Beneath Richmond’s polished marketing lies a vibrant, hidden world that few will ever understand. Queer club kids, blood painted goths, drag royalty, neon-drenched ravers — the city’s nightlife is a swirling carousel of characters, as surreal as a fever dream straight...
Arsis - Unwelcome (Nuclear Blast) The fifth album from Virginia Beach metalheads Arsis shows the quartet in top form. Recent lineup shakeups might be a concern for some bands, but this has always been singer/guitarist James Malone's show, and he's got things under control, dishing out another helping of the group's stock in trade--excellent...
DJ Ragz knows his stuff. An accomplished turntablist with over 20 years of experience scratching and making beats, Ragz has represented underground hip hop on both coasts, and continues to do so at full force. DJ Ragz knows his stuff. An accomplished turntablist with over 20 years of experience scratching and making beats, Ragz has represented...
This Sunday, Strange Matter will be receiving a visit from one-man electronic music project Baths. Baths--human name Will Wiesenfeld--can be best described as a one in a billion success story involving the proverbial guy who spends most of his time recording alone in his apartment. Hours spent on Ableton Live, mixing tracks containing every...
What happens when you mix a giant sigh of relief with a frenzied burst of activity? Pretty & Nice are finding out as we speak. On April 30, after more than four years without a new LP to their collective name, The Boston-based outfit released Golden Rules for Golden People -- a colorful collection of finely tuned pop songs that have garnered nods...
Best Coast, Guards, The Lovely Bad Things Monday, June 3 at The National I first saw Best Coast with my dad at Bonnaroo 2011, right after the release of their debut LP, Crazy For You. Their songs were short, sweet, and to the point, while still being incredibly catchy. For months my dad would still sing, “I wish she was my girlfriend... or...
It's happening, y'all! The man who has been taking over hip hop for the past two years is coming to RVA to take over our own river city, and I for one am glad to see it occurring. Queens rapper Action Bronson hit the scene in 2011 with his excellent debut album, Dr. Lecter, and has been cranking out dope hip hop jams at a prolific rate ever...
We are getting into June, and the weather's warming up, but there is still plenty of awesome stuff going on in the city! Young Jeezy has rescheduled his show for this Friday, and there are plenty of other shows, benefits, and dance parties going on if you are looking to spend a little less cash. Whatever you do, have fun, stay cool, and support...
FEATURE SHOW Saturday, June 15, 10 p.m. Bad Coyotes, Bad Cop, The Catalyst, Nervous Ticks @ Strange Matter - $7/18+ Last week Oakland’s Bad Coyotes played a Church Hill house show, and thanks to a tour cancelation, got to open the Night Birds/Iron Reagan Show last Saturday. Both shows proved way beyond historical. FEATURE SHOW Saturday, June 15,...
Magrudergrind and Coke Bust, two of the biggest bands in DC hardcore today, will be playing this Thursday at Strange Matter. Both bands are heavily influenced by the powerviolence sub-genre of hardcore, taking cues from bands such as Infest, DRI, and Despise You. Magrudergrind and Coke Bust, two of the biggest bands in DC hardcore today, will be...
