Though I was born a few years after the band broke up, I grew up listening to The Beatles and their classic recordings laid the foundation of my musical taste. For people in my position, the closest we can come to seeing the band is by shelling out a good chunk of change to catch Sir Paul or Ringo when they tour, or catching one of the myriad costumed tribute acts that try to recreate The Beatles experience. These cover bands have become a cottage industry, but one ensemble, The Fab Faux, stands out. more ›

It's written right here in subsection 218 of the "Sacred British Cows" chapter of the (Semi)Professional Rock Critics' Catechism and Field Manual that any discussion of former Jam and Style Council frontman and prolific rock-folk-soul journeyman Paul Weller must mention that he's Huge in the U.K. and more of an Anglophile footnote in the U.S. more ›

Whether or not you were actually part of the 1960s, if you are a Beatles fan or, well, obsessed like some of us, then consider heading down to the Music Center at Strathmore tonight for Rain: The Beatles Experience, a tribute band that takes its audience on a trip down memory lane to a time when four lads from Liverpool tried to show the world that there's nothing funny about peace, love and understanding. The... more ›

When the band first broke onto the scene in the mid to late 1990s, Glasgow's Travis was at the forefront of the British trad rock revival. Like its counterpart, Oasis, Travis is a descendant of established bands, such as The Beatles, U2, and Radiohead, as well as a progenitor of Coldplay, the more recent arena kings. The band never attained the success of either Oasis or Coldplay, partly because it rarely attempted to be larger than life while those groups openly admit to a certain amount of megalomania. more ›

There are, of course, many criteria by which one can judge a photograph: form, composition, color, subject matter, context, or the viewer’s emotional response. In viewing Harry Benson: Being There, currently on display at Donald W. Reynolds Center for American Art and Portraiture at the National Portrait Gallery, it is not Benson’s technical ability as a photographer that impresses, but his uncanny ability to be present when historic moments occur and then place himself... more ›

While a couple of us on the DCist staff are still trying to wipe our minds of the image of the live circumcision performance art that happened last night at the Warehouse gallery (seriously, can you use soap on your eyeballs?), we will nevertheless try to explain that across the street at artDC ... wait, what was happening over there? Oh right, that international art show. When we told you about it last year, some... more ›

The Sketches have dealt with all of the uncertainties of a new artist. Even with a name that does nothing to dispell this notion of transition, they've defined themselves and their place among the D.C. area’s finest upcoming musicians. Front man Charlie Bernardo’s voice is strikingly similar to Freddie Mercury, with melodies heavily influenced from The Beatles days of his youth. Bassist Greg Watkins and drummer Anthony Allen support the vocally driven alt-rock with their classical backgrounds and sophisticated sound. more ›

Sure, with Free Night of Theater on the horizon, it may be hard to justify shelling out for a ticket to a stage show, but trust us — with all the intriguing offerings that local companies have in store, you'll want to see more than one show this month. Previously at the Fringe Festival, Round House Silver Spring presents Bushwa: A Modern Ubu, about an intellectually-challenged king. Hmm. Wonder what it's like to have your... more ›

In a town overwhelmed by art-rock groups trying hard to earn the respect of the Black Cat scenesters, and alt-rock groups jockeying for local radio airtime and record contracts, Shwa are banking more on honesty than image to stand out from the pack. The band’s edgy melodic rock reflect hints of Coldplay and Travis; a blend of acoustic folk and muddy Brit-rock electric guitar with this-is-how-things-really-are lyrics. There are actually two acts performing under the name Shwa -- the first is the solo Joshua Losben and his acoustic folk rock; the second is a full band lineup, playing the same songs with driving electric guitars backed by a solid rhythm section. It’s a formula that has allowed Losben to target multiple venues and demographics, playing countless gigs both intimate and rocking across the country and winning over the affections of fans eager for something different to call their own. more ›