FEATURE SHOW
Thursday, 9/20, 7 p.m.
Saint Vitus, Weedeater, Sourvein, Gritter @ Kingdom - $17.50/All Ages
Saint Vitus has been delivering the all powerful doom metal since 1978. Still consisting of founding members Dave Chandler on guitar and Mark Adams on bass, with vocalist Scott ‘Wino’ Weinrich, who joined in ‘86, Saint Vitus is a never ending tale of headbanging. Stoner rock aficionados rejoice, this amazing band out of music history is in town tonight. You might have caught Wino with Conny Ochs in Richmond a few weeks back at Strange Matter. While I’m sure that was incredible, tonight’s show will be easily the best doom metal show Richmond has had in quite some time--along with the Sunn O))) show of course. By the way, Sunn O))) share a label, Southern Lord, with Saint Vitus, as well as with this next band.
Joining the legendary Saint Vitus tonight in the Bottom are Wilmington, North Carolina’s own legends, Weedeater. If you haven’t seen Weedeater, you are technically extinct. Dixie and the boys love their green as much as they love to slam your face against your ears with their sludge metal. Sure it will get nasty loud, and that’s a good thing, but if you think about it, it should get nastier up in Kingdom. There are two more bands that can provide just that. First, Sourvein, also from North Carolina; and second, Richmond’s Gritter. They too bring the doom, and they too are as loud as you can take it. See you tonight at Kingdom, everybody.
Wednesday, 9/19, 7 p.m.
Corin Tucker Band, The Two Funerals, Fire Bison @ Strange Matter – $12/All Ages
Corin Tucker, guitarist for the riot grrrl/alt-rock band Sleater-Kinney, comes to Richmond with her own band, and oh my Semmes Avenue, is it going to be pleasurable. Corin Tucker Band is touring in support of their new album Kill My Blues, which, just like several of Sleater-Kinney's records, is on the Kill Rock Stars label. Since forming her solo project, Tucker has received very favorable reviews for her work. Many of Tucker’s songs are about the current state of affairs within the women’s movement and women’s rights. Political writings and political music has always been Tucker’s M.O.
This is without a doubt another benchmark show at Strange Matter, and if Corin Tucker Band isn’t enough, well, the female-fronted Richmond bands The Two Funerals and Fire Bison are also on hand to open this fantastic night. Fire Bison has been stealing many shows of late around Richmond with their punch-you-in-the-mouth rock and roll sound. The Two Funerals’ brand of punk rock is perfect for those mid-week blues.
Friday, 9/21, 9 p.m.
rebel inc., Gojira Experiment @ Wonderland – Price at door/21+
In the vein of Rage Against the Machine, Rise Against, or Limp Bizkit, rebel inc. is a rap-rock-metal protest band that goes full steam ahead. This blue collar band from Baltimore continues to deliver powerful shows that leave audiences spellbound. Rebel inc. possesses a raw, passionate, and explosive stage presence, along with awesome guitar rhythms, and political lyrics that keep you pondering the nature of the establishment.
Richmond’s Gojira Experiment opens this rocking good time in Shockoe Bottom with their brand of punk metal. The Gojira Experiment never quit, and are a perfect opening act for rebel inc.
Saturday, 9/22, 9 p.m.
SO RVA FEST 2012 featuring S.I.C., Noah O, Bravo & The Big League, Black Liquid, Bobby Beats, DJ Carter Baldwin @ The National - $10/All Ages
No one loves the deep rich underground hip hop sounds of Richmond, Virginia as much as me. However, you can prove me wrong by proving you love it more. It’s easy--just show up at this incredible showcase and take in a lineup that showcases the best, that’s right, the best, in Richmond hip hop. You damn right it is So RVA, and it's nothing else. No imitations, no artificial preservatives, just spot on Richmond underground. Noah O, S.I.C, and Black Liquid? You had me at ‘what’s up.’
As I sick’em in a Whitcomb, there’s no hatin’ in a Creighton, but I’m real in Fairfield, got myself a cozy in a Mosby, then I take this fillin’ to Gilpin before I ride on down to Hillside…
Saturday, 9/22, 9 p. m.
Canary oh Canary, Cartesian Theater @ The Speakeasy (Taylor Mansion/Hippodrome) - $5/All Ages
One of the most beautiful places on earth is The Speakeasy, at the Taylor Mansion in Jackson Ward. Lately there have been some great bands to play this new, yet old-school, venue in the Ward. It is only fitting that arguably the best band in Richmond performs at this historic domicile. I’m of course talking about the perfect garage-gaze band Canary oh Canary. Along with Canary oh Canary will be the fantastic electro-pop sounds of Cartesian Theater. I have a feeling this just might have Show of the Year potential.
I’m serious, Richmonders, if you love the historic sites that our city seems to have a plethora of, and are in search of an exciting new venue to witness extraordinary music, then get your ass down here Saturday night! I know you can pencil me in.
Saturday, 9/22, 5 p.m.
Say-10 Records 5th Anniversary Party featuring: Daycare Swindlers, GDP, Pedals on our Pirate Ships, Challenges, Know Your Saints, Wolfbite @ Strange Matter - $5/All Ages
That tiny record label, Say-10, really a giant. They're celebrating five M-F’ing years! Holding up the signs tonight will be Say-10 bands Daycare Swindlers and Pedals On Our Pirate Ships. Hey, Say-10 is also a skateboard company. Who knew?
Say-10 head honchos Adam Gecking and Matt Dilliner have put together one hell of a roster, which includes releases from Daycare Swindlers, Pedals On Our Pirate Ships, Pissing Contest, Challenges, Gutter Gloss, The Riot Before, No-Cash, Mad Conductor, Dirty Tactics, GDP, Brook Pridemore, and Broadway Calls. These guys are to be commended for their hard work and the fabulous buffet of indie, punk, hardcore, and hip hop on the Say-10 label.
This early all ages anniversary party at Strange Matter this evening has fun city written all over it. Also, FYI, there is a 21+ after-party at Mulligan’s in the Fan starting at 9 p.m., featuring the awesome bands: Daycare Swindlers (playing entirely different set than from the Strange show), Know Your Saints, Brett Adams (formerly of the Riot Before), Amateur Thieves, and Gutter Gloss, so be there!
Sunday, 9/23, 10 p.m.
Drugs of Faith, Caves Caverns, Mutwawa, Flesh Control, Drones For Queens @ Strange Matter – Donations/18+
I don’t exactly know where to start here. Once again, there is a show that searches for the other side and finds a spot in the middle of a confused cornea. The inner core of everything else just seems abysmal and notwithstanding. I give you another platoon of bazaar, kinky, and full on oddball freak blasts. Thank you Dominion Power for supplying the electricity tonight, as this lineup will switch the mind obtuse.
Drugs of Faith are not quite the opposite of religion; yet they are a DC band that puts the grind into grind music. Fans of Unsane will also enjoy this threesome of sleaziness.
The psychedelic railroad with no tracks known as Caves Caverns are also aboard this haiku, so hold on to your hats and tats. Next is Mutwawa. Forget suicide, I need a shaman. Leo Heinzel’s Flesh Control is somewhere to be found here, and all I've got to say is that this brand of performance music is a window without a sightline. Do you know about Drones for Queens? I do, and this Philly metal outfit consisting of ex members of Woe, Woods of Ypres, and the Green Evening Requiem are a mandatory endeavor.
Sunday, 9/23, 8 p.m.
Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers, Sean Bowe @ The Camel - $10 Adv - http://nickibluhmrva.eventbrite.com / $12 Door/$18
Nicki Bluhm is vintage rocking country soul. In possession of an angelic voice, this lady from the city by the bay is a wonderful get for the Camel. Bluhm and her band the Gramblers are sure to light up the room. Bluhm subliminally takes from past greats Linda Ronstadt and Dusty Springfield, then puts her personal spin on the country-soul genre.
This songstress is worth every enchantment your musical desires reaches towards. It’s Sunday night, and you are sick of football, church--whatever, it doesn’t matter. End your weekend by taking in a woman full of pure soul, before she’s big time and forgets about those Broad Street venues.
Monday, 9/24, 10 p.m.
Victor Villarreal, 3dCosby, Cheyenne, Houdan the Mystic @ Strange Matter - $7/18+
Look who’s back--it’s that guitar virtuoso we all know and love, Victor Villarreal. Victor Villarreal was also the guitarist for Cap'n Jazz, perhaps one of the most pivotal bands in the indie rock genre. Villarreal has also contributed to the bands Owls--yes there are other indie bands not from Richmond that have the word "Owls" in their name. However, this might have been the first. His other band was the luminous group Ghosts & Vodka. Currently, you can find Villarreal in Joan of Arc, a band I find much underrated. If you enjoy serious guitar playing, and many Richmonders do, do come out and see this king of kings.
3dCosby is three dimensional good. They are that experimental rock band that delves into mathematics that has to be witnessed. Just listening to their Bandcamp page gets me all in. Touring in support of their debut LP Satan’s Secret, hear these lads ASAP.
Richmond pop punkers Cheyenne and psychedelic top heavies Houdan the Mystic open this marvel on Grace Street.
Tuesday, 9/25, 8 p.m.
The Listening Room Series featuring Michael S. Coleman, Jus Post Bellum (pictured above), Rebecca Wudarski @ Firehouse Theatre – Free/All Ages
The impeccable singer songwriter series, the Listening Room, is back and tonight’s lineup is a delectable peach of sounds for your two ears. Michael S. Coleman, Charlottesville’s man of love within his spirited songs, is a songwriter you cannot miss. His songs about life are a triumph straight from the inner soul within the soul. His life story is on display through his touch of the strings and beacon of a faithful voice.
Jus Post Bellum, out of Brooklyn, are a classical blend of folk, country, blues, and self-described "historical fiction music." Bandleader Geoffrey Wilson began writing songs, but didn’t know how to perform them. Luckily for us, he learned the guitar, and picked up the exquisite musicians Daniel Bieber, Hannah Jensen, and Zach Dunham, and Jus Post Bellum was born. Their music is reminiscent of early Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash. Listen carefully, this group is beyond important.
There are more than just mountaineers up there in West Virginia. There is also music from the Appalachian that tells America’s story. That music can be heard through Rebecca Wudarski, who rounds out this bill, which is yet again best described as another Listening Room Series miracle.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)