FEATURE SHOW
Sunday, December 8, 7 p.m.
The Cheats Movement presents The Return of RVA Hot Sauce featuring Photosynthesizers, Anousheh, Ohbliv, Radio B, Michael Millions, Noah O, JD Haze, The Honorable Sleaze (photo by Marc Cheatham), Open Mic Freestyle Cyphers, Patience Salgado, and the Coalition Theater folks @ Gallery 5 – $10/All Ages.
Marc Cheatham is easily the hardest working man in show business. The man that heads up the Cheats Movement blog does not rest until the best in Richmond culture is on display for everyone to see.
FEATURE SHOW
Sunday, December 8, 7 p.m.
The Cheats Movement presents The Return of RVA Hot Sauce featuring Photosynthesizers, Anousheh, Ohbliv, Radio B, Michael Millions, Noah O, JD Haze, The Honorable Sleaze (photo by Marc Cheatham), Open Mic Freestyle Cyphers, Patience Salgado, and the Coalition Theater folks @ Gallery 5 – $10/All Ages.
Marc Cheatham is easily the hardest working man in show business. The man that heads up the Cheats Movement blog does not rest until the best in Richmond culture is on display for everyone to see. Yesterday Frommer’s Travel Guide said Richmond will be one of the top destination cities in the world for 2014. Well, Marc Cheatham is the main reason why. This cat always puts on Show of the Year Candidate gigs. Tonight at Gallery 5 is arguably his best yet. The Hot Sauce series just got oh so much hotter. This year’s lineup defines miracles. This is a lineup one could only dream of. Along with the insane comedy of the Richmond Comedy Coalition, there is a little bit of everything in regards to hip hop, soul, r&b, and pure beats. This night is conscious, and this night is real–get out on this fine Sunday evening to witness the surreal. The Photosynthesizers will bring the ecstatic soul-tronic vibes, while hip hop DJ extraordinaire Ohbliv will put us in unison with the beats. Then, holy James River, the man himself, the Thug Wilder aka Noah O ransacks another mic. Just writing this preview gives me goosebumps. In the heart of the night will be a mesmerizing performance by the vocalist all vocalists need to pay homage to. Anousheh will hold the evening. Since it’s mostly a night of hip hop, you’ll find the hip hop is exquisite, thanks to the stellar emcees of Radio B, Michael Millions, and the Honorable Sleaze. Also, one of the most talented and underrated emcees in the area, Petersburg’s JD Haze, will get serious. This show is hot–damn hot. Opening this convention of smooth will be Patience Salgado along with an open mic freestyle cypher. Did I hear rumors of Gritty City joining this open mic? Well that’s it; see you there with the rest of Richmond!
Wednesday, December 4, 10 p.m.
Screaming Females, The Cales, Wet Brain, Mr. Elevator & the Brain Hotel @ Strange Matter 10pm. 18+
Well, look whose back in town. New Jersey’s Screaming Females come back to Richmond with as much fervor as before. This indie punk band continues to swell in people’s estimation as they take in the astounding sounds of Screaming Females. They’re fronted by the incomparable Marissa Paternoster, who’ll have you at hello, no problem, not only with her gigantic voice, but her guitar playing as well. This is a fun innovative band, definitely check them out, and see what all the hoopla is about. The local dark punk band on Bad Grrrl Records, The Cales, might steal the show, so pay attention. The sludge metal of Wet Brain may have lost their marbles, but their sludge punk is passion personified. Another great band name this week in Richmond, Mr. Elevator & the Brain Hotel, will prove through their psych blowouts, they are worth more than just their name. See you at the show.
Thursday, December 5, 9 p.m.
Ego Likeness, Servitor @ Fallout – $10/18+
Baltimore’s two headed monster Ego Likeness, featuring Steven Archer and Donna Lynch, slide on down to Shockoe Bottom tonight to pillage our minds with their spiritual dark-wave and industrial music. You will be moving to the crescendo, I can guarantee you that. Opening this dark sanctuary from underneath hell will be the upside-down-cross black metal of Servitor.
Friday, December 6, 7:00 p.m.
First Friday featuring Gull, Navi (pictured above), Dumb Waiter, Hard Copies Exhibit Opening @ Gallery 5 – Free/All Ages.
Gallery 5 sure does get groovy on First Fridays. Wow, what a miracle lineup. Half Man Half Steamroller, Gull is here for you art lovers. This man is harder than a strap-on dildo as he treats a drum kit like a pizza maker treats dough. His banging on the drum and guitar all day is psychedelic, it’s surf, it’s garage, and it is one man’s travels to spread the word of a clandestine feeling. Then again, Gull is more than a feeling.
Navi too is a two man belligerence that has mammals dancing. The two best drummers in Richmond are performing on the same bill…There is a god somewhere.
Watch out, because there is more – Dumb Waiter, with their splendid take on progressive instrumental math rock, rounds out this night of incredible live music. Also, while you’re enjoying the tunes, checkout the great art show – Hard Copies – featuring new works by some of the best artists you will ever see.
Saturday, December 7, 10 p.m.
Coke Bust, Barge, Mercenary, Unholy Thoughts, Protester @ Strange Matter – $8/18+
Featuring my favorite band name of recent note, DC’s Coke Bust is hardcore so good, it beats masturbation. Straight edge and proud, this band is warped speed times ten. Always the arousing pleasure and pain in the pit, Coke Bust takes you toward a side of beauty and beast in regards to violence. Respect is given when these four lads bludgeon your insecurities. Barge is that power violence punk band that if you haven’t seen, well, put it this way, you are living a sad existence. This band is brilliance with a sprinkling of hatred coupled with smiles. It’s Saturday night, do you know where your Barge allegiance is? The always entertaining Mercenary, with their angry punk and bad aptitudes, ransack your ears; as will the wicked hardcore punk of Richmond’s Unholy Thoughts. These guys blast off like a nice big ‘ole crack-pipe hit. Then there’s Protester. I’m guessing this is either every twenty-something white person in Richmond, or a phenomenal punk outfit. I’ll go with the latter.
Monday, December 9, 10 p.m.
Off with Their Heads, Morning Glory, Direct Hit!, Close Talker @ Strange Matter – $12/18+
Stay Sweet Records continues to deliver Richmond amazing shows. This wing-dinger is no different. A great Minnesota punk band headlines this huge night of bouncing punk rock–whether it be pop, hardcore, or street. Off With Their Heads can feature various musicians on a given night, but steadfast guitarist and frontman Ryan Young can flat out rage while blowing your mind. This band on the Epitaph label is a must see in the world of punk rock in the twenty-first century. This band is as accomplished and full of experience as it gets with their endless touring and recordings. Having multiple replaceable band mates can do this for a band. Not a bad strategy if you ask me. The other amazing serving tonight will be Fat Wreck Chords’ Morning Glory. This band that meshes pop, ska, and anarcho-punk is a killer on the stage. Watch out, Morning Glory’s punch is glorious. The pop-punk of Milwaukee’s Direct Hit! and Richmond’s Close Talker open this barrage of frantic punk heads rolling around like snakes with their heads cut off.
Tuesday, December 10, 6 p.m.
Daniel Bachman @ Steady Sounds – Free/All Ages
Touring in support of his newest LP Seven Pines, Fredericksburg’s Daniel Bachman comes to Steady Sounds for a very poignant in-store. This pivotal 22 year old steel-string finger-style guitarist has been doing it for years, and now it’s safe to say he has mastered the craft. This man cannot be missed. Bachman’s music, which he describes as “psychedelic Appalachia,” is a fresh take on historical sounds from our region. See this guy up close and personal, Richmond, as this rising talent will soar across all lands on this vastly wide planet.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)
