Weekly Music Agenda
Image courtesy of Fishbone
>> Though VH1 failed to get the original gang back together, 2-Tone enthusiasts The English Beat forge ahead undaunted. Co-headlining the "Spring Skaward" tour is Fishbone, whose current notoriety largely stems from an enduring product placement. Opening is Louisiana's Outlaw Nation at the 9:30 Club, $25, 7 p.m.
TUESDAY
>> Soul revival acts should be looked upon with a healthy dose of skepticism but anyone with a set of pipes like Austin's Black Joe Lewis deserves a pass. Opener Cedric Burnside, who happens to be the grandson of the legendary R.L. Burnside, might not be as rollicking as Mr. Lewis but the Rock and Roll Hotel should be sufficiently jumping. $12, 8:30 p.m.
>> Earlier this week LFMAO's Sky Blu had words with former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney in first class on a flight to LA, instigating the most banal hip-hop (term used loosely) beef of all-time. Maybe this is what Michael Steele had in mind by rebranding the GOP? Could a Black Eyed Peas and Mike Huckabee Metro tussle be far off? Or perhaps someone in Ludacris' entourage will forget to hold the door for Meghan McCain as she walks into the Verizon Center? $49.50-92.50, 7:30 p.m.
>> Brooklyn's Via Audio headline an evening of indie easy-listening at DC9 alongside the always entertaining Pattern is Movement and Three Star alum Ra Ra Rasputin. $8, 9 p.m.
>> For those about to snooze,The Clientele salute you. The London mope-pop band hits the Black Cat in support of last year's Bonfires on the Health. Sub Pop's Vetiver open. $15, 8 p.m.
>> Do my eyes deceive me or is this a bill teeming with scruffy singer-songwriter types at Iota? Tonight Dawes, Jason Boesel, and Cory Chisel & The Wandering Sons will all brood with enough feeling to set the hearts of the Clarendon romantics aflame. $12, 8:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
>> The witty new video for "Laughing With a Mouth Full of Blood" is yet another reason to be infatuated with St. Vincent. Anyone who brings together Sleater Kinney's Carrie Brownstein and Saturday Night Live's Fred Armisen knows what she's doing. Sweden's Wildbirds & Peacedrums open at the 9:30. $15, 7 p.m.
>> West Palm Beach is not generally considered a hotbed of indie rock talent but its Surfer Blood is poised to become one of 2010's breakouts. Along for the ride are Turbo Fruits, a garage rock project with former members of petulant punks Be Your Own Pet and Brooklyn's Grooms, whose cover of Chris Issac's "Wicked Game" will never inspire half-naked models to make out on the beach. Beggars can try their luck at the DC9's door but as of now the show is sold out. 9 p.m.
>> Several local bands tried their best to do good and raise money for Haiti right after the devastating earthquake happened. But then D.C. got its own devastating weather and the show was postponed. This week you'll finally have the chance to see a great lineup of locals -- Tennis System, The State Department, Nunchucks and Honey House -- and give a little money to a good cause. $10, backstage, 8 p.m. All original 2/6 tickets will be honored.
THURSDAY
>> D.C.'s premier Kaleidoscope Pop Noir band Exit Clov headline tonight at DC9. Twin Thousands, which includes former Cursive cellist Gretta Cohn, open. $8, 9:30 p.m.
These Are Powers. Photo by Michael Flack
>> Those on a budget should head to Big Bear Cafe where America Hearts, a new-ish project including members of Gestures, Washington Social Club, Medications and Edie Sedgwick will perform alongside Brooklyn's Soft Spot and Chicago's Bears of Blue River. It's billed as 'donations welcome' but try not to skimp too much- musicians like French pressed coffee, too. 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
>> Dubbed the "Lefty Rides Again" tour, former Dispatch songwriter Chad Urmston's State Radio begin a two night stint at the 9:30 Club. With them is Big D & The Kids Table, a hard-edged Boston punk-ska band who'll do a sufficient job at confounding those who bother to arrive on time. $20 for one night, 35 for both, 8 p.m.
>> It's not everyday that a local show gets its very own promotional video! Three Stars alum and Gant enthusiasts US Royalty will be joined by Phil Adé and Poor But Sexy at the Hotel. $12, 9:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
>> T-Model Ford's blues bonafides are the stuff myths are made of. Illiterate and of undisclosed age, Ford has lived the life we only gawk at in the comfort of a darkened theater. Opening are The Shirks, a local punk band whose aversion to the Internet makes my job more time consuming than it need be. At the Velvet Lounge. $12, 10 p.m.
>> Best New Music recipients Wild Beasts once again prove that it's okay to be maudlin on the dance floor. Arts & Crafts approved Canucks Still Life Still open at the Cat. $13, 9 p.m.
SUNDAY
>> Former Lookout! Records lifers The Queers were initially scheduled to headline tonight's show at the Cat's backstage, but in the wake of their unexplained cancellation, the world keeps spinning. This type of thing has become routine for Minneapolis punks Off with their Heads who were scheduled to open for All at the Ottobar before that show was indefinitely postponed. With any luck, The Scared and Tiny Bombs will not run into any unforeseen circumstances between now and Sunday. $10, 8:30 p.m.