821 Cafe, the unassuming diner/restaurant/bar on the corner of Cherry and Cary streets - where Oregon Hill and the Fan meet - turns 20 years old in its current incarnation. Andrew Clarke and Chip Cooke bought the place from its previous owners back in 2004, and have...
Here's the new video from RVA hip-hop crew Suburban District, "When Girls Kiss Girls." This club-ready track cranks it up right away with banging beats and siren-like high-pitched synth sounds, over which Suburban District's MCs display their talents with some nasty sex-style rhymes. The chorus--"Don't you love it when the girls kiss girls?"...
Washed Out Tuesday, April 17 at The National When Washed Out hit the stage, all was pitch black, their silhouettes the only thing visible until the music began. I was pleased to see that a full four-piece band was taking the stage instead of simply Ernest Greene, the mastermind behind the band. None of The National’s lighting was used. Instead,...
Martyrdöd – Paranoia (Southern Lord Records) When reviewing records, it can be really easy to get overwhelmed. Wading through piles and piles of albums that just sound the goddamn same in order to find some gleaming bit of humanity can be soul-crushing in its tedium. I could review shitty things, giving them appropriately shitty reviews, but both...
Paying homage to the area that helped support you on your rise to success is a theme repeated by both musicians and celebrities alike. Whether you are rap legend Nas, whose latest music video takes you on a tour of his hometown in Queensbridge; or M.I.A., the pop star responsible for raising awareness and providing aid to those caught in the...
Local indie-rockers The Trillions have been making a name for themselves around town lately, and with the release of their first full-length album, Tritones, on Worthless Junk Records, they're ready to take over RVA once and for all. They began their attempt to take things to the next level at Gallery 5 on Saturday April 14, with a live...
Cake, Cage the Elephant, Neon Trees, Middle Class Rut Saturday, April 14 at Richmond International Raceway Let me make something clear - I am not a normal Chili CookOff attendee. In fact, in the 26 years I’ve been living in the capital city, I had never previously attended any event put on by 102.1 the X. Not because I’m one of those idealistic...
Dead Sara - Dead Sara (Pocket Kid Records) I stumbled across this band in the sort of random fashion that's become more and more common in the age of the internet--someone I'm friends with posted a link to them on facebook. The link was to an upcoming show they'd be playing in Richmond. I clicked through to their facebook page, listened to their...
In this episode Barrelhouse ripped up the Rubber Room. Keeping with unofficial tradition, they brought some beers with labels that coincided with this show's episode number. In this episode Barrelhouse ripped up the Rubber Room. Keeping with unofficial tradition, they brought some beers with labels that coincided with this show's episode number....
Here's a brand new video from The Silent Age, a melodic post-hardcore band formed by local metalcore veteran Myke Terry last year after his departure from his previous gig as lead vocalist for Bury Your Dead. Clearly Myke was looking to shift gears musically, as The Silent Age don't have an ounce of metal in their sound. Instead, on new single...
