FEATURE SHOW
Saturday, September 28, 10 p.m.
Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Nervous Ticks, The Milkstains, Mutwawa @ Strange Matter - $10/18+
Why people don’t go see Quintron is a mystery to me. I guess folks enjoy living in their miserable circumstances too much. Shit, they even get off on it. Welcome to Richmond, home of the "everything sucks" crowd, the “my personal agendas reflecting my ideologies is all that matters" mentality. Wait! Jesus H. Christ! Put down your bullshit and come out to see the self described swamp-tech and noise rock of Quintron and Miss Pussycat tonight! Live a little, Richmond. This duo has been putting folks in great moods for almost 20 years now, and it just gets better and better. Quintron’s famous custom-made Hammond organ/Fender Rhodes synthesizer combo along with his invention of all inventions, the Drum Buddy, delivers out the most intense grooves that will have people dancing on top of people. Miss Pussycat provides not only a banner puppet show pre-performance, but exquisite vocals as well. People are still talking about Quintron and Miss Pussycat’s last appearance at Strange Matter, so if you missed it, here’s a perfect opportunity to see this marvel of an act.
Local support is a dream team lineup. You have two of the best garage-psych-lo-fi bands in Richmond in the Milkstains and Nervous Ticks. And, then also on the bill, you have those experimental shamans of Mutwawa setting the dance pace for this Show of the Year candidate.
Wednesday, September 25, 8 p.m.
Son Volt @ The National - $20/All Ages
The pivotal alternative-country/Americana act Son Volt has reunited and is making a stop at the National tonight. Lead by the ultra talented singer-songwriter Jay Farrar, Son Volt embodies the pure American sound. From the ashes of another great alt. country act, Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt continues to shine with strong songwriting, song structure, and a sound to go along with a beautiful live performance that is worth gracing this band with your presence. Son Volt is touring in support of their very well received Honky Tonk LP, which is a return to their roots from their mid-90s recording and performing days.
Jay Farrar and Son Volt spawned a movement in the alternative country rock genre and it continues to flourish. While Nashville continues to pump out disco country, come hear Son Volt play true country music, but with a definitive folk rhythm rock and roll punch courtesy of the Midwest. From time to time, The National gets some amazing bands that you just have to see before you die, and Son Volt is one of them.
Thursday, September 26, 10 p.m.
Twangtown Thursday featuring Sweet Fern, Andy Vaughan @ Balliceaux– Free/21+
Twangtown Thursdays never disappoint. This monthly hoedown of old time country is a bounce in the hay. Curated by the one and only Sweet Fern, this evening has what it takes to be the most fun you’ve had in, well, at least a month. Sweet Fern is a stripped-down, rough-around-the-edges duo consisting of Joshua Bearman (of The Hot Seats) and Alison Self. Joining in on the fun at the great saloon in the Fan, Balliceaux, will be none other than Mr. Honky Tonk himself, Andy Vaughn. Yee haw! This night will be a masterpiece for sure, so why don’t you mosey on up to Lombardy St. and hear the sounds that were made famous by the likes of the Carter Family, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, Doc Watson, Emmylou Harris, and perhaps the greatest Virginian of all time, Patsy Cline.
Friday, September 27, 7 p.m.
Stag Baron, Hypercolor, Faceship @ Gallery 5– Price at door/All Ages
For having only been a band for a year, Stag Baron is taking Richmond by storm. This indie rock quartet, devoted to performing catchy pop songs that are exciting and heartfelt, is worth taking in now, so you can claim that you saw Stag Baron when they were nobody. I tell you this, they will be somebody, and soon. Stag Baron is comprised of local musicians like the very talented guitarist Paul Willson, who runs the singer-songwriter night at the Camel. They have already been in the trenches as far as paying dues, and it shows with their delectable live performances.
Along with Stag Baron tonight in the Ward will be the low key jazzy indie rock band Faceship. Cool band name, I might add. And, of course you can’t go wrong with Hypercolor. This is the indie folk garage rock band everybody is talking about.
Saturday, September 28, 9 p.m.
The Trigger System Presents Tim Barry, Jenny Owen Youngs, Des Ark, Dave Watkins @ The Camel - $12/18+
Local music guru and singer-songwriter Tim Barry performs at the Camel before setting off for a tour of the south. Since his days in Avail, Barry has been performing folk music that continues to garner him high praise and acclaim. This man can flat out can write and perform a song. His songs, many about Richmond, are as candid and poignant as the James River. Barry transfixes you with his stories of lore. Hear why Tim Barry is a pure American and Richmond original--be at the Camel tonight.
Supporting Barry is acoustic maestro Jenny Owen Youngs, the great Des Ark (Aimée Argote), and local audio visual artist with a guitar Dave Watkins.
Sunday, September 29, 8 p.m.
Volunteer, Sea of Storms, Tiny Empires, This is your Life @ Gallery 5 - $5/All Ages
Here’s a great Sunday evening show full of melodic punk rock and hardcore indie music. Volunteer leads the charge as they give themselves for free. Their music is a daunting task of enjoyment. Sea of Storms rides it out with their frantic version of experimental hardcore rock and roll. Tiny Empires comes down south from Boston to bestow us with some post hardcore even Larry Bird would enjoy. This is Your Life is a much underrated melodic hardcore band that has quite few people talking in the streets. Forget church; go to this very nice lineup of bands you really need to witness.
Monday, September 30, 8 p.m.
James Brown Dance Party featuring live music by People's Blues of Richmond @ The Camel– Free/18+
Blues rock and roll is a nice fixture on a Monday evening. Throw that in with the best of the Godfather of Soul being spun, and you have an explosion of sheer root down shaking and a-jiving. PBR--the band, not the beer--will provide the stellar blues rock. PBR the beer will provide you a hangover on Tuesday, but it’s worth it. See you at The Camel tonight all you soul brothers and sisters!
Tuesday, October 1, 10 p.m.
Shocked Minds, James Badfellows, Olde Shame, Leatherdaddy @ Strange Matter– $7/18+
I've always said the best way to start Roctober is to kick it off with some violent hardcore street punk. Well, somebody was listening. Tonight at 929 Grace Street, the tenth month of the year will be brought in by some Richmond punkers that are loud, rude, and full of pizzazz.
Shocked Minds is straight ahead punk rock featuring former members of Carbonas, Neo Cons, and Ex Humans. These lads are touring in support of a new LP on HoZac Records. James Badfellows comes to us from the great town of Staunton, Virginia with their garage punk. Olde Shame is self-described as RVA malt liquor punk. Yes, they’re going on hiatus, but they’re here one more time for you. Leatherdaddy is just that, a new band of weirdos wearing tight leather featuring members of local punk bands Slugz, Men’s Room, and Christi.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)