FEATURE SHOW
Thursday, June 6, 5 p.m.
Andrew W.K., Strike the Chord and Burn, Of Want and Misery @ Kingdom - $16/All Ages
Andrew W.K. is bigger than ever, and to have this man draped in white appearing in the intimate confines of Kingdom has the makings of a strong and solid evening. Andrew Wilkes-Krier, aka Andrew W.K., is an immensely talented musician and vocalist who took over the world 12 years ago. He is a true renaissance man in the circles of music. He does everything: sing, write, produce, engineer--but most importantly, Andrew performs. His shows are as intense as your senses will allow. He makes sure every cent you spend on getting into his show is worth it. He might get bloody in the process, but what do you care? It’s Andrew W.K!
Andrew W.K. delves into all forms of heavy rock. Punk, metal, hardcore - it’s all there for this maestro. Without a doubt, you can expect Andrew W.K. to perform tracks off his mega acclaimed albums I Get Wet and The Wolf. Don’t be surprised if he whips out a piano, either. This guy is the 21st Century persona times fifty.
There's never a dull moment at a Andrew W.K. show, I tell you. He's part Alice Cooper, part Keith Moon, part Charo, part Jesus, all rolled into one. So, take this baby Friday and shove it! Escape down to Shockoe Bottom this evening, and witness a true showman partying hard.
Wednesday, June 5, 9 p.m.
Radio Rubber Room presents Stomp Status, Legion of Doom @ The Camel - Free/18+
Stomp Status is four ex-jazz students from George Mason University who have banded together to deliver the freshest funk, soul, jazz, and blues rock one can conjure up. This band out of Fairfax is turning many heads as they progress oh so cleverly through the daunting musical landscape. Talent always wins in the end, and Stomp Status has status as a hard working band that embodies a unique style to get you grooving on the dance floor. Toe tapping to these guys would just be a minor activity.
Richmond’s Legion of Doom are a local super-group of sorts, comprised of the best jazz and classically trained musicians this side of forever. Tonight’s version of Legion of Doom will go by the moniker Injustice League. The Injustice League lineup is truly a who’s who of Richmond musicians that bring professionalism at every turn, featuring Armando Muñoz on vox, Chris Sclafani on tenor sax, Steven Boone on guitar, Larri Branch on keys, Joshua Salvador Santamaria on percussion, Kelli Strawbridge on drums and Gabriel Santamaria on bass. Wow, this is a can’t miss Wednesday night, and then some.
Thursday, June 6, 8 p.m.
Vapo-Rats (Photo by Chris Barrett), Sea of Storms, Missives, I’m Fine @ Gallery 5– Donations Please/All Ages
Various types of rock and roll meet up tonight, as this is a bill for the ages. Richmond’s Sea of Storms, yes the Sea of Storms that features ex-members of Mouthbreather, headlines this mutiny with their post hardcore/post punk rhetoric. Their music is crazy great, said the lamp post just outside Gallery 5. Then there are our good friends, Vapo-rats from Gumbo way – that would be New Orleans. Vapo-rats are a splendid thrash punk outfit that will flip you sideways. Looking for melodic rock? Well, you got it with Missives. There is nothing amiss about these lads. Hold on to your toupee if you have one. Then last, but not even close to being least, is I’m Fine. Well, great pop rock from New Orleans, but really I’m not that fine, come to think about it. Yet I’m pretty sure if I show up at this juggernaut of music in the Ward, I’ll be just fine. That goes for you too.
Friday, June 7, 6 p.m.
Friday Cheers featuring Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, The Rootdowns @ Brown’s Island - $10/All Ages
Finally, the great Charles Bradley reaches a Richmond stage. Touring in support of his second full length LP, Victim of Love, this man is destroying everything in sight with his masterful take on real soul music. Honest rhythm and blues is back, thanks to this incredibly gifted performer on the great Daptone label out of Brooklyn. Bradley, who used to be a James Brown impersonator, figured he could do his own thing, and in 2002 the journey began. This man is music. Bradley will spellbind your soul, and it’s easy to say that he will have Brown’s Island bouncing like it’s never bounced before. Charles Bradley backed by his glorious band, the Extraordinaires, is the best performer to hit up Friday Cheers in a long time--years, to be exact. If you go to Brown’s Island once this year, make this the trip. Ten dollars to see this magnificence is a steal. This isn’t that fake soul--oh no, Charles Bradley reaches down and deep to elevate the vibes of getting down and dirty. Rain or shine, this elder is the quintessential statesman of soul music and you better be on the island tonight. I know I will. Tonight’s gig is easily a Show of the Year candidate, so act accordingly.
Saturday, June 8, 7 p.m.
Night Birds, Big Eyes, Iron Reagan, Unholy Thoughts @ Gallery 5 - $8/All Ages
The punk garage rock sounds of Night Birds fly into Jackson Ward tonight. Their set is sure to torch, but it's okay--Gallery 5 used to be a fire station, so if it gets too hot the flames can quickly be extinguished. However, would anyone there want that? It’s best to just let Night Birds soar amongst the rock and roll bliss, and burn for you. Joining Night Birds on tour are Grave Mistake labelmates Big Eyes. Similar to Night Birds, they are a garage punk trio that can see as far as their music takes them.
Richmond’s hardcore punk concoction from hell, Iron Reagan, will prove once again they are more brutal than Perestroika, and that the wall must be torn down. Once down, your face will get blown off with an assault only this quartet can deliver.
Want more insane punk metal from Richmond to open this gutter ball? Well, no worries, Unholy Thoughts will prove once again that thinking outside the box towards obtuse religions leads you straight to the best metal rock.
Saturday, June 8, 9 p.m.
Dr. Millionaire, 368's Chaz French & Eddie Vanz, Kevin Sinatra, Sons of Thndr @ The Camel– 21+ Free/18+ $5
Oh my city school closings! There’s hip hop to be had this weekend, and it’s a bevy of the real. Dr. Millionaire is a rhymer’s delight, definitely worth seven figures. His savvy delivery with his bodacious tongue makes for a true wordsmith we all need to encounter. 368's Chaz French & Eddie Vanz are the freestyle lords, while Kevin Sinatra will kill on the mic with smoothness Billy D would be proud of. Then there’s Sons of Thndr. This rapping duo of ebony and ivory are stronger than a lion with their gigantic sound and piercing words straight from the esophagus to the kind of poetry we can trust.
Sunday, June 9, 9 p.m.
Ugly Radio Rebellion featuring Ike Willis (pictured above) plays Frank Zappa’s music, Brown Sabbath @ Strange Matter - $10 in advance –www.ikewillis.eventbrite.com / $12 Door / 18+
This is another great get for Strange Matter; this show just sneaks up on you and says let’s go! Ike Willis is a big time vocalist and guitarist who used to tour with Frank Zappa. Lucky guy! Anyway, he’s coming to Grace Street tonight to perform Zappa songs, and who else--other than Dweezil--knows how to perform these classics right? Willis has toured relentlessly, performing Zappa songs in various Zappa tribute bands, and from these experiences, has made the legend of Zappa live on through the test of time. I know there are a lot of Zappa fans out there, and this is one Sunday night you got to get out and check. It’s well worth it. The glorious Black Sabbath tribute band from right here in Richmond, Brown Sabbath, opens this monster of a dynamo hum.
Monday, June 10, 7 p.m.
Battleghost, Count to Four, First Class Liar (pictured above), We Call This Courage, Inquiry @ The Camel - $5/All Ages
It’s Monday, and it’s a pop punk extravaganza. What a lineup! And, if you are under 18, then this is your calling. The Camel knows quality when it sees it. No mirage here, just a oasis of kids getting straight-out jubilant. Energy drinks distilled in China for everyone! Richmond pop rock favorites Battleghost headline what is sure to be a world class night of hi-jinks.
Other Richmond pop-punkers First Class Liar, We Call This Courage, and Inquiry will share the bill with Philadelphia’s aggressive punk group, Count To Four. I can tell you this--by the time you count to four, this show will have started. School is out for the summer!
Tuesday, June 11, 10 p.m.
Iceage, Lower (pictured above), Springtime, Brief Lives @ Strange Matter - $10 in advance – www.iceagelower.eventbrite.com / $12 Door / 18+
Denmark post punk band Iceage returns to Richmond. This band’s last go-round here in Richmond is still being discussed; they leave it all on the stage, as their shows are as intense as a heart attack. You will not be disappointed in Iceage. Touring in support of their sophomore LP, You’re Nothing, Iceage is still packing them in. Also from Denmark and on tour with Iceage is the wonderful high-rising down tempo post punk band Lower. These guys will have you feeling higher by the time their set ends. Richmond noise punks Springtime and Brief Lives open tonight’s glory.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)