McCormack’s Irish Pub

VA Shows You Must See This Week: March 20 – March 26

Marilyn Drew Necci | March 20, 2019

Topics: Addis Ethiopian Lounge, Appalling, Awkward Shaman, Bandito's, Bermuda Triangles, Calling All Captains, Capital Ale House Music Hall, Channel 43, Continuation, Criminal Hygiene, Dead Format, Diet Blood, Distant Dee, Dogfuck, Elevation27, Failure, Flatline, Grass Panther, Grouser, Hoboknife, Iron Reagan, MC Correct, McCormack's Irish Pub, Microwaves, Mo'ynoq, MSD, multicult, Murdersome, New Lions, No Mas, Noisem, Peabody's, Sanji the Hedgehog, Scott H. Biram, Serqet, shows you must see, Sick Of It All, Space Koi, Swervedriver, The Camel, The Goddamn Gallows, Urban Pioneers, Wonderland

FEATURED SHOW
Wednesday, March 20, 8 PM
Noisem (Photo by Andrew Hartl), No/Mas, Murdersome, MSD @ McCormack’s – $10
It’s apparently the month for mid-week metal — this is two weeks in a row that the most unmissable show of the week is happening only a few short hours after this column gets posted. Hey, I’m not complaining, especially if Wednesday will keep bringing us the absolute (head)bangers we’ve seen for the past couple of weeks. This time around, it’s the return of youthful Baltimore headbangers Noisem, who are rolling into Shockoe Bottom to devastate Richmond’s most flood-prone streets.

It’s been a while since Noisem had a massive amount of hype as teen thrash sensations, and you might have thought (as I had) that they broke up a few years ago. As it turns out, the truth is a bit more complicated. After 2015’s Blossoming Decay, an internal schism fractured the band’s lineup, and three of the five members left. Guitarist Sebastian Phillips and his drumming brother Harley were undaunted, quickly recruiting new singer-bassist Ben Anft and carrying on as a trio. But their label was decidedly daunted, and quickly dropped them.

Four years later, Noisem have returned with a new label and a brand new album, Cease To Exist. Ben Anft’s vocals replace the hardcore bark of original vocalist Tyler Carnes with a harsh, Carcass-style roar (which I honestly might like better), but otherwise, this is the same headbang-inspiring death-thrash awesomeness you’ve always gotten from Noisem, and it is a welcome return indeed from a band whose members are all now old enough to order a beer before the set at McCormack’s tonight. Expect serious brutality, just like you got from them in years past, as well as some ripping thrash rage from DC’s own No/Mas and local stalwarts Murdersome and MSD. This one is gonna rule.

Wednesday, March 20, 6 PM
The Goddamn Gallows, Scott H. Biram, Urban Pioneers, Channel 43 @ The Camel – $20 (order tickets HERE)
The borders between genres are always intriguing, and one that seems to have excited a lot of people’s imaginations over the past couple of decades is the thin line between punk rock and old-time bluegrass. That might not seem such an easily permeated dividing line, but considering that both genres have a tradition of working-class musicians building their sound from outsider traditions and roots within isolated, tight-knit communities, I suppose it makes sense that there’s quite a bit of crossover.

The Goddamn Gallows are one of the bands exploring that musical borderland; they’ve been doing so for over a decade now, and on their latest LP, The Trial, they manage to move between old-time waltzes that foreground folk instruments like banjo and accordion, and darker moments that use distortion and harsh vocals to accentuate the heaviness. And crazily enough, it all works incredibly well — something you can get an up-close-and-personal view of tonight at The Camel, when The Goddamn Gallows pull into town at the head of a touring caravan that also features one-man outlaw-country band Scott H. Biram and energetic Western swing combo Urban Pioneers. Multi-decade Richmond melodic punk vets Channel 43 kick things off to let us know they’re still going strong.

Thursday, March 21, 8 PM
The Listening Sessions, feat. Space Koi, Sanji The Hedgehog, Awkward Shaman, Dogfuck, Distant Dee, MC Correct @ Addis Ethiopian Lounge – $7
As I’ve said in this column many times, Richmond hip hop is a many-splendored thing, and it can be all but impossible to keep up with it all. Therefore I’m not all that surprised that I wasn’t aware until recently of everything Secret Bonus Level has been up to. This crew of local rappers and producers makes it their mission to include the LGBTQ community in everything they do, with the hopes of eventually helping to normalize the idea of queer and trans participants in the world of hip hop. As a rap-loving trans woman, I can definitely get behind that.

Their show this Thursday finds the Secret Bonus Level crew sharing the stage with Space Koi, a Richmond group whose reggae-rooted sound incorporates surf, punk, and psychedelic sounds. The result is several cuts above the typical reggae-rock hybrids we all hear way too much of on modern rock radio — and thank god for that, am I right? They’ll join the Secret Bonus Level crew in its entirety: the trippy rhymes of Sanji The Hedgehog, the wavy melodies of Awkward Shaman, the stoned mumblings of memorably named rapper Dogfuck, and more. The sounds at this show might very well be weird, but the environment is always welcoming, so come down to Addis Ethiopian and check it out — you might just find your new favorite Richmond MC.

Friday, March 22, 9 PM
Appalling, Mo’ynoq, Hoboknife @ Wonderland – $5
Richmond’s extreme metal scene is as alive and well as ever, and more than ever, Shockoe Bottom is the place to learn all about it. Especially with Strange Matter gone, it seems these days the serious thrashers are gonna have to ride their bikes down a really long hill to get the raging riffs they crave. Take heart, carless metalheads — this Friday night, Wonderland has the kind of heaping helping of headbanging that makes the long ride back up the hills of East Main Street totally worth it. Local black metal crew Appalling will be releasing their second full-length at Wonderland on the Friday night in question, and the celebration is sure to be off the chain. They’ve recently been out on the road with Richmond death metal vets Deathcrown, and now Inverted Realm is here to take us all to the next level of epic destruction.

If you love the claustrophobic terror sound of classic Scandinavian black metal masters — think Emperor or Marduk — and you still haven’t checked Appalling out, you need to fix that with the quickness and get to Wonderland on Friday night. They’re sure to tickle your fancy, right before they punch it in the throat. Appalling are joined on this powerhouse bill by fellow black metallers Mo’ynoq. If you saw the name and thought of a certain comedian for a second, well, you’re not alone, but rest assured these guys bring the heavy in a decidedly Immortal-ish fashion. Perennially reliable local stalwarts Hoboknife kick this one off with some dark fury. Get there — even if you’ve gotta walk home.

Saturday, March 23, 9 PM
Microwaves, Multicult, Bermuda Triangles @ Wonderland – $10
Those who are paying attention are sure to know that there’s already a Mikrowaves from Richmond — but as you can see, they spell their name with a K. The Microwaves (with a C) coming to Wonderland Saturday night are a decidedly different proposition. This trio from Pittsburgh, who just released their sixth album, Via Weightlessness, on San Diego noise-core label Three One G, are every bit as hectic as their label affiliation might lead you to expect.

Where their distorted guitar sound and usage of effects that might even make you think there’s a keyboard involved (there isn’t) is likely to remind you of way-out freaks like Orthrelm and Lightning Bolt, there’s a decidedly more song-based structure to Microwaves’ music, which results in the sort of sound that should appeal to fans of decidedly rockin’ noise like that of Arab On Radar or the Melvins, even as its speed and chaos should certainly connect with those who love the early works of the legendary Hella. Microwaves are hitting town with Baltimore noise-rockers Multicult, who conjure some obvious Jesus Lizard comparisons on 2016 LP Position Remote — a slab of pure freakout fun, if you ask me. Local percussion-obsessed weirdos Bermuda Triangles will kick this night off in proper fashion, so roll on down to Wonderland Saturday night prepared to flip out. Rest assured, it’s gonna happen.

Sunday, March 24, 10 PM
Grouser, Grass Panther @ Bandito’s – Free!
Sometimes I put shows into my show column because I’m already intimately familiar with the bands playing. But other times, I am more curious than anything else. This is one of those latter times, and I must say, my curiosity feels likely enough to be rewarded that I think all of you should join me in my quest for satisfaction. Hey, it’s a free show at Bandito’s — if nothing else, you’ll be able to say you got some delicious nachos while you were there. But so anyway — about Grouser. I don’t know this trio’s true identities, but I find it fascinating that they apparently contain members not only of long-running local stoner-metal heavyweights RPG but also of “only true fortysomething Richmonders will know” 90s alt-rockers Jettison Charlie.

I find it even more fascinating that, out of nowhere, they have an outstanding 2018 LP, Harmonic Freight Train, up on Bandcamp. The 13 songs contained on this record have the same sort of noisy post-hardcore energy and subtle melodic grasp that distinguished 90s Richmond legends Kepone, as well as classic 90s Dischord alums like Bluetip. I’m a sucker for records like this; I’m only sorry I didn’t discover it last summer when it came out. Based on these tunes, no matter who is actually in this band, the live show is bound to be essential. The fact that they’re joined on this bill by Manzara affiliates Grass Panther only makes this even more unmissable. And it’s free? What more do you want?

Monday, March 25, 7 PM
Calling All Captains, Diet Blood, Dead Format @ Capital Ale House Music Hall – $10 (Order tickets HERE)
Damn, speaking of sounds I’m a sucker for… Calling All Captains roll into Richmond this Monday night, and I for one can’t wait. These Canadians just joined up with Equal Vision Records, which released their EP Nothing Grows Here last month, and now they’re on tour bringing their sound to the world. Rest assured, if you, like me, are way into recent melodic, emotional pop-punk superstars like State Champs, Knuckle Puck, and The Story So Far, you’ll find a lot to enjoy in Calling All Captains.

Don’t get me wrong, though, they aren’t just a retread of other bands you’ve liked in the past — Canada’s a big country, and this quintet is from Edmonton, Alberta, a city located solidly in Canada’s midwest. Therefore it’s no surprise to find a decided heartland tinge to Calling All Captains’ melodic punk sound, as if they’ve spent a fair amount of time with the Braid and Get Up Kids discographies. That’s certainly never a bad thing. They’ll be joined on this bill by a Richmond band who also feature a melodic punk sound as well as a decidedly unusual name: Diet Blood. What is that about? Is this a band of vampires? Bring some garlic with you to Capital Ale House for this one. Local pop-punk newcomers Dead Format will get this one started off in fine fashion. Get stoked, y’all.

Tuesday, March 26, 10 PM
New Lions, Serqet, Continuation @ Don’t Look Back/Triple – Free!
Not every show has to be a huge event, you know? Sometimes it’s just nice to hang with some friends and enjoy some great tunes. You’ll definitely have the opportunity to do that at Don’t Look Back on Tuesday night, for a free show at the mythical former location of The Triple (where those of us who’ve been around a while saw some pretty cool shows back in the day).

This night will not only give us a chance to rejoice once again at the return of Don’t Look Back and its amazing tacos (show up early and get your fill before the rock starts). It’ll also bring us another opportunity to enjoy the reincarnated and rejuvenated New Lions before their new EP comes out later this year. Plus we’ll get a set from cerebral goth-punks Serqet to enliven all of our minds. Newborn duo Continuation, which features members of Dommengang and The Catalyst, will grace us all with some delightful psychedelic sounds to start the evening off. Let’s all partake and enjoy, shall we?

Bonus Hampton Roads Picks:

Thursday, March 21, 6 PM
Sick Of It All, Iron Reagan, Flatline @ Peabody’s – $20 in advance/$22 at the door (Order tickets HERE)
There’s punk. There’s hardcore. And then there’s New York hardcore. NYHC, as the kids say. Even as it is clearly a big part of hardcore as a whole, NYHC is kind of its own thing, a heavier, tougher form of hardcore that takes obvious influence from the street-level struggles of its early progenitors, who had to fight to survive on the mean streets of New York City in the 80s — long before Manhattan became a glass-skyscraper landscape that mostly acts as a playground for the rich. And Sick Of It All is one of a very few NYHC bands who both helped craft the sound at the very start and is still going strong today.

They just released their 12th album, Wake The Sleeping Dragon!, last year, and if you heard it, you know Sick Of It All are every bit as angry, tough, and talented as they always have been. This show is sure to bring us the best of their new shit along with a heaping helping of classics that we all know and love — “It’s Clobbering Time,” “Step Down,” “Injustice System,” you know the ones. The fact that SOIA are sharing this bill –one that sees them returning to VA Beach’s Peabody’s for the first time in nearly two decades — with Richmond crossover maniacs Iron Reagan only further emphasizes the fact that this is gonna be a show for the ages. Get the Doc Martens shined up and get ready to break out the GI Joe Headstomp for this one.

Monday, March 25, 8 PM
Failure, Swervedriver, Criminal Hygiene @ Elevation27 – $25 in advance/$30 day of show (Order tickets HERE)
This show would be big news even if only one of the two headliners were coming through. The fact that both of them are here to blow our minds just makes this a tour beyond all wildest dreams. California space-rockers Failure fell apart in the late 90s, but they left behind multiple classic albums, which garnered them an ever-growing cult following that rejoiced when the trio returned to action in 2015. Since then, they’ve made two more albums, releasing the excellently titled In The Future Your Body Will Be The Furthest Thing From Your Mind late last fall.

UK quartet Swervedriver had a similar career path to that of Failure, and though soundwise they are less Nirvana-meets-Pink Floyd and more Neil Young-meets-My Bloody Valentine, the two groups have a lot in common musically as well as historically. Swervedriver, who broke up in 1999, reformed in 2008, and have themselves released two albums since reuniting. The most recent, Future Ruins, was released earlier this year; like the latest Failure album, it shows that this group is still as much at the top of their game as they ever have been. Getting to see both of these bands on the same night will be a true treat. Make sure you’re there to experience 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] [and yeah, there’s plenty more of my writing to read over at GayRVA — come say hey.]

Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

VA Shows You Must See This Week: January 9 – January 15

Marilyn Drew Necci | January 9, 2019

Topics: Bad Magic, Bandito's, Basilica, BATO, Beggars Row, Brain Drain, Calebfolks, Calvin Presents, Capital Ale House Music Hall, Charlie's American Cafe, Compulse, Dave Watkins, Don't Look Back, Doubtfire, Hardywood, Haybaby, Home Astronomy, Jon Spencer & the HITmakers, Keilan Creech, Kenneka Cook, Kept In Line, Matty Wavez, McCormack's Irish Pub, Nervous System, Nightcreature, One Less Life, Patrick Bates, Petrichor, Pourhouse of Norfolk, Pummel, Referendum, Riley, Sammi Lanzetta, School Drugs, shows you must see, Sound Of Music Studios, Street Weapon, Tallies, Tancred, The Ar-Kaics, The Camel, The Canal Club, Thin Pigeon, triple, Tulla Vera, Tyler Carter

FEATURED SHOW
Thursday, January 10, 9:30 PM
Petrichor, Bad Magic, Doubtfire @ Don’t Look Back/Triple (3306 W. Broad St.) – Free!
The Richmond music scene has been showing its resilience for decades now, and the reaction it’s had to the latest trying time we’ve found ourselves in — prompted by the loss of Strange Matter, the steadiest venue for local shows anytime in the past decade — is just the latest example. You can see it in this show column; after last week’s unfortunately light post-holiday listing, the scene has rebounded with brilliance and ingenuity, finding new venues to fill the gaps and replace what we’ve lost.

One of these is the newly reincarnated Triple, a long-running Scott’s Addition pool hall that had been sitting empty for years, at least until Don’t Look Back brought it back last year. A decade or so ago, when it was still a pool hall, it hosted the occasional show, and now with the loss of Strange Matter, it has been pressed into service once again. This Thursday night, Petrichor will be holding the release celebration for their three-years-in-the-making new album, Petrichor II, and rock n’ roll will live in the Triple space once more. Viva RVA!

Petrichor has been an intriguing if somewhat low-profile institution on the Richmond scene for years now. Pairing the powerful voice of singer-songwriter Tess Fisher with a dark, heavy backing band that tends towards witchy early-70s-style doom, this group is a unique phenomenon both within and outside the borders of Richmond. That can be seen from their new album, which features acoustic moments as well as a sludged-up Misfits cover you probably won’t even recognize at first. The presentation of this incredible music is sure to be heightened to an impressive extent in the live environment, and what’s more, the show is free, so you’ll get to spend all the cash you bring on tacos and Petrichor albums. Which is as it should be.

Wednesday, January 9, 7 PM
Patrick Bates, Kenneka Cook, Keilan Creech @ Sound Of Music Studios – Free!
Traditionally, we don’t get too much out of Richmond singer-songwriter Patrick Bates. Though he does play solo shows occasionally, it’s been about four years since he last released a new record. That’s all set to change in the new year, though, as he’s currently ramping things up for a brand new collection of tunes. And it’s about time! On previous releases, such as 2015’s Feathers and Pearls, his delicate melodies had a fragile, aching beauty suffused with emotion. And while he’s certainly been known to recruit excellent local players to back him up, it’s his excellent voice and strong guitar playing that made his music so memorable.

What’s he got coming for us in 2019? This show will be our first opportunity to find out, and it’s taking place at Sound Of Music, a recording studio and occasional venue that also appears to be taking on an increased amount of live gigs in the wake of Strange Matter’s departure. Every little bit helps! And the fact that they’re hosting this impressive lineup of local singer-songwriters — not just Bates by RVA electro-soul phenomenon Kenneka Cook and folk-rocker Keilan Creech — makes this the perfect time to check this place out. You know what to do.

Thursday, January 10, 10 PM
Calvin Presents, Brain Drain, Dave Watkins @ Bandito’s – Free!
Damn… even Bandito’s is getting in on the act. This local home for outstanding nachos and what is secretly one of the best-sounding rooms for live music this city has to offer traditionally only hosts shows on Sundays. However, this trio of local performers are taking the stage at Bandito’s on a Thursday, and as far as we can tell, it isn’t even a particularly special occasion — they just needed somewhere to play. You need to go to Bandito’s to see them, too — and I’m not just saying that because it’s got incredible food.

If you keep your ear to the ground in this town, you’re sure to have heard the name Calvin Presents in recent months. This talented singer and pianist has been catching a lot of ears with his unique take on the place where soul, jazz, R&B, and hip hop all meet. His music is powerful and memorable, and it’s sure to sound outstanding in the Bandito’s back room. This show certainly offers variety as well; local punk-rock noisemakers Brain Drain are also on the bill. What’s more, the talented and eclectic Dave Watkins, who is capable of everything from old-time Americana to post-rock guitar ambience, is opening this show up — so you’ll be getting killer sounds from start to finish. Grab some tacos and get ready to rock.

Friday, January 11, 8 PM
Basilica, Home Astronomy, One Less Life, Referendum @ McCormack’s Irish Pub – $5
I have always found it important to keep a high level of metal in my diet — and I’m not talking about iron supplements either (though, as an aging lady, I should probably be looking into such things). Right now I’m talking about Basilica, a death metal band from North Carolina who will be bringing their remarkably catchy bangers to McCormack’s in Shockoe Bottom this Friday night. Last year’s Orbit Has Ceased EP shows that this band is ready, willing, and able to get your feet moving not only because they’re heavy as fuck, but also because they have some incredible riffs on offer.

If you’re not prepared for a full night of metal awesomeness, though, you’re in luck, because this show offers a variety of tuneage for the discriminating music connoisseur. Fellow Boone, NC residents Home Astronomy will arrive in company with Basilica, and their sound has not an ounce of metal to it, instead dabbling in the introspective moods of modern emo. And as you know if you’ve been reading this column for a while, that’s another genre I try to keep at high levels in my musical diet. With the addition of Tidewater deathcore mavens One Less Life and Lynchburg mosh machines Referendum, this bill has everything your body craves. Drink up.

Saturday, January 12, 6 PM
Tallies, Tula Vera, Nightcreature, Thin Pigeon @ Hardywood – Free!
The sounds are gonna get downright gorgeous over at Hardywood early on Saturday night. A pair of excellent groups will be bringing their excellent music to town from points Northeast of here, and we should all make sure to head to Hardywood and enjoy them going down. Tallies are a Toronto band with a brand new LP coming out only a day before they arrive in RVA, and from the advance singles that have hit the internet thus far, it appears this group has a downright brilliant dream-pop sound that should make fans of Baltimore’s Wildhoney or UK duo Honeyblood very happy (even though Tallies don’t have “honey” in their name).

As for Tula Vera, who come to us from New Jersey, they’re a bit more of a bouncy indie rock group, but they’ve got melodic sensibility to spare and brought a ton of it to the world on their excellent self-titled debut from a year or so ago. Both of these groups are sure to get your hips shaking, and they come to us in company of excellent local up-and-comers Nightcreature and Thin Pigeon. Plus, word has it there’ll be a curry truck at Hardywood for all your dining needs, and I guess they sell some drinks there too. “Not a bad way to spend your Saturday evening” is certainly a massive understatement, but you probably already knew that.

Sunday, January 13, 7 PM
Jon Spencer & the HITmakers, The Ar-Kaics @ Capital Ale House Music Hall – $15 in advance/$18 day of show (order tickets HERE)
The man, the myth, the legend… Jon Spencer is coming to town, he of the mighty Blues Explosion, as well as Pussy Galore, Boss Hog, and a few other excellent projects. He’s been blowing the minds of rock n’ rollers around the world with his unique brand of down n’ dirty, booty-shaking rock n’ roll noise fuckery for going on 40 years now, and his currently on tour with a group he’s calling the HITmakers. They’re here to revel in the fact that, after four decades of trash-rock excellence, Spencer has finally released an album as a solo artist, cleverly entitled Spencer Sings The Hits!

Now, as with Pussy Galore’s 1990 swan song, Historia de la Musica Rock, this ironically-titled collection isn’t actually a “hits” record at all, instead presenting us with a new slab of fine Spencer tunes with all the gas-tank-clanging gutter-blues excellence we’ve come to know and love from his previous work. His touring group features veteran Michigan outsider-rocker M. Sord on drums and Sam Coomes, formerly of Quasi and Heatmiser, on keys. Spencer hollers and whales away at the guitar, and as usual, there’s no bass — though Coomes’ keyboard will fill in plenty of low-end on its own. Chances are you’ll hear not only rad new rockers but some Spencer classics from throughout his career… and you’ll definitely get an opening set from VA’s own retro-garage heroes The Ar-Kaics. So really, what’s not to like?

Monday, January 14, 6:30 PM
Tyler Carter, R I L E Y, Matty Wavez, Calebfolks @ The Canal Club – $15 in advance/$18 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Tyler Carter is probably most familiar these days as the angel-voiced clean singer for bizarre yet incredible emo-R&B-metalcore group Issues, who have proven over a couple of excellent albums that they can spin gold out of a musical hybrid that seems like it shouldn’t work for even five seconds. However, Carter, who also previously spent time in metalcore group Woe Is Me, has been dabbling in solo work for a while, first releasing a solo track back in 2010. As of 2019, he’s finally worked his way up to completing a full-length solo effort, Moonshine, and it’s that project that he’s on tour in support of right now.

If Carter’s group work leads you to expect heaviness from his solo music, you might be thrown a little bit for a loop by the smooth, emotionally-driven pop/R&B sounds he’s created for Moonshine. That said, anyone who’s heard more than 30 seconds of Issues’ music has to know that he’s always had this in him. And while we haven’t heard the album in its entirety yet (it’s supposed to be coming sometime soon…), the songs that have made their way to the internet show that Carter has every bit the facility with soulful pop crooning that he’s shown in the metalcore world. So get stoked for this one, regardless of what genres you usually gravitate toward… it’ll be a satisfying performance no matter what.

Tuesday, January 15, 7 PM
Tancred, Haybaby, Sammi Lanzetta @ The Camel – $10 in advance/$12 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Jess Abbott’s been demonstrating her talent in the field of songcraft for a while now. With each of her first three solo albums under the name Tancred, she showed further growth, as well as increasing comfort with what she’s doing and just what kind of music she wants to make. Her fourth album, Nightstand, which came out last summer, took things to a new level; largely gone is the introspective-acoustic format that was her standard MO back when Tancred started. These days, the songs are catchy and musically upbeat, featuring full-band backing and an alt-rock/indie-pop sound that’s sure to make your smile.

However, Abbott’s lyrics have remained dark and moody, expressive of an inner struggle that is by no means over. In that sense, she’s kind of followed the Waxahatchee path — steadily moving towards accessible melodies while continuing to focus on dark topics that most of us are sure to relate to, no matter how post-adolescent we are (like 25 years post-adolescent, in my case). And Tancred has quite a bit in common both musically and lyrically with Haybaby and Sammi Lanzetta, the two excellent local artists sharing this bill — even if they aren’t completely on the same page genre-wise (Haybaby’s a bit darker, Lanzetta a bit more straight-up rock). If any of this sounds appealing to you, rest assured it all will — and if you’re still not tuned in to what Tancred is up to, you really can’t afford to miss this one.

Bonus Hampton Roads Picks:

Friday, January 11, 8 PM
School Drugs, Nervous System, BATO, Street Weapon, Kept In Line @ Charlie’s American Cafe – $7
Almost every time I ever did drugs was when I was at school, which might seem slightly less insane if I tell you that I’ve been straight edge since 11th grade. But my point is that the name School Drugs makes pretty instinctive sense to me — didn’t we all do drugs in school at some point? Chances are, the answer for most of you is “LOL WTF no!” but maybe the members of this band will get where I’m coming from. I sure get where they’re coming from, at least on a musical level.

This New Jersey band mixes antisocial punk rage with old-school hardcore velocity and a few metallic touches. It’s definitely right up my alley, and it’ll be up yours too (heh heh) if you love cutting the shit and starting the pit. Just don’t take any of those dumb orange pills that weirdo metalhead from your study hall gave you — they don’t do anything. This show will feature a bunch of other killer punk bands from the Tidewater area, some of which are faster than others but all of which are sure to grab your attention. Don’t forget your steel-toed boots.

Tuesday, January 15, 8 PM
Beggar’s Row, Pummel, Compulse, Street Weapon @ Pourhouse of Norfolk – $5
We’re staying in the hardcore-punk world this week for our second Hampton Roads show, but this one is definitely for the kids who identify much more with the HC end of the spectrum. This show finds powerful, heavy Virginia Beach hardcore crew Beggar’s Row presiding over a murderer’s row of hardcore talent from around the state and beyond. Pummel hail from New Jersey and bring a solid dose of uptempo if not speedy hardcore to the Pourhouse — expect to see a lot of two-stepping (the hardcore kind, not the square-dancing kind) in the pit for these guys.

From within the boundaries of the Commonwealth — but almost as long a drive away — comes Roanoke, VA hardcore quartet Compulse, who definitely keep it rough and tough on their EP from last summer, Forged By Struggle. Not to be outdone, the show will kick off with a set from VB rabble-rousers Street Weapon, who’ve got that whole Negative Approach-core thing down cold, complete with slight tinges of Blitz-style oi and early-Warzone fury. This one’s gonna be a rager from top to bottom, and on a Tuesday night in January, you really can’t ask for more.

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Music Sponsored By Graduate Richmond

No Real Solution In Sight for Violence in Shockoe Bottom

Madelyne Ashworth | August 29, 2018

Topics: Liquid Cafe, McCormack's Irish Pub, Plush, Richmond police department, RPD, shockoe bottom, Virginia ABC

Violence continues to disrupt Shockoe Bottom businesses as two shootings, an armed robbery and a street shooting, both occurred within four days of each other between the 1800 and 1700 blocks of Main Street.

Six people were injured during the armed robbery at Liquid Café in Shockoe Bottom this past Saturday morning, shortly after 5 a.m. A street shooting took place outside Plush Restaurant and Lounge the previous Wednesday, wounding three and resulting in the arrest of 25-year-old Darroll G. Allen of Chesterfield County.

The man was said to have been kicked out of the club, later returning with a firearm and injuring one of the bouncers at the club. He was charged with felony malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, but the two suspects involved in Saturday’s armed robbery remain unidentified. None of the injuries from either incident were considered life-threatening.

“I am certain that we can all agree that this increasing gun violence in Shockoe Bottom is unacceptable. This cannot be the norm,” said RPD Chief Alfred Durham in a statement after the shooting. “Someone knows the perpetrators of this crime and we need the public’s help. We need people to call us when they hear or see something. We are already working with several stakeholders in the Shockoe Bottom community and we will continue to develop public safety strategies to reduce violence and bring a sense of calm to the area.”

According to Department Spokesman Gene Lepley, these strategies will include increased police presence on weekends and potential road closures to allow for pedestrian-only walking areas in particularly busy street sections, such as the 1800 block of Main Street.

Liquid Café is not active in the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association. Virginia ABC Spokeswoman Dawn Eischan said both Plush and Liquid Café are under investigation, and Virginia ABC is working with Richmond Police. Plush’s wine and beer license is suspended until further notice, and their liquor license has been revoked.

“Virginia ABC believes that there is a continued threat to public safety at this establishment and these actions are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public,” said Eischan.

Local business owner William “Mac” McCormack is relieved after learning Virginia ABC’s decision, as he and several other business owners in the Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association have contested the licenses of several Shockoe Bottom clubs in the past.

“We felt [these clubs’] level of promotion was not conducive to the neighborhood,” said McCormack. “No matter how much effort we made with the ABC Board, they were still granted the license. They’ve had a continuation of violence the last couple years. It drives me a little bananas as a business owner because we’ve been trying to prevent these types of nightclubs from opening because there’s this kind of violence that happens outside of them.”

McCormack is particularly frustrated with the response from the City of Richmond as well as RPD over the past eight years, as their reactions to violence have been to increase police presence and introduce road blockades rather than rezone, revoke business licenses, or decrease maximum occupancy limits in nightclubs. According to McCormack, preventing access to local business caused by the blockades have directly affected his sales. Total sales over his 21 years of businesses average $650,000 to $700,000 per year, yet after introducing blockades, sales dropped to $62,000 in one year.

He hopes that in the future, all Shockoe Bottom businesses will focus on their local community and take responsibility for the neighborhood around them.

“As a neighborhood, we are working hard on trying to make some changes but we’ve been trying to make these changes for eight years,” McCormack said. “The city’s answer is to obstruct our businesses with blockades, and I don’t know if that’s a good answer.”

However, the owner of Plush nightclub, Juan Wilson, feels he’s being unfairly targeted.

“I’m big on accountability. If something were to happen in my venue, it’s a different story, but when something happens on the city streets or sidewalk, we have no control over that,” Wilson told WTVR in a recent interview.

The Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association held a meeting earlier this week with business owners, but according to WTVR, Wilson said he was not invited to the meeting.

RVA Shows You Must See This Week: 1/27-2/2

Marilyn Drew Necci | January 27, 2016

Topics: Abandon Earth, Acid Tide, Affiance, Camp Howard, Cat Be Damned, Catriona Sturton, Cende, Circle Thrift, Citrus City, Colin Thibodeauxx, Come And Rest, Countermeasures, Crucial Rip, Dave Watkins, Dazeases, Elvis Depressedly, False Prpht, gallery 5, Get In The Car, Humungus, Ice Nine Kills, McCormack's Irish Pub, More To Monroe, Nu Depth, Partition, REC Room, Samantha Pearl, Show Me The Body, shows you must see, Sports Bra, strange matter, The Camel, The Canal Club, This Land Is Now Dead, Thoughts On Standby, Troops Of Doom, Vomit Stain, Vorator, Vundabar, Young Scum

FEATURE SHOW
Saturday, January 30, 8 PM
Citrus City One-Year Anniversary Party, feat. Vundabar, Camp Howard, Colin Thibodeauxx, Young Scum @ Strange Matter – $5
So last week got pretty crazy, huh? I don’t know about you, but I spent the past five days snowed in and having major cabin fever.
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RVA Shows You Must See This Week 8/12-8/18

Marilyn Drew Necci | August 12, 2015

Topics: All Dogs, Amara, Anousheh, Arch Enemy, Atta Girl, B4BQ, Bandito's, Beyond Creation, Born of Osiris, Brothers Of The Sonic Cloth, Cattle Decapitation, Coal Chamber, Crucial Rip, Don Babylon, Eastern Standard Time, Fear Factory, gallery 5, Goldrush, gwar, He Is Legend, Here After, Jesse Smith & The Holy Ghost, Lady God, Manzara, McCormack's Irish Pub, Murphy's Kids, My Enemies & I, Nesta, Neurosis, Obscura, Organ Dealer, Overcomer, Positive No, Set For Tomorrow, shows you must see, Sleepwave, strange matter, Sumac, Thai Sun, The Acacia Strain, The Akabane Vulgars On Strong Bypass, The Broadberry, The Camel, The Canal Club, The Commonwealth Of Notions, The National, The Sidekicks, Various Eggs, Veil Of Maya, way shape or form, WRIR

FEATURE SHOW
Saturday, August 15, 5 PM
WRIR & Commonwealth Of Notions Presents: Volume Five, Day One; feat. Goldrush, Anousheh, Positive No, Lady God, Various Eggs, Way Shape Or Form, Manzara @ Gallery 5 – $5
This is apparently the month for multi-day festivals here in RVA.
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Shockoe Fest Keeps The St. Patrick’s Day Tradition Alive In Shockoe Bottom This Saturday

Marilyn Drew Necci | March 12, 2014

Topics: Elliott Yamin, F.W. Sullivan's, Kid Is Qual, McCormack's Irish Pub, Shamrock The Block, shockoe bottom, Shockoe Fest, The Canal Club

After hearing that Shamrock The Block would be moving from its longtime location in Shockoe Bottom to the Boulevard this year, quite a few business owners in Shockoe Bottom were upset. Instead of sitting around and complaining, though, they’ve organized an event of their own to take place at 17th Street Farmer’s Market this Saturday.
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