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RVA Shows You Must See This Week: September 28 – October 4

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FEATURED SHOW
Friday, September 30, 7 PM
City Of Caterpillar, Loud Night, Dorthia Cottrell @ Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House – $15 in advance, $18 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Reunions of 90s/00s era bands have become so commonplace these days, that they’re starting to fit into a formula. The first stage is where they get back together in the first place, announcing half a dozen or fewer reunion shows and sending their fanbase (inevitably much larger than it was when they broke up) into a frenzy. Tickets to the shows sell out in seconds, more shows are announced and they sell out… everyone is in love with the band all over again — maybe more than they were the first time. Inevitably, the band stays together, starts touring semi-regularly. The frenzy dies down, but they become a steady draw within their particular subgenre. People aren’t losing their minds anymore, but they’re still stoked about seeing them (this, by the way, is the stage Avail is currently occupying).

Then there’s the difficult third stage of a band reunion, where the band has been practicing regularly for long enough that they know all their old songs as well as they did during their original active period. Inevitably, the members start bringing in new riffs, jamming on fresh ideas, and writing their first new songs in 20 years or whatever. This stage of the process culminates when the band releases their reunion album. And this is where things can go really, really wrong — if the band’s sensibilities have changed too much in the time they were away, if they just don’t have the creative spark that ignited their original discography, if they maybe just don’t have the energy they once had… the steady fanbase they’ve rebuilt can fade away quicker than you ever thought possible. City Of Caterpillar have reached that particular moment of truth; having reformed in 2016 and started to tour semi-regularly over the next couple of years, they have now created a full album’s worth of new material. Entitled Mystic Sisters, it’s coming into the world via Relapse Records on Friday, September 30 — the same day as this show. Which means that this show is put up or shut up time for City Of Caterpillar.

But look — they’re gonna be fine. Any nervousness about City Of Caterpillar’s ability to carry on their legacy as one of the groundbreaking acts of the early-00s screamo scene; their continued ability to write the sort of atmospheric, cinematic masterworks that would build for upwards of five minutes, then explode into fiery chaos; it’s completely unwarranted. Like everyone else, I’ve only thus far had access to three of the eight songs on the new LP, but considering the sheer genius on display, the way “Paranormalities” captures the driving fury of “Fucking Hero,” and “Mystic Sisters” puts a new spin on the ominous horror-movie atmosphere of “A Little Change Could Go A Long Ways”… yeah, they’re gonna be fine. So go rage at this City Of Caterpillar show like it’s the heady days of that first 2016 reunion weekend — you won’t be disappointed.

Wednesday, September 28, 7 PM
The Nude Party, Pearl Charles @ The Broadberry – $18 (order tickets HERE)
I’ve always thought that there was a certain amount of implied class if you use the word “nude” instead of “naked” when you’re talking about people with no clothes on. I don’t really think North Carolina’s The Nude Party is really worried about such things, however. Their music blends a sort of degenerate big-city rock n’ roll swagger you might recognize from the third Velvet Underground album, the Stones’ Exile On Main Street, or The Strokes’ debut album with an almost countrified melodic sense that reminds you, if you ever forget for even a second, that these folks are from the south.

Their 2020 album, Midnight Manor, lands somewhere between Southern-gentleman charm and the sort of elegantly wasted debauchery that is Keith Richards’ standard method of operation. It’s a lot of fun to listen to, and The Nude Party are guaranteed to be a fun midweek ticket when they hit the stage at The Broadberry tonight. Will there actually be any nudity on display? Considering that the spectre of the pandemic still looms, I’m not sure such a thing will be a good idea, if it does happen. However, there’s really only one way to find out. And you’re sure to have a blast regardless. Show up to this one.

Thursday, September 29, 9 PM
Partner Look @ Fuzzy Cactus – $10?
I love Fuzzy Cactus. You should know that if you’ve been reading this column for a while; I once went on a whole tangent about how they’ve replaced XL102 as “Richmond’s home of rock n’ roll.” I stand by that; however, the wild, spontaneous lifestyle that goes along with being Richmond’s foremost rock n’ roll bar does get at least a little bit on my nerves at some point. See, for example, the holes in my knowledge base where this show is concerned; I know Australian quartet Partner Look are playing (more about them in a minute) and what time the show starts, but I have no idea who else is playing or how much the admission price is. If previous patterns continue, Fuzzy will post that information on their Instagram around noon-ish on the day of the show, so if you really need to know, check that out.

For now, you’ve got to deal with the relatively scant knowledge I have about this show. But look, it should be more than enough for you. Partner Look may not be all that easy to search for on some social media sites (try it, you’ll see), but they are a great band, made up of two German sisters and their Australian boyfriends; the members have previously played in such Australian sensations as Cool Sounds and The Ocean Party. Their current project is long on indie-pop charm, while also maintaining an unpredictability and creative edge that keeps their debut album, By The Book, entertaining and delightful throughout. They’ll undoubtedly keep that same energy when they hit the stage at Fuzzy Cactus tomorrow night, and their winsome, upbeat tuneage is sure to keep you smiling. The price up top is only a guess, but honestly, whatever they charge, whoever opens up this show, it’s going to be worth it regardless. Come prepared.

Friday, September 30, 7:30 PM
The Human Tragedy, Down To One, Trivial Difference @ Another Round Bar & Grill – $10 (order tickets HERE)
Symphonic deathcore? Operatic slam? Back in the 90s when my friends and I were way into Dying Fetus and Dimmu Borgir, none of us would have predicted this sort of thing. Nonetheless, over two decades later, Lexington Kentucky’s The Human Tragedy have manifested it into the world, and on their latest album, Legacy of Extermination, they prove that a brutal death metal trio backed by a symphony orchestra can sound really goddamn cool. On tracks like “The Architects” and the title track, they achieve a certain transcendence that can only occur when their guttural vocals, rapid double-bass pounding, and chugging, downtuned riffs meet the dramatic grandeur of a classical symphony.

While the video for the album’s title track depicts the group performing with an actual orchestra, I’m pretty sure they tour as a three-piece and just use tape loops to recreate the symphonic elements of their sound. But hey, at least that way we can be sure they’ll fit onto the stage at Another Round, right? They’ll certainly bring a heaping helping of metal power and epic high drama when they pull up on Lakeside Avenue this Friday night, and honestly, you’d be a fool to miss out on it. So hey — don’t. Be there.

Saturday, October 1, 7 PM
Spill Tab, Boyish @ The Camel – $14 in advance, $16 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Named for the thing bartenders charge for spilled drinks (and hookups to friends), Spill Tab is the musical project of Claire Chicha, an LA-based pop maven with a knack for glitchy hooks and an intriguing mixture of electronic textures and analog rock instrumentation. In keeping with the direction the pop music world has been going for most of a decade now, Spill Tab doesn’t actually have an album out, even though the project began releasing music over three years ago now. Two EPs, 2020’s Oatmilk and last year’s follow-up, Bonnie, are the closest she’s come, though there are quite a few loose singles that have beefed up the group’s discography over the past few years.

2022 has seen the release of two new Spill Tab singles, “Sunburn” and “Splinter,” and they’re probably the best work she’s done yet. Between those two bangers and previous career highlights like “Velcro” and “PISTOLWHIP,” Spill Tab has all the ingredients she needs to throw down an excellent set of electrifying indie-tinged pop bliss. And be sure to show up on time, as “queer indie” duo Boyish, who open the evening, have plenty to offer in their own right. Their latest EP, My Friend Mica, finds them treading the same dividing line between electronic textures and rockin’ analog pop, though if anything Boyish are about 20% more indie. The distinction, though, isn’t as important as the awareness that both of these bands are going to get you up on your feet and dancing. Don’t miss it.

Sunday, October 2, 7 PM
Titan To Tachyons, Dumb Waiter, Bermuda Triangles @ Gallery 5 – $14 in advance, $16 day of show (order tickets HERE)
We all love it when things get weird, right? OK, maybe not everyone in this city agrees with me on this one, but I’m sure I’m not just speaking for myself. I know plenty of Richmond freaks who’ll be completely stoked about hitting this show up for a wild end to a fun weekend. Instrumental jazz-metal quartet Titan To Tachyons certainly have an excellent pedigree: guitarist and composer Sally Gates hails from New Zealand and was previously in Orbweaver; bassist Trevor Dunn has done time with everyone from Mr. Bungle to the Melvins; drummer Kenny Grohowski has been in both New York black metal combo Imperial Triumphant and jazz legend John Zorn’s backing band; and Matt Hollenberg, who has generally been a guitarist but plays a Bass VI in this band, is a veteran of Philly death-metallers Cleric, among others.

So what happens when you bring this formidable mix of talented players together? You get the fascinating collision of experimentation, creativity, and full-on heavyosity that is on display on Titan To Tachyons’ 2020 debut, Cactides. Featuring five lengthy songs that are often too complex for headbangs but remain volcanically heavy and powerful nonetheless, it’s an incredible listening experience that’s certain to be taken to the next level when this band takes the Gallery 5 stage Sunday night. Whether you’re a math-rock obsessive who likes it when things get heavy, a headbanger who enjoys a challenge, or just someone who misses the days when Breadwinner were one of Richmond’s most formidable active bands, this is a show that’s sure to connect with you. Don’t miss a moment of it.

Monday, October 3, 7 PM
Leone & The Ascension, Dhemo, Pharaoh Sistare @ The Camel – $10 in advance, $13 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Things usually get pretty intriguing on Monday nights at The Camel, and this Monday night is no exception. Leone, a Richmond R&B vocalist with two EPs to his name thus far, will bring his backing band, The Ascension, to the Camel’s stage to present his latest EP, Private Life, in full glory on a live stage. Released over the summer, this EP finds Leone bringing the soulful swagger he demonstrated on his earlier work to a new, more electro-pop oriented batch of tunes. The results are invigorating, and make quite the listening experience — which should be bettered significantly when Leone performs these tunes with a live backing band onstage, up close and personal.

He’ll be joined on the bill by two other Richmond performers, one of which performs under a truly odd moniker. I’ve been wondering for months, when I see Dhemo’s name around, whether there’s a trick to the pronunciation. No, as it turns out — the artist’s bandcamp reveals that the project’s name is pronounced “demo.” Throwing that H in there certainly helps with SEO, though, so Dhemo definitely has my respect. Their freshly released LP, Spinning In Place, wins me over even further with its smooth, soulful indie tuneage. This stuff should be incredible live. Same is true for Pharaoh Sistare, a local funk artist with some really catchy tunes in his repertoire and the ability, as demonstrated on 2021 single “Strobe Light,” to challenge Michael Jackson at his peak (which is to say, Off The Wall. It’s all downhill from there. Yeah, I said it). Who wouldn’t want to catch that?

Tuesday, October 4, 7 PM
Slowbleed, Gates To Hell, Sentenced 2 Die, Torment, Victim Of Suffering @ The Camel – $15 (order tickets HERE)
Let’s wrap this week up with something for the mavens of brutality, shall we? California’s Slowbleed are almost terrifying in their metallic power, and they make that indisputably clear on their latest LP, The Blazing Sun, A Fiery Dawn. Sounding sort of like Converge and Gehenna (the infamous one, from Reno) collaborating with Autopsy and Misery Index, this band stands astride the incredibly thin and porous line between metallic hardcore and outright metal. From the pounding monstrosity of the riffage on display here to the foreboding terror evoked by the atmospheric elements of Slowbleed’s sound, this band is absolutely incredible, and a must-listen for fans of thrash metal, horror movies, and black t-shirts with scary graphics printed on them.

A variety of other amazing groups will be on this bill, both locally based and from beyond our region. Louisville’s Gates To Hell push things about 20% in the death metal direction from Slowbleed, but if you can enjoy one, you’re sure to enjoy the other. On their brand-new self-titled LP, Gates To Hell demonstrate a high aptitude for mosh riffs, too, which will surely be put to good use by the crowd at this show. Minnesota’s Sentenced 2 Die take things both further in a brutal, guttural death metal direction and integrate more brutal mosh parts, so their set is guaranteed to go off. Richmonders Torment deliver powerful moshcore with vocals and lyrics that are inspired by trauma and emotional pain, making them eminently relatable — to me, if not to you. Finally, Virginia Beach’s Victim Of Suffering will set the mood for the evening with some rage-filled metallic hardcore. This one’s gonna be unrelenting. Don’t shy away.

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]

Top Photo: City Of Caterpillar by Fil Baird, via City Of Caterpillar/Instagram

RVA Shows You Must See This Week: September 14 – September 20

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FEATURED SHOW
Thursday, September 15, 7 PM
Illiterate Light (Photo by Jason Siemer Photography), Palmyra @ The Broadberry – $15 in advance, $18 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Back in the spring of 2020, this column went on a hiatus that eventually stretched out for over 18 months. This hiatus, of course, corresponded with the hiatus that live music in general took during that same time, a basic element of how we were all trying to reduce the spread of COVID by avoiding big groups of close-together people, especially in enclosed spaces — a core ingredient of live music, as you all know. This whole situation left millions of bands trying to figure out what they were going to do with themselves. Some kept making records, or doing livestreams, trying to keep themselves in the public eye. Others decided to lay low, working behind the scenes and waiting until the time was right to return.

Richmond’s Illiterate Light definitely went the former route. After the momentum behind their 2019 self-titled debut was somewhat derailed by the pandemic, they released a live album called In The Moment in 2020, following it with a collaborative single with their pal Devon Gilfillian called “Freedom.” And in 2021, they went back to work in a big way, playing as many of the early post-COVID outdoor live shows they could get on. For a band as reliant on their live energy and the massive crowd reactions it generates, it was a totally unsurprising move. And they haven’t slowed down since; indeed, this Thursday night live show at The Broadberry is one of the first in a two-month jaunt that will see them crisscross the United States multiple times over the next two months.

Luckily for us all, they don’t just have their incredible live performances to bring us on this tour; Illiterate Light have spent their off-times over the past year or so hard at work on the follow-up to their self-titled debut, and the first song from that new batch, “Light Me Up,” came out a few weeks ago, proving that this duo didn’t lose a single step over the pandemic. Their forthcoming LP finds them moving from Atlantic Records to multi-level media conglomerate Thirty Tigers. And while it’ll be a while yet before we hear the whole thing, a great way to get a preview of what the boys have in store for us all is to show up at The Broadberry this Thursday night and let these two lay down the full power of their top-flight rock n’ roll experience before your very eyes. It’s gonna be a heck of an experience — you don’t want to miss it.

Wednesday, September 14, 7 PM
Timothy Eerie, Dream Phases, Ladada, Danet Jackson @ Black Iris Social Club – Free?
Tonight at Black Iris, it’s time to get psychedelic, as Florida musician Casey Lerman, better known as Timothy Eerie, comes into town to take Black Iris Social Club on an astral journey without ever leaving terra firma behind. Timothy Eerie’s most recent single, “I Fear The Void Is Waiting For Me” b/w “Acid Lake,” is a propulsive blast of high-powered rock n’ roll that lives at the chronological point just before heavy acid rock merged into the first wave of heavy metal. If you love Hawkwind and Blue Cheer, or modern analogues like Wolfmother and Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats, but your interest directly corresponds with how hard and fast they’re playing at any given moment, you’re gonna dig what Timothy Eerie is up to.

Mr. Eerie and co. come to town in the company of Dream Phases, a Los Angeles band with a hazy psychedelic vibe that is very California, and an approach that is definitely less heavy and more melodic in focus than Timothy Eerie’s. However, I don’t want that to scare anyone off; on last fall’s New Distractions, Dream Phases takes the listener into a lysergic, blissed-out headspace that is every bit as thrilling as Timothy Eerie’s psychedelic riff bonanza. If anything, where Timothy Eerie are piloting a rocketship, Dream Phases are sailing into space on a magic carpet. You’ll find your way into the heavens either way — it’s just a question of what wonderful sounds you’ll hear along the way. If I may stretch the metaphor even further, it’s a pairing of celestial quality. And even though I’m not sure how much this show costs to get in, you can be assured that it’ll be worth it, whatever you have to pay.

Thursday, September 15, 7 PM
Backslider, World Peace, ROTWLCFTSCBMH, Land Speed Record @ Powers BMX Shop – $15
I would never have expected a BMX shop out in the East End to become one of the best places in town to see heavy music. However, no one can deny that, over the past several months, Powers BMX has become a venue to keep an eye out for. This Thursday night throwdown is just the latest example of what this spot is bringing to the table, as Philadelphia’s Backslider rolls into town to deal out some heavy punishment that we’re all gonna enjoy thoroughly. Swinging adeptly back and forth between blazing fast grindcore riffs and neck-snapping breakdowns, all while retaining a thick-as-a-brick sound sure to equally please fans of Harm’s Way and Dead In The Dirt, this band has something for everyone that loves heavy, metallic hardcore.

They’re joined on this bill by California band World Peace, who don’t seem like they’re all that interested in the goal their name sets out, based on their sound. With a propensity for aural blitzkrieg that is virtually unparalleled in the current hardcore scene — their 20-song 2021 LP, Come And See, consisted entirely of songs between 13 and 53 seconds long — this band avoids standard grindcore tropes in order to mix blinding fast riffage with nasty heavy parts that seem tailor-made for hard moshing. That’s assuming, of course, that you can get your big pit moves out of the way in less than 10 seconds. Because trust me, when these guys go into a breakdown, no matter how heavy it is, they aren’t gonna stay there long. The addition of local solo-grind project ROTWLCFTSCBMH and thudding bass-drum fastcore group Land Speed Record to this bill makes for an evening of unrelenting heaviness. Get your mosh on — just don’t fuck up any bikes while you do. Those things are expensive.

Friday, September 16, 9 PM
Los Coast, Jason Jamal, Pharaoh Sistare @ The Camel – $15 (order tickets HERE)
I have a confession to make; Austin, Texas quintet Los Coast were totally new to me as I prepared to write this week’s column. I listened through to a few things that didn’t quite strike my fancy, considered writing about a couple of bands I’ve written about a couple times before, and then, at the last second, I checked out Los Coast. Suddenly, they were the band I was writing about. As soon as I heard last year’s “Summer Samaritan” single, I knew that this band, an intriguing combination of retro-fied psychedelic pop and classic Southern soul, was the one for me.

They’re probably the one for you, too. If the upbeat, catchy vibes — perfect not only for summer 2021 but the summer we’re currently living through the last days of as well — of “Summer Samaritan” don’t convince you, well, I can’t relate to that, but either way, the band’s 2019 debut full-length, Samsara, should do whatever work is left to be done in winning you over and directing your feet down to that long-running club across from the Lowe’s on West Broad. Yes, I’m talking about The Camel, the place that will come alive in a whole new way with the addition this Friday of not only Los Coast but also talented local up-and-comers Jason Jamal and Pharaoh Sistare. Don’t miss out on what’s sure to be a night of moves, grooves, and dancefloor bangers. It’s just what you need to end the week on a high note.

Saturday, September 17, 7 PM
Living Hour, Sour Widows, Catie Lausten @ Gallery 5 – $10 (order tickets HERE)
From there, we charge straight into a Saturday night of synth-driven pop fun, brought to us all by Underground Orchard — the promotion wing of the vast Citrus City empire. You all should know by now that when Citrus City is bringing some new musical experience into town, you’re in for a treat, but if you were still not sure about all that, Living Hour is just another point of evidence in the label’s favor. The hazy, drifting sound this combo creates on brand-new album Someday Is Today is fitting for an ensemble hailing from Winnipeg, Manitoba, a city notorious for its long, cold winters. The cool, quiet vibes Living Hour put out are the exact sort you’d expect from a group that’s been able to survive and thrive in such climates.

Sour Widows have no such need for adjustment — they come from California, where it’s apparently sunny and warm all year round. At least, so Hollywood tells me. The warmth Sour Widows draw out of their stretched-out, languid tunes certainly gives credence to that media mythmaking, but it also shows a number of intriguing parallels to what Living Hour, a band hailing from an extremely different environment, come up with. This show will be an intriguing study in the parallels of opposites. And the pot will be sweetened considerably by the fact that local opener Catie Lausten, whose phenomenal indie pop EP, Love To Love To Love, has been one of the more pleasantly surprising releases of Richmond;s music scene thus far this year, is celebrating the release of the aforementioned EP on cassette by Citrus City Records. Which, of course, only serves as further proof that those guys over at Citrus City have exquisite taste.

Sunday, September 18, 5 PM
38 Special, The Jared Stout Band @ River City Sportsplex – $5-$31 (order tickets HERE)
Yup, that’s right, we’re doing it — spending another Sunday evening south of the river, enjoying the still-wonderful sounds of yesteryear’s greats out at River City Sportsplex with Chesterfield After Hours. This time around, it’s 38 Special, a band I hadn’t thought about in years; that is, until the first season of Reacher, the Amazon TV show based on one of my favorite crime novel series, came out back in January. 38 Special got prominent placing in one of those episodes, and while it was a comic moment in the show, I found myself listening back to the Reacher soundtrack in the weeks that followed and thinking, “Damn, 38 Special really does hold up. Who knew?”

Now, if you know anything about 38 Special, you know that the band was formed and fronted by Donnie Van Zant, brother to Lynyrd Skynyrd founder Ronnie Van Zant and current Skynyrd vocalist Johnny Van Zant (yes, their parents really did do that with their names). And it is my unfortunate duty to report to you at this point that Donnie Van Zant is no longer in 38 Special; he left back in 2013. HOWEVER, it is also important for you to know that it was the OTHER 38 Special singer, Don Barnes, who sang on all the songs you know by this band: “Caught Up In You,” “Hold On Loosely,” “Rockin’ Into The Night,” “If I’d Been the One”… all of them. And Don Barnes is still fronting 38 Special. So you’re gonna get to hear all the songs that made this band legendary, and you’re gonna get to hear them sung by the guy who sung them in the first place. And listen — those songs really do still sound amazing. They’ll sound even better live. Plus, you can get a ticket to this gig for as little as five bucks. What more reason do you need?

Monday, September 19, 8 PM
Twin Films, Sheetrock, Feigning Grace @ The Camel – $8 (order tickets HERE)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: you can always count on The Camel. On a Monday night when nothing’s going on anywhere else around town, if you roll past The Camel, there’s sure to be some good music happening. This Monday night, that music comes from Richmond indie group Twin Films, who have an intriguing sound that swings back and forth between delicate indie pop melodies and full-on symphonic psychedelia, with crescendos that evoke Flaming Lips, Grandaddy, and Broken Social Scene, among others. Recent singles might lead you to expect an enormous ensemble to take the stage, but depending on circumstance, there may be as few as three of them up there. However, the noise will be big, loud, and joyous regardless.

Opening support will be supplied by groups I don’t know too much about, but are intriguing nonetheless. Sheetrock — a band whose name impresses even me, an anti-SEO connoisseur, with its difficulty in googling — are a brand new indie rock group from right here in RVA. Their recently released self-titled debut album impresses with its unexpected changes combined with a driving postpunk energy. Fans of local groups like New Lions and Manatree will dig what they find here. Then there’s Feigning Grace, who between their band name and the title of their 2021 debut, Christlike, had me a bit confused at first about whether they were devout Christians or skeptical indie kids. The fact that the title track contains the lyric “I’m getting pretty tired of always feigning grace and trying to be so goddamn Christlike all the time” clarified it all for me, though. Regardless of religion, though, this quartet has some pretty great indie tunes, full of awkward charm and graceful melodies. I don’t know a ton about any of these bands, but all of them are a good bet for livening up your Monday night. Take a chance on them.

Tuesday, September 20, 8 PM
Jimmie Vaughan @ The Tin Pan – $50 (order tickets HERE)
There are a ton of cool shows happening this Tuesday night, like an absurd amount for a night this early in the week. However, none of them jumped out to me quite the way Jimmie Vaughan’s gig at the Tin Pan did. I’m a married woman, as you may know, and we’re Jimmie Vaughan fans around my house — one of my wife’s first live shows when she was still a kid was The Fabulous Thunderbirds, back when Jimmie was still a member. Of course, that was a long time ago — Jimmie left the T-birds in 1990, around the same time his legendary brother, Stevie Ray, passed away in a tragic helicopter accident. This left Jimmie as the only Vaughan alive to carry on the family tradition of powerful electric blues.

He’s done a great job with that task, settling into a long and fruitful career as a bandleader, avoiding the overly glossy production of all that 80s electric blues my dad was all about back then in favor of down-to-earth small-combo blues sets like the one highlighted on his outstanding 2019 LP, Baby Please Come Home. Even today, in his 70s, Vaughan remains both talented and prolific — since Baby Please Come Home‘s release, he’s also brought out the double-disc compilation The Pleasure Is All Mine, as well as a remarkable box set, The Jimmie Vaughan Story, which features not only five CDs collecting highlights from his 60-year career but also a full-length book chronicling his life story. Suffice it to say, Jimmie Vaughan’s got plenty to pull from when he pulls up at The Tin Pan this Tuesday night. And you certainly are going to want to be there to hear, see, and appreciate all of it.

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]

RVA Shows You Must See This Week: August 24 – August 30

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FEATURED SHOW
Sunday, August 28, 8 PM
Kidz At Play @ The Camel – $10 (order tickets HERE)
As far as the youth of Richmond are concerned, the local artists with the biggest buzz are the dozen or so members of Kidz At Play, who represent themselves not as a band or a crew but a creative house. If you read our recent feature about the group, you heard all about it. You also heard about their regular live appearances at The Camel, and just how crazy they’re inclined to get. However, Kidz At Play haven’t had a big group performance since our article hit the streets, so if you haven’t seen them yet, that’s understandable. However, this Sunday night, that all changes.

Kidz At Play’s performance at The Camel this Sunday is billed as their Back To School Show. Hitting as it does the night before Richmond City Public Schools students return to class for the new year, and five days after VCU’s fall 2022 semester begins, this celebration is certainly apropos. But really, anytime Kidz At Play come together, it’s gonna be a party, so with an actual occasion for celebration, things are sure to be even more off the hook than usual.

OK, but what sort of music can we expect? And who exactly will be performing? As always with the Kidz, that’s a complicated question. Officially, there are 11 of them, but who you hear on any given single is always subject to change. Their most recent single, “Skyline,” finds Marquis Flower taking a solo turn at the mic and delivering a short but sweet R&B/pop anthem. Before that, there was “Cooloff,” a summertime party hip hop jam featuring verses from Smyth, Marquis Flower, and Quincy X. Then there’s the seven-minute “Pull Up,” which features nine of the Kidz and has a recently released video in which they basically do their riff on Odd Future’s legendary posse cut, “Oldie.” The uniting factor is major party vibes, and in a world where it feels like new types of bad shit are getting sprung on us pretty much daily, party music is pretty much what we all need right now. Kidz At Play are without question the biggest, most off-the-hook musical party happening in Richmond right now. Show up at The Camel this Sunday night and join in.

Wednesday, August 24, 7 PM
Apes Of the State, Doom Scroll, The Great Beforetimes @ The Camel – $10 in advance, $15 day of show (order tickets HERE)
If you’re like me, you got to a point back toward the end of the 00s where you had pretty much had your fill of folk-punk. It felt too gimmicky, too naive, too self-congratulatory, and on top of all that, it just wasn’t loud enough. Over a decade later, though, the folk-punk scene has proven surprisingly resilient, and even seems to be having an upswing in the uncertain post-pandemic era. And you know, after over a decade of intentionally paying no mind to folk-punk, it kinda sounds fresh to me now. That’s especially true when the genre’s tropes are in capable hands, and Apes Of the State have certainly proven themselves to be talented carriers of the folk-punk torch. On 2019’s Pipe Dream, frontwoman and chief songwriter April Hartman looked at a future that was even more hopeless than she imagined at the time (the album was released six weeks before the first cases of COVID-19 were reported) and still found a way to sing hopefully.

What’s more, Apes of The State manage to write catchy songs without being cloying, to use acoustic instruments without sounding quiet and wimpy, and to retain a link to old-time American music through things like close-harmony singing and bluegrass-style song structures. For Apes Of The State, “folk-punk” isn’t just a code word for “punk played on acoustic instruments” — it’s music that clearly pulls from the punk rock tradition, but also manages to incorporate sounds most frequently heard on transfers from old scratchy 78 RPM records. You might have soured on folk-punk back in 2009 or 2012 or whenever, but if you ever thought the genre had promise — say, back in those halcyon days before Laura Jane Grace bought a distortion pedal — well, you’re gonna need to hear what Apes Of The State has to offer. It might just be enough to make you fall in love with the promise of folk-punk all over again.

Thursday, August 25, 6:30 PM
Peaches, Kalifa @ The National – $29 (order tickets HERE)
Dang, time sure flies. Here’s the latest thing inspiring me to say such a thing: Peaches is coming through town this week and playing at The National as part of her 20th anniversary tour in celebration of her debut album, The Teaches Of Peaches. That’s right, folks — it’s been 20 years since we all first heard “Fuck the Pain Away,” “Diddle My Skittle,” “Set It Off,” and all the other unabashedly horny anthems on Peaches’ debut album, a collection of dancefloor bangers that were arguably the peak of that buzzy early 00s genre known as electroclash. Back then, Peaches was a brand new phenomenon who seemingly came out of nowhere to take over the world. Since then, she’s gone on to a colorful career full of gender fluidity, unabashed debauchery, and anthems that have continued to ignite dancefloors all over the world for the past two decades.

Peaches is still rocking hard and going strong, as she will no doubt prove when she takes the stage at The National Thursday night. It’s been a few years since her last album, Rub, was released, but pandemic-era singles “Flip This” and “Pussy Mask” prove that she’s still got the power to create horny electro-disco anthems that’ll keep you dancing all night. Plus, you know it’s been too long since you went off to “Fuck The Pain Away.” Plus, you get a bonus performance from talented queer rapper Kalifa, who was previously known as Le1f and blew everyone’s mind back in 2012 with his killer single “Wut.” He’s reintroducing himself on this new tour, and you’re sure to hear some amazing new tracks as well as all-time classic bangers — not just the aforementioned “Wut,” but also underrated jams like “Boom” and “Sup” — during Kalifa’s set. You don’t just want to be at this show, you want to show up on time. If you miss Kalifa’s opening set, you’ll be missing out bigtime.

Friday, August 26, 7 PM
Monsoon, Cyber Twin, Remote Control, Gusher @ Cobra Cabana – $10
It’s always rad when there’s a cool show happening over at Cobra Cabana, and with summer drawing toward its end, it’s entirely possible that shows there will slow down or even stop entirely during the colder months. Therefore, it’s a good idea to take advantage of these shows when they happen. It’s an even better idea when the bands on this bill are this good. At the top of the lineup this time around is Monsoon, an Athens, GA-based duo who released an excellent new album, Ghost Party, back in February. Their sound incorporates a punk rock edge into upbeat, melodic indie anthems, and fans of bands like Mannequin Pussy and Speedy Ortiz are sure to find a lot to enjoy here.

Monsoon are the most important reason to show up at Cobra Cabana this Friday night, but there’s a lot to be said for the opportunity to enjoy some relative newcomers to the Richmond music scene while you’re at it. Cyber Twin have been around the longest, releasing a couple of EPs back in 2017… and, unfortunately, nothing since. Their garage-pop bangers are still an outstanding listen, five years on — and considering how long they’ve been saying they were working on a third EP, they hopefully have some new jams to kick out for us as well. Remote Control are a bit newer to the game, though their members have played in a variety of previous bands, many of which lay somewhere along the melodic punk spectrum. The brand new Remote Control EP, Anaphylaxis, just dropped on Monday, so the band are sure to be champing at the bit to unleash its three songs upon us all. Sounds like one hell of a party, if you ask me. I’m in. The bill is rounded out by Gusher, who’ve been delivering snarky electro-punk on Richmond stages for a couple years now. This whole event is gonna be outstanding. You really gotta be there.

Saturday, August 27, 8 PM
The Pauses, New Lions, Colin Phils, Midlife Pilot @ The Camel – $10 in advance, $12 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Saturday night at The Camel is pretty much always worth your time. This show is a great example of the form at its best: not only do we get sets from a trio of reliably amazing Richmond indie rock groups — specifically New Lions, Colin Phils, and Midlife Pilot — we also get a set from The Pauses, who hail from Orlando, Florida and have an intriguing sound that isn’t all that easily summed up. Not that the three local bands have easily summed-up sounds either… but let’s be real, I’ve written about all three of these bands on mulitple prior occasions. By now, if you’re looking for me to do an in-depth exploration of what any of them do, you can easily find one in the RVA Mag archives. You should if you don’t know these local combos; they’re all excellent, and you deserve to read detailed arguments as to that fact.

The Pauses, though — this is a band we’ve never covered before. And their 2018 LP, Unbuilding, is a total banger that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed ever since I discovered it (which was just last week, but hey, cut a girl some slack). The Pauses come from Orlando, Florida, and they enjoy referring to their hometown as “Mickeytown” and their music as “beep boop rock,” which should show how playful this trio is. However, they’re also serious as a heart attack, and they prove it on Unbuilding. You might think the fact that an alternative rock trio incorporates keyboard sounds and interactive light shows into their overall presentation means that they’re not trying to get heavy. Boy, do you have another think coming. This band knows exactly how to crank the distortion and rock the fuck out, and they do it on a regular basis, as you will hear if you show up at The Camel this Saturday night. So hey — don’t make any alternate plans, OK? Be there.

Sunday, August 28, 7 PM
The Mountain Goats, Garcia Peoples @ The Broadberry – $39.50 in advance, $45 day of show (order tickets HERE)
I’m just gonna come out with it: I’ve been avoiding the topic of the Mountain Goats on this website for about a decade now. It’s not because I think they’re a bad band, or even because I stopped connecting as much with their music once they stopped recording everything with a boombox (though that latter thing isn’t entirely untrue). In truth, Mountain Goats leader John Darnielle and I used to post on the same message board back in the pre-social media days, and, um… suffice it to say that whole thing didn’t end well. Over the years, though, between his music and his writing, John’s slowly won me back over. Regardless of whether me and that guy get along, you just can’t get around his talent. He’s got an incredible way with words, a very particular and fascinating worldview, and a knack for melody and song structure that’s allowed him to spend 30 years being prolific as hell and releasing, depending on how you count them, at least 20 and maybe 30 or more albums over the past three decades.

The latest Mountain Goats record is called Bleed Out, and it sees Darnielle indulging in his literary tendencies, writing an entire album inspired by the specific aesthetic of action movies from the 70s and 80s. Musically, it’s probably the loudest and most rocked-out the Mountain Goats have gotten yet, which is a lot of fun to hear considering how mannered and calm so many of the Mountain Goats albums have been over the past dozen or so years. On this tour, one could not be surprised to find out that the Mountain Goats — a band that also includes Superchunk/Bob Mould drummer Jon Wurster — are doing an outright rock n’ roll show, one that will inspire hundreds of people packed inside the Broadberry to dance with delighted abandon. It’s gonna be a great night, and no matter how poorly John and I got along on a message board back in the late 00s, I owe it to all of you to make sure you don’t miss it.

Monday, August 29, 8 PM
LEGS. The Band, Saturn Death Cult, Lucekannons, Ricky Spanish @ The Camel – $10 (order tickets HERE)
The idea of making the phrase “The Band” part of your band name is by no means unprecedented. Not only did Bob Dylan’s backing band in the late 60s strike out on their own under the name “The Band” (in the internet era, the SEO implications of that name are horrible), but a goofy, fun metalcore band from a decade or so ago went by “HORSE The Band.” Now we’ve got LEGS. The Band, who come from Denver, Colorado and don’t sound anything like either of those prior two examples. This alt-rock quartet came together to play a show on the night before the brewery where all of them worked permanently closed, and the bittersweet air of that initial raison d’etre carries through the music LEGS. The Band is still making today.

However, there is an undeniable positive energy to LEGS. The Band that counteracts the somewhat downbeat sound they create on new album Real Bad Things. The riffs hit hard, vocalist Marcus Macabre sings with passion and power, and their driving songs keep the entire album moving forward at a strong pace. The sound LEGS. The Band are able to create on record gives a positive impression of what this band might be like live, and indeed, it seems that their reputation as performers is very good. But you won’t really know for sure what this band has to offer unless you show up at The Camel this Monday night. With up-and-coming local openers Saturn Death Cult, Lucekannons, and Ricky Spanish rounding out the bill, there’s a lot to enjoy here — but rest assured, LEGS. The Band are the main event.

Tuesday, August 30, 7:30 PM
Shockoe Sessions presents: Ben Butterworth (Photo by Joey Wharton) @ In Your Ear Studios – $10 (order tickets HERE)
Back when the pandemic first got started, when live music was completely off the table, I found myself keeping regular track of who was playing on the Shockoe Sesssions Live series on YouTube. Being able to see great local artists like Deau Eyes, Colin Phils, Devil’s Coattails, and more play full sets in a great-sounding room over at long-running local studio In Your Ear certainly eased the pain of not being able to go anywhere and see anybody play a show. The pandemic may have been the initial inspiration for this series of performances, but thankfully, the folks at In Your Ear kept it going once the COVID-19 numbers started dropping to semi-manageable levels. Better yet, they started opening up the sessions to a small audience of paying guests. And this Tuesday, you’ve got a chance to get in on one of those, as Ben Butterworth heads out to In Your Ear to become the next performer on Shockoe Sessions Live.

Ben Butterworth has been making music around Richmond for quite a few years now, as a member of groups like The Inflatables and Captain Grandpa. However, it was with the release last fall of his long-awaited debut solo album, Purgatory Emporium, that he really stepped up into the spotlight as a songwriter of considerable talent. Incorporating soul, classic rock, Americana, country, and quite a few other genres, Butterworth demonstrated his facility with a wide variety of musical styles on Purgatory Emporium, and we can all expect that he’ll do that same thing when he performs on next week’s edition of Shockoe Sessions Live. It’s impossible to know exactly who will be backing him up for this performance, but considering that he brought in over a dozen local musicians, including scene veterans from groups like Bio Ritmo, Southern Belles, Piranha Rama, Agents Of Good Roots, and more, to play on the album, one would assume he’s got a pretty high-powered Rolodex (that’s where people kept phone numbers back before cell phones, kids). There’s every reason to expect that Ben Butterworth’s performance on Shockoe Sessions Live will be incredible, and there’s no valid reason for you to miss it. You know what to do.

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]

RVA Shows You Must See This Week: August 17 – August 23

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FEATURED SHOW
Saturday, August 20, 4 PM
United Rudd Fest, feat. Baby Age, Contact, Dark Waters, Diet Blood, Downhaul, Floor Space, Followship, Heavy Is The Head, Keep Flying, Mean Jesus, Two Cars @ The Camel – $15 (order tickets HERE)
Here’s something I’ve known for a long time: hardcore kids don’t always have the biggest senses of humor about the things they do. Therefore, one can only hope that this jam-packed Saturday show at The Camel is taken by the founders of the now-defunct United Blood Fest (some of whom put together the Big Takeover fest earlier this summer) take the existence of the “United Rudd Fest” in the spirit it’s intended: as a good-natured send-up of a departed local institution — one that’s also both a tongue-in-cheek celebration of agelessly handsome comedy star Paul Rudd and a damn good lineup featuring nearly a dozen rad bands from around Virginia and the East Coast. That’s a lot of weight for United Rudd Fest to carry, but considering the strength of this lineup, it seems more than capable of rising to the occasion.

The lineup’s mostly listed in alphabetical order around the internet, so I have very little idea of who is playing when. There’s also an element of mystery around who exactly is making this show happen. But for anyone who’s been paying close attention to Richmond music for the past several years, the presence of Diet Blood on the bill should give away the game. This energetic, emotional pop-punk band has spent their entire career leading with an unorthodox creative spirit that often shows in the live events they put on — most recently, their two-night takeover of Garden Grove Brewing that was billed as “Blood Night II: Take Two Times Two.” United Rudd Fest is solidly in the tradition of Diet Blood gigs being anything but just another show on the local music calendar. And I, for one, love them for it, as much as I love their incredible 2019 EP, First Steps. Hey guys, some new music soon? Please?

A lot more is happening on this bill — ten bands’ worth, in fact. Let’s get through ’em quick: Mean Jesus is heavy hardcore from Norfolk, featuring former members of Converge, Canephora, and Murphy’s Kids; their latest EP, Challenger, combines speed, power, and a subtle yet strong dose of melody. Dark Waters brings together a bunch of Richmond veterans from bands like Race The Sun, Sea Of Storms, and Deep China to crank out some heavy, emotional metallic hardcore; their Dreams In Bottle Rockets EP from last year fuckin’ rules. Pennsylvania’s Keep Flying appear to be a former ska band who turned into a melodic hardcore band but kept the horn players; I’m not mad at it — the result is a lot of fun, as shown on 2020’s Survival LP. Downhaul is a Richmond band with a lot going on, fearlessly mixing indie, alt-rock, alt-country, and a bunch of other stuff I can’t even quite parse out on 2021’s Proof — which is a great record. And then there are six more awesome bands I’m out of space to talk about, and it’s all on one afternoon! Go to this — it’s gonna be a ton of fun, even if you did think United Blood Fest was awesome.

Wednesday, August 17, 8 PM
Slashers, Die Today, Colossal Wreck @ Cobra Cabana – $10
Thrashin’ on the patio at Cobra Cabana — is there anything better? I mean, in all honesty Cobra Cabana’s food might be up there… but I digress. It’s always fun when this chill-as-heck punk rock restaurant opens up their backyard for a ripping show, and what’s really great is that said shows so consistently feature such great music. This time around, the evening is headed up by Slashers, a New York-based quartet with a fashion sense straight out of Among The Living-era Anthrax. For the less Of A Certain Age among you, I’m talking about jams shorts and tube socks. It makes sense; that’s how I dressed in junior high, and I also had a backpack full of Metallica and Slayer tapes to blast in my Walkman. If you’d have given 12-year-old me a copy of the new Slashers EP, Hang On, the only thing I wouldn’t have loved about it is that it’s only 15 minutes long.

We’ll all get to relive the glory of 80s thrash at Cobra Cabana tonight when Slashers hit the stage, even if some of us have grey hair and pot bellies these days. We’ll also get a killer set from Richmonders Colossal Wreck, who delve into a past metal era that’s more 11th grade than 7th, at least for me — the glorious early days of death metal, when Floridian legends like Deicide, Obituary, and Morbid Angel ruled my headphones with eardrum-shredding metal fury. A lot of them put out records on a label called Earache, which was entirely appropriate. Colossal Wreck’s 2020 EP, Half Dead, would have sounded great on an Earache cassette 30 years ago — but so what? The important thing is that it sounds great today. And it DOES. This band will go twice as hard in a live environment like the one that awaits them at Cobra Cabana tonight. This one’s well worth seeing.

Thursday, August 18, 6 PM
Benefit for Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project, feat. Catie Lausten, Blush Face, FLKL, Tiara & Andrew @ Gallery 5 – $10-25 sliding scale donation (order tickets HERE)
And now for something completely different — even though it’s happening just up the road. Just under 24 hours after the Cobra Cabana show tonight kicks off, Gallery 5 will open its doors for an important benefit to help raise funds for Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project. I know, I know, we’re all used to the fact that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, but we can’t get complacent now; Virginia is lucky to still have any sort of abortion rights, and we’re gonna have to fiercely defend those rights if we expect them to stick around. In the meantime, women and other potentially pregnant people are more vulnerable than ever, and there’s a lot of work to do to ensure that the actual individuals affected by all this nonsense still get what they need. RRFP is here to help. We’ve all got lives to lead, it’s true, but if we can’t step in to offer our assistance to RRFP on a regular, ongoing basis, then what are we even doing?

It’s an especially easy thing to do in light of the fact that you’re really only being asked to kick in a little extra for a legitimately exciting showcase of local musical talent. Catie Lausten’s our closing performer for the evening, and she absolutely deserves the spotlight here. This Richmond singer-songwriter, who refers to herself as a “pop baby” on her bandcamp page (and like, where’s the lie?) just released a new EP called Love To Love To Love, and on it she excels in the glorious tradition of creating gorgeous pop songs with sharp, transgressive lyrics. Catchy highlight “Psycho Bitch” will have you singing along to lines like “You know I’m a psycho bitch but I know you still want me.” It’s a tale as old as time, y’all, but Catie makes it swing. Come check out how she and her band deliver the goods live, and catch great sets from always excellent indie-popsters Blush Face, jangly indie-punkers FLKL, and soulful duo Tiara & Andrew in the bargain. All that… and it’s for a great, important cause? How can you pass it up?

Friday, August 19, 7 PM
Death Bells, Smirk @ Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House – $14 in advance, $16 day of show (order tickets HERE)
I’m sure I’ve mentioned on here recently that I’m pretty obsessed with Australia these days — and not because now feels like a good time to get as far as possible from America. Well, not JUST because of that. Anyway, from hosting the superior form of motor racing in the world today to having a COVID death toll a hundred times lower than the US’s, Australia seems to have a lot of good things to offer these days. And one of the big ones is their music. We all know about AC/DC, The Church, and Tame Impala, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. And unfortunately, for Australian bands to reach a wider audience and break into the music industry, they sometimes have to leave their native lands and come to Europe, or the US.

The latter route is the one Death Bells have taken, moving to Los Angeles back before the pandemic in order to give their 2020 LP, New Signs Of Life, a chance to really break out. What they’ve experienced over the past few years of living in America has been one of the biggest influences on their brand new album, Between Here & Everywhere, which came out last month. It continues forward in the spooky postpunk vein Death Bells have been tapping for a few years now, evoking resonances of Creepoid, Joy Division, Gun Club, and The Chameleons, among many others. It’s an in-depth portrait of what the band has found when they stepped away from the parts of Los Angeles forever in the international spotlight and discovered the hidden sides of a multi-faceted city. These are dark, powerful, and fascinating songs, and they’re sure to sound amazing when Death Bells bring them to the Richmond Music Hall stage. Be there and immerse yourself in a very deep musical mood.

Saturday, August 20, 5 PM
Kind Hearted Strangers, Dylan Lynch @ Now.Here Studios – $20 (order tickets HERE)
Here’s a unique and intriguing artistic event that isn’t that much like anything else I’ve ever heard about. I’m a pretty adventurous girl, so that’d probably be enough to get me recommending this show all on its own, but even on the merits of the talents involved, it’s interesting enough even without the unusual setup. OK, let me stop getting ahead of myself and explain. Now.Here Studios, which is a pun I particularly appreciate as a Secret Machines fan, take as their raison d’etre the creative possibilities that exist when different artists inhabit the same space and create work on an accelerated timeline. That’s why they’re bringing visual artist Dylan Lynch and the band Kind Hearted Strangers together for a week that will culminate in this show on Saturday.

Kind Hearted Strangers, a quartet from Denver, Colorado, released their debut album, East//West, last year. It’s a lovely full-length that shows off their talents in multiple genres, from Americana to power-pop to basic rock n’ roll. Now, at Now.Here Studios, they’re in the process of spending a week in intense collaboration, putting together their next album, from start to finish, all over the course of seven days. That’s what they’ll be playing for all comers this Saturday, in conjunction with the latest collection of artworks from Dylan Lynch, who also put together the work that’ll be on display in only one week. It’s sort of like the old “rock Lotto” shows that used to happen here in Richmond, only with higher stakes and a more serious final product. Basically, it’s a really cool idea, the results of which are sure to be well worth investigating further. Show up at Now.Here in Manchester this Saturday to find out how it all works out.

Sunday, August 21, 4 PM
Grimalkin Music Fest, feat. Infinity Knives & Brian Ennals, Jason Jamal, So Nice Yesterday, Queen Paz, Ishtar Sr. (feat. Dani Lee Pearce), Spartan Jet-Plex, Infinite Bliss, Hunting Dog, (Eli)zabeth Owens, Baltimega @ Fallout – $15 in advance, $25 at the door (order tickets HERE)
If you’re the sort of person who wants to fill every available spare moment with live music, this is definitely the weekend for you. Not only is the one-day United Rudd Fest on tap to fill your Saturday with nearly 12 hours of rad music, it’ll be followed up on Sunday at Fallout by Grimalkin Music Fest, a completely different sort of musical showcase that nonetheless demonstrates the formidable power and variety of the local, regional, and nationwide music scene. Grimalkin is a local label that’s been hard at work for most of the past decade on a mission summed up by their label manifesto: “Marginalized artists supporting each other.” The result of this policy has been a label united in goals and struggles, but with a wide variety of musical sounds and moods, all under the same roof. That mix of political unity with musical variety is sure to show through in the many different sonic flavors Grimalkin Music Fest will bring to all who attend.

At the top of the bill is a collaborative set by Infinity Knives and Brian Ennals, who made a fascinating collaborative album, Rhino XXL, back in 2020. From hip hop and new wave to techno and ambient soundscapes, it’s an album that explores a variety of sounds with vigor and aplomb, and one can only assume that these two artists will bring Rhino XXL‘s fearless creative spirit to life when they hit the stage. Many other sounds will surely be explored over this event’s eight-hour runtime as well, and you’re going to want to show up early and catch it all — especially since Grimalkin board member (Eli)zabeth Owens will be one of the first acts to hit the stage. Their fascinating 2021 LP, Knock Knock, showed off a strong creative energy and a talent for writing melodies that dipped into a variety of instruments and sounds without staying on any one of them long enough to get comfortable. Inbetween these two sets, there’s so much to dig into: the electronic experiments of Hunting Dog, the silky-flowing R&B jams of Jason Jamal, the reverberant indie-folk sounds of Spartan Jet-Plex, the droning metallic guitars of Infinite Bliss, and quite a bit more I don’t have the space to get into. If anything, I’ve used up too much space already — but look, this show is worth it. Make it the way you spend your Sunday; you will not regret it.

Monday, August 22, 7 PM
Dizzy Wright, YONAS, BEANZ, MC Bravado @ The Broadberry – $20 (order tickets HERE)
When an artist does an entire tour celebrating the anniversary of a previous album of theirs, you know it’s a big one where their creative life and career are concerned. That’s clearly the case for Dizzy Wright, who comes through Richmond this Monday to commemorate SmokeOut Conversations, an album he released a decade ago. Now, you might think this is wack as hell, but… I’ve never really spent any time with Dizzy Wright’s music. As soon as I opened up my streaming app of choice and pulled up SmokeOut Conversations, I realized I’d made a huge mistake there.

Here’s the thing: Dizzy is all about weed, to the point where you might think that’s all he’s got to offer. And I’m not mad at it or anything, but weed’s not really what I’m about. However, that’s no reason not to immerse oneself in Dizzy Wright’s music. From his emotionally fueled vulnerable lyrics to the undeniable flow of his rhymes to the killer beats his voice rests atop, Dizzy Wright’s music is uniformly excellent. That was true on the album that became his breakout hit ten years ago, and it’s still just as true on 2022’s Dizzyland. For this show, Dizzy is almost certainly going to focus on that early record he’s here to commemorate, but you really can’t go wrong no matter what portion of his career he chooses to dip into at any given moment. So yeah, even if you’re only a casual hip hop fan, even if you’ve never listened to any Dizzy Wright album all the way through, you really should make your way down to The Broadberry this Monday night, ready to get on his level. High or sober, it’s a great place to be.

Tuesday, August 23, 7 PM
The Beths, Rosie Tucker @ The Broadberry – $20 (order tickets HERE)
We’re not going back to Australia already — not just yet. But with this performance by The Beths, we’re getting damn close. See, the Beths are from New Zealand, that collection of islands to Australia’s east where the Lord Of The Rings movies came from, and over the course of the two LPs and one EP they’ve released since 2016, they’ve proven themselves excellent carriers of the strong musical tradition New Zealand’s indie scene has established over the past half-century. Anyone who has dug The Clean, The Bats, The Verlaines, or any of several dozen other New Zealand bands is sure to find something to love in the awkward, jangly, and extremely lovable melodic indie-pop The Beths excel in.

What’s really great news is that The Beths are coming to Richmond only a month before the release of their third album, Experts In A Dying Field (so it’s an album about journalism, huh? Kidding, kidding…). They’ve released three singles from the LP so far, and all of them are excellent slices of toe-tapping indie-pop awesomeness, complete with relatable lyrics about awkward situations and life’s little struggles. It’s enough to make you wish the whole album was here already. Luckily for us all, we’ll get a strong preview of it at The Broadberry this Tuesday night — in a dark room, at top volume. It’s the perfect situation for bouncing around with a smile on your face; indeed, The Beths’ set is likely to brighten up your whole week. With the world the way it is these days, we all need as much of that as we can possibly get.

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]

Black Pride RVA 2022 Is In Full Swing!

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Five years ago, Black Pride RVA became the first Black LGBTQ event in the state of Virginia. Created and hosted by Us Giving Richmond Connections (UGRC), Black Pride RVA came into being in order to celebrate the unique intersection of identities experienced by all Black LGBTQ people, to promote equality for Black LGBTQ people within the broader Richmond community, and to work towards health equity for the Black LGBTQ community of Richmond and Virginia.

Black Pride RVA was created as a way to provide representation for a group that faces challenges and discrimination other groups don’t necessarily encounter. As UGRC founder Rev. Lacette Cross told GayRVA in 2018, “This is not a homogenous world, and LGBTQ people are not homogenous. We’re not all the same gay, the same bi, the same queer. There’s a beauty in our diversity.”

Cross also wants to make clear that Black Pride RVA is not just for Black LGBTQ people; the organizers definitely hope to see allies of all types coming out and celebrating alongside Virginia’s Black LGBTQ community. “One way we build strong allyship and relationships within our communities is to show up as your full, authentic self – ready to listen, help and enjoy a good time,” Cross told the Virginia Is For Lovers blog in an interview last month. “Always remember, celebrating Blackness is open to everybody and we at UGRC/Black Pride RVA are happy to see all of our white, Latinx, Asian, Biracial, multiracial siblings at any and all events. Do not let the divisive history of racism keep you from coming out to all the ways this annual weekend builds community and raises awareness through every amazing event the planning committee has put together.”

Five years after the first Black Pride RVA celebration — despite everything that’s been thrown at the Black and LGBTQ communities, as well as the world as a whole, in the meantime — Black Pride RVA has continued to grow and thrive. This weekend marks its fifth annual celebration, one that has grown to encompass five days and seven official events. The weekend kicked off on Wednesday, July 13, with an opening reception at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, featuring panels and Q-Talks.

Tonight, Black Pride RVA 2022 continues with the 2022 Legends Ball. Featuring legendary drag performer Kevin Aviance, this event is a celebration of “the people that paved the way for us to be here today.” This event, beginning at 7 PM Thursday, July 14, takes place at Diversity Richmond, located at 1407 Sherwood Avenue. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and available at Black Pride RVA’s Eventbrite page.

On Friday, July 15, UGRC will host the fourth annual Community Root Awards, an event created to “celebrate people who are doing work in our community to uplift, support, and amplify the lives of black LGBTQ people.” This event takes place at the Claude G. Perkins Living And Learning Center at Virginia Union University, which is located at 1813-1899 Bath St. Tickets are $20-$25, and can be purchased from Black Pride RVA’s Eventbrite page.

Then on Saturday, July 16 comes Black Pride RVA’s main event, the Day Of Purpose, which takes place at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Featuring a variety of local talents as well as nonprofit and small business vendors, the event is designed to improve the health and wellness of the entire community, and is family-oriented and free to attend. This event will run from 11 AM until 4 PM at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, located at 403 N. 3rd St.

Save some energy for the evening, too, because Black Pride RVA’s 2022 Block Party will take place Saturday night, beginning at 7 PM. This is a street party featuring DJs, food trucks, and a great time for people of all ages. This family-friendly event takes place at the corner of Altamont and Marshall Streets in Scott’s Addition, right beside Richmond Triangle Players.

Sunday, July 17 is the final day of Black Pride RVA’s 2022 slate of celebrations, but it’s got plenty to offer, beginning at 1 PM on Sunday with Pride In The Park. Taking place at Bryan Park’s Shelter 1, this event will be “a good old-fashioned cookout,” with food and water provided while supplies last. “Pride in the park is where our community comes together for fun, music and connection,” says Black Pride RVA, and everyone is encouraged to bring chairs and blankets and hang out for a lovely community-focused afternoon.

The final event of the year takes place Sunday night at 8 PM, and you had to know it was coming: It’s the 2022 Black Pride RVA After Party! Happening at The Broadberry, this event will close out the weekend in in proper fashion, with performances from singer MK xyz and DC-based DJ Syncere. Admission for this event is $20-$25, and tickets can be purchased at Black Pride RVA’s Eventbrite page.

Whether you hit every Black Pride RVA event taking place this weekend, or just one or two, support for this Black LGBTQ celebration is essential. As Rev. Cross pointed out when speaking to the Virginia Is For Lovers blog, “We like to remind everyone that Black Pride RVA weekend helps us raise nearly 60% of the income we need to continue offering programs throughout the year, and we welcome your donations and support.” If you’re interested in donating to UGRC and Black Pride RVA, opportunities to do so online can be found at BlackPrideRVA.com.

RVA Shows You Must See This Week: July 13 – July 19

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FEATURED SHOW
Friday, July 15, 8 PM
Toward Space, Bad Larrys, Scare City, Station Aries @ City Beach – Free!
When I think of Richmond in the summer, I can’t help but think about punk rock. This isn’t exactly a universal experience in our gentrified, playground-for-the-rich city circa 2022, but fifteen or so years ago, Richmond summers were all about punk rock. Sweaty outdoor shows at The Bike Lot, the death-defying ridiculousness of Slaughterama and Best Friends Day, and of course, “pool” parties out at Hadad’s Lake, where punks in cutoff jean shorts and croptops they’d made out of old Avail t-shirts splashed the sweat off with cans of PBR in hand. Slaughterama and Best Friends Day came to graceful ends, and I don’t even know if the punks party at Hadad’s anymore — I got old and married; these days when it’s hot outside I sit by the AC unit.

What I do know, though — what I will always know — is that any good Richmond summer needs to include at least one punk rock beach party. And while City Beach isn’t a beach in the usual sense, this Cary St. party bar will certainly do just fine. After all, it’s a lot closer to home than Hadad’s, let alone Virginia Beach, and depending on how much PBR you imbibe (none for me, thanks), you might have to make the trip home on foot. As for your entertainment at this punk rock beach party, what better band could there be to represent the current state of Richmond’s punk youth than Toward Space? This rollicking trio has been mining Ty Segall/Jay Reatard-style riffage and feeding it through a sophisticated sense of melody for over five years now, and songs like “Female Trouble” and “I Won’t Do Crack (Without Heroin)” bring the classic punk spirit of transgression forward into the 21st century in glorious fashion.

Toward Space will be headlining this banger, and capping off what’s sure to be a memorable evening of kicking out the jams, but they’re hardly the only reason to show up. Two touring punk bands from up Massachusetts way are also on the bill, and they’re gonna be a real treat for your sunburnt ears. Bad Larrys mix a jangly guitar sound and lovely, well-sung vocals with driving tempos and serrated-edge guitar riffs to keep your energy high. They recently followed up on 2019’s Perfect Trim LP with a single called “Ugly And Proud,” a semi-ironic anthem for every woman who cares more about being herself than impressing the boys. Scare City have more of a sloppy garage-punk spirit, evoking the kinds of singles Lux and Ivy from the Cramps used to rescue from thrift-store bins back in the late 70s (the ones where they found songs like “Goo Goo Muck” and “Green Fuz”). They’re modern enough to use a drum machine, though, so this will still be a pretty intriguing set. Local newcomers Station Aries get things started on the right foot. Best of all, this show is free, so you really have no excuse not to be there. Use the extra cash to buy some PBRs — but try not to spill em in the pool. People swim in there, you know.

Wednesday, July 13, 6 PM
Guyville, Tyler Meacham @ Hardywood Richmond – Free!
One good free show deserves another, right? And here’s a pretty fun one that’ll give you the opportunity to head over to Hardywood. God knows, back in the pre-pandemic days, we all used to end up at shows there pretty regularly, right? That doesn’t happen nearly as much lately, but it is nice to be able to say that there’s a pretty fun little show happening over on Ownby Lane on this very evening. Guyville are our headliners; this Los Angeles duo is clearly influenced by the bold lyrical declarations of legendary 90s alt-rocker Liz Phair, having named themselves after Phair’s first LP. Bandleaders Emily Hulslander and Kat Hamilton are both talented songwriters with a knack for adding pop flair to lyrics that strike a snarky, defiant tone on songs like “Nothing” (about no longer caring about your ex) and “Boys & Girls W/Guitars” (about screwing up potential music collabs when attraction comes into play).

Guyville make a perfect pairing with rising Richmond star Tyler Meacham, who will be performing a solo set as part of this Wednesday night bill. Meacham is a talented vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter who recently took her career to the next level with the release of her first full-length LP, Into The Fray. She really puts herself out there on songs like “Better Than I Used To Be” and “You Mean Self,” on which she expresses uncomfortable but real emotions about sensitive topics like grappling with the repressive actions of the faith you were raised in, or trying to make peace with former enemies who might not be ready to hear it. This gathering of talented women playing gorgeous songs that talk about real life is certainly going to be a treat for any music fan. You really don’t want to miss out.

Thursday, July 14, 6 PM
A Benefit Show For Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project, feat. Deau Eyes, The Great Beforetimes, Ms. Jaylin Brown, Chuck Jones @ Gallery 5 – $10-25 donation (order tickets HERE)
And speaking of faith being used as a tool of repression… ugh. UGH. I hate even having to write this, but in case anyone needs to know: abortion is still legal in Virginia. And if we’re going to keep it that way, the defenders of reproductive rights in this state are going to have to remain vigilant and do whatever we can to help out, from volunteering to voting for pro-choice candidates to donating cash to organizations who do the really tough work most of us don’t really have much time to focus on (because we’re too busy living our lives). This is where the Richmond Reproductive Freedom Project comes in; by supplying monetary and practical support for women and other people needing to access abortions, they ensure that no one gets left on their own when they’re in need. They also work on grassroots campaigns for reproductive justice, do skillshares and fundraising… they’re just an all-around great organization getting a whole lot done to ensure that all of us can access safe and legal abortions.

This Thursday night event at Gallery 5 is an opportunity to offer this organization support at a crucial time, when Republicans in our own statehouse and General Assembly are attempting to use that terrible recent Supreme Court decision as a springboard to take rights away here in the Commonwealth. Show up at Gallery 5 and throw down some cash to help fight back against all this terrible stuff, and when you do, you’ll also get some great Richmond music in the bargain. Can’t complain about that, right? A solo performance by Deau Eyes tops the bill here, with singer-songwriter Ali Thibodeau bringing us a selection of tunes that’s sure to include some of the great jams on Deau Eyes’ recently released second LP, Legacies. There are some other excellent Richmond musicians on the bill too, including the moody folk of The Great Beforetimes, Ms. Jaylin Brown’s poetic, minimalist balladry, and some folk tunes by Chuck Jones — who, it turns out, is not the director of classic Daffy Duck and Tom & Jerry cartoons, but actually the solo project of a main contributor to local folk/blues/rock group The Devil’s Coattails. So now we know! Anyway, you should definitely do what you can to ensure that reproductive choice remains available in Virginia. But as far as that goes, I can’t think of a much better way to do so than to enjoy some fine sounds from these talented local artists. Do it up.

Friday, July 15, 9 PM
Celler Dwellers, Dead Billionaires, Grant Claytor, Anna Leonard @ The Camel – $8 in advance, $10 day of show (order tickets HERE)
Figuring out how to learn about new local bands in this era of social media, walled-garden streaming services, and a general move away from centralized web presences has been one of the toughest parts of my return to show column writing in the post-pandemic era. Celler Dwellers are just one of quite a few new local bands who’ve come around since live music started back up last summer who completely baffled me. I knew they existed, and that was about it. That is, until last week, when the air of mystery surrounding them was dispelled instantly by the arrival of an email in my inbox from one of the band’s members. He let me know that the band is a quintet with roots in the Richmond area who’ve been jamming together since high school days, and that they were playing this headlining show at The Camel in support of a brand new single, “Don’t Stop,” which would be debuting on the same day as the show. He even sent along an advance mp3 of the new single! In other words, mystery solved!

After a couple listens to “Don’t Stop” — which follows up on Celler Dwellers’ first professionally-recorded single, “Who Are You?”, released back in May — I can tell you that this band has a catchy alt-rock sound that at times invokes classic 90s acts like Local H, or Weezer’s 90s work (the only Weezer records that matter pre-date Y2K. Yeah, I said it), while at other times showing off a power-pop sensibility that makes me think of 80s legends like Joe Jackson or Huey Lewis and the News (Sports is a classic, don’t @ me). These guys have an eclectic sensibility that I’ve been assured is even more clear in their live shows, and since this is the first time they’re headlining here in Richmond, it seems to be that this is a great time to jump on the Celler Dweller train. Dead Billionaires are also on this bill, and we all know Warren Campbell and co. bring the rock. Plus, Philadelphia singer-songwriter Grant Claytor is on the bill, and his latest single, “Dead Surfer,” strikes me as a surefire hit with any Richmonders who miss Lance Bangs, or wish Camp Howard would play out more often. Richmond’s own Anna Leonard will kick this one off in fine, fun fashion, and every note from first to last is sure to be a blast. Get to the gig.

Saturday, July 16, 7 PM
Bazookatooth, Too Hectic, Stay True, Diegression, Contactees @ The Bike Shop – $12 in advance, $15 day of show (order tickets HERE)
You Aesop Rock fans are gonna recognize the name of the band headlining at The Bike Shop this Saturday night, but rest assured, Bazookatooth sound nothing like the Aesop Rock album they took their name from. Instead, this Tennessee quartet is a full-on rage machine, starting from a hardcore baseline and bringing in metallic crunch, grinding speed, and a political sensibility that stands with the best punk rock. They even have a little bit of a screamo thing, which shows through most obviously when frontman Ben Mueller and guitarist Audra Mueller (spouses, not siblings) trade harsh screams back and forth over raging choruses. So yeah, if you like heavy music, any kind of heavy music, Bazookatooth is a band for you.

Their brand new EP, Kingdom Of Pain, just might be the best thing they’ve done yet. Seeing them lay waste to Richmond from the sales floor of a local BMX shop is probably the best thing you’re gonna do all week. So don’t blow it, punk! While you’re at it, you’ll get the opportunity to check out new hardcore bands from around the region, like Richmond’s own Too Hectic (who are pretty much impossible to find online other than a couple of Reddit threads, but what’s a girl to do?), Virginia Beach moshcore maniacs Stay True, Maryland metalcore pun-sters Diegression (get it?), and Tidewater punk rock weirdos The Contactees. So really, what could be better? I have no idea. You know what to do.

Sunday, July 17, 7 PM
Goldpark, Films On Song, No Moniker @ Richmond Music Hall at Capital Ale House – $12 in advance, $15 day of show (order tickets HERE)
There’s definitely a wave of new American indie pop bands sweeping the nation at the moment, and I’m starting to pick up on some common trends, not all of which I’m a huge fan of. In light of all that, I’m that much more stoked to discover Nashville group Goldpark, who thankfully manage to avoid all the trends that I’m starting to get tired of. Instead of resurrecting an 80s top 40 sound no one under 35 except the members of HAIM remembers (though you can easily rediscover it by googling “Rick Springfield” or “Corey Hart”), on recent singles, especially the excellent “Covered In Sunshine,” Goldpark evokes a sound that was much bigger in the UK than it ever was in America. Their glittering, multilayered guitar pop avoids tropes like “shoegaze” or “Britpop” in favor of a distinctive sound that can only be compared to groups no one this side of the pond remembers: The Verve pre-“Bittersweet Symphony,” House Of Love, maybe James or The Wonder Stuff…

I know, I know, you have no idea who I’m talking about. That’s OK! All that really matters at this point is that you go catch Goldpark when they hit Richmond Music Hall this Sunday night and find out for yourself what can still be done with a modern indie-pop movement that is in danger of getting way too codified and confined. They’re joined on this bill by some Virginia bands who show significant sparks of originality in their own right: Charlottesville’s Films On Song, for one, who incorporate a languid mood that makes me think of The National (the band, not the venue) into songs with a strong New Wave pulse that makes me wanna tap my feet. For another, Richmond’s own No Moniker, who’ve done a lot in recent months to distinguish their sound from the run-of-the-mill indie bands out there, and are certainly worth any time and attention you haven’t given to them already. Bottom line: this is going to be a show of catchy guitar-based pop tunes — the kind you won’t hear on modern rock radio. Immerse yourself in it.

Monday, July 18, 6 PM
Neck Deep, Magnolia Park, Games We Play @ The Broadberry – $35 (order tickets HERE)
Y’all, I’m not even gonna try to kid you at this point. If you’ve been reading this column for a while, you probably already know: interests come and interests go, but at the bottom of her heart, Marilyn Drew Necci will always be an emo kid (even though she’s rapidly closing in on 50). OK, enough of me talking about myself in the third person. Let’s talk in the third person about Neck Deep, an excellent emo-punk band that absolutely ticks all the boxes to make me fall in love with them. Considering they did a split with Knuckle Puck back in the day, and I’ve loved Knuckle Puck since their early EPs, I probably shoulda done a deep dive (no pun intended) on Neck Deep before now. However, this Welsh group has only caught my attention in the last few months, with the release of their latest single, “STFU.” It’s a great, straight-down-the-middle slice of emo-pop-punk that my heart is gonna knock out of the park every time.

And that makes me excited, because this very Monday, Neck Deep will be right here in Richmond VA, rocking all our socks off at The Broadberry. Digging deeper into Neck Deep’s catalog, as I have done over the past few weeks, it seems that “STFU” was not just a lucky shot; this band has a ton of absolute bangers in their catalog, from their earliest work to 2020’s All Distortions Are Intentional. If, like me, you’re a huge mark for bands who lead with their emotions and follow with devastating hooks and killer guitar crunch — bands like Real Friends, State Champs, or The Story So Far — you’re gonna love Neck Deep. And you really gotta get to this show, even if the tickets are… not cheap. Hey, gas is expensive — especially the gas it takes to fuel transatlantic flights. Who knows when these dudes will make their way back through town? That’s a good enough reason for me to unreservedly recommend that you get your ticket for this show right now.

Tuesday, July 19, 7:30 PM
Jackson Browne @ Altria Theater – $40 – $128 (order tickets HERE)
When I was a kid, riding in the shotgun seat of my mom’s station wagon down the streets of Petersburg in the mid-80s, I listened to a lot of XL102. It wasn’t the station modern Richmond residents would recognize today (it’s even changed it’s name… again); instead, it mixed the “classic rock” format of the day (rock songs from the 60s and 70s) with the sort of “new rock” that was likely to appeal to baby boomers who were just starting to hit their mid-30s back then. If any particular radio station deserves the blame for my knowing every 80s Steve Winwood and Pete Townshend single by heart, it’s XL102 as it existed circa 1987.

Here’s why I’m telling you all this: because back in those days, ten-year-old me always got stoked if a Jackson Browne song came on the radio. Classics like “Running On Empty,” “Boulevard,” and “That Girl Could Sing” had a literary sensibility that pulled me right in, making me want to know the stories Browne told in his lyrics, even as his indelible choruses sank into my brain and made a permanent home there (I still find myself thinking of the “caught between the longing for love and the struggle for the legal tender” part of “The Pretender” at least once a week). What’s more, the stuff he was doing in the mid-80s was still great — gutsy anti-war anthem “Lives In The Balance” was his new one back then, and even if XL102 didn’t play it, I heard it on MTV. Today, Jackson Browne is still making heartfelt songs from a nuanced, literary perspective; believe it or not, his latest single, “Minutes To Downtown,” is as good as what he was doing back in the 80s when I first became a fan. Anyway, I’m about out of space, but if I haven’t convinced you by now to buy a ticket and go see Jackson Browne at the Altria on Tuesday, I doubt anything could. And that’s a shame, because this dude is an absolute legend. So hey, do yourself a favor.

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]