When was the first time you saw a Black woman fronting a rock, punk, or any type of alternative band? For the vast majority of people, that concept in itself is an anomaly - but for the true punk-heads, names like Skin, Poly Styrene, Stephanie Phillips, Tamar-kali, or...
BEHOLD! GWAR at The National, where the mere presence of Richmond’s intergalactic overlords feels like a gruesome embrace. Four decades of chaos and carnage—GWAR has become more than just a band; they’re the dark-hearted, unofficial mascot for the misfit masses of our city. Richmond’s landscape might be evolving, but knowing GWAR still slays in...
A few weeks back, Rise Against hit The National in Richmond, tearing through a set that marked 25 years of pushing punk rock with a message. They’ve gone from raw punk to full-on rock icons, tackling every social and political issue they can squeeze into a song. Photographer CJ Payne caught it all, capturing the energy, the sweat, and the...
Misc. is a name that is becoming more and more integral in the story that is the Richmond music scene. Whether you have been in the crowd knocking around to their rap-rock mayhem, or seen their comic book-style posters painting the lampposts of the Fan, you have seen Misc. Their story begins a little over two years ago, with four guys bouncing...
Brutal Tuesday. I personally want to inject so much music into my brain to cancel out the jargon that has been floating around my head in little flashing thought bubbles. This week we have a perfect combo of heavy rippers to thrash out the tension, and then the slow and solo to cry out all the excess. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want...
We hit LTC Fest II at the Canal Club, where local favorites and out-of-town bands tore it up from afternoon ‘til midnight. Fleshwater and Drug Church headlined, bringing serious heat, while acts like Heavyhex, Bellweather, Modern Color, and Anxious kept the energy high all day. Photographer Vincent Candela was everywhere—pit, stage, behind the...
Get dolled up for the show! Whether you’re deciding how to incorporate your Doc’s into your costume or putting together a year's worth of dressing up plans, I hope your Halloween schedule includes going to these killer shows. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. Canal Club |...
Austin Fitch is a man stuck in fast forward. His gestures quick, his speech accelerated, his thoughts - mile a minute. His laugh is loud, and his hugs are easy. Here is a man with more energy in his Tuesday afternoon than most of us can conjure on a Friday night. He’s the type of person I have to try to imagine in repose. Few Richmonders...
This week I got to sit down with Rise Against frontman Tim McIlrath, in preparation for their upcoming pre-Halloween gig at The National on the 30th of this month. With 25 years under their belt, Rise Against has evolved from underground punk roots into a politically charged band known for their social activism and powerful lyrics. In our...
We are coming up on the infamous Halloweekend, and I know my personal plans: Dress up, drink a million beers, and try to see as many of these super sick and unique shows. Get up, get in costume, and get to the gig! Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com. Canal Club | Wednesday,...
