Wednesday, November 14: The Northerners & Brother Bill
Two Wednesdays ago at The Republic, Radio Rubber Room presented The Northerners and Brother Bill, and for one night in this city, all was rocking. This was truly a night for the people, by the people. One was struck by the sheer amount of fellow local music fanatics that arrived long before sound check in anxious anticipation of this most gnarly rock n' roll pair-up.
Starting the night off were The Northerners, one of the great up-and-coming bands in RVA. They performed during the summertime on an earlier Wednesday at this same event without the backing of a rhythm section and were noteworthy even then; their return to The Republic was impressive. Their set is brimming with fresh and energetic songwriting, perfectly executed vocals on the part of Ally and Justin Kuoury, and beautiful solos and lead by Anderson Gould.
Holding it all together are bassist Taylor Laub and drummer George Gilliam--two proficient musicians in their own right, who also perform with other acts in the city. On top of that, any group that can faithfully cover The Band is simply fantastic. This group is here to stay, and seeing that it's been only three months since they formed, they literally have only just begun. Catch The Northerners at their next show at Cary St. Cafe December 12th, and listen for one of their originals, called “Time.” it's an awesome fucking song. Just saying.
I've known Brother Bill for literally a decade. During those old days in Warrenton where we all grew up, they were my introduction to the world of local music and the passion for playing. Dan Mulrooney, your usual author of these reviews and leader of Brother Bill, books their shows while sitting across from me, and I have been very fortunate to know and keep up with this great group over the years. Their set is straightforward, original punk and rock music, with all four members performing vocal harmonies. Flowing song structures, honest lyrics and powerful delivery lead you away from that resolution-lacking bar conversation to move unconsciously out onto the dance floor.
As a drummer born of punk, Dan's elder brother, Pat Mulrooney, is the source of this energy, never lacking in ferocity, and I find myself feeling pity for his drum heads. Aaron DeLong, known simply as A.D., compliments Dan's playing by being the keystone of the rhythm, taking the helm for lead vocals in some songs as well. Alex Berklovich, that crazy bastard, is the bass that merges the realms; complimenting the rhythm with beautiful accents while keeping the drums driving. Brother Bill just released their first self-titled LP, and is in the process of completing a follow-up EP, which will be released sometime early next year.
Wednesday, November 21: The Dirty Picture Show & Stomp Status
Flash-forward a week later to Radio Rubber Room Presents: The Dirty Picture Show and Stomp Status at The Republic. ("What!? Radio Rubber Room does this every week!?""Yes, every Wednesday.""Why!?""Because local music is awesome, prevalent, pervasive and WE WANT MORE!!!")
This week The Dirty Picture Show started us off with their bluesy rock goodness lead by Yerb! founder and local deviant Luke Wilson. I have known Luke for a few years, and one thing I can say about him is that he never stops writing music and finding new ways to expand his tastes and styles with other local talent. Backing Luke is Taylor Laub on lead guitar, who also plays bass in The Northerners.
Taylor's guitar style is mesmerizing to witness when he gets into his pocket on the rhythm provided by drummer Danny Crawford and Brendan Folmar, whose bass-playing makes me want to go home after the show, pick up MY bass, and start all over from the beginning. I don't know where this kid came from but his steady progressions and presence on the bass balances Luke out on rhythm guitar nicely, and Luke's haunting voice answers. Danny Crawford, who also drums for newly formed Toxic Moxie, keeps the pattern that the other members then elaborate. To me, The Dirty Picture Show sounds akin to Tom Waits of recent vintage, mixed with when Dylan went electric. So, pretty fucking cool. Be sure to make it to their next show at the Camel with The Dream Machine this coming Sunday, December 2nd.
Stomp Status followed, and brought their jazz-funk fusion down from the Fairfax area of northern Virginia once again. These true students of jazz from George Mason University have taken what they've learned and have become one incredibly fun band to watch. Richmond needs bands like Stomp Status because they play something everyone can enjoy, and they can play it damn well.
Amorphous guitarist and lead vocalist Justin Piteleski remains relatively reserved, bassist TJ Turqman is the wild man of the group, attacking his bass with poise and at times leading the procession. Across the stage, seamless would be an understatement to describe the keyboards of Gena Photiadis. She is the most exploratory member of the band, without a doubt. Varying effects offer Stomp Status the ability to weave in and out of different styles and genres with fluidity. Sometimes it's blues, then it's funk, then it's jazz--you get the idea. They rarely broke stride, continuing ended songs into new ones seemingly off the cuff, and looking like they were truly having just as much fun as the crowd was. Drummer Graham Doby had spoken of the use and wisdom of “poly-rhythms” when Stomp Status came on RRR for Episode 66, but I am a simple man and know not of these things. All I heard was awesome percussion backing an awesome band. Stomp Status is about to release their second LP, which should be released early in 2013, so keep your head on a swivel.
This week at The Republic, Radio Rubber Room presents Machine Gun Mustache and One Night Standard. These two bands will be very fun to watch, and their reputations have preceded them. One Night Standard describes itself as “progressive funk rock,” whereas Machine Gun Mustache doesn't describe itself at all. Interesting. I look forward to seeing them perform the songs that have been stuck in my head from their record for the past six days. Check it out at The Republic this Wednesday, and support local music!
http://www.facebook.com/events/383841048369972
Words by Brian Riley
Photos by Tyler M. Conta (all photos from the November 14 event)