Photo of the Mean Jeans by Charlie Vortuba
Monday
Mean Jeans, Kepi Ghoulie Electric, and Passing Phases @ Comet Ping Pong. 9 p.m., $12.
Pop-punk proselytizers Mean Jeans might have started out as a Ramones tribute band, but the Portland trio has managed to stand out in a sea of imitators. The group’s knack for four chord, pizza-and-beer-fueled anthems are disarmingly clever, goofy, and most importantly, fun. The group’s latest full length On Mars”—released in 2012—sounds like a Lookout Records compilation dunked in Nickelodeon slime. But the group is more agile and the musicianship is stronger than it appears on paper. Mean Jeans will also back tourmate Kepi Ghoulie to play Groovie Ghoulies songs. So buy a beer, grab a slice (they are playing at Comet Ping Pong, after all) and pogo to your heart’s content. Sterling, Va.’s Passing Phases will open the show. —Andy Hess
>> 9:30 Club: Death From Above 1979 and Biblical. 7 p.m., sold out.
Wednesday
Les Sins, Royal, Philip Goyette @ U Street Music Hall. 10 p.m., $15.
Though he’s gained national recognition for work under the chillwave moniker, Toro y Moi, listeners are often surprised to learn that producer Chaz Bundick dedicates a hefty amount of time to an electronic side-project, Les Sins. Unlike the pop/R&B infusions that have become his staple, Bundick is breaking away from traditional songwriting to build dance-heavy tracks. Les Sins forgoes thematic cohesion in favor of addictive vocal hooks, patching together bizarre samples with French house beats. Chaz Bundick takes his project to D.C. this week to promote his debut album, Michael, and will be accompanied by local artists Royal and Philip Goyette. —Dalton Vogler
Thursday
The Red Fetish, Teething Veils, Grogan Social Scene, and Daniel Suhre @ Dr. Clock’s Nowhere Bar
The end of a year often causes a desire for something fresh, a step away from the standard, habitual humdrum of the past 365 days. That crisp breath of fresh air can be found in this lineup, which features prog stylings, synthesizers, acoustic guitars, poetic musings, and conceptual compositions. The Red Fetish are celebrating the release of “Temporal Joke,” a new three-part song cycle with surprises at every turn. Teething Veils’ Greg Svitil will perform solo, fresh from the release of new album Constellations, which our staff has been grooving to. Come with an open mind and prepare for the unexpected. —Tori Kerr
>> Black Cat Backstage: The Dig, The Sea Life and Pree. 8 p.m., $10.
Friday
BadBadNotGood with Ace Crosgrove @ U St Music Hall. 7 p.m., $15.
BadBadNotGood is one of my standout acts of the year. The experimental jazz trio from Toronto consists of three young dudes who are playing far beyond their years. Go see Whiplash, then listen to BBNG’s 2014 full length III and try to reconcile the two. Don’t get jazz? You’ll get these guys. Combining the best of electronic music’s style, hip hop’s beats, and jazz’s unpredictability, BBNG are a shot to the heart. —Tori Kerr
>> Comet Ping Pong: HR (of Bad Brains) with the Scotch Bonnets and the Captivators. 10 p.m., $12.
Saturday
Weed is Weed, Sixty Watt Shaman, Volume IV and Borracho @ Metro Gallery – 9 p.m., $10
Saturday night at Baltimore’s Metro Gallery will be a celebration of all that is heavy and herbal, with some of the area’s best stoner rock bands supplying maximum riffage for the stoned masses. In the top spot is Maryland’s Weed is Weed, featuring Dave Sherman of Earthride and Gary Isom, formerly of D.C. doom legends Pentagram. If NORML was to give their stamp of approval to a band, Weed is Weed would be it. Recently reactivated Maryland stoner legends Sixty Watt Shaman are direct support on the bill. Rev Jim has rounded up the troops and recruited Todd Ingram of King Giant for guitar duties, and are poised for a big comeback. Atlanta’s Volume IV make a trip north, bringing their Southern gravelly rock to Charm City after D.C.’s powerhouse stoner rock trio, Borracho brings the heat. And the fuzz rock riffs of Maryland’s Foghound will kick things off. Fans of the stoner genre will not want to miss this one.—Jon Pacella
>> Lincoln Theatre: Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents Rockin’ the Holidays. 6:30 p.m., $25-$60
>> Above the Bayou: BRNDA, Pinegrove, What Moon Things, Sedna’s Not Alone, and Soundtrack to Sleep. 5 p.m. Info here.
Sunday
Trombone Shorty w/ Ivan Neville and The Funk Ark @ 9:30 Club. 7 p.m., $35.
Trombone Shorty returns to the 9:30 Club on Saturday and Sunday night, bringing his signature New Orleans party vibe back to DC once again. With Saturday’s show already sold out, the second night will feature Ivan Neville sitting in with Shorty. Local afrofunk big band The Funk Ark will open the show on Sunday, giving D.C. music lovers a full night of stellar funk grooves.
A native of the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans, Trombone Shorty started playing trombone and trumpet at the age of 6, and was a well respected virtuoso by age 12. He started with the Stooges Brass Band in his teens, and toured worldwide as part of Lenny Kravitz’ horn section before he reached 20. Trombone Shorty formed his own band, Orleans Avenue, in 2009 and has been a touring sensation ever since. Shorty’s shows are known for their high energy, surprising covers and a wide range of music from jazz and funk to rock and hip hop. —Andy Cerutti
>> Fillmore Silver Spring: Common with Jay Electronica and Fly Union. 8 p.m., $40.
>> The Dougout: Two Inch Astronaut Record Release Show! Also: Big Ups, Mannequin Pussy, Washer, and Jail Solidarity. 7 p.m.
