FEATURE SHOW
Saturday, 8/18, 11:30 a.m. – 7 p. m.
GWAR-B-Q, presented by and a benefit for Ring Dog Rescue, featuring (in order of appearance): Black Naked Wings – 2nd Stage; The Burial – Main Stage; Mutwawa – 2nd Stage; Antietam 1862 – Main Stage; Highness – 2nd Stage; Lionize – Main Stage; Lost Tribe – 2nd Stage; Ghoul – Main Stage; Occultist – 2nd Stage; Strike Anywhere – Main Stage; Murderess – 2nd Stage; The Casualties – Main Stage; Valient Thorr - 2nd Stage; GWAR (photo by Roger Kisby) – main stage @ Hadad’s Lake (7900 Osborne Turnpike - East Richmond) $25
What began many years ago as kind of an underground local music festival at the famed Slave Pit featuring local bands has grown into arguably the best music festival in all of Virginia. Yes Virginia, the state that’s really a Commonwealth, and I think blow jobs are still illegal. Anyway, the GWAR-B-Q has grown into a divine music festival featuring both national and local juggernauts, not to mention the best BBQ this side of the Mississippi.
This is the third year of the “Official GWAR-B-Q” and of course it’s out there in East Henricofield at Hadad’s Lake. This year there should be no worries of last second venue changes, as all the papers are in order. The best part about having it at Hadad’s is the fact that aside from the debauchery, music, food, and plentiful beverages, there is swimming! And of course free balloons for the kids.
This year’s lineup may just be the best one yet. Also, this year’s GWAR-B-Q is for a great cause, Ring Dog Rescue, because Oderus Urungus said it himself: who cares about people, it’s all about the pooches. Well, I’d like to add that it’s also all about the music ripping your head off, and how about a big thanks to Dave Brockie and GWAR for all their hard work putting on this circus of degenerates. Put it this way--if you’re not here, you’re not anywhere. Either that or you’re a deaf vegan who can’t swim.
Order tickets to the GWAR-B-Q online here: gwarbq.com/buy-tickets
Wednesday, 8/15, 6 p.m.
Lorem Ipsum, Priests @ Steady Sounds – Free/All Ages
Let’s be honest; it’s Wednesday, you’re waiting for the weekend, and you don’t want to go out on hump day night. Okay, that’s understandable. Wednesdays are a hard one. That spliff, PBR, and the boob tube sound a lot more appealing to you tonight - understandable. However, if you usually have an after work drink or go to wherever the hottest girl or boy at your work goes after 5 p.m., then why not check in at Steady Sounds in the Ward right after work. There will be incredible music, and your friends who work in the service industry will all certainly be there. Come on, let’s do this.
Lorem Ipsum is a mid week’s dream. Mixing post hardcore, experimental, and alt-rock, this quartet is marvelous beyond marvelous. Comprised of ex members of past Richmond giants Lazycain and More Fire for Burning People, Lorem Ipsum draws from inspiration found yesterday, today, and you damn right the future has Lorem Ipsum in the top of the charts.
DC’s Priests have come down to Richmond to spread a holy mass on what is more than likely Richmond’s best record store. I seriously doubt they’ll be any cute altar boys around, so this hard metal, full-of-riot surf rock band can contribute nicely to this Wednesday afternoon full of mind expansion and fading thoughts of how much you really hate your life.
Thursday, 8/16, 8 p. m.
River City Blues Society presents Candye Kane @ The Camel -$15/18+
Ironically, it’s hard to get the blues when L.A’s Candye Kane is in town. This incredible 46 year old songstress belts out the blues in a way that puts you in a tailspin, begging for more. She sings the songs that uplift and deliver depression in a most joyful way.
There have been many blues acts to come through Richmond of late thanks to the RCBS, but having the numerous award-winning Candye Kane perform at the Camel by far makes her the grand marshal of Richmond’s blues parade.
For all you fans of burlesque in Richmond, and I know there are a lot of you, you might want to check out Candye Kane because that is certainly part of her explosions of a spirited show.
Friday, 8/17, 9 p.m.
The Mason Brothers (pictured above), Exebelle and the Rusted Cavalcade, BTW, The Animal Beat @ The Camel -$7/18+
You hear the word ‘underrated’ a lot--I say it myself sometimes--but the Mason Brothers may very well be beyond underrated. This is a quality band thanks to exquisite songwriting, and music that parallels the songwriting like a bride and a groom parallel each other on a honeymoon in Barbados. The Mason Brothers have been performing high end acoustic folk since 2008. Formed by brothers Christian and James Mason, this group continues to evolve. With Patrick Strollo on bass, Ben Wilson on piano and keyboards, and Travis Tucker on guitar, the Mason Brothers shine like a light as you rise amongst the heavens of acoustic ballads that never let go.
I personally first heard this band live a few years back at Toad’s Place. I was working in the box office dealing with the worst of society, yet as I was listening to the Mason Brothers perform behind me, right then, I knew my mood would stay steady and I was more than happy to shake all four members of the Mason Brothers’ hands after their enlightening performance. By the way, the Mason Brothers have been selected as an iTunes “Editor’s Pick.” Not bad at all. Hard work pays off folks, hard work pays off.
Richmond indie-pop rock bands BTW and the Animal beat open this terrific evening of gorgeous music. And, Exebelle and the Rusted Cavalcade, with their poetic sounds, are playing too? See you at 1621 W. Broad St. Friday night!
Friday, 8/17, 10 p.m.
White Laces (pictured above), Ohbliv, DJ Mike Albrecht @ Balliceaux – Free/21+
When White Laces release an album, and throw an album release party, they by all means mean business. This Friday at Balliceaux will definitely be one for the books. Fun, extravagant, and boundlessly grand music for our body travels will be on display tonight.
Word on the street is that White Laces new LP, MOVES (Speakertree Records), is on fire with journeys and inroads to why it is a travesty that this band hasn’t performed on national TV yet. If you haven’t heard the song "Crawl/Collapse" by White Laces, then you haven’t heard poignant music. I choose this track to point out because it’s a never ending window to the core that is White Laces, easily one of the best bands in Richmond, and on the East Coast for that matter.
Thought it couldn’t get any better? Shoot, this ecstasy is just kicking in. Richmond’s best hip hop/experimental/soul-scapes DJ is along for this Lombardy Street ride and his name is Ohbliv. Keep that in mind because he’s a 21st century James Brown. Oh my Windsor Farms, Mike Albrecht too? I can’t take it anymore. Rarely is a show better than sex, but here you go Richmond.
Friday, 8/17, 9 p.m.
Joe Buck Jr. (pictured above), Luz Del Sol @ Poe’s Pub - $5/21+
Local veteran musicians Hanby Carter and Rob Williams have in hand the perfect formula to keep the creative juices flowing. Carter and Williams’ formula derives from their band Joe Buck, Jr. Formed in the mid-‘90s as Joe Buck, now currently known as Joe Buck, Jr., the band is the 21st-century version of Carter and Williams’ zest for pure rock and roll music. This band is the epitome of professional. They continue to show Richmonders how it is really done. First and foremost, through Williams’ powerful lyrics that accentuate an up-driven heart of music, Joe Buck Jr. is a once in a lifetime for your ears.
Poe’s Pub is perfect place for music, and let me remind you, it’s off the beaten path of the beaten down part of Shockoe Bottom. If there were ever two bands worth driving for, it would be Joe Buck Jr. and the high quality indie, pop and acoustic rock band, Luz Del Sol. Like Joe Buck Jr. Luz Del Sol is comprised of intriguing veterans of Richmond’s massive music scene. In other words, another must see show.
Sunday, 8/19, 5 p.m.
Dead Fame, Screen Vinyl Image (pictured above), Airiel @ Strange Matter - TBA/All Ages.
Continuing on the theme of bands I’ve seen in the past, I want to tell you a story about DC’s Screen Vinyl Image. I first heard them by accident, and it was a beautiful accident. I just could not stop listening to them. My Jackson Ward flat was a-jumpin’ back in ’09. Lo and behold, Screen Vinyl Image was to play Ghostprint Gallery around the corner from that place I used to live, and I was already there. That show was so intense I lost my mind, but loved being alive even if only for an hour. There were only like 6 or 7 folks there, but ever since, it's remained one of the best shows I have ever seen in Richmond. Damn, I love shows at Ghostprint. That same week I’d seen My Bloody Valentine without ear plugs. Well, ditto, in regards to Screen Vinyl Image. They were loud, piercing, and after that, eardrum squelching. It was perfect.
They were a three piece then, and are now a duo. And let’s get something straight, this duo of futuristic electronic music, which uses analog synths, drum machines, and extremely loud guitars with feedback and noise, better have your attention.
Richmond’s post-punk, new wave, indie band, Dead Fame, and Chicago’s Airiel round out the bill. Airiel’s melodic take on shoegaze is turning a lot of heads nationwide. Better catch them now if you know what I mean.
Monday, 8/20, 7 p. m.
Wolfbite (pictured above), Tiny Fighting Trees, Monacan Hill, Furious George @ The Camel – Free/All Ages
Mondays should be a day of pop punk. Well here you go. None of these performers remember Twisters or MTV for that matter, and who cares. These kids are doing it. Richmond’s music future is in good hands thanks to band likes Tiny Fighting Trees, Monacan Hill, Furious George, and Wolfbite.
Pop punk is not an ugly moniker; it’s a style that can be done well and to its utmost potential. Here tonight is the example of that, so right before you go back to school, or as I call it, Hell, take in this early evening smorgasbord of loonies and deaf defying guitar change ups. Bouncing around like a hyena is encouraged, and yes we know, mom and dad suck.
Tuesday, 8/21, 10 p. m.
Suppression (photo by Bernie McGrew), The Catalyst, Gnarwhal @ Strange Matter - TBA/18+
This secretly might be the best show of the week. Don’t tell anybody, but it just might be. Gnarwhal comes to our city that I refuse to call the River City, from Nashville. There’s more than just country music and wanna-bes in Nashville, I’m telling you. Gnarwhal is a barnstorming two-piece drums and guitar power force from Chappy Hull on guitars and vocals along with Tyler Coburn on drums. I can’t wait to see these two.
Then we got Richmond’s The Catalyst. Good grief, these maestros throw down hard like all those involved in those shootings in South Richmond last Tuesday. The Catalyst brings a special blend of noise and metal with a sexual encounter or two with hardcore. This is that band you like think to yourself, “Should I go see the Catalyst tonight?” Not going is your first mistake. I always enjoy a Catalyst show because Eric Smith, Michael Backus, and Kevin Broderick deliver the sound that explodes not only inside my brain, but in my genitalia as well. Go see the Catalyst, Richmond. Jeez, do I have to spell it out for you.
You need an abacus to determine how many bands Jason Hodges and Ryan Parrish are in. Anyway one of them is Hodges’ pioneering band - Suppression. Yes, Suppression is still going strong as a two piece thanks to Hodges and Parrish.
Suppression began as everybody’s favorite power-violence band from the Star City, Roanoke, Virginia, comprised of Jason Hodges and many different lineups. After releasing several CDs, LPs, and 7 inches on the C.N.P label, Suppression continues to be the vehicle that lashes out at our innermost demons. Being narcissistic is enjoyable after taking in Hodges on bass and Parrish on drums. Ryan Parrish was born attached to a drum kit, so please, don’t stare at his obtrusive birth defect; just enjoy what he does with it. Damn it’s going to be vehemently loud and obtuse at Strange Matter tonight. Good.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)