FRIDAY: >> It may be that we’ve simply gotten so, so, so many press releases about The Horrors show tonight at the Rock and Roll Hotel, and we’ve been beaten into submission to mention it. Give the punky-garage rock revivalists a chance for $12 at 8:30 p.m., and let us know if they’re worth all the fuss. Seattle’s Schoolyard Heroes open, plus locals Scanner Freaks. >> One of the most anticipated new hip hop albums…

The Sketches have dealt with all of the uncertainties of a new artist. Even with a name that does nothing to dispell this notion of transition, they’ve defined themselves and their place among the D.C. area’s finest upcoming musicians. Front man Charlie Bernardo’s voice is strikingly similar to Freddie Mercury, with melodies heavily influenced from The Beatles days of his youth. Bassist Greg Watkins and drummer Anthony Allen support the vocally driven alt-rock with their…

On Wednesday night, Middle Distance Runner (one of DCist’s favorite bands) played a successful show at Arlene’s in Brooklyn with The Sketches, Fools & Horses, and Justin Jones. The show only happened by the grace of The Sketches and their borrowed equipment, because earlier that day MDR was greeted by a very unpleasant scene: While parked in front of an elementary school in Brooklyn, sometime between 1:00pm and 5:00pm (the middle of the day), someone…

Sunday night. Oscar night. Not the best circumstances under which to host a four band alt-rock lineup and expect many city folk to crawl out to suburban Vienna, Virginia’s Jammin’ Java. But the few that did forgo the hyped up awards show were treated to a final farewell performance as two local brothers parted their ways and a trio from Brooklyn stepped up to prove why they might soon be recognized as the “Crash” of…