Midweek Shows

Tereu Tereu by Shervin Lainez

Now that the summer is more or less here, the area is starting to get some great shows during the week. A few bands are stopping through the area with a couple of dates, so whether you are in Philly, Baltimore or DC, you should get a chance to see them. Here is a run down of the highlights through Thursday.

Tuesday
DC has the pick of the litter with three great shows to satisfy you no matter what your musical tastes are. Local favorites Tereu Tereu are headlining their CD release party at DC9 and with them are Roman Candle, Motel Motel and The Deep Vibration. Another big show is The Helio Sequence opening for Keane at Constitution Hall and The Helio Sequence always put on a great live show. The final show is an up close and personal show with Elvis Perkins in Dearland headlining at IOTA and opening for them are The Woes.

In Philly the only big show is Ben Lee with LA's Low Vs Diamond and Dawes opening. I love LVD and seeing them live would be a real treat so I highly recommend it. The show is being played at World Cafe Live.

Tereu Tereu - Perpetual Motion (via band)
Motel Motel - Coffee (via Big Hassle)
The Deep Vibration - Coal Mine (via The Syndicate)
Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Shampoo (via Beggars Group USA)

Wednesday
The reversal of show popularity happens as there are no shows of note in the district and only one in Baltimore, while Philly has 3 great ones. Dawes drops from the lineup in Baltimore while Ben Lee and Low Vs Diamond soldier on to bring their music to The Quarter.

Get off your keisters and on to the dance floor as local darlings The Dance Party are playing North Star. After recently seeing them at Virginia Tech when they opened for Girl Talk, I can confidently say that their shows only get better every time you see them. Along with this show, Keane and The Helio Sequence move north to delight masses at the Tower Theater. The final show in Philly sees Easy Star All-Stars bring their new reggae cover of The Beatles' Sgt. Peppers Lonely Heart Club Band on the road with a show at World Cafe Live. If you loved their reggae covers of Dark Side Of The Moon and OK Computer, I'm sure this will be a don't miss show.

The Dance Party - Sasha Don't Sleep (via band)

Thursday
While Thursday is short on shows, it probably has the must see show of the week. Deleted Scenes, The XYZ Affair and Casper Bangs all join forces for a show at the Black Cat.

Not to be outdone by DC, Philly's First Unitarian Church is hosting St. Vincent with openers Pattern Is Movement. I have yet to see either band live yet, but from what I hear it should be a pretty good show.

Deleted Scenes - Fake IDs (via band)
The XYZ Affair - Sock You In The Face With Love (via Tell All Your Friends)
Casper Bangs - Always On (via band)
St. Vincent - The Strangers (via 4AD)
Pattern Is Movement - Right Away (via Home Tapes)


You can also check out our DC/Baltimore and Philly region calendars for more great shows this week and beyond.

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

The IA Area Weekend

Another weekend in upon us. Of course that means great shows playing the area. Here's what to check out.

Friday


The Oranges Band are set to release their new album The Oranges Band Are Invisible upon the masses and to celebrate the new disc, they are having a little shindig at the Ottobar with a few friends from the area. Also on the bill are Gary B & The Notions, Deleted Scenes and Dead Mechanical. Great local line-up to start the weekend.

For those of you up in Philly, another stellar local show is at Johnny Brenda's. The Swimmers continue their Mid-Atlantic dominance, this time joined by Missing Palmer West and Bitter Bitter Weeks. I highly recommend this show.

The District is not letting Baltimore and Philly have all the fun. Wilmington's The Spinto Band, with new album in tow, are joined by our favorites Middle Distance Runner and Title Tracks at Black Cat. Saturday, you can catch MDR for free at the 8x10.

Current insurance shillers Cloud Cult (love the commercial) are up at Lehigh University at the Zoellner Arts Center with locals Exit Clov. Sure to be a great show for those who make the trip.

Matador Records artist Brightblack Morning Light are still out in support of their September release. Catch them at Talking Head.

If singer-songwriters are your thing, you got a couple of choices to sate your appetite. Brett Dennen is on tour with a new album. You can catch him at Ram's Head Tavern in Annapolis. Philly's Tin Angel hosts him Saturday. The Tin Angel also has a good set Friday with William Fitzsimmons, Slow Runner and Caitlin Crosby.

mp3: The Oranges Band - ArtStar
mp3: Gary B & The Notions - Lori
mp3: Deleted Scenes - Fake IDs
mp3: Dead Mechanical - New Alchemy
mp3: The Swimmers - St. Cecilia
mp3: Missing Palmer West - God Knows I'm No Saint Paul
mp3: Bitter Bitter Weeks - Terrified
mp3: The Spinto Band - Summer Grof
mp3: Middle Distance Runner - Top of the Stairs
mp3: Exit Clov - Working Class Hero
mp3: Brightblack Morning Light - Hologram Buffalo

Saturday/Sunday

The trend for local shows continues Saturday night at the Rock & Roll Hotel. Get your dancing shoes on and get ready to party when The Dance Party hits the stage. Joining them are Ra Ra Rasputin, Greenland and Nunchucks.

Southern rock didn't die with Skynyrd. It is alive and well with Kings of Leon. Playing back to back nights at the Electric Factory, they unleash their Nashville sound with help from We Are Scientists and The Whigs.

Elsewhere, Luego is at the Red & the Black Saturday. Sunday, Swedish pop band Fredrik play the Khyber.

mp3: The Dance Party - A-List
mp3: Greenland - Sorrow in the Snow
mp3: We Are Scientists - Inaction

Don't miss the other acts playing this weekend that played elsewhere earlier this week.

Another Week, Another Show

While many of us are still recovering from our dual shows this past weekend, it is time to mention that we are throwing another one this week. On Friday night, we are sponsoring a show at Rock & Roll Hotel in DC. DC's The Dance Party will be joined by NYC's Via Audio. Brand new DC band, Feral Kids, will be opening the show and local favorites, Middle Distance Runner, will be returning from a long hiatus to DJ all night long. There may even be a surprise or two.

The Dance Party - A-List
Via Audio - Modern Day Saint
Feral Kids - Play It Everyday
Middle Distance Runner - Man of the People

IA Anniversary Present: The Dance Party

The Dance Party have always added a retro '80s glow to DC. Never ones to hide from a party, they sent us a brand new remix of "A List" that was done by Le Loup's Robert Sahm. Check them out in 2 weeks, when we throw down with them at Rock and Roll Hotel in DC.

mp3: A List (Ambiance Remix)

The First Weekend of Summer

After a few days of figuring out a new server and everything, we are finally back. There are still a couple of things to work out, but things are just about back to normal. Actually, it is going to be better than normal soon, very soon.

Anyway, it is the unofficial start of summer. For those of you not heading to your vacation spot of choice, there are some great shows to see. Here's the breakdown:

Friday

For the third time in a month, David Ford is in Philly at the TLA. Wild Sweet Orange will be joining him.

Philly natives Canadian Invasion play to the home crowd at North Star.

Brit indie-rock is at Johnny Brenda's with Air Traffic. Local act The Bye Byes round out the bill. They remind a lot of Spoon mixed with 60's pop.

Down at DC9, The Republic Tigers take the stage a night after hitting The Late Show w/ Letterman.

David Ford - Go To Hell
Wild Sweet Orange - Wrestle With God
Canadian Invasion - Nikita
The Bye Byes - Binoculars
The Republic Tigers - Buildings and Mountains

Saturday

It gets a little sparse for the rest of the weekend.

Frightened Rabbit is in Philly at The Manhattan Room.

Of course, no holiday celebration would be complete without a performance by The Dance Party. You can catch them at Jammin' Java.

The Dance Party - Lipstick

Sunday

Head back to the Manhattan Room (you know you don't work Monday) for The Hymns.

At the Metro Gallery, its a huge local bill with Karmella's Game, AVEC, Second Saturday, and Your Black Star.

The big show is at the Rock & Roll Hotel with Sea Wolf. I've seen these guys and it is a great show. Opening is The Jealous Girlfriends. You can catch this show in Philly next Thursday.

Karmella's Game - One Phone Call
AVEC - Dysplasia
Second Saturday - Arianna
Sea Wolf - You're A Wolf
The Jealous Girlfriends - Organs on the Kitchen Floor

Monday

Finally, after you finish grillin', drinkin' and whatever else your holiday entails, check out Greenland at Galaxy Hut.

Greenland - Forward Frame to Frame

The Weekend Planner

It is a packed weekend of shows again. Here are some of the highlights:

Friday


80s superstars Crowded House are back. How this works without one of the Finn brothers, I don't know, but I am sure those radio hits you remember will be on the set list. See them at the 9:30 Club in DC.

David Ford is back in town doing an XPN Free at Noon at the World Cafe Philly.

The Kills and Telepathe are doing double duty, hitting Black Cat in DC first, then heading to Philly Saturday at Johnny Brendas.

Elsewhere:
The Acorn @ The Khyber, Philly
Gildon Works/Meowskers/Cheers Elephant @ Millcreek Tavern, Philly

Saturday

British indie darlings sOuth are out touring in support of their new album You Are Here. You can check them out in DC at The Rock and Roll Hotel and hopefully they will get another Philly show soon. They are joined by The Silver State and KI:Theory.

Elsewhere:
Video Hippos/Food For Animals/Apes/The Dance Party @ A DC Warehouse

And be sure to check out the other posts from this week about other artists playing your area!

Crowded House - Locked Out
David Ford - Go To Hell
The Kills - Cheap and Cheerful
Telepathe - Chromes On It
The Acorn - Antenna
Gildon Works - Fourth But First
Meowskers - Colors That Lie
Cheers Elephant - Wide Eyed
sOuth - Better Things
The Silver State - Under The Rug
KI:Theory - Holiday Heart
Food For Animals - Swampy Summer Jam
Apes - Beat of the Double
The Dance Party - Lipstick

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

Contest: The Dance Party & The Vita Ruins

Since The Decemberists cancelled their tour, 9:30 Club had some weekend slots to fill. On Saturday night, they decided to throw a big ass party. The Dance Party and The Vita Ruins will kick your weekend into gear with style. We wouldn't be IA, if we didn't hook you up with a contest. We are giving away several prize packs. There will be tickets, CDs, t-shirts, stickers and who knows what else. All you have to do is send us an e-mail with your first name, general location and why we should hook you up. Can't make the show, but still want to win some of the other stuff? That's cool too. Winners will be notified by the end of the day on Friday. Good luck!

The Dance Party - Lipstick
The Vita Ruins - My Last Days On Earth

The Hourly Radio

The Hourly Radio comes back through the area tonight for a show at Talking Head in Baltimore. They will be joined by DC's The Dance Party.

The Hourly Radio - Gun In Hand
The Dance Party - Lipstick

You can download The Hourly Radio's digital EP here.

Blisspop Presents...

DJ Willl Eastman put together a big show at 9:30 Club tonight. He will be joined by Georgie James, Soft Complex and The Dance Party. The show is a late one and starts at 11.

Georgie James - Cake Parade
Soft Complex - Barcelona
The Dance Party - Ultra Radical

The Dance Party

July 27 saw the release of Friction! Friction! Friction! by DC favorites, The Dance Party. Say what you want about these guys and the artistic merit of their music, but the kids love them. September 8 will mark their third appearance at 9:30 Club in a little over 6 months. That doesn't happen everyday. The question is, what is so appealing about them?

As the new album showcases, they are all about the fun. They have arena ready anthems straight from the 80's. Songs Like "Lipstick" and "Ultra Radical" scream party. Their music makes you dance and it's all about having a good time. While their songs may be full of cliches, they back them with solid musicianship. It actually takes talent to pull off all of those over the top guitar solos and they make them look easy.

If you are looking for the next Radiohead, keep searching. If you are looking for the perfect soundtrack for your next kegger, you have found your guys.

Lipstick
Ultra Radical

Friday Night Lights

It's Friday and like usual, there is a lot to do. Tonight, it seems like there is a party around every corner and you don't have to try very hard to find one.


Alright, so the big one in DC is at Black Cat. Local darlings The Dance Party are having their CD release party, but they wouldn't be who they are if they stopped there. Nope, the party is doubling as a prom. There will be tuxes, dresses, corsages, photographers and people getting busy in the bathroom. Let's French and De Novo Dahl will be providing support for what is sure to be a crazy night.

The Dance Party - Lipstick
Let's French - Here She Comes (There She Goes)
De Novo Dahl - The Funk


Speaking of theme parties, there is another one at Rock 'N Roll Hotel tonight. The Gaskets, New Rock Church of Fire and The Invisibles will be playing and this time, everyone will be decked out in their Halloween costumes. Insanity ensues.

The Gaskets - Left Hand


For those of you looking for a straight forward rock show, IOTA has one. DC locals Lejeune and The Glory and The Majesty will be sharing the stage for what is sure to be a solid night of music. No gimmicks.

Lejeune - The Latest Greatest


Finally, I have a treat for those of you that are up for a little trip. Lancaster, PA's Chameleon Club had a last second announcement for tonight... TV on the Radio! Imagine 9:30 Club, but with about 1/3 of the capacity and you get the idea. Anybody going?

TV On The Radio - Staring At The Sun

Saturday

It's Saturday and the weekend is in high gear. There are some serious shows to entertain yourself with this evening.


The big one in DC is at 9:30 Club. Washington Social Club will be releasing their new CD Bigger Than Your Boyfriend. They will be joined by local favorites The Dance Party. To learn more about WSC's thoughts on the new CD and to check out a crazy photo spread, go here.

Washington Social Club - Bigger Than Your Boyfriend
The Dance Party - Lipstick


Another great local show is happening at Galaxy Hut. City-State and J. Forté + the Secret Pop Band will be playing a twin bill that is definitely worth checking out.

City-State - Mary
J. Forté + the Secret Pop Band - Come Back Now Baby (Your Data's Good)


There is a nice show happening at The Red and The Black. Moxie Motive and People Noise will be in town. If you aren't familiar with these bands, look into them.

Moxie Motive - Lonely Lifeguard
People Noise - The Killing Fields


Finally, The Sketches will be having a free Baltimore CD release show at 8x10 Club.

The Sketches - Secret Alphabets

This Weekend at Six Points

For those of you who will be in DC this weekend, Six Points put together a sick show for IOTA tonight. Local indie pop darlings Middle Distance Runner will be joined by local indie alt country darlings These United States to create a ridiculously good bill that also includes Pittsburgh's Black Tie Revue. Ian from MDR was a founding member of BTR, so that should make for a very interesting addition to an already stellar night.

Middle Distance Runner - Man Of The People
These United States - Remember, Dear
Black Tie Revue - Absent Radio



In addition to that, Six Points also put together another solid show for tonight at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Kenna will be joined by local favorites The Dance Party, The Vita Ruins and The Sentiment. This show is sure to have the ladies out in full force.

Kenna - Out of Control
The Dance Party- Victory Will Break Your Heart
The Vita Ruins - My Last Days on Earth
The Sentiment - The Proletariat



On Saturday, Six Points put together a rocking lineup at DC9. Baltimore's Two if by Sea will be joined by locals The Roosevelt and Alfonso Velez and NYC's Bridges and Powerlines. Make sure you stop by and wish Happy Birthday to David from Two if By Sea.

Two if by Sea - Summer Borne For Sleep
The Roosevelt - Start It Over
Bridges and Powerlines - All In
Alfonso Velez - End Of The World Blues