This was an overwhelming week of Sound Check as there is just so much amazing music in Richmond this week. Picking which shows to cover was like picking which hand to eat soup with. The weather is beautiful, shows are plentiful, life is good and I want to get out there. Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? I am your guy at Griffin@rvamag.com.
The Broadberry MONDay, SEPTEMBER 9th, 2024
The Lemonheads, Cooper B. Handy
The angelically alternative voice of Evan Dando is one of the early memories in my musical life. I was in the backseat of my mom’s car singing the iconic The Lemonheads songs like “It’s a Shame About Ray” and “Rudderless” before I had even developed enough to relate to the confusion and magical dysfunction they outline. As I have gotten older I find myself more and more drawn to the light and jangly guitars that do not seem to feel any of the hardship that the years take on you. I am sure I am not nearly the only one that frequents the art gallery which is Evan Dando. His solo performance in RVA last year was one of the most intimate and interesting sets I have ever seen, as Dando faded in and out of originals, covers, monologues, and jokes. The man is unequivocally himself to a point of inspiration. He could turn a building on its head with a laugh, and that effect is present in each and every song. If you happen to be unfamiliar with them, they translate to a less angry Nirvana, a more vulnerable Replacements, a predecessor to all the indie power pop we see today.
Cooper B. Handy is a young artist out of Massachusetts, who meets pop, indie, and a hint of hip hop in a modern flare. The beats are what you are finding in the up to date mellow hip hop scene, but there is an undeniable pop idea behind the production and delivery.
Brown’s Island SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, 2024
Goth Babe, The Aces
Goth Babe is a tale of modern bohemia. The young dream artist wrote much of what you will hear while living on a sailboat with his dog, cruising coast lines and creating catchy melodies. I think there is an undeniable sense of optimism and adventure in every Goth Babe song I have heard. The newest track, “Whole World“, feels like opening your front door on a sunny day, no plans which means there is nothing but new opportunity. I hope this is the type of pop music that defines our current era. A sound that evolved from the 2010’s indie scene, it is now on main stages, this week at Brown’s Island
Supporting is The Aces, a Utah based quad that is full of pop energy, all about getting you dancing. What first caught my attention with this group is the excellent song title “Girls Make Me Wanna Die” and if that does not get your attention I do not know what will. They are not too far from Wallows, who broke through the indie rock scene into super stardom. The Aces’ sound feels like it would fit just as well in a crowded club, a homey house show, or to a bristling Brown’s Island.
The Camel SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th, 2024
Shagwüf, Prabir Trio, Book of Wyrms
Shagwüf is starting their Camel residency pulling up every Sunday this month. My third night in Richmond as a fresh eighteen year old was spent mesmerized at their show opening for Palm Palm. They are just a bit of everything, whatever you want they can provide. The trio is psychedelic, its glam, its stoner, hell there is even a strong disco presence. Some bands are interesting sonically, some are interesting visually, but luckily, Shagwuf is both. Since hitting adulthood, I have been to plenty of shows that fade in and out of visibility, but that steamy Camel show about three years ago is still crystal clear.
A shocking few can write as catchy hooks as Prabir. The titular singer is a workhorse in the Richmond scene, putting on constant shows and performances, and from my experience it pays off. It reads like the center of the venn diagram of The Strokes, Bob Dylan, and Indian traditional music. I feel like it has a place in the conversation of modern Americana. There is an extremely involved sense of movement in the sound, something that keeps you going forward.
Book of Wyrms is coming straight forward with that 70’s hard rock/metal sound. The group is coming up on a decade since their first demos, and has since explored a number of fantasy worlds and far off galaxies. I find them right in a sweet spot, where the bass and guitar is still heavy and chugging, and the vocals are distinguishable and high.
Cobra Cabana TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10th, 2024
DRI, Re-tox, Vigil, 2toaroom
The dirty rotten godfathers of crossover thrash are slamming Cobra. It cannot be understated how influential these guys are. While maybe not the first, they were extremely pivotal in the flirtation and marriage of thrash metal and hardcore punk, chugging guitars knock into the more traditional punk bark. Pick a heavy band out of the hat and I am sure you can see some DRI influence. There is almost a sense of “paying your respects” to this band, a group who lived in a van, and spent the last 40 years dedicated to the development of some hard hitting songs.
Retox is all dynamite. I think it can be hard to find diversity in hardcore drumming, but the percussion is my standout with these guys. They are unquestionably hardcore punk, grab you by the throat and scream into your eyes type of band.
Vigil is the first of our openers, leaning into that evil sound, the metal that makes you feel like a drunk driving vampire, like Frankenstein’s monster on a handful of loose speed pills. Their 2023 demo is a bright revival of that dark 80’s metal sound.
The other local is 2toaroom, who just put out their new track “Crawl“, a maniac blitz that sounds like a modern GBH. This is the sound I call hardcore, lightning drums, quick thick chords, and a voice that is spitting gravel. If you like classic hardcore, these are your guys.
New Tunes!
Coffee Melatonin by Marshall Family Values and Tennishu
The new MFV/Tennishu track is an absolute dream. The keys swaying up and down serve as a cloud that you can hop on, and the sax just floats you into the sky. This is one of those songs that feels like an entire movie, a journey that stops to refuel into different instrumentation and melodies.
Nice Guy by White Beast
Vocals ripped straight from the ribs. Nice Guy is the standout track on the new White Beast EP, Demons. The sound is thick and has you wading through the guitars, in a grungy drive. The song delivers a real march, and seems really oriented to deliver a performance directly to your face, until the solo arrives about halfway through and gives you a birds eye view of impressive song writing. The song softens up and leans against your neck, before returning to a heavy unstoppable wall.
Imports!
My House by Podge Lane
Podge Lane is an artist bringing an American country feel to Ireland. It for sure has roots stemming from country/blues but there is an unquestionable Irishness to it. It is the type of acoustic guitar/vocally focused song that makes you picture a semi crowded bar, where people caress their loved ones or glasses, and gently sway to the music.
