RVA Magazine Articles

Feast RVA: Throwing Dinner Parties To Support Local Creativity

Necci — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:56:12 -0400

Feast RVA is among one of the most innovative non-profit organizations that Richmond has seen lately. Their main focus is funding and supporting creative community-outreach projects by local individuals. A 100% community-oriented organization, Feast RVA gains no profit from their regularly held local fundraising events.

This is how their process works: first, they open up a time frame in which individuals can pitch their ideas to the Feast RVA board. The board then picks out three Richmond-based proposals to be presented during a dinner at a local venue, with catering from a local restaurant. Admission to the events costs $25, and with their donation, 50 individuals are granted access to dinner, drinks, and a vote. During dinner, the attendees hear proposals, and afterwards, they select a winner, who receives a fund created by pooling all of the admission fees paid by the attendees. Thus, the “grantee” is given support for their project, and takes one step closer to accomplishing their vision. Since their inception in 2011, the group has staged six dinners and raised over $3600 in donations for various creative, community-oriented projects. However, in order to maintain the success of Feast RVA, the organization has recently found itself needing a little boost of its own. Therefore, Feast RVA has recently launched an IndieGoGo fundraising campaign.

In a recent conversation, Feast RVA co-founder Johnny Hugel explained what it was that the group needed assistance with. “Because the platform has been so successful, we want to ensure that it will continue to help others in the future,” Hugel stated. “We need to raise money for equipment for the events… So far, the non-profit and creative community has been extremely supportive. We’ve done six events based on the generosity of Richmond, and borrowed tables and chairs, a PA, and a projector" for each event. Having recently registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Feast RVA hopes to create a more sustainable infrastructure for their events. Money gained from the IndieGoGo campaign will go towards purchasing items such as tables, chairs, plates, and glassware, as well as ongoing business expenses ranging from insurance to permits and licenses.

Towards the end of our discussion about Feast RVA, Hugel emphasized his dedication and gratitude by saying, “We were started as a grass roots organization and started with two people, and now it has grown to half a dozen. We have come together every time to make it work, and every step along the way, the Richmond community has supported us... We look forward to continuing to build those bonds long into the future. Reaching our campaign goals will help us reach that level that much sooner, to do that much more with the organization.”

There are events taking place in support of Feast RVA’s campaign, including a fundraiser at Portrait House, located at 2907 W. Cary St in Carytown, from 7pm-2am on Thursday May 23rd. The first part of the fundraiser consists of the Feast team answering questions from the public, in order to explain the mission of Feast RVA to those who are uncertain. The second part of the fundraiser will feature a DJ and dancing. The fundraiser has a suggested donation of $5 and all proceeds will go to Feast RVA. For more information on this event, check out the facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/499533016778580/

For more information about Feast RVA you can visit their website or their Facebook page. To donate to Feast RVA's IndieGoGo campaign, click here:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/feast-rva-campaign

TheBLAAAHg Launches Print Mag; BLAAAH Due To Hit Richmond In June

Necci — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:49:26 -0400

A popular blog based out of Boooklyn (and Richmond, sorta), TheBLAAAHg.com, is in the process of raising money through the seemingly ubiquitous Kickstarter crowdfunding site to release a print version of their online publication. Their goal is to distribute 5,000 copies of the magazine in Richmond and Brooklyn. Their Kickstarter page states “with e-publishing and the internet, there's no necessity for this [print] medium, but the romanticism lives on. The physical structure of this magazine will transcend any domain name in the future.” The Kickstarter, which began May 6, hopes to bring in $5,000. This money would go towards printing cost and compensation for individuals involved in the process. The funding ends Saturday, May 26th and they plan on releasing the magazine in early June.

In a conversation with Mauricio Vargas, editor-in-chief of TheBLAAAHg and the mind behind the transition to print, he said the goal of the print edition was to provide a “gallery” type setting for “up-and-coming fine artists.” The large layout--17"x22", about the size of an unfolded newspaper--is meant to provide this feeling, and it will allow the featured art to stand-alone and draw the eye. BLAAAH’s proposed print version is set to feature an array of artists in a variety artistic mediums. Visual artists, musicians, and even jewelry are going to be showcased in the debut issue.

Mauricio said the original website started out as a way of showcasing friends whose work he really respected. Now, he says TheBLAAAHg.com has grown into a “community” of people who are all at a similar stage in their life and want to help each other succeed.

The past few months has required a lot of “organization, vision, and foresight” on the part of Mauricio. It was an idea that he started playing around with in February, and months later it is starting to come to fruition. He said the past few months have been similar to “managing a crazy restaurant in your head.” This has been Mauricio’s first attempt at creating a print extension to the website. He plans on circulating two issues a year: spring/summer, and fall/winter.

Look for your own copy of BLAAAH in Richmond starting in early June. They plan on printing the magazine regardless of the Kickstarter results, but they can use all the help that they can get. In addition to copies of the magazine, backer rewards also include t-shirts, signed prints by artists featured in the first issue, and ad space in the magazine. To contribute to BLAAAH's Kickstarter fund, click here:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theblaaahg/blaaah-mag-issue-1-ss2013

WRIR & The Commonwealth Of Notions Presents, Part III

Necci — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:11:01 -0400

In less than two months, Shannon Cleary will be presenting the third annual installment of WRIR And The Commonwealth Of Notions Presents, the annual live music series in which he presents a variety of local bands that have caught his fancy over the past year. He's got big things planned for this year, so without further ado, here is Shannon to tell you all about it!

Since 2009, I have been hosting a radio program entitled The Commonwealth of Notions on WRIR. It airs Wednesday nights from 11PM to 1AM. The program spends its two hours examining and heralding the local music scene. It’s a love letter to the sounds that emerge from this city.

In 2011, I decided to develop a proper extension of the radio program. This evolution resulted in WRIR and The Commonwealth of Notions Presents. Two nights were spent in May of 2011 at the Firehouse Theatre and Gallery 5. The lineups included the last performance by Orioles, Amazing Ghost joined by members of No BS! Brass Band, one of the last sets by The Veins, as well as several others. In it’s first year, the table was set, and the possibilities were endless for the second year. In July of 2012, WRIR took over Gallery 5 for WRIR and The Commonwealth of Notions Presents: Volume Two. The roster included Swordplay, Canary Oh Canary, The Blue Rajas, The Low Branches, White Laces, Dogs on Main Street, Bermuda Triangles, The Colloquial Orchestra, The Snowy Owls, and The Milkstains. The ten-band line-up was ambitious, but it ended up being an incredible experience for everyone involved.

For our third year, in an effort to showcase many of Richmond’s finest, we have raised the stakes even higher. Over the weekend of July 18th through the 21st, WRIR and The Commonwealth of Notions Presents: Volume Three is going down. The event will be hosted at four different venues over the course of four evenings. Hopefully this will prove to be a weekend and an event that never ceases to grow. Richmond deserves it’s own festival and a means of offering acclaim for our tremendous music scene. If anything, it’s a perfect opportunity to check out what Richmond has been up to since we left you after Volume Two.

On Thursday, July 18th, the weekend kicks off with a showcase at Strange Matter. With this late show, we will be inviting four acts to get things started right. On Friday, July 19th, we drop by Balliceaux to celebrate the return of one of Richmond’s most beloved. A simple hint as to their identity is that they haven’t played a show in their full incarnation in close to a year. On Saturday, July 20th, we return to Gallery 5 to see what mayhem will ensue this year, as we assemble an eclectic line-up of artists showcasing several different approaches to their respective genres. If last year’s ten-band bill is an indicator, everyone should be prepared for a pretty epic night of music. On Sunday, July 21st, we close out the weekend at Bandito’s, and begin looking forward to next summer.

The line-ups are being kept secret at this point. Over the next ten days, various music blogs and publications will be revealing details about participants. Be on the lookout for these updates, and when everything is put out there, we will unveil the poster for this year’s WRIR and The Commonwealth of Notions Presents: Volume Three. After that, July should be here before we know it.

ART FEED: Benjamin Løzninger's Smoke//Fire

Necci — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:06:36 -0400

Benjamin Løzninger is quite the renaissance man--the French-born artist, who currently resides in Brooklyn, also makes music, directs videos, and works as a sound engineer, among many other things. He helped launch Super!, a Parisian musical talent agency that helped produce 2012's Pitchfork Paris festival. When he's not touring in support of his music (his latest release is the 2011 album Moving Targets), he works with FrenchBK, a creative collective he founded that's named after his status as a transatlantic expatriate.

And somewhere in there, Løzninger also finds time to take artistic photographs. His latest project is entitled Smoke//Fire, and features painted and/or digitally treated photographs of Brooklyn cityscapes, to which Løzninger has added the black smoke of nearby flames. It seems a subtle comment on the times of economic and political uncertainty we live in... but really, the presence of allegory is up to the viewer to determine. Løzninger's fiery scenes are not actively frightening, but evoke the trembling sense of disquiet one can feel when catching a scene of immense devastation out of the corner of your eye as you go about your daily routine.

A burning city. Thick smoke clouds fill the air with an intense smell. History always repeats itself: as at Nero’s times, a devastating fire run through the streets, through the buildings, threatening people’s life. Was it an arson or just an accident? The Smoke // Fire series is speaking about self-introspection through the discovery a new city, experimenting mystery, fascination, repulsion and sometimes fear.

Explore all facets of Benjamin Løzninger's work at the following links:

http://www.stasolab.com
http://www.lozninger.com
http://www.elektriskgonner.com
http://www.frenchbk.com

RVA Magazine's Weekend Preview 5/24-5/27

Addison — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:46:52 -0400

Everyone thinks of Memorial Day weekend as the awesome start to a fun-filled summer; the three-day weekend where you are obligated to go to a music festival, the beach, the mountains... just generally get out of town and have fun. It's almost like if you don't go out and have fun this weekend, you are branded as a boring stick-in-the-mud who's entire summer is going to be spent sitting on the couch eating Cheetos after work. But let's be real; not everyone has the funds to drop on some big out-of-town party or festival, or even on the gas it takes to have a weekend getaway. So, here for your enjoyment, is a list of five of the most fun free or inexpensive things you can do this weekend. Enjoy!

Friday, 5/24: YERB! CD Release Party @ Strange Matter

If you love going to shows at the YERB! or you're a fan of the bands that play there, this is definitely not a show you want to miss. Toxic Moxie, Tungs, and Brother Bill will all be playing, and you can grab a free copy of the YERB! CD, which will feature Night Idea, The Northerners, Black Girls, People's Blues of Richmond, and many, many more. There will also be delicious drinks, not to mention the chance to mix and mingle with many of the main players in the super-varied list of local bands appearing on this compilation. Plus, the show is free! Be there!

Friday, 5/24: Beat Down The Kid's Birthday Party @ Bellytimber

Beat Down The Kid is turning 23, and celebrating his birthday party by spinning awesome tracks for you all night long at Bellytimber. Stovetops and Smiley will also be DJing for the first hour, and as usual there will be plenty of tasty drinks and fun dancing buddies. This is another great way to party hard and enjoy your Memorial Day weekend right here in RVA, without spending anything at the door.

Saturday, 5/25: May Really Really Free Market @ Monroe Park

It's the last Saturday of the month, and that means it's time for the Really Really Free Market in Monroe Park. This gathering is all about showing up with stuff you are willing to give away, from clothes and food to sewing lessons or an acoustic guitar performance, and taking whatever you see there that you like. Not only is this an awesomely free way to spend a day having fun in the sun, meeting new people, and networking with locals, it's perfect if you have a bunch of clothes lying around your house that you need to get rid of, or if you want to go shopping but even the thrift store is out of your price range at the moment.

Saturday, 5/25: Chris King in-store @ Steady Sounds

If you are looking to check out some super-rare, one-of-a-kind art and music for absolutely free, be at Steady Sounds at 4:00pm to see Grammy-winning archivist and producer Chris King. He will be spinning his vinyl compilations Aimer et Perdre and Five Days Married & Other Laments, both of which have never been played out in public before. He will also be showing the original Robert Crumb artwork [!!!!-ed.] that graces the cover of his compilations!

Sunday, 5/26: Well Worn Market @ Gallery 5

OK, so this last event isn't totally free, but there isn't a cost to get in, and there's no crime in window shopping. Well Worn Market is a pop-up market of cheap, thrifted, and vintage goods from stores like Yesterday's Heroes, The Odd Couple, and many more. There will also be Goatacado sandwiches and Lamplighter coffee if you are looking for a snack. This seems like a great way to wrap up a cheap Memorial Day weekend at home--and who knows, maybe you can get a little crazy and splurge on some knicknacks, since you saved so much money!

For a full listing of all the stuff happening this weekend, click here for our whole calendar!

P.S. If punk and metal is more your scene and you're bummed about missing Maryland Deathfest, I've also written a guide to having your own little deathfest here, which includes all the harder stuff that's happening this weekend. Check it out here!

Missing Maryland Deathfest? Have No Fear! Plenty Of Heavy Music Hits The Stage In RVA This Weekend

Addison — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:32:08 -0400

It's that magic time of year again--Memorial Day weekend. Punks and metalheads alike put aside their differences, load their cars up with water bottles, beer, and money for merch, and head to Baltimore to check out Maryland Deathfest, the year's biggest metal party--which has expanded in recent years to also include a ton of D-beat, punk, hardcore, etc. But for those who come up a little short this time of year due to the inevitable crappy realities of finding new apartments to live in, struggling to save for the summer, or just generally being broke, it can also be a huge bummer. You scowl angrily at your friends' upbeat facebook statuses counting down the days to Deathfest, and stop listening to all your favorite bands just because they remind you of how much fun you are going to be missing this weekend. Luckily, though, we have an alternative this year to all that pain and humiliation.

There are some seriously sweet metal and punk shows happening right here this weekend, in sleepy little Richmond. Some feature bands playing Deathfest who needed a show on their way to or from Baltimore, while others might be happening this weekend due to pure coincidence, but they are all awesome. So if you aren't leaving town this weekend, or you're only going to Deathfest for one day but you want to keep the party rolling, check out any number of these awesome shows happening around town!

It's no secret at this point that Rotten Sound are hitting up Strange Matter this Sunday! Rotten Sound freaking rule if you don't know; they are an extremely hard-hitting and brutal deathgrind band from Finland. As if that wasn't enough, they are playing alongside awesome Japanese thrashers Abigail, who are one of the most fun bands to listen to of all time, and who incorporate black metal and punk into their brutal blend. Suppression will also be playing, and of course Richmond's own awesome crossover metal act, Occultist. If you are craving the vibe of a stinky Baltimore club, this show will have it. And it's hotter there than at the Ottobar, so it'll probably be stinkier.

After that, you can totally just stick around for the sweet punk show that's happening at S'Matter right after the early show with Rotten Sound. Thanks to Vinyl Conflict and a lot of local promotion, Total Control are totally gonna headline a show here! This Australian synth-punk band are signed to Sub Pop, and play danceable punk with a hard enough vibe that fans of tougher stuff can get into it, too. They will be joined by fellow Australian punkers UV Race--who, like Total Control, feature members of Australian garage legends Eddy Current Suppression Ring. NYC's Parquet Courts, who have generated a lot of buzz with their condensed, catchy punk sound, and local darkwave merchants Dead Fame, round out the bill. Check it out. Or, if you're looking for something cheaper to do after Rotten Sound, Iggy Plop and the Spooges are doing their Stooges tribute at Bandito's. That show is free, and you can smoke inside!

As if all that wasn't reason enough to stay in town this weekend and rock out, there is another killer double header at Strange Matter on Monday, only this one is flipped--the punk show is first, then the metal show. Terveet Kadet are playing the early show, which should really be enough to get a lot of old-school hardcore and punk fans stoked. If you don't know them, they are Finnish just like Rotten Sound, and they go just as hard, but in a different way. D-beat, crust--whatever you want to call it, Terveet Kadet will use their three decades of experience playing it to give us an unforgettable show. They will be joined by Kromosom, an Australian D-beat band on Southern Lord; Sete Star Sept, a noisegrind band from Japan featuring members of Endless Blockade; Nomad from New York; and Lotus Fucker from DC. This one will pack a wallop for sure--bring earplugs.

Then, believe it or freaking not, Weedeater are headlining the late show at Strange Matter! This show has a super-straightforward lineup: local doom bands Inter Arma and Cough will be opening for our favorite hillbilly dudes from North Carolina. Everyone in town who's a fan has probably seen the two openers countless times, and may even have seen Weedeater more than once, but the fact remains that they are one of the wildest and most entertaining bands to see live. If there is any way to end a weekend of debauchery and loud music, it's with the loudest and most debaucherous of all! Don't miss it!

As usual, you can check out all our events right here on our calendar! Whether you're heading up to Baltimore or staying in town, have an awesome Memorial Day weekend!

THURSDAY: Goth It Up At The Poe Museum's Unhappy Hour

Necci — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:31:33 -0400

This Thursday, The Poe Museum presents the latest edition of their Unhappy Hour, an informal ode to the macabre wit and mystery of Edgar Allan Poe. Held from 6 to 9 pm on the fourth Thursday between the months of April and October, each event has a theme based on a particular Poe story or poem, and this month focus is on "Annabel Lee," the last poem Poe completed before his death. The evening will feature a reading of "Annabel Lee" by local actress Amber Boice, as well as live music by Washington DC's Technicians. There will also be a book signing by Jeff Abugel, whose new book, Edgar Allan Poe's Petersburg: The Untold Story Of The Raven In Cockade City, focuses on the little known facts behind Poe's honeymoon in Petersburg.

The ambiguities surrounding the inspiration for “Annabel Lee” are still debated today; it is uncertain who the eponymous character, Annabel Lee, is intended to represent. Some biographers speculate that Poe's recurring "death of a beautiful woman" theme stems from the repeated loss of women throughout his own life, including his mother Eliza Poe and foster mother Frances Allan. Others believe it was written for his late wife, Virginia.

The Unhappy Hour will focus on a reading of “Annabel Lee” by Amber Boice, which will take place in the museum’s enchanted garden. Boice sees the event as a way to shed more light on who Poe really was as a human. “I think there are a lot of things people don’t understand about Poe, and need to explore,” she said. The event is intended to dispel some of mystery of Poe by humanizing the legend.

To put people in the right mood, Boice wishes to bring out Poe’s very dark and interesting sense of humor, which helps illuminate the state of his psyche at the time of writing "Annabel Lee." The poem's gorgeous imagery helps Boice “bring people through that mental image; beautiful picture of a poem that it is.”

Having performed twice before at Unhappy Hour, Boice hopes people come out for not only the interesting crowd that flocks to the Poe Museum each month, but to educate themselves on some of Poe's more obscure works. “There’s more to him then 'The Raven'... and 'Tell-Tale Heart',” said Boice. “For educational reasons... about somebody who was really great from Richmond, [people] should come out.”

The Poe Museum always has a lot in store for literary-minded visitors, and this Unhappy Hour should throw a spotlight on what it has to offer. So start your weekend early, and witness the legend of "Annabel Lee" come to life this Thursday at 6 pm. The Poe Museum is located at 1914-16 E. Main St. The Unhappy Hour is family-friendly, free, and open to the public, although a kind donation of five dollars is encouraged. For more details, check out the facebook event invite here: https://www.facebook.com/events/441827422552587/

The New Issue Of RVA Magazine Is Out Now!

Necci — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:12:08 -0400

Yes, it's here! Our fashion issue has hit the streets. The fashion community is on the rise here in RVA, and we're here to help you get in on the ground floor! With a lengthy pictorial section displaying the work of Richmond's many excellent fashion photographers, we've given you plenty of amazing imagery (and gorgeous boys and girls) to look at. We've also got in-depth interviews with Ledbury and Shockoe Denim, plus profiles of some of RVA's leading jewelry designers, and the up-and-coming writers that are part of the RVA Fashion Bloggers network. With 18 pages devoted to the burgeoning RVA fashion community, we cover the scene from every angle.

But that's not all this issue has in store for you--oh, far from it! Glass sculptor Kristi Totoritis gives an inside look at her experience of an often-neglected section of the art world, while the pop culture-damaged paintings of Dave McDowell offer an entirely new perspective on famous figures like Richard Pryor and Willy Wonka. As usual, our coverage of local music is second to none--talks with hard-working rapper So !lla and garage-rockers The Young Sinclairs are joined by a new column updating you on new releases local artists will be putting out in the coming months. Plus, we talked to multiple nationally-known artists who've made RVA a stop on their itineraries, including veteran soul singer Charles Bradley and death metal Egyptologists Nile.

All this plus much more is in store for you in the latest issue of RVA Magazine, so make sure you grab yourself a copy! Issues are appearing around town as we speak, but they go quick, so don't sleep! And if you really want to make sure that you get every issue of RVA Magazine delivered to your door without delay, why not subscribe? Subscription information and digital copies of the new issue are available for your perusal at rvamag.com/magazine--check it out!

One Way Richmond's Must-See Show Previews 5/22-5/28

Necci — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:59:12 -0400

FEATURE SHOW

Thursday, May 23, 8 p.m.
of Montreal, Wild Moccasins @ Canal Club - $15/All Ages
I do love Athens, Gee Aye. This town full of dawgs has given us R.E.M, B-52’s, Lets Active, Widespread Panic, Herschel Walker and of Montreal. The latter is an extraordinary dance pop band that can get a bit off course and go experimental. I like it. The Canal club will be electric - full of dancing, and don’t forget wine, women and song. Oh hell yes, the band that technically could be "of Athens" is a force beyond curling. Funk and glam combined equals crazy delicious. Red vines? Screw it, I want me some of Montreal. Of Montreal will be performing all their standards as well as new tracks from the upcoming LP Lousy with Sylvianbriar. So, if you’re looking for stylish fun and then some more fun after that, you have to bring the dancing shoes down by the Kanawha Canal, and get loose.

Wild Moccasins, out of Houston, would be worth this stellar evening on their own. This band continues to sell me, as it should you, with their lively sound and fabulous live performances. This is going to be a night of miracles. I can feel it!

Wednesday, May 22, 10 p.m.
Pissheads (Photo by Sarja Hassan), Asile, Prisoner @ Strange Matter - $6/18+
Hardcore boot punk, with a taste of the street, is really happening tonight. The crustiness of Richmond’s Pissheads leads the charge. Not only are Pissheads incredible, but they are a super-group of sorts, kind of like the 80s band Asia. Comprised of current and ex members of punk royalty here in Richmond such as Aghast, Parasytic, Cervix, and Lost Tribe, Pissheads is violence on top of violence. After their set, you’ll have to consider just what is going on in the subconscious. My guess here is that you will want to knock over shit and run through walls. Let me join you. Society is over, and Pissheads prove it.

Asile brings the d-beat from Ottawa. My guess is the ‘d’ stands for “Dirty Sanchez.” Ha, no, really its discore or discrust. This band is brutality. You know, like a soccer mom who has lost her way. Lending support to this beehive of activity will be those Richmond d-beat goons, Prisoner. Looks like the warden released these freaks for only a short leave, but still long enough so they can blow our ugly mugs off.

Friday, May 24, 10 p.m.
Strike the Chord and Burn, Channel 43, The Gospel @ The Nile - $5/21+
You want wild with your heavy metal rock and roll, well, step into the Nile tonight. Richmond metal arsonists, Strike the Chord and Burn is ready to set the power in motion. Channel 43--good to see these guys back--have been doing it for years. The “it” is some of the best metal/hard rock this side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. These guys drink, fight and fuck the absolute joy out of you. Opening this loud rooster will be Richmond’s the Gospel.

Friday, May 24, 9 p.m.
Brickwall Jackson, Deep Vinyl Groove @ Canal Club - $10/18+
Glory hallelujah, real country from the roots of the barn is here for all of us to swing our partners to. Brickwall Jackson is a revival of no nonsense country music like the kind grandma, grandpa and your drunken uncle used to play--for it is bourbon-swilling music. Brickwall Jackson is playing in support, of a dandy of an album, Just Life. It’s the kind of album that makes it well worth getting down to the Bottom, finding parking, and taking it in live. Is there a better country vocalist in Central Virginia than Brickwall Jackson’s Melissa Boland? No, there is not.

Deep Vinyl Groove is not a record store here in the city, but a darn good classic rock band that will bring back the sounds of the seventies. Deep Vinyl Groove is highly recommended for seeing live, as well as listening to in your van.

Saturday, May 25, 10 p.m.
RPG @ Balliceaux - $5/21+
Performing on the heels of their spectacular third LP, High Loathsome, along with the beyond-sensational video for the track “Insult and Allure,” RPG is on Lombardy St tonight. And they plan to make not only their fans, Balliceaux, and Lombardy St. their bitch, but also the entire Fan District. Wear something flame-retardant because the house will be on fire due to a severe amount of electricity. Plus, the music will usurp your soul. RPG is fury, RPG is badass, RPG for the most part is a God-like penetration to the maximum rock and roll you think you’ve heard, but haven’t. RPG is a Richmond Hall of Famer that can still strap them on and perform in high quality, not to mention velocity. If you enjoy the true spirited straight ahead rock and roll that tastes like a perfect peach, then run--I mean knock over children and elderly people on the way if you have to--to witness a hair-raising force that will have you levitated for days. Your ears need this juice, people, so don’t you dare miss the miracle that is RPG.

Saturday, May 25, 10 p.m.
Seap One (Daniel Davidson) Memorial Show featuring Gritty City Records, Joe Threat, Johnny Ciggs, Delta Automatik, Pandemic, Sirus the Virus, Skeeky Watahfawls @ Emilio’s in the Fan - $5-$10 suggested donation/21+
The Richmond music community has lost another talent. Seap One (Daniel Davidson) of the local hip hop group Gritty City Records passed away the weekend before last. This unfortunate passing of the beloved emcee/artist occurred just a couple of weeks prior to the releasing of his debut album, The Sickness of Seap. I never had the chance to meet Seap One personally, but was aware of Gritty City Records, and really like what I hear out of those guys, as well as their great videos. I’m sure the rest of the Richmond music community will join me in expressing our condolences to Seap’s group, Gritty City Records, as well as his friends and family.

Tonight will be a memorial show for Daniel Davidson. The monthly hip hop showcase on the last Saturday of the month at Emilio’s will be dedicated to Seap One. The lineup performing will be DJ Billy When, emcees Checkbook, Vreme, and Devious Kanevil, and of course Gritty Gritty City Records, which features emcees Johnny Ciggs, Delta Automatik Pandemic, Sirus the Virus, Skeeky Watahfawls, Joe Threat, and Fan Ran. Copies of Seap One’s debut album will be handed out and donations will be taken from those who would like to lend a hand to Daniel’s family in these difficult times. Everyone in Richmond should be here tonight.

Sunday, May 26, 7 p.m.
James McCartney, Goldrush, Risa Binder @ The Camel - $15/All Ages
Paul McCartney had a son? Who knew? Well the ‘ole bloke is in town, and he has his own musical endeavors. Hey, this isn’t a Julian Lennon fiasco either, James McCartney can sing. He is a traditional style singer that will have you foot stomping for more of that English folk music we all need in our lives. He is a solid singer-songwriter solo or with a band. Touring in support of his new LP Me, James McCartney is worth a Sunday night excursion to that oasis under that independent radio station. Touring with James McCartney is the lovely singer-songwriter, Risa Binder. Apparently she performed recently on one of those morning shows where the hosts are stuck in a constant state of irritability. Richmond support is brought to you by the indie folk band Goldrush. This Goldrush is not to be confused with the four other bands and one DJ--not to mention those hot ass dancers at VCU games--which go by the same name.

Sunday, May 26, 10 p.m.
Vinyl Conflict Presents: Total Control, UV Race, Parquet Courts (pictured above), Dead Fame @ Strange Matter -$12/18+
Vinyl Conflict has scored big time with this showcase. These four bands are four of the best just-about-to-break into the stratosphere type bands I can think of. This is a wonderful combination of synth-punk and that glorious independent rock and roll we all know and love. Australia’s Total Control takes from influences like Wire, Joy Division, and the Buzzcocks to form a sound that is updated, yet will yield to the late 70s/early 80s. Considered one of the best postpunk bands out there, Total Control--featuring members of the garage outfit everyone should know about, Eddy Current Suppression Ring--are a can’t-miss band that demands and deserves your respect, let alone attendance. This band is heavy on the heavy with a side of spirited no-wave.

Also from Australia, UV Race, comprised of a who’s who from Melbourne’s punk scene, finally arrives in Richmond. Also featuring members of Eddy Current Suppression Ring, UV Race’s uncanny glam punk style will have you bouncing off the walls. I’ll have a Fosters please.

Would you like a cherry on the top to this already extraordinary night of music? Well, why not. The band everybody in America is talking about makes their way to Richmond. I’m talking about Brooklyn’s Parquet Courts. Their sound is flat-out addictive. To hell with meth, coke, X, or weed – somebody put in Parquet Courts' already-classic LP, Light Up Gold. This album resonates in such a powerful way to me that it’s better than that last, bottom of the stocking, gift. It’s not your ordinary stuffer. And, to think, I--and you too, dammit--get to hear it live tonight at Strange Matter.

Holy moly! It’s a damn good thing I think church is a flat out joke, because the real worshiping has just begun with Richmond’s dark wave spectaculars Dead Fame, as they open what is easily, no question about it, a Show of the Year Candidate. See you there!

Sunday, May 26, 10 p.m.
Noise Night #11 Flesh Control, R-Complex, Lugweight, Echolalia, Death Register, Ghost Keychain, DJ Girl on Girl @ The Nile – Donations/21+
Noise Nights at the Nile have become better than those Autumn/Spring formals at the Country Club of Virginia. There is absolutely no need for a corsage tonight. Just bring your ears and expect bloody murder.

Here’s the lineup that will put you in a trance and have you hating haters and loving lovers. If you haven’t heard by now, shame on you, but Flesh Control is a musical extermination of brutal noise from local hero Leo Heinzel. Then there’s R-Complex. Shit, who in Richmond doesn’t have a complex? Girls with too many tattoos or guys with stupid beards, the complexes are all here. Wait, I’m sorry, R-Complex is an assault of power electronics, more scary than a burglar in Windsor farms. Those in attendance will rejoice, I assure you of that. Lugweight is also in the house, and this member of the high rising Devil’s Hand will take you by the hand and have you feeling yet more assaulting noise that sounds like noise.

The out of town product is stronger than an ox all hopped up on pure glass. Echolalia has a niche for experimental sounds that will have us raised high. Careful, Echolalia brought a Theremin. Death Register is, oh shit, these guys mean business like an overworked pelican. I’m of course talking about Mr. Noise and Matt Matt, aka Gary Stevens and Matt Boettke. Rounding out the nightmarish flesh-smelling symphony at the Nile tonight will be the new weirdos on the scene, Ghost Keychain. And, for you folks that like girl on girl action--I know, who doesn’t--DJ Girl on Girl will be made available.

Monday, May 27, 10 p.m.
Weedeater, Cough (pictured above), Inter Arma @ Strange Matter - $10 Advance - http://weedeaterva.eventbrite.com / $12/18+
What a crazy Memorial Day this will be. With the lineup of Weedeater, Cough, and Inter Arma, get ready to lose yourself in debauchery gone ballistic. North Carolina’s THC-eating goons, Weedeater, are back in town. Dixie and the boys are ready to celebrate their high-powered sludge metal with some high-powered whiskey and green. This band alone is worth the price of admission--and your life. Bringing in the Richmond support is literally bringing the heat. The doom and psychedelic sludge of Inter Arma will be grinding out the classics as you will be sweating all over the place. And why not make this stellar evening even better? To that end, the organizers have added the one and only Cough. Yes, Cough is back from Europe and ready to remind Richmond of their dooming powers that have everyone, especially myself, bowing down to their mastery. Shit, this might be the best lineup for a Memorial Day evening I’ve ever seen. Have fun cooking out during the day, because I guarantee you it won’t get as hot around the grill as it will tonight in front of this Grace Street stage. This show is a possible sellout, so get tickets early!

Tuesday, May 28, 8 p.m.
Singer Songwriter Showcase @ The Camel – Free/All Ages
Curated by scintillating local singer-songwriter and guitarist Paul Willson, the monthly Singer Songwriter Showcase at the Camel features the best Richmond has to offer in voice and acoustics. The guitars light up like a VCU emergency phone. This night resonates with quality, in what can easily be construed as the best music you will ever hear in Richmond. These poetic sounds are stripped down, and there are no silly music subgenre names attached to it. It’s pure and it’s a dice throw that always comes up seven.

By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)

Bacon Fest: Prepare For Greasy Pork Deliciousness

Necci — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:24:27 -0400

Bacon has seemingly become America’s favorite breakfast meat in recent years, with popular sitcom characters regularly expressing a penchant for it (I’m looking at you, Ron Swanson). Big name diners like Denny’s recently started serving "bacon sundaes" on their menu along with a slew of other bacon-centered dishes. Clearly, we’re a country that loves bacon, and Richmond is no different.

This point has been proven by the fact that the city will be hosting its first ever Bacon Festival this June. The event is being put on by Brown Distributing and will be held at noon on Sunday, June 9 at the 17th Street Farmers Market in Shockoe Bottom. The event will feature over 20 Richmond restaurants, such as ROX, Halligan’s, TJ’s, and the Naked Onion. These restaurants will be frying up tons of bacon at the event, serving a plethora of different bacon themed dishes.

According to the event’s Facebook invite page, a selection of more than 20 Virginia craft beers from Devils Backbone Brewery and Bold Rock Hard Cider will be served to quench patron’s thirst. Beer tickets will be $6 each, with food priced at $3 a plate. And depending on what you order, a plate could potentially hold a whole lot of bacon.

The full list of featured restaurants and beer being served will be announced soon. Live music and local vendors are expected to be at the event, with more details to be released at a later date. Keep an eye on the 17th Street Farmer's Market facebook page for updates, and start preparing yourself for a day of eating way too much bacon. We'll see you there.

Win Tickets To See Best Coast At The National!

Necci — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:19:22 -0400

They're back! California indie-rock sensation Best Coast, who charmed the city with their excellent set at RVA Music Fest 2011, are crisscrossing the country right now on tour. They'll be bringing their brand of sun-drenched punk/pop back to the river city with a performance at The National on Monday, June 3, and your friends at RVA Mag have the hookup! With last year's second LP, The Only Place, Best Coast proved that the amazing pop sensibility they'd displayed on breakout debut Crazy For You was not a fluke. While the title track extended the endorsement of California life that their band name communicates, most of the other songs on the album continued Crazy For You's tendency to combine jangly guitar pop loveliness with angst-ridden lyrics about lost love and general ennui. But hey, it's catchy enough to keep you from getting bummed out by the lyrics, and their energetic live performance should mingle with the excellent melodies to make their show at The National a thoroughly great time for all involved!

WHAT: Best Coast Rocks The National!
WHO: Best Coast, Guards
WHERE: The National, 708 E. Broad St.
WHEN: Monday, June 3, Doors open at 7 PM
ADMISSION: $15 in advance--advance tickets available HERE/$18 at the door

The best part about all of this, though, is that you could go to this show for free! All you have to do is plug your info into this little widget right here for a chance to win two tickets to see Best Coast at The National. Keep an eye out for bonus chances for entry, and do it now--deadline for entry is Friday at 5 PM.

And just to increase the excitement surrounding the return of Best Coast to the sunny shores of RVA, we've got a special treat for you right here. Best Coast released a new single called "Fear Of My Identity" on Record Store Day, and if you didn't get a copy at the time, you'd probably have to pay a pretty penny to get a copy of the vinyl at this point. But that's OK, because you can listen to it right here. Unlike the more polished sound of The Only Place, "Fear Of My Identity" is a lot more like the grungier guitar sound that Best Coast had on Crazy For You. When you combine the increased punk vibe with one of the best choruses Bethany Cosentino has yet unleashed on the public, you get an absolute classic of a track. We can only hope that Best Coast have added it to the set for their performance at The National. Even if not, though, make sure you listen to it right now.

RVA Nails: Flashy Nails = Instagram Success

Necci — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:31:01 -0400

Hitting 4000 Instagram followers is not an easy task. It takes a special kind of appreciation for the art form - quick photos of a specific nature, maintaining themes, and more importantly, providing content that people find interesting. But in a social media platform rife with spam-bots and cat photos, Minh V. Le and Natalee Trinh, the owners and stylists at RVA Nails, have achieved the impossible.

Their nail designs feature vivid colors, intricate patterns and studs that follow the latest fashion trends. Their designs are wild and exciting. It’s not just a french tip with a glaze--it’s a zebra pattern, it’s a country's flag, it’s avant-garde patterns on neon backgrounds. While some customers walk in with a specific design in mind, Trinh says that most people let the nail designers create what they please. “People often say ‘just do your thing,’ and ‘come up with something incredible’... (and) That’s what we do,” said Trinh assertively. The woman knows nails, and her work proves it.

RVA_nails has gained followers by uploading over 700 images of artwork onto their instagram account since its creation last November. “I did not expect to have so many followers,” said Le. “I like Facebook, but with Instagram you can connect more with hashtags.” Hashtags, similar to Twitter, let people tag image with themes, ideas, or concepts which are then easily searchable. Beyond the typical location tags “#rva, #richmond, #VCU, or #nails,” Trinh has managed to develop her own “#rvanails” tag, which makes their images even more accessible. And with hundreds of likes on each photo, its been a successful social media campaign.

So successful the shop has started to look towards expansion. “We are thinking about remodeling to a more modern style, and a bigger space,” said Le. “After the renovation, we might do a grand re-opening,” said Trinh. “I am going to focus on the new nail salon by using more natural products and maintaining a more upscale look, while still fitting the people’s budget.”

The most common requests are for Trinh’s “Marilyn Monroe” design and Le’s “Rose,” both of which are featured on Instagram and their Facebook page. Both Le and Trinh like introducing new ideas to their customers that follow the latest fashion trends, such as Rihanna’s pointed nail.

Any social media guru will tell you there is more to using these networks than just posting images, and Le understands that interaction is one of the qualities that helped build their following. “We like to interact with our customers on instagram by following them and replying to their comments.”

Le and Trinh do most of their designs with either OPI or SC Sinful Creations polish, using the brush to create precise lines. To attach studs or spikes, Le and Trinh use acrylic with a focus of keeping the nails looking “natural and pretty.” Each design takes roughly an hour to complete, and can last for two weeks. For basic nail care, Trinh recommends simple home remedies, such as lemon juice or vinegar for the nail. Coconut oil or even common olive oil can be used to keep cuticles healthy.

Le began working his designs eight years ago in his parent’s Chesterfield shop. Through starting the new business from scratch, both Le and Trinh say that the ultimate goal for RVA Nails is to inspire their generation. “We try to encourage young people to go out there, chase after their dreams, and become a success,” said Trinh. “Create new ideas, and keep up with trends,” added Le.

“You will succeed,” said Trinh. “But the main thing is that you need to work hard.”

Haiku Show Review #1: Rock n' Roll Haiku

Necci — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:16:54 -0400

Sara Bohannon has a graduate degree in poetry, and goes to a lot of local shows. She was writing show reviews for us for a while, until she got bored with the format. But recently she came up with a new spin on the old formula, so we hereby present the inaugural installment of Sara's haiku show review column, which we will hopefully be running every couple of weeks. Enjoy!

May 3 @ Strange Matter

Whoa!

Whoa. Everyone here
looks like a younger version
of someone I know.

Totally missed Whoa!

Eurotics

Holy reverb, so much
cuter than the Ramones. Shame
it's last time around.

That harmonica
solo--was it better than
Gorilla Biscuits?

All this to say--I've
not seen that much shred come from
under newsboy cap.

Organs

Devil smiles across
the south like Emmylou had
finally killed Gram.

Except that's not what
this sounds like at all; hi hat,
down beat, rock n roll.

Photo by Brent Wingen

May 6 @ Strange Matter

Suburban Living

Vintage Fender fuzz.
Pop fuzz like a skating rink.
Better drumming, though.

SISU

Not like good dreams, not
like bad. Remember when the
Pumpkins didn't suck?

Harmonies, sing me
sleepy--"Drivin' on 9" with
beer in hand, speeding.

May 8 @ The Nile

Mensroom

Happy dagger. Glib
sludge. The mud on my boots
slides, wriggling, wet.

Harsh delivery
not working for you? That's fine.
Tonight, for me, yes.

The Numerators

Insides shift--good way.
Feet shift. Up. Down. Up. Around.
Shifty shift. Move. Soar.

Nervous Ticks

Rev, rev, cheerlead, shake
shit. Shake shake to fro. Go! Make
us want more. So bad.

I Drink Wine Out Of Skulls: An Interview With Duane Denison Of Tomahawk

Necci — Tue, 21 May 2013 01:12:59 -0400

Duane Denison started out studying classical guitar before hitting the scene with The Jesus Lizard, a daring noise band that never really got their due amid the alternative craze that defined the 90s. Denison has also performed with Hank Williams III and Firewater, among others. In 2001, he started Tomahawk, a brazen rock band boasting Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle) on vocals and John Stanier (Helmet, Battles) on drums. Kevin Rutmanis (Melvins, Cows) played bass on the first two albums, Tomahawk and Mit Gas, and while there was no bassist involved with 2007’s Anonymous, Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Melvins Lite) joined the band in 2012 and mans the bass on their latest album. Oddfellows, released on January 29, has generated positive reviews and reinvigorated fans of the band, who were clamoring for more during the six years of silence that ensued after Anonymous was released. Tomahawk is heading out on tour behind Oddfellows starting next month, a tour that will bring them to Washington DC's 9:30 Club on Wednesday, June 5. In preparation for their arrival, we had the privilege of speaking to Duane Denison by phone, in order to get the lowdown on Tomahawk's history, their future, and their outstanding new album.

First off, Duane, I would like for you to know that there are some big fans of your work here at RVA Magazine. A lot of us are stoked about the Tomahawk show coming up on June 5 at the 9:30 Club, and we’re thrilled to have this opportunity to chat with you about your work with Tomahawk.

Well thanks, I appreciate it.

Now, Tomahawk is your baby, correct?

I guess you could say that, but obviously it wouldn’t be possible without everybody involved, especially Patton.

Tell us a little about how the idea for this band originated.

I had met Patton while he was on tour with Mr. Bungle when they came through Nashville. He told me about his label [Ipecac], and said that if I had something new going on, to reach out to him and he might want to put it out. So I thought about it, and I thought maybe we should try to do something together. That’s how it started. John Stanier has been a long-time friend of mine, and I’ve always enjoyed his playing, so he was a guy that we recruited. Everything else just fell into place. We added people that we liked and who we thought would sound good. We were not trying to have a “supergroup” by any means, we were just bringing in people that we already knew, people we liked and got along with, and we liked the way they played together.

What’s it like being the leader of a band with that kind of talent in the mix? It almost seems like it could be a little intimidating at times.

I wouldn’t say that. I don’t make any decisions completely on my own. Obviously, I’m working with people who, in the case of Mike and John, they’ve both been in bands that have sold a lot more records than I have. I can’t just go around telling them what to do. Everyone throws their opinion on things, and that’s how we have always done it.

Tomahawk seems to thrive on exploration; there’s a certain vibe to the sound, but you guys are definitely free to roam. Is that by design, or does that come as a result of working with so much individual talent?

With people like this, you have to leave room for them to do their own thing, or they’re going to get bored and they won’t want to participate.

You guys have been in business since 2001, and you’ve put out four albums and played a lot of shows in that time. Is it safe to assume that you’re enjoying the ride?

Sure. Tomahawk has had an audience from the start, and that doesn’t always happen with new bands. For instance, John plays with a band called Battles, and they have a large audience now, but that wasn’t the case when they started. They had to start from scratch, whereas we were selling from the start. The fact that we can take time off between albums and we don’t have to worry about losing our audience, the fact that they’re still loyal and there are new people coming all the time, that’s great. We’re still breaking new ground as far as where we go to play, so yes, it’s been very enjoyable.

How has the band evolved over the years?

Well, we’ve got a new bass player. We’ve got Trevor Dunn, who kind of influences the sound and the field a little more. We all listen to different types of music and our tastes evolve over time, so that influences what you play and what you want to hear. It also influences how you hear things, so I think that a certain amount of evolution is natural. To suddenly stop and make a conscious decision to change the way you do things is contrived and unnatural, and we’ve avoided that. Our newest album, Oddfellows, just sounds like a continuation of what we’ve already done, which is how I think it should be.

I would agree, but I think you guys took a real departure in 2007, when you released Anonymous. The decision to cover Native American tunes was intriguing, and it yielded a most unique album. I’m curious about how that came about, and I wonder what pitching that concept was like. Would you describe that experience for us?

That one was very different, and deliberately so. I had been thinking about that for a while, doing a native-based thing—the band is called Tomahawk, and I found some old transcriptions of some native tunes that had been collected about a hundred years ago. As far as I knew, no one had done any arrangements, performances, or recordings of them, and they were in the public domain, which means anyone can take them and record them again, whether it’s Bach, or these native tunes. So we did it. We knew that some people would like it, and we knew that some people wouldn’t even like the fact that we were doing it, but that doesn’t matter to us. We went ahead and did it anyway. I think it’s an interesting diversion from what we normally do, and from pretty much everything else that was out at that time. I think it seems to be holding up pretty well.

Now, you guys didn’t tour Anonymous, did you?

No.

Have you incorporated any of that material into your sets, or do you plan to?

Yes, we’re doing one or two songs from that now.

Oddfellows, your most recent release, is another eclectic mix, but am I wrong for thinking that maybe it’s a bit more grounded than previous offerings? It takes you on a journey, but I don’t think it strays quite as much from the rock undercurrent that drives Tomahawk.

Well, it’s definitely more like the first two albums to me. I think it picks up where Mit Gas left off, ten years after the fact. There are always going to be elements of cinematic or soundtrack style pieces in our work, and there will always be elements of blues or jazz in there, but it’s still rock. It’s still hard rock with an experimental edge to it. That’s our territory, I think, and it seems to be working. It may not necessarily be what’s popular right now, but it works for us, and there is an audience for it.

I definitely see some contrast in the way you and Patton approach your music. On the whole, I think you prefer to be a bit more subtle and nuanced, whereas Patton really likes to crank it up and pile it on. Is there some tug-of-war being played there?

Sure, you could say that. I think of myself as more minimal. I tend to like more minimal things, while Mike tends to be more maximal. He’s a bit more excessive in pretty much everything he does than I am, put it that way. I think that makes it interesting. If I was working with someone who was just like me, the results might seem a bit more restrained, or even dull, to someone else. And if Patton was in a band with people who were all just like him, then it might be a bit too unrestrained. There may be too many different ideas competing for attention, and too many different things going on. It might be cluttered. I think there’s a good balance there.

John Stanier is a terrific talent on drums, and you’ve definitely pushed him in a lot of different directions with this group. What does his presence add to Tomahawk?

Besides being a great drummer, I think John has really good taste in music, and especially in rock. He’s good to have around whether you’re working on the basic tracks, or guitar overdubs, vocals, whatever. His opinion counts. I think that’s an important part of someone being in a band. What they contribute isn’t just what they play, it’s their ideas and their opinions.

Now, as you noted earlier, you guys brought in Trevor Dunn on bass for this album. Much like Mike, Trevor likes to cover some interesting ground. How well has he meshed with your sound?

He’s perfect for Tomahawk. Trevor is very adaptable, and he has been a professional full-time bass player for a long time. He can adapt his style and his technique for what the situation calls for. He was a perfect fit right from the get-go.

How is this line-up faring on the road?

It’s been great. Very solid, very consistent. We seem to get it together fast. A lot of times our schedules don’t give us a whole lot of time to rehearse, so we have to make the most of it. It seems like it works, and everyone is always on their game, always ready to play, you know, being responsible. That might not sound so punk-rock to people, but at this stage in our lives, and at this stage in our careers, that’s how it is.

Have you been pleased with the response to Oddfellows?

Pretty much. I don’t worry about reviews as much as I used to. I care what people think, but there are so many media outlets competing. It used to be just magazines, and now there are magazines and online things, the internet. Suddenly everyone’s a critic. Everyone has a blog, or a twitter, or a website. There are so many of them out there.
Also, with a band like Tomahawk, our success isn’t driven by the press. It’s driven by the music, and the fans who like it. From the beginning, reviews for this band have always been fairly mixed. There are people who just don’t like the band; from the beginning, they’ve seen it as contrived, as some sort of corporation where these guys got together and formed a holding company to go out and play music. But the fact is it’s a real band, the songs are real, and the people who like Tomahawk get it. They know they get it, and they don’t care what the press or the reviews say. Having said that, I will say it does seem like most of the reactions to this album have been good.

Is it too early to ask you what’s next for Tomahawk?

No, it’s not too early to ask. We’re going to finish the year out, we’re going to be touring, going overseas and stuff, and we’ll see where we’re at. I feel fairly confident that there will be another album soon. I’ve got some sketches brewing and some ideas happening. We’ve talked about it a little bit, and it seems like everyone is enjoying it. I think we can expect something else from the band fairly soon.

Now, you’re a busy guy, Duane. What are you doing musically these days when you’re not working with Tomahawk?

I just did a tour with this thing called Empty Mansions with Sam Fogarino from Interpol, and I played on his album. There are other things happening, but they’re taking a while. I don’t like talking about them too much because it takes forever for them to happen and I spend more time talking about them than doing them. So, I don’t know. Let’s just say that I don’t know what I’m doing.

Is it hard for you to switch gears when you move from one project to the next?

No, not at all.

Given the number of artists you have played with over the years and the number of bands you’ve been involved in, how has that allowed you to grow as a guitar player?

I figure there are two ways you can get better. You can stay home and study, listen to things and practice, and then the other way is to get out and play with other people. Play with new people, try to find people who are maybe just a little more advanced than you are. That forces you to dig in and play hard. I try to combine the two.

Assuming that there are times when you’re not playing guitar or working on your music, what do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m married and I have a daughter, so I’m involved in family activities, school activities. I like to swim, I like to ride my bike. I read. I cook. Basic stuff, really normal stuff. What else? What could I tell you? I drink. I drink wine out of skulls. I use a skull as a goblet and drink 200 year old wine. Or maybe I could tell you that I own silkworms, and I make my own silken robes that I lay around the house in and smoke opium. That’s pretty good, right?

I think we’ll put the quote about drinking wine from skulls in bold and that will be the lead-in for the interview.

Okay, that’s what I do. While wearing silken robes and smoking opium.

What are you listening to these days? Have you unearthed any forgotten gems lately, or are there some new kids doing something wild and crazy somewhere that we should know about?

What have I listened to in the last few days? This morning I listened to John Adams' Shaker Loops. Have you listened to that piece?

I haven’t.

You should. I drove my daughter to school while listening to Bow Wow Wow. Remember them? Actually, there’s a good band from Richmond that I like, that I got a CD from, they’re called Hex Machine. I like that. I got the new Soundgarden, King Animal, I like some of that. Horace Silver, he’s a jazz composer, I’ve got that in my car right now. That’s a pretty good cross-section of what I’ve been listening to lately.

Very interesting. Well, as I noted when we teed this interview off, you’re set to bring Tomahawk to D.C. on June 5. We look forward to seeing you at the 9:30 Club, and thanks for chatting with us, Duane.

Thank you, I appreciate it. We’ll see you down there.

-----

Tomahawk will play the 9:30 Club (815 V St NW, Washington DC) on Wednesday, June 5. Don’t miss your chance to see Duane in action, with Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn, and John Stanier rounding out the band. Tomahawk is known for delivering stellar live performances. Stanier and Dunn are steady hands with serious chops; they complement Denison’s masterful work on guitar nicely. As an added bonus, fans of bands like Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, and Fantomas can assure you that there are few lead singers who can put on a show like Mike Patton. Buke and Gase will be the opening act, and the show starts at 7:00. Tickets are only $27, and can be ordered in advance by clicking HERE.

TUESDAY: oOoOO Brings Witch House Sounds To Strange Matter

Necci — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:47:24 -0400

oOoOO--say it with me now: "oh"--a San Francisco based witch house project created by Chris Dexter, is playing at Strange Matter tonight. oOoOO is slow, repetitive, dark, and bassy. Take a listen here...

I enjoy witch house because it doesn't have to sound good. I question if it's even supposed to. It just has to feel good. A good witch house track lacks the slap-your-ass, over the top aspects of dubstep (much of which i don't enjoy), but it still feels like it just slid its hand up your skirt. It's dirty. Your feet bounce slightly when its on. It's a party of people on methadone. I like oOoOO, and I'm pumped for them to come to town. Consider spending your Tuesday at Strange Matter. Drink a Faygo and vodka. Get a little weird.

Hydrophonic, "heavy-blues metal from San Fran," will be opening. Not sure how cock rock fits the bill, but they do know how to riff. No, actually, I'm kidding--the Hydrophonics on this bill is a one-man project from RVA's own Evan Morris, incorporating tape loops and beat mashes that should fit well with oOoOO's more chilled-out recent sounds. You'll also hear RVA faves Mutwawa, Anduin, and Negative Gemini--three great projects that you should already be aware of if you're following the local electronic music scene at all.

It all happens tonight starting at 9 PM at Strange Matter (929 W. Grace St). Admission is $12 in advance (though if you're seeing this post after 6 AM, advance sales have ended--here's the link anyway for you early birds: http://ooooorva.eventbrite.com/), or $15 at the door. For more info, check out the facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/160268680790924/

Rotten Sound Unleash Brutality Upon Strange Matter This Sunday

Necci — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:14:43 -0400

Rotten Sound is a brutally angry grindcore/death metal band hailing from Vaasa, Finland. On Sunday, Strange Matter will be graced with their remorselessly blistering sound. This long-running group formed in 1993, but have undergone many lineup changes since they began. Founded by vocalist Keijo Niinimaa (aka "G"), and guitarist Mika Aalto (aka “Q”), their lineup is currently rounded out by drummer Sami Latva, who joined in 2006, and bassist Kristian Toivainen who has been in the band since 2010.

Since 93, Rotten Sound has come a long way and has evolved in both their sound and lyrical content. They produced EPs in both 95 and 96, which were fast and featured guttural vocals but had more of a punk sound. Their first album, Under Pressure, was released in 97. Its fast paced and energetic feel incorporated more metallic influences, and they quickly acquired the admiration and respect of headbanging fans and fellow musicians. Since then, they've released five more full-length albums, the most recent being 2011's Cursed. Their most recent release is the EP Species At War, released earlier this year on Season Of Mist. it can be streamed and downloaded from Rotten Sound's bandcamp page, here.

The experience of listening to a Rotten Sound album is a rather draining one, even in a relatively calm environment. Their lyrics are an extreme experience as well. Originally focused on gore and destruction, their more recent material adds a political edge, growling about gory pillaged villages left dripping in blood, a deficit of hope, and how religion is used to justify wars. While Rotten Sound have never made it to the mainstream metal scene, they have a very dedicated underground cult following, and Richmond is lucky enough to be on their tour list! People who plan to attend their show should be prepared for a sweat dripping, head banging, stranger shoving mosh pit that they can dive into and release their inner turmoil.

Presented by Vinyl Conflict, Rotten Sound will be performing at Strange Matter on Sunday, May 26, along with Japanese black metallers Abigail--the self-proclaimed "most evil band in Japan"--and locals Suppression and Occultist. This is an early, all-ages matinee show; doors open at 4 PM, and the show will be over by 8 PM--so show up early! Admission is $10, and advance tickets can be purchased at rottensound.eventbrite.com.

DAILY RECORD: Power Trip

Necci — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:53:41 -0400

Power Trip – Manifest Decimation (Southern Lord Records)

With a few exceptions, most of the really outstanding metal releases this year have owed some serious debts to a variety of bygone eras. Magic Circle evoked Pagan Altar/Candlemass doom, Noisem managed to sound like the follow-up to Seven Churches that Possessed should have written, and Darkthrone once again reinvented themselves, this time as cheap-beer-and-denim speed metal militants. Dallas crossover unit Power Trip are no exception. Like the aforementioned bands, they concoct music that is the sum of some fairly distinct parts, and also like the others, they manage to personalize the style so that it comes off as a loving tribute rather than as a direct imitation of any particular artist of yore. Unlike these others, however, they work within a genre that, though it produced a handful of great albums (Animosity-era Corrosion Of Conformity, Nuclear Assault's 80s output, and ironically everything D.R.I did up to the Crossover album), rarely lived up to its potential. As a nexus between hardcore and metal, crossover rarely lived up to the grit and intensity of the former or the atmosphere and darkness of the latter.

Power Trip, with the aid of the hindsight bestowed upon them by the decade and a half between the style's initial fall from popularity and the band's formation, chose wisely when excavating influences from which to construct their sound. The lean, metallic thrust of the better Crumbsuckers material is readily apparent, as is the heft of early Cro-Mags, and the speed of Exodus. But Manifest Decimation succeeds because it doesn't sound too heavily reminiscent of any one of its predecessors, instead capturing the general zeitgeist of crossover's glory days (and if there were a band to which they could be directly compared, it would likely be fellow Texans Iron Age, who deftly blended influences in much the same manner as Power Trip).

Many such bands have a difficult transition from short-form EP release to full-length (even some of the best – D.R.I got progressively less intense with each successive release past their earliest EPs), but Power Trip demonstrates a songwriting competence that sustains the material over a longer duration. From the start, the album features a well-developed sense of pacing, with its component songs unfurling and receding as a series of alternating thrashing and stomping, each informing the other. In their capable hands, the hardcore and thrash metal elements that crossover tended to mash against each other with varied results end up a far more coherent final product, one where the power of each song is maximized by a solid understanding of both the self-contained power and each riff and the dynamics of their total interactions.

Manifest Decimation is ultimately successful because it's of the past, without attempting to be a part of it. Their music is the sound of a genre learning hard lessons and moving on, excising the excess, hardening the sonic violence, and moving towards the sort of greater-than-the-sum-of-its-parts end result that crossover was supposed to represent in the first place. This isn't some attempt to cash in on the popularity of a style that's experienced a somewhat surprising resurgence in popularity in recent years, but rather acts as an unstoppable sonic bulldozer of the highest caliber.

Dylan, Turner, Calloway, Fitzgerald: RVA's Rich Musical History

Tony — Mon, 20 May 2013 02:31:25 -0400

I recently ran across an image of the Red Hot Chili Peppers playing Shafer Court in the late 80s and followed the link to VintageRVA. This site is an absolute goldmine of Richmond history. Below are some photos and quotes that I pulled from the past several years of entries on the site. The dates don't always add up, because some of the entries I pulled them from are a couple of years old, but you should be able to correct the math without too much trouble. If you have some time to devote to it, make sure and check out the VintageRVA blog. It's amazing, and the music-oriented posts are just the beginning of what you'll find there.

Avail at The Flood Zone - 1995
It wouldn't be a blog about Richmond without mentioning the great Avail. So today we take a trip back 16 years for an Avail, Screw 32 and Glazeride show at The Flood Zone in Shockoe Bottom from April 7th, 1995.

The B-52s at The Mosque - 1989
23 years ago the B-52s played The Mosque (now The Landmark Theater).

Bob Dylan at The Mosque - February 11th 1966
Only 7 months after his controversial first electric performance at the Newport Folk Festival, Bob Dylan rolled into town with his band to play The Mosque (now The Landmark Theater) on February 11th, 1966: 45 years ago today. He played this show in between New York City and Nashville sessions for his Blonde on Blonde album, which would be released a few months later. Tickets for this show were a whopping $2 to $3.75.

Cab Calloway at The Mosque - 1947
Here's a great ad from the Richmond Afro American - 66 years ago today Cab Calloway played The Mosque (now The Landmark Theater). Tickets were $1.88 to $3.13, including tax! Wish I could have been there...

Cheech and Chong at The Mosque - 1979
From March 28th, 1979 - 32 years ago today - comes this ad for Cheech and Chong performing at The Mosque.

Dave Matthews Band at William & Mary Hall - 1993
Not quite Richmond, but pretty close: Eighteen years ago today little known Dave Matthews Band opened up for Toad the Wet Sprocket at William & Mary Hall in Williamsburg. The ad below comes from the March 18, 1993 issue of the University of Richmond's newspaper The Collegian.

Ella Fitzgerald & Dizzy Gillespie at The Mosque - 1947
On January 15th, 1947 Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie played The Mosque (now The Landmark Theater). 56 years ago today. Tickets were $1.50 and $1.85...amazing.

Frank Zappa at The Richmond Coliseum - November 2nd, 1974
38 years ago tonight Frank Zappa played the Richmond Coliseum

Yes & The Eagles - Richmond Coliseum - 1972
Continuing on the theme from yesterday, here's an ad from the University of Richmond's Collegian for The Eagles opening for Yes on September 27th, 1972 at the Richmond Coliseum. 39 years ago today. The Eagles were opening the tour, and supporting their first album that had only been released 3 months earlier.

The Ramones at the VCU Gym - 1978
33 years ago tonight the Ramones rocked the VCU gym

Green Day at Twisters - January 22nd, 1993
Green Day played Twisters on on West Grace Street on January 22nd, 1993, 18 years ago today. This is the current location of Strange Matter, and has been known as 929, Chronos Cafe, Nanci Raygun, and The Back Door among others over the years.

Jesus Lizard at The Flood Zone - 1993
Aaahhh the grunge years in Richmond. Not that the Jesus Lizard were grunge, but some of the people in this crowd shot sure are. Anyone spot themselves in this pic from The Flood Zone on June 4th, 1993...18 years ago yesterday? Helmet and Loudspeaker played as well. My favorite is the guy with the overall shorts in the upper right corner.

Rollins Band - The Flood Zone - 1992
19 years ago today The Rollins Band played at The Flood Zone in Shockoe Bottom, along with Corrosion of Conformity.

(MAIN IMAGE DESCRIPTION) Tina Turner & Steel Mill at The Mosque - 1970
41 years ago today Bruce Springsteen and his band Steel Mill opened for Ike & Tina Turner at The Mosque (now The Landmark Theater).

Somebody Hit Toots Hibbert In The Head With A Bottle

Necci — Sun, 19 May 2013 14:00:22 -0400

Aaaand this is why we can't have nice things. Last night at Dominion Riverrock, an annual weekend-long music festival that takes place on Brown's Island, Richmond was lucky enough to witness a headlining set by reggae pioneers Toots And The Maytals--or, well, most of one. Fifteen minutes before the set was supposed to end, a 19 year old man (whose name has not been released yet--lucky for him) threw a glass vodka bottle at the stage with such force that it cut open singer Toots Hibbert's forehead. The band immediately stopped playing, Toots was taken to the hospital, and the crowd was told to disperse. Angry audience members in the immediate area of the bottle-thrower immediately yielded him up to the police, and he was arrested and charged with aggravated assault.

There are a lot of reasons why this shouldn't have happened. For one thing, glass bottles are not allowed into Dominion Riverrock, and security checks bags thoroughly to make sure no one is sneaking any in. For another, the bottle thrower was 19, and therefore too young to be in lawful possession of a vodka bottle anyway. Concert authorities are trying to get to the bottom of what happened. Venture Richmond's executive director, Jack Berry, told the Times-Dispatch that the miscreant in question may have stolen a bottle from a vendor--but of course vendors keep a pretty close watch on their stock, so even this would have taken some doing. This raises a lot of questions--most prominently, of course, the question of why in the world someone would think it was ever a good idea to throw a bottle at a performer.

One thing we do know for sure is that this guy was more like the proverbial bad apple that spoils an entire bunch than an accurate representative of the crowd as a whole. Attendees were furious at the poor treatment of the singer, and many took to facebook, twitter, and other social networking sites to express their outrage. Thankfully, festival manager Steve Lecky told the Times-Dispatch that Toots Hibbert did not hold the incident against Richmond as a whole, saying that he'd like to come back to Richmond in the future. Apparently the singer was not seriously injured; he was treated at VCU Medical Center and released around 1 AM, only a few hours after the incident occurred. Hibbert is scheduled to begin an acoustic tour in New York today. Dominion Riverrock's final day of activities will go on today as scheduled--hopefully without further incident.

Theatre Preview: The Beauty Queen of Leenane at Henley Street Theatre

Necci — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:38:09 -0400

The titular beauty referred to in The Beauty Queen of Leenane lies not in outward appearance, but in playwright Martin McDonagh’s ability to make you feel uncomfortable. A story about a family working against itself while simultaneously being dependent on each other, Henley Street Theatre’s upcoming production offers Richmond audiences an engaging and often difficult view into what life can look like at the end of the world.

Middle-aged spinster Maureen lives on the outskirts of a small Irish village with her elderly and agitated mother Mag. Yearning for a chance at love and ultimately escape, these two characters have such an honest and compelling dynamic between them that you can’t help but cringe.

“It’s certainly about a dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship. The daughter is older and has one last chance for love, and her mother has… other plans,” says Henley Street founder and managing director Jacquie O’Connor. “It used to be this big secret. You used to have to pretend everything was okay within your family. The June Cleaver mom and the Beav – it’s not that way anymore.”

What is family without being at odds with each other? This is a theme McDonagh weaves seamlessly into his work and what makes him one of the top playwrights of our generation. Though Irish culture and often-strange colloquialisms are heavily featured, his comprehension of sentence structure and humor is so sharp that anyone who’s been in the heat of an argument with family can instantly relate.

“Where we used to be able to say things like ‘those Irish, they’re are a people of angst,’ I think we Americans are a people of angst too. We’re closer to each other than we know, which is why we can identify with this kind of humor,” says O’Connor.

Audiences will recognize Richmond favorites Jill Bari Steinberg, Mary Best Bova, and Tony Foley in the leading roles, as well as newcomer Alexander Sapp. The show is helmed by acclaimed writer and director Bo Wilson. “This a very specific type of play, a black comedy,” says O’Connor, “and there has to be humor within the horrific things that you are seeing and hearing. I think Bo understands that fully.”

The show certainly leaves you with something that needs to be discussed, and O’Connor hopes audiences will leave wanting to talk about it. “And maybe the next time you’re having an argument with someone in your family you’ll think about this play and go, OK, maybe there’s another way to go about this.”

Performances begin May 24th and run through June 15th at SPARC – 2106A North Hamilton Street, with a preview on May 23rd. Talk-backs with the director and cast follow the 2pm performances on June 2nd and 9th. You can purchase tickets by phone at 1-888-695-0888 or at www.HenleyStreetTheatre.org.

By Jerid Prater/originally appeared at gayrva.com