FEATURE SHOW
Monday, February 11, 7 p.m.
Benefit for Historic Fulton Memorial Park featuring Corey Harris @ Byrd Theatre– $15/$5 students with I.D. / All Ages
There once was a neighborhood that was home to history. John Smith, Abraham Lincoln, Powhatan, and Christopher Newport, who discovered Richmond, all spent time here. This predominantly black neighborhood on the docks of the James River was where the first African captives were marched to the city’s slave market to be sold into bondage. This neighborhood was Fulton, now referred to as Fulton Bottom. Fulton endured for more than 300 years until its land was seized and the black families living there were evicted. What happened to the original Fulton neighborhood was an absolute travesty. Richmond city leaders have made many mistakes through the years; unfortunately, this was the worst one.
In honor of the lost neighborhood of Fulton, a park is being developed in its honor. To raise money for the Fulton Memorial Park, local blues musician Corey Harris will perform at the Byrd Theatre. Harris is no stranger to Fulton--not only does he currently live in the Fulton area, his-just released album is Fulton Blues. This work of originals and classic blues songs is inspired by the book Built by Blacks. In this book, the demise of Fulton is chronicled.
Corey Harris is the quintessential acoustic bluesman out there currently, so having the chance to see him is without a doubt a must-do for any music fan. Harris was the recipient of a 2007 MacArthur “Genius Grant.” Obviously this was much deserved, as he is carrying the torch for what the blues really stand for. This is not some bar band performer; Harris is a true to the black cat bone bluesman, in the spirit of the Delta blues giants before him.
Wednesday, February 6, 9:30 p. m.
Izzy & the Catastrophics @ Balliceaux– Free/21+
Izzy & the Catastrophics are a wonderful New York City roots and rockabilly band. Their brand of rockabilly emphasizes goodtime swing, surf, honky-tonk, and bebop music. There is something for everyone with this get-you-out-of-your-seat band. Izzy Zaidman’s playfully vulgar stage banter is that of legend, and that's not to mention the rest of the Catastophics. They never stop--this band goes full throttle. From young scenester-hipster-doofus kids to old rockers who look dated, Izzy & the Catastrophics will be more than accommodating to whoever’s ear. With influences from Bad Brains to Jangling Reinharts, all I have to say is sign me up. You love fun? Well, who doesn’t? This is your band. Having Izzy and the Castastrophics in the quaint confines of Balliceaux will just add to the illuminating evening. The stars will be out on Lombardy St. tonight, so, get over the hump, gyrate your rump down to the middle of the Fan District, and party like its 2013.
Thursday, February 7, 9 p. m.
Gull, music from Revolt of the Apes DJ @ Cous Cous– Free/21+
Half man-half machine solo act Gull is back at Cous Cous tonight. Every time he plays here the roof gets blown off. I think the Chesterfield and Cous Cous have good insurance, and it’s a good thing. I just feel sorry for the cute VCU student girls who live just above. But, I’m sure even those swans can take it. Gull is a miracle. He is beyond words. He’s Action Jackson with full on musical traction. Gull is the bullet that continues to penetrate. If you love sonic drums, an ear pinching joyride of a guitar, and vocals from underneath the seat, well the night of nights is here for you. And on the eighth day, God created Gull.
In between the sporadic madness of Gull, expect nothing but quality tunes to inspire heavy partying amongst the beautiful people, as the Revolt of the Apes DJ shares the wealth with his other-side-of-the-membrane psychedelic experimentations.
Friday, February 8, 10:30 p.m.
No Richmond presents SAL P. (of Liquid Liquid) @ Balliceaux - $3/21+
No Richmond is at it again, making life a bit easier with enduring tunes from our yesteryear. To give the evening an extra spark beyond words, they’re bringing in the quintessential DJ from up there in the Apple. I’m talking about the man with a plan that will set you free, Sal P.
Sal P, aka Salvatore Principato, percussionist and vocalist for the 80s post punk/disco band Liquid Liquid, has been a part of New York’s music scene since the late seventies. This man, of all men, will know how to deejay Richmonders right into a castle full of dance bliss. He can deliver the best in real music from punk, postpunk, garage, disco, and new wave.
His mixes and remixes are that of legendary New York lore. Balliceaux has been killing it of late, and thanks to the No Richmond lads, having Sal P. just pushes the envelope even further. I can’t wait for this evening, for I’ll be dancing the night away in the back corner while watching all the pretty boys get the girls. Who cares! Sal P is on the ones and twos!
Saturday, February 9, 10 p.m.
Volunteer, Little Master (pictured above), Sea of Storms @ The Nile– Free/21+
Volunteer offer their services as powerful garage rock gurus for free this evening at The Nile. This band has been climbing the charts in my head for some time now. If you are in need of a quick thirst quenching of the Richmond underground rock sound, be sure to check out Volunteer. I have, and I still play with myself thinking about that extravagant night of sheer rock and roll.
Offer their services in the form of rock as well this fine evening will be the band everybody knows, loves and respects; yes, it’s those humbled kids that can flat tear you a new orifice, Little Master. The alternative punk rock of Little Master is a soup-of-the-day with extra crackers. I mean when it comes to a never-ending party, Little Master ain't so little, they are big, and they keep it going all night long. Cops? No problem. Court dates? No problem. Local judges? No problem! This outfit is a punching bag that can easily take it, as their stripped down rock and roll forces of gravity takes you in. Well hello Little Master.
Sea of Storms fills the bill at yet another beautiful evening you’ll absolutely be happy you came out to at the luxurious Nile. Even Jim ‘Slam’ Duncan knows, these storms, with their brutality on instruments, are not to be taken lightly. Doppler radar says Sea of Storms is a category 5. Let’s do this.
Saturday, February 9, 9 p.m.
Cary St. Cafe's 18 Year Anniversary featuring Harrison Deane Band, Blues UnderGrass @ Cary St. Café– Free/21+
Unbelievable--the place I refer to in jest as Hippie Heaven, Cary Street Café, is turning 18. Yes, they are legal to fight in a war--but they can’t buy beer. Kind of ironic, since the place is a bar/restaurant. Anyway, this Richmond institution is a wonder for the local folk, bluegrass, acoustic, jam, and electronic music scene. They also have really good sound too for a venue that’s in an old house. Not too shabby, I must say.
Tonight will be an all-out celebration for that yellow building on the corner. The live music will be supplied by the first bands to ever play at Cary St. Café, Blues UnderGrass and the Harrison Deane Band (formerly Whistler's Mother).
This is an extraordinary place and venue in Richmond, everybody, so I ask--no wait, I demand everyone in Richmond come out tonight and celebrate this milestone. I’m pretty sure Cary St. Café can hold all of y’all. No matter what your tastes are in music, venues like this deserve to be celebrated. Many acts in the Jam circles came through here before they got big, and I don’t know if this is true or not, but it is said that Jerry Garcia is buried underneath the stage. Knowing this beautiful oasis the way I do, I bet that’s true.
Sunday, February 10, 9 p. m.
The Milkstains, The Trillions, Ghost Wolves (pictured above by Frederick Foto) @ Bandito's– Free/21+
If it’s Sunday night, then it’s time for the true Richmond music enthusiast to take in phenomenal rock and roll in the Devil’s Triangle. Bandito’s nails it with the best music in town every Sunday. If you don’t show up, you don’t count. Yeah, yeah, I don’t care if it’s a Sunday night.
On tonight’s menu is the heavy and raucous psych garage sounds of the Milkstains. What a trio this band is. Sure to blow you away, then buy you a drink. John Sizemore, Raphael Katchinoff, and Gabe Lopez are first class lads. They never disappoint.
Next up is the Trillions. This shred pop band always has everyone shaking in the aisles, but in this case it’s the non-smoking room at Bandito’s. Pop is okay when its rocking you on fire and it's one thousand times one million.
Austin, Texas’ Ghost Wolves are the outtasight out of town band filling this miraculous bill. Ghost Wolves are self-described as man, woman, beast. Oh, how this duo of Carley Wolf on guitar and Jonathan "Little Hammer" Wolf on drums & vocals most certainly are a beast when it comes to all out bluesy garage rock.
Monday, February 11, 10 p.m.
U.S. Girls, Slim Twig, Flossed in Paradise, Age of Asparagus @ Strange Matter -$7/18+
Seminal longtime musician Meghan Remy comes to Grace Street with her solo project, U.S. Girls. Remy’s sound as U.S. Girls, who are signed to Fat Cat, is a cross between minimalist experimental sounds meshed with 1960s AM radio to form dream pop like you've never heard it before. From what I've just heard on the ol' laptop from Remy, I have to go to this show.
Joining her will be none other than Toronto’s Slim Twig. Slim Twig is quite the original acoustic bluesman, performing independently minded songs. Yes, that is still possible. His music, on the Pager Bag label, has everyone talking. Twig, also an accomplished film actor, is an absolute star on the rise, and it’s a guarantee he’ll be the talk of 2013. Like I said, this show has me in awe.
Local experimental targets, Flossed in Paradise, Alex French of White Laces’ side project; and the dream pop of Age of Asparagus, open the show. Is Age of Asparagus a great band name or what?
This is one of those shows featuring extraordinarily talented artists that come around every million years to Richmond, so you, as well as I, should pop in on this great evening of music. See you at the show.
Tuesday, February 12, 10 p.m.
Time Ghost, Motiv-A, Soft Target (pictured above, from left to right), Champagne of Rats, Mutwawa @ Strange Matter– Price at door/18+
It sure is going to be noisy up in here tonight, and that’s a sexy thing. The future of music is on display tonight as experimentation takes center stage. Time Ghost, aka Adam Morosky from Providence, is a synthesized collection of analog and digital electronic sounds that are anywhere between minimal to aggressive. Also out of Providence is Soft Target, which is Eric Grieshaber’s audio generated recordings of repetition on the white noise tip.
Motiv-A is the art/noise project of the lovely Magda Krzyzanowski out of New York. Krzyzanowski, sometimes confused with the coach of Duke University’s men’s basketball team, takes performance art to new taboo heights. After seeking inspiration from her work in the fetish/BDSM scene, Krzyzanowski makes soundtracks to score the noises blood and latex garments make. Watch out Richmond, she sings a cappella too. I am often considered a cappella noise myself, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say Magna Krzyzanowski is prettier than I am, so it will be taken a bit more seriously.
Local freak nuts Mutwawa, with their distorted static jungle pulses, and the terrorizing sounds of Champagne of Rats open this screwdriver-in-the-head type night.
Tuesday, February 12, 9 p.m.
Vyie, Negative Gemini, Flossed In Paradise @ The Republic– Free/18+
I love finding new bands that not only tickle my fancy, but resonate in a way that I just have to hype them to the rest of you goons, so you’ll go see them live. That band this week is Atlanta’s darkwave and deathpop sensations, Vyie. The Republic has really been upping the ante on the quality of bands they’ve been getting lately, and Vyie is a perfect example of that. Synthwave is the new synthwave, and missing out on Vyie would be a blow to all inner ear flavors. Vyie is the beginning of something black and beautiful on the near horizon.
Not to be outdone, Richmonder Lindsey French has a darkwave project you just have to see; she coins it Negative Gemini. There is nothing negative about it. It keeps you dark inside the cave of the unknown. Jesus! Watch out for that bat! Lindsey's brother Alex rounds out the bill with his own solo project, Flossed In Paradise, who we've already seen this week, but will undoubtedly be worth seeing again.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)