April 3, 2006
Weekly Music Agenda: Six Points Edition
Good afternoon, boys and girls. We've been talking about the Six Points Music Festival for some time now, and it's finally upon us. Consider it your duty to take advantage of this festival in your own back yard, and pick from one of the many showcases of local talent going on this week. We'll pick out a few of our favorites, but any show on the roster would be worthwhile.
MONDAY
>> You may have heard the album with us at Cue Bar, or you may have picked it up or streamed it online. Regardless, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' most recent release, Show Your Bones, is worth hearing in person. The enigmatic Karen O and her bandmates are known for fabulous live shows. If you were lucky enough to get tickets before they sold out, we'll see you at the 9:30 Club tonight. Doors at 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY
>> If you're a Mason student trying to pick up that chin, check out one of our most recent Three Stars, Shwa, at GMU's Jazzman's Cafe. A college student's schedule will make it easier to enjoy this 4 p.m. show, but if you're in the neighborhood, stop on by.
WEDNESDAY
>> Indie rock pioneers Dinosaur Jr visit the 9:30 Club tonight. The band's in its third decade of influential music-making; it'll be worth your $30. 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
>> If you're a sucker for dreamy blue eyed leading men, Rhett Miller (of the Old 97's) may be just what you're looking for. Touring in support of his recently released solo album, The Believer, and fresh off SXSW, Miller's catchy and emotive guitar pop could be yours for the bargain price of $15 (at The Black Cat). Let's see if the inspiration of a new album can kick up his performance since last we met. 8:30 p.m.
>> Even a novice to club music like myself knows the name Paul Oakenfold. Sure, for me it means Elvis remixes and movie soundtracks, but I understand that his name carries quite a bit of weight in the right crowds. Catch the "Super DJ" at Glow, $25, 9 p.m.
>> Let the games begin! It's opening night of Six Points. DCist reccomends the singer/songwriter lineup at Staccato, featuring Three Stars alum (henceforth to be indicated by "***")Laura Tsaggaris and Paul Kamran, among others.
FRIDAY
>> The State Theater's Six Points show is sure to excite anybody that went to college in this area in the late nineties. Local favorites Emmet Swimming headline, with openers including Getaway Car and The Hickories***. $13, 8 p.m.
>> Other solid Six Points lineups this Friday are at the Black Cat (Army of Me, Bellflur, and The Monorail), and Velvet Lounge (The Alphabetical Order (DCist Interview), Lejeune***, and others).
SATURDAY
>> Pick a venue, any venue. It's tough to choose, so we'll let you be the judge.
Iota: The Speaks, Pharmacy Prophets, Koshari
DC9: Monopoli, Hello Tokyo***, No Second Troy, Stella Mira
Galaxy Hut:Justin Jones, Schooner, Stamen & Pistils, Wonderjack
Ragtime: Mike Holden***, Janine Wilson, Byron Zanos, Laura Brino
>> Overwhelmed yet? Leave the live music for the night and hang out with our favorite DJ's as Bluestate returns to the Black Cat's back stage. Free!
SUNDAY
>> It's an embarassment of riches this evening. The best bet is probably Neko Case at 9:30, but that's been sold out for weeks. Art Brut gained a lot of new fans at SXSW, so heading to the Black Cat isn't a bad option either ($12, 8:30 p.m.). Or, you could see the hasidic sensation Matisyahu at GWU's Smith Center ($25, 8 p.m.). Or perhaps you're all keyed up with local music love and want to catch Big Yawn's show at DC9, featuring the High Dials and The Positions (and a yet-to-be-determined, but entirely satisfying fill in for Burnside Project). I'll be shuffling somewhere around U Street, looking very torn.
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In other U Street action, the U-Turn has an all-ages show Saturday night with Full Minute of Mercury, The Alphabetical Order, Gist, Kick In The Pants, and the Assrockers. And it's free.
Also, Thursday night at Wonderland Ballroom is the Beanstalk Library, Kitty Hawk, and Let's French. And that's pretty cool. There will be beers drunk, and harmonies hit, and hands clapped, and maybe even some toes tapped.
You didn't mention the venue for the Rhett Miller show...
Where were you(or anyone for that matter)for the Cordero show last night. Getting a head start on picking out your outfit for Rhett Miller?
WEBR will dedicate 2 hours to the Six Points Festival starting at 6:00 pm. They'll have in-studio performances by Army of Me, Lejeune and Lucky Day; air some performer and organizer interviews; and play tracks by six points performers including Laura Tsaggaris, the Pharmacy Prophets, The Speaks, Honor by August, Ballyhoo!, Getaway Car, The Dance Party and Wonderjack.
You can listen live at this link
I have tickets to Neko Case (one opening act, 7:30 door) and Art Brut (two opening acts, 8:30 door) on Sunday night. Here's hoping for no diva delays (Neko) or overly abbreviated opening band sets (Art Brut), so that I at least have a prayer of seeing both headliners.
I double booked too, Nate! It hadn't even occured to me to try and climb both mountains. You've inspired me though.
I'm rooting for you, Nate!
Thanks for plugging the Six Points shows, DCist.
aww...no props for the Jammin' Java lineup for Six Points Friday night?
JunkFood
Honor By August
Hotspur
Shwa (recently given the "Three Stars" by DCist)
Meredith Bragg and the Terminals kick off a three-week tour at the Galaxy Hut Sunday April 9, with Bebek (from Philly). It'll be the first MB&T show in four months!
The only mention dance music merits on here is Oakenfold. That's so awesome it makes my sides hurt. lol.
Since the e-mails I send to the DCist editors don't seem to go anywhere *COUGH*COUGH* I am simply going to post some stuff. I'm writing this fast. Hopefully it might be of use to some of you who want to learn how to get into electronic music in the area, or maybe even want to get out from the events you usually go to.
Wednesday night @ Club FIVE is FIVE SPOT, the awesometastic breaks and house party where every drink is only five bucks regardless of contents.
Thursday is ALIAS (dnb) and ALCHEMY (goth/industrial/electro/ebm) at NATION.
Friday sees breaks acts JUNKIE XL and THE STANTON WARRIORS throw down at CUBIK--the latter certainly being an answer to many a DC breaks fan's prayers--alongside MISTER PHIPPS, JOE KOPASEK, JUNGLE JESSI (spinning a ragga set!), and WHIGHZEGUY & BLANCO.
Saturday, I think hometown house music heroes and international superstars EAST COAST BOOGIEMEN are at FIVE.
Sunday, while it isn't dance music per se, it's definitely electronic. Jeff Bagato's monthly ELECTRIC POSSIBLE event. What is arguably Washington, DC's most important musical event, EL POSSIBLE is a showcase of experimental music that will astound you at the technical and aural innovation brought by its participants. Some experiments miss, some experiments soar, but no experiment ever bores you. This month is STEVE HILMY/AUDREY CHEN + VIOLET PANIC + MUD PIE. All you need to know: Some dude will play vinyl LPs with a god damn hacksaw.
Yes. A hacksaw.
After you finish getting confused and amazed (one night went from a guy playing a banjo with a rock to an IDM set featuring a guy turning his body into a drum machine and actually producing danceable tunes), head over to your weekly church attendance, aka, SAM "The Man" BURNS at DRAGONFLY (across the street from FIVE) and worship at the altar of DC's deep, soulful house scene like you know you should. Don't know Sam Burns? Just go. You'll love yourself for checking it out and be amazed that it's DC's best kept open secret for the last 20-something years.
upcoming: DC's first outdoor free parties of the warm season, warehouse parties, BASSBIN TWINS, ALCHEMY's always awesome annual sci-fi night TRONIK, and god knows what else... :-)
There will be a Six Points pre-party tonight (Wednesday) at Revolution Records in Van Ness. It runs from 7 to 9pm.
Approximately 3:15 am Jan 1 2007 a few friends and I arrived at Five. Upon arrival there was already drama a customer was crying and cursing because she could not get her jacket. This was sign to turn around and leave, unfortunately we did not.
I knew that Five was owned by Primacy Companies, which had owned Nation, and I had wanted to check it out. As soon I reached earshot I was psyched, this was the music I wanted to hear. We met a few employees who were great and went out of their way to make us comfortable.
All was well until my friend tried to get some water. What place does not take credit cards?! The bartender was rude. I guess since she figured we had no cash so there was no reason for her to be nice.
Then at 4:30 the lights came on and everyone was told to leave. A bouncer blocked my exit path via the stairs while harassing my friend. He was right behind her barking, literally making barking noises at her, as she was leaving down the stairs. I said "Excuse Me" and he turns around screams "No, Excuse You". He was very confrontational. I told him to get out of the way. He was blocking the whole staircase. He told me to f--king leaving. I said I would if he moved out of my f--king way. He got within inches of my face while spitting and screaming at me. I wiped the spit off my face and stated how gross that was. I maneuvered around the bouncer to the top of the stairs. The bouncer verbally and physically assaulted me. I started screaming because he was physically pushing against me while I was standing at the top of the staircase. This prompted another worker to speak to the bouncer. I moved down the stairs. The bouncer was arguing with the other worker while threatening to kick my a--. I turned around and said with shock "I can't believe YOU'RE security". I seriously thought the bouncer was going to come down the stairs after me. I was within seconds of calling for the police.
This was my first and last experience with Five. It is hard to believe that a major corporation such as Primacy Companies would employee workers so unprofessional. This is unfortunate because the music was superior, but not worth the misery. Save up your money and go to Fur's Glow instead.