RDGLDGRN. Photo by Martin McKay
MONDAY
Cassavetes, The Black Sparks, and Myrrh Myrrh @ Smash! Records. $5 suggested donation, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia’s rock scene is nearly inexhaustible these days. Cassevetes, which features members of hardcore unit Paint It Black, play focused punk rock that sounds clear as day. Ripping but powerful and lyrically focused, these guys should feel right at home in Smash! Records on 18th Street NW. They’re joined by D.C.’s angular, heavy Myrrh Myrrh and Bethesda’s post-hardcore wunderkinds The Black Sparks.
>> Black Cat Backstage: Agent Orange, The Architects. $15, doors at 8 p.m.
TUESDAY
Dave Klinger, Dirty Dishes, Two Inch Astronaut @ The Beehive. 7 p.m., suggested donation.
Another strong lineup at one of D.C.’s longest running house venues, The Beehive, features a little something for everyone. Two Inch Astronaut has been majorly stepping up their game with two singles this fall that showcase them at the top of their game. Their loud and energetic live show, moreso since the addition of bassist Andy Chervenak, is also one of the most powerful live rock and roll experiences you’ll find from a D.C.-area band. Los Angeles’s Dirty Dishes bring a raw rock sound that compliments Two Inch Astronaut perfectly with classic soft-loud dynamics and very strong hooks. Last, but certainly not least, headliner Dave Klinger, formally of Frau Eva and current Beehive house member, is one of the city’s most creative songwriters and unique performers. His loose and playful style and delivery adds a really great balance to his significant skill on the piano, and the songs are always engaging and imaginative. For those of you bored with the usual drab solo singer-songwriters and looking for a breath of fresh air in that direction, make sure to check out Klinger’s set. — Alex Tebeleff
Black Cat Backstage: Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, Baby Bee. 8 p.m., $12.
WEDNESDAY
Pree @ Kennedy Center Millennium Stage—presented by Listen Local First. Free, 6 p.m.
Per usual, Listen Local First highlights the area’s best acts, most recently by putting them onstage at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. The free concerts happen every day, but experimental pop band Pree will be anything but business as usual. Singer May Tabol’s chilly and sweet vocals are the cherry on top of a layered sonic parfait. You won’t be able to resist.
>> Black Cat: Merchandise, Ninos Du Brasil. $15 at the door, 8 p.m.
>> U St Music Hall: Sir Michael Rocks, Robb Banks and Greenspan. $15, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY
RDGLDGRN, Mista Selecta, and Redline Graffiti @ 9:30 Club. $15, doors at 7 p.m.
As if it wasn’t badass enough to have Dave Grohl play drums on your record, RDGLDGRN also piqued Pharrell’s interest, who stepped in to produce the Northern Virginia band’s genre-bending debut LP. But Redline Graffiti may even surpass their headliner in terms of originality and spunk. Bring your dancing shoes, because between RDGLDGRN’s go-go style beats, Redline’s jazzy grooves and mashups from mixmaster supreme DJ Mista Selecta, you’ll be moving all night. Oh, and bring your D.C. flag swag because all these acts hail from the city or its suburbs.
>> The Howard Theatre: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour and Leisure Cruise $15, doors 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
>> Lincoln Theatre: The Milk Carton Kids and Sarah Jarosz featuring Alex Hargreaves, Paul Kowert and Nathaniel Smith. $35, doors 6 p.m.
>>DC9: Dads, Tiny Moving Parts, and Nai Harvest $10, doors 5:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Restiorations @ DC9. $10, 8 p.m.
From emo to Americana to “punk for grown-ups” to even pop-punk, Philadelphia’s Restorations have been creating music that isn’t easily classifiable since 2008. On their third LP—bluntly titled LP3—the band’s musical maturation has evolved into next-level territory; a full-fledged heartland album whose sound is indebted as much to Bruce Springsteen and Crazy Horse as it is to the more experimental side of punk, like Fugazi. On the album, which you can stream on NPR Music’s First Listen, the band isn’t afraid to stuff each song with as many of their favorite tricks as they can—big choruses, heavy distortion, shoegazey electronics, and “too many guitar solos.” The band rolls into DC9 on Saturday in support of LP3, which will formally be released on October 28 via SideOneDummy Records, along with experimental post-hardcore collective Self Defense Family, and Fires. — Matt Cohen
Halloween Cover Show @ The Communiverse. Suggested donations, 7 p.m.
Yeah, this is going to be as awesome as it sounds. Local musicians join forces to live one night as their favorite bands. There will be a number of shows like this one leading up to everyone’s favorite spooky holiday/excuse to eat candy and drink excessively. But Saturday’s event is not to be missed; featuring legendary acts such as Parliament-Funkadelic, Elliott Smith F.Y.P., Queen, and even Sexy Thoughts, you’ll never again see such a lineup. Bring your Halloween costume, even though it’s a little early. Extra points for Silver Lines or Violent PoPville Joggers.
>>Jammin’ Java: The Greencards. $18-$20, doors 5:30 p.m.
>> Lisner Auditorium: First Aid Kit and Samantha Crain $35, 8 p.m.
