FEATURE SHOW
Thursday, April 4, 10 p.m.
Photosynthesizers, Canary oh Canary @ Balliceaux - $5/21+
Photosynthesizers have been on a hiatus of late, but thanks to a new lineup, a fresh approach and a forthcoming new album, they're ready to reclaim their place amongst the best bands in Richmond once again. Still in their arsenal of amazing musicians are Bar Codez and Samsun on vocals, J. Bryant on guitar, Wade on keys, and Dr. Data on percussion. New members Chelsea Temple on keys and vocals, and James Joyner on bass, round out another miracle lineup for the Photosynthesizers. By now you should have seen, let alone heard, the Photosynthesizers, as this hip-hop/soul band is electrifying. They never leave you disappointed. You will shake, groove and jive to the marvelous vibes this band dishes out. I also have a feeling some new songs from their forthcoming album will be performed, so get ready to get blown away. 2013 certainly looks like the year in which the Photosynthesizers will be reintroducing themselves in various platforms of entertainment. Also playing this show I’m definitely not missing will be those garage-gaze masters, Canary oh Canary--who, by the way, ripped it all apart with their wicked rocking sounds at Bandito's in the Devil’s Triangle last week. Oh my, Richmond; tonight you are in for a treat. I demand you attend this Show of the Year candidate.
Wednesday, April 3, 7:30pm.
Ana Moura @ UR Modlin Center (Camp Concert Hall) - $10-$34/All Ages
Ana Moura is living proof that a Portuguese Fado vocalist can redefine the beauty in music right here in Richmond. I mean, where else can music find its heart? Yes, I too would guess Richmond and Portugal. Moura is a rising queen in world music circles that shatters all those rumors of music being a dead art form. Along with stunning beauty and stage presence, Moura is making Fado, a Portuguese music genre dating from the early 19th Century, as popular as ever with the 21st Century world. There are many variations of Fado, but Moura’s take is mandatory to witness.
Ana Moura is just another example of the extraordinarily talented vocalists out there that, because of the backwards music machine run by greedy bastards, you probably haven’t heard of. Well as you can guess, Moura is a bona-fide star in Portugal, and should be in America. This isn’t for the classless, but not for the snooty either. If you can, see this truly wonderful artist at the acoustically perfect Camp Concert Hall at the Modlin Center. It will without a doubt be a spiritual experience.
Friday, April 5, 9 p.m.
The Iron Sights, Captain Captain, Fool's Errand @ McCormack's Irish Pub (Shockoe Bottom) - $5/21+
There are some really good indie-folk rock bands in Richmond, and three are performing at McCormack’s in the Bottom tonight. I suggest you make this a stop in your Friday night carousel. The Iron Sights are an up-and-coming high riser of a band, and are sure to make your time with them a big ole party. Hey, there are not many shows at McCormack’s in Shockoe Bottom, but when there are, it’s always a beer swilling, whiskey shooting grand time. The sound at McCormack’s is pretty darn good too, so get out your foot stomping boots, and take in the renaissance of quality live music that has been happening down in the Bottom of late.
Saturday, April 6, 9 p.m.
Acoustic Anarchy featuring Glen Matlock (of the Sex Pistols), Sylvain Sylvain (of the New York Dolls), Dave Brockie @ Capital Ale House Downtown Music Hall - $15/18+
Here comes history. Original Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock comes to Richmond on his new Acoustic Anarchy tour with ex-New York Dolls’ guitarist Sylvain Sylvain. If you didn’t think acoustic guitars could get straight out punk and shit, well, you are completely wrong. Proving this point will be three greats who have done it for years.
Matlock, who usually performs with his band the Philistines, will be performing solo, but is sure to play songs from his and Philistines’ new LP Born Running, along with songs from his post-Pistols new wave band, Rich Kids [who were really, really good-ed.]. Of course, you never know, he might even whip out a Sex Pistols song or two. I have a feeling he will. Matlock is not only punk rock royalty, but is a musician unable to stop making music. The best kind, I say. His music is as poignant and penetrating today as it was in London back in 1976.
Sylvain Sylvain is royalty in the world of glam rock from his work with the seminal glam rock band New York Dolls. Yet, Sylvain Sylvain is also an extraordinary accomplished guitarist who can easily be described as a virtuoso. Having him up close and personal along with Glen Matlock will make for an historical night in Richmond.
Of course Richmond’s master of punk needs to be a part of this, so GWAR frontman Dave Brockie, aka Oderus Urungus, will open with his acoustic insanity. So get acquainted with what got us here, and attended this benchmark.
Saturday, April 6, 10 p.m.
Fun Size (photo by Sarah Walor), Volunteer, Six Track Amateur @ Strange Matter - $5 in advance http://funsize.eventbrite.com / $7 Door – 18+
Well, well, well, look whose back--Richmond 90’s pop-punk band of glory, Fun Size. Yes, James Menefee and the boys have returned. Fun Size is not only playing out live again, but they also have a new CD, Since Last We Spoke, that they are releasing tonight. Thank you, gods of real alternative/pop-rock. For fifteen years now, with the exception of one reunion show, the streets of Richmond have been bereft of Fun Size music. Well, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle. This band, who is, true to their name, “fun,” will be as energetic, wacky, and invigorating as ever. If you missed them in your youth, well, here you go. No excuses this time. Get to this show if you can, as this age of reunions we are currently living in continues to grow like out of control kudzu.
Sunday, April 7, 8 p.m.
ABSU, Vektor, Earthling, Ravn, Hoboknife @ Strange Matter - $12/18+
In a week of old school bands and musicians coming back from the dead, it’s only fitting the influential black metal band Absu from Dallas comes to Richmond to make us bow down to the way it’s really done. This band has been trailblazers in this genre since the late eighties. They fuse styles of music and mythology unlike any other. Mythology, in fact, is this band's aura. But it’s always the music, and their brand of metal will have passionate fans driving from miles away to hear this ear wrenching joy. Absu is doing two sets, so you’ll have double the time to be entrenched in a dungeon of doom.
Harrisonburg’s Earthling, who have a forthcoming debut LP on Forcefield Records, will be opening, along with Philadelphia thrash metal band Vektor, Richmond's own Ravn, and Hoboknife.
Monday, April 8, 9 p.m.
Wakey! Wakey!, Rousseau, Rachel Leyco @ The Camel - $10/18+
Musician and actor Michael Grubbs, who is originally from here, returns with his alternative pop band Wakey! Wakey! Grubbs’ music has even been featured on one of those stupid teen diary dramas on the WB, CW, or whatever UHF channel. From this show, Grubbs received bit parts as an actor, and that side of this renaissance man was born. Grubbs’ smartly parlayed these experiences to showcase his quite talented piano playing and band. With his symmetric poetry on the microphone, Wakey! Wakey! continue to turn heads and gain wide audiences. It proves once again that Richmond is home to intense talent.
I do love it when a Richmonder hits the big time--as should you. Tonight is Grubbs first time back with his band. They will be performing past hits and present songs, such as their new hit single “22.” Wakey! Wakey! is a delight, and worth a Monday evening look-see. The band Rousseau and local singer-songwriter Rachel Leyco open.
Tuesday, April 9, 8 p.m.
Canary oh Canary, Houdan the Mystic, Peace Arrow, The Colloquial Orchestra @ Gallery 5 - $3/All Ages
Gallery 5 shows always bring a spontaneity that can go either way. Usually it’s a historical way. I feel this show will make Tuesday night its own bitch. Jackson Ward is the new Paris, as this neighborhood is really the city of lights. Everybody who is anybody will be at the corner of Marshall and Brook tonight. Be one of them.
You already know about Canary oh Canary, but let me recommend you step inside with Houdan the Mystic with their indie math rock. Houdan is part of the much talked about Subterranea Collective, which is an awesome collective of newer bands in Richmond. Peace Arrow is yet another peachy-keen band from Gainesville, Florida, and let’s just say this band’s experimental pop will be yours in an instant. Richmond’s ever changing experimental and improvisational music ensemble, The Colloquial Orchestra, opens the door. Good show, folks; see you there.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)