METZ’s Alex Edkins. METZ will be at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Thursday night. Photo by Valerie Paschall.
MONDAY
The Appleseed Cast‘s new record Illuminati Ritual will hit stores next week. This is exciting since their albums are reliably excellent, exhibiting a simmering heaviness that explodes when—and if—the moment is right. The rest of the bill is also impressive, with Muscle Worship, Tone and People in Cars rounding out the night at Rock and Roll Hotel. $14, 7:30 p.m.
>> Galaxy Hut: Bella Russia, Home Body. $5, 9:00 p.m.
>> DC9: Esben & The Witch, Heliotropes. $10, 8:30 p.m.
TUESDAY
Suuns have an oddly spelled name and a very unnerving way of writing and performing hazy, low-key music. This is not the soothing detox you might be used to from a band that works at a slow, deliberate pace, but it is intriguing. Weeknight will be opening their show at the Black Cat. $12, 8:00 p.m.
>> Bossa: The Akoma Drummers. Free, 9:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Generationals have songs sound like they came out of the wrong decade (the ’60s, in case you were wondering) and others that sound like they were constructed in GarageBand, but they make sure to keep things light and fun. Splashh, another band playing this week with an extra letter, opens the show at Rock and Roll Hotel. $12, 8:30 p.m.
>> Velvet Lounge: Black Stripes, Southern Problems, Mr. Blonde. $10 for 18+/$8 for 21+, 9:00 p.m.
>> DC9: Ivan & Alyosha, The Lone Bellow, Twin Forks. Both Shows sold out, 6:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.
Jennifer and Jessica Clavin of Bleached. Bleached will play at DC9 on Thursday night. Photo by Valerie Paschall.
THURSDAY
Seeing Bleached at DC9 on account of being a Mika Miko fan is treading dangerous ground, since the sunbathed ’60s harmonies coming from the Clavin sisters are a far cry from the sharp art punk of their previous band. We recommend seeing Bleached because their latest album, Ride Your Heart is full of catchy earworms. Hunters and Priests open the show. $12 in advance/$14 day of show, 8:30 p.m.
Across town you’ll find something completely different but equally great. METZ, another band we enjoyed at SXSW this year, will continue the trend of exciting vein-bulging hardcore coming to the area this month. They will be at Rock and Roll Hotel with Odonis Odonis opening. $10, 8:30 p.m.
>> Sixth & I Synagogue: Rhye. $20, 8:00 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Rusko, Kill Paris, Gents & Jawns. $40, 10:00 p.m.
>> The Hamilton: Rhett Miller, Luke Brindley. $22.50 in advance/$27.50 day of show, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Competitive skater turned folksy wave-soaked singer-songwriter Matt Costa has a new self-titled album out this year. You’ll be able to see him perform some of those songs as well as older standards at U Street Music Hall. Come early for Vandaveer and the Blank Tapes. $20, 6:00 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Living Color. $25, 6:00 p.m.
SATURDAY
Laura Stevenson is a punk gem that may not be recognized as such, yet. But her third full-length album, Wheel, which just came out on Don Giovanni Records (same label that released the Screaming Females’ output) shows off her impressive guitar and arrangement skills and her gorgeous voice. She’ll be at the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight with Field Mouse and The Droids We’re Looking For. $12, 8:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
Although it seems like Japanese psychedelic soulful freak out band Acid Mother’s Temple has been around forever, it may also seem like they come through the area often enough that it’s easy to put off seeing them. Do yourself a favor and catch them at DC9 tonight. Tjutjuna and Time Columns open. $10 in advance/$12 day of show, 8:00 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: The Joy Formidable, Blood Red Shoes, You Won’t. Sold Out, 7:00 p.m.
>> Rock and Roll Hotel: Born Ruffians, Moon King. $12, 8:30 p.m.
>> U Street Music Hall: Amon Tobin (DJ set), Harry Ransom, Christine Moritz. $25, 9:00 p.m.
