Well don’t go looking for a lot of local acts this weekend in Richmond, as many of them will be trekking to Harrisonburg to participate in Macrock XXVVII. A two day affair that will span much of downtown Harrisonburg where dozens of acts will be gracing numerous stages all around town. Here in the city though, three old school LA punk groups come to The National for a night of retro fun, and The Mitras have a new single coming out this Friday that signals a new era for the band. I’ve got it all and more for you on this week’s SOUND CHECK.
Are you a band with new tunes, a listener with suggestions, or just want to say hi? Send an email to Bones@rvamag.com
MACROCK XXVII
There are far too many bands on this year’s Macrock schedule to discuss in its entirety. However, it is going to be an two days full of music from up and down the east coast of the United States with bands and artists coming from Miami, Delaware, Brooklyn, Baltimore, Philadelphia and more. I’ll give you the run down on some of the Richmond artists who are gracing the stages of this indie festival in Harrisonburg this weekend.
Friday, April 5th @ Harrisonburg, VA
Mackenzie Roark – 3:50 pm @ The Little Grill
The Hot Pants are on a hot streak with Mackenzie Roark going all over the place. Having just come back from a European tour, Roark is set to open for the second week of Friday Cheers this May and now she’s pushing her sounds out in Harrisonburg. Country music with a modern twinge, I imagine her brand will go over well out in the Shenandoah Valley, so make sure to catch her before she gets to big to find.
Juniper Tree – 5:20 pm @ The Little Grill
Like to take it slow on a Friday afternoon? Juniper Tree have got your prescription of good vibes and dulcet tones. This Richmond-based duo are steeped in the Appalachian tradition with a more polished approach that lends itself to a poppier and spacey sound. Their self-titled debut album from December 2023 is the perfect introduction full of easy listening and well rounded dreamy, country tunes.
Destructo Disk – 8:50 at Restless Moon Brewery
Richmond’s very own underground punk silly billies are making an appearance in Harrisonburg Friday night for those who desire a little bit more energy going into the nighttime. This group exploded onto the scene and have garnered a massive following, which, despite the volatile nature of the Almighty algorithm, they have managed to maintain. Check out our Sound Check Video with Destructo Disk from late last year to get a feel for the band’s music and their big personalities if you aren’t familiar with them already.
Saturday, April 6th @ Harrisonburg, VA
Zach Benson – 11:00 pm @ Clementine Cafe
This flamboyant up and coming star from Richmond has what you want if you like catchy hooks and electro-pop. Zach Benson puts on a high energy show full of loud and memorable songs, and always brings a crowd no matter where in the city he plays or what day of the week. Unintrusive dance music full of queer energy makes Zach Benson a must see late night act for this festival, so if you want to unwind after two days of music, I couldn’t think of any act better to end on.
Circle Breaker – 2:00 pm @ Golden Pony
Perhaps the heaviest act making its way to Harrisonburg this weekend, Circle Breaker are playing in the middle of the day at a venue called the Golden Pony. If you know their sound then you will understand why this is amusing. I’d rather not spoil the surprise, so check out their Bandcamp for a dose of heavy tunes.
Camp Werewolf – 12:30 pm @ Sage Bird Ciderworks
Talk about a band who can do anything. Camp Werewolf are one of those rare ensembles that find versatility to be a strong suit, and their eclectic nature is perhaps their most interesting attribute rather than a handicap like it is for many bands finding their sound. From the soft acoustic tracks on their 2022 EP Soft Sculptures to the post-hardcore elements front and center in their most recent single releases, Camp Werewolf are quietly one of the more exciting bands in the city. Check out their newest single “Something to Scream About,” and then if you like them enough head on over to Safe Bird Ciderworks for a glimpse of them live.
out of town acts to see
CIRCLE JERKS, DESCENDENTS & ADOLESCENTS
Saturday, April 6th @ The National
Doors: 7:00 pm
If you’re in the city and not following the mass exodus of the scene out to Harrisonburg for the weekend, then perhaps you’d like a night of some hardcore, old school punk. Three staples of the west coast 80’s punk scenes will be descending on our city Saturday to rock The National to its core and bring it to the ground. A dual headlining show, Circle Jerks and Descendents are the big names of the night with their old school sound (and Descendents amusing mascot). Joining the night of fun are Adolescents who will be bringing their slightly rougher exterior to accompany the two headliners whose sounds have evolved with a more studio polished sheen. It’s going to be a crazy night full of good hard fun, just don’t make your way to the middle of the standing room if you don’t want to get caught in a mosh pit.
local & regional releases
THE MITRAS – “RED ROVER” (single)
This latest endeavor by Richmond trio The Mitras does exactly what I think it desires to do. While the ensemble released a string of singles last year, the first two possessed a lighthearted and jovial nature to them, while their summer EP RIPE leaned began leading into heavier music and darker lyrical themes. Though they profess to maintain the tradition of 90s outfits like Nirvana and The Vines, a resemblance that bears itself far more clearly at their live shows, “Red Rover” now truly feels like the band picking up a thread that musicians like Kurt Cobain were starting to work with and perhaps never mined the full potential. Unpretentious and in your face, this newest single by the Richmond power trio signals new developments for this burgeoning act that has the potential to trail blaze their way down whatever path they desire. Available this Friday, April 5th, keeps your eyes and ears open.
What I’ve been listening to
THE LAST DINNER PARTY – PRELUDE TO ECSTASY (album)
You might know this group, or you might not. Their meteoric rise is indicative of the new musical age that we find ourselves in where the internet and the algorithm and propel artists to newfound fame literally overnight. Formed in 2021, The Last Dinner Party have gone from releasing their debut single in April of 2023, and less than a year later their playing Coachella having amassed over 5,000,000 monthly listeners on Spotify; it staggering when the numbers are placed in front of you. But are they deserving? In short, there is never an answer to a question as subjective as that, but they are interesting and compelling at least. Their freshman album came out in February of this year, and it is a lot. From their orchestral title track “Prelude To Ecstasy,” to the record’s hit single “Nothing Matters,” The Last Dinner Party are boisterous and loud in sound and presentation, holding nothing back and giving everything they have in every moment. You might get a few looks for the first minute and a half, but Prelude to Ecstasy is an album for many occasions, so just find the right one and put it on.
Top photo courtesy of Mackenzie Roark
