Post-Christmas Weekend

Slim pickins for lifting those post-holiday blues. Friday is almost a complete wash and Philly is completely barren the entire weekend. At least DC is giving us something to look forward to.

New Rock Church of Fire
photo by Susan Pleiman

Local acts are coming out to play Saturday night and a belated gift is the CD release party for New Rock Church of Fire's latest effort Of The Wild at the 9:30 Club. Throw in favorites The Dance Party and you got yourself one hell of a show. Think of it like a post Xmas gift and an early NYE party rolled into one. I highly recommend being there.

Olivia Mancini is making an appearance with the Terrible Two (according to the show poster) at Black Cat. Along for the ride is another District band Revival and Fredericksburg's popsters Tereu Tereu.

New York's The Spring Standards are making a couple of local stops. Roots rock with a a large splash of country. The three part harmonies put them in the league of CSN. Catch them in Arden, Delaware (just north of Wilmington) at the Arden Club Friday, then down at DC9 Saturday with Brooklynites Elizabeth & The Catapult.

And of course, making a stop in Lancaster at the Chameleon Club, Wu-Tang Clan livens up central Pennsylvania.

Only one show to mention for Sunday. From the tiny confines of Rhode Island, Makeupbrakeup is finishing off the year with a mini-tour that brings them through the area. The Velvet Lounge has the pleasure of hosting. Philly, check out Bar Noir Monday night for the show.

mp3: The Dance Party - Lipstick
mp3: New Rock Church of Fire - Europa
mp3: Olivia Mancini - My Old Ways (stream)
mp3: Tereu Tereu - Dont Be Sore Farmer John
mp3: Revival - Fog Rolling In
mp3: The Spring Standards - Your Lie
mp3: Makeupbreakup - Jungle City

Big Thursday Night

Tom Morello is best known as one of the best guitarists today, lending his prowess to Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. Now he is set to release The Fabled City September 30 under the auspices of The Nightwatchmen. Thursday night at Fletcher's in Baltimore, Music Monitor's Network "Noise in the Basement" series gives you an opportunity to see Tom live. Check out how to get tickets here. Also on the bill making this a show you should not miss is Black Kids and Annuals.

mp3: Black Kids - Hurricane Jane (The Twelves Remix)
mp3: Annuals - Sore

We haven't heard much from Brit-pop band James in quite a few years. Most of us may only know their one major hit "Laid". After a 7 year hiatus, they are back with a new album Hey Ma and a tour, playing 9:30 Club Thursday.

I have mentioned previously Austin's Brothers & Sisters is one of my favorites that I came across while living in Texas. After playing last weekend in DC, they are now in Philly at the Manhattan Room. Joining them is New Yorks Phonograph, Philly locals Adam & Dave's Bloodline and DC band Impossible Hair.

mp3: Brothers & Sisters - The Air Is Getting Thicker
mp3: Phonograph - Radio Waves (Daytrotter)
mp3: Adam & Dave's Bloodline - The Lonely Pioneers
mp3: Impossible Hair - My Little Brother

An all local how is at the Velvet Lounge featuring Olivia Mancini & The Housemates. Also playing is Donny Hue and the Colors and Oscillating Fan Club.

mp3: Olivia Mancini & The Housemates - I Wouldn't Worry
mp3: Donny Hue and the Colors - Real Long Time

photo credit: Artist's Myspace

Regional Weekend

It may be the middle of winter, but there is a pretty solid lineup on shows going down in the region this weekend.

Friday

- Shortstack (CD release)/Junior League/Suns of Guns @ Black Cat
- A Sunny Day In Glasgow/Karmella's Game/AVEC/Remote Islands @ Lo-Fi Social Club
- Army Of Me/The Dance Party/Exit Clov/Good Night, States @ Rock and Roll Hotel
- Olivia Mancini and The Housemates/The Ambitions/Cobra Collective @ 9:30 Club

A Sunny Day In Glasgow - The Best Summer Ever
AVEC - Albina Krobata
Remote Islands - Philadelphia
The Dance Paty - A-List
Exit Clov - Violent Berries
Good Night, States - Change of the Seasons
Olivia Mancini and The Housemates - I Wouldn't Worry
Cobra Collective - Joe Goda


Saturday

- A Sunny Day In Glasgow @ Velvet Lounge
- Aimee Mann @ Birchmere
- OK Go @ 9:30 Club
- The April Skies/The Shackeltons @ Gullifty's
- Caverns/The Hatch/Imperial China @ Rock 'N Roll Hotel

Aimee Mann - Superball
OK Go - Here It Goes Again
The Shackeltons - The Breaks
The April Skies - Here Comes The Rush

Olivia's Kind of Life

Olivia Mancini and The Housemates are having their release party for This Kind of Life at Black Cat tonight. They will be joined by Donny Hue and The Colors.

Olivia Mancini and The Housemates - I Wouldn't Worry
Donny Hue and The Colors - Real Long Time

The Kora Records 3rd Anniversary Party

Local DC label The Kora Records is celebrating it's 3rd Anniversary tonight at Black Cat. They put together a bill that features a lot of big names and when I say big, I mean long. The quality lineup includes the excellent Meredith Bragg and The Terminals, along with Donny Hue and The Colors, and Olivia Mancini and The Housemates. So go support the local scene and see a great show.

Meredith Bragg and The Terminals - Talk Me Down
Donny Hue and The Colors - Real Long Time
Olivia Mancini and The Housemates - I Wouldn't Worry