FEATURE SHOW
Monday, December 2, 8 p.m.
Pontiak, Guardian Alien (pictured above by John Jones), Lord Candy Dish Visual Productions @ Gallery 5 - $9/All Ages
What a delightful Monday show this will be. Off of the Thrill Jockey label, Guardian Alien is one of the top New York avant-garde bands out right now. Making their triumphant return to Richmond, Guardian Alien is a must see. Their shows leave you spellbound. The percussion of Greg Fox and Alexandra Drewchin alone will surrender your hearing pleasure to a post modern world. Touring in support of their most recent LP, Spiritual Emergency, Guardian Alien continues its foray on instability and a cosmic sound thrusting in multiple directions simultaneously. From multi layers to a bludgeoning drone coupled with tantalizing screams, Guardian Alien truly is an overseer from a distant galaxy ready to explode your mind.
From out of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Richmond favorite Pontiak, featuring the brothers Carney, return to a local stage. This neo-psychedelic trio, also on the Thrill Jockey label, distinguishes itself from any other band out there with heavy rock and roll that directs you through the consciousness of being part acid rock, part stoner rock, and part indie rock. Pontiak continues to grow as a band and has garnered a lot of attention, receiving many accolades including one of the top 100 bands at SXSW 2011. Pontiak is touring in support of their newest LP, Echo Ono. This album is one of the better albums I’ve heard in awhile, so won’t you join me in Jackson Ward tonight and experience it live?
Wednesday, November 27, 9 p.m.
Bile, The Rabid Whole, Machine Chop Inc. @ Fallout $10/18+
Since 1992, Bile has been the industrial metal project of Krztoff and R.H. Bear. Sometimes only performing as a two piece or sometimes with a full on band, these guys put on the quintessential Goth industrial metal show. Bile’s shows are celebrated for low down sleaziness, yet powerful enough to bludgeon your demonic insecurities. Performing from their much hyped LPs Suckpump, Teknowhore, Sex Reflex, and 2013’s Born to Fuck, Born to Kill, Bile’s performance at a venue across the street from a future home plate will certainly be worth a trashy excursion.
Touring with Bile will be Toronto’s the Rabid Whole. This industrial electronic rock band has everyone in this genre’s circles ecstatic. For only being around for six years, the Rabid Whole possesses a gigantic sound that’s as dark as the night, and will having you swaying along with the crypt keeper’s energy. Local industrial lords Machine Chop Inc. open up, and are better and bloodier than anything you can get at a Belmont Butchery.
Thursday, November 28, 8 p.m.
Fear of Music @ The Camel– Free/18+
Okay, you just ate a big fat meal, and now your family is completely on your nerves. Also, it appears your drunken grandmother is pissing underneath the dining room table. Well, now it’s time to get the hell out of there and make a dash for the Camel.
Tonight’s show will be a dandy. If Style Weekly says this is going to be a great show, then it must be. West End soccer moms of the Caucasian persuasion who love reading about crappy craft fairs definitely know good music and so should you. To get started on your rock and roll education, I strongly recommend taking in some Talking Heads. Since that pivotal NYC band isn’t touring anymore, the next best thing is here for you tonight on a Thanksgiving stage. Fear of Music, the new Talking Heads tribute band from right here in the City of Turkeys, is ready to burn down the house. See you there!
Friday, November 29, 8 p.m.
Samson Trinh & the Upper East Side Big Band’s 10th Anniversary Show @ Gallery 5 - $10/All Ages.
The incomparable big band Upper East Side, conducted by the great Samson Trinh, is turning 10 years old. Tonight, in celebration, Samson Trinh & the Upper East Side Big Band will perform your favorite holiday classics along with a mix of sensational standards. Tonight’s mix of course will be arranged by Samson Trinh. The Upper East Side Band is comprised of some of the best all around musicians in Richmond. Checkout this lineup: Allyson Mills-Steele – vocals, Adrian Duke – vocals/keys, John Conely - guitar/vox, Rusty Farmer - bass, Aaron Thompson - drums/vox, Mike Boyd - drums/percussion, Jonathan Gibson and John Wittman – reeds, Robert Quallich and Bob Miller – trumpets, and Don Crafton – bass trombone. If a quality big time big band is your thing, then run to Jackson Ward tonight and give thanks for ten years of Samson Trinh and the Upper East Side Big Band.
Saturday, November 30, 9 p.m.
Thanksgathering with K-Truth, Lil Omar, Da Sik-1, Black Liq, Bateman, Reppa Ton, Chauncie Jo, Young Jwrek, the Real Chaos, Toxsick (pictured above by BCMusic1st), DJ CDC @ Strange Matter - $15/18+
One of Richmond’s better annual events is back for year three. The ThanksGathering Annual Music Festival showcases the best in local hip hop. Get out your best clothes from the closet because tonight is a dress to impress bonanza. Crazy contests and prizes will hold court all night as a diverse range of musical genres such as glitch hop, hip hop, R&B, pop, and electronic will have you dancing away excess turkey pounds. Tonight’s lineup is a complete who’s who of local emcees and tonight’s special guest will be none other than Knuckles VA Champ. The mics are already sizzling, so come one, come all, and partake in this show of shows centered on word play you never could imagine.
Sunday, December 1, 12 p.m.
Klezmer Brunch with My Son the Doctor @ The Camel– Free/All Ages.
The sparkle in My Son the Doctor’s eyes keep me alive. This worldly folk and Eastern European Jewish Klezmer influenced band is purely a good time. This wonderful Sunday, MSTD is doing a very special Klezmer brunch and word is that it is as kosher as it gets. For amazing food and tunes from a far-off and distant time and place, be sure to hit up the Camel before you finish off your weekend.
Tuesday, December 3, 7 p. m.
Emme St. James and Her Jazz Gentlemen @ Selba– Free/All Ages.
It’s a perfect time for vocal jazz standards and holiday classics. Emme St. James is just the one to deliver us Christmas joy. James will be performing songs from her newest Christmas album, I'd Like You For Christmas. Her backing band, the Jazz Gentlemen, are a group of professional jazz musicians who really know how to shake a room and get the audience in the Christmas spirit. James and her band will also be performing during dinner, and it’s a guarantee you will never have this much fun during a wonderful holiday meal. This is part of Selba’s Supper Club Series, so reservations are encouraged. It may not be metal, punk, hip hop, folk, indie, garage, or experimental, but traditional jazz during the holidays is now your go-to event.
By John Lewis Morgan (onewayrichmond.com)