There is some really exciting shit emerging from DC as of late. Two of my favorite proprietors of said excitement: Imperial China and Caverns. And they are compelling enough to get me off my ass and down I-95 on a Wednesday to catch them tear up the the Black Cat Backstage tonight.
The first time I saw both together was in Baltimore at the now-defunct/renamed/re-organized Lo-Fi Social Club. And honestly, I assumed they were Baltimore bands. They rocked it that hard, and that uniquely.
My vivid memory: While setting up, someone from the audience had taken a position leaning against a wall near the stage and heckling Caverns. After still taking their time and getting shit right, Kevin from Caverns proceeded to don his axe, shred out for about 10 seconds of the first song before leaping off the stage and jamming/spazzing out right next to the heckler, thrashing and spinning as if possessed and essentially chasing him out of the room.
Killer first impression.
And it only got better as I found out that Caverns pump out some of the most tasteful instrumental rock with dramatic flair I’ve heard in a long time. They tastefully fuse a monster pianist (classically/jazz-trained) whose lines are full of operatic gravitas with stellar, high-energy heavy metal chug-and-shred and breakdowns. The cherry on top is the fact that they are an up-and-coming band, and have the balls to bring along their own light show and dedicate a band member to orchestrating that shit every night. The result is truly epic and truly heavy, without becoming parody.
Imperial China produce a squirming musical amalgamation lying somewhere in the intersection of post-punk, post-hardcore, post-rock, and electronica. They give off a decaying, urban industrial feel that is one of the most electric experiences you could ask for. Their music is highly rhythm-centric, working themselves into whirling dervishes. They are clearly spiritual and musical descendants of any number of influential and innovative bands, the most prominent to me on first listen were seminal post-hardcore outfits DC’s Fugazi and Buffalo’s Snapcase, or for more recent reference, Battles.
What does this all mean for you? It means, essentially, that you need to come out and enjoy some of the most creative and unique rock coming out of DC today. Wednesday night be damned.
Listen to some jams right here:
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And as for True Womanhood, all we will say is: If they are good enough for Thurston, they are great enough for us.
Imperial China is one of the city’s most promising bands…. It sounds like this show was built to be one of the year’s best. All three bands bring something to the table that has not been seen or heard here in years…. surely something people will be talking about for a long time.
August 27, 2008 at 12:49 pmA-fucking-men! Both of those bands are incredibly talented and deserve all the praise they get. They’re easily two of my favorite acts and it’s always great to see them on the same stage!
August 27, 2008 at 1:06 pmYES! CAVERNS IS MAN ROCK PERSONIFIED!
August 27, 2008 at 2:12 pmI’m most looking forward to true womanhood… saw them with mae shi and they were awesome. I think they’re going to go really far.
August 27, 2008 at 2:47 pmYeah, it should be an amazing show. It’ll be the first time I’ve seen Imperial China or Caverns but I’ve only heard good things. True Womanhood really impressed me when I saw them at Velvet Lounge. Can’t wait!
August 27, 2008 at 4:00 pmi look forward to jamming with all of you tonight. find me and win a prize.
August 27, 2008 at 5:52 pmGREAT SHOW!!! Gotta Love Imperial and Caverns every time!
August 28, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I saw Imperial China at Fort Reno, and they were badass.
RIP Sho’nuff.
August 27, 2008 at 12:00 pm