The Local Weekend

It's another summer weekend in the area and that means plenty of shows to choose from. Here's what is on tap.


Most of the bands are doing us a favor and playing two shows this weekend. The big tour rolling through right now is The Hold Steady. They have new album hitting the shelves in the middle of July (already available in e-format on iTunes), so expect some new songs with your old favorites. Birds of Avalon, also supporting a new album released back in March, open up for them in Baltimore.

6/27: Baltimore @ Rams Head Live
6/28: Philly @ Festival Pier

mp3: The Hold Steady - Chips Ahoy
mp3: Birds of Avalon - Measure of the Same

Another big name coming through is Mission of Burma. They are playing an exclusive set of favorites, their first releases from the early '80s. A must for M.O.B. fans.

6/27: Philly @ First Unitarian Church
6/28: DC @ Black Cat

mp3: Mission of Burma - Thats When I Reach For My Revolver

The Delta Spirit and AA Bondy are also doing the double dip as is the electronic-ambient pop of Ulrich Schanuss, joined by Auburn Lull and Screen Vinyl Image.

The Delta Spirit/AA Bondy
6/28: Philly @ The Khyber (w/ The Writer's Club)
6/29: DC @ DC9

Ulrich Schanuss/Auburn Lull/Screen Vinyl Image
6/27: DC @ Velvet Lounge
6/28: Baltimore @ Metro Gallery

mp3: AA Bondy - There's A Reason
mp3: Ulrich Schanuss - Mahogany (remix)
mp3: Auburn Lull - Shallow In Youth

As for the locals staying close to home, Friday it's a folk-pop explosion as Illinois is outside at Lindenwold Park in Jersey joined by bluesy Back Door Slam. Elsewhere Friday and continuing with the rootsy theme, Frog Holler and Tin Bird Choir are at Johnny Brendas.

mp3: Illinois - Alone Again
mp3: Back Door Slam - Come Home
mp3: Frog Holler - Hey Boy (live)
mp3: Tin Bird Choir - Cornfield

NME Rocks Philly

The Hold Steady - credit
The NME Rock 'N' Roll Riot Tour 2007 is heading to Philly tonight. Check out The Hold Steady, Art Brut and Demander at TLA. The tour will come back around and hit DC near Thanksgiving.

The Hold Steady - Stuck Between Stations (Live @ Lollapalooza 2006)
Art Brut - Formed A Band
Demander - GMT

This Week's Mix

This week's mix features many relatively unknown bands along with some new music from bands you should know already. I have also tried to keep with the tradition of including two songs from local artists.

1. Architecture In Helsinki - Fumble


2. Kinetic Stereokids - Explosions Were Heard


3. Two If By Sea - Report From Damage Control


4. Phoenix - Long Distance Call


5. Broken Social Scene - Fire Eye'd Boy


6. Snow Patrol - Run


7. The Hold Steady - Massive Nights


8. Soft Complex - Barcelona


9. Stars of Track and Field - Movies of Antartica


10. The Automatic Automatic - Monster

Just a note on the locals. It looks like Soft Complex will be playing a one off at 9:30 Club on September 8, before they go back into hibernation to finish the album. Two if by Sea has several dates coming up in Baltimore and many other dates in the works. Check both of their sites for more information.