It's Summer in the City

Summer in DC- what do we get?

Hazy hot and humid- hopefully lots of days at the beach. Ever optimistic gardeners digging up their yards and dreaming of back yard tomatos. Balmy nights, fireflies, and lots of free music. Later this month Fort Reno will start rolling again, but in the meantime-The Nighthawks- a long time DC favorite- are unplugged this Thursday 6-9 p.m. in Rockville Town Center.

Local DC Rocks the State This Sunday

Thank You Arlo

It used to be so simple. Pilgrim hats and Indian head dresses. We'll bring the turkey; you bring the corn. We used to act out that original potluck at school and put the same characters in wax on our dinner table. America was our cornucopia.
But by high school I found out that a lot of things were left out of my history books. Early on I never thought much about the impact of people who said things like "Whoops, we thought we were in India." Times have changed immeasurably since I was a kid, but we never did burn those candles that still decorate our family's table.


Well, maybe once.

Now, when I think of Thanksgiving, I feel sad and bad on many levels and try to get over that and feel happy and thankful which I am.
I am thankful that Magruder's has such good liquor prices, and I am thankful for the wine I picked up there for Thursday's dinner which is going to make me and a lucky member or two of my family happy.
I am thankful I don't have to make the turkey.
I am happy to make my own cranberry relish which no one else in my family will eat, but that's okay- more for me. There I 'm happy again.

But let's move on.

After Thanksgiving I am usually so exhausted I cannot move even though all I did was drive a few miles and eat too much. It's all I can do to make it to a couch and lie there in lizard like lethargy. It must be all the mental hoopla which comes from consorting with too many family members in one room at one time taking up all the available air. If, however, I did want to get out (which is never out of the question) the place to go on Thursday night would be the Sunset Grille where the Thrillbillys play- even on Thanksgiving.

By Friday I usually have my get up and go back, and there is a lot going on to help dance off that dinner.

The Grandsons are playing at the Barns at Wolf Trap- a most excellent band in a most excellent venue. I love the Barns because it's one of the few places the park service will let you drink. In fact they sell it to you. Did I mention the place is beautiful? And Derek Huston, our favorite McLean-New Orleans son will be flying in to add his "cool cat" horn to the mix.

Hands down this would be the show to go to if there wasn't another excellent band in yet another favorite venue. The Nighthawks are playing the State Theater, a renovated-for-rock movie house, which features everything you need at a rock show- bars for the thirsty, tables for the hungry, a dance floor for the antsy, and a balcony overlooking the hoi polloi for the spectator who needs a break from the action.

With all that going on, it would be irresponsible of me not to say I am happy and thankful to live in D.C. where once upon a time you could always count on hearing "Alice's Restaurant" on our dearly beloved gone away radio station WHFS, and that used to make me very happy, but that's another story.

 

Reliable Rock Cures All

photo by John C Garofolo

Johnny Castle is another great player who has been hanging around this town for a long time. When he is not playing with DC's beloved Nighthawks, you can often find him Thursdays rocking with The Thrillbillys at the tiny Sunset Grille where the distance between the stage and the bar can be measured in (dancing) feet. Head off that deep pre winter end of daylight savings time seasonal depression and dose yourself with the Thrillbillys' cure this Thursday. The tireless Thrillbillys will also be on hand later this month to relieve that post Thanksgiving dare I say despondancy due to turkey/family togetherness overload- back at the Grille November 26.

Nighthawks Rock

Washington is a complicated town unlike no other in America. We don't have Congressional representation, and yet this is where our Congress meets. We've got a heck of a lot of people coming and going every four years or so, but you if you live here long enough, you will find this is a surprisingly small burg where you will often bump into friends in a bar, on the bus or even at the beach.

And that's one of the best things about DC.

Another is that we have great bands like The Nighthawks who have been rocking for over 30 years now and are still going strong. (That's a lot of adminstrations- something like Carter to Obama.) The Nighthawks are playing this SATURDAY for ZERO cover at The Black Rock Center for the Arts up in Germantown. 7 p.m. A deal at half the price and a swell way to spend a summer evening.

Summertime
and sometimes the livin' is easy especially when you are looking for free music around these parts. Arlington County has a bunch of stuff going on starting with a dance party over in Rosslyn- 1611 Kent Street (second floor outdoor plaza) this Wednesday featuring one of DC's longest lived and much loved bands - THE NIGHTHAWKS.
Starts at 5:30.

This Saturday Night Is No Night To Wash Your Hair

The Quarry House is located in what I would call the historic section of Silver Spring- the part that hasn't been "improved." Burgers. Beer. Bourbon. All in your Basic Basement Bar. Long pews line the walls, tables can be shoved together and chairs rearranged to accommodate a party of one or a party of twelve. Women make friends with the band because more often than not they are ducking a guitar player to get into the bathroom. (A lot of women think this is annoying, but the guys are thrilled. Plus boys have to thread their way out of the room, around the bar to the other side of the building to get to their water closet, and they miss stuff while making the trip.)

The Grandsons, an award winning band that has been roots rocking this area for over twenty years, will be at The Quarry House this Saturday night. This might be a no brainer if it were not for The Nighthawks, a local legend of a long lasting and talented band, are playing the same night at The Surf Club. More blues based than The Grandsons - more room to dance- two great shows to choose from that won't break the bank.

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.

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!

Harmonica Wing Ding This Sunday

Wayne of Right On Rythm Roots and Blues Newsletter asked me to pass this on:

THE HARP HIERARCHY

A long time ago in a storied music city (could it be DC?) in the pre-Nighthawks blues days of Washington-

numerous players inspired by the likes of Paul Butterfield (yes white boys could play this music)

began to assemble and share their ideas of a musical vision that encompassed the roots of all popular music:

THE BLUES

Now get ready for a reunion of VERY DC players gathering together:

HOME IS WHERE THE HARP IS:

The Right on Rhythm HARP HOMECOMING #3

WHO:

MARK WENNER (NIghthawks)

BRET LITTLEHALES (BIG BOY LITTLE)

DOUG JAY (back visiting from Germany)

PHIL WIGGINS doing an acoustic set with MARK PURYEAR

Backing band for Doug, Mark & Bret

PETE KANARAS (guitar) (Nighthawks)

STEVE JACOBS (bass)

SCOTTY STUMP (drums)

MC

DAMIAN EINSTEIN

other surprises possible

WHERE:

SURF CLUB LIVE

4711 Kenilworth Ave Hyattsville MD

301-927-6310

WHEN

SUNDAY JUNE 8

7:00 TIL...

Gaffney Benefit Part TWO Coming Up

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

(photo by chip py)

The Nighthawks- great name, great band, great memories (OK- foggy memories involving Georgetown and College Park for me, but I'm pretty sure it was fun.) This Saturday April 5th, you can relive those foggy days when they play Surf Club Live which is now the home to more local bands playing than ever. This venue almost bit the dust when The Hall Family sold it recently, but the new owners want to give the live local music thing a go- so keep an eye on their schedule and remember my mantra- a buck spent on local music goes WAY further than one spent on those mega bands you need binoculars to see. Plus you don't even have to buy binoculars.

We Get By With A Little Help

There's good things and bad things about being in the music world- just like anything else. The good are fairly obvious: for one- having the capability to affect people emotionally-to move them to clap or cry. (or leave the room for a beer) The downside can be literally costly- like the lack of any sort of benefits or health care. Fortunately musicians are good about banding together (yeah, pun intended) when need be, and that's what's happening this Sunday at El Boqueron II in Rockville- at a benefit for Maxine Blank. Her name may not have been on the bill, but she has run many a sound board for tons of bands and venues in this area. Now she has medical bills beyond her means, and her friends which include The Nighthawks are organizing - MAXAID featuring tons of great local music like Ruthie and The Wranglers, Patty Reese, The Nighthawks including Ratso, Janine Wilson , special guests and more. Plus there's a silent auction of rock 'n roll stuff. Eight bands for only fifteen bucks! (two get in for $25) Look at the line up on the poster above or hit this link- MAXAID to learn more about it. A bargain AND a good cause and an early event- doors open at 4- and it's over by 10.
So come out, have fun and help make this night a big success.
I'll see you there.

100 King-or Another Small Town Story from the Naked City

(Dave Chappell, Patty Reese And John Meadows @ 100 King)

John Meadows is trying to get music going at 100 King in old town Alexandria. It's a nice big space with huge windows on King street-just a couple of blocks from the River and excellent food to boot. I met John when he worked at the much missed Starland Cafe in my hood, but he also worked at the Birchmere for many moons. I went down there to see Patty Reese and Dave Chappell a few weeks ago. I was curious about Patty- from more than one party I knew her as one of those close degrees of separation from me. When she was a wee lass, she used to come to parties at my group house in College Park where I lived with her best friend's older brother, Rick. Since then Patty grew up to be a well established musician in these parts, but though we have mutual friends, I never saw her again until 100 King. She didn't remember me, of course, but she did recall the Great Dane that gave our hellatious home its Dog House moniker. I emailed my old house mate the story, and he promptly emailed this back:


(Shea-courtesy of Alan Kresse)

She was playing with Dave Chappell. I met Dave, consummate guitarist, when I went to see The Troubadours because my friend Mark from the old 9:30 Club days was in that band along with Jake Flack. Jake had bought a house from another college house mate, Pete. (Yes, I moved a lot back then.)
But I digress. Patty will be playing tomorrow night around 8 with Paul Bell of the Nighthawks and back again December 6 with Dave Chappell. Keep an eye on 100 King-it's another great place to see music around here...for free. And say hey to John. Tell him I sent you. (Isn't that what small towns are for?)

Other Birds Seen Around Here Besides Turkeys

I told someone I was going to go see The Nighthawks at the Kensington Armory Thanksgiving "town dance" last Wednesday, and they said, "Are they still alive?"
Well, yeah.
And it was great.
And here are the pictures to prove it from my senior staff photographer, Chip Py:



The show sold out.



Johnny Castle



Keith Grimes



Paul Bell



Mark Wenner



and Dan Hovey sitting in.