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Sound Check! X-Cops, Velvet Ruin & Camo Face

by | Jan 2, 2025 | DOWNTOWN RVA, ELECTRONIC & EXPERIMENTAL, FESTIVALS & PARTIES, METAL, PUNK, THRASH & HARDCORE, MUSIC, NIGHTLIFE, ROCK & INDIE

What Richmond needs is a good music documentary. If you look at these bills, week after week is insane talent front to back. I want someone to document all of these bands, each one deserves it. We need to cherish and capture this Richmond musical renaissance.

Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. 

Richmond Music Hall
Wednesday, January 8th
X Cops, Belushi Speed Ball, U.S. Bastards

X Cops is an act that falls somewhere in the GWAR Cinematic Universe, with overlapping members trading monsters, blood, and cum for badges and ‘staches as their cop characters. My hot take for today: I actually prefer X Cops in this competition. Their choruses are anthemic—the kind that makes you rush to the front of the crowd, piling over a swarm of other animals to bark something into the mic as the singer leans in. They definitely have some of that over-the-top shock value, which I’m not really into, but I think this is going to be a great live show.

Belushi Speed Ball is so Richmond-pilled. They’re the perfect mix of 80s hardcore, thrash metal, and effortless comedy. The drumming is the real standout for me; it’s what I imagine a 1960s lobotomy must sound like—in a good way.

U.S. Bastards reminds me of early Metallica, but with arguably even more energy. That’s my word for these guys: energy. They’ve got it, they’re full of it, and they’re blasting it.

Velvet Ruin_photo by Jack Durham_RVA Magazine 2024
Velvet Ruin, photo by Jack Durham

This is the start of the “Month of Poe” at Gallery 5 so it is only natural to kick it off with some goth.

Velvet Ruin has yet to release anything online, but from what I’ve seen, they seem like a real force live. The vocals are powerful, abstract, and truly alluring. I’m hoping to catch them in 2025. I’m also really intrigued by Eli Owens’ harp. The atmosphere in their 2018 album Coming of Age is incredible. There’s so much to discover and explore in these songs. Every Eye holds so much mystery. With Eli Owens’ music, you find yourself uncovering layers; with Every Eye, you get lost, twisting into new and unnatural corners of a house or a maze that you could never map.

The Camel
Saturday, January 4th
Camo Face, Wagging, Oh Devil, REVERSE YR CURSE

Camo-Face-band_photo-by-Bobby-Bruderle_RVA-Magazine-2024
Camo Face, photo by Bobby Bruderle

“Crimes” by Camo Face is the kind of song that fills your tank. It gives you that boost to power through the last three hours of work and hands you a beer when you feel like you don’t deserve to kick your feet up. That song is off their EP that closed out 2024. I think I could see a long and loving relationship between myself and these five tracks. The duo pushes bass, drums, and synth to their absolute limits, creating an incredibly full sound infused with nonstop optimism.

Wagging is an Asheville group with simply sincere songwriting. Their music feels familiar—not because I’ve heard it before, but because it’s like reconnecting with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. It’s incredibly relaxing and sweet, reminiscent of early Hinds, with a close and friendly voice narrating with love.

Oh Devil is on my ever-growing list of locals I really want to see live. Their poppy-alternative sound is what I grew up on. I found their lyrics so relatable and reflective of young adult life. I believe REVERSE YR CURSE is opening. I know it can be hard to get a crowd to dance when you’re the first band on, but if anyone can do it, it’s this group. Their drums and bass are so bouncy and fun that you can’t help but move around.

RICHMOND SHOW LIST!

JANUARY 2025

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ALLIANZ AMPHITHEATER

Saturday, 6/21 Dwight Yoakam BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 7/19 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 8/6 Styx & Kevin Cronin + Don Felder BUY TICKETS
Friday, 8/29 Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas BUY TICKETS
Monday, 9/22 “Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour BUY TICKETS

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RICHMOND FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB

Sunday, 2/2 Karen Morgan BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 2/6 Rock Comedy Tour ft. Mike Young & Friends BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/7 – Saturday, 2/8 Bill Bellamy BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/14 – Saturday, 2/15 Anthony Rodia BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/21 – Saturday, 2/22 Steven Ho BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 2/23 Geoffrey Asmus BUY TICKETS
Tuesday, 2/25 Steve Hofstetter BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 2/27 Brad Upton BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/28 – Saturday, 3/1 Funny Marco BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 3/5 Calimar White aka Agent Ratliff BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 3/6 Jermaine “Funnymane” Johnson BUY TICKETS
Friday, 3/7 – Saturday, 3/8 Nick Swardson BUY TICKETS
Friday, 3/14 – Sunday, 3/16 Godfrey BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 3/26 Peter Antoniou BUY TICKETS
Friday, 3/28 – Saturday, 3/29 Dave Attell BUY TICKETS

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EMBER MUSIC HALL

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THE BROADBERRY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SHOWS

All shows are at The Broadberry unless otherwise noted.

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DOMINION ENERGY CENTER

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ALTRIA THEATRE

Griffin Smalley

Griffin Smalley

My name is Griffin Strummer Smalley and naturally with that name I am a massive music fan. Primarily you can find me fronting local punk band Artschool! 22 years old and mainly focusing on snuffing out nihilism. Keep on livin'

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Topics: Gallery 5 events, Richmond alternative bands, Richmond goth music, Richmond live music, richmond local bands, Richmond Music Hall shows, Richmond music renaissance, Richmond music scene, RVA music documentary, The Camel concerts

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