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So much going on this week. If you’ve got any time between marathons and Renaissance celebrations, there are a lot of great shows to catch.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Ren-Faire after party with Circle Breaker, Private Hell, Vigil, Sepulchral Blood
Saturday, April 11th
The National
Where else would you be after eating a leg of mutton and drinking nine glasses of mead? We got some of the best of the best of Richmond hardcore and metal at Gallery 5 to celebrate the opening night of the Richmond Ren Faire.
Let’s talk Circle Breaker first. The group is self-described as “queer motor punk hellfire,” which is pretty apt. They definitely have a metal and black metal aspect to them as well. They are a whirlwind of screams and riffs, heavy as anything and ready to rock.
Now let’s get down with Private Hell These guys have been on the scene since 2021 and have delivered a steady stream of singles and EPs since then. While definitely metal-leaning, you can tell they cut their teeth in hardcore, punk, and thrash. They lean into the doom-ier elements of it all, with a little bit more of a gothic metal approach in the imagery and lyricism.
Vigil is some good old Richmond thrash. They are driving fast and hard, with the foot never off the pedal. Listening to this lot will have you throwing elbows when no one else is around. They are go, go, go.
Last up we have Sepulchral Blood. Do I know how to pronounce this? No, but I know these guys rip. They have a very gothic and medieval feel to them, perfect for the occasion. They are much more noise-oriented than the other bands on this bill. They are focused on making you feel sinister feelings and uncertainty in a way that is really fascinating.
The Chameleons, The Veldt
monday, April 20th
The Camel
Legendary Manchester post-punkers The Chameleons are back in America and making a stop at Richmond Music Hall this week. The group formed in the midst of the punk explosion in the UK and quickly found themselves expanding their sonic horizons. What came of that was a defining sound of the post-punk movement. Their music is atmospheric while still retaining a cutting edge that connects it to their early punk roots.
The group defined much of Generation X, and rightly so. They reformed back in 2021 and put out Arctic Moon last year, showing that they are just as fresh and impactful as ever.
Joining the Brits is The Veldt. They cut their teeth in the North Carolina alternative scene in the ’80s and found themselves on tour with the likes of Cocteau Twins and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Their sound sits right at the cusp of shoegaze while maintaining a strong soul influence, which comes through in the powerful vocals.
The group absolutely knows how to write a memorable tune. Any one of their songs can stand on its own as a single and can go toe to toe with any of the big alternative names of the ’80s and ’90s.
Landowner, Hearts in Exile, Clenchers
Sunday, April 19th
Get Tight Lounge
Alright, this is my first experience with Massachusetts’ Landowner, but I am instantly hooked. Right off the bat they are angular and sharp, a sort of jagged rock sound you find in groups like Gang of Four or Snooper. The drums on these recordings are living and breathing, with a strong sense of urgency. The singer has got plenty to say. I like how the lyrics almost devolve into a mix of rant and poetry.
The group is fresh off their most recent album, Assumption, and it is fantastic front to back. I think this one will hit hard for fans of local groups Tentative Decisions and Dayfiction.
We’ve got a couple locals on this bill. First off, let’s look at Hearts in Exile. They have a great beach rock sound that sits somewhere between The Strokes and The Beatles. Their song “Friday Friends” is incredible, a generational tune.
Clenchers are the other local group, and I think they fit really well with Landowner. They are artsy and angular as well, but lean a little more into the egg punk realm, with a more lighthearted feel to the songs overall. Their demo record on Bandcamp is a great listen all the way through. This band knows how to set a tone.
NEW RVA TUNES
“Washed Away” by Dead Billionaires
If anyone ever has criticism of the divinely inspired genre of ska, I will quickly show them my tattoo of Walt Jabsco. Dead Billionaires have given us a new bouncy tune, expanding from their raw punk sound. The group is at their peak with their lyrics. This band has never been shy about sharing their political opinions, and this one is full of optimism for a better future.
The addition of some great horn playing really helps push this song forward and give it a little something extra. I really appreciate that this track feels more in line with second wave ska, a la The Specials and The Selecter, as opposed to the third wave that many bands seem to copy.
NEW RVA MUSIC VIDEOs
“Kiss the mirror” by Dylan Barrows
Photo of Landowner
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