Weekly Music Agenda
Photo from the 2007 Fort Reno Summer Concert series by M.V. Jantzen
MONDAY
>> If you happened to join us for Unbuckled 7, you're already familiar with v:shal kanwar, a local fixture in the burgeoning global electronica scene. He'll be joining the kindred spirits in Hypnotic Gurus for a decidedly South Asian-centric night of local music at the Black Cat's backstage. $10, 8 p.m.
>> It's the first night of Fort Reno's summer concert series, which means that summer has officially arrived in D.C.! Spend the evening in the park, safe from arsenic and surrounded by the sweet sounds of Olivia Mancini and the Housemates, New Rock Church of Fire and Evolution. Free, 7:15 p.m.
TUESDAY
>> A little bit blues, a little bit Americana and a little bit Rock 'n' Roll, Washington state's The Lonely H recall classic rock revivalists like Dr. Dog, Kings of Leon and the White Stripes. At DC9 with Redline Addiction, Sikamor Rooney and The Fif. What is this, terrible band names night or something? $8, 9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
>> In many ways, 1994 marked the peak of radio-friendly alternative rock. While it's not likely that you've forgotten that year's hit singles from Nirvana, Weezer, Green Day and Soundgarden, chances are slightly slimmer that you remember "Possum Kingdom", a bizarre little number from Forth Worth, Texas act The Toadies. If by chance you do remember the Toadies fondly, they'll be previewing material from their forthcoming third LP at the Black Cat. With Lions, $15, 7 p.m.
>> In this day and age, there are probably relatively few people who take lounge music seriously. Richard Cheese in not one of them. Along with his comically-named ensemble, Lounge Against the Machine, Cheese has been skewing popular songs in a lounge style for nearly a decade. Allegedly, this will be Cheese's final tour, so head on over to Craigslist if you need some closure in the form of a sold-out 9:30 Club show. And, no, that's not his real name.
>> Columbus, Ohio's Times New Viking may have signed to the relatively large Matador imprint but they still sound as fuzzy, abrasive and gloriously lo-fi as they always have. At the Rock and Roll Hotel with Titus Andronicus and True Womanhood. $10 in advance, $12 at the door, 8:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
>> Few contemporary alternative rock bands can lay claim to a history as long and sordid as that of The Butthole Surfers and even fewer can boast a well-earned reputation for psychedelic, disturbing and sometimes violent performances. No, we can't guarantee that the band's set at the 9:30 Club will involve fire, naked chicks and lots of drugs, but the chances are pretty good that you'll get at least one of those. With The Apes (***), $25, 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
>> I hope you've got interesting shoes because if you head to the Velvet Lounge on Friday, you're going to be staring at them all night. No, headlining act Ulrich Schnauss isn't quite shoegaze, though the ambient electronic artist lists My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive among his influences. Local act Screen Vinyl Image, however, skews closer to those classic shoegaze acts, while incorporating elements of electro and psychedelia into their sound. At the Velvet Lounge with Auburn Lull and Luxa.
>> Do you ever get the feeling that there's not enough blues-based bar rock in your life? If so, you'll want to check out The Jones, who'll be celebrating the release of their first full-length at the Red and the Black. $8, 11:30 p.m.
Mission of Burma |
SATURDAY
>> We liked Ladytron well enough when they brought their distinctive brand of austere synth-pop to D.C. the last time around and their latest LP, Velocifero, has been well-received since its release earlier this month. Check them out on the OuternationalMusic Tour, with Thievery Corporation, Seu George and TV on the Radio at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. $30-45, 5:30 p.m.
>> Question: what's more exciting than seeing a seminal post-punk act like Mission of Burma (pictured) in the relatively intimate confines of the Black Cat? Answer: seeing Mission of Burma perform their landmark 1982 LP Vs. in its entirety at the Black Cat. With appropriately-named opening act Versus, $15, 9 p.m.
>> Musically speaking, Norway is known mostly for its black metal but that's about to change, if Datarock has their way. The electronic duo plays lighthearted synth-pop that's sure to appeal to fans of the Polysics and Devo. At the Rock and Roll Hotel with Ki:Theory and Sneakers in the Club. $13, 10 p.m.
SUNDAY
>> Any band with the audacity to name its album The Supreme Genius of is clearly worth its weight in blogosphere buzz. Luckily, the 10-piece King Kahn & the Shrines have the sweaty R&B and garage rock tunes to match. With the Hall Monitors at the Rock and Roll Hotel. $10, 8:30 p.m.