When was the last modern Christmas song you heard that just absolutely bangs? I challenge the city of Richmond to write the next holiday hit. Or not, maybe let’s just move past it. I need to make sure I even out my cozy nights in with late ones in the pit, every cup of hot chocolate evened out with a paper cup of water after a show. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at griffin@rvamag.com.
The Camel
Thursday December 19th
Shagg Carpet, Tentative Decisions, Campwerewolf, This Man Must Die
This is an absolute showcase of the local college rock scene right here. Shagg Carpet has been playing non stop on my speaker ever since their first album released at the beginning of this year. They electric egg punks have a new single, “Swamp Walk” in the chamber set to release the same day. I heard an early mix of this one and it is an absolute dancer.
Tentative Decisions are just as fired up with the release of their debut LP, “Public Access” a few days earlier. They have been picking up some serious steam all across the world with the release of their last few singles, that monthly listener count just keeps going up.
Campwerewolf is an emo band I have been trying to catch for a little bit. They can really get a big sound going which gives the vocals lots of room to explore the gut wrenching screams and the soft sincere permissions.
While we are talking about new releases, I desperately need This Man Must Die to put music on spotify. They have a fantastic selection on Bandcamp but for sheer accessibility, this party punk needs to be delivered to the masses.
Cobra Cabana
Saturday 14th
Deceased, Desolus, Vigil
Trying to expand my palette so this weekend we got some death metal in town. Deceased is a Virginia based group that has been running strong for quite a long while. It is everything you would want in a group like this, putrid growling vocals, alternatively shredding and chugging guitars, and a rhythm section that will send you into shock. The blitz in which they go into songs like “Morbid Shape in Black” gets you ready to throw elbows in a precarious and dangerous manner, perfect.
They are being supported by Desolus, a thrash metal group up DC way. These guys are more brutal sounding, more harsh and howling, straight up an evil sound. They absolutely know how to drive a song into a spinning tunnel in the dead of night.
Vigil is the only local band on the bill, they are another one I have been trying to catch. Their abrasive thrash is speeding out of its mind and it seems like it would translate to a super fun live show.
Punks for Presents Weekend 2
The first weekend of PFP was a massive success as usual! The closing shows will start off at The Camel on 12/13 and at Hardywood the following afternoon. For those who are not aware, all the money made at these shows is used to buy toys for the children’s hospital. In years past the shows have made enough to give out toys throughout the year as new young patients enter treatment. I cannot even begin to imagine how terrifying it must be for some poor young kid who is settling into a hospital stay for an unspecified amount of time. It must be the most daunting experience imaginable, so let’s do everything in our power to make it easier for ‘em, even if it’s just a new stuffed animal to hold on to through all the scariest points. (Quick note: The Hardywood show starts early at 3pm, and my friends and I will be opening up the show as the Specials at 3:45!)
Friday, December 13th: The Camel: Imaginary Toys (The Cure), Beastie Toys (Beastie Boys), Snowmen Of Death (S.O.D.), Snoasis (Oasis), Alice in Candy Canes (Alice in Chains)
Saturday, December 14th: Hardywood: Good Cretins (Ramones), Snow Control (Bad Religion), Something to Write Santa About (The Get Up Kids), Sleighs the Day (Saves the Day), Sorry Ma, Forgot to Wrap the Presents ( The Replacements), A Message to You Rudolph (The Specials) BUY TICKETS HERE
New Tunes
Nervous Fiction by Bonemachine
Bone Machine is back with another sincere banger. Nervous Fiction almost reminds me of the first Television album, with its staccato guitar and groovy rock rhythm. I have always felt they have an extremely unique depth in their vocals, and this song showcases that perfectly. The singing is strong but not overpowering, it draws you forward while the backing vocals dance and lull overtop of you. This is definitely my favorite Bonemachine track yet.
Blurry World by Dayfiction
Dayfiction’s first full length is out now. The album is a rich display of modern post-punk, with great production and tight playing. My standout tracks are Bullet in the Sun and Blurry World, both songs are incredibly captivating and enthralling. The album pulls from a pretty wide variety of influences so I think there are a lot of fun notes to find throughout.
Import
Car Wreck by TVOD
I know these guys have been down to RVA at least once or twice, but they are a nyc group that has been on my radar for a while. T.V.O.D.’s new single, Car Wreck, is a low fi and steady single that reads somewhere between Talking Heads and maybe Shame. There is a backing keyboard that gives the chorus a lot of character on this track.
Restring Appalachia
Someone recently queued me into this organization that is currently trying to aid musicians affected by the slew of hurricanes and climate change related disasters that have been plaguing Appalachia. If you have cash or an old six string you never use, I highly recommend looking into their website.
Main photo: Tentative Decisions by Sarah Samson
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RICHMOND SHOW LIST!
DECEMBER 2024
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ALLIANZ AMPHITHEATER
Saturday, 6/21 Dwight Yoakam BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 7/19 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 8/6 Styx & Kevin Cronin + Don Felder BUY TICKETS
Friday, 8/29 Alison Krauss & Union Station Featuring Jerry Douglas BUY TICKETS
Monday, 9/22 “Weird Al” Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder 2025 Tour BUY TICKETS
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RICHMOND FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB
Friday, 12/13 – 12/15: Deray Davis – 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 12/18 Sammy KO Comedy – 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 12/19 Delta Work – 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS
Friday, 12/20 Ian Bagg – Multiple Shows BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/21 Stone Cold & The Jackal – 2:30 PM SOLD OUT
Saturday, 12/21 Dale Jones – Multiple Shows BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 12/22 Clash of the Comics – 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS
Friday, 12/27 – Saturday, 12/28 Lewis Belt – Multiple Shows BUY TICKETS
Tuesday, 12/31 NYE with Andrew Rudick & Bodacious! – 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS
Friday, 1/3 – Saturday, 1/4 Mark Curry BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 1/5 Graduation Night with Tim Loulies BUY TICKETS
Friday, 1/10 – Sunday, 1/12 Sommore BUY TICKETS
Friday, 1/17 – Saturday, 1/18 T.J. Miller BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 1/30 La Chupitos (En Español) BUY TICKETS
Friday, 1/31 – Saturday, 2/1 Greg Warren BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 2/2 Karen Morgan BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 2/6 Rock Comedy Tour ft. Mike Young & Friends BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/7 – Saturday, 2/8 Bill Bellamy BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/14 – Saturday, 2/15 Anthony Rodia BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/21 – Saturday, 2/22 Steven Ho BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 2/23 Geoffrey Asmus BUY TICKETS
Tuesday, 2/25 Steve Hofstetter BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 2/27 Brad Upton BUY TICKETS
Friday, 2/28 – Saturday, 3/1 Funny Marco BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 3/5 Calimar White aka Agent Ratliff BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 3/6 Jermaine “Funnymane” Johnson BUY TICKETS
Friday, 3/7 – Saturday, 3/8 Nick Swardson BUY TICKETS
Friday, 3/14 – Sunday, 3/16 Godfrey BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 3/26 Peter Antoniou BUY TICKETS
Friday, 3/28 – Saturday, 3/29 Dave Attell BUY TICKETS
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EMBER MUSIC HALL
Friday, 12/13 Catz ‘N Dogz BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/14 Lenny Holmes & The Forever Band and J.Baxter BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 12/19 R4nd4zzo Bigb4nd Holiday Special BUY TICKETS
Friday, 12/20 Last Fair Deal: Grateful Dead Tribute BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/28 Space Wizard BUY TICKETS
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THE BROADBERRY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SHOWS
All shows are at The Broadberry unless otherwise noted.
Friday, 12/13 Manic Focus’ Magic Tour w/ Vincent Antone BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 12/15 JoJo Hermann (of Widespread Panic) & Big Chief Juan Pardo BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 12/19 Santa Rave 🎅 BUY TICKETS
Friday, 12/20 Runaway Gin: A Tribute to Phish (Richmond Music Hall) BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/21 Suggesting Rhythm’s 9 Innings BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/21 Divas on Stage! Drag Brunch (Richmond Music Hall) BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/21 Improvement Movement (Richmond Music Hall) BUY TICKETS
Friday, 12/27 Larry Keel Duo feat. Jared Pool with special guest Dalton Dash BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/28 Skalidays feat. Murphy’s Kids w/ Mighty Joshua, Shagwuf, BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/28 Emo Night Brooklyn (Richmond Music Hall) BUY TICKETS
Tuesday, 12/31 New Year’s Eve Bash w/ The Soul Rebels BUY TICKETS
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DOMINION ENERGY CENTER
Friday, 12/13 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/14 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 12/15 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical BUY TICKETS
Wednesday, 12/18 The Nutcracker – Richmond Ballet BUY TICKETS
Thursday, 12/19 The Nutcracker – Richmond Ballet BUY TICKETS
Friday, 12/20 The Nutcracker – Richmond Ballet BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/21 The Nutcracker – Richmond Ballet BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 12/22 The Nutcracker – Richmond Ballet BUY TICKETS
Monday, 12/23 The Nutcracker – Richmond Ballet BUY TICKETS
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ALTRIA THEATRE
Friday, 12/13 MAMMA MIA! BUY TICKETS
Saturday, 12/14 MAMMA MIA! BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 12/15 MAMMA MIA! BUY TICKETS
Sunday, 12/29 The Hip Hop Nutcracker BUY TICKETS
