FEATURE SHOW
Friday, December 21 & Saturday, December 22
SKALIDAYS 2012 Day 1 (Friday, 21st) 6 p.m.
The Pietasters, Murphy's Kids, Elby Brass, Herro Sugar @ Strange Matter - $15/All Ages
SKALIDAYS 2012 Day 2 (Saturday, 22nd) 6 p.m.
Murphy's Kids (pictured above by Mary Jacobs), Patent Pending, Tsunami Rising, Eastern Standard Time, Aquafuture @ Strange Matter - $10/All Ages
If it’s December, it must be Skalidays. This annual showcasing of the best ska bands in Richmond and the region is more of a tradition than the actual birth of Christ. The event is so large now it had to be split into a two day fest of rude boys. I could not think of a better location for this treasure chest than Strange Matter. The lineup is stellar, as DC’s Pietasters and Richmond’s own Murphy’s Kids headline. Punk, reggae, and brass will have the kids spinning, slamming and gyrating endlessly. It’s an all-ages event to boot, so, get crazy, kids--get crazier than crazy. Santa Claus has come to town and he’s climbing down the chimney--well, the HVAC unit at Strange Matter--to present you with ska, and nothing but ska. Have some cookies ready. Happy Skalidays everybody!
Wednesday, December 19, 7 p.m.
The Midnight Suggestion Comedy Holiday Event featuring comedians Brian Mann (Chicago), Andrew Coalson (Boston), David Marie-Garland (Richmond), and host Grandt Mutge @ Steady Sounds– Free/All Ages
Well, it’s not music, but it is one of the best “underground” events in Richmond. Thanks to Johnny Hugel and host Grandt Mutge, this comedy showcase continues to be side splitting jocularity to the maximum. The upstairs at Steady Sounds may be a challenge to our vertical friends, but it is well worth the trip over to Jackson Ward. Imagine if the funny papers came to life; you would be in the midst of the Midnight Suggestion.
As this event is the 13th installment of the Midnight Suggestion, this showcase proves it isn’t going away, and the fact that there is so much extraordinary music for sale in the same room makes it a mandatory catch for the senses, not just your funny bone. Real comedy is in the places you would never imagine, so check this out, and to hell with corporate comedy clubs. Plain and simple, they are not where the laughs are, just where lame jokes, crappy beer, stale pretzels, and overinflated tabs lie.
Brian Mann, who now resides in Chicago, is an ex-Richmonder who is sure to have you in stitches. Andrew Coalson, out of Boston, is a climber in comedy circles and captivates audiences with ease. Opening this tragic comedy will be the man you absolutely can’t get enough of--the one and only David Marie-Garland, aka the funniest man in Richmond.
Thursday, December 20, 9 p.m.
The Babies, Invisible Hand, The Ar-Kaics, Positive No @ Strange Matter - $10/18+
Like many bands, the Babies started off as a side-project. But when it’s the side project of Vivian Girls’ frontwoman Cassie Ramone and Woods bassist Kevin Morby, it’s a sensation guaranteed to be a remarkably grand ole time. Touring in support of their new LP, Our House On the Hill, the Babies are now a full time band, which we should all be thankful for. This indie-pop band is steadily becoming the band of the moment--if they aren’t already. Just listening to them now, I say: go see this band, Richmond. Talented is an understatement in describing these newborns.
Charlottesville’s Invisible Hand support with their insatiable indie rock, and the Richmond bands The Ar-Kaics and Positive No open this ceremony of quality sounds.
Friday, December 21, 10 p.m.
Previously on WRIR and The Commonwealth of Notions Presents #2 presents Nick Woods (of Orioles), The Trillions, The Blue Rajas @ The Nile– TBA/21+
Shannon Cleary, host of WRIR’s the Commonwealth of Notions, continues to deliver the City of Monuments spellbinding live shows. This show will bring back ex-Richmonder singer-songwriter stalwart Nick Woods, and showcase perhaps the most underrated Richmond band, the Trillions. Then to top it off, there will be a Blue Rajas sighting. Oh my, I can’t take it anymore. What is the fastest way to Laurel and Broad St.?
When it comes to quality song crafting, well, this is without a doubt a sure-fire show. Shows at the Nile, never, I repeat, never disappoint. The Nile is special. A show like this is even more so. Nick will have you mesmerized, the Trillions will have you dancing, and the Blue Rajas, the first ladies of garage rock, will have you bouncing of the walls. If you bounce hard enough, you just might bounce through the hole in the wall and end up at the bar. While you're there, have a drink on me.
Saturday, December 22, 8 p.m.
Punks for Presents featuring Christmasfits, London Caroling, Jingle Bell Rocksparrer @ Empire - $10/$8 with a can of food/21+
You damn right punks celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and Festivus. Tonight at Empire will be memorable. The glorious non-profit, Punks for Presents, is bringing us another divine punk rock music event that will benefit underprivileged kids and charities with presents and food. Now that’s the true holiday spirit. If you ever imagined songs by the Misfits, the Clash, Cock Sparrer and other seminal punk bands covered in the form of Christmas songs, well here you go.
This show is sure to be a sloppy good time. Office/employee holiday parties are for goons. This event right here will be the true miracle of Christmas.
Saturday, December 22, 6:30 p.m.
Down To Nothing (photo from wypax.com), Backtrack, Naysayer, Born Annoying, Break Away @ Kingdom - $5/All Ages
As punks and ska kids celebrate the holidays, so do straight edge kids. Oh, there is sure to be controlled violence at this free for all show of poignant hardcore. No booze, no drugs--no problem. Down to Nothing is the entire fix you need and more. Down to Nothing shows are must-see rambunctiousness, and always an event. DTN has been spreading the good word of straight edge worldwide since 2000. This band we all love to love hasn’t played in their hometown in awhile, so I recommend this show highly, as there is no holiday like a Down to Nothing holiday.
Backtrack, Naysayer, and Born Annoying--all label mates of DTN on the Reaper label--support with their ear pinching hardcore. The Vince Guaraldi Trio, Bing Crosby, and Dean Martin may have performed what is considered classic Christmas music, but I beg to differ. It’s this lineup tonight at Kingdom that will empower us with the real Christmas spirit.
Sunday, December 23, 7 p.m.
Herschel Stratego’s Pre X-Mas Eve Party featuring Herschel Stratego, Cavum, Captain Captain @ The Camel– Free/All Ages
Looking for the bizarre on these holidays? Well, it doesn’t get any more bizarre, or freaky for that matter, than Herschel Stratego. Herschel is the official ringmaster of Richmond, Virginia. His performances leave everyone in the audience awestruck, yet screaming for more. Whether it’s a ukulele or a kazoo, Herschel blends music, comedy, and obtuse yarns like no other. Everyday is Christmas to Herschel.
Joining in Herschel’s cotillion will be the ambient indie rock of Richmond’s Cavum, and the Gypsy-folk-shock-doo-wop of Captain Captain. This will be the party that historians will write about a hundred years from now, so come one, come all. Careful ladies, that’s not mistletoe.
Monday, December 24, 11 p.m.
Christmas Concert @ Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (800 S. Cathedral Place – VCU/Monroe Park)
Whether you are religious or not, tonight at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart across from Monroe Park will be a sanctuary we perhaps need in our lives from time to time, especially these days. To me, this night at the Cathedral goes beyond religion. It’s more about the singing and pageantry. If you can get in, there will be a pre-liturgy concert along with the Cathedral Choir & Vocal Soloists. This will definitely be a spiritual awakening, consisting of beautiful voices and hymns coinciding with an awesome pipe organ.
Tuesday, December 25, 9 p.m.
Hosea Productions presents Sam the Beast Live on Christmas Night featuring local old school hip hop DJ legend - Sam the Beast from the East with more music by DJ’s DJ Lonnie B, King Tutt, Flava, Drake, Mr. Gee, hosted by Mitch Malone and Big Bubb the Hypeman @ The Showplace (3000 Mechanicsville Turnpike) - $25/21+
Happy birthday Jesus! There is actually something involving music going down on Christmas night. What an event it will be. Tonight at the Showplace out there on Mechanicsville Tnpk. will be a night of DJ’s featuring old school hip hop. The “real” as I call it. The headlining DJ will be none other than Richmond legend, Sam the Beast from the East. Dishing out the old school with Sam, will be other Richmond DJ legends from the club to the radio dial, DJ’s Lonnie B, King Tutt, Flava, Drake, and of course the incomparable, Mr. Gee. Tonight’s Showplace dance floor masters of ceremonies will be none other than the great Mitch Malone and the hype man of all hype men, Big Bubb the Hypeman.
The good folks at Hosea Productions realize Richmonders get tired of the family by the end of Christmas day, and want to get out that night and let it all hang out. Well, tonight real hip hop lovers can find solace that there will be an event just for them to shake out all the holiday tension, let alone the turkey and stuffing. Besides, you just might also run into that friend you haven’t seen in years. Oh my, its another Christmas miracle!
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)