Photo by stgermh.
The Fort Reno summer concert series was almost canceled this year, but after some back-and-forth between organizer Amanda MacKaye and the National Park Service and U.S. Park Police, the shows will go on. Now that the drama is over (for now, at least), it’s time to focus on what Fort Reno is all about: the bands.
Tonight’s bill: Alarms & Controls, Talk It, and Dissonance
Who are they?
Dissonance is a three-piece alt-rock band from Takoma Park, Md.
What do they sound like?
Dissonance combines a love of late ’80s/early ’90s alt-rock with a flair for classic punk. There’s a strong early R.E.M. influence (a nod to which is evident on the song “Radiohead Free Europe”) in their sound, as well as a heavy influence of some of D.C. punk’s more pop-leaning bands, like Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Unrest, and Shudder To Think.
“Straight Outta Wheaton,” “Picnic At The Disco,” “Faster Than You Can Say John Boner.” This band has some really goofy song titles.
Yeah, they’re quite spectacular, right?
Should I go?
Yes, always go to Fort Reno shows.
Who are they?
Talk It is a three-piece indie-rock band from from D.C. They are on the venerable Northern Virginia indie label TeenBeat (Teen-Beat? Teen Beat?). Their members have played in many D.C.-area bands including Eggs, EBSK, Scaley Andrew, and more.
What do they sound like?
On Twitter, guitarist Andrew Beaujon describes his band as “fake krautrock.” There’s certainly some krautrock influence, but they’re more of an instrumental indie-pop band, with numerous other musical influences thrown into the mix.
They’re called Talk It? But there’s no vocals in this band!
I know! Get it?
Should I go?
Yes, always go to Fort Reno shows.
Who are they?
Alarms & Controls are a three-piece experimental prog-punk band from D.C. They released their latest LP as a split between Dischord Records and Lovitt Records. The band is comprised of D.C. music vets who’ve played in various bands over the years, including Circus Lupus, Crownhate Ruin, Antimony, and many others.
What do they sound like?
Prog-y, almost experimental punk. Lots of angular riffs and unusual signatures, but the clean vocals reminds me of a lot of J. Robbins’ bands; Jawbox, Burning Airlines, Office of Future Plans.
Hey, Dischord! That’s a pretty legendary label, no?
It is! And Alarms & Controls adds to their legacy with their particularly exhilarating brand of experimental prog-punk.
Should I go?
Yes, always go to Fort Reno shows.
