It’s been a while since we did one of these, but our music news feature is back! Here are a few stories buzzing around the local music sphere.
>> Rob Curtis has left the Velvet Lounge. The most well-respected sound guy in the city has parted ways with the club, which recently came under new ownership. If you’re not familiar with Curtis or the Velvet Lounge’s superior sound system (which he developed), just take a tour through any Three Stars interview we’ve ever done; every local band loves to play there, and are quick to name Curtis’ skill as the reason. We spotted Curtis this weekend manning the decks at the Rock & Roll Hotel — an addition that will only add to that club’s quickly sky rocketing reputation. When we reported on the new ownership in January, Curtis’ relationship with the Velvet Lounge appeared to be intact. We haven’t received responses from either Curtis or the Velvet Lounge, so we’re not sure what caused Curtis’ departure or who will be helming sound at the VL moving forward. However, we’re fairly certain that the owners that have implemented changes like a bright and shiny new website and gender-designated bathrooms won’t let something as important as sound rest for too long without a solution.
>> Reminiscent of last year’s Live Earth concerts across the world, nation wide Earth Day concerts are scheduled for April 20. Our fair city is on the list of participants — along with New York, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami and San Francisco. Hip hop legends The Roots will headline D.C.’s concert, which is set to take place on the Mall. Here’s hoping this event’s scheduling goes more smoothly than Live Earth’s did.
>> Locals the Assrockers are saying goodbye to one bassist and hello to another. With the departure of JJ Rod, they’re adding Bruce Falkinburg to their lineup. Falkinburg is a mainstay on the local music scene — both as a member of Hidden Hand and as a producer on albums by bands like Clutch, Wooly Mammoth and Adam West. The band will be playing out this spring and summer with the new lineup.
