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VA Shows You Must See This Week: June 12 – June 18

Marilyn Drew Necci | June 12, 2019

Topics: Bandito's, Black Liver, Cary Street Cafe, CB/BJ, Copperhead, Crab Action, Crystal Spiders, DJ Harrison, Donnie Dale, Earth, Eliza Battle, Florida Man, gallery 5, Gardener, Griffin, Have Mercy, Helms Alee, Modern Chemistry, Nat Digga, New Boss, Ohbliv, Omen Stones, Ostraca, Overo, Prayer Group, Savage Kenny, shows you must see, Space Cubs, The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative, The Camel, The Canal Club, The Dangerous Summer, The Dark Room, The Golden Pony, The Muckrakers, The National, Todd Rundgren, Wonderland, Woodsy Pride, Zolephants, Zooanzoo

FEATURED SHOW
Friday, June 14, 7 PM
Earth (Photo by Sam Gehrke), Helms Alee @ Gallery 5 – $16 (order tickets HERE)

It’s hard to believe that Earth have been cranking out their pulverizing minimalist drone epics for nearly 30 years now. But it’s true, and despite the band’s incredibly slow pace, bandleader and only constant member Dylan Carlson has never fallen behind when it comes to glacial heaviness. Earth’s early works were a crucial influence on doom-drone cult heroes Sunn 0))); beginning with their fourth album, 2005’s Hex, they became a prime mover in the push to find a bridge between the most apocalyptic end of metal and the sweeping melancholy of American folk and country music.

It’s now been five years since Primitive And Deadly, the group’s eighth album and first in over 20 years to feature vocals. Now they’ve returned with Full Upon Her Burning Lips, released only two weeks ago by a stripped-down lineup that finds only Carlson and drummer Adrienne Davies remaining from the four-to-five-member lineups that made their last five albums. The sound has been stripped down, too; while still retaining some of the folk and country flavors that differentiated their more recent albums from their early drone-uber-alles efforts, Full Upon Her Burning Lips finds Earth focusing once again on the almighty riff. Songs are long, slow, and repetitive, but rather than being boring, they are transcendent, placing you in the kind of hypnagogic headspace so awesomely attained by the legendary Earth 2.

Expect all of that and more when Earth hits the Gallery 5 stage, amps cranked to the maximum. No matter what stage of Earth’s evolution pleases you the most, their current incarnation will have plenty to offer you. And with Seattle psychedelic rangers Helms Alee on the bill, you’ll get a special bonus headtrip that’s worth the price of admission in itself. The group’s epic post-metal sound attains new heights on their latest LP, Noctiluca, and their set will act as the perfect appetizer for Earth’s full serving of epic riff triumph.

Wednesday, June 12, 9 PM
Space Cubs (Photo by Jonathan Sherman), Zooanzoo, Gardener, Donnie Dale @ The Camel – $5 in advance/$7 day of show (order tickets HERE)

Things are sure to get interesting tonight at The Camel, as the city will be graced by a visit from Space Cubs. Actually hailing from right here on Earth, this group comes to us from Buffalo and features a strange mix of strong riffage, programmed electronics, and outright weirdness, all driven by the unforgettable vocal presence of frontwoman Suzanne Bonifacio. Sometimes the songs are dancefloor calls to action, sometimes they’re ambient mind-expanders, sometimes they’re completely indescribable. But they’re always awesome.

Space Cubs are accompanied on this trip to the ol’ RVA by Zooanzoo, a Harrisonburg-based project with a similarly indescribable gender-hopping sound. Last year’s Neck Out is a beat-heavy mixtape from outer space, moving from jazz to ambient techno to bedroom-pop and boom-bap beats all in the space of a single song. What form this will take onstage is certainly open to question, but it’s sure to be captivating. Gardener, the solo project of experimental musician Dash Lewis, and Donnie Dale, a moody electronic project with a great deal of soul, will open things up. Get there.

Thursday, June 13, 9 PM
Florida Man, Prayer Group, Copperhead @ Wonderland – $10

We all know about Florida Man — the descriptor generally attached to a person in the news who has done something totally insane and often hilarious. From throwing an alligator through a drive-thru window to wearing a “Fuck The Police” shirt to court, Florida Man is always up to something. It’s that zany anti-social spirit that the band Florida Man — who actually come from South Carolina — conjure up on their latest LP, Tropical Depression.

While it’s easy to come up with adjectives to describe this band’s music — loud, fast, intense — it’s much harder to slot it into a pre-existing genre. Maybe it’s punk, maybe it’s metal, maybe it’s noise-rock or grunge… the truth is, it’s probably a little bit of all those, along with quite a few more. But it’s sure to get you moving and rock you hard when Florida Man rolls into Shockoe Bottom’s punkest club, Wonderland, and that’s what really counts, isn’t it? (Yes.) Florida Man will be joined by Richmond noise-metallers Prayer Group and Copperhead to make this a truly powerful bill that you won’t want to miss out on.

Friday, June 14, 9 PM
Ohbliv, DJ Harrison, Nat Digga, Floppy Sisk @ The Dark Room – $10

Forget what you’ve heard about love and money — beats make the world go round. How would you get out of bed in the morning, or walk down the street to your job, without a good beat? When the world is difficult, beats keep your head up and help you to move ahead. And that’s why, after a long hard week, you just might need a good healthy serving of beats. Never fear, because that’s what you’re going to get at The Dark Room Friday night. Four talented producers at the top of their class both in this city and in the world as a whole will drop a series of deep, hard, head-nodding beats upon you, and you will enjoy every second of it.

The big name here is, of course, Ohbliv, who followed up his immortalization in a Nils Westergard mural with two full-length albums of stone-cold classics so far this year — Soulphonic in January, and Give Thanks last month. An artist this prolific is sure to have some surprises up his sleeve — don’t miss out. He’s joined by the equally formidable DJ Harrison, who in addition to his plentiful work with a variety of jazz ensembles around town, is always giving us beats to move to, most recently with last winter’s IndieGiver. Nat Digga (I see what you did there), formerly known around town as Sound Genesius, remains a mysterious and powerful beatmaker who is decidedly underrated by the city at large. Floppy Sisk, the production alter ego of local jazz musician Griffin Sisk, starts the whole thing up. Come to the Dark Room and let the vibes overtake you.

Saturday, June 15, 6 PM
The Dangerous Summer, Have Mercy, Modern Chemistry, Black Liver @ The Canal Club – $15 (order tickets HERE)

Summer can indeed be dangerous — last summer, Maryland emo band The Dangerous Summer ended a tour by having all of their equipment stolen from their van. But they didn’t let it slow them down; they just made a video about it and carried on. Then they headed home, put together their next album, and got ready to tour again. The group’s fifth album, Mother Nature, comes out this Friday — coincidentally, the day before they come to Richmond and rock the Canal Club. And if you’re as big a fan of moving, powerful, melodic rock music (think Manchester Orchestra) as I am, then you’re definitely going to want to be there.

Fellow Marylanders Have Mercy have a new album coming this summer too — it’s called The Love Life and will be out in August. For now, only one song has been released, but “Clair” shows that the emotionally powerful lyrics and sure-footed melodies of their 2017 comeback, Make The Best Of It, have held true, and that the reconstituted group (only frontman Brian Swindle remains from the lineup that made their first two albums) is moving forward stronger than ever. Either one of these bands on their own would certainly reach must-see levels, but this double-shot of emo power? Absolutely unmissable. Plan accordingly.

Sunday, June 16, 9 PM
Omen Stones, Crystal Spiders, CB/BJ @ Bandito’s – Free!

These days we talk about a ton of different genres that make the Richmond music scene as powerful and outstanding as it is, from jazz and hip hop to indie and Americana. But the genre that first put Richmond on the map is definitely metal, and in 2019, the city’s metal scene remains as rich (no pun intended) as ever. Case in point: Omen Stones, a new trio of Richmond heavy hitters who’ve come together to crank out some powerful grooves in predictably mindblowing fashion.

Omen Stones brings together Tommy Hamilton (Druglord), Erik Larson (Avail/Alabama Thunderpussy), and Ed Fierro (Desert Altar/Tel) into a unit that’s even greater than the sum of its parts. On their recent self-titled EP, this group crafts its formidable stoner-metal lineage into a collection of memorable anthems that forgo doom-metal’s sludgy tempos in favor of some serious Camaro-rattling riffage. Fans of Red Fang, Kyuss, and yes, any of these talented musicians’ former groups certainly need to be on the lookout. And what better place to do it than Bandito’s, where the admission is always free, the sound is always great, and the nachos are always delicious? I sure can’t think of any. Enjoy sets from NC fuzz-jammers Crystal Spiders and local riff titans CB/BJ in the bargain — you won’t regret a second of it.

Monday, June 17, 9 PM
Overo, Ostraca, Eliza Battle @ Cary Street Cafe – $10

It’s always fun to see completely unexpected sounds invade the hippie sanctum that is Cary Street Cafe. No offense to the Deadheads amongst you, but if you ask me, variety, not cannabis, is definitely the spice of life. So shake it up this Monday night, and check out Overo, a new emo-core outfit hailing from Houston, TX, and featuring former members of Football, etc and Perfect Future. No American football-themed song titles this time around (more’s the pity), but the group’s two-song debut single show them moving smoothly and nimbly between driving screamo crescendos and gorgeous melodies. This is definitely a band to watch in 2019, and you can start doing so in just a few short days.

They’ll be joined by Richmond’s foremost practicioners of gloomy metallic screamo, Ostraca — who, coincidentally enough, also feature former members of Perfect Future. Having brought us three full-length albums in the past four years, Ostraca is on a prolific pace, but their music has remained top-notch throughout, and chances are they’ll blow you away with at least one or two new songs at this show. Dark hardcore up-and-comers Eliza Battle will kick this one off with some powerful fury to get you in the mood. Every minute of this will rule — even if none of these bands have dancing-bear stickers on their amps.

Tuesday, June 18, 7:30 PM
Todd Rundgren @ The National – $25 – $43 (order tickets
HERE)
For at least half a century now, Todd Rundgren has been one of pop music’s most aggressively original talents. And even now, at 70 years of age, he shows no signs of slowing down. His most recent album, 2017’s White Knight, focused on the sort of electro-synth stylings that are much more common to artists half a century younger than he is, and brought in a variety of celebrity guest vocalists, including everyone from Trent Reznor to Steely Dan’s Donald Fagen to Swedish pop legend Robyn.

But there’s far more than Rundgren’s latest album to recommend seeing him live. His back catalog includes everything from his classic 1972 pop breakthrough, Something/Anything?, to his decade fronting prog-rockers Utopia, to his mid-90s “interactive albums,” which still stand as unique and unreplicated experiments in the possibilities inherent in digital music. While Rundgren has rarely been at the top of the pop charts, he’s built up a strong and loyal cult over his 50-plus year career. Come to the National this Tuesday night and find out why. Expect to have your mind blown in the bargain.

Elsewhere Around the State:

Thursday, June 13, 6 PM
New Boss, The Zolephants, Woodsy Pride @ The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative – $?

Back when I was in high school and lived in the country outside Charlottesville, I knew what was going on with the music scene in that city. But I graduated and left the area over 25 years ago, so my recent attempts to catch up with things in my former sorta-hometown have been quite illuminating. One fascinating discovery has been New Boss, the local headliners atop this particular bill. On their most recent release, 2018 EP No Breeze, I hear a technicolor spectrum of psychedelic pop, one that pulls from sources like XTC, Guided By Voices, and Of Montreal, as well as the members’ own history in the DIY music scene. It’s a fascinating sound, one that is certainly worth delving more deeply into.

We’ll all get that chance this Thursday night, as New Boss share the bill with some upstate friends with a similar delightfully off-kilter musical vision. The Zolephants are tough to pin down, though it’s certainly fair to point to a fair bit of surf guitar in their mostly-instrumental soundscapes. But The Zolephants aren’t just a post-Y2K take on Man or Astro-Man? — their use of analog synths bring quite a few unusual sounds into the mix, and make the whole thing a lot more fun. They’re accompanied on their trip through C-Ville by Woodsy Pride, a rootsy yet experimental folk-rock project that won’t completely make sense until you hear them. So I recommend you head over to The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative and do just that.

Saturday, June 15, 8 PM
The Muckrakers, Crab Action, Savage Kenny @ The Golden Pony – $7

Here at RVA Magazine, we don’t often get the chance to engage in proper muckraking — there just isn’t too much shadowy intrigue to dig up when you’re on the arts and culture beat. However, in its own way, the arrival of punk rockers The Muckrakers at Harrisonburg’s The Golden Pony this Saturday night is a huge scoop for all of the music fans on our staff — and in our readership.

The Muckrakers originate from New York, and take the original punk rock credo of being yourself and playing the music you want to hear quite seriously. On 2018 EP The Album’s Off, their sound is fast and furious, simultaneously full of pop-punk melody and metallic hardcore intensity. The result sounds like what you’d get if Bad Religion and Iron Reagan made a record together — and if that sounds awesome to you, then you’re on our wavelength for sure. Head out to the Golden Pony this Saturday night and do some headbanging muckraking of your own. You heard it here first!

—-

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

VA Shows You Must See This Week: February 27 – March 5

Marilyn Drew Necci | February 27, 2019

Topics: Alfred, American Aquarium, Ashland Theatre, Billy Capricorn, Calvin Presents, Champion RVA, Charlie's American Cafe, Chi, Commander Keen, Cruzer, Cyber Twin, Donnie Dale, Fred ARmisen, gallery 5, Gemini Love, Hardywood, Jim Shorts, Jontavious Willis, Little Vicious, Neat Sweep, Night Idea, Opal, Recluse Raccoon, Shormey, show posters, shows you must see, Sneaks, Strawberry Moon, Studio Two Three, The Ar-Kaics, The Camel, The Cowboys, The Dawn Drapes, The Mercy Alliance, The NorVa, The tin pan, Timmy The Teeth, Tmobyle, Twin Films, Ty Sorrell, Wild Rose, Young Scum

FEATURED SHOW
Friday, March 1, 7 PM
VOLUME! A Richmond Show Posters Retrospective, feat. Night Idea, Calvin Presents, Strawberry Moon,
Billy Capricorn @ Gallery 5 – Free!
When we think about live music, we always think first of the incredible musicians we watch perform, and of the amazing music they make. But even though we may not always think about it, the imagery associated with musicians and their music is sometimes just as big an influence on which performers we rush out to see as the music itself. That’s why over the years, so many artists have put so much effort into crafting really incredible posters for their shows. The rockin’ performance onstage might be what gets you to stick around, but more often than any of us would like to admit, a really killer poster is a big part of what gets us in the door.

This definitely applies to Richmond, and we’ve been lucky over the years to have quite a few talented graphic artists in town turn their attentions to creating posters for gigs, with excellent results. This retrospective at Gallery 5, entitled VOLUME!, will showcase some of the best work the river city’s music scene has produced over the past several decades, from 80s punk to modern indie and hip hop. Artists include Doug Dobey, Bizhan Khodabandeh, Katie McBride, and a whole bunch more, so come see their work and immerse yourself in the artistic side of our wonderful local music scene.

Not to be outdone, there will be several excellent local musicians performing at this show as well, so you’ll be able to take breaks from looking at amazing works of art to see amazing works of music created right in front of you on the Gallery 5 stage. Local math-rock mainstays Night Idea head up this stacked bill of Richmond artists, which includes a wide variety of sounds; singer-songwriter Calvin Presents brings us jazzy soul magic, while Strawberry Moon will enrapture us all with off-kilter, minimalist pop hooks. And of course, Billy Capricorn — not to be confused with fellow locals Billy Neptune — will get the evening started with some immersive multi-layered beats. It’s a feast for your eyes and ears this First Friday, so bring your appetite.

Wednesday, February 27, 8 PM
The Cowboys, The Ar-Kaics, Wild Rose, Cruzer @ Studio Two Three – $10

The ongoing evolution of live music in Richmond takes its latest step tonight, as a full-on rock n’ roll show takes place over at Scott’s Addition’s Studio Two Three, normally a collaborative art studio. They’ll be pushing the screen-printing equipment aside tonight so we can all cut a rug, because Bloomington, IA’s The Cowboys are coming through town, supporting their fresh new album on RVA’s own Feel It Records, The Bottom Of A Rotten Flower.

For an album undeniably named after a less-than-appealing image, The Cowboys’ fourth full-length sure does a great job of bringing a smile to the listener’s face. This group has a definite punk undercurrent to their sound; raw, speedy riffage provides this record with it’s high-revving engine. But up top it’s garage-born power-pop all the way, full of killer guitar hooks and multipart vocal melodies. Is this a circle-pit record or a peppermint twist record? We won’t really know til we see what sort of fire this band has in their belly when they perform live for us all tonight — but regardless of the answer, it’s sure to be a fun time. That’s especially true with killer retro-garage ensemble The Ar-Kaics sharing the bill, not to mention C-ville rippers Wild Rose and local ragers Cruzer. Get to the gig — and wear your leather jacket, it’s cold out there.

Thursday, February 28, 8 PM
The Dawn Drapes, Cyber Twin, Recluse Raccoon @ Champion RVA – Free?

There was a time when we got shows at Champion Brewing’s RVA location almost every Thursday night. Oh, those were fun. I’m not sure what happened to that whole thing, but if this Thursday night show at Champion is any sort of sign, it seems to be a positive one — even if I totally can’t tell whether this show is free like the ones from a year or so ago were, or not. But hey, even if it costs you a few bucks, it’s worth it to get in and catch a set from The Dawn Drapes.

This indie group hails from Harrisonburg, a Virginia city far enough west of here to be in a completely different climate. Basically, if it’s under 40 degrees in Richmond, it’s a safe bet that it’s snowing in Harrisonburg. The Dawn Drapes reflect the smaller, cooler environs of their native city in their music, giving us a mellow, unhurried take on rock n’ roll music that straddles the line between chill indie and weird country. Think mid-period My Morning Jacket and you’re not too far off. Their new album, Slow Spin, is an excellent collection of material that’s emblematic of their laid-back approach, one that will have you swaying and smiling at Champion RVA on Friday night — even if you do have to pay to get in. If not, hey… that’s just more beer you can afford.

Friday, March 1, 6 PM
Shormey, Alfred, Donnie Dale, Chi @ Hardywood – Free!

There was a time when it would have been fair to assume that releases from Citrus City Records were indie in inclination, but that time’s largely gone. These days, the label has its fingers in all sorts of pies, mixing releases by local and international artists in all sorts of genres, and getting more seriously into live music promotion with the creation of their Underground Orchard promotional arm. This show ties into both of those progressions, being an Underground Orchard show celebrating a tour starring two Citrus City artists who can’t really be called “indie” by any stretch — even if Shormey has done a Mac DeMarco cover.

Shormey hails from Chesapeake, VA, and her two-song Citrus City single, Cruise!, gives off a feel-good beach-side vibe on the sunshine-disco A-side, even as the moody, minimal B-side shows her emotional depth and talented versatility. You’ll get all this and more when Shormey hits the stage to kick off her tour with Alfred. Alfred’s 2017 release, So Sensitive, featured a woozy, ambient production style and some well-constructed lyrics that were nonetheless delivered with a wobbly, sleepy drawl. Live, though, there’s a certain immediacy that will make all of this hit much harder. It’ll keep you grooving, and isn’t that what we should all be doing on a Friday night? Hey, if I’m wrong about that, I don’t want to be right.

Saturday, March 2, 6:30 PM
American Aquarium, Timmy The Teeth @ Ashland Theatre – $18 (order tickets HERE)

The arrival of the Ashland Theatre as not only a small-town movie house but an occasional venue for live performances is an auspicious one. And it’s not nearly as far out of the way as you might think; considering how congested traffic around this city is these days, a half-hour’s drive north to catch an excellent show in a really neat revived old building shouldn’t be any sort of impediment to your good time. This Saturday night is the second of two nights kicking off the Broadberry Entertainment Group’s official arrival at the Ashland Theatre, where they’ll be presenting shows on a semi-regular basis for the foreseeable future.

You really should make it up there for one of these in the near future, and as a musical introduction to this long-dormant spot, you can hardly do better than an evening with American Aquarium. This North Carolina band has been around for over a decade, but frontman BJ Barham recruited a whole new backing band a couple years ago, then released an excellent LP, Things Change, on New West last year. Songs like “Tough Folks” and “The World Is On Fire” show the masterful way Barham and co. pull from their Southern roots, country backgrounds, and rock n’ roll hearts to create an excellent mixture of Springsteen, Wilco, and the Drive-By Truckers, one that’ll hit home with anyone trying to make it in today’s hard-scrabble world. Come sing with them at the Ashland Theatre, and maybe you’ll feel a bit better about the struggles of this difficult world. If nothing else, the tunes will make you smile — and it’ll all be taking place in a beautiful environment that’s been seen too little over the last couple of decades. Let’s do it.

Sunday, March 3, 9 PM
Little Vicious, Gemini Love,
Twin Films, The Mercy Alliance @ The Camel – $5 (order tickets HERE)
The trio is the ultimate expression of hard-hitting rock fury. Thus the expression “power trio” — generally defined as a group featuring one guitarist, one bassist, one drummer, all united together to demonstrate that no extra ingredients are needed to deliver full-force rock n’ roll. Little Vicious definitely puts the “power” in power trio, with singer-guitarist Marguerite King’s leather-lunged roar constituting just as much of an attention-getter as her band’s heavy-rolling tunes.

This Sunday, you’ll have the chance to get slapped in the face (metaphorically, at least) by Little Vicious’s excellent tuneage. Last fall’s self-titled release brings us songs with telltale names like “Whiskey Overhead” and “Choke,” all of which you’ll be able to appreciate at full volume when they take the stage at The Camel. They’ll be joined by some amazing locals as well, including Gemini Love, whose music tends more towards melody than rage, and will act as the chocolate to Little Vicious’s peanut butter at this show. Come enjoy a musical Reese’s Cup to wrap up your weekend. It’s sure to be delicious.

Monday, March 4, 9 PM
Young Scum, Jim Shorts, Commander Keen, Neat Sweep @ The Camel – $5 in advance/$7 day of show (order tickets HERE)

As a podcast nerd of the first order, I was delighted to see Young Scum show up on KEXP’s Song Of The Day podcast recently. It seems the rest of the world is finally discovering what we’ve known in RVA for years — that when you’re looking for tuneful indie sounds with an undercurrent of melancholy and a million-dollar pop sense, you really can’t do better than Richmond’s own ironically-named quartet.

I say ironic because, for a band with the word “scum” in their name, Young Scum have some beautiful tunes. This makes them a good match on multiple levels for Maryland’s Jim Shorts, whose name reminds you of a perennially-sweaty article of clothing even as their riffy indie sounds summon up some 90s alt-rock memories. They’ve got a slight bit more crunch than Young Scum, which provides a pleasant contrast and just makes their music sound that much better together. Tennessee’s Commander Keen offer yet another flavor for this show’s tasty mix with their driving take on melodic punk, which should certainly appeal to fans of Superchunk, among many other bands. Local openers Neat Sweep get this whole thing started with some killer grunge-punk to get you bouncing. This one’s gonna be a blast.

Tuesday, March 5, 8 PM
Jontavious Willis (Photo by Jamaine Campbell) @ The Tin Pan – $20 (order tickets HERE)

I know for a lot of people, the idea of blues conjures up dim memories of loud guitars and pounding backbeats working through a 12-bar progression with plenty of stank on it — and don’t get me wrong, that kind of stuff is awesome. But I’ve always been the kind of crate-digger who finds the most resonance in the rural acoustic origins of the blues, the sounds created by African-American residents of the Mississippi Delta region and preserved for the modern ages on scratchy 78s.

It seems Jontavious Willis also gets a lot out of those early acoustic sounds — he’s only 22, but he’s gained accolades from blues legends like Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’. There’s also a pretty incredible video on YouTube in which he collaborates with Richmond’s own blues harp master Andrew Alli. His unadorned, acoustic take on the blues is deep, powerful, and a lot of fun — every bit as enjoyable as the work of the masters he’s been inspired by. He’s releasing a new album, Spectacular Class, in April, but before that happens, you can go see him right here in Richmond at the Tin Pan, and get an early taste. This may be the only chance we get to see him in such an intimate environment, so take it — you’re not going to regret it.

Bonus Hampton Roads Picks:

Thursday, February 28, 8 PM
Fred Armisen @ The NorVA – $29.50 in advance/$33 at the door (order tickets HERE)

Most likely, you know Fred Armisen’s name from his sketch comedy work on shows like Portlandia and Saturday Night Live. And who can blame you? He’s pretty memorable as a comedic performer. But Fred Armisen’s first role in the performing world was as a drummer, playing in groups like Trenchmouth and, um, the Blue Man Group (god, remember them? The 90s were weird).

In his recent stand-up work, Armisen has combined both of these career paths by creating comedy for musicians. His 2018 Netflix special, Standup For Drummers, focused on jokes that related to being the drummer in a band, or being another band member dealing with a drummer. On his current Comedy For Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome tour, he’s expanded his repertoire to talk about other types of musicians you might deal with when playing music professionally, as well as breaking down different genres that he’s got issues with. All of it is fuel for maximum hilarity, and whether you’re an actual musician or just a nerd who goes to a lot of shows, chances are you’re going to find this evening with Armisen at the NorVA quite amusing.

Saturday, March 2, 8 PM
Sneaks, Opal, Ty Sorrell, Tmobyle @ Charlie’s American Cafe – $10 in advance/$13 at the door (order tickets HERE)

Sneaks is a band name, and a pretty great one at that, but in reality it acts as a project name for a single musician, Eva Moolchan, who creates the music of Sneaks using only a bass, minimal beats, and her voice. Early material earned quite a few comparisons to postpunk minimalists Young Marble Giants, and the resemblance is certainly there. However, on the newest Sneaks full-length, Highway Hypnosis, there’s a much stronger dance-music influence that takes its tunes farther into minimal-electronic realms than they’ve ever occupied before.

This is a good thing. Sneaks’s music has always had the tendency to get your feet moving, and a greater focus on the danceable aspects has only improved the tunes she creates. What’s more, it makes for a different vibe in live performances — one you’ll experience up close and personal at Charlie’s American Cafe this Saturday. It’s only appropriate that she’s joined on this bill by multiple Tidewater-area hip hop artists, including Opal and Ty Sorrell. Both of them will bring the hard beats and killer flows. Tmobyle will start the evening off with a DJ set performed on a cell phone, which is apparently frowned upon in some circles. To me, it just sounds like the parties my old roommates used to throw — which were always dope. So yes, you should show up on time.

—-

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

Anneliese, Donnie Dale, Kenneka Cook, Tara Dillard @ Strange Matter

RVA Staff | January 10, 2018

Topics: Anneliese, Donnie Dale, Kenneka Cook, strange matter, Tara Dillard

It’s time for another edition of Strange Matter’s excellent Locals Only series. This week’s curator, Anneliese Grant, sings in The Folly, a local folk-rock combo who’ve been very active around town for the last couple of years. However, she’s been making a name for herself as a solo artist lately too, with the release last summer of her Out To Graze EP. The soulful pop bounce of the tracks on this EP have a totally different flavor than her work in The Folly, but that knack with a melody shines through in both venues, so anyone who gets down with one project should enjoy both.

Anneliese isn’t the only member of the Folly who made it onto this bill, with fiddler Tara Dillard taking an opening slot to roll out a set of her solo tunes. Inbetween her kickoff set and Anneliese’s big closer will be two other intriguing performances. One will come from Donnie Dale, a local singer and producer who has previously recorded and performed under the name MNLV, and apparently has a whole new approach to lay on us. The other is from Kenneka Cook, who’s been getting a ton of attention lately as she prepares to release her debut album, Moonchild. This soul-jazz singer has a distinctive style that’s already won many listeners over, and if you’re not among that number, this night is sure to convert you.

RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 1/10-1/16

Marilyn Drew Necci | January 10, 2018

Topics: Aerica Lauren, Anneliese, Born Unique, Cane, Cemetery Piss, Champion RVA, Chance Fischer, Cole Hicks, Crushed!?, Deadball, Despise You, Donnie Dale, Easalio, Glass Twin, Halfcast, Hex Machine, In The Water, Intalek, Iron Reagan, J Slim, joey gallo, Julie Storey, Kenneka Cook, Left Cross, McCormack's, Michael Millions, Misterelle, Noah O, Nu3ra Ness, On The Water, Owlrare, Post Nothing, Radio B, Reppa Ton, RezonDaDawn, Rosedale, RVA Lyricist Lounge, School Of Rock, shows you must see, Silver Twin, Sound Of Music Studios, strange matter, Tara Dillard, The Camel, True Widow, Twin Drugs, When Particles Collide

FEATURED SHOW
Friday, January 12, 7 PM
RVA Lyricist Lounge, Vol. 1, hosted by Radio B, feat. Michael Millions, AGM/Southpaw, Mutant Academy, Gritty City, Noah O, Joey Gallo, Born Unique, Intalek, Easalio, Chance Fischer, Cane, Cole Hicks, J Slim, Nu3ra Ness, Misterelle, Reppa Ton, RezonDaDawn, and more @ Strange Matter – $10
Radio B has been a prime mover on the Richmond hip hop scene for a while now, and his efforts not only to make great music but to help cultivate the culture and push the genre forward locally have been the reasons. With 2018 just getting started, he’s wasting no time, bringing the first installment of a planned monthly event, RVA Lyricist Lounge, to Strange Matter this Friday. With this event, Radio B and his compatriots hope to “be the catalyst for better writers and emcees in Richmond and all over the world” by emphasizing lyricism and making bars, flows, and wordplay important within the local scene. Sounds like a worthy goal. Are you in?

Well, for those on the fence, there’s a powerful inducement to make it out to the premiere of this new series right at the top of the bill. Michael Millions, who has been one of local hip hop’s leading lights, just dropped Hard To Be King, a new album that’s getting everyone talking. Word on the street is that this guy’s poised to blow up, so now’s the time to get in on the ground floor and catch him live in an intimate setting. Plus, there’ll be a limited physical release of Millions’ 2016 collaboration with Radio B, Tenthsndhrs, available at the show for the first time.

This is just the beginning of what is going on at this show, and we don’t have too much space, so let’s lay it down real quick: cyphers from hot local crews AGM/Southpaw, Mutant Academy, and Gritty City, as well as more cyphers featuring a variety of local and regional lyrical talent–a list is above, and I know you know at least some of those names. Southpaw Battle Coalition, who’ve been making battles a threat again locally, will be sponsoring a tryout battle between up-and-comers TRIG and Basement Chemistry. And there are 15 cypher slots available on a first-come-first-serve basis so you young unknowns can grab the mic and let the people know. The whole thing will be aired on the RVA Lyricist Lounge YouTube channel, but it’s just not the same when you’re not there in person. You know what to do.

Wednesday, January 10, 8 PM
True Widow, Hex Machine, Twin Drugs @ The Camel – $12 (order tickets HERE)
Veteran Dallas act True Widow returns to RVA for what has to be at least their seventh time or so playing here. This is their first time playing The Camel, which is at least somewhat noteworthy, but more important is the hazy, heavy sound they’re bringing with them. You might hear True Widow described as shoegaze in certain circles, but this description will in no way prepare you for the volume and power of their three-piece attack, which to my mind lands closer to doom metal. However, the melodic, psychedelic streak running through this band’s material, especially their most recent album, 2016’s Avvolgere, leavens their more crushing moments with a beautiful undertone that will keep you smiling even as they bowl you over.

They’ll be joined on this bill by local noise-rock trio Hex Machine, who’ve been mostly inactive since the release of their 2013 album Fixator, mainly because singer/guitarist Trevor Thomas and drummer Douglas Andrae have been holding it down as the latest rhythm section for celebrated noise legends Today Is The Day since 2015. However, they’ve brought in Antelope King’s Alex Ricart on bass and returned to action over the last few months, firing on all cylinders and with some new material in the works. Theirs is a welcome return, and their presence on this bill is equally welcome. Fuzzy newcomers Twin Drugs will kick the whole thing off and get you in the mood for the serious amplifier volume that awaits.

Thursday, January 11, 8 PM
Aerica Lauren, OwlRare, On The Water, Julie Storey @ Sound Of Music Studios – $6
It’s a night of quiet beauty at Sound Of Music, with headliners that seem to share a similar vibe even as they take completely different approaches to their music. Prolific songwriter Aerica Lauren a prolific songwriter keeps it raw and real with acoustic instrumentation and some memorable, affecting lyrics. The intricate beauty of her softly plucked strings intertwines with her strong, clear voice and sends you drifting away on the breeze. OwlRare has a darker, moodier vibe on first listen, but this solo performer’s deep, emotionally vulnerable vocal tones and unadorned acoustic guitar strums are equally likely to transport you to some secret place deep inside your mind. Both must be heard to be believed.

Philadelphia’s On The Water are not a solo project, but despite bringing together multiple members, this group operates in a quiet, ambient space constructed as much out of the space between notes played on several instruments as by the chords being struck–though they’re not afraid to hit hard and crank up the volume when the occasion merits it. Finally, this show will also feature Doll Baby frontwoman Julie Storey playing a solo set–and the word is that this will be her last time doing so. Therefore you’d be very well-advised to arrive on time.

Friday, January 12, 8 PM
Post Nothing, Crushed!?, Deadball @ McCormack’s – $5
I know we all get used to thinking of Between 2 Beers Productions as the go-to people for metal in this town, but they’ve got broader horizons than you might think, as this Friday night Shockoe Bottom bill will make clear. California’s Post Nothing and New Mexico’s Crushed!? are coming through with a killer tour package, and while it’s certainly awesome, there’s not really anything metal about it. Post Nothing have a raging sound that is both indebted to hardcore and pushing completely beyond that genre’s borders. It’s really tempting to call this band “post-hardcore,” in fact, but based on their name I have a feeling they’d be a little frustrated about that, so I’ll just say that their hard-rocking riffs remind me of bands like Xerxes and Refused and leave it at that.

As for Crushed!?, (love that little confluence of punctuation marks) they have a bit more of an emotional focus, as is made clear on 2017 EP Giant Robots And Existentialism. The same sort of hardcore influence lies beneath their driving, melodic riffs as one can hear from Post Nothing, but they take it in an introspective rather than forceful direction, bringing to mind bands like Hot Water Music or local heroes Sea Of Storms. Local openers Deadball are a loud n’ proud punk rock band with no frills on offer–slightly different than what you might expect from the local openers on a show like this, but sure to be plenty of fun nonetheless. You really can’t lose with this one, metal or no metal.

Saturday, January 13, 8 PM
When Particles Collide, Glass Twin, School of Rock Short Pump, School Of Rock Midlothian @ The Camel – $7 (order tickets HERE)
This will be an entertaining and unusual night at the Camel, that’s for sure. It all starts with When Particles Collide, a bouncy duo with an elastic sound that calls to mind everything from Blondie and Devo to Cheap Trick and oldies radio. They’ve been on a crowdfunded tour since last May, and their Patreon-like subscription service (fans can contribute amounts equivalent to tanks of gas, hotel rooms, meals, and more, on a monthly automatic-donation basis) has kept them rolling thus far, and they hope to keep things going til at least next summer.

See how it’s going and get rocked in the bargain by coming out to The Camel this Saturday night–and while you’re at it, you’ll not only get a great set from capable local indie vets Glass Twin; you’ll also get to see performances by student groups from two different local branches of the School Of Rock. That’s right, the program for middle schoolers that Jack Black started in the Richard Linklater movie is based on a real thing. So this night will give you a chance to check out some hard-rocking kids strutting their stuff and showing what they’ve learned. That alone is probably worth the price of admission, and you get two excellent adult bands in the bargain. Why not?

Sunday, January 14, 6 PM
Iron Reagan, Despise You, Cemetery Piss, Left Cross @ Champion RVA – Free for 21+, $10 for under 21
It’s not quite a beer bash at the moon tower, but this sure does look like a wild, excellent party that’ll hark back to days of yore for many of us who still love to thrash despite not being as young as we once were. Iron Reagan, once a young upstart of a Municipal Waste side project, are now on their third album, and have become just as venerable a crossover thrash institution as the Waste themselves. In preparation for their upcoming split with Gatecreeper, they’re out on tour once again, and in celebration of Champion’s one-year anniversary of opening their Richmond location, this rock n’ roll brewery will be bringing Iron Reagan to their stage for a night of metal thrashing madness!

Iron Reagan’s partner on this tour is Los Angeles band Despise You, a pioneering grind-crust ripper of a band that made a big noise back in the 90s and returned to action more powerful than ever a little less than a decade ago. This will be their second time hitting Richmond since the reformation, but the first time was over six years ago, so surely a lot of us have built up a big time thirst to see them rip it up once again. Baltimore rippers Cemetery Piss and local old-school death-thrash revivalists Left Cross will round out the lineup with plenty more awesomeness, and–if you’re over 21–the whole thing is free! I’m sure the $10 admission for those under 21 is to offset lost beer sales, but honestly, it’s pretty steep, especially since 40-something straight edge kids like myself can beat the system by neither paying admission nor buying beer! Oops, I did it again!

Monday, January 15, 8 PM
Anneliese, Donnie Dale, Kenneka Cook, Tara Dillard @ Strange Matter – $5
It’s time for another edition of Strange Matter’s excellent Locals Only series. This week’s curator, Anneliese Grant, sings in The Folly, a local folk-rock combo who’ve been very active around town for the last couple of years. However, she’s been making a name for herself as a solo artist lately too, with the release last summer of her Out To Graze EP. The soulful pop bounce of the tracks on this EP have a totally different flavor than her work in The Folly, but that knack with a melody shines through in both venues, so anyone who gets down with one project should enjoy both.

Anneliese isn’t the only member of the Folly who made it onto this bill, with fiddler Tara Dillard taking an opening slot to roll out a set of her solo tunes. Inbetween her kickoff set and Anneliese’s big closer will be two other intriguing performances. One will come from Donnie Dale, a local singer and producer who has previously recorded and performed under the name MNLV, and apparently has a whole new approach to lay on us. The other is from Kenneka Cook, who’s been getting a ton of attention lately as she prepares to release her debut album, Moonchild. This soul-jazz singer has a distinctive style that’s already won many listeners over, and if you’re not among that number, this night is sure to convert you.

Tuesday, January 16, 8 PM
Rosedale, Halfcast, Silver Twin, In The Water @ Strange Matter – $8 in advance/$10 day of show (order tickets HERE)
If you thought you would get through a whole week of my column without me talking about emo, well, you’ve got another think coming. Not that Rosedale would necessarily identify as emo–this 15 year veteran project hailing from Canada is actually the work of one man, Mike Liorti, who according to facebook would call Rosedale a “progressive power pop” group. But I know emo when I hear it, and considering that this Canadian guitar-slinger alternates between playing with a full band and touring with a solo setup that he brings to life all by himself, it seems to me that this group could easily be called Canada’s answer to Into It. Over It.

Of course, Rosedale busts out a lot more synths on a typical release than Evan Thomas Weiss would, and ultimately seems to draw more from the softer side of the genre–they’re more Spill Canvas than Pianos Become The Teeth, that’s for sure. But one listen to recent EP Again is enough to convince me that, regardless of genre, Rosedale is well worth catching live. The fact that they’re joined by some killer local rockers like Halfcast and Silver Twin, along with new local group In The Water, is enough to let us all know that this will be an excellent show from beginning to end. Don’t miss out, y’all–after all, what else have you got going on on a Tuesday night?

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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]

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