Walking into Jammin’ Java Friday night, here’s what I knew about Philly rockers Marah: 1) High Fidelity and About a Boy author Nick Hornby, a man who has documented his musical preferences at least enough for me to know I largely share them, loves on this band so much he devoted one of his book columns in Believer magazine a couple of years ago to their largely unsung magnificence. 1a) Stephen King –Josh Ritter…

When Jason Isbell first joined the Drive-By Truckers — just after the release of their breakthrough Southern Rock Opera — he looked a little out of place. Baby-faced and younger than founding Truckers Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley, he seemed like a little brother to the other two, stepping out of their shadow to take a solo or sing lead on one of his songs. Then came Decoration Day: the Truckers’ true coming out party,…

>> Must Love Trash, DJ Adrian Loving and DJ Gavin Holland have all volunteered their services at Wonderland tonight to benefit a group putting together a Columbia Heights Day festival. The party starts at 9 p.m. upstairs. Help these guys get their web site and street festival off the ground by having a good time. For more details about Columbia Heights Day, email ColumbiaHeightsDay (at) gmail.com >> The Hej Hej DJs, DJ Yum Yum…

MONDAY >> A year ago, Rolling Stone called The Whigs one of ten bands to watch and “the best unsigned band in America.” The Athens, GA trio has since been taking their pure rock-and-roll on the road in support of Give ‘Em All a Big Fat Lip, winning comparisons to the Replacements, the Strokes, REM, and the Drive-By Truckers along the way. The break hasn’t come yet, but we’ve got a feeling it could…

Whenever a band from the South takes the stage – particularly at an indie rock club – conventional indie rock expectations should go out the window. Or, at least, a different type of wisdom seems to apply. Just like no one was terribly surprised when Isaac Brock sliced himself onstage, or when they found out that seeing Cat Power live can be an awkward experience, or that Jeff Tweedy will probably fire a current member…

Monday >> Milwaukee-based indie pop quartet Maritime will be bringing their brand of sweet melodies to the Rock and Roll Hotel accompanied by the Swervedriver-inspired rock of Kansas City’s The Life and Times. We rarely get to make a Swervedriver reference, so enjoy it while you can. 8 p.m. >> Drive-By Truckers’ frontman Patterson Hood drops by the area for a show at the Birchmere in Alexandria. If you’re not familiar with the live stylings…

With Capital Weather indicating that this weekend should be quite nice, with temperatures in the low 80s with partly cloudy skies, DCist encourages you to get out, enjoy the weekend and perhaps do something new. How about exploring a maize maze near Leesburg? Or near the Capitol Reflecting Pool, there’s an outdoor exhibit from Jerusalem’s Museum on the Seam that is supposed to get viewers to think about living side-by-side. Then there is always the…