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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: December 15 – December 21

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FEATURED SHOWS
Punks For Presents 2021
Night Three: Friday, December 17, 7 PM
Should I Sleigh Or Should I Go, Operation Icy, Shiverdales, Media Blitzen, The Jam-gle Bells @ Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House – $10 (order tickets HERE)
Night Four: Saturday, December 18, 4 PM
High Voltage, Faith Sno More, Smashing Presents, Smooch, Sledpultura @ Hardywood – $10 (order tickets HERE)
What, you thought that last weekend’s heaping helping of Christmas-themed punk/metal tribute bands playing in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond was enough for one holiday season? Think again, punk! Punks For Presents is back for another jam-packed weekend of Christmas-themed tribute shows — enough to keep you smiling all the way through the day-after-Christmas sales and straight up to New Year’s Eve (when we can finally, hopefully, look forward to a better year than these last two have been).

Punks For Presents have spread the love amongst four different venues this year (five, if you count last week’s comedy show at Cobra Cabana — and we probably should), so this Friday night sees a crop of new tribute acts invading the ever-popular Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House. Should I Sleigh Or Should I Go is a new twist on The Clash from at least a couple of people you’ve seen do similar things before. Regardless, these songs are true singalong anthems and will be a blast. Then we have Operation Icy, who’ve been putting a Yuletide theme on the songs of pioneering ska-punkers Operation Ivy for years now. Shiverdales make me feel old, because I remember when the Riverdales were just “Ben Weasel and Danny Vapid’s new band” and Screeching Weasel were seen as the one true tribute-worthy Chicago pop-punk act. But hey, maybe they’ll make me reevaluate all those later records I never gave much of a chance. Rounding the whole thing out will be new ensembles paying tribute for the first time to The Jam (excellent) and The Germs (I fully expect to see some guy smearing peppermints all over his body during this one — don’t let me down).

Saturday night will draw the festivities to a close, and it’ll feel like Christmas has come early to our final venue of the year, craft brew and live music stalwarts Hardywood, as Richmond’s own Bon Scott-era AC/DC tribute act, High Voltage, will return once again to electrocute you with that faulty strand of Christmas lights you thought you threw away last year. I’ve been watching a lot of Australian stock car racing (they know what’s up — the series theme song is “Highway To Hell”) over the past few months, so I’m proper stoked for this one. Veteran Richmond-based Smashing Pumpkins tribute act Geek RVA will don their yuletide apparel and perform as Smashing Presents, and the much-beloved Faith Sno More will remind us all how truly great Mike Patton’s most famous project are. Then there are a couple of new additions to the Punks For Presents stages to round things all out. Smooch reminds me of the way multiple KISS tribute acts used to come through Richmond regularly back in the 90s. Time heals all wounds, I suppose, and I for one am finally ready to hear a holiday spin on “Strutter.” Make it happen, y’all. Then there’s Sledpultura, giving us a set of heavy-as-fuck chugging thrash from Brazilian legends Sepultura. I’m here for it. I’m here for ALL of it. You should be too.

Wednesday, December 15, 7 PM
Betcha, 90s Kids, Broke Royals @ The Camel – $10 (order tickets HERE)
When I hear the name Betcha my brain just goes “…by golly, wow!” Which should confirm all the rumors you’ve heard over the years. It’s true: I am a goofball. But you knew that — you read this column. Anyway, let’s get to this actual show. Betcha are from Nashville, and they are apparently signed to Atlantic, which is interesting to me because I feel like they exist farther below the radar than a lot of indie-label bands in the year 2021. That’s probably not deserved, though — based on 2021 singles “5 AM” and “Grey Skies,” these guys are very good at the whole melodic alt-rock thing. Whether you’re more a fan of bands like Knuckle Puck or Panic At The Disco, Betcha’s upbeat tuneage and catchy choruses are sure to split the difference and get you dancing.

Then there are 90s Kids, a band named after the decade during which I came of age and, I’m guessing, they were born. These grey streaks in my hair aren’t the only things making me feel old, kids! The nostalgia angle this band brings to their catchy tunes, which land on the smoother, more melodic/heart-on-sleeve end of the emo/pop-punk spectrum, distinguishes them from Betcha in some ways. But in other ways, this tour is the perfect pairing of two bands whose catchy jams are perfect for getting your feet moving. Don’t worry about all the references to some supposed halcyon time before Y2K and 9/11 (I was there, y’all — now is better); just enjoy the lovely sounds. Richmond’s own Broke Royals will provide a bit more of those to kick this evening off. Show up on time — you won’t regret it.

Thursday, December 16, 9 PM
Jeremy Pinnell, Kristina Murray, Tess Fisher @ Fuzzy Cactus – $10 in advance, $12 at the door (order tickets HERE)
Do you remember country music? Not the oh-so-modern stuff, laden with exaggerated twangs, 80s power-ballad guitar solos, and a million lyrical references to $80,000 trucks normal people can’t afford without a ten-year loan? (Public Service Announcement: do NOT get a ten-year car loan. Just don’t.) That shit is suburban-jerk music. I’m talking about music made by people from small towns, who understand what it means to struggle to feed their families, or to find a way to live with the skeletons in their closets and the demons that haunt their minds. That stuff was good. I miss that stuff.

Thankfully, at least this Thursday night, I don’t have to, because Jeremy Pinnell is coming to town with a strong dose of the cure to what ails me; real, honest-to-god country music that can be related to by someone who doesn’t own a house or a car made less than 15 years ago. Pinnell’s latest album, Goodbye LA, is real music about real people with real lives. And yeah, it’s got some twang, but it’s real twang, not some shit a vocal coach taught a guy from Iowa how to do right before he went into the studio. Pinnell’s country music is the real deal, and we could all use more of that in our lives. Openers on this set will include Kristina Murray, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter with a strong country foundation, and Richmond’s own Tess Fisher, whose music I mainly know from her time fronting the uncategorizably heavy Petrichor. A solo set from Tess is sure to be intriguing, and to whet your appetite for the excellence to follow.

Friday, December 17, 8 PM
Ten Pound Snail, Foxhedge, Martial’s Law, Emil & The Cosmonauts @ Black Iris – $7 in advance, $10 at the door (order tickets HERE)
It’s been interesting, since the return of this column a month or so ago, to take stock of how much the Richmond live music scene has changed in the year and a half since the pandemic put paid to a lot of previously thriving cultural activities. One thing I’ve noticed is that all the big touring bands who I used to put at the top of these columns in past years (Every Time I Die, Archers of Loaf, etc) sell out their Richmond shows before I even get a chance to write about them. Another thing I’ve noticed is that most of the local mainstays have gone through big changes. New bands have sprung up and started playing shows while I was still hidden away protecting my 45-year-old ass from the pandemic, while familiar names I’d gotten used to seeing on the list week after week are suddenly nowhere to be found.

All of this is to say that Ten Pound Snail was a brand new presence to me when I returned to this beat, but I’m quickly learning that they’re one of the more active local ensembles circa the end of 2021. They released Parlor Tricks, an EP of moody indie/slowcore a la Red House Painters, back in May, and this is not the only local show I’ve seen them top the bill of over the past few months. I’m still relatively unfamiliar with this bubbling-under trio, but I think we all should definitely be paying attention to what they’re up to. If you haven’t seen them yet, this show makes a great first step. What’s more, equally unfamiliar local openers like the quirky indie group Emil & the Cosmonauts, or total ungoogleable mystery band Martial’s Law, offer more tastes of the new generation. And of course, New Jersey janglemeisters Foxhedge add a lovely sound from out of town to the whole thing — just for spice. Kick it up a notch, y’all.

Saturday, December 18, 8 PM
Classical Revolution RVA presents: Listen Local, feat. compositions by Colton Dodd, David Robbins, Curt Sydnor, Donovan Williams @ Gallery 5 – Free! (Donations encouraged)
We get used to focusing on popular music here at RVA Mag, but if we’re intending to be true students of the ongoing evolution of music in all its forms, that sometimes requires that we widen our gaze a bit. Thankfully, Classical Revolution RVA also understands that music involving complex compositions and wide-ranging instrumentation must be brought down from the conservatory and out of the symphony halls to reach the people — so there are lovely nights like this free Saturday exhibition at Gallery 5 in which we can meet the sometimes-opaque world of classical music halfway, and learn a little something about the wide range of music being made right here in our hometown while we’re at it.

This event, entitled “Listen Local,” will feature an evening of performances by Classical Revolution RVA of music composed by Richmond composers. Whether that’s Colton Dodd, a classically trained pianist and VCU graduate who now writes scores for films, dances, and video games; David Robbins, who plays piano for the Richmond Ballet and works regularly for the Virginia Symphony; Curt Sydnor, a local teacher and church organist who released an album last year on local experimental label Out Of Our Head Records; or Donovan Williams, a high school student and violin prodigy who also excels on the football field; all of them have something unique to offer that you’ll never get at a basement show or a dirty punk club. So come down to Gallery 5 and expand your musical mind with this evening of unexpected sounds from right here in your hometown. You won’t be sorry.

Sunday, December 19, 7 PM
J. Roddy Walston presents: Christmas To The Bone! @ The Broadberry – $30 in advance, $35 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Piano-pounding rock n’ roll wildman J. Roddy Walston hasn’t always been based in Richmond. But since his arrival in town most of a decade ago (my, how time flies), he’s been embraced by the local scene and played a ton of wild gigs around the river city over the years. We thrilled to his original hard-rockin’ band, The Business, and we’ve all enjoyed his latest project, Palm Palm, in which he’s paired with some of the most talented performers this city’s seen in a long time. But now he’s up to a whole new thing, a holiday-themed thing, no less, and he’s taking it up and down the East Coast to spread Christmas cheer to fans throughout the nation.

What exactly is J. Roddy Walston’s Christmas To The Bone! Well, to hear him tell it, he and his wife, along with a “raging holiday band,” are going to be performing multiple sets of excellent J. Roddy music for all who show up. No openers, just J. Roddy doing one set of tunes old and new from the J. Roddy songbook, and one set of holiday classics given a new twist by the man himself. Do you like to rock? Well then, I can’t imagine you won’t like this. It’s just like Christmas, really: you might not know exactly what’s going to be under the tree when you go to unwrap those shiny packages, but you know it’s prepared with love, and you know you’re going to enjoy it. So come get J. Roddy Walston’s Christmas present to Richmond this Sunday, and enjoy a little bit of early Christmas cheer. It’s gonna be a fine time.

Monday, December 20, 8 PM
Sono Lumini, Dan & The Fam @ The Camel – $7 in advance, $10 day of show (order tickets HERE)
I must say, the Camel’s been doing a great job of holding it down on the less highly-trafficked live music nights over the past several weeks. There was a time when I could always count on Strange Matter to have the early days of the week covered with some great music; with Strange Matter sadly gone, the Camel has stepped into the breach and made it its mission to bring us essential tuneage, even on a Monday. It’s not necessarily anything big, but when we’re all attempting to shake off yet another bout of the Mondays, it can make a crucial difference.

This week, it’s Sono Lumini, coming to us from Winchester, VA, via Athens, GA (I guess? Conflicting online band bios ahoy!). Regardless of where they’re from, this instrumental combo makes fun, jazz-fusion type music that should appeal equally to fans of John McLaughlin, Jerry Garcia, and Dopapod. So yeah, get down with it. They’ll be bringing Dan & The Fam along, which appears to be a project of local guitarist Danny Jams. Normally, he uses loops and backing tracks to keep his funky solo guitar styles grounded; as far as I can tell, though, Dan & The Fam is what happens when he performs with a backing band. I wouldn’t be shocked to find that this entire evening is vocal-free, but hey… isn’t that a nice change-up every now and then? Of course it is.

Tuesday, December 21, 7 PM
John Bradberry Trio presents: End Of The Year Party Type Thing @ The Camel – $5 (order tickets HERE)
J. Roddy Walston got all elaborate with his Christmas To The Bone event, above, but two days later, the John Bradberry Trio is just relaxing into a nice early-week holiday jam occasion with their “End of the Year Party Type Thing” at the Camel. John Bradberry maybe a familiar name to you if you know the Virginia band Faceship; this smaller combo finds the somewhat psychedelically-inclined guitarist pairing up with musicians from other Virginia luminaries including Dalton Dash, Jackass Flats, and The Southern Belles.

Now, what will ensue when they come together to celebrate the end of another long journey around the sun? It’s hard to say, but one thing we know for sure is that previously-unannounced special guests will be on hand. And with Christmas and New Years just around the corner, I don’t think anyone can be surprised if some holiday tunes end up on the set list. But the one thing we do know for sure is that this whole evening is going to be lots of fun with friendly people and great tunes. Who can get grinchy about that? Not me.

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Email me if you’ve got any tips for me about upcoming shows (that take place after the week this column covers -– this week’s column has obviously already been written): [email protected]

Fighting For The Environment With Music and Kinship

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Viola da gamba player Niccolo Seligmann is using music that mixes classical styles and harsh noise to express “multi-species kinship” and opposition to climate change. He’s bringing his unique sound to Blue Bee Cider Friday.

Classical musician Niccolo Seligmann is resisting climate change in a new way. Partnering with Classical Revolution RVA and the James River Parks System, Seligmann will play his instrument — the viola da gamba — using a crossbreed of musical styles in a concert at Blue Bee Cider on February 28th. 

The opening act for the concert will be a classical performance from Classical Revolution RVA, followed by a speech given by a member of the James River Park System (JRPS). During the speech, Seligmann will improvise a piece to accompany the speaker’s message. After the speech, Seligmann will close the concert with songs from his upcoming album. Proceeds for the concert and album both go towards the JRPS.

“[Classical Revolution] is doing music that reflects ‘other-than-human’ ideas and elements,” said Seligmann. “We’re gonna have a staff member from JRPS give a little talk about the ways that ordinary Richmonders can interact with the multi-species community in the James River Park System in ways that are mutually uplifting.”

The performance is part of the tour for Seligmann’s upcoming album, Kinship, which will be released on Februrary 26, two days before the performance. The album uses a unique blend of musical styles to resist climate change. Its sound and messaging borrow heavily from a variety of cultures, including classical music, Central Asian music, and the atonal, experimental genre of harsh noise. The bulk of this sound is created using Seligmann’s instrument of choice, the viola da gamba, which he describes as “a cello mixed with a guitar.” 

“[The album also pulls] in influences from Central Asian overtone fiddle traditions,” said Seligmann. “Part of the technique basically makes it sound like throat singing. So I’ve adapted these techniques from this Kazakh traditional instrument, [the qyl-qobyz], and I’m applying them to the viola da gamba.” 

In addition to the mix of musical influences, Kinship’s messages, which espouse a philosophy of “multi-species kinship,” are informed by the ideas of Southeastern Indigenous Americans. Seligmann encountered these ideas through his husband’s connections with an Indigenous community in Florida, the name of which he chooses not to publish for political reasons.

“I know the Maker of Medicine of that community very well,” said Seligmann. “[He] was really crucial in developing this album. He edited my liner notes. This album was made in conversation with this community.” This Indigenous community will also receive a portion of the proceeds earned by Seligmann’s album.

Seligmann, a queer Richmond native, is currently an artist in residence at The Music Center at Strathmore in Maryland. He first expressed an interest in the viola da gamba when he saw  someone perform with the instrument at five years old. 

“I pointed to it and said ‘Mommy I wanna play that,’ and she looked at my five year-old self and said ‘yeah sure you do,’” Seligmann said. “So she started me on cello.”

Niccolo Seligmann’s unusual instrument. Photo by Margot Schulman.

Luckily for Seligmann, he had the chance to encounter the viola da gamba again when he was 13. His original cello teacher had attended the prestigious Peabody conservatory at Johns Hopkins University, and returned to Richmond as a viola da gamba player. This allowed Seligmann to switch his focus to a new instrument under the same teacher, with the help of Richmond’s active early-music scene.

“It’s so many coincidences lining up in the most wonderful way,” said Seligmann.

Seligmann’s performance at Blue Bee Cider, which is located at 1320 Summit Ave in Scott’s Addition, will take place on Friday, February 28 beginning at 5:30 PM. There’s a suggested donation of $5, and food and beverages will be available. More info is available on Facebook.

In addition to his performance at Blue Bee Cider, Seligmann will be giving concerts for the Kinship tour throughout Marc in multiple locations across the East Coast. More information can be found on Seligmann’s Facebook page.

Top Photo by Margot Schulman

VA Shows You Must See This Week: November 7 – November 13

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FEATURED SHOW
Saturday, November 10, 8 PM
GWAR, Municipal Waste, Miss May I, Toxic Holocaust, HAUNT @ The National – $22 in advance/$25 at the door (order tickets HERE)
Folks, it’s time once again that we check in on Richmond’s reigning masters of bloodthirsty metal from outer space. Everyone’s favorite homicidal aliens, GWAR, will return to the National’s stage once again this Saturday night, and it’s sure to be an absolute gorefest, so you know what that means — wear your white t-shirts and get ready to be hit by the cannons of goo that are certain to be unleashed. You know the ones; the ones that throw so much blood and guts all over the place that the National has to drape their balconies in bedsheets just to protect the fancy woodwork. If you think you can be anywhere in the same room as GWAR and stay safe from the splatter, you’re sadly mistaken, but that’s OK — getting covered in slimy stuff of uncertain origin is part of what makes GWAR shows so much fun!

Last year, GWAR released their first new album since the death of founder Dave Brockie. The Blood Of Gods sees the crossover sound GWAR have cultivated over the past several albums giving way to a more over-the-top rock n’ roll sound that sees new vocalist (and originator of the Beefcake the Mighty character) Michael Bishop howling and yowling, Ted Nugent-style. There’s still plenty of thrashing going on with GWAR these days, don’t get me wrong; but the fact that the album ends with a cover of AC/DC’s “If You Want Blood (You Got It)” should tell you something about what you can expect, musically speaking, from GWAR these days.

That said, we all know that the gore-saturated show is the main attraction when seeing GWAR live. But there’s plenty of ass-kicking no-show all-go metal on this bill as well. The main attraction for all of you hoping to spend a few hours focusing on banging your head is the one and only Municipal Waste, who’d been largely dormant for most of this decade but returned to action last year with a beefed-up lineup featuring former Cannabis Corpse axe-slinger Nikropolis on rhythm guitars and their first LP in five years, Slime And Punishment. If you haven’t caught up with the Waste since all that went down, rest assured that they’re gonna fuck you up just like they always have. They’ll do it with the able assistance of their best thrashcore pals, Toxic Holocaust, as well as metalcore mainstays Miss May I and up-and-coming Maiden-esque power-metallers HAUNT. It’s a headbanging bonanza, and it’ll be topped off with a serious bloodbath. Should make for a wonderful weekend.

Wednesday, November 7, 7 PM
Slothrust, Mannequin Pussy, Doll Baby @ The Camel – $12 in advance/$14 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Look out, all you rock n’ rollers — the 90s are still back, perhaps more back than ever, and one great aspect of that is the continued ascendance of powerful songwriters with rough, distorted guitars that hit you hard even as their lyrics and vocal melodies make you feel some strong emotions. Slothrust is one of those groups, and singer-guitarist Leah Wellman is showing the world exactly what she has to offer on their brand new LP, The Pact, released a couple months ago on Dangerbird Records. There’s a darkness to songs like “Planetarium” and “Fever Doggs” that if anything harks back to a pre-90s, pre-Nirvana sensibility. These songs should strike familiar chords for fans of the Meat Puppets, or Green River, and do a great job of demonstrating that Slothrust has more to offer than an unabashed reiteration of what bands like Babes In Toyland and L7 did before (though don’t get me wrong, there’s a good bit of that in there too).

Slothrust are joined on this bill by Mannequin Pussy, a Philadelphia punk band who’ve been making a strong impact in Richmond for years now, and have also been growing beyond their noisy punk roots, into a sound that encompasses a variety of genres and combines rage, passion, and melody in an inspiring manner. Their 2016 album, Romantic, moves from roaring blasts of punk fury into moments of breathtaking melody, complete with shoegaze-style guitar swells. One thing that’s present on all of their songs is a strong emotional foundation that singer-guitarist Marisa Dabice communicates with everything from a breathy croon to a frustrated scream. No matter where each moment lands on the spectrum of her vocal range, though, all of them are honest, real, and gripping in their intensity. This isn’t one you’re going to want to miss. Local support by Doll Baby, who have a great deal in common with both touring bands, completes a powerful trifecta. You know what to do.

Thursday, November 8, 9 PM
Roosevelt Collier, Bennett Wales & The Relief, The Bush League @ The Camel – $12 in advance/$15 day of show (order tickets HERE)
If you love to hear people wail on the electric guitar, this is the show for you. Roosevelt Collier is a pedal steel guitarist with roots in the same “sacred steel” tradition that brought Robert Randolph and his family band into the world, but Collier combines that gospel-soul sound with a Hendrix-ian approach that finds him in high demand with heavyweights like the Tedeschi-Trucks Band and the Allman Brothers. He’s a core member of Snarky Puppy bassist Michael League’s “World Music All-Star Band,” Bokanté, and he’s finally stepped out on his own this year as the frontman for his own group, which he’ll be bringing to the Camel.

Collier and his backing band are on tour in support of his debut solo album, Exit 16, on which he worked again with Snarky Puppy bassist Michael League. The album displays a hell of a range, moving from uptempo workouts to slow, seductive grooves, all with a very heavy bottom end. Collier’s playing is always the star of the show, and the man gets some outstanding noise out of his pedal-steel axe. While instrumental music can sometimes feel a bit bare-bones, you’ll never miss the vocals when Roosevelt Collier is laying waste to his slide guitar. He joins with VA Beach funk-rockers Bennett Wales and the Relief and RVA’s own blues-wailing machine, The Bush League, to tear the roof off the Camel this Thursday, and you should really be there to see — and hear — it all go down.

Friday, November 9, 7 PM
Pale Waves, Miya Folick, The Candescents @ The Broadberry – $15 in advance/$18 day of show (order tickets HERE)
These days when you hear the sort of reverbed guitars and ambient synth sounds that have been a marker of the goth-postpunk sound in vogue at the moment for several years now, you expect to know what you’re getting. Dark moods, downcast eyes, sad lyrics full of desolate imagery that connect strongly with your personal alienation as you sit alone in your room in the dark. But haven’t we all had our fill of that sort of approach to the mid-80s postpunk sound? After a few years, all those 80s goth kids turned into bouncy New Wavers that would rather dance to New Order than cry to the Cure anyway — isn’t it time we found an antidote for our own post-millennial kohl-eyeliner blues?

That’s what Pale Waves is here to offer. The Manchester band may trace their aesthetic back to Siouxsie and the Banshees, but their sound is building on the uplifting synth melodies of recent UK postpunk successes CHVRCHES and adding some of the same glittering guitars and melodic bass lines that the original goth bands excelled at. Recently released LP My Mind Makes Noises hits all the right notes for the kids who still want to wear all black but are discovering the thrill of new love and the promise of sunny days. God knows everything is depressing enough these days… don’t we need our music to lift the veil at least a little bit? If you’re ready to dance with a smile on your face rather than tears in your eyes, come to The Broadberry this Friday night and bounce to the music of Pale Waves. It can’t rain all the time.

Saturday, November 10, 7 PM
Eat Your HRT Out: A Trans Health Clinic Benefit, feat. Toxic Moxie, Madison Turner, Wargo, Dad, Jafar Flowers @ Strange Matter – $15-20 suggested donation
I know, I know, I just wrote about Toxic Moxie like two weeks ago. But what was the rule we established the last time I wrote about them? I do believe it was “you will go see Toxic Moxie whenever they play a show.” We just had an election, but this one wasn’t on the ballot, so it is still very much in force. You want punk rage and disco euphoria? You want serious political views leavened with some good-time party energy? Toxic Moxie have got it all.

And what’s more, they’re bringing it to you this time in support of a very good cause. Planned Parenthood’s Trans Health Clinic is one of the only steady providers of transgender-specific health services in Richmond, and considering that trans people are much more likely to be unemployed or underemployed than the general population, their patients are more likely to face economic strain in finding ways to pay for their medical care. What your donation at the door of this show — which, in addition to the disco party punk of Toxic Moxie, will also feature an always-rockin’ full band set from Madison Turner, some electronic dance sounds from Jafar Flowers, and a good bit more — will go toward is helping ensure that prices for Planned Parenthood’s much-needed medical support for the trans community remain as affordable as possible. Plus you’ll have a great time in the bargain, and who doesn’t need more of those?

Sunday, November 11, 8 PM
Video Shoppe, BUTT, Fat Spirit @ Flora – $?
It’s always fascinating to see how people find ways to do a band despite lacking some seemingly crucial core members. Providence duo Video Shoppe easily found a way around this particular dilemma. No drummer? No problem — just bring in a primitive electronic beat machine, trigger it with foot pedals, and stack TVs and VCRs around you to when you play to make up for the fact that there’s nobody flailing away behind a kit and giving the audience some sudden moves to latch onto.

But that sort of creative problem-solving only goes so far if you don’t have some really cool songs to bring to the world when you play, and Video Shoppe’s latest EP, Nostalgia Trap(s), finds them filling that need in excellent fashion as well. Their pounding drum machine makes for an interesting contrast with their delicate postpunk guitar sound, just as their singer’s moody baritone offers an emotional feel completely different from that presented by their chiming melodies. The result has both power and ethereality, and will glow brightly in the dark room at the back of Flora this Sunday night. Their pairing with local ramshackle garage-rockers BUTT and the glorious grunge fury of Fat Spirit will round out the evening into a blast of rock n’ roll fun you’ll be willing to pay whatever the heck they’re actually charging at the door to get into.

Monday, November 12, 8 PM
Super Unison, NØ Man, Sensual World, Ugly Muscle @ Strange Matter – $10 (order tickets HERE)
This is one I’ve been looking forward to. Super Unison recently released their second LP, Stella, and it took their already powerful post-hardcore sound to a whole new level. You may know this group from the fact that singer-bassist Meghan O’Neil previously fronted ripping fastcore band Punch, but from their inception, Super Unison have had a great deal more to offer than O’Neil’s previous group, as they both retain the hardcore velocity of Punch and integrate the sort of driving, noisy energy of bands like Drive Like Jehu (who inspired the group’s name) and Rodan.

Stella finds Super Unison expanding beyond the sound of their 2016 debut LP by incorporating more dynamic shifts within single songs; they’ve also increased the melodic quotient of their guitar riffs, even as O’Neil’s vocals have become harsher and more emotionally-driven. Some might say these guys have been listening to some of the screamo stuff coming out of their home state of California — Vril, say, or Loma Prieta — and I think there’s definitely evidence to support that conclusion. Whether you’re a fan of passionate screamo, hardcore fury, or noisy rock chaos, though, you’re sure to get a lot out of Super Unison’s unrelenting attack. Put yourself in the way of it — you’ll never regret it.

Tuesday, November 13, 6:30 PM
Classical Revolution RVA presents Trey Pollard, Matthew E. White @ The HofGarden – $7 in advance/$10 at the door (order tickets HERE)
This is about as far as you can get from post-hardcore rage, but like they say, variety is the spice of life. It’s also how we keep things interesting here in Richmond, which a lot of people (including me) will tell you is one of the best music cities in the entire country. This Tuesday night sees some tremendously interesting things happening at The HofGarden, as Spacebomb Records head honchos Trey Pollard and Matthew E. White join together with local chamber music collective Classical Revolution RVA in order to present the live premiere of compositions from Pollard’s new album, Antiphone, coming later this month from Spacebomb.

Trey Pollard isn’t the sort of musician we’re used to interacting with here in the indie rock world. He’s a true composer, one who has done orchestral compositions and arrangements for everyone from Spacebomb compatriots Matthew E. White and Natalie Prass to Scottish indie-folk group The Waterboys and This American Life-affiliated podcast S-Town. Now he’s releasing the first album of his own compositions, which was recorded by a 16 piece ensemble earlier this year with Pollard conducting. For the performance at The Hof, a string quintet featuring members of Classical Revolution RVA will play compositions from Antiphone live for the first time. They’ll also accompany Matthew E. White for portions of a solo piano-and-vocal set that he’ll treat us all to, before we dive fully into the bold new works Pollard is bringing into the world. This is an evening for people who love all forms of music, and are most excited to see something unlike anything else out there. If you’re a true music fan, you’re not going to want to miss it.

Bonus Hampton Roads Picks:

Thursday, November 8, 7 PM
Fishbone, Jackmove @ Shaka’s – $27 in advance/$32 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Remember how we were talking earlier about the 90s being back? It doesn’t just show through in the return of sounds and styles that were popular back then; it also shows up in all the bands that are getting back together and returning to the road after decades away. Strictly speaking, this doesn’t describe Fishbone — they’ve been together the whole time, with founding vocalist Angelo Moore and bassist John Norwood Fisher sticking around through thick and thin. However, this year has seen the group return to their classic lineup for the first time since the late 90s. Or, well, that’s not entirely true — no one familiar with the whole saga will be surprised to hear that Kendall Jones isn’t back. But other than Jones, the lineup responsible for classic late-80s/early-90s LPs Truth And Soul, The Reality Of My Surroundings, and the unforgettably titled Give A Monkey A Brain and He’ll Swear He’s The Center Of The Universe is back once again and hitting the road to remind us why we loved Fishbone back in the day.

Of course, some of you are going to wonder what the heck I’m talking about. I hear you muttering: “Who is Fishbone, and why does it even matter?” Here’s the deal: back when “funk-punk” was a real, up-and-coming hybrid genre with underground energy and vitality, Fishbone were at the center of it. Never mind Red Hot Chili Peppers (who knew enough to shout Fishbone out constantly on their early albums); tracks like “Party At Ground Zero,” “Bonin’ In The Boneyard,” “Swim,” and “Everyday Sunshine” showed a talented group absorbing everything from ska and soul to hardcore and metal, then spitting it all back out in a wave of talented originality like nothing else out there, then or now. The members of Fishbone are quite a bit older now, but the songs they created in their heyday are still great, and their talent (and singer Angelo Moore’s boundless energy) are undiminished. This show will be both the perfect introduction for the young ‘uns among you and an outstanding opportunity for those of us who know exactly what Fishbone is all about to see the classic lineup in full nutt-megalomaniac form. Hell yeah.

Saturday, November 10, 7 PM
Good Riddance, Bigwig, Ann Beretta, Counterpunch @ Peabody’s – $20 in advance/$22 day of show (order tickets HERE)
And speaking of excellent bands from prior eras returning to demonstrate that they’ve still got it going on… here’s an excellent example of not one but THREE melodic punk bands of the 90s doing exactly that. California’s Good Riddance are at the top of this bill, nicknamed the “Fall Brawl 2018,” and they’ve got the kind of gritty hardcore feel underlying their more melodic moments to back that name up. Of the 90s Fat Wreck bands that cemented the skatepunk genre as the go-to sound for a generation of rebellious high school freshmen, Good Riddance were always the toughest, the dirtiest, the most hardcore. Returning to action a few years ago after almost a decade away, 2015’s Peace In Our Time showed that Good Riddance still had the goods.

New Jersey’s Bigwig haven’t made a new album in over a decade, but they’ve stayed on the road, cranking out their brand of metallically-melodic skatepunk for years now, and they’re still bringing the fire as well. More momentous news for longtime fans of RVA punk has been the return over the past couple of years of Ann Beretta, who were mainstays here in Richmond back in the late 90s but have been out of action since shortly after the dawning of the new millennium. They came back to us this year with Old Scars, New Blood, a new album of old hits rerecorded for the modern era, and the word is that they’re working on another entirely new collection that’ll hit town in the near future. This weekend, though, old-school RVA heads and melodic punk skate rats alike are gonna want to gas up the coupe and head down to Peabody’s, because this show is going to be full of excellent sounds from the past three decades of punk rock awesomeness.

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Email me if you’ve got any tips for me about upcoming shows (that take place after the week this column covers–this week’s column has obviously already been written): [email protected] [and yeah, there’s plenty more of my writing to read over at GayRVA — come say hey.]

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 2/21-2/27

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FEATURED SHOW
Saturday, February 24, 9 PM
Magnus Lush, Piranha Rama, Slump @ Mojo’s – Free?
This Saturday night is an occasion for celebration. Magnus Lush, who’ve quietly become one of the most reliably excellent bands in town over the last few years, are having a big coming-out party to celebrate the release of their new EP, Hell Is Real. In a way, it’s their debut — despite having a consistent history of live fireworks, this band has only given us a demo, which came out three whole years ago, and a couple of live radio sessions that are close to two years old themselves at this point. This new EP captures them on tape at the peak of their powers, so that all the people who haven’t caught on to their hypnotic excellence in a live setting yet can finally find out just what they’ve been missing.

Of course, this show on Saturday night at Mojo’s, which certainly appears to be a free show, is also a great opportunity for all those sleeping on Magnus Lush to wake up. This group’s sound, which incorporates spacey, foreboding keyboards and glittering guitar arpeggios into a postpunk rhythmic approach that is almost Fugazi-ish at times, then tops the whole thing with frontwoman Age Shurte’s powerful voice, is unique on the Richmond scene and all the more valuable as a result. Old heads might find themselves thinking of long-departed Richmond combo Damn Near Red, but there’s really no current comparison to be made. And a big part of that is due to the fact that Magnus Lush is really, really good.

Mojo’s is a great setting for this event, and that definitely adds to its appeal. With its relaxed atmosphere and emphasis on really delicious food, it’s not the first place you’d expect to find excellent live music. But a comfortable environment and a party vibe are sometimes just what one needs to really connect with a live musical experience. The rockin’ rollin’ sounds from openers Piranha Rama and Slump will also crank up the party vibe, as will the between-set live music provided by DJ Baby Maria. But ultimately, this night is all about Magnus Lush. And if you’re not already fired up about it, you need to fix that as soon as possible.

Wednesday, February 21, 5:30 PM
Eidola, Capstan, Andres, Captive, The Blue Sky Disaster, Pulses @ The Canal Club – $10 in advance/$12 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Every once in a while, I have no idea who any of the bands playing on a given night are, and I have to check all of them out to figure out what I’m going to write about. Usually, the choice comes down to which band seems the most entertaining or unusual, but every once in a while, one of those bands I know nothing about jumps up and smacks me across the face with their immediate excellence. Next thing I know, I’ve found a new fave. For this week, that band is Eidola, who will be touching down at The Canal Club tonight with an incredible sound that mixes progressive metal, melodic post-hardcore, and technical chops aplenty to blow this entire town away.

Their second album, 2017’s To Speak, To Listen, was my introduction to the band, and it grabbed me by the throat immediately. The fact that an instrumental version of the album was released a few months after the main release makes clear that the band is proud of the music they’ve written for this album. This is for good reason, as their complex song structures and technical instrumental prowess are definitely something to be proud of. However, it’s the melodic, passionate vocals that really raise this band to top level, and they’ll definitely be an essential part of their performance tonight at The Canal Club. Listen, I know this show starts really early and features a ton of bands who are all touring as a big package. Do what you want to do where those bands are concerned — after all, getting more for your money’s never a bad idea. But you simply must catch Eidola tonight; whether you’re a fan of metal or post-hardcore, whether you’re more captured by instrumental mastery or powerful emotions delivered through music, this band has you covered on all fronts. Don’t sleep on them.

Thursday, February 22, 7 PM
Miramar with Classical Revolution RVA @ In Your Ear Studios – $20 (order tickets HERE)
I know I write about metal and stuff like that a whole lot, but y’all, expanding our musical horizons is always an admirable goal, so we’re really lucky that Richmond, regardless of being a bit of a metal mecca, has a ton of other intriguing musical nooks n’ crannies to explore. And all you headbangers and indie hipsters could do with a little more musical exploration, so you should really get yourselves over to In Your Ear Studios tomorrow night to see Miramar perform with Classical Revolution RVA.

Miramar plays bolero music, a Latin style that has its roots in Cuba and spread across Latin America during the 20th century. Their 2016 debut album, Dedication to Sylvia Rexach, celebrated the life and work of the titular Puerto Rican poet and composer. Miramar’s sound may share some musical roots with the Afro-Cuban sound of Bio Ritmo, with whom they share members. However, they are a whole different experience, pairing emotionally-driven vocal duets with a slow, moody musical structure that lends itself perfectly to stringed accompaniment. At In Your Ear Studios tomorrow night, Miramar will be playing one set in their basic sextet form, and another accompanied by a string quartet featuring members of Classical Revolution and the Richmond Symphony. You’re sure to be moved by their powerful sounds, even if it doesn’t lend itself to mosh pits. Open your mind and bask in the many wonderful offerings of our local music scene — you won’t regret it.

Friday, February 23, 7 PM
Harm’s Way, Ringworm, Vein, Queensway, Division Of Mind @ The Canal Club – $15 (order tickets HERE)
Of course, if you’re in need for some heavy breakdowns to cleanse your palate, that’s certainly understandable. And you need look no further than the Canal Club for your fix. Harm’s Way is back this Friday night, and if it’s possible, they’ve gotten even heavier since last time they rolled through town. Their brand new album sees them drawing more than ever from harsh metallic industrial influences — if anything, I’d guess they’ve been listening to a lot of Godflesh lately. The mechanization inherent in their sound makes the latest album’s title — Posthuman — entirely apropos. But on a more relevant point, it makes the album’s plentiful breakdowns hit harder than you probably ever thought possible. Total mosh destruction. Your head just might explode. It’s gonna rule.

But listen, seriously, if you think Harm’s Way, back in fighting shape and heavier than ever, is all this bill has to offer, you must not have actually read the full lineup. Because just as big an attraction if not bigger is the appearance of Clevo hardcore legends Ringworm. Coming from the same deep-rooted evil metallic hardcore foundation as Integrity — who, let’s be real, basically created the modern metallic hardcore sound — Ringworm have remained consistent, powerful, and terrifying on a level that other bands from their era can’t even approach. 2016’s Snake Church was their eighth album, and it hit just as hard as their first; surely the same will be true when The Human Furnace and company hit the Canal Club stage. With Vein, Queensway, and Division of Mind opening up, this will be a real rager from beginning to end, so get ready to go off!

Saturday, February 24, 8 PM
John Nolan, Mammoth Indigo, Sammi Lanzetta @ The Camel – $15 (order tickets HERE)
Hey all you grown-up emo kids! You might be indie hipsters now, you might not let anyone know about the Taking Back Sunday and Straylight Run CDs you still have hidden away behind your racks of Pitchfork-approved indie vinyl… but I know. And right now, while all your super-cool indie friends aren’t paying attention, we can have a little private conversation about just how great all those records still are. I know, right? The best! Anyway, John Nolan, who was an essential founding member of both groups, is not only back with Taking Back Sunday these days, but also has done a fair amount of solo work over the past decade or so, and he’s currently on solo tour to give those songs some much-needed shine.

It’s been a few years since his last solo album, Sad Strange Beautiful Dream, but there’s no rush — after all, those songs are still great, and he hasn’t done a ton of touring since then, so it’s still a perfect time to see what the man’s been up to when he isn’t working with his legendary band. One thing that can be said about it — while it’s emotional, this isn’t emo, by any means. It’s not even really punk-derived; Nolan’s solo work has an acoustic, singer-songwriter vibe that reminds me more of catchy power-pop groups like underrated yet excellent pre-fun. combo The Format. It’ll still make you feel things, it’ll still get you dancing and singing along, but it’s definitely got its own flavor that’ll show all you dyed-in-the-wool Taking Back Sunday and Straylight Run fans a whole new side to John Nolan. What more could you ask for?

Sunday, February 25, 10 PM
Big No, Serqet, Bad Magic @ Bandito’s – Free!
The free local showcases on Sunday night at Bandito’s are an always-reliable source for excellent local music in a strangely great-sounding room, so anytime one comes around I’m always interested. This one is particularly promising, as it brings together a couple of reliably excellent veteran local groups with a relatively new up-and-comer everyone should be checking out. Big No is a moody, psychedelic project with a glowing pop heart, and their most recent LP, Get Over Yourself, really establishes them as a talented group with a ton of killer songs. If you’ve been reading this site for a while, you’ve had plenty of chances to jump onto this bandwagon, but it’s never too late, and free Sunday night shows are always a great low-stakes opportunity. Get into it.

Then there’s Serqet, a band whose name I always take three or four tries to spell. So far, they just have a demo out, but it was released by Vinyl Conflict Records, which should certainly grab your attention. This keyboard-infused postpunk band strikes an early 80s UK note, both with their spooky gothic keyboards and their arpeggiated guitar melodies, simultaneously bringing to mind references as disparate as Siouxsie and the Banshees, Amebix, and the Chameleons. Regardless of what you hear in their sound, you can’t deny its excellence. And the same could be said of Bad Magic, the trio fronted by talented songwriter Julie Karr and featuring local heavyweights Jimmy Held and Tim Falen holding down the rhythm section. Last year’s Harsh Surrender was a killer reminder of just how much talent this band has to offer. It all adds up to a night of intriguing, powerful talent. And there will also be tacos — you can’t beat that!

Monday, February 26, 8 PM
Giving Up, Fat Spirit, Basmati, Gumming @ Strange Matter – $5
Here’s a fun one, full of charm. Giving Up have a sound that simultaneously hits that jangly indie sweet spot so many bands have been messing with lately and also dips sideways into the sort of quirky keyboard pop that bands like Slingshot Dakota or Matt And Kim have been bringing us for quite a while. Giving Up have been around for a good bit of time themselves, but have remained somewhat under the radar due to the members’ being spread across the Midwest, and only coming together to create releases on an occasional basis.

However, they do have a brand new LP out, entitled Garner Cardinals, and it’s a strong, assured effort full of killer tunes. They’ll be bringing these tunes to Strange Matter Monday night and letting all y’all know exactly what you’ve been missing without Giving Up in your life. Should be a whole lot of fun, especially since the local support is provided by such killer bands. Basmati’s fun, slightly mathy indie-core is always a sure bet, and Fat Spirit is guaranteed to bring the grungy rock n’ roll. Gumming will strike the heaviest and weirdest note of the evening, for sure, but who doesn’t love a little spice in the punchbowl? Don’t miss this one.

Tuesday, February 27, 8 PM
Downhaul, Runaway Brother, Two Cars, Riley Little @ Strange Matter – $8 in advance/$10 day of show (order tickets HERE)
It’s always nice seeing local bands who have ambition and are willing to take their craft seriously. I don’t know a ton about Downhaul; honestly, I hadn’t heard much about them before this show came onto my radar. But the fact that this is a show celebrating the vinyl release of their new EP, Where We Started, certainly got my attention. In a time when a lot of bands feel like they’ve done enough just by uploading a garage recording to Bandcamp, seeing a young group put their money where their mouth is to the extent that they’ve paid for a vinyl pressing commands a certain amount of respect. Well done, guys.

And I don’t want to neglect the music, either. This quartet brings us an upbeat, jangly indie-guitar sound that makes me think at least somewhat of Surfer Blood — an impression that is strengthened by the singer’s passing vocal resemblance to John Paul Pitts. However, there’s just as much of the supposedly passe emo revival sound flowing through this band’s veins, if their rumbling rhythm section and occasionally quite strident crescendos are any indication. There’s basically nothing here not to like, and it’s clearly time for this town to start paying more attention to this band. Just to sweeten the pot, they’re joined on this bill by Cleveland emo-punk killers Runaway Brother, as well as a couple of local up-and-comers in Two Cars and Riley Little, neither of which I’m very familiar with. Downhaul is really the reason to show up, though. Do it.

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Email me if you’ve got any tips for me about upcoming shows (that take place after the week this column covers–this week’s column has obviously already been written): [email protected] [yes, my email is through GayRVA, don’t get weird about it]

Top image by Vivienne Lee, from a photo by Joey Wharton

A Glimpse into Richmond’s Classical Music Scene

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On any given Friday night, hordes of Richmond locals craving live music are rocking out to bands and moving to beats spun by locals DJs, until late, late at night — it’s pretty rare, though, to walk into Richmond bar or club and see a full orchestra on stage.

The growing classical music scene in Richmond, however, is here to change that.

“We play the same music we would play in a formal concert hall, just in a different environment,” said  Scott Dodson, Director of Patron Advancement at the Richmond Symphony. “It’s more casual, and people can talk and have a beer — although they can do that in our concert hall as well.”

The Richmond Symphony has begun a new program that encourages the integration of Richmond’s music scene by working with local bands to provide unique performances for locals.

On Friday, the symphony is teaming up with local artists like Matthew E. White, Tim Barry and Bio Ritmo performing together in an event called RVA Live! At the Carpenter Theatre.

Classical Revolution RVA, a Richmond-based collective of musicians, has a similar mission statement.

“We want to integrate classical music into Richmond’s vibrant music and art scene by taking this universal art form out of its glass case, and into Richmond’s bars, restaurants, galleries and cafes,” Ellen Cockerham Riccio, the Executive Director of Classical Revolution RVA, said.

The group organizes monthly performances called Classical Incarnations, which are essentially music variety shows at different venues in Richmond.

“These are venues where Richmonders would already hear live music, usually live bands,” Riccio said. “We perform in those same spaces, where people already feel comfortable. Every five or 10 minutes, a new group will take the stage.

We find that that holds people’s attention very well. It’s very informal, so I think people like that.

When we started, there was a lot of excitement — like, what, hearing a string quartet in a bar? Within a few months, all of our events were packed.”

The next Classical Incarnations is on Oct. 1 at 8 pm, at The Hof in Scott’s Addition. It is free and open to all ages. The Richmond Symphony has also furthered its efforts to interact with the community, with its Big Tent Initiative.

“We have this big, mobile performance space, and you can fit an entire orchestra and chorus under it,” Dodson said. “We take that around Richmond, and around to different counties. We try to perform really great music, and break down barriers, creating some kind of impact on the communities where we perform.”

Yet Dodson emphasized the frequent difficulties in breaking stereotypes when it comes to classical music.

“There’s no denying that a traditional orchestra audience tends to be older and of a certain demographic,” he said. “Still, we see a lot of different people coming to our concerts. There is a traditional feeling that orchestral music is meant to be for people wearing tuxedos, going to concert halls in the evening.”

But Dodson said that is just a perception.

“When you think about music 200 years ago, classical music as we know it now was being played in music halls as much as concert halls.”

Indeed, classical music has a long history and an important legacy. According to Dodson, much of the music we hear today is derived from music made hundreds of years ago. The Richmond Symphony was founded 60 years ago, and has been providing Richmond with music since.

Music, however, is not just about the performance — it is also about the connections it creates. Johnnia Stengall, the Assistant Director of Education and Community Engagement, first started playing the viola when she was just ten years old, and she is passionate about working with children and imparting her love of music.

Before her time in Richmond, Stengall worked with the Baltimore Symphony’s youth orchestra.

“I worked at the Peabody Conservatory, and there were a bunch of kids that would come on the bus from West Baltimore, the rougher part of town, where the riots happened a few years ago,” she said. “Then you’d have the kids from the suburbs, who got dropped off by their parents in Escalades.

And you’d see them in rehearsal talking together about music and concerts. They were so different, and they probably would never have met otherwise. But here, they spoke the same language. I wanted to do that in Richmond, too.”

When asked why classical music is important, both groups were quick to answer: classical music has a special place in Richmond’s music scene, and is capable of moving and inspiring many. It is clear that those who work with the symphony and Classical Revolution RVA are ardently devoted to their work and their music.

“It’s a completely unique experience,” Dodson said. “There’s nothing that I can think of that creates the same sort of sound as an orchestral performance. There’s no other musical experience that resonates in the same way. You get those chills on the back of your neck, and I can’t explain what that means. In that moment, it’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard. “

Coccio also emphasized the uniqueness of the classical genre.

“All music is really important for us, especially classical music, because it reminds us that we’re more than our words and our thoughts,” she said. “ It expresses what words can’t, and I feel that classical music in particular really captures the moodiness of humanity. You can go from feeling upbeat to heartbroken to angry to having an epiphany — and I think that really describes us as humans.”