has been especially spectacular and bewildering-a virtual Venn diagram of flummoxed flora; tulips blooming with azaleas, daffodils overlapping roses and my collards just exploded. Cherry blossoms came and went faster than you could say tour bus while last year's old leaves continue to cling.

This weekend Passover begins, and Easter crops up on top of that, but for those seeking relief from ritual, two shows are flanking the egg hunts: King Soul is back* at Hill Country BBQ to save your souls on Saturday night, and our old favorite Prabir, with his new band Goldrush, will be at my favorite little escape from this world-The Galaxy Hut on Sunday night with local companion band The NRIs. 

King Soul = No Cover
Galaxy Hut charges its standard $5 shipping cost for all live shows.
Both a bargain!


*King Soul fans beware- if you've been meaning to go- this is their last gig at Hill Country until fall.

A Different Kind of Rock Show

The first and last time I went to Carderock to rock climb, I was sixteen. It was a cold and grey December day, and my boyfriend and his friends wanted to teach me the ropes. ( ha ha) I was halfway up the cliff when I learned that clinging to unforgiving stone by my fingernails was not my idea of fun. Still it's a beautiful and a wonderful place. Yesterday was particularly spectacular with the temperature around 70 under a cloudless sky.

Hard to believe the city is only fifteen minutes down the road, and suburbia sprawls all around here, but  Carderock provides a perfect little Spring break and a chance to come eye to eye with a frog a world away from DC's chattering talking heads.

Farewell Earl Scruggs 1924-2012

I am not sure how it happened or when it happened, but Washington DC is known as the 'bluegrass capitol of the world." It might be because World War Two brought a lot of people out of the mountains to the city for work. Or it might be the DC based Bluegrass bands like Buzz Busby and the Bayou Boys or the Seldom Scene. WAMU used to be mostly a bluegrass radio station until all the talking heads took over. At any rate bluegrass music owes a lot of its popularity to a man we have to say good bye to now-Earl Scruggs. His unique syncopated picking style made him the rock star of the banjo, and the theme of the Beverly Hillbillies helped put bluegrass on the national map in 1962.   He protested Vietnam and played his Grammy winning song "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" at an anti-war rally in DC in 1969. And he continued playing almost all his life. Thank you, Mr Scruggs, for making your music something everyone can get a kick out of- bluegrass fans or not- we salute you.

Sunday Sometimes Rocks

The Quarry House is a throw back to other times. Other times for me were long ago when my friends used to meet up there and go play pool across the street. Or play pool and meet there after for a pitcher and a burger. Or both. Very little has changed underground in the past twenty years...and probably little has changed since the Quarry House opened in the 1940s except for the massive beer and bourbon list (which still includes the unchanged PBR) and ...the music.

This Sunday take the kids and the earplugs and check out three bands on Daylight Savings time. Yes, it's a rare rockin' matinee at the Quarry starting at 2 p.m. with Dear Season, Sister Ex and 7 Door Sedan- all familiar faces from the chronicles of DC Rocks. All ages- $5. Cheap enough to spring for tater tots, too.

Mardi Gras Redux or Are You WIlling to Give Up Lent for Lent?

The people of Eastport have their own way of doing things, and just because it's the middle of Lent and Mardi Gras is long over, they are willing to ignore all of that for the sake of The Party. Not the Democratic nor the Republican- just the good ole throw beer on the floor and whoop it up kind of a party with Little Red and The Renegades providing the music with a little help from Alan MacEwan and Chris Watling of the Grandsons.


This Saturday night it's a dance - it's a dinner, it's a fun time, and all the proceeds benefit musicians. Food, drink and music for $25- a great bargain and then some.
Doors at 7. Party rolls at 8.

Wacky Weather We're Having Lately

The Weathervanes opened for the Chinese sensation Shanren the other night at IOTA which turned out to be a study in contrast between a band from half way around the world and a band steeped in Americana from good ole D.C.  If you missed this remarkable show, you can still check out The Weathervanes this Friday night as Black Cat showcases a night full of local talent. Seth Brown, drummer for The Weathervanes, gives us the low down:


"Brightest Young Things have listed this show as "a show you should blow your money on," and that's meaningful considering these harsh economic times. ironically, we're neither bright nor are we considerably young, but we'll take it. We'll be joined by up-and-coming Indie Folkers Orchard Wall, legendary band- The Reserves (who I'll also be playing drums with that night), and Whiskey Parade the shiny and new project spawned from two great bands, Scythian and No Second Troy."


Three bands only $10. That's still only $3 and change per band. 9 p.m.

CHINA/ U.S. RELATIONS SOLVED

Last night an international incident occurred at IOTA, and every musician worth their salt,  everyone that considers themselves to be a music fan needs to GO TO IOTA TONIGHT to see what promises to be another unforgettable performance by Shanren- a musical phenomenon from Mainland China on their first American tour.

This is not a drill, guys- this is the real thing.

DC ROCKS does not usually cover topics beyond the confines of our own Metropolitan area, but Shanren's  talent and sheer determination changed their lives, and all you have to do is get in your car or on the Metro to see and hear the joy that years of hard work can produce. If you don't believe me- here's what National Geographic has to say.

Their music is a fusion of modern rock and traditional roots- hard to describe and even harder to turn away from to get a beer. Make the exception and go out on a Monday.  See a band that came over 12,000 miles to perform for you, and see why it was worth it.

Opening for Shanren- The Weathervanes-a cool and capable DC band with American roots definitely showing.

$15 - a bargain in any currency.

You Don't Have To Play Ball on St Pat's Day To Win

St Patrick's Day can be a rough night for music lovers what with amateur bar flies clogging up the roads and bars, but this Saturday you can see a great show- "The First Ever Good Sports Music Fest"-  and be home before your corned beef and cabbage of cool off for supper.

Good Sports is all about raising money to send kids to college that might not otherwise have a chance to go- not because of lack of brains or drive, but because of lack that necessary evil- the almighty dollar.

That same dollar will go a long way Saturday afternoon at the Jammin' Java when three bands hit the stage for the Good Sports benefit including local favorites The Rhodes Tavern Troubadours and Scott Ramminger and the Crawstickers - which will be chock full of talent on this gig with the likes of Dave Chapell, Tommy Lepson, and Pete Ragusa-plus possible guest stars. Noon until 4 p.m.
Tickets just $15. That's $15 bucks for 3 bands, a good cause and four hours of music!

Massive Local Rock Show Friday

 I asked Tony Blankenship for his take on all the bands sharing the bill with him at the Black Cat this Friday, and he did such a good job that I have to thank him for doing all my work.  I think I'll just mosey outside and ponder the encroaching daffodils while he tells you what's going on:


Nunchucks take classic guitar rock and mesh it with the pop-sensibility of modern indie rock. They've been referred to as "Shred-pop", which is just as awesome as the name implies. Seeing these guys reminds me of when I was in high-school and going to rock concerts felt like being in another world. I was excited by the whole experience, and everything that happened on stage had a certain magic to it. Their guitar player kills me every time I see him.

Maple has this late 70s meets 90s rock thing going on. Kind of like the guys from Queens of The Stone Age playing Cheap Trick songs. It's a sight to be seen: rocking vocal harmonies, dueling guitars, mid-song tempo change, and nothing seems out of place or off. They've been together for a long time. The chemistry these guys have on stage is a beautiful thing.

Cane & the Sticks have this really intense dynamic. A song can go from vicious, jagged, rock n roll savagery to a place where really sweet melodic guitar lines and female vocals in harmony lure you in. Their music is passionate: it's primordial, it's psychedelic, and it's anything but safe. I shared a bill with them last year at Fort Reno, and they blew my mind.

The Courtesans summon the ghosts of late 60s garage rock and early 80s power pop. We want to conjure a force of evil known to man as "the pop song." The material is catchy, without apology. The bass is very present and melodic with leanings towards New Order. (Tony didn't mention it, but I hear a little Vampire Weekend thrown in there, too.) 


This show is all ages, and seems to me, all decades are pretty much covered. That's five decades of musical influences for just $10!

Field Trip on Friday

There's a scene happening out in the middle of Nowhere somewhat created by our friend Ben Pagac who relentlessly haunts the disappearing dance floors of the DC area. Surf Club is gone now, and Blob's Park still exists only by a stay of execution. Read Ben's piece on Blob's which will give you an idea of its history. It's a tavern worth seeing and definitely in the category of places that will one day be gone.

As far as what, who and when- it's a rocking dance party with two over the top bands Arty Hill and King Soul this Friday night.

The barrel starts rolling round 8 p.m. Music all night. $12 cover.

And Not So Far Afield

You can't go wrong with this little club. IOTA has expanded their band space as well as their beer taps. And if you've never been, The Grandsons are a fun band which will welcome you to the party.
Two bands actually...and only $12.

Don't Drop Everything Just Drop Electric

Drop Electric will bring their unexplainable but groovy sound to the Black Cat Saturday night along with Teen Mom, Mittenfields and Sam Cooper and the Sleepwalkers. ( Is it me or are there more band names than there are words in the English language?)

If you can't get to the show, be sure to check out his Drop Electric's band site for mesmerizing videos.