
On Wednesday, May 1, Maryland stoner-rock pioneers Clutch kicked off the second leg of their Earth Rocker Tour at The National, and multiple members of the RVA Magazine staff were in attendance. Released back in March, Earth Rocker is Clutch's tenth album, and Clutch brought the rock fury at The National in fine fashion.

Rodan - Fifteen Quiet Years (Quarterstick/Touch And Go)
Louisville's underground music scene was a hotbed of creativity in the early 90s. Not only did it produce some great hardcore bands who moved that genre in a positive direction (Endpoint, Falling Forward, Kinghorse, etc.), it was also home to quite a few more experimental bands whose work ended up playing a crucial role in the development of math-rock and post-rock.

Summer has finally arrived, at least in terms of classes officially being over. You've worked hard this year, you've endured school, work, and two extra weeks of cold weather, so you deserve to treat yourself to some fun.

It's actually addressed to city council and the mayor's office, but I guess it was intended as an open letter-style press release. The upshot is that they hate the proposal for a baseball stadium in Shockoe Bottom. I'm not sure how I feel about it either, but my first reaction to this email was to think, "Wow, this is really over-the-top." And that was after one sentence.

FEATURE SHOW
Thursday, May 9, 10 p.m.
Beach Day, Implodes, The Garbers @ Strange Matter - $8/18+
Florida’s Beach Day is true to their name. 60s garage music meets beach music when this trio takes the stage.

All you fans of heartfelt American music better pay attention, because this giveaway is for you. Son Volt, the band Jay Farrar's been leading off and on for nearly two decades, is coming to Washington DC, and we've got a pair of tickets that you can win!

We've already let you know a bit about Science Team, the zany sci-fi/horror film from some of the people that brought you locally produced cult hit The Taint. The filmmakers have been raising funds on indiegogo in order to defray production costs, and with the deadline for the indiegogo campaign arriving this Saturday, the filmmakers are throwing a party at brand new Carytown restaurant Portrait House to bring in some additional donations and have a good time.

Noisem – Agony Defined (A389 Records)
It's difficult to suggest that an album successfully replicates a specific era of bygone music without the implicit suggestion that it's some sort of pale imitation. No matter how good it may be, that its influences are worn so proudly on the sleeve can often suggest a lack of creativity.

RVA Noise Fest II, Day One
Friday, April 26 at Sound Of Music
Last year, the RVA Noise Fest consisted of two days at Strange Matter, and featured a who’s who of everything that no square would ever give a chance. Good thing RVA is a hotbed of the hip.

The 2nd Annual MidAtlantic Beard and ‘Stache Championships, hosted by the RVA Beard League, made me feel warm and fuzzy inside and out. Held at the Canal Club on Saturday April 27, the event drew a crowd of over 700, with 212 competitors.