Here’s the second half of our readers poll results, continued from yesterday. Click here to go back and read the first half. We now rejoin the End Of The World Readers Poll Results, already in progress.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE NEW ISSUE OF RVA MAGAZINE!
Here’s the second half of our readers poll results, continued from yesterday. Click here to go back and read the first half. We now rejoin the End Of The World Readers Poll Results, already in progress.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE NEW ISSUE OF RVA MAGAZINE!
LOCAL METAL BAND: CANNABIS CORPSE
These death metal ragers have always had a sense of humor, titling songs and albums with marijuana-themed parodies of classics from their chosen genre. However, their music is 100% original and often better than the bands they parody, so it’s no surprise that the RVA metal community has honored them in this year’s poll. After a year of lineup instability briefly saw Lamb Of God’s Randy Blythe fronting the group, Cannabis Corpse have reconstituted as a three-piece, with bassist Landphil taking on lead vocal duties and GWAR guitarist Brent Legion rounding out the lineup. Their recent signing to Season Of Mist Records means we can expect big things from Cannabis Corpse in the near future.
2ND PLACE: BALACLAVA
HONORABLE MENTION: GRITTER
LOCAL HARDCORE/PUNK BAND: THE CATALYST
The Catalyst’s progressive, psychedelic take on metallic hardcore hardly fits the stereotypical idea of punk rock, but Richmond has always respected musical innovation. Their third album, 2012’s Voyager, drew widespread acclaim for its elaborate conceptual framework and powerful, memorable riffs, and their recently released split vinyl EP with French band Aussitot Mort follows up the album in fine fashion. We also like it loud here in RVA, and The Catalyst deliver a ferocious wall of noise whenever they play. If you haven’t seen them live yet, make sure you fix that as soon as possible.
2ND PLACE: TUNGS
HONORABLE MENTION: HOLD TIGHT
LOCAL ROCK BAND: BLACK GIRLS
Black Girls have spent years now ensuring their total dominance over the local rock scene in Richmond, and clearly it’s given them a solid place in the heart of the community. Dishing out their patented brand of funky, jammy, soulful rock n’ roll, which they lovingly refer to as “snuff rock,” Black Girls turn every venue they play into a giant dance party. Everyone has so much fun that it’s no wonder that, after spending a year playing RVA on a near-weekly basis, they can still pack the house in places like The Camel and Balliceaux. Lately the band’s been taking their act on the road, but surely their absence will only make local music lovers’ hearts beat ever more fondly for RVA’s favorite sons.
2ND PLACE: THE MILKSTAINS
HONORABLE MENTION: HEAVY MIDGETS
LOCAL SONGWRITER: TIM BARRY
Tim Barry has come a long way since his days singing for Avail, the melodic hardcore band who put RVA on the map in the 90s. In his current solo work, he’s returned to his roots, playing a distinctly American brand of folk, country, and blues on his acoustic guitar, and singing with the passion he’s carried through everything he’s done. His fifth album, 40 Miler, which was released last year, found Tim in a hopeful, uplifting frame of mind, and working with quite a few local Richmonders to craft his musical visions. This year, he’ll be taking those visions on tour all over the US and Europe, representing Richmond VA wherever he goes.
2ND PLACE: MATTHEW E. WHITE
HONORABLE MENTION: GULL
LOCAL JAZZ/FUNK/JAM BAND: NO BS! BRASS BAND
This large, fluctuating crew of horn players and percussionists has been impressing crowds from every walk of life around Richmond for years now. With their mix of upbeat, energetic original compositions and surprising, delightfully arranged covers, No BS! Brass Band are equally at home performing at a Sunday afternoon street fair or in a packed, sweltering club on a Saturday night. Despite founder Reggie Pace’s recent work with Grammy-winning indie group Bon Iver, No BS! haven’t slowed down one iota, and fans of all ages can look forward to their latest album, RVA All Day, hitting the streets this spring. Hooray!
2ND PLACE: DJ WILLIAMS PROJEKT
HONORABLE MENTION (TIE): PROVERBIAL & FORMER CHAMPIONS
LOCAL HIP HOP ARTIST: BLACK LIQUID
He told us in a song: “Liq Don’t Stop”–and anyone paying attention to what’s been happening in the RVA hip hop scene for the last few years knows it’s true. With nearly two dozen albums released since 2008, Liq’s been cranking out powerful, hard-hitting hip hop tracks at an unbelievable clip. That’s not to mention his two weekly radio shows, his relentless live schedule–most notably the monthly Face Melt Friday events–and his work with The New Juice Crew, whose new mixtape, Know The Ledge, sets a new standard for RVA hip hop. He shows no signs of slowing down, so you can expect to hear Black Liquid’s name for a long time to come.
2ND PLACE: SWORDPLAY
HONORABLE MENTION: LUGGAGE
LOCAL DJ: LONG JAWNS
Long Jawns first rose to fame with his deadly sets behind the turntables at Audio Ammo’s legendary Brain Drain parties. These days, party people know that their best bet on a Saturday night is to hit the dance floor at whatever club Long Jawns is rocking. However, his recent team-up with Washington DC’s Billy The Gent as Gent & Jawns has taken Long to a whole new level. Their Diplo collaboration, “Butters Theme,” has been a big hit, and Gent & Jawns will be joining Major Lazer on their spring tour, as well as contributing songs to multiple high-profile compilations of moombahton and trap music. Look for Long Jawns to break out bigger than ever in 2013!
2ND PLACE: MAMMALS
HONORABLE MENTION: NINT3NDO
LOCAL ARTIST: ED TRASK
Despite the fact that our city is teeming with visual artists, the people have spoken loudly and clearly in favor of Ed Trask, and with good reason. He is a prolific artist whose work graces both highbrow and lowbrow locations throughout Richmond city. His many commissions include paintings for popular restaurants like Lulu’s and the mural outside Sidewalk Cafe. Trask ‘s contributions to the city extend beyond supplying us with his signature depictions of Richmond life–last year, he helped organize the RVA Street Art Festival, and is always vocal about the artist’s role in a community. As a VCU alumni, Trask may be the unofficial spokesman for visual arts in Richmond.
2ND PLACE: ELIZA CHILDRESS
HONORABLE MENTION: CHRIS MILK
LOCAL TATTOO ARTIST: AMY BLACK
We weren’t shocked at all to see that an overwhelming majority of you chose Amy Black as your favorite tattoo artist. Black, the owner of Trademark Tattoo in Carytown, has won awards in many other publications, proving that she is the rightful heir to this title. Her signature style of intricate designs results in realistic images with a touch of the surreal. In addition to being an amazing artist with a successful Carytown shop (appointment-only!), Black gives back to the community through her art via the “Pink Ink Fund.” When Amy was denied her first apprenticeship on the basis of her sex, she decided to empower women through her work, offering free nipple and areola re-pigmentation to those who’ve had mastectomies. Girl Power!
2ND PLACE: THEA DUSKIN
HONORABLE MENTION: JESSE SMITH
LOCAL ART GALLERY: GALLERY 5
Given Richmond’s love of art, live music, and beer, it comes as no surprise that our readers’ favorite gallery seamlessly merges these three elements that are vital to our collective existence. The Jackson Ward gallery is committed to Richmond in every way, providing us with a great venue for art and special events while preserving the rich history of the city. When the founders of the gallery chose this location, they saved a National Historic Landmark that housed Virginia’s oldest firehouse and police station, and their choice also helped to spawn new businesses in the historic Jackson Ward district. Add to the equation that Gallery 5 often exhibits art that falls into a price point young professionals–not just wealthy old-money art collectors–can afford, and it’s obvious why Gallery 5 is RVA’s favorite art gallery.
2ND PLACE: GHOSTPRINT GALLERY
HONORABLE MENTION: QUIRK GALLERY
LOCAL CLOTHING STORE: NEED SUPPLY CO.
When it comes to dressing RVA’s young and hip (that’s you, dear reader), Need Supply Co. is the chosen (non-vintage) destination. Though the company’s focus has expanded in recent years to their national e-commerce site, their Carytown store has plenty of local devotees. The store features clothing, shoes, and accessories from all over the country, along with a small selection of locally made jewelry. Special events like Need’s “Meet the Maker” series create an interface between fashion geeks and the brands they covet, something unique among the city’s many retailers. Need stands out for carrying some high end brands that can’t be found anywhere else within a 100 mile radius of RVA, like the ever-quirky Opening Ceremony. The store also has the best selection of menswear in the city (this assumption excludes the tastes of our preppier brethren).
2ND PLACE: BYGONES
HONORABLE MENTION: WEST COAST KIX
LOCAL THRIFT STORE: DIVERSITY THRIFT
Every good Richmond resident knows that a trip to Diversity Thrift can be magical (especially on Tuesdays). Founded to support Richmond’s LGBT community, Diversity opened in 1999 as a small thrift store that has outgrown two locations and become a Richmond institution. Diversity offers 15,000 square feet of furniture, clothing, jewelry, records, books, and–at the risk of sounding like a cheesy salesman–so much more, all for incredible bargains. We love that 80% of their profits return to the community, that funds raised here helped construct The Gay Community Center of Richmond, and that the one of a kind furniture finds don’t require assembly (no thanks, Ikea).
2ND PLACE: RUMORS
HONORABLE MENTION: FAN TASTIC THRIFT
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And by the way, the mistake in the print version of this article that we mentioned yesterday was ferreted out by none other than Ian McQuary of Heavy Midgets (who are also in the new issue–grab a copy or wait for the online version of the article, coming soon). He’ll be receiving a prize pack of RVA swag from us in the very near future. So now it can be told–many of the print copies of this issue contain a misprint in which the blurb for No BS! Brass Band is in the spot where Mekong’s blurb should have been. We regret the error, and steps are being taken to ensure that no mistakes of this sort make it into our magazine ever again. Thanks for bearing with us. We love you!
