Brightest Young Things

Jim Dempsey and Drew Marks moved to DC a few years ago to form the Moderate. Where many new arrivals find the atmosphere in our town less than friendly to nascent rock bands, the North Carolina imports found two other collaborators, venues ready to put them on the bill, and eventually fans ready to sweat their new record "The Rest is Up to You." Therefore where some bands complain that it's hard to find a gig or an audience for gloriously gritty southern-fried rock and roll in DC, the Moderate love it here. Could it be because they are just a lot better than the other bands? Actually yes, that is probably it.

In celebration of their headlining show at the little ol' Black Cat tonight we asked the boys to come up with their 26 favorite things about DC to return the love they so deservedly get from the people. Viva La Roca!

A – American University Film Crew: Approached us in Winter 2009 about filming a music video for our song “Rock & Roll” and designing a website for us. We shrugged and said yes to what we thought were amateurs. Turns out these film students were total pros. Check it out:

Big ups to Featherweight Media!

B – Brandon Butler: A close friend of The Moderate and one of DC’s best musicians. Took us under his wing when we first got together. His album “Lucky Thumbs” is phenomenal, as is all his work with former bands Canyon and Boys Life.

C – “Covers EP, The” from Shortstack: A fine effort from a fine DC band. Their cover of Creedence’s “Commotion” is killer.

D – Dennis Kane: Black Cat’s sound guru. Produced our full-length debut album “The Rest is Up to You” and probably spent entirely too much time with us this summer for his own wellbeing. Not only is he a wizard in the studio, but he is also one of the best people you will ever meet. Check out his band, Dennis Kane and the Hoarders...they are amazing.

E – E Street Cinema: Always a great spot to catch a great film. Nothing goes better with popcorn than a cold beer!

F – Fort Reno: Amanda MacKaye & company do a hell of a job every summer putting on this annual concert series which takes place Mondays and Thursdays starting in June. We were honored to be a part of Fort Reno and hope to be part of it again very soon!

G – Gypsy Eyes: Former record label that was home to some our best music pals in the area: John Bustine, Brandon Butler, Revival and Shortstack, among others.

H – H Street NE: Up and coming area with great music venues (Rock & Roll Hotel, The Red and The Black) and restaurants. Not to mention the sweet potato fries at Argonaut. Highly recommended.

I – Island, Teddy Roosevelt: When the weather warms up, there is nothing better than a stroll to this National Memorial which sits on the Potomac.

J – Jukebox in Black Cat’s Red Room Bar: The best and most eclectic jukebox in town, spinning anything and everything you want to hear.

K – Kornheiser: A close friend of ours works at ESPN’s “Pardon the Interruption”, which films in Chinatown. Needless to say, we’ve taken him up on a few offers to visit the studio and watch a filming of the show, which is hosted by Tony Kornheiser and Mike Wilbon.

L – Local Lix: The radio station DC101 devotes Sunday nights to local music. The station has been good to The Moderate and played our tune “Ex-Lovers, Enemies” as recently as last Sunday.

M – Monday night Federal Reserve at IOTA: The Moderate made its debut at Federal Reserve, a DC-based music collective that joined forces once a month at Arlington’s IOTA Club and Café. The collective was the brainchild of local heroes These United States and Vandaveer.

N - North Carolinians: Two of us are NC born and bred and there are plenty of close friends from NC in the District.

O – Mansion on O St.: What a strange hotel filled to the brim with trinkets, all for sale. It is definitely worth the trip each time we visit that place. Just try not to get lost in there!

P – Pillows: Pseudonym we used for a show last year in order to open for former Television guitarist Richard Lloyd without interfering with promotion for another show just days before. Pretty good, eh? Yeah, we figured you’d wish you thought of it first.

Q - Q and Not U: John Davis is a DC staple. Between the super influential Q and Not U, Georgie James, and his latest project, Title Tracks, the man is a local legend.

R – RFK Stadium: Please bring the Redskins back to the District before Ian has a hernia.

S – Summer Interns? Yes, please.

T – Tots at Bourbon: Hangover cure or a great way to kill the Sunday blues.

U – U Street Corridor: Most cultural and lively area of town.

V – “Vatican Hides Pedophiles” guy: A Massachusetts Avenue staple. Horrible back story turned brilliant Halloween costume for Jim in 2008.

W - Wings at The Diner in Adams Morgan.

X – Saint Ex: (Okay, so we sort of cheated.) Great brunch, especially the eggs benedict. Also, a cool spot for good eats, good drinks, and good dancing in a dank, sweaty basement. You might even catch Tracy working there if you're lucky!

Y - brightestYOUNGthings.com - (ed: flattery is so classy)

Z - Z Burger’s Chicken Philly: It’s good. And good for you. Don't be scared to get douse that meal with Z sauce!

********************************************************************************

Socialize with the boys and go see them kick out the jelly and the canned preserves tonight!