FEATURE SHOW
Monday, February 25, 7 p.m.
Ken Stringfellow, Horsehead, Canary Oh Canary @ Gallery 5 - $7/All Ages.
Ken Stringfellow is the musician’s musician. He was most known as the frontman for the seminal group the Posies before lending his musical talents to mega acts such as Rapid Eye Movement (that’s REM to you) and Big Star. This alternative rock legend who, unfortunately most of you probably have never heard of, has definitely performed on songs you have heard before.
Currently, Stringfellow is doing a solo venture when not playing with the Minus Five or the Disciples. Good Fine Foods in Oregon Hill! This man is busy, and he's everywhere. Well it’s a good thing, because Stringfellow is coming to Richmond in support of his newest LP, Danzig in the Moonlight. This LP has garnered favorable reviews and is said to be amongst Stringfellow’s best work. The album is a potpourri of musical landscapes. From electro, prog, and folk to a more ambient feel, Stringfellow crosses all roads.
This is a terrific show to come out to, especially when it’s at that gem in the middle of the Ward, Gallery 5. The only way to make the show any better and more worth the ticket price, would be to add local favorites Horsehead and Canary Oh Canary. Well, what do you know? I can’t wait for this illuminating night of music that will cover a spectrum of sorts when defining the sound of the past two decades.
Wednesday, February 20, 10 p.m.
Muscle and Bone, Young Adult Fiction, Springtime, Close Talker (pictured above) @ Strange Matter - $6/18+
For a week with so much going on musically, I figured we should start out the next seven days with a little coke and meth. Ha ha, I’m kidding. No, let’s get shit started right, with some emotional indie rock and punk to get us over the hump and on through the next six days. Muscle and Bone is the newest sensation out of Asheville that performs self-described sad emo-rock that will have you crying for more. Never mind the tear in the beer, Muscle and Bone prove first and foremost that North Carolina can be sad. Richmond’s Young Adult Fiction is that indie band that continues to climb the Richmond street charts. Their brand of noisy indie rock has gained a lot of momentum through positive touring. Catch Young Adult Fiction before they turn into Old Adolescent Non-Fiction. Rounding out this mid-week cotillion will be the melodic post-hardcore sounds of Springtime--not the season, but the band. Then step away if you can, a foot or two, because Close Talker rips the stage a new asshole.
Thursday, February 21, (early Show) 4pm-7pm; (late show) 9 p.m.
Crankies, Ballads, Fiddle and Banjo tunes featuring Anna Roberts-Gevalt and Elizabeth LaPrelle @ REAR Gallery (directly behind 209 Allen. - between Hanover and Grove Ave.) 4 p.m. - Donations/All Ages.
Twangtown Thursdays featuring Anna Roberts-Gevalt and Elizabeth LaPrelle, Matt Conner, Sweet Fern @ Balliceaux– Free/21+
Anna Roberts-Gevalt and Elizabeth LaPrelle present a new show where they will be weaving stories and old ballads, all the while playing fiddle and banjo tunes. If that’s not enough, these ladies will also be doing shadow puppetry and exhibiting original scrolling illustrations called crankies. What are crankies, you ask? I know I did. Well, crankies are stitched fabric and cut out paper designs made into scroll-type things. Their show will incorporate three brand new crankies they made for this winter, which center on stories and songs about their travels, emigrations, and heirlooms. What don’t these girls do? Is this a show, vaudeville, thrift store, or a sale at Penny’s? Anyway, this should be something completely different, which always seems true of the best events.
Please make note that there are two performances. First, Anna and Elizabeth will be at REAR Gallery at 4pm. This is a very special and intimate place--and it’s all ages, perfect for families, so come if you can. Then as part of Twangtown Thursdays for the 21 and up crowd, Anna and Elizabeth will perform at Balliceaux with the local Appalachian folk duo, Sweet Fern, and the great Matt Conner on guitar.
Thursday, February 21, 10 p.m.
Cusses, Canary oh Canary, New Turks (pictured above), The Milkstains @ Strange Matter - $5/18
Well, look who's back--it's Savannah’s Cusses. Their foul mouths have become a speaker-blasting force of pure unadulterated rock and roll along the Atlantic seaboard, and if you haven’t seen them yet, then you obviously don’t count. I mean, what would be better than this show? Another stupid mainstream internet dance sensation for “sheep”? Please, slam a knife in your face if you feel that doing something stupid that office cohorts of yours find appealing, or the cheese balls down at Off the Crack Pipe on the Canal Walk find fun, is cool. It’s time to be you--don’t follow, lead. Lead yourself into the middle of a Milkstains set that will blow the hair off your melon head with their garage surf rock on steroids. Lead yourself into hearing one of my new favorite bands, New Turks. They are noisy punk rock for the rest of us. The real dance craze out there is here tonight on a Grace St. stage. That’s right; I’m talking about the dynamite garage-gaze sounds of Canary oh Canary. Wow, what a show. And, it’s for people who can think for themselves? Even better! So, let’s all say no to the capitalistic mainstream dance sensations sponsored by Q94 and a white guy’s energy drink, and slide on down to Strange Matter tonight where some of the best music you will ever hear is being played with actual instruments. Instruments? Wow, who would have thought of that? Actual instruments.
Friday, February 22, 9 p.m.
RVA HOME Project Benefit Show featuring First Creature, Bad Magic, Double Rainbow, Pedals On Our Pirate Ships, White Laces @ Strange Matter - $5-$10 Donation/18+
If you tied my hands behind my back and said draw up a Richmond band lineup that was as eccentric as an antelope playing field hockey, I’d come up with these five bands. RVA Home is a wonderful organization and they flat out hit a home run when finding a quality bill to give sound to their benefit. The RVA HOME project, by the way, is a grassroots effort to provide Richmond with a source for heirloom & organic seedlings.
First Creature featuring members of Fire Bison will excite in ways unimaginable. Bad Magic is the incomparable guitarist Julie Karr and Jimmy Held (of Flechette/White Laces) on drums. These guys rock, so watch out. Double Rainbow is not only for hippies on Youtube clips, but also for music lovers of all kinds. Blending rap, garage, and surf rock, Double Rainbow features the ultimate wordsmith, Isaac Ramsey, and my man Jamie Faulstich. Set your sights out for this duo because they leave you speechless.
Headlining the event will be two of Richmond’s best, Pedals On Our Pirate Ships and White Laces. Pedals’ brand of poppy folk punk is an inspiration to us all, while White Laces’ psychedelic sound leads us into temptation, and we give in.
Friday, February 22, 10 p.m.
Netherfriends, Those Manic Seas (pictured above), Dave Watkins, Dumb Waiter @ The Nile - $5/21+
Netherfriends is Shawn Rosenblatt. He endlessly tours and describes himself as someone that releases music like it's the end of the world. He’s already put out ten LPs over his Bandcamp page, and after listening to a couple of them, I got to see this guy live--as should you. It's psychedelic pop like you’ve never heard it before.
Along with Netherfriends will be the sensational indie-experimental trio, Those Manic Seas. Then you've got the genius on top of genius, Dave Watkins. And then you got those crazy kids from Dumb Waiter spilling out their instrumental, math, Avante-Garde, and pop rock guts. This band features members and ex-members of Street Pizza, the Jefferson Plane Crash, The Jacob Spindel, and Guise. Holy shit, I can’t miss this show!
Friday, February 22, 9 p.m.
Fort Knox Five (photo by Jesse Justice Photography), All Good Funk Alliance, MC Flex Matthews, Groove Status, Hydrophonics @ Canal Club - $15/18+
Making music for ten years now, DC’s Fort Knox Five just get bigger and better with their plush mixes of funk, reggae, hip hop, and electronica. If you want to move, shake, jump, and roll, Fork Knox Five is your gold. After incessant touring, Fort Knox Five has been a go-to act in the world of live EDM music. Having them at the Canal Club will be an absolute delight.
Also from DC, the All Good Funk Alliance bands together to deliver the best funk in the 21st Century. On the Fort Knox Five’s label, Fort Knox Recordings, the All Good Funk Alliance is touring in support of a yet to be titled LP that will span genres, featuring go-go inspired drums, spaced-out synths, break-beats boogie, and down-tempo. Now that’s what I call a smorgasbord of music. This band is the perfect mesh with Fort Knox Five.
And if you thought is was just about the instrumentals, don’t fear, because vocals are on point. The amazing emcee stylings are on display with MC Flex on board. MC Flex is an incredible wordsmith who can rhythm over anything and make it sound like a steam train running down the mountain. Local DJs/producers Groove Status and Hydrophonics open this night of lights and dancing. I doubt guns will be a blazing inside the Canal Club tonight, that’s been done before, so head on down.
This just in! Before the show, Jon and Steve from Fort Knox Five will be kickin’ it and bumpin’ funky tunes at Turnstyle from 7-8:30pm.
Saturday, February 23, 10 p.m.
MACROCK Benefit Show featuring The Snowy Owls, Heavy Midgets, Tungs, Hot Dolphin @ The Nile - $5/21+
In an effort to show his gratitude to the organizers of the Harrisonburg independent music festival, Macrock, run by the JMU radio station, WXJM, local music guru Shannon Cleary has put together a showcase of Richmond artists to help raise funds for Macrock 2013.
The lineup is a beautiful menu of Richmond’s best up and coming bands. It features Macrock alumni The Snowy Owls, followed by hopeful Macrock participants Heavy Midgets, Hot Dolphin, and Tungs. This night will have it all: indie, dream pop, garage, psych, and experimental rock. What a marvelous night this will be at the cozy Nile. This is a potential local Show of the Year candidate. See you there, and don’t forget to donate!
Saturday, February 23, 7:30 p.m.
Endless Winter 3 Triple Release Party featuring Shy Low, Way Shape or Form, Cheyenne, Night Idea @ The Camel - $5 Adv - http://endlesswinter.eventbrite.com / 7 Day of / 18+
Bucky Lewis and his steam engine of a record label, Worthless Junk Records, are celebrating three years and releasing three new albums from three Richmond bands. How extraordinary is that? With help from The Subterranea Collective, Steady Sounds, and B-Sides Thrift, Worthless Junk is presenting LP releases from Shy Low, Way Shape or Form, and Cheyenne. All three of these bands are good, damn good, so pay attention.
Shy Low is an ambient indie rock band that is one must-see. The second must-see is Way Shape or Form, with their hugely popular experimental, yet pop rock sounds. These guys are fantastic, let me tell you. Then the third must-see is a cup of candy. Cheyenne have turned into quite the veteran Richmond rockers. Their emotional pop punk is a walk in the park we will never forget.
The special guest to this gala is Night Idea. No they don’t have an LP release, but they’ll blow your socks off with their progressive jazzy math rock in a way only a Richmond band can do it. Go to this show people; they’ll be talking about it until Endless Winter 4.
Sunday, February 24, 7 p.m.
Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby, Paul Ivey @ Gallery 5 - $10/All Ages.
Performing and recording together since 2006, Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby have given America and Europe critically-acclaimed music that goes beyond poignant. It's more than likely that Wreckless Eric first came into your ear through the international hit, "Whole Wide World." Songwriter Amy Rigby, who comes from a garage-punk-mod background, is the perfect cohort for Wreckless Eric.
Touring in support of their joint project, the A Working Museum LP, Eric & Amy have been turning heads of just about every music aficionado that crosses their path. Eric and Amy’s music is best described as everything from improvisational, storytelling, psychedelic, to a smidgeon of disco.
This show will have something for everyone, no doubt, and is a mandatory show in my opinion, so do it. Toss church aside this Sunday, and witness this night of music and yarns that will leave you begging for more.
Tuesday, February 26, 8 p.m.
The Listening Room Series featuring Zac Hryciak and the Jungle Beat, Lobo Marino (pictured above) @ Firehouse Theatre– Free/All Ages.
This is number 38 of the Listening Room Series and it is a flat out barnburner. Two of Richmond’s finest bands will take the stage at the old firehouse, which has been in the middle of quite the controversy of late. But, don’t fear, politics aside, the music at this old Richmond marvel will shatter the doldrums and pick you up above the air.
Lobo Marino, comprised of the sensational duo of Jameson Price and Laney Sullivan, perpetrates an experimental folk style that never disappoints. Lobo Marino goes well beyond a spiritual journey. Drawing from music from the foothills of Virginia to South America, Lobo Marino will take your night to special places.
Zac Hryciak's (quick, spell Hryciak – I kid, I kid) music is completely fabulous and facilitates our ears with purpose and desire. The Jungle Beat supplies some of the best plugged-in pop folk that you have ever heard. Zac and the Jungle Beat are made up of four of the best musicians in Richmond. There is Zac, obviously, on lead vocals and guitar; Jessika Blanks, on fiddle, keys, and vocals; Lee Spratley on drums; and Mr. Bass himself, Sean Williams on bass. If you pay attention to sheer quality in Richmond music, well, you already know about Zac Hryciak and the Jungle Beat. If you haven’t seen this band, it’s highly recommended, and to hear and see them along with Lobo Marino in a venue such as the Firehouse Theatre, well, it will be a night where you’ll make love to the acoustics.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)