Capital Swamp: The DC Resource Thread

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This is a thread where all DC residents past and present can post information about the music scene in the city and any interesting or important upcoming events. Anyone who has lived here knows that there is a) a lot going on and b) not enough coverage to prevent a lot of frustration from missing shows that nobody knew about. Hopefully this thread will become valuable.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 21:19 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

I can get everything rolling with a few contributions:
anyone wanting to get into the free improv scene here should sign up with the DC Improv yahoo group, which has listings for a lot of events in the area. They bring in a lot of good artists like Sabeer Mateen, Susie Ibarra and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble.

The only electronic night i have ever been to is called Matter and it is held at the Blue Room on 18th street. I am not sure if it still exists, as i havent seen it listed for a while. The Djs played a lot of techno, including all the requisite hip german stuff, but whenever i went, there were 20 people there, and everything was being played at lounge volumes. it was a bit sad really, though the bar has a good beer selection.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 21:26 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

At Recessions (18th and L St) on Fridays and Saturdays, sometimes local rappers come and rap over karaoke. I saw it once, and they were really good, considering.

― Chris H. (chrisherbert), Tuesday, 10 February 2004 22:10 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

cool. keep em coming.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 04:22 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

I grew up in DC, but I don't live there anymore. I'm visiting in mid-March with my friend. She wants to see live music. Any suggestions? I was thinking of seeing British Sea Power at the Black Cat, but that's kind of boring. Anything more local to recommend?

― Debito (Debito), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 04:32 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

Matter at the Blue Room ended a couple of months ago. In its place there's a rotating cast of weekly Sunday nights. I'm listing them with some of the other less club oriented regular DJ events around town:

SALT (listed first, because it's my night, dammit)
synthfunk, indiepop, dancehall, grime, electropunk, hip hop, industrial, hits
DJ's Sad and Lonely
1st Wednesday monthly
Cafe Saint-Ex

<>
indiedisco and beyond
DJ Will Eastman
generally 3rd Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

Confusion
disco, new wave, funk, postpunk, hiphop
DJ's Serpico, William Alberque, Cullen Stalin, Sad
generally 4th Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

Yellow Fever
reggae, groove, soul, hip-hop, dub
DJ's Yellow Fever
Tuesdays biweekly
Cafe Saint-Ex

Spilt Milk
rock, disco, funk, mod, punk, soul
Tuesdays biweekly
Red

Blowoff
indie house?
DJ's Bob Mould and Richard Morel
Saturdays
9:30 Club

Taking the Piss
jingle-jangle indie pop & psychedelic
occasional Fridays
Marx Cafe

We Fought the Big One
UK post punk, shoegaze, guitar pop, indie dance
DJ's Brandon Grover and Rick Taylor
1st Friday monthly
Marx Cafe

The Wag
60's garage soul & trash
DJ Mark Zimin
1st Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

The Mousetrap
brit pop, indie
DJ Mark Zimin
generally 2nd Saturday monthly
the Black Cat

Cold
coldwave, darkwave
2nd Sunday monthly
the Blue Room

Atmosphere
post punk, UK indie, dream pop
3rd Sunday monthly
the Blue Room

The Melting Pot
everything, 1964-1980
DJ Neville Chamberlain
Thursday biweekly
Cafe Saint-Ex

UH-HUH!
rock and roll
DJ Johnny
Sundays
Cafe Saint-Ex

Groove
soul, mod, garage
DJ Beat Neat-O
Thursdays biweekly
Cafe Saint-Ex

I'll work on a whole separate list of the club/hip hop/EDM events...

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 11 February 2004 14:55 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

and here's what counds like a good upcoming special event:

24 Hour Access: 24 Hour Psycho

February 28, 2004 at 5:30 p.m.
A first for the Hirshhorn---the Museum will open the Douglas Gordon exhibition for twenty-four consecutive hours. 24 Hour Psycho (1993), the artist's video installation that stretches the Hitchcock classic into a twenty-four-hour experience, is the inspiration for this all-night happening. Launch the leap year with this unique, drop-in event, which will also include music, gallery discussions, and a "Meet the Artist" interview with Douglas Gordon conducted by Hirshhorn Director of Art and Programs and Chief Curator Kerry Brougher on Sunday at 3 p.m. in the Ring Auditorium. "24 Hour Access: 24 Hour Psycho" is made possible through the generosity of Aaron and Barbara Levine.

http://hirshhorn.si.edu

The following music (presented by Signal 66) will be played:
5:30 ˆ 7:00pm DJ Sandwich Man
7:00 ˆ 8:00pm Band Chessie
8:00 ˆ 8:30pm DJ Debut
8:30 ˆ 9:15pm Band The Hipnotix
9:15 ˆ 9:45pm DJ Beat Neat-o of Groove
9:45 ˆ 10:30pm Band Rose
10:30 ˆ 11:00pm DJ Neville Chamberlain
11:00 ˆ 11:45pm Band The Phobes
11:45 ˆ 12:15am DJ Neville Chamberlain
12:15 ˆ 1:00am Band Sounds of Kaleidoscope
1:00 ˆ 1:30am DJ Happy Family
1:30 ˆ 2:15am Band Sons of Disobedience
2:15 ˆ 2:45am DJ Neville Chamberlain (tentative)
2:45 ˆ 3:30am Band Gully Jimson

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 11 February 2004 14:57 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

Wed. 2-11

Habib Koite from Mali at the National Geographic Grosvenor
Hall--Habib's got a nice live cd out--He trys to meld styles from
different parts of Mali, and while he's not a big fave of mine he's
definately not bad

Bobby Sanabria & Quarteto Ache at the K. Ctr. Eisenhower Theater--A
wonderful percussionist, bandleader, and sideman (not to mention a
college professor) who is very charismatic and entertaining with his band

Los Hombres Calientes from New Orleans at the Clarice Smith Center-An
interesting bunch from New Orleans who blend that city's jazz with
flavors from throughout the Caribbean. I believe WPFW's Jim Byers is
hosting and leading a chat with them as well.

Muzsikas at the Freer-Hungarian vocal combo
________________________________________________________________

Sat. 2-14

Sanchez and Richie Stephens at the Crossroads-Jamaican lovers rock for
Valentines Day
_________________________________________________
Sun. 2-15

Haj Youness, Casablanca, Moroccan oud player and the Voice of Wisdom
Orchestra at 2 p.m. at the Smithsonian S. Dillon Ripley Center
Lecture Hall

La India and Sonora Caruseles at the Washington Hilton, 1919
Connecticut Ave. NW salsa
__________________________________
Tues. 2-17

Peru Negro at the Kenn. Ctr- Excellent Afro-Peruvian veteran combo--if
you like Eva Aylon or Susanna Baca this outfit's blend of soaring
melodies, strumming, and funky drumming (on instruments including
wooden boxes and donkey jawbones) will be up your alley
__________________________________
Other cool stuff:2-11-Super Furry Animals
from Wales at 930;2-12( & 2-13) jazz singer Jane Monheit at the
Birchmere; 2-13-Atmosphere at 930;2-14 Black Dice at Ottobar;Jazz
singer Dee Dee Bridgewater at K. Ctr.;Carmaig De Forest at Roots Cafe;

To get on my DC African/Latin/World whatever events ocassional e-mail thing, contact me at ritmika@hotmail.com The above comes from that...

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 16:05 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

For more DC events there's an improv jazz e-mail list, a few salsa ones, the Take Me Out to the Go-Go website, Dccaribbeanconnections.com, a few dc dancehall only sites, a zydeco/cajun e-mail list and website, and the Taking the Piss djs listed in Brian's post also do a reggae dub and more dj night.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 16:16 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

this is getting even better...!
are there any TechnoTechno nights out there?

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 20:08 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

Since the demise of Filler/Matter there aren't any techno techno nights that I know of - house owns DC. You may want to check for special events being put on by the 'DC Skillz' crew. Cubik (nu-Buzz) has been getting in a few techno-oriented DJ's, including Green Velvet a couple months ago, but now that they're compressing their lineups into the main room they haven't been as thematically strong as before.

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 11 February 2004 21:08 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

DJ Neville Chamberlain

Which reminds me...any news regarding a new location for the Metro Cafe?

― j.lu (j.lu), Wednesday, 11 February 2004 21:10 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

They were working on a location in the old MetaTrack studios, behind the 7-11 on Rhode Island Ave at 14th St, to be a bar/upstairs small theater. No live music, though, and not to be called Metro. Originally supposed to open in October but it slid Then Cherry Red, who was supposed to be the theater tenant, disbanded. Since then nobody seems to be able to get any answers about what's going on.

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 11 February 2004 21:28 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

So are Mathew Dear, Michael Mayer, Soundmurder or Dizzee coming to town and/or where could you hear their music?

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 12 February 2004 05:39 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

you can get e-mails about DC area events from:

dc-improv-announce-owner@yahoogroups.com

salsanews@aol.com

the blow_up@hotmail.com

bw_zydeco@yahoo.com

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 12 February 2004 05:47 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

We've played plenty of Matthew Dear and Michael Mayer at my night, SALT, and we did a listening party for the Dizzee album last week. Haven't tried to play Soundmurderer, though - got a sort of cease and desist after playing Venetian Snares a couple months ago. We're doing a listening party for the new Telefon Tel Aviv and Neubauten at our next night.

Dizzee's supposedly coming back for a bigger tour in the summer, but I'm not sure if he'll hit DC or not. I don't know of anything regarding Dear or Mayer, but if they came I imagine it would be at 5ive, unless it was a one-off somewhere else.

― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 14:49 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

why is the electronic dance scene here so seemingly mediocre? I used to be proud that there were all of these famous artists from the area (deep dish, BT, Saeed and Palash, etc.) but they all seem to only sleep here. i guess i just have different ideals. I like the fact that Danny Tenaglia travels 'round the world and still has a weekly in NYC (or at least used to... i dont know what he is up to now)playing everything from Basic Channel to Salsoul. When was the last time Deep Dish played here?

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 12 February 2004 14:59 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

Deep Dish is around every once in a while at Nation, but it seems like just another stop on the tour. And I guess they have even less incentive to be around since the end of the Yoshitoshi store. Saeed and Palash pop up from time to time, but not as much as a few years ago. I can understand that maybe it's not seen as the most exciting place to have a weekly or monthly, but you'd think there'd be some more visibility. Thievery Corporation have achieved a similar level of success, and you can't swing a Gucci belt without hitting something they're involved with around town. They enjoy playing to thousands on tour and then to a hundred people in a small room.

What's odd it that it seems to be only the EDM scene that really tries to escape the city - the most successful go-go and indie artists are, if anything, too tied to DC.

Is it odd that the most interesting and boosterish electronic dance DJ in DC over the last year has been Bob Mould?

― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:33 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

im confused... the Bob Mould? I didnt know he was living in DC.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 12 February 2004 15:39 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

Yes, Bob Mould. He and Richard Morel started a DJ night called Blowoff as a monthly at the Velvet Lounge last year, now it's weekly at the 9:30 Club backbar. It falls somewhere between esoteric electronic lounge and shirtless gay dance party, usually within the same night.

― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 16:20 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

Yea, Bob has his own blog and either there or at a separate website he posts his playlists. He used to do his thing at the Velvet Lounge and moved it to the 930 Club. There was a feature article about him in the City Paper and in the Post weekend section. Brian, your choice of music sounds more interesting to me.

The DC go-go artists have seemingly given up on being national and international acts (go-go hasn't crossed over) although Chuck Brown gets flown to Japan periodically to play.

Dischord indie rockers are always playing worldwide but such gigs just never get much local press here. Q and Not U are also booked to play that big fest coming up in California over the summer(Coachatella or something). Black Eyes toured Europe awhile back.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:19 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

I'm really looking forward to the Black Eyes show coming up, March 26th. The whole last half of March is pretty sharp at the Black Cat, hopefully we'll be able to get some of the acts playing to come DJ afterwards at Saint-Ex.

― Brian Miller, Thursday, 12 February 2004 17:53 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

And I guess they have even less incentive to be around since the end of the Yoshitoshi store.

Why did they locate it in Georgetown? You can only make so much money from selling prog to white hats from GW. Better to be on U st with a big deep house section. They never seemed to have their shit together anyways. They cheated me out of $40 once but totally inadvertantly. I had my revenge during their clearance sale I guess.

As for Q and not U, I tried to see their last show at the Black Cat and ended up waiting in line for an hour by myself. As I was waiting, the show sold out. That is all. They need to play here more often.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 12 February 2004 18:55 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

According to their website Q and Not U are laying low and recording a new cd now. Black Eyes are playing the Warehouse Next Door near the new Convention Center Friday February 20th. Solomon Burke and Anthony Hamilton are offering different generation takes on soul that night at the sit down and keep your mouth closed Birchmere.

I always wanted to check out the Grits & Gravy dj night at Bar Nun... Years ago I saw DC rappers Opus Okuben playing with a live band at the now defunct Metro Cafe. Wow, they were great. Now they just mostly play Europe, sometimes with Ny jazz guy Steve Coleman. They were at Black Cat around New Years Eve but I missed them.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Friday, 13 February 2004 04:38 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

I like going to out-of-the way places like Chick Hall's Surf Club in Bladensburg (Chick Hall plays awesome honky tonk and surf guitar!) or Lamonts in Pomonkey, MD. Jim Bennett and Lady Mary sing Malaco records style bluesy soul there.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Friday, 13 February 2004 04:42 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

Anybody know anything about DC 9, a live music/DJ venue at 1940 9th st nw that looks to be replacing Metro Cafe in the club ecosystem? It's opening tonight, and their website is at www.dcnine.com, but doesn't say anything about who's behind it.

― Brian Miller, Friday, 13 February 2004 22:59 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

For those complaining about lack of real techno in DC -- a freak occurance has Titonton Duvante playing this Thursday at Mantis on Columbia Road. I'm pretty sure there is no cover.

― Michael Minnich, Wednesday, 18 February 2004 23:16 (fifteen years ago) Permalink

fuck how did i miss this post!!! Tombot (another techno techno fan) and I were sitting in a bar two blocks away bitching! damn! Is Mantis generally cool or is it usually the Wallpaper models I see inside (heh not that that is a bad thing I am just too ugly)?

anyways, wednesday night P Brotzmann is playing with Hamid Drake and William Parker. Its at Twins on U st (btw 13th and 14th?) at 8pm.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 1 March 2004 18:31 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

I received an e-mail about DC/9 which I think I deleted! It's run by some guy who did a one-off indie-rock dj thing at a sports bar in Chinatown I think. It was called Exit something i think. I'm not sure whether it will cover the same variety of entertainment that Metro Cafe did. My question is isn't the location of DC/9 where a mostly African-American house dance club used to be. Maybe I'm wrong and this isn't a new sign of gentrification--indie-rock replacing house.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 1 March 2004 19:40 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

Anybody been to the dj nights at Bar Nun? Their ad lists a hiphop/r'n'b night and a "grits n gravy" night. The latter was the subject of a Washington City Paper article many years back.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Monday, 1 March 2004 19:43 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

I went to Mantis to check out their new basement DJ space this past Friday, and it's very impressive. Holds maybe 100 people, good soundsystem, DJ near the entrance, bar down part of one side and some low sofas in the back past the bar. Dark, a little blue light, and a disco ball. Sort of a mini-Red. They're open Wednesdays - Saturdays, but I can't find a schedule online. It's grabbing the expected upscale house crowd, but they're definitely serious about booking talent.

DC 9 is in the original Asylum space, I'm not sure what it was between then and now. Half the music I've heard played there has been great indie/hip hop/disco, the other half has been too much midrange compressed guitar and singers that sound like they're in beer commercials. Which is a better hit rate than most places, but the DJs seriously can't mix or sequence their tracks.

― Brian Miller, Monday, 1 March 2004 20:06 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

were people dancing? it sounds like a good space if a little small (meaning i would prefer 250 people, not 500). how is the list of EDM events coming? ;-)

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Monday, 1 March 2004 23:32 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

There were only a few people dancing, but I left pretty early. The flow of the space is a little screwy, so I can imagine it not working too well when packed. Then again, few places do.

List of EDM events is not so good. Seems like no place is doing well with regular nights and lineups are changing like crazy. And Cubik is filling the main room at Nation with the level of talent that would have played the front room at Buzz.

― Brian Miller, Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:09 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

ugh. i feel like there needs to be a fucking organization or something. can we negotiate a lease for a K St office for the new headquarters of Futurists Against Crappy Techno?

how long have you been in DC? what is the reason for the instability?

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 03:47 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

WPFW djs and others formed a group that brings avante-jazz and other improv music to town, so Aaron you'll have to put together a group to do the same for techno and other electronic-based sounds!

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 14:24 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

How come the Ottobar in Baltimore books more hiphop than DC clubs?

Is the below show which is at the Ottobar coming to DC?

Thursday March 25th
DEFINITIVE JUX PRESENTS:
Murs
The Perceptionists
(Feat. Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, DJ Fakts One)
RJD2, C Rayz Walz
Hangar 18, SA Smash and more
Doorsat 8pm/ Show at 9pm- ALL AGES

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 15:43 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

One more thing. Last summer the DC govt Commission on the Arts sponsored an event called Fete del la musique in which they had free music all over town. The selection of genres involved wasn't wide enough. I want to try to find out how to widen the selection for this summer.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 15:46 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

get a new Commission? ;-) Steve is the WPFW crew = Transparent productions? I would love to promote again. I did it in college. I need to get to know all the venues around town first though. Its going to take a long time. In about 3 years, start looking for flyers with Kevin Saunderson's name on them.

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 17:15 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

Transparent Productions is the improv crew. Not all of 'em are WPFW djs though some are--Bobby Hill and Larry Appelbaum, others?...

3 years! I want stuff NOW ;)

I've been complaining to friends for 2 or so years that I wish someone would book all of the Afropop and Latin acts that play for free in Central Park in NY each summer, in DC... So I'll have to form my own group to do this...

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 2 March 2004 18:53 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

I asked excellent local DJ Milo (Filler, Matter) about nights, and he said the DJ at the Mantis basement on Wednesdays plays tech house, but that's about the closest - no BANGIN TECHNO nights.

There's the once.twice festival coming up in Baltimore next month-

April 15th - 17th, 2004
Baltimore's 4th Annual
once.twice:festival of sound and video art feat.
AKUFEN . DIMBIMAN . AGF . CHRISTOPHER WILLITS .
DABRYE . SUE COSTABILE . MATTHEW DEAR .
GHISLAIN POIRIER. NAUTICAL ALMANAC.JIMMY EDGAR
MYLENA BERGERON . CAROLINE HAYEUR .
SCOTT PAGANO + more TBA

once.twice also runs the occasional Treatment night at Sonar, the last one in November featured Magda and Sammy Dee.

― Brian Miller, Wednesday, 3 March 2004 20:22 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

milo is nice. i have talked to him a couple of times. that fest sounds fun. why does baltimore seem to have a better scene than DC?

― Aaron Grossman (aajjgg), Thursday, 4 March 2004 04:26 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

Baltimore: city in decay + large warehouse/manufacturing base = cheap venues. Cheap venues + art students + laissez faire police/health/fire department = good scene.

― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 4 March 2004 06:53 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

So is Nation (Buzz people) afraid to book some of those folks coming to Baltimore, and is 5 too small, and is the 930 too booked up with bands to consider those artists (and also unwilling to face police/fire dept. scrutiny)?

On a different note, any musicians (d.j.'s?) who wanna perform for free outdoors or maybe at Carter Barron or other locations during the June 18-21st 2nd annual Fete de la Musique DC should call 202-724-5614 or e-mail jose.dominguez@dc.gov . There will also be meetings at the DC Arts Commission, 410 8th St. NW , 5th Fl. on Mon. 3-15 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 and on Thurs. 3-18 from noon to 1.

I'm trying to encourage them to expand the musical horizons of this event...

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Thursday, 4 March 2004 16:52 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

Nation needs to take in a huge amount of money at the door just to break even for a night, so they don't have a lot of incentive to book artists that won't appeal to their existing crowd. There would have been a better shot there in the Buzz days when they would let a different promoter/collective take over the patio, but now they're really only booking the main room.

Five is a great venue, nearly perfect, but the different promoters that do nights there only really book house, d+b, and reggae. There was the electroclash/breaks night there, too, but that's over and has turned into a retro night.

9:30 Club, as you mentioned, is a live music venue. They'll have the occasional DJ, but it always comes off as a bit out of place.

It costs a lot of money to run a club in DC due to the scarcity of suitable spaces. In a town with 8-foot ceilings in 95% of all buildings, there’s going to be a lot of competition for the remaining few with large open spaces. Permitting, safety codes, and accessibility standards are pretty tightly enforced, which means you have to sink a lot of money into a space before you can do anything with it. This goes for bars, dance clubs, live music clubs, and pretty much everything. And don't even get me started on ANC's and "voluntary agreements".

― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Thursday, 4 March 2004 18:24 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

Ghostly International showcase at Warehouse Next Door, April 1. Not sure who's playing.

― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Friday, 5 March 2004 00:56 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

The indie-rock stores keep dropping one by one. What's left? The below is from an e-mail from Now...

"After over 4 years in business, the owners of Now! Music and Fashion
have decided to close permanently, so we can move on and pursue
other opportunities. We've had a blast talking to you about music,
putting on instore performances, and participating in the local
community. But the best thing about running a record store has been
the opportunity to meet you. Many thanks to our loyal customers and
friends we've made along the way.

We will be having a going-out-of-business sale beginning this
weekend. All clothing and music (except consignments and bargain bin
stuff) will be on sale for 30% off the regular price."

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 05:45 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

CD Warehouse in Georgetown (M and 30th), despite its location and hideous clientele, is really outstanding. This weekend I picked up Books' Lemon of Pink, Ghost's Hypnotic Underworld, Arthur Russell's Calling Out of Context, and M83's Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts.

So I don't think DC's gone utterly down the pan. Close, but not gone yet.

― paul c (paul c), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 15:42 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

You found those "used" or "new" in Georgetown? The one time I was there I didn't see much in there. Wow, that's quite a haul. I'm actually as guilty as anybody in buying stuff online rather then local stores. The last time I tried to go to Now (in early january), it was closed despite its hours being listed as open.

― Steve Kiviat (Steve K), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 17:35 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

They were new. But not outrageously priced. Between 14.99-18.99 (Ghost - M83).

They're also stocking the Ellen Allien album and remixes, Coloma's Finery. I think I even saw that Damon Album demo double 10" there, too!

― paul c (paul c), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 17:40 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

Hey, I was the one that got Coloma and Ellen Allien in there! I walk by it on my way home from work, so I stop in every couple of days. They're stupendously nice and will go as far as setting up new accounts with distributors to get special orders. I email them a list of upcoming releases I want and they'll have them for me the day they're released. They can be a little slow on imports, but they usually track them down.

Melody on Conn. Ave. is very underrated - I always thought they were better than DCCD for keeping up with current releases and pointing customers in the right direction. Good international and classical sections, too.

― Brian Miller (Brian Miller), Tuesday, 9 March 2004 18:27 (fourteen years ago) Permalink

Skipping 4304 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

They’re unbelievably boring live

― El Tomboto, Saturday, 11 August 2018 17:42 (six months ago) Permalink

Literally nothing happens and everyone just stands and watches. GY!BE might be the worst concert experience I’ve ever had

― El Tomboto, Saturday, 11 August 2018 17:43 (six months ago) Permalink

X-post - hope you had fun whichever you chose. I attended friends anniversary celebration last night. 1 of the couple had gone to high school with Guitarist Thalia Zedek. Thalia was there and did 2 songs solo .

― curmudgeon, Sunday, 12 August 2018 15:10 (six months ago) Permalink

GYBE was a lovely, spiritual experience. Sorry no DC ILXors wanted to hang out but oh well.

― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Monday, 13 August 2018 05:05 (six months ago) Permalink

Maybe next time. There may be a Baltimore ilxor who was there

― curmudgeon, Monday, 13 August 2018 12:44 (six months ago) Permalink

So new temporary old-school supergroup Hammered Hulls are supposedly gonna play live in September. Members include Mary Timony, Alex Mackaye, Chris Wilson ( from Ted Leo band), and Mark Cisneros (Kid Congo band and more)

― curmudgeon, Monday, 13 August 2018 12:49 (six months ago) Permalink

Hammered Hulls are gonna be at a Black Cat anniversary show.

Went to a go-go panel at the Benning Library today. Kato Hammond, Nico Hobson, and Andrew Gaston on the panel with Natalie Hopkinson as the moderator. Interesting recollections of go-go old days, and observations on go-go today (popular still with oldtime DMV, but not with the youth).

They mentioned that Junkyard Band would be playing for free at 5-ish at Barry Farm public Housing area in SE DC. We then headed over to there where a stage was set up on the basketball court used in the Goodman summer league. JYB are trying to keep up a bit with the bouncebeat bands now, some new-school speedier tempoes alog with the old-school crank. Barry Farm, where JYB started, is being shut down by the powers that be, so this outdoor event may be the last one there. Team Familiar played earlier in the day at 2. Go-go bands don't always publicize their free outdoor shows because they want people to pay to see them later that night for $ at a club. I think that was the case with these shows (only online mention I saw was an Instagram post by Team fam drummer jammin Jeff

― curmudgeon, Sunday, 26 August 2018 01:51 (five months ago) Permalink

There was still a big local turnout at the bittersweet Barry Farm gig. The powers that be are shutting down the public housing location, building new there and not really promising tenants a way back.

― curmudgeon, Monday, 27 August 2018 14:23 (five months ago) Permalink

The 4th Sunday of the month soul oldies live music thing at Gee's on 52nd Street in a warehouse district in Hyattsville, is no more. 80-something Ms. Gee is selling the club (which is attached to a liquor store and a Jamaican restaurant). At least that's what the cashier at the liquor store told me. There have also been go-go shows there. She had the place since the 90s, after she left /sold Gee's 4400 club on Rhode Island Ave NE, near the MD line (that's a restaurant now).

― curmudgeon, Monday, 27 August 2018 14:27 (five months ago) Permalink

https://thedcline.org/2018/08/30/a-glimmer-of-hope-for-the-once-iconic-fort-dupont-concert-series/

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 30 August 2018 15:01 (five months ago) Permalink

Mon. 9-10

*Straight Crankin'!! - DC go-go music documentary free debut screening at 6 pm at the Lincoln Theatre

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 5 September 2018 04:32 (five months ago) Permalink

Smithsonian Folklife Festival issued a statement today that Park Service proposal to ban use of temporary tents on side portions of National Mall “would profoundly impact ...continued feasibility of Smithsonian Folklife Festival.” The Park Service is taking comments through Oct. 7th

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 5 September 2018 04:33 (five months ago) Permalink

DC Music Download website is no more. Editor Stephanie Williams got a new job with the Post Express. Um, always found her taste to be a little too narrow for me (although she sometimes highlighted stuff I didn't know about and came to like).

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 13 September 2018 13:55 (five months ago) Permalink

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-black-cat-is-shrinking-by-half-why-because-punks-dont-live-there-anymore/2018/09/12/d6c319ec-b529-11e8-94eb-3bd52dfe917b_story.html?utm_term=.1e52de3722b5

Awww man, Dante is gonna rent out first floor of Black Cat including Backroom live performance spot to upscale shops. In January a smaller version of Red Room and Backstage will open above somewhere.

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 13 September 2018 13:58 (five months ago) Permalink

Aw man indeed. My band played in the Backstage a couple times.

― Never mind the bollards (Ye Mad Puffin), Thursday, 13 September 2018 17:07 (five months ago) Permalink

Jean Cook is leaving Beauty Pill after tonight’s gig.

Unrelated. That 69 million DC taxpayer funded Entertainment and Sports Arena at St Elizabeth is gonna hold 4200. Mary J Blige will be there in October. I think the place will sit empty a lot.

― curmudgeon, Friday, 14 September 2018 19:25 (five months ago) Permalink

two weeks pass...

The Wizards and Caps at Cap One Arena have longer schedules than the Entertainment and Sports Arena teams-Mystics and Cap City Go-go.

They added a Wale and 20 other DC rappers gig to Entertainment and Sports Arena. And had ticket issues online.

Rare Essence got some sort of DC Mayor's Arts award lifetime achievement award at Lincoln Theatre recently. I still haven't seen that DC government made Go-go doc. Wonder if its online yet?

I am more interested (naturally) in the month-long Flash of the Spirit global music fest at multiple dc locations than I am in the All Things Go popfest at Union Market.

https://thedcline.org/2018/09/28/second-annual-festival-will-bring-global-sounds-to-dc-venues-throughout-october/

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 3 October 2018 13:27 (four months ago) Permalink

Amplified Noise bill hearing today. Ugh-- folks who moved into downtown DC grumbling that street musicians are too loud.

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 4 October 2018 15:11 (four months ago) Permalink

National Park Service comment period deadline today for their proposed new regs that could impact Smithsonian Folklife Fest and rallies and more on the national mall and near white house and elsewhere in the city.

― curmudgeon, Monday, 15 October 2018 17:25 (four months ago) Permalink

Flasher and Bad Moves albums are good and have gotten lots of media coverage. New Anna Connolly has gotten web attention and ink too. Local scribes still like rock music (news at 11).

― curmudgeon, Monday, 15 October 2018 17:28 (four months ago) Permalink

Haven’t been to Union Stage club on new wharf, or to been around longer Latino club Diamond Lounge in Annandale. But I did see Junkyard Band outside the being torn down Barry Farm public housing project.

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 17 October 2018 18:32 (four months ago) Permalink

Me re recent releases by April + Vista, Black Alley, Hardway Connection, Team Familiar

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/21028177/the-scene-report-april-vista-black-alley-team-familiar

― curmudgeon, Saturday, 20 October 2018 14:24 (four months ago) Permalink

https://thedcline.org/2018/10/19/another-summer-comes-and-goes-with-no-events-on-carter-barron-stage/

National Park Service is allotting money in 2020 or 2021 to rebuild stage at Carter Barron Amphitheatre that was closed down in 2017 (after a short summer 2016 season of free shows)

― curmudgeon, Monday, 29 October 2018 13:52 (three months ago) Permalink

Not a single additional concert is scheduled now for the 69 million dollar DC taxpayer funded Entertainment & Sports Arena in SE. Some minor league basketball and 1 e-sport event are all that I see on their meager calendar

― curmudgeon, Monday, 29 October 2018 13:54 (three months ago) Permalink

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/kali-uchis-used-to-live-out-of-her-car-now-shes-one-of-pop-musics-rising-stars/2018/10/25/46afaa0a-d310-11e8-b2d2-f397227b43f0_story.html?utm_term=.26bb23776c55

Didn't realize Kali Uchis went to TC Williams High in Alexandria and lived out of her car for a bit

― curmudgeon, Monday, 29 October 2018 13:56 (three months ago) Permalink

Amy Farina, Ian Mackaye, Joe Lally band for free (donation to loaves and fishes encouraged) at St. Stephens Nov. 11 , doors at 6:30, show at 7

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 6 November 2018 18:34 (three months ago) Permalink

oh neat

― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Tuesday, 6 November 2018 18:39 (three months ago) Permalink

ian was 'backstage' at the st stephens lifetime/give show last week with his two kids in giant runway ear-protectors which was p fuckin adorable

― BIG HOOS aka the steendriver, Tuesday, 6 November 2018 18:39 (three months ago) Permalink

Snoop Dogg is at the Warner Theatre this weekend, and per social media I see that he has gone in the studio separately with both Rare Essence and with Backyard Band

― curmudgeon, Sunday, 11 November 2018 20:45 (three months ago) Permalink

Ian, Amy, Joe band was ok—Fugazi & Evens elements. I was kinda hoping they’d go off in a new direction instead, but no.

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 13 November 2018 20:27 (three months ago) Permalink

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/arts/music/blog/21032841/heres-how-snoop-came-to-record-with-rare-essence-and-backyard-band

More details on Snoop recording with RE & BYB

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 22 November 2018 04:07 (three months ago) Permalink

http://www.teenbeat.net/

AMATEUR ON PLASTIC
Starring Butch Willis
A NEW MOVIE. A NEW FILM.

Butch Willis is a Washington, D.C. rock legend. After sharing an apartment with infamous local music icon Root Boy Slim, Butch was inspired to become a rock'n'roll star himself. This film chronicles his life and career from the '80s all the way through to present day. Co-Starring Jeff Krulik (Heavy Metal Parking Lot), Al Breon ("throat guitarist"), Joe Lee (Joe's Record Paradise) and many more.

PREVIEW SCREENING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. on DECEMBER 26th, 2018.
Get your tickets now. Filmmaker Mark Robinson will be there in person, plus Q & A with Rocks and D Flat band members and other co-stars.

― my guitar friend wants his money (morrisp), Thursday, 22 November 2018 04:14 (three months ago) Permalink

two weeks pass...

Gonna be out of town and miss the Butch Willis doc. Also just noticed that the Hammered Hulls, Bad Moves gig in the soon to close backroom of Black Cat is sold out. Oh well. Hulls are gonna be at Comet in January. I did see an 8 act old school gospel quartet bill at House of Praise in NE. Those DC & Southern US acts can sing!

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 12 December 2018 19:14 (two months ago) Permalink

Hammered Hulls, Bad Moves at Black cat next week sold out... Never did get a ticket

― curmudgeon, Friday, 14 December 2018 13:54 (two months ago) Permalink

I need to go see DC acts Sirius & Ms Kim, New Impressionz, Des Demonas, Gauche sometime.

― curmudgeon, Monday, 17 December 2018 17:52 (two months ago) Permalink

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/the-best-dmv-rap-songs-and-albums-of-2018/2018/12/13/73aadf8e-fd77-11e8-862a-b6a6f3ce8199_story.html?utm_term=.aca75f642c65

top 10 albums and top 10 singles .

Rico Nasty had Chris' fave rap album locally

1. YungManny, “Moana" is his top song (from Prince George's County)

― curmudgeon, Monday, 17 December 2018 17:55 (two months ago) Permalink

https://www.hailnorfk.com

― El Tomboto, Saturday, 22 December 2018 23:34 (two months ago) Permalink

https://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-md-ci-ottobar-20181105-story.html

1.25 million for Ottobar in Baltimore

― curmudgeon, Sunday, 30 December 2018 02:52 (one month ago) Permalink

i want to see des demonas again in a venue with better sound. i liked them a lot but the show was in a basement so it was super loud.. sometimes reminded me of the fall

― ¯\_(🏈 )_/¯ (daria-g), Sunday, 30 December 2018 03:40 (one month ago) Permalink

I want to see them too. Not seeing any gigs from them listed anywhere. Black Cat schedule looks very quiet this month without the now closed back room. I get that January is quieter as fewer bands tour, but why aren't local rock acts like Des Demonas, Gauche, and others playing ? Or are they just doing house shows I don't know about.

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 2 January 2019 16:34 (one month ago) Permalink

Go-go acts Frank Sirius & Ms. Kim, and the What Band did a special free tribute gig for/to federal government workers who are shutdown , last night at Fast Eddies in Md. It looked packed in photo I saw on Instagram-500 to 1000 people.

Saturday the 12th there’s a southern soul benefit gig at Lamont’s for a guy whose house burned down. Hardway, Jim Bennett, and others will be there.

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 9 January 2019 20:01 (one month ago) Permalink

A little birdie told me that Lisa Wh*te is no longer booking Pearl Street Warehouse, and that the folks in charge of the other Wharf venue Union Stage, will be doing so. Union Stage is handled by the Jammin Java folks . Lisa is going to Bethesda place Villians & Saints

― curmudgeon, Wednesday, 9 January 2019 20:05 (one month ago) Permalink

3 DC Council members bringing back vague overly harshS ordinance restricting street musicians. No decibel standard seems vague. Also would ban generators, that musicians started using when Metro sealed outdoor outlets near prime locations

― curmudgeon, Friday, 11 January 2019 18:55 (one month ago) Permalink

After an initial flurry of 3 concerts at the 69 million ESA arena in SE, none scheduled for January or February. Just a handful of minor league basketball games

― curmudgeon, Friday, 11 January 2019 18:57 (one month ago) Permalink

Priests w/ new single, plus album coming soon

Brian Baker and Mike Hampton in new punk band Fake Names .

Hammered Hulls sold out gig Saturday at tiny Comet

There’s a big bouncebeat go-go show coming to Echostage in a week

― curmudgeon, Friday, 11 January 2019 19:04 (one month ago) Permalink

Southern soul DC area bands benefit show at Lamont's tonight is postponed to 1-26

― curmudgeon, Sunday, 13 January 2019 01:12 (one month ago) Permalink

7 act Chocolate City Bounce at Echostage 10 pm to 4 am tonight

Backyard Band and What Band ( more old school style but some new) doing multiple sets 10 pm to 4 am at Bliss tonight

Neither event hyped by mainstream web media. Just WKYS . I have em both on my blog calendar too

― curmudgeon, Sunday, 20 January 2019 20:14 (one month ago) Permalink

D. Floyd , sax player, talker, & leader of DC go-go band TeamFamiliar for years & formerly of Rare Essence from 83 to 2001 just announced a few hours ago on Instagram that this will be his last year performing. Wow...

― curmudgeon, Tuesday, 29 January 2019 03:22 (three weeks ago) Permalink

two weeks pass...

Sam Cooke is long gone but the Highway QC’s, a gospel group he was in, remain and are led by 90-yr old Spencer Taylor Jr who moved them to DC in 1964. They have a new digital single and are still gigging. I interviewed them for the DC Line website

https://thedcline.org/2019/02/14/still-testifying-90-year-old-spencer-taylor-jr-and-the-highway-qcs-gospel-group-stay-busy-live-and-in-the-studio/

― curmudgeon, Friday, 15 February 2019 17:55 (one week ago) Permalink

https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/02/20/remembering-dc-music-legend-skip-groff/

https://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/news/article/13013842/yesterday-and-today-once-more

1997 article

excerpt-- "At one point, I went up there," MacKaye continues, "...and I asked Skip, 'What does this record sound like?' He said, 'Oh, kind of a Velvet Undergroundish sound.' I thanked him and stood there for five minutes trying to figure out if that meant there was a lot of bass guitar in it or something. I'd never heard of the Velvet Underground. Every question I'd ask him, he'd come back with something that would just deepen the mystery of this music world."

Groff's friendship with his customers led to what some consider his legendary status in the eyes of some. "I ended up producing most of the early Dischord records," Groff says. His production credits read like the bumper stickers on a beat-up Chevy Malibu: Teen Idles, Minor Threat, Bad Brains, Youth Brigade, Black Market Baby, and Henry Rollins with State of Alert.

"Skip did introduce me to Don Zientara and Inner Ear Studios," MacKaye recollects. "He gave us information on releasing records. He had his own label, called Limp, at the time. Initially we thought we'd put the stuff out on his label, but he really pushed us to go ahead and do our own label."

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 21 February 2019 03:53 (two days ago) Permalink

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