Rock the Pumpkin

A lot of spooky things are going on this Thursday, but if you are in the mood for a treat rather than a trick, two shows are popping up on DC Rocks' paranormal radar.  David Kitchen will be celebrating his birthday at JVs with a concert deviously disguised as a Halloween party. (And David always has more than a skeleton crew of kicking musicians along for the night.)

Here in the always frightening home of democracy, the frenzy also known as Jumpin Jupiter  and Kiti Gartner and the Deceits will be holding forth at Gypsy Sally's - the new rock haunt in Georgetown. Both of these shows have a ridiculously low cover of only $5. And you might want to follow Jay Jenc's advice: "Wear a damn costume for cryin' out loud."

Get into the spirit before the spirits get into you! Boo haha.

Bring Out Your Crazies

This will be the perfectly insane Halloween gig brought to you by the crazy fun guys in Ubangis. AND the chameleon musician also known as  Marshall Keith, too?  Yes. 

photo by Kacey Keith

Zero admission for creepy transitions at The Quarry House this Saturday.

Sorry, Diana!

We have a winner for the Zombie/Southern Culture show.  Congratulations Michael Bennet! It was a random drawing, but many of you had winning answers which showcased your highly evolved senses of humor- perhaps the only thing that can truly save you from a Zombie Apocalypse.

Here's one from Tru Fax's irrepressible Diane Quinn:

I don't like entering contests because I never win them.  I should
have won that red bike with the essay I wrote on the history of
bicycle clothes when i was 10 which included the perfect outfit for a
Victorian girl. I still carry the bitterness of losing that contest. And, when i was five, my mom sewed the best witch dress, cloak and pointed hat ever, but I lost to Mark Scheibly, whose father owned the little town store. He wore a manufactured Caspar the
Friendly Ghost costume. How could a store-bought costume have won? I
was outraged.


Hope to see you all there - win lose of draw. (blood)

Wait For It

Last Friday I asked why some of you don't enter contests, and it turns out that a select number of DC ROCKS readers are a procrastinating, pessimistic posse of music loving, brainless zombies. (My kind of people.) Some said they were compelled by the  killer line up at U Hall  next Tuesday (pun intended) which includes  Southern Culture on the Skids, the Fleshtones AND Los Straightjackets.

Whatever the reason, there's still time for the hard core, procrastinating non contestant types amongst you to enter, and here's the posting, in case you never got around to reading it. Contest ends at midnight tonight; winner brainlessly picked by a random zombie.

Down By the River

My friend Doug Dupin is a big fan of rolling into a rock show under his own steam. Preferably balanced on two wheels. That's why he likes Gypsy Sally's which is conveniently located near where the towpath turns into Water/ K Street) under Key Bridge- a downhill ride for Doug. This Friday local song bird Mary Battiata (and Little Pink) will be singing with a couple of Nashville girls, Annie McCue and Amelia White late into the night. Doors at 10/ $10 cover.

Zombie Time

Cool show in a venue much like the old 9:30 Club, but without the poles. I've got two tickets for you and your significant other. Southern Culture on the Skids. The Fleshtones. And our own Eddie Angel playing with his killer instrumental band (emphasis on mental) Los Straightjackets. (Think Razz and Tex Rubinowitz) Old school show at the U Street Music Hall October 29. Who's in?

For a chance to win, write me at dcrocksblog@gmail.com.  (You wouldn't believe how many of you slackers don't even bother to enter.) Put Zombie in the subject box, and why you don't enter contests in the message, and two tickets could be yours. No brainer people. Like Zombies.

Contest ends this Thursday.

October Festivus

Ruthie Logsdon, like a lot of musicians around here, is always looking for a good place to play in Montgomery County. This past year at a tribute fundraiser for drummer Barry Hart, she went to the Golden Bull in Gaithersburg, and here's what she thought:

" Wow, where has this place been hiding? Seems like wasted space where bands should be showcased ! Before that, the only time I went there was for a seafood dinner with a mega salad bar (then a new feature) on special occasions with my family when I grew up in Rockville. It's relatively new (as far as hosting bands there goes), but I'm okay with helping to break it in- especially since they have a full bar." 

Help Ruthie and the Wranglers sample those sixteen beers on tap this Saturday- after all it is an October fest kind of thing to do.  And only $10 for a full night of music.

Budget Worthy

ROADDOG is up at El Golfo again this Thursday night, and here's the math on this show. Give them  five dollars for the cover charge, and you get a ticket good for an eight dollar Margarita. (I was never good at numbers, but it's like they give you $3 to have a drink and hear live music.) Plus the band features veteran players including key board master Arif Durrani, and Mike Colburn who can deliver a song like nobody's business. It's a heck of a deal. 

Writer's Block on the Calendar

Something is going on with my calendar widget in the side bar of the DC ROCKS site. 

You won't see it if you read the email version, but every time I go to make changes the powers that be  won't save them so I might have to dismantle the dang thing. 

In the mean time I can't write that the Vi-King's show this week was cancelled. Or that long time but seldom seen TONE is playing a rare show this Thursday night at DC9.  Please write me if you have any idea of how to fix this issue besides throwing my computer against the wall. And think about going to see TONE with Sansyou. Independent music for the masses.

Don't Dismember This Plan

A lot of shows at the old 9:30 are hazy to me. I often can't recall if I saw a band or just saw it listed on the calendar, but music fan Scott Stenger clearly remembers when Dismemberment Plan played F Street with the Embers in 1994 or '95:

"Their energy was what made it unforgettable. I found myself completely engaged in their performance. It was nothing like I had ever seen before! Their witty banter between songs immediately won me over. I've seen them a dozen times since then, but I will never forget that show, which was the first time that I saw them."

Dismemberment Plan must be doing something right because they've got two nights coming up at the new 9:30, and DC Rocks is giving away a pair of tickets to their show on October 19 with local art rockers Deleted Scenes. Just write to dcrocksblog@gmail.com. Please put D- Plan in the subject box, and "I wanna go" in the message unless you have a better memory than I do and want to share a story. Contest ends by midnight on Tuesday.

Insanity Reigns

Ahoy good people. The Yachtsmen were just added to Monday night's Igor and the Red Elvises bill at IOTA this Monday.  Citizens take shelter; rockers come forth.

photo credit: alice despard

Entymology

A couple of years ago,  I was in a car with a CD player, but I thought I was listening to music on the radio. I was wondering how I missed the band I was hearing: they had a Sixties psychedelic groove going on what was usually a boring classic rock station.  Then I realized it wasn't FM radio, it was our own Beatnik Flies who have been together since 1978,  and it was their CD playing on the sound system.  ( Remember them ? They played the old 9:30 all the time. No, not the guy with the blonde 'fro. That was the Insect Surfers)

I saw The Beatnik Flies over the summer at the Quarry House, and they rocked the house down, but like a lot of things that are over thirty, don't take it for granted they will be around forever. (My 1970s era washing machine finally gave up the ghost just last month.) Beatnik Flies are on deck this Saturday at the Tree House Lounge- another new place to check out on Florida Ave NE. 7 Door Sedan, a perennial favorite, as well as Sister Ex and G U T S are also on the bill which will be providing music 'til the cows come home. Show starts promptly at 8.

Y'all Come

photo by DC Rocks

This weekend go back in time and relive the spirit of Chick Hall's Surf Club- a much missed and beloved area honky-tonk. It's been five years since the Hall brothers gave up the family business, and they are ready to throw a party. The Surf Club reunion is this Saturday at the College Park American Legion. Show up with $10 cash as early as 5 p.m., and you are in for a night full of cheap drinks and ass kicking playing from The Hall Brothers along with loads of local musicians joining in on the jam.

Bring Back the Music

Just the other day I was bemoaning the lack of bars and night clubs in Georgetown. The Bayou, The Cellar Door, Desperados, Emergency...all the little rock clubs are pretty much gone where they used to be as numerous as mushrooms. But now there's a new place to check out -Gypsy Sally's- which I hear tell boasts a vinyl room and a decent sound system. This Friday the Dead will flock there, or should I say Deadheads shall gather, as well as brew-philes. Here's why from Jamie Daly of the Black Muddy River Band:

"Dogfish Head is unveiling a new brew, "American Beauty Ale," and they're celebrating by throwing a party at Gypsy Sally's, the new Georgetown rock club. As befitting the event soundtrack, BMRB will open for On the Bus, with each band doing half the songs from the album "American Beauty" plus of course many other Grateful Dead favorites. Music starts at 8:30. Hope to see you there!"

$10 cover

Here's The Plan

DC Rocks has a couple of ticket give aways coming up including The Dismemberment Plan with Deleted Scenes on October 19 at 9:30, and later in the month- Southern Culture on the Skids with Los Starightjackets and Fleshtones at U Street Music Hall which I keep calling U Haul by mistake. Not that I need to bribe you all to read DC Rocks. Just saying.

Local Man Strikes Again in Hold Out

George Pelecanos just might be one of the best kept secrets in Washington. I  met a gregarious gang of New Yorkers at a reception last summer, and upon hearing my Greek name, they wanted to know if I had ever heard of George Pelecanos.

Of course, I said.

What? they yelled.

No one in DC knows him!

You're kidding, I said.  I asked George if this was true, and he confirmed that he was better known in other places even though his numerous crime novels are deeply set here on the lesser known streets of  the District.

Tomorrow night George will be reading from his latest book The Double  at Politics and Prose- an independent hold out of a book store that has survived the slings and arrows of the big chains. Come prowl its nooks and crannies and take in real D.C.

Love Is the Drug For Me

This week after being bombarded with government shut down stories, my personal favorite came from Michelle Bachman when she warned us that Obama's health care plan could be as addictive as crack.  Need a break from the Theater of the Absurd? ( aka Capitol Hill) This weekend is full of musical temptations, and no shut downs here- except for a couple of streets.

Kicking off on Friday,  Middle Distance Runner- a pop based rock band that likes the Beatles and pizza will play out at U Street Music Hall with Teen Mom. They might put themselves in the middle, but I think they stand out in a crowd. ( Early show, y'all. Doors at 6)

Saturday one of DC's long time favorites- the Rhodes Tavern Troubadours will resurface on Harleys as they pursue their inner Hog. No kidding- the band will be playing from 11:30 am until 2:30 p.m. up at Battley Cycles' Open House in Gaithersburg. Free. Still jonesing ?
Look for roots rock paragon- Mary Battiata and her band  Little Pink at the New Deal Cafe where echoes of another administration left a cool place to see music. Also on Saturday at 8 p.m.

Finally Sunday you can overdose on free crack, I mean free music, which abounds all day at the Takoma Park Street Fest. The streets of old town are shut down to cars, but open for roaming between  three stages, vendors and more.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

Some of us can- especially in the music world. Local gang Jellyroll Mortals and Victoria Vox roll out the welcome mat for Spottiswoode and his Enemies this Thursday night at the Hamilton. 

Both Sides Now

I heard something interesting go by on the radio this week during the endless discussions of the government shut down. Seems a lot of people were not just divided by the health care issue, but also by whether or not they remembered the last furlough. I remember the world didn't end in 1996, but it sure didn't get any better either. I also heard someone smart point out that if the airports were closed, this thing would last about 30 seconds. 

Whatever happens, here's a show both sides of the aisle could agree on. It's fun seeing big talent shoe-horned into a tiny throwback dive like JV's, and this Thursday the David Kitchen Band will command that micro stage with an A-1 line up including Jack O' Dell, Steve Wolf, and Dan Hovey. 

A HAppening in HyAttstown

And here's the scoop found in an email from guitarist extraordinaire-Marshall Keith :

REVOLVE AGAIN is a free happening for all ages! With performances by Marshall Keith (Slickee Boys), Morpho (Ubangis / Date Bait / Glitch) and very special guests Jiminy Driggers, Dave Mann, Art Harrison, Do or Die and others! (Perhaps YOU?)!

Everyone is admitted to this psychedelic happening. Bring a beverage. Bring your heart. Bring your sense of adventure. Dance all night to the sounds of color.

Music. Films. More including free face and body painting by Doc Do.

Located at the Hyattstown Mill Art Project.

From Down on U to Up on Wilson

The Velvet Lounge, a bit on the decrepit side but homey sort of rock hole has supported a LOT of local music over the years on an ever changing  U Street. This Saturday power pop punk indie rock band, Club Scout will be on deck for an album release party with a free CD included in the $10 cover charge which also gets you two other bands- Golden Looks and Leland Palmer.

On the other hand out in the close in suburbs,  Elikeh's got a Togalese funk rock driven dance party going on over at IOTA with Covered in Jam and B Side Shuffle - all for $12. A great way to top off Clarendon's street festival going on all day Saturday.

H Street Lives

Best kept secret- at least from me. Last year I was astounded to see what goes on at the H Street Festival.  Live music. Pie eating contests. Line dancing on flatbeds. A man riding a gigantic insect. DC flags and crafty things. This year is supposed to be even bigger than last, and it's a very cool thing to see this neighborhood back on its feet. Noon to 7 p.m.

Three Brainy Bands

Tonight!

Curing Frigga....phobia

Are you suffering from friggatriskaidekaphobia?

I can't find the word in Webster's, ( or even begin to pronounce it) but the Skeptics Dictionary describes  "friggatriskaidekaphobia" as "a morbid irrational fear of Friday the 13th." Accordingly DC Rocks' cure for this f- word is to ignore the whole thing and seek solace in music. There's an abundance of distractions to check out this Friday depending on your mood. ( or your horoscope)

For those wanting to see familiar faces-  Tommy Keene and Deadman (Justin Jones) will be at the 9:30 Club. Local shows used to be de rigueur at the old 9:30, but these days it's unusual to see a local act headlining here. Three bands ( two local) only $15. All ages.
Please note: EARLY EARLY SHOW - First band at 5:30/ Tommy at 7:30.

Up and coming Mission South will be at Rock n Roll Hotel, and they want to introduce themselves to you:

"We're a young band of kids that have accomplished a lot in our first year of performing in DC.  We're three best friends that grew up together here, and turn out an infectious indie soul sound, that has blues rock grit and folk sensitivity.  

This Friday we'll be joined by local MD band Dirty Names, and Brooklyn prog-rockers Tauk, for what will surely be a killer time."

For those to like to dance, Little Red and the Renegades will be tearing up Haydee's in Mt Pleasant

And last but not least, I'd like to mention the Black Cat Anniversary shows, but they are sold out. Congratulations to everyone there on 20 years of great music and memories. Thank you, Dante.

For Josh

Photo credit: Kisha Shorter

I got this email from folks at 9:30 Club this week and thought it was a good thing to pass along:

As we mourn the loss of our friend Josh "That Guy" Burdette, we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of people's support and kind words. Many have asked if there is a charity to donate to in Josh's memory.  There is. Contributions may be made to a scholarship fund established in Josh’s memory at the University of Maryland College Park.  The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student from the Student Entertainment Enterprises (SEE) program.  While at UMCP, Josh participated in the SEE program and served as the president for several years.  Upon graduation, Josh continued as a mentor to other students in the SEE program. Donations can be made through www.paypal.com and submit them to: joshburdettememorial@umd.edu.

Imagine Saturday

Saturday night. What does it mean to you? Elton John's Saturday night's was "all right for fighting."  C'mon Elton.  What about "peace, love and understanding"?
Ok, maybe that was Elvis- as in Costello. Or was it John really? (as in Lennon)
 Or the Vi-Kings ?

Welcome Home Mr Keene

Know this guy? DC native Tommy Keene once upon a time was in a kick ass band called The Razz before he went on to projects far away. Fortunately for us now and again, we get him back.  This time he will be playing at our old stomping grounds- the 9:30 Club. It'll be a home boys' show, Saturday, September 13 with Tommy Keene, The Deadman ( featuring Justin Jones) and Hero Jr.

From Mark Noone: (former Slickee Boy)  "I've seen Tommy in bands like The Rage since the late seventies; I've seen him doing his own thing, and last year he was at his best. Great show with a killer band."

A chance for two tickets courtesy of 9:30 Club and DC ROCKS are yours if you write me at dcrocksblog.com with MR KEENE in the subject box. Send a Tommy Keene story or just beg...winner picked at random on September 7.

Godspeed

The 9:30 Club lost a remarkable member of its family this week- Josh Burdette. Condolences to all who knew this unforgettable fellow; he will be greatly missed.

All Ages Show Sunday Night

It Makes Me Wonder

Who was Jack the Ripper? What makes Taos hum? Amelia, why did your plane go down? Jimmy Hoffa, where the heck are you? 

Led Zeppelin, did you play the Wheaton Youth Center in 1969? 

Only intrepid film maker Jeff Krulik would dare to try and solve this outstanding mystery of  local rock n roll.  See for yourselves this Friday night at the AFI theater in Silver Spring at the screening of "Led Zeppelin Played Here." 

Curious?

 U Street Music Hall is a rock club that you might walk right by if you didn't know it was there. (I'm not even sure it has a sign.) The club itself is in the basement and has the feel of the dark old 9:30, but it's bigger with a better space and sound.  Here's another twist: The U Street folks and the 9:30 crew partnered up a while back to swap spaces now and then. Bands that are bigger than Black Cat, but aren't quite big enough for the 9:30 Club are a better fit here where the capacity is 500.

Local rockers US Royalty are in that category- touring nationally and maybe on the brink of something bigger; they'll be at U Street on September 7. This is a rare all ages/ early rock show so if you have a musically driven kid around the house or just plain don't get out much anymore- this might be a good thing to check out.  For a chance to grab two tickets, just write me at dcrocksblog@gmail.com. Please put US in the subject box. Contest endsAugust 30.

Fort Reno Fans Unite

What's the first Fort Reno Concert you remember? A lot of people might say Fugazi, but long before that Fort Reno was happening. For Mark Noone, it was seeing Grin:

"I remember seeing Grin at Ft Reno, it might have been 1969 or 1970. I loved Grin. It was late and dark, with possibly 1,000 people there; what a scene. The stage was at the opposite end of the park close to the foot of the hill by the tower. Hippies everywhere. That night I wondered if I would ever play there...."

He did play there- about ten years later in the early eighties with The Slickee Boys. Whether you played there or just made the scene, head down to the Shaw Library this Wednesday to dredge up old memories and possibly meet old friends at DC Music Salon's "Fort Reno- A History." The event includes concert footage of Fugazi, still photography and first hand accounts. 7 - 9 p.m.

Tiki Is A State of Mind in Maryland

August has got to be the quietest month in Washington. Everyone, but everyone is either clogging up downtown Bethany or scattered all over Maine, leaving behind only those of us that couldn't or didn't get it together enough to book a trip. Luckily there are plenty of close by tiki bars to make you feel like you've travelled afar yet most of them are an hour or less by car. A week or two ago my partner in crime and I managed to hit three in one week.  We started just across the Bay Bridge with Kentmorr. Here bands play to a beach full of happy island hoppers, and the bar is lodged right on the shore. Don't miss the freshly squeezed fruit drinks - impressive for this little out post.

Just across from Kent Island on the Narrows, you'll find my favorite marine dive: The Big Owl Tiki which is neither big nor owl like, but does provide just enough square footage to squeeze in a bar and a small band under roof while maintaining the giddy atmosphere of a floating party barge. It's as close as you can come to drinking on a boat without actually being on one.

On the Western side of the Bay, down Route 4 is Vera's White Sands. Sadly Vera herself has left only her ghost behind; the once notoriously kitschy atmosphere has turned all but sports bar. The saving grace here is a magnificent piece of property on a point on St Leonard Creek. Plus a beach side tiki bar with tables scattered right down to the water's edge. I can't recommend the Mai Tais here so stick with straight up cocktail or a beer, and enjoy the spectacular view.

A little further down the road, The Tiki Bar dominates the south end of Solomon's. This place also specializes in plenty of fresh air and is located just across from the water, but (unlike the Big Owl) it will close up in a down pour. All these places can be zooey on the weekend, but Sundays can be a little calmer for those of you looking to escape the throngs.

Saturday's Not for Sissies

Thievery Rocks

Where did they come from ?
D.C.
And where are they playing?
The new 9:30.
And where have you been?
(Perhaps reminiscing about shows at the old 9:30?)

Want to check out this (relatively) new guard that sells out the club on a regular basis?
DC ROCKS has a pair of tickets up for grabs for Thievery Corporation at 9:30 Club on August 17.
Just write dcrocksblog@gmail.com and put "Thievery" in the subject box for your chance to win.
Contest ends August 10.

Like a Rolling Stone

Loads of local musicians are getting together this Saturday at the Fillmore in Silver Spring to pay homage to one of the longest running bands in rock: The Rolling Stones. Should be quite a party- a kind of busman's holiday for musicians- and the $25 ticket, though high for DC Rocks, is lot lower than what the real Stones charged when they rolled through here last June. The Bandhouse Tribute show is well worth the ticket price; take a look at the line up which includes Tommy Keene, Jon Carroll and loads more. 

And if you missed the Stones' show, or just want to get psyched for this weekend, here's the Holbert Report, a local fan's take on the Verizon Center concert  June 24th, 2013: 

Saw the Stones last week for maybe the 20th time and probably the last time. They ended the North American leg of their tour here in DC, maybe the last show they'll ever do on our side of the pond?  Who knows, figure they grossed 8 - 9 million on this DC show alone.  They might come back to grab some more of this crazy money. 

I had some reservations about going to the show, not wanting to pay the crazy money for a ticket being number one, but broke down and grabbed one at $250.  Close to the stage, but way high up.

Had read that they had been coming on promptly at 9.  My crew prepped appropriately, jumped into a cab and arrived around 8:30, got in, got our beers, and looked at the incredibly expensive Stones swag for sale. Only had to wait a bit before they came on.

The lights go down, the sold out crowd on their feet screaming. First a ten minute or so retrospective of their 50 year career on the video screens.  Very entertaining.  They appear.  First song, a real oldie, "Get Off My Cloud. " Don't think I have ever heard them play it before.  This version was real muddy, as most first songs are at concerts. Mick, Keith and Ronnie gather together on stage, kinda pushing each other, and they kick into "Its only Rock and Roll".  Sound still sloppy, but then, the clarity appeared.  You could hear the fantastic guitar interplay, bass and drums distinct, and man, they rocked that song.  Mick in good voice here and throughout the night. 

Next, "Paint it Black".  Amazing.  Keith playing this fill, mimicking Brian's sitar from the original, but also stamping his own style onto it.  They end the song and a second later kicked into "Gimme Shelter".  Always a highlight live.  Background singer Lisa gets a solo part singing the female lead from the original.  She still has an amazing voice.  Great job- even those of us in the cheap seats were still on their feet.

A real surprise, a song I have always admired and never heard them play live, "Worried about You" from the Tattoo You LP.  First non-famous song of the night, and many used it as "a good time to get  beer." And maybe it was. As much as I like the song, I didn't think they did a good job with it, but I appreciated them digging deep into their catalogue.  It also gave Mick a reprieve from his continual running and strutting. They parked him in front of a keyboard. (At 69 he probably can use the break.) 

When Mick did the band intros, Charlie was pulled from behind the drums to acknowledge his standing ovation. He looked bewildered about his reception.  Mick left the stage, and it's now time for that other guy to sing. Keith singing without a guitar accompanied by Ronnie on steel; they did an amazing performance of "You Got the Silver".  

Mick comes back, starts on harmonica.  Then Mick Taylor appears, the only guitarist to ever leave the Stones and live. "Midnight Rambler." And it was glorious with Mick T on scorching slide guitar.  I will always think the Stones were at their best when he was in the band.  To me, this was the highlight of the show.  Mick J asks the crowd to give Mick T some appreciation, but I kinda sensed that Mick J still resents Mick T for leaving. 

Took a walk around the concourse checking out how the other fans were doing. Saw a woman my age take a serious header. Her friends pulled her up, and she seemed to be OK. Tired of beer, I looked for the cocktail concession.  

Get back to my seat for the start of "Brown Sugar," a song I never really liked live, but it sounded fantastic tonight. Mick disappeared from the stage, and they kicked into "Sympathy." Mick comes back in a long black cloak and starts a fantastic vocal.  What can I say?  Again a great rendition. 

Mick thanks the crowd.  They all leave the stage.  Everyone knowing they would re-appear.  After maybe 10 minutes, the Washington Chorus files onstage and begins to sing the opening choir part from "You Can't always Get...."  Shivers down my spine, it was so beautiful. They continue to accompany the Stones through the song. The best live version I have ever heard. 

Now the closers, "JJ Flash" and "Satisfaction," both done really well. I sat down during those and almost started crying thinking that this was most likely the last time I would ever see them, the last time I would ever experience the rush of being with 20,000 people singing dancing and smiling through a Stones show. Show ended with a final bow of the long timers together at center stage.  Mick J, Keith, Charlie, Ronnie and Mick T.  Nice moment. 

(The Holbert Report is a semi regular feature of DC Rocks. Check out the last story covering Neil Young and Patti Smith here.)