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

Marilyn Drew Necci | August 7, 2019

Topics: Alcindor, Another Round Bar and Grill, Bad Motivator, Bandito's, Bashful, Body Of Light, Clementine, Crucial Rip, Drab Majesty, Faded Home, Funeral Proposals, gallery 5, Garden Grove Brewing, Gravebound, Hide, Jerome's Dream, Marshall Family Values, Matt and the Skeleton Crew, Nightcreature, Ostraca, Peabody's, Psychonaut, Queen Of Jeans, Scott Yoder, shows you must see, Site Of Suffering, Talk Me Off, The Broadberry, The Canal Club, The Lawrence Arms, The Magenta Shift, The Menzingers, The Sidekicks, Thin Pigeon, This Kills Me, Turbo Mansion, Twin Films, Under Broken Skies, Vein, Walkie Talkie, Watchdogs

FEATURED SHOW
Friday, August 9, 7 PM
Jerome’s Dream, Vein, Ostraca, Watchdogs @ Gallery 5 – $15 (order tickets HERE)

If you have paid any attention to the underground screamo scene over the past decade or so, you’re sure to have heard of Jerome’s Dream. Active in the late 90s and very early 00s, this New England-based trio were crucial in defining the faster, more chaotic end of the genre as it was codified at the dawn of the new millennium. Bassist Jeff Smith’s high-pitched screams and refusal to use a mic during shows set a template for an entire generation of bands, and the band’s frenetic, dynamic songwriting demonstrated the most effective way of making a basement full of kids with dyed-black hair writhe and scream spastically along.

Of course, having broken up in 2001, the height of Jerome’s Dream’s fame and influence came long after their demise. But they returned to action this year with a long-awaited crowdfunded album that constitutes their first release in 18 years. Is it as good as the old stuff? Well, it shouldn’t be a surprise to hear that opinions are sharply divided on that subject! Between Smith’s inability to recreate his trademark wail (he’d already ceased to do so on the band’s final pre-breakup EP, Presents), the significantly more metallic sound of the guitars on the new LP (entitled LP, of course), and the less frantic, more complex song structures, Jerome’s Dream have certainly undergone a noticeable evolution in their 18 years away from the spotlight.

But will the live show still rule now that the members are all pushing 40? Well, there’s only one way to find out, and that’s to show up at Gallery 5 Friday night and see what these guys have to offer. All the stoked young screamo kids in attendance are sure to provide plenty of high-pitched screams of their own, so you may not even miss Smith’s screech. And with youthful screamo apostates Vein — who, on last year’s Errorzone, patterned themselves more after Slipknot and Mudvayne than anything associated with the 7-letter S word (not that that’s a bad thing) — in tow, local vets Ostraca representing Richmond screamo, and mosh-lovers Watchdogs opening things up, this is sure to be a killer show even if Jerome’s Dream just stand still and play their instruments. And let’s be real, even that will still be cool.

Wednesday, August 7, 7 PM
Drab Majesty, Hide, Body Of Light @ The Broadberry – $15 in advance/$18 day of show (order tickets HERE)

The new romantics of the 80s aren’t so far gone, and these three Dais Records bands are coming to The Broadberry tonight to prove that. Drab Majesty are at the top of the bill, and there could be no other place for Deb Demure and Mona D, with their gothic-electro-postpunk beats, melodies, and life. Having just released their third LP, Modern Mirror, they’ll be taking over the Broadberry tonight to get all the eyeliner-bedecked dance floor warriors to move their feet in the dark.

Drab Majesty’s music definitely brings a nighttime ambience to the air, even if you’re listening to it at 11 AM on a sunny day, but there’s a surprising amount of melody built into what they’re doing as well, making for some killer tunes that’ll lock into your brainstem and refuse to let go. In a good way, of course. Chicago’s Hide, who are also on this bill, have not yet released their latest Dais Records LP, Hell Is Here, but the single preview track available is enough to let us all know that they’ll bring a decidedly angrier and more ominous vibe during their portion of the evening. If Drab Majesty will make you dance and sing along, Hide is going to make you stomp and scream. The bill will be rounded out by Body Of Light, whose brand new LP, Time To Kill, splits the difference between the other two bands on this bill with its pounding yet subtly melodic industrial approach. Dress in black for this one.

Thursday, August 8, 7 PM
Scott Yoder, Nightcreature, Thin Pigeon @ Gallery 5 – $7

A veteran of garage-rockers The Pharmacy and indie-folk singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson’s backing band, Seattle’s Scott Yoder has become quite the unique musical auteur over the past several years. His solo work mingles hints of retro psychedelia with the glamour of old Hollywood and the outright glam of Marc Bolan and David Bowie. Right now, he’s in the midst of releasing six different 7 inch singles over the course of this year, and on songs like “Silver Screen Starlet” and “Cloaked In Nite,” he’s brought a unique world to life in his music — a world he’ll bring to the Gallery 5 stage this Thursday night.

You’re not going to want to miss this one, and not just because Scott Yoder is gracing a local stage — he’ll meet his match in glamour and glitz when Richmond’s own Nightcreature take the stage. On their debut EP, On The Loose, released last fall, this powerful ensemble displayed plenty of garage grit and androgynous glam, all of which they’re sure to bring to the Gallery 5 stage on this lovely evening. Postpunk trio Thin Pigeon will open this one up with some elegant and memorable tunes of their own — expect glittering pop genius from one end to the other with this one.

Friday, August 9, 7 PM
Funeral Proposals, Marshall Family Values, Twin Films, Faded Home @ The Canal Club – $8 in advance/$10 at the door (order tickets HERE)

Ohio’s Funeral Proposals have been together for a few years, so I suppose by this point someone’s already made the “they put the ‘fun’ in funeral” joke. I still want to make it myself, though, because this band’s music is undeniably fun, at least on their latest EP, 2018’s Blue Deluxe. On some tracks they get an upbeat alt-rock groove going, on others they’re more of a bouncy pop group, but the element all of their songs retain in common is a contagious joy — which is only enhanced by the occasional surf-music vibe that comes through.

A trio of local groups join Funeral Proposals at The Canal Club this Friday night to provide various fun sounds of their own. Marshall Family Values sounds like something a politician might talk about, but musically they are quite a bit more pleasant than that might make it seem, mixing wailing guitars and prominent keyboards into a tasty melodic rock sound. Twin Films get more hazy and psychedelic with their indie vibes, and bring quite a bit of gorgeous melody in the process. And Faded Home have a raw, ambient sound that’s sure to evoke some feels. All in all, an excellent way to spend your Friday night.

Saturday, August 10, 7 PM
Crucial Rip, Gravebound, Under Broken Skies, Alcindor, Site Of Suffering @ Another Round Bar and Grill – $8

There was a point when it felt like Richmond’s home for brutal metal was Shockoe Bottom, but in recent months, it’s started to seem like the RVA metal scene has moved out to Lakeside. Another Round in particular has become a central gathering place for all of this city’s headbangers, and this Saturday night of brutal mosh madness will demonstrate to all the doubters exactly why that’s an entirely positive development. Death metallers Crucial Rip, who’ve been one of the city’s leading lights of metal for years now, will be at the top of this bill, giving you a heaping helping of rumbling low-end power, complete with the kind of sick breakdowns that fans of extremely heavy hardcore will gravitate to just as quickly as the death-heads do.

But they’re not all this evening has to offer — oh, far from it! Gravebound are also RVA-based, but their sound is much more familiar to those who dig bands like Sworn In and Chelsea Grin. It’s metalcore, but it’s extremely heavy metalcore — the type that’s also sure to start at least a few mosh pits over the course of their set. With Fredericksburg brutality merchants Under Broken Skies on the bill, as well as newcomers Alcindor and Site Of Suffering, this show is going to be full of reasons to bang your head. And we could all use more of those.

Sunday, August 11, 7 PM
This Kills Me (photo by Brianna Spause), Turbo Mansion, Matt and the Skeleton Crew, Bad Motivator @ Garden Grove Brewing – Free!

Philadelphia’s This Kills Me are coming to Garden Grove this weekend, and that’s going to be a real treat for all of us — whether you know it yet or not. Earlier this year, they released The End, an 8-song project that’s either a mini-LP or a long EP. I’ve never been any good at figuring that sort of thing out, but I do know great melodic songwriting when I hear it. Folks, this is it.

I’m tempted to call This Kills Me a post-hardcore band, but if anything I think it may be more true to say post-pop-punk (which is too many hyphens — believe me, I know); their sound is sure to appeal to fans of classic late-90s bands like Farside and Gameface. Whether those references mean anything to you or not (and if you’re under 30, I’m betting you’re on the latter side of that one), you’ll certainly have a lovely time seeing this band at Garden Grove, especially since the bill features multiple excellent local bands, Turbo Mansion foremost among them. AND, on top of all that, it’s free! Who can argue with that?

Monday, August 12, 8 PM
The Lawrence Arms, Talk Me Off, Bashful @ Bandito’s – Free!

One absolute treat of a free show deserves another, right? For those of you out there who love modern pop-punk, the headline of this little blurb is all you really need to hear — I’m guessing you’re already making plans to queue up outside Bandito’s the second you get off work on Monday. But for those who don’t quite know the deal, here it is: The Lawrence Arms is one of the most important bands in the world of melodic, emotional punk rock since the turn of the millennium. Albums like 2003’s The Greatest Story Ever Told have long since proved this to all who’ve encountered them.

They’ve been around for two entire decades at this point, and have been a bit less active over the past ten years or so, but they’re working on a new album scheduled for next year, and they’re coming to RVA because they have a night off their current tour with Bad Religion and felt like sharing their many classic tunes with us all. Bandito’s shows are always free, so it’s strictly first-come first-served for this one. Luckily for us all, tacos are cheap during Bandito’s happy hour, so come early, grab dinner, and be ready for the show to get rolling by 8:45. It’s gonna be a great one.

Tuesday, August 13, 7 PM
Beres Hammond, DJ Inferno @ The National – $25 in advance/$30 at the door (order tickets HERE)

Not just a Clash song or a Sade album, lovers rock is an entire subgenre of reggae, one that exists in contrast to the heavy-dub sound and Rasta politics of famous Jamaican reggae exports like Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. Lovers rock mixes the classic reggae lilt with soulful vocals and a stronger emphasis on melodies and balladry. Beres Hammond started out as a Jamaican dancehall singer in the 80s, but established himself internationally with his 90s work, which cemented him as a top-tier lovers rock single and led him to work in the early 00s with everyone from Big Youth to Wyclef Jean.

Now it’s 2019, and Hammond is in the midst of an international tour behind Never Ending, his 20th album and first in over five years. Singles like “I’m Alive” and the title track have proved that his talent is as strong as ever, and he’ll be coming to The National this Tuesday night to charm reggae fans all over the metro area with his reggae balladry. Get ready for an evening of dancing with your baby to Beres Hammond’s smooth, sweet lovers rock. It may only be Tuesday night, but this high’s gonna carry you straight through to the weekend.

Elsewhere Around The State:

Friday, August 9, 8 PM
The Menzingers, The Sidekicks, Queen Of Jeans @ Peabody’s (Virginia Beach) – $22 in advance/$25 at the door (order tickets HERE)

Here’s another one of the most important melodic, emotional punk rock bands to come along since the turn of the millennium. Two in one week? That’s pretty amazing, and if you’re a true fan, driving to Virginia Beach will seem like a small price to pay to catch Scranton pop-punk geniuses The Menzingers on their current tour. It’s been two years since their excellent fifth album, After The Party, and they’re currently preparing a sixth one, Hello Exile, for an October release.

That’s still a bit away, and so far, we’ve only heard one of the songs from it, but “Anna” is a gorgeous, heartrending banger that lets us all know the band who brought us angst-ridden classic “I Don’t Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore” still have all of their chops 100 percent intact. That’s reason enough to drive down for this one, but the fact that Ohio pop-punk/power-pop veterans The Sidekicks, as well as Philly indie/power-pop trio Queen Of Jeans, are also on the bill makes this one a downright can’t-miss event. So don’t miss it, punk!

Saturday, August 10, 8 PM
Psychonaut, The Magenta Shift, Walkie Talkie @ Clementine (Harrisonburg) – $7

It might be easy for Harrisonburg to slide right by the consciousness of a VA music fan from more populous cities closer to I-95, but paying even a little bit of attention will make it abundantly clear that the scene in the city of Macrock is jumping all year round, not just on that one spring weekend. Psychonaut are a Harrisonburg-based band bringing an excellent psychedelic sound to the city of JMU and beyond, if the rest of the state will only listen.

This show is a celebration of Mind — no, this isn’t some weird new-age workshop, Mind is the name of the new Psychonaut LP, and it’s an album full of dark, moody soundscapes that bring to mind Paisley Underground classics by Rain Parade and The Dream Syndicate, while also harking back to some of the deeper, more subtle bands of the post-Nirvana alt-rock revolution (though I’m gonna guess that neither they nor you, reader, have any memory of California trio Dada — but I promise they were good). The overall result is an album full of intriguing, multi-layered melodies and glittering guitars that pull you in deeper with every listen. To see Psychonaut bring this one to life onstage is sure to be the kind of treat that’s worth driving across the mountain for. Gas up the Jeep.

—-

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]

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

Your Personal Guide to Richmond’s Thrift Shop Scene

VCU CNS | May 10, 2019

Topics: Ashby, Buffalo Exchange, Clementine, Rumors Boutique, RVA Vintage stores, thrift stores, Uptown Cheapskate

Many consumers are turning to thrifting as an eco-friendly alternative to shopping at the mall.

Numerous resale boutiques and thrift shops have popped up in the Richmond area over the past few years, giving people more options than ever. With warm weather creeping upon us, now is an opportune time to update your summer wardrobe.

From Short Pump to Midlothian to Carytown, here are a few of the area’s many thrift shops.

Photo: Emmett Methven for Rumors Boutique

If you’re looking for a place that has all the latest fashions for half the price, look no further than Rumors Boutique and 723 W. Broad St. Rumors has a blend of modern and vintage-style clothing, carrying everything from the Instagram-famous brand Fashion Nova to authentic pieces straight from the 1980s.

When it comes to sustainability, the store no longer hands out plastic bags to customers. Rumors even sells metal drinking straws that have become increasingly popular in the past year.

Elizabeth Humphreys for the Commonwealth Times

Buffalo Exchange is perhaps the newest addition to Richmond’s thrift store lineup, having opened in August. The chain was started in Tucson, Arizona, in 1974 and now has over 50 locations across 21 states.

The Buffalo Exchange at 3140 W. Cary St. is its first in Virginia. When it comes to style, the store’s options are a bit more vintage-inspired than Rumors’. If that’s your brand of strawberry jam, go for it.

If you’re looking for something more on the refined, less grunge side, Ashby is the place for you. If you enjoy brands like ASOS and Free People, then Ashby at 3010 W. Cary St. might be your perfect match. It was voted one of the best clothing consignment/resale stores and best women’s boutiques by readers of Richmond Magazine in 2018.

Photo via Tiramisu For Breakfast

If you’re looking for something on the more mature side, try Ashby’s sister store, Clementine at 3118 W. Cary St. While Ashby is more directed at younger, more casual demographic, Clementine feels chic-er, selling designer brands such as Chanel and Lululemon. With springtime in full swing, bright pastel colors and bold prints are very much in style. If that’s what you’re searching for, Clementine will have you covered.

Photo via Yelp

Uptown Cheapskate, like Buffalo Exchange, is a nationwide chain. It began in 2009 in Utah and eventually spread across the country. The company has two locations in RVA: at 1403 Huguenot Road in Midlothian and at 4338 Pouncey Tract Road in Short Pump. If you enjoy Urban Outfitters, Uptown Cheapskate is a good match. Plus, Uptown claims its clothes are as much as 70 percent cheaper than mall prices.

Written by Arianna Coghill, Capital News Service. Top Photo: Business photo via freepik

2014 RVA Fashion Week Shows Off The Talent & Diversity Of Local Fashion Scene

Marilyn Drew Necci | May 27, 2014

Topics: AlterNatives, Asa Jackson, Ashby, C & C Sandbox, Carytown Boutiques, Chilalay, Child Rebel, Clementine, Earl Mack, Fab'rik, Glass Boat, Glave Kocen Gallery, Isley Brewing Company, Jasmine Justice, Misha Nonoo, New Normal Apparel, Rec League, Rumors, RVA Fashion Week, Ten Thousand Villages, The Broadberry, The Gallery At UNOS, The National

RVA Fashion Week, founded in 2008 and launched in 2009, reached new heights in its 6th Annual Showcase, which took place between April 27 and May 4 of this year. Richmond fashion lovers experienced a week long presentation of the diverse fashions of local retailers, the culture of the Richmond fashion scene, and the brilliant designs of up and coming local designers.
[Read more…] about 2014 RVA Fashion Week Shows Off The Talent & Diversity Of Local Fashion Scene

RVA Fashion Week Is In Full Swing! Events Happening Nightly Through Saturday

RVA Staff | April 29, 2014

Topics: Ashby, Clementine, Glave Kocen Gallery, Mezzanine, Morong Koy, Rumors, RVA Fashion Week, Spartan Studios, The Broadberry, The National, UNOS

The sixth annual RVA Fashion Week began on Sunday, April 27 and will continue through Sunday, May 4, with events happening nightly at various venues around town. This locally oriented celebration seeks to promote not only the local designers that make up the talented, under-the-radar fashion community that exists in Richmond, but to further promote this city and its vibrant artistic culture as a whole.

This year, RVA Fashion Week has partnered with United Network For Organ Sharing (UNOS), a non-profit organization that helps facilitate every organ transplant that takes place within the US. RVA Fashion Week’s Executive Director, Morong Koy, said the group was “honored” to be able to work with UNOS on this year’s events, and appreciated the opportunity to “give to something that’s close and dear to our hearts.”

UNOS, who have a gallery in Richmond located at 700 N. 4th St, will be hosting Wednesday night’s Fashion Week event, the Art Gallery Gala, featuring catering by Mezzanine and an appearance by Isley Brewing Company, the exclusive craft beer sponsor. There will be art on display by artists Mel Heath, Brittany Ketcham, Justin McCafferty, Bryan Buehrle, Simon Stamenov, Zachary Morris, and more, and the event has the dual purpose of celebrating the work of all the artists involved and of raising public awareness about UNOS and their mission.

But why an art show in the middle of a week devoted to fashion? Koy explained: “The way we look at it is, fashion is in everything. [RVA Fashion Week represents] the art community as a whole. Richmond VA is becoming one of the hottest places–you’ve seen the murals throughout [the city]. We just want to bring the community together… It’s a great opportunity for the RVA fashion public to see artwork from these special artists who’ve put their heart and soul into these pieces.”

This is just one of many varied events still to come for RVA Fashion Week. Tonight’s event, the Jewelry & Accessories Exhibit at Glave Kocen Gallery (1620 W. Main St), spotlights a particularly strong aspect of the local fashion scene. Models will be exhibiting the pieces included in the show by wearing them as part of a live art exhibit. The show includes designs by Olive Owl, Red Lintu, New Normal, Glass Boat, Half United, and Jasmine Justice. Koy was particularly excited about the inclusion of Jasmine Justice’s work in the show. “Jasmine does amazing work,” she told us. “Her necklaces are made from organic material… and [feature] all these colors. The way they look… I want some for myself!”

Thursday night’s show, RVA Threads, is devoted to local consignment boutiques. Featuring vintage and secondhand wares from Rumors, Clementine, and Ashby, as well as looks from designer Ryan Azia, this event helps reflect RVA’s unique sensibility. “[Richmond is] centrally located from all these great areas, [and] we have this special style,” Koy said, citing “that rock n’ roll, hipster feel that Richmond loves so much.” The RVA Threads Block Party will take place at Spartan Studios, located at 1702 Belleville Ave, at the end of Norfolk Ave in Scott’s Addition. True to its name, the event is indeed a block party, with vendors and food trucks on hand, plus live music from local bands Celtic Panda and Agent.

The biggest shows will take place as we head into the weekend. Friday night will feature the Local Designer Showcase at The Broadberry, located at 2729 W. Broad St. Designers from VA, including Chilalay, Angelina Cooper, Amanda Campbell, Abigail Mpofu, Ashley Church, Candace Parrish, Markie Colden, Nijole Bailey, Ryan Azia, Stuart King, Lakisha Greene, Kamala Bhagat, and more will be on hand showcasing their best fashion designs. Then on Saturday night at The National (708 E. Broad St), RVA Fashion Week will present the Fashion Show Finale, an event showcasing local boutiques including South Moon Under, 707 Fine Clothing, Cache, BCBG, Ten Thousand Villages, Fabrik, Alternatives, and Glassboat. This event will feature musical performances from The Handsmiths, McBeth, Joel Antolijao, and Agent.

While other RVA Fashion Week events are free and open to the public, the Friday and Saturday shows at The Broadberry and The National do require a cover charge. However, Koy pointed out that even these events feature very reasonable ticket prices–admission to the Broadberry on Friday is $10 in advance (order tickets here) and tickets to the show at The National on Saturday start at $15 (order tickets here). “I could never afford to go to Fashion Week in New York or Miami. It’s unfortuate–as much as I’d love to, it’s not really open to the public,” she said. “The great thing about RVA Fashion Week is that it’s affordable for everyone.”

In a city like Richmond, much smaller than New York, LA, Miami, or other American fashion capitals, the question must be raised–is there really a need for an RVA Fashion Week? Koy is firmly convinced that there is. “We’re a very small metropolis, but the talent that’s located in just this small town [is] amazing,” she declared. “People don’t understand the great finds we have… We have a great fashion scene that nobody knows about, and it’s starting to get a little bit more exposure.” Echoing her earlier reference to the city’s unique style, she repeated: “We have a certain look. And we have broadcast it.” RVA Fashion Week just hopes to boost that signal a bit more.

And they plan to continue to do so, well beyond this week. “This is our sixth year doing this, and we’re just going to keep on going bigger,” Koy declared. “With UNOS coming on board, we’re giving them a little bit more exposure, and showing that art, fashion, and charity can all come together in one great aspect for the week–and keep it going for the entire year.” Be a part of it–keep up with RVA Fashion Week on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or go to rvafashionweek.com.

Story by Marilyn Drew Necci & Emilie Von Unwerth
Images from Carytown Boutique Tour by Anthony Chatman

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