THE FIRNATS (VA)
https://thefirnats.bandcamp.com/
THE SHANDIES (DC)
https://theshandies1.bandcamp.com/
DON FREDRICK (RVA)
https://donfredrick.bandcamp.com/
RUSE DE GUERRE (DC)
https://rusedeguerre.bandcamp.com/
8PM Doors // 9PM Sounds
$7 // 18+
THE FIRNATS: THE FIRNATS are a mom rock band based in Richmond and Reston, Virginia. Formed in late 2015 by Sean Flanagan, The Firnats take inspiration from the doo wop pop groups of the 50’s, and the alt rock bands of the 90’s and 2000’s to produce their own unique brand of rock music. Since being created, the band has played everywhere from small college basements all over the DMV; to more established venues such as The Rock and Roll Hotel and Black Cat in D.C, as well as (right here at) Strange Matter and Gallery Five in Richmond. The Firnats recorded their debut album, “Fear Not”, completely DIY in producer Hapa Siuhengalu’s basement in Reston Virginia. The album was released in August of 2017 and now has over 10,000 streams on Spotify. They are currently recording a four song EP that’s set for release in late summer of 2018.
THE SHANDIES: THE SHANDIES are a garage rock/power pop band from the Washington, DC area. They spent most of 2017 releasing home recordings and playing the DC club circuit and Virginia college parties. Taking queues from scrappy rock bands like The Replacements and Black Lips, they have developed a reputation for their energetic, and often hectic, live performances. In 2018, they will embark on their first tour of the east coast.
DON FREDRICK: Hailing from Richmond, VA, DON FREDRICK is a 6-piece band made up of Will Cummins, Gino Gionfriddo, Daniel Flaherty, Sebastien Richard, Pat Bowdring, and Sammy Snider.
Starting in the dorm rooms of Virginia Commonwealth University, Don Fredrick began as an offbeat southern rock band playing DIY gigs in living rooms, garages, basements and the like.
Released in February 2017, the debut self titled EP from Don Fredrick shows off their southern rock roots, with four tracks that have become anthems of the DIY venues they frequent.
Don Fredrick has greatly evolved since the release of Don Fredrick the EP, now playing the hottest venues in Richmond, such as Strange Matter, The Camel, Emilios, Sound of Music Studios, and more. Over the past two years the band has cultivated a sound from a combination of heavy influences from psych rock, funk, southern rock, and a little bit of just about everything else. Taking queues from great artists such as The War On Drugs, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Kurt Vile & Courtney Barnett they cultivated a unique cross-genre mood to the jams they play.
RUSE DE GUERRE: Hailing from the Washington, D.C. area by way of Reston, VA, RUSE DE GUERRE combines the dynamic sensibilities of alternative rock, the melodic intricacies of jazz and blues, the postmodern lyrical elements of contemporary indie and DIY punk, and a frenetic live energy rooted in the D.C. hardcore community. In July of 2015, they played their first show opening for hometown heroes, RDGLDGRN. Less than two weeks later, Ruse de Guerre played their first ever headlining show at Jammin’ Java and sold out the venue. Since then, the band has headlined some of the area’s most well-known venues such as Black Cat, DC9, and the Rock & Roll Hotel, and have embarked on two East Coast tours.Their debut EP, “Empire”, was recorded entirely analog at the historic Inner Ear Studio with legendary producer Don Zientara (Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Fugazi, Foo Fighters, John Frusciante). It is now available on all digital music platforms everywhere & physical CD. In 2017, the band began working on their first full length project at WrightWay Studios in Baltimore with studio engineer, Drew Lamond (Jay-Z, Slipknot, Mos Def, MIA, Avril Lavigne). It is currently scheduled for release in Summer 2018.
