Relax-Chuck's in Charge for Labor Day Weekend

With temperatures back in the nineties forecast for Saturday, it's back to DC weather as usual- as usual as Washington can get being the weirdest city on the planet. (Did anyone else think this was a particularly long August? Not to mention rather peculiar?) At any rate, the long weekend will give DCPS students a much needed respite after two full weeks of school if you don't count that Earthquake break.

What's up for Summer's Last Weekend?

Friday night, Last Train Home, the DC band with Nashville wanderlust, will report back to their true home bar IOTA for one show only with good friends Chris Watling, Dave Van Allen and Kevin Cordt coming out for full press band support.

Then Sunday, the deepest DC experience award has got to go to the National Symphony's tribute to native cats John Sousa, Duke Ellington and Mr.  Chuck Brown (!) happening on the West lawn of the Capital at 8 p.m. This concert will be followed by a performance featuring the only man in that crew that is still very much alive.

So good bye August and hello September. Slip out of those white bucks and gear up for November .

Hunker Down- Shows Cancelled Tonight

Mother Nature is not to be argued with so Surf Club and Chuck Brown shows have been cancelled for this evening. Fill the bathtub with gin and take it easy 'til we meet again.

Real Rocking Beats Quaking

DC really did rock yesterday, but now it's time to get over the earth quake and look forward to real rocking plus maybe a hurricane this weekend. (As the Cowardly Lion would say "Unusual weather we're having, ain't it?") And why do they name hurricanes but not earthquakes? I would've called this one "Little Susie." (You know "Quake up, Lil Susie, quake up)

Although live shows have been suspended at Surf Club of late, this weekend the show(s) will go on so please come out and support this venue and keep this place more than just a great idea.

Friday night a Hank Williams tribute brings a variety of musicians out to give HW the musical nod he so well deserves. (You might want to sport dancing shoes and a cowboy hat for this one.)

And Saturday brings the long awaited return of The Beatnik Flies- a band that that just plain defies the box. It's been two years since the Flies played, and with The Yachtsmen at the helm for openers, this will be a night to remember. Original music and attire all OVER the place so come as you want to be.
Just be sure you are there.

Play It Again, Marginal Man

All the original members of Marginal Man will reunite THIS SATURDAY at the Black Cat. If you know the name of this band then I am preaching to the choir, but if you don't this is original DC harDCore springing from our very own home town when 9:30 was on F Street and Dischord Records gave bands like this a voice... on vinyl.

Here's Mark Noone's take: 
 "Marginal man had the power. That double guitar attack contributed to their wide loud sound. They also sported a great front man and killer drummer; Slickees were considering him when Dan Palenski left."

And this from a deep background source at the 9:30 Club: 
"Although they came out of the harDCore scene, I always felt they were a little different than many of those other bands. They had plenty of songs that were serious, like "Identity", but also had some more fun, light-hearted songs, like the instrumental "Chocolate Pudding", and a pop sensibility to their songwriting.  I now see them as one of the founding bands of the "pop-punk" genre, which later became huge and spawned very successful bands like Green Day, although their influence on others up and coming bands was not apparent at the time. It takes time and perspective to see how influential they were."

Also on the bill: Strike Anywhere and Damnation ID. 

Tickets $15

Support Your Local Surfers

You may have heard that live shows at the Surf Club have been suspended due to an overlooked and unchecked box on a form and an unfortunate series of events possibly resulting in a nearby shooting last March after the club had closed. This incident did NOT involve live music and did not occur at the Surf Club and is the ONLY act of its kind in the three and a half years JB has owned the club.

Politically the towns of Edmonston and Hyattsville are torn between having a club and shutting it down. Most people involved in making the decision have never attended a show there and mistakenly think it's a dark and violent place, not one where the disco ball inspires swing and zydeco types to go nuts only on the dance floor.

Shows have already been cancelled, but a temporary though precarious permit has been issued for the Hank Williams tribute and The Beatnik Flies Reunion- August 26 and 27. If you want to see more shows like this, please take a minute  and help keep this historic and endangered honky-tonk  live and alive.  Here's how:

Write to Chairman Franklin D. Jackson of the Prince Georges County Liquor Board. Chairman Jackson oversees the board which has the authority to amend the oversight in the application that would allow live bands to once again play at the Surf Club. Please speak of your experiences there, and whether this included witnessing any sort of violence.

(Chairman Jackson's emails are directed to him by staff members.)

Email:

KEMarkomanolakis@co.pg.md.us (Kelly)

DMBryant@co.pg.md.us (Diane)

Direct Mail:

Franklin D Jackson, Chairman

Board of License Commissioners

County Service Building

5012 Rhode Island Ave., Room 204

Hyattsville, MD 20781

Gone Fishing

Yeah. It's August. Things are slow, and as usual Congress has left such a mess that even DC Rocks needs a vacation.
 See ya next week.

Bring Out Your Dead

Tired of listening to "Box of Rain,"on the tape player out in the garage? I was never a big fan, but can't deny they influenced my life back in the day. There was the time my housemate went to a show and came home with a puppy. Another housemate designed tee shirts featuring Jerry Garcia's head on a Maryland Terrapin body which, considering Jerry's physique at the time, totally worked.

At any rate, the time has come to fling those cassettes and simplify your life. Pull on a tee shirt and truck on out to Surf Club this Friday night for the Black Muddy River Band-  acoustic covers brought to you by three real guys playing instruments right in front of you. Get your Dead on live.

Last Chance

Fort Reno is winding down this week so if you've been meaning to get up there...it's now or never. This Thursday the season closes out with an extremely rare appearance by the The Evens who do NOT appear in clubs. (At the 9:30 Anniversary Party you might have seen them in the balcony, but not on stage)

If you do not know who The Evens are then check the Who's Who Directory of Local DC Bands...DC ROCKS itself. Yep, there's a little search box at the top of this blog.

Go early. Parking is limited due to Wilson High School construction, and those in the know know this is  a show not to miss.

This Dog Can Hunt

Sonic Phenomena

Can't get enough of Slickee Boys?

Nope, they aren't coming back.

And yes, you missed the event of the summer if you missed their last show at the 9:30 Club, but here's a saving grace- former Slickee- Marshall Keith will be at Surf Club this Friday night along with outer limit music making Cigarbox Planetarium and The Spectacles. 

Marshall has struck out on an ethereal path all his own which can be heard most often on his solo CD Roadside Shrine. Live and in person, just go ahead and expect the unexpected.

Be Cool and If You Can't Be Cool Be Hot

Every summer I lose my will to do just about anything right around now. The Dog Days are here followed swiftly by the Doldrums which are brought on by the "code red" air quality. My garden has to fend for itself. My neighbor, Joel comments that I've let my lawn go dormant as if that were a Plan.

The only thing that rescues ninety plus days are the slightly less steamy though still sultry nights.
That is the time to defy the elements and make your own heat: dance hard and create a breeze of your own.

Here are possibilities for this week: The Atomic Mosquitos which do not have an annoying habit of sucking your blood to ensure future progeny will be at The Surf Club Friday night and the Quarry House on Saturday. On the other side of Old Man River, look for Kid Goat and Yell County at IOTA- also on Saturday night. And finally Greenland, a perennial favorite of DC ROCKS, will be at the stellar Galaxy Hut this Sunday.

A Guy with a Guitar Walks into a Bar

Saturday Night We Need a Time & Space Inter-County Connector by Lynn Thorp

(and the best poster award goes to...)

It's hard to know where to be Saturday night. To catch all the shows you'd have to rely on good old 410 our East-West Highway, but a time-space travel machine would be easier.

Over in Prince Georges County, you've got The Yachtsmen, Monsters From the Surf and El Quatro at the Surf Club. The music is back at this iconic place, and they need your support to keep it live. If you've never gone because you don't know where Kennilworth Avenue is, choose the Eastern end of the night's listings, and I guarantee you will be back for more. Three bands, a great sound system and dance floor, plus pool tables and a place that feels like a honky tonk should on a Saturday night.

To the West, you can opt for Color School at Parker's in Bethesda. Check out their newly posted songs, and you'll hear these guys are a real treat live. No cover here.

If you need to get your Dead on, not far north of Parker's you can catch Black Muddy River Band. This mostly-Grateful Dead acoustic trio does it better than I've ever seen. They're at Branded 72 BBQ in Rockville.

So wherever you are on the East/West continuum of our thriving music scene, support our local bands with whatever rocks your boat this Saturday.

Stranger Things May Happen But This Is a Good One

This load of alliteration just in from last week's Surf Club Soul man Mark Noone:
"Aloha nui loa friends and fans of Hawaiian Swing Music and Boogie Blues! Washington DC's highfalutin-hillbilly-hula-honchos, The Hula Monsters will be swingin’ the stage with the legendary boogie-woogie-bad-boy-barn-busters, The Nighthawks at Surf Club Live right there on Kenilworth Avenue in Hyattsville this Friday night, July 15th.  
Get there early, stay late, bring your dancin’ shoes! 
Only 10 bucks!!!"
And watch Mark transform himself yet again on Saturday night. Same Bat place. Same Bat time. Whole different persona. Stay tuned.

Be In Love With the Past

All of you sentimental people out there looking for nostalgia in cool places-check out Owen Wilson channeling Woody Allen in his new film "Midnight in Paris." Then head over to Clyde's cavern club Friday night for those masters of the flashback The Vi-kings. These guys are veteran rockers bringing you back to the Sixties with a secret weapon in their midst-Bob Berberich. Bob's a walking legend around these parts, and we are lucky he is still keeping the beat alive. In the mean time Vi-Kings' ring leader Joe Dolan wants you to know he is putting you all on the guest list. (which is his way of saying "no cover")

Live Music Attack This Weekend

Be prepared for your in box to be full from DC ROCKS this week because when it rains it pours,and when it rains, this DC native is a happy summer camper.
This show was brought to our attention by Dead Leaf Echo. All ages is always a cool scene.

Dash Out to the Rock and Roll Hotel Thursday by L. Thorp

Dot Dash, Ft. Reno, August 2010
Photo Courtesy of Peter Muise

Dot Dash and The Jones share the stage with Urge Overkill Thursday night at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Two great local acts and a blast from your mid 80s - mid-90s past.

ERROR Please note Goldrush at Galaxy Hut JULY 17

Sorry about the mix up.

BAck to the Future JULY 17

Our old friend Prabir will be at the Galaxy Hut NEXT Sunday in his new incarnation Goldrush.

The Galaxy Hut is so small you're bound to come away with new friends, and the music will surprise you. Absolutely worth a school night out.

Wait a minute...make that a summer school night.

Support Your Local Hercules

Everyone knows Hercules. He's the guy immortalized in myth and cartoon as the strong man who can throw a raging bull or a large car across the street with one hand. If you remember the original myth, however, Herc had a huge to-do list which included taking care of man eating birds, (right after he cleaned up the Aegean stable) rounding up the Mares of Diomedes, and going after the elusive Golden Apples. All of these chores seemed insurmountable, but Hercules some how found a way.

A few years ago, James Byrum, unsuspecting music lover, put himself in the same position as Hercules. He bought the Surf Club.

Next thing you know, here came the man killing birds, (county regulators)  strange creatures which had to be herded inside(local musicians)and those golden apples- ever elusive profits- are still hanging out of reach.

Yet James continues to defy the odds by bringing on more live music than ever this month. This week alone look for The Thrillbillys Friday, King Soul on Saturday night, and an afternoon open-mike with Stacy Brooks on Sunday.

Come out, have fun and support our local music heroes.

You Can’t Go Back and You Can’t Stand Still by Lynn Thorp

my daughter nicole carrying the flame

Everybody keeps asking me if I’m sad that DC’s legendary Slickee Boys are playing their last reunion show this Sunday. Surely I will miss these annual-or-so reunions of great friends, but I’m not aware of any other local band who has retired and then entertained us at least yearly for twenty years so it’s hard to complain. Also, I’m not one for living in the past, and DC provides plenty of proof that when one door closes another one will always open. All the musicians who’ve played in the Slickee Boys have and will continue to make great new music. I was thinking about this recently when 7 Door Sedan played at DC 9. Here you’ve got a band full of talent who have all played a role in DC music history but this band isn’t on a nostalgia trip. It’s new and fresh, and it’s about DC now. Check out Ft. Reno on Mondays and Thursdays this summer, and you’ll see there’s no shortage of new music around here.

A buzz of loss reverberated in some of my circles lately when Garrett’s closed, a bar and restaurant well-known since 1979 for its friendly local ambiance in the heart of Georgetown. Garrett’s was the site of many momentous occasions in my life, but I’m just hoping that many more pleasant memories are made sampling the new places that DC has to offer. There’s great food galore, interesting spaces and even homegrown beer! Here’s my plug for the first on the scene – DC Brau – whose Public Ale should become the everyday go-to beer for all of you of the beer-liking persuasion.

DC’s ushering in a new age built on the old one. Don’t forget that the heart and soul of this city is still being ably nurtured at Ben’s Chili Bowl, and that Chuck Brown did two shows in one day recently. The wheel is turning and the beat goes on.

We Have a Winner

Slickees at Ottobar 2009  photo by DC ROCKS

Congratulations Todd Savitch! You are our big winner to the Slickees show this Sunday.
Rock on.

Slickee Boys Ticket Give Away

Skeptics and believers, it's true-The Slickee Boys last shows are coming up this weekend, and DC ROCKS has a pair of tickets to give away to Sunday's show at the 9:30 Club. The Slickee Boys are a major player in DC musical history, and have played  9:30 more than any other band so it's a good place to say good bye.


If you (or the kids) are wondering if they've still got what it takes after 35 years, take a look at this cool little film shot by Jeff Krulik when the Slickees played at the Black Cat in 2009.


Also on the bill are The Factory- another DC band on its way back IN after twenty years. DC ROCKS was at their Surf Club show last winter and is happy to report this is a good thing.  But there's more: the Nun Chucks , devotees to vinyl and classic rock, bring their own style and high energy to the table as the opening act. 


Be a part of this historic show. 


Send an email to dcrocksblog@gmail.com. for your chance to win a pair of tickets. The Slickee Boys have had numerous bass players.  Name all six and be eligible for a drawing.
One entry per person, please. Deadline 9 p.m. Thursday, June 30. Winner announced July 1.

Veteran's Park Rocks This Thursday

Drummer man Nick Ruggeri's latest project LaRue Boogaloo will be playing this Thursday at Veteran's Park one of the tiniest but liveliest parks in downtown Bethesda. If you are like me you might get lost in what is now the booming metropolis, but if this helps at all-you can see it from Tastee Diner. 

Here's the word from Nick:

"The band was started by Pete Ostle and myself. It is a soul jazz band in the vein of the 60s and 70s organ groove bands. The grooves are on the funky soul side and the horn melodies are straight ahead jazz lines. It's really fun groovy music. We have a lot of originals and fantastic arrangements of tunes by Paul Murtha, a national arranger/composer."

 

The line up:

Chris Watling - Tenor/Bari Sax

Vince McCool - Trumpet

Tim Ford - Organ/Keyboards

Dan Hovey - Guitar

Pete Ostle - Bass

Nick Ruggieri - Drums

Rob White - Congas/Percussion

The Time: 6-8 p.m.

The Cover Charge: Gratis

 

She Made Her Decision When She Saw the Slickee Boys by Lynn Thorp

You wouldn’t believe what happened to me the first time I saw the Slickee Boys. Let's just say there's a reason I have these not so professional photos in my scrap book.

You never know what the Universe might do next so get thee to the 9:30 Club on Sunday July 3 for the last “reunion” this legendary band is going to play. Some things define DC, and I think it’s safe to say that the Slickee Boys will go down in the record books as a monumental example of the diverse and influential force that is our homegrown music scene. Also it’s fun and friends. See you there.

Some Slickee Boys when they played at our wedding

Slickee Sighting

photo by LC

"

"Deep in the jungle where evil resides there's an ancient curse of the Slickee Tribe..."


It's coming. They're alive.


The Slickee Boys July 2 @ 8X10, Baltimore: July 3 @ 9:30 Club, Washington DC.

Hold the Fort

What are Cat Jack, Elephant Pistol and Hundred Acre Wood?  Recipes for cocktails? Guests at Piglet's after party?
Actually these are just a few of the bands you can see this summer at Fort Reno.  The tradition of summer concerts here has a rich history for music lovers who thrive outside of the box. This is a great place to see off the radar DC centric bands. It's a unique all ages scene- and there are always surprises- be it the weather or who you might run into, or the bands themselves. Last summer, the Black Sparks, very young rockers, (average age 12?) blew other bands and the crowd away with their energy, talent and originality.

Fort Reno's summer season kicks off on this Monday June 27. All shows run from 7:15-9:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. (except July 4)
Bring a blanket, a picnic, and a wide open mind.

Nighthawks HIt Classic Dive

Hank Dietles stands on the godforsaken Rockville Pike as a living reminder of the way things once were when roads had landmarks rather than homogenized big boxes. This little bar has outlived many an invention- like the pay phone. Last time I was in there it still had a one- booth and all.

This SUNDAY DC's own Nighthawks will be there from 5-9. The Nighthawks haven't been around as long as Dietles, but  they've been here long enough to become a household name in these parts. Hard working, too. They'll play just about anywhere from the State Theater to a private party, from a Blues Festival to Hank Dietles - and that's just this week!

A sawbuck gets you into what has got to be a great local party, and a trip down memory lane.

Can't Wait for the Summer?

Summer is finally here, DC!  Or Midsummer depending on how you look at things. The Summer Solstice officially occurs today, June 21st, at 1:16 p.m. to be exact. Schools are out, and Fort Reno's Concert series will be kicking into gear next week, but most noteworthy, The Slickee Boys, creators of Washington's summer anthem "When I Go To the Beach" will be headlining the 9:30 Club on July 3 - their final appearance. Of course, the standard reply around this town is sure to be: "Oh, yeah, we've heard that before," but the Slickees have been around for 35 years. 
Yep, thirty five seasons of the sun. 
Do the math for yourselves people and trust me. This is it. 
Take heed and get your tickets now. 

Give It Up For Dave This Sunday

Aloha means a lot of things in Hawaii- hello and goodbye, good luck and peace.  This SUNDAY the Birchmere is putting on an aloha sort of event for Dave Giergerich- a benefit for his sons and a tribute rolled into one bigass show. The loss of Dave last winter left a gaping hole in the heart of the local music scene. Hula Monster fans think of him as the Hawaiian type where as the bluegrass and roots pickers claimed Dave as one of own.  Dave was a master at dobro, Hawaiian steel, almost any instrument with a string or two and desert dry humor.

The all star line up this Sunday includes some of the best players around: Mike Auldridge,  Robin & Linda Williams, The Aloha Boys, Dede Wyland & Band, Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Bill Kirchen, Jimmy Gaudreau, Ralph Gordon and of course, The Hula Monsters.

From Mark Noone: "This will be a sad but joyous event, with all proceeds benefitting Dave's cool kids and their education costs." A long long long awaited CD of Dave's music will also be on sale as well as a recording of the night. Buy your tickets now as this show may indeed sell out. As with all of these benefits, top notch musicians are giving it up for the cause. A mere $25 buys you a stellar show, good karma and a fun night.

Dude, Where's the Parking Lot?

Once upon a time there was a man, a plan and a camera- that went terribly wrong or terribly right depending on your point of view. I'm always happy to see what Jeff Krulik is up to because his camera goes for the microcosm- the local view that reflects and refracts our corner of the world.

This Friday the AFI Silver Theater is screening the film "Heavy Metal Parking Lot" which celebrates Jeff and his friend, John Heyn's eye for the absurd when they managed to capture the sub culture of the Capital Centre's parking lot just before a Judas Priest concert in 1986. (Need I say more?)

But wait there is more...also showing is "Heavy Metal Picnic" a small film about a big party in Potomac, Maryland of all places. (and not your mother's Polo Club outing) Once again Jeff and John were on the scene of a happening which defies description. Invited guests include both film producers  as well as "alumni" which sounds like ANOTHER party to me.
Show time 9:30.

Wrangle Yourselves

Ruthie and the Wranglers have toured Texas enough to feel just as at home at a  BBQ joint as a well, maybe as a Texan.  Step out and celebrate their new CD with a dance party this Friday night at Hill Country BBQ.  Hill Country has the atmosphere of a road side honky tonk, and Ruthie's got just the right sound to go with it. No cover.

Another Out of This World Show Sunday at Galaxy Hut

It's not easy to keep a bar going through the rolling waves of our economy. Add to that a myriad of  regulations some of which sound like direct issues from the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland.  That's why it's a good thing to see a cool little place like the Galaxy Hut survive the slings and arrows of our times. And speaking of Wonderland, DC's own Alice- Alice Despard created the "Hut" many moons ago. She has since handed the reins to her long time friend and employee, Larry Hoffman who has kept the same atmosphere going and offers an astounding number of beers for such a little joint. The Hut had to suspend its live music in May to align itself with the Rules of Arlingtonland, but shows have resumed this month.

This Sunday Alice Despard herself returns to Galaxy Hut playing a solo show along with the irrepressible Marshall Keith, ( Slickee Boys) Ken Moss ( 7 Door Sedan) and  Stuart Chandler. A lot of talent crammed in this amazing little universe. 9 p.m.

Local Boys And I mean LOCAL!

Musical roots- deep in DC from these guys. They grew up (almost) in my back yard. Go see what the next generation is coming up with at the Velvet Lounge this Saturday.

Bar Sold Out from Under Yachtsmen ! Show Cancelled Tonite

Toyland has changed hands so if you planned to go to Yachtsmen show tonight- you might want to think about Chuck Brown intsead. Stay cool y'all!

Hot Summer Nights Can Be Cool

Summer nights at Comet Ping Pong - one of the few and far between live music venues in upper Northwest are hot and cool. Good pizza, cold beer and  cool bands.  Check it out this Friday for 7 Door Sedan, The Dirty Lungs and Loose Lips.

It's Hot Enough So Stay Inside and Watch A Movie

Congratulations to the Washington Area Music Association for holding it together for 25 years and giving local music a place to belong. If you don't know about WAMA, check out this very cool little DC centric  film.

If We Could We'd Vote for Chuck Brown

This flyer about a rally for DC Statehood this Thursday just came across the DC ROCKS' news desk.
See where it says "live musical presentation" at 7 p.m.? Sources at DC ROCKS say take that to mean none other than Chuck Brown  will be winding up DC!

Play Out This Thursday at Toyland

I am a sucker for old things.. When I was nine or ten, I gravitated towards junk yards and thrift stores. When I grew up, I was digging up music albums from the past rather than listen to what was on the radio. Later in life I dragged my parents all around town making them point out all the places they had lived from Southeast to Northwest- over 20 between the two of them- almost all in DC.
My father was born at home and grew up just off  H Street. When we drove down there, he could point out places long gone like the Kavakos Grill and the Gatsos family's shoe shine shop. Here's a picture of the Gatsos Family.

So that's why I was happy to hear about Toyland- an old H Street variety store turned into a retro- atmospheric bar where you can say clever things like "I'm GAME for a Martini." They have a wide beer selection and plenty of stuff to play with- plus live music now and then.
The Yachtsmen - an original and talented rock trio of mildly insane yet harmless Gilliganic characters will be playing there THIS THURSDAY along with house band The Mavins. Please support local music. It really is all fun and games.

Warning: This Product May Cause Excessive Laughing

Langley Punks? "Hyattsville Holiday?" Do any of these ring a dim or deafening bell?
Then you, fellow Earthlings, must walk, run, hydroplane if you must, to the AFI Theater in Silver Spring Friday JUNE 10th at 7:30 pm for the extravaganza reunion known as  From Here to Obscurity. Haven't heard of them? DC Rocks is proud to present this contribution from Mark Noone, DC scene veteran and self proclaimed International Rock Star:


I knew of these guys long before they made the two Slickee Boys' videos. The first film I saw was "Intestines From Space," a local low budget B&W with a cool funny theme song and so much beer in it, it should have been financed by Anheuser Busch! The quality of the movies seemed to get better after that, but still lots of beer, and dumb white guys doing even dumber things- always a hoot to watch. Their love for the Three Stooges is evident in almost all of their features. 
I could not believe my good fortune when we became friends, and worked on three projects together, the most notable being the "When I Go to the Beach"-a  video that eventually made it to MTV back in the day when they actually showed rock videos. (thanks, Leo) 


Speaking of reunions- Slickee fans take note! Catch the Slickee Boys this summer at 9:30 Club July 3 only!

Some New Things in June by Lyn2

It's been a long time since we rock and rolled with 7 Door Sedan, but the opportunity presents itself this Wednesday night, June 1. I'm not sure why I think of June as the month of "new" things, though last night when listening to Led Zeppelin, I recalled that it was June of 1974 when I fell in love with the band that Ed says "most girls don't like as much as you do." Anyway, 7 Door Sedan might evoke guitar and song-writing heroes. Mr. Page comes to mind, and last night Mott the Hoople's All the Young Dudes gave me pause to think about the Glenn, Ken, Josh interplay. But they are by no means regurgitating anything. They're something different, and it's about now with new songs for you loyal fans to check out too. (Note: none of this guitar talk is meant to diminish the driving force - primal percussionist Norman.)

Top it off with The Charm Offensive, who call themselves "smartypants" rock and roll, and you've got a great mid-week new June line-up at DC9. Starts at 8:30 to make an early night for those of you who aren't out of school yet.

Parliament Funkadelic Cancelled Sunday!

Taj Majal anyone?

Will try and keep you posted

Unidentified Funky Object Lands In Rockville This Sunday (Cancelled)

**Please note: this show was cancelled- however rumor now has it that Taj Majal will play.***

Memorial Day is sort of late this May, but it is actually right on time being on the exact day it should  be on- May 30th. Before Monday madness took over, we had random days of the week off like Lincoln's birthday each year on  February 12th and Washington's birthday on February 22nd.  (It was sad when a school holiday fell on a Saturday, but we really felt jipped when they icombined the two into Presidents' Day.)

Anyway Memorial Day is upon us which basically means you can: break out the hot dogs, bring on the outdoor rock shows and wear white again. Speaking of white, an astounding thing is happening this weekend. Chocolate City is descending upon Rockville, Maryland. Yes, George Clinton and PFunk are landing the mother ship THIS SUNDAY in the "vanilla suburbs" with a free holiday concert.
Follow the love, starchildren-and let the summer begin!

We All Scream in DC

Live from Hyattsville It's Thursday Night

The rapture thing didn't work out last Saturday, but it's good to be reminded that life is finite for most of us on this planet,  and now we have a little time left to make each day count. JB over at the Surf Club is making that effort every Thursday -putting together live music shows-rounding up bands, ordering booze, taking pictures, and playing the congenial host. All you have to do is show up!

This Thursday check out this rather stellar line-up. Scott Ramminger and the Crawstickers features one of our area's hottest guitar heroes Dave Chappell. Also on the bill are 16 year old hot shot Andy Poxon- and Moonshine Society. Remind yourself that life is not just on  screen. Twelve clams at the  door can get you in to see the real thing.

Music Feast

I met Robert  Egger  about a hundred years ago when the smoky old  9:30 Club had happy hours, and Mark Hall was multitasking as VDJ and bartender. (It was so long ago I don't think the word "multi tasking" referred to humans.) Robert was disturbed at the amount of decent food ending up in restaurant dumpsters, and he wished that surplus could somehow get to people in need. And Robert made that happen with DC Central Kitchen.

It's amazing to see how far both the Kitchen and the 9:30 have come since then, and both are still connected. This Sunday the 9:30  Club is donating itself with Soundbites- a big party/ benefit for DC Central Kitchen featuring samples from  25 restaurants and 5 bands  including the Pietasters and Troublefunk. (Trouble alone could have filled the evening, but leave it to 9:30 to take it over the top.)
Early! This event starts at 5 p.m.

Hungry

Keeping kids in food can be hard enough- especially when their feet start to outgrow their parents' shoes. And keeping kids supplied with musical instruments can be completely out of reach. That's why there's Hungry For Music- a great organization that keeps trying to give the music back. You could donate that old didgeridoo in the attic or even better,  this Saturday make your way over to the  Takoma Park Auditorium where the RTTs plus The Grandsons Jr will be playing a benefit concert. Two fun bands- one great cause.
Bring your inner child or in-house urchin.
10 a.m.

The Great Outdoors Stays Free

Warm weather brings the good and the bad. Mostly good if you discount the alarmingly prolific tiger mosquito population and the new pesky guy in town- the stink bug. ( I could also lump in spiders, gnats, wasps and slugs, but will try and stop here before I insult an entire phylum.)

In the good column are all the free concerts and festivals that will spring up from now until Fall. ( Hey, that was good wasn't it? Spring until Fall?) This weekend the Bethesda Arts Festival will run Saturday and Sunday, and The Taste of Wheaton on Sunday only. Lots to do, and thanks to all that concrete,  not much arthropoda to worry about.

It's Still Rock n Roll Underneath There Somewhere

Alt country, roots rock, whatever they are calling it nowadays IOTA usually has it going on.
This THURSDAY  there are a bunch of veteran DC rockers not in rocking chairs, but still gigging and out on a week night, too. Bands include: The Ruins,  Jonathan Mudd and Cal Everett. (You might remember Cal from 4 out of 5 Doctors)

Check out all the great beers on draft or, if you like to walk on the wild side- the coffee is out of this world.

$12 at the door.

Ole Time Manana

Rock Show