Saturday, August 17, 10 a. m. – 7 p. m.
GWAR-B-Q, featuring GWAR, Municipal Waste, Corrosion of Conformity, Pig Destroyer, Cannabis Corpse, X-Cops, Warbeast, Battlecross, Wilson, Mobile Death Camp, Volture, Kung-Fu Dykes @ Hadad’s Lake (7900 Osborne Turnpike – East Henrico)
The infamous GWAR-B-Q is easily one of the best events of the year.
Saturday, August 17, 10 a. m. – 7 p. m.
GWAR-B-Q, featuring GWAR, Municipal Waste, Corrosion of Conformity, Pig Destroyer, Cannabis Corpse, X-Cops, Warbeast, Battlecross, Wilson, Mobile Death Camp, Volture, Kung-Fu Dykes @ Hadad’s Lake (7900 Osborne Turnpike – East Henrico)
The infamous GWAR-B-Q is easily one of the best events of the year. It’s Slaughterama and Best Friends Day rolled into one. A cheesy festival sponsored by corporate Richmond it is not. This event is also a benefit for those adorable poodles at Ring Dog Rescue.
Now the good stuff–this is a day full of rage and guilty pleasures in what I consider the metal capital of the world, Eastern Henrico County. It’s metal heaven right alongside Hadad’s Lake. Every kind of metal, from brand new to old school, can be soaked in. GWAR of course headlines, but how about those local thrash metal wackos Municipal Waste? Yes, they’re here too. Also joining the headliners will be Raleigh’s Corrosion of Conformity with their heavier than heavy metal/hardcore crossover, as they celebrate 31 years as a band this summer.Pig Destroyer will not only destroy pigs, but also your ears with grindcore to write home about. And then there’s Cannabis Corpse, with all things green and smoking. Damn, it’s refer madness up in here with these stoner metal gods.
Dave Brockie’s other band, X-Cops, will arrest you with their metal anarchy. Also, watch out for the church-burning metal of Warbeast, Battlecross and Volture – they may steal the show. Hey, what about those ladies rubbing wool and doing karate? Yeah, those glowing kids may too just steal everyone’s heart. Actually, every band performing has a ton of debauchery and hellfire to give to you. Whether it’s heavy, thrash, stoner, grindcore, doom, hardcore, or black metal, it’s all here at Hadad’s. So pull the station wagon out of the garage, grab the kids and the picnic basket, along with your new swimming trunks, because it’s going to be a fantastic day at the lake!
Wednesday, August 14, 6 p.m.
Stay Sweet presents Meridian, Pedals On Our Pirate Ships (pictured above), Close Talker, Jake Mayday @ Strange Matter – $5/All Ages
Leave it up to Stay Sweet to deliver us the finest in acoustic folk punk rock music. Ohio’s Meridian is an ever-evolving real music parade that is both enlightening and just plain great. Richmond’s version of a get-off-your-ass-and-dance episode of Dr. Oz, Pedals on Our Pirate Ships prove once again that all those bike shops around Richmond are a front for the party. The pop punk stylings of Close Talker and of course, the man with a plan, Jake Mayday, open this Sebastian Bach of a hump day.
Thursday, August 15, 7 p.m.
The Trigger System presents A Great Big Pile of Leaves, Goldtooth, Sugar Glyder, Herro Sugar, Sainthood Reps @ The Camel $10/All Ages.
The emotional indie rock of A Great Big Pile of Leaves has a lot of folks on the streets talking. This band has what it takes, and will certainly receive tons of love from Richmond. AGBPL has noteworthy DIY roots and is touring in support of their new LP, You’re Always On My Mind.
Also on tour on this bill of jocularity are Charlotte’s bubble-bounce maestros of indie pop, Sugar Glyder. Damn, sure is a lot of sugar on this bill. That’s just perfect–hyper just got hyper. Sainthood Reps also will spin you around.
Richmond rock-of-ages group, Goldtooth, along with the inspirational indie pop rock of Herro Sugar, provide local support.
Thursday, August 15, 8 p.m.
Synthetic Nightmare, Low On Sanity, Machine Chop Inc. @ Fallout – $5/18+
Goth-industrial is the enjoyable rush of pain and pleasure we all need in our lives. This local showcase of the best progressive Goth-industrial this city has to offer is your sanctuary tonight. Besides, when’s the last time you saw the harsh industrial of Synthetic Nightmare? It’s absolutely fabulous to have them back. The trios of Low On Sanity and Machine Chop Inc. will billow you into the depths of hell like a steam engine raging towards a dark tunnel with no end. Leave the vampires to the suburban female teenagers and get serious. Thursday shows at Fallout are the devil’s brew, so let’s all take a big swig and run, not walk, to the Bottom to see this extra special night of beautiful horror.
Friday, August 16, 8 p.m.
B4-B-Q featuring Bloody Crackdown, Apocalypse Dudes, U.S. Bastards, Savage Attack, Red Box Money Cult, Rong, Stuck Backwards @ Canal Club – $5 (free with GWAR-B-Q ticket)/18+
Well, if there is going to be anything this week as good a time as GWAR-B-Q, why shouldn’t it be B4BQ? What a terrorizing lineup full of guts and power. That amazing Turbonegro tribute everyone loves, Apocalypse Dudes, head up this night of nights. They are truly punk rock. Bloody Crackdown, while championing Armageddon with their beast-like hard rock, are ready to deliver you to musical genocide. The self-described face-melting, skull crushing, bone-breaking metal of Savage Attack, the brutal old school hardcore of Red Box Money Cult, and U.S. Bastards open this prequel to end all prequels.
Saturday, August 17, 9 p.m.
Sounds of RVA Showcase featuring Hoax Hunter, Colloquial Orchestra, The Dirty Picture Show @ Bogart’s in the Fan – $5/21+
Sounds of RVA continue to showcase some of the best music in Richmond. Oh, screw it–the World! Yes, these showcases are pivotal in regards to the future of our ears. Hoax Hunters are as underrated an indie punk band as there is. Their unique sounds can even be construed as experimental. This trio is a trio of giants. Hoax Hunters are musicians that eat, sleep, and breathe music. Their attention to detail keeps crowds screaming for more.
Then, oh my word, that collective of Richmond musician stalwarts, Colloquial Orchestra, is in the house. Colloquial Orchestra is a multi-faceted collection of the best singers, songwriters, and performers this city beholds. The lineup can be different from show to show, but what you’ll get is everything from experimental jazz, folk, indie, and even a bit of purebred rock and roll with a slice of acoustic thrown in. Led by the man himself, Dave Watkins, this improvisational ensemble always leaves you breathless. Take them in, Richmond; you’ll be better for it.
Then there’s the Dirty Picture Show. Who doesn’t love porn–excuse me, funky grooves? The Dirty Picture Show will dazzle and delight. Shit, with this lineup, I’m already at Bogart’s–waiting for you, of course.
Sunday, August 18, 8 p.m.
Dropkick Murphys, Swingin’ Utters, BarRoom Heroes @ The National – $26-$29/All Ages
Boston’s Dropkick Murphys are the quintessential Celtic punk band. Of course they are–coming from Boston, they have to be. Forget the Tea Party and the Red Sox, let’s rock. Whiskey is always encouraged when this band of 17-year-veterans storms the beaches of the James River. Every Irishman in Richmond will be at the National tonight, so if that’s your thing, then go to it. Side note: when I was in Europe, it was always the Irishmen I met that I had a great time with. Of course, they outdrank me, but I outsmoked them, seeing as Richmond is the cigarette capital of the world. Maybe it isn’t anymore, I don’t know… Anyway, sorry, way off track here. I guess what I’m trying to say is get your tickets this second because this mega-event may perhaps sell out. See you there! I’ll be the guy in the Larry Bird jersey.
Monday, August 19, 8 p.m.
Floodwall, My Darling Fury, Glass Twin (pictured above) @ The Camel Free/18+
If you are a lovely lady, then you might want to drop in on this one. This is a full slate of indie-folk and dynamite vocals from some serious lads. Floodwall is that ambient rock band with passionate vocals you need to put your arms around. This four-piece never disappoints, as this high riser of a band will not only keep the water away, but will also keep the obvious away. My Darling Fury continues to gain momentum. Led by Danny Reyes, this quintet means business, and with all the hype behind their recent video, they can fill a room on a Monday night.
Glass Twin, formerly the Richmond band Marionette, is back with a vengeance and a new name. The quality alt-pop is still there. This band is a high riser as well, so catch their catchiness on this fine Monday evening, and while you’re at it, pray like the rest of us that Fan Tan might be on its way out.
Tuesday, August 20, 9 p. m.
Singer-Songwriter Showcase featuring Well-Dressed Beast (Becca Zuckerman & Randy Martin), Gregory James Collins Jr., Psalm Swarr, Collin Warren, Sam McCoig, Sarah Nelms, J. Safina @ The Camel ñ Free/18+
The monthly Singer-Songwriter Showcase at the Camel is always a beautiful night of acoustic music. The words are set free like doves into the Richmond sky. Sit back and listen as the masterful bare-to-the-bones sounds accentuate our ears.
All the performers are all wonderful and unique in their own right, but watch out for Well-Dressed Beast, as this acoustic duo will transform your inner sanctity. Also, James Collins Jr. will get your heart skipping, and Psalm Swarr will captivate you with swooning music from her amazing travels.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)
