Weekly Music Agenda
Comet Gain plays the Black Cat Backstage on Wednesday night.
>> The Brian Jonestown Massacre have done their best to immortalize themselves in rock 'n' roll lore. But whether that's been a success or a failure seems to matter little to the band's delusional frontman, Anton Newcombe, and his merry band of classicist psych-rock purveyors. Their music has occasionally touched some pretty great heights, but so often lapses into a mildly entertaining round of spot-the-influence. Still, come to tonight's 9:30 Club show for the psych or come to see if Newcombe launches any particularly interesting tirades -- should be interesting. $20, with The Flavor Crystals. Doors at a family-friendly 7 p.m.
TUESDAY
>> Kicking off an awesome three nights at the Black Cat this week is a 7" record release party for John Davis's power pop puritans, Title Tracks. Don't get us wrong -- we loved Georgie James and all, but this latest Davis project might even be more tuneful than his last. Plus, they're playing with Three Stars alums Pash, as well as Authorization. Doors open at 9 p.m. $8 at the Backstage.
>> With Husker Du and Sugar under his belt, is there any local rock treasure greater than Bob Mould? Hard to argue there. He's doing a special acoustic set at the Birchmere, and he's bringing none other than ex-Blake Baby Juliana Hatfield in support. $25, doors at 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
>> Comet Gain's "Kids at the Club" was one of the catchiest songs no one heard when it came out back in 2002. That album, Realistes, was a pretty good rendezvous of shoegazer, Britpop, and atmospheric folk. Their follow-up, City Fallen Leaves, expanded on their folkier side with plenty of lush arrangements. They're coming through town along with a major buzz-band of the moment, Brooklyn's Crystal Stilts. The latest garage-pop flavor of the day joins with the shinier pop of Philly's Cold Cave to create a monster triple bill. $12? Yes, please. Doors at 8:30 pm at the Black Cat Backstage.
>> Mic Harrison and the High Score (formerly of V-Roys and Superdrag) are playing a FREE show at Champion Billiards and Cafe in Arlington, VA near Shirlington Village. Champion Billiards and Cafe recently began booking live music, filling a much needed void for a good venue in south Arlington. To sweeten the pot, they're throwing in $3 Pabst Blue all night long. Check it out, and let us know how the new venue's doing. Doors at 9 p.m.
>> Neko Case stiffed us this time last year when she hurt her foot and bailed on the New Pornographers' set at the 9:30 Club. To repay the fans, she booked a two night stand at the 9:30 this time around, starting Wednesday night. It's part of a tour supporting her latest critically-acclaimed alt.something release, Middle Cyclone. Tickets went like hotcakes, so go to Craig for your best options. Doors at 7 p.m. Get there early to catch Crooked Fingers' opening set.
Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3
THURSDAY
>> Robyn Hitchcock, long-reigning king of the weird, is officially back. Along with his all-star backing band, the Venus 3 (that's Peter Buck, Scott McCaughey, and Bill Rieflin), Hitchcock's released a considerable amount of really strong new material in the past few years. 2006's Ole Tarantula was a real return-to-form record (see "Adventure Rocket Ship" and "Underground Sun" for evidence) and he's following that success up with the mixed-bag of Goodnight Oslo -- not to mention his cameo as one of the billion wedding musicians in the film Rachel Getting Married. The ex-Soft Boy brings along delightful folk-singer Jennifer O'Connor to the Black Cat. $20, doors at 8 p.m.
>> We here at DCist are proud to announce a cool event involving a number of our photographers. Kyle Gustafson, Martin Locraft, and Nestor Diaz are the featured artists showing their best live concert photos from the past year in D.C. live music. The event, Ten Miles Square's newest exhibit, "I'm With the Band", kicks off Thursday night at Dahlak with DJ Chris Nitti providing the tunes. All the pieces will be on sale at reasonable prices and the show will run through the end of April. Be sure to get over there and check it out. Suggested $5 donation. 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
>> In search of the banjo’s roots, bluegrass and jazz player Bela Fleck went to various countries in Africa. That adventure is now the subject of a movie, “Throw Down Your Heart.” Fleck is touring the U.S. with the Africa Project, which includes some very talented players he met, including Malian kora star Toumani Diabate, Tanzanian thumb pianist Anania Ngoliga, Madagascar guitarist D'Gary, and South African acoustic guitarist Vusi Mahlesela. They will be at the State Theatre in Falls Church at 8:30.
FRIDAY
>> (Former) Blender subscribers probably already have their tickets to Katy Perry's sold-out 9:30 Club show on Friday. If you lie outside that population, you will want to visit Craigslist for options. Doors at 8 p.m.
>> A dance party of Depeche Mode probably won't appeal to everyone, but DJ Steve EP, Krasty McNasty, and Killa K should put together something pretty fun for the band's fans to check out. $10, on the Black Cat Mainstage, Doors at 9 p.m.
>> Can you have too much Laura Burhenn? Her former mate John Davis is putting out a new 7" this week, and she's teaming up with electronically-inclined singer-songwriter Maria Taylor at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Get ready to shove fanboys out of the way to get a good look at the stage. $10/12, Doors at 8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
>> The Harlem Shakes are just one of the many bands still cranking out damn fine, catchy-as-hell quirky songs with a variety of instrumentation -- currently getting plenty of love on your local neighborhood mp3 blogs. Unfortunately, they've had to cancel Saturday night's show at DC9 due to a family emergency, leaving local indie poppers The Positions and The Subjects to pick up the slack. Doors at 9 p.m., $8.
>> Big week for hometown hero Bob Mould. To follow-up his Birchmere set from midweek, he's doing the DJ thing at 9:30 Club with Richard Morel and their famous Blowoff party. It's the late show -- 11:30 p.m. doors, $12.
Steve Kiviat contributed to this week's agenda.