advance tickets available here
So, sure, we love all those big visiting bands that allow us to ask them questions about their favorite toothpaste and send us into a semi-dizzy when their 930 club shows sell out before we get up the energy to walk over and buy some tickets, but lets face it:BYT is based upon a long standing (and by long standing we mean almost a year now! that is long!) DC music love.And so for our little (HUGE) Relaunch party this Saturday we enlisted (more than you have fingers to count on) our local favorites for a night of "awesome cover songs " only.
A band prom of sorts. A big sloppy DC love kiss. With a bow on top.
(we hope to see you there)

(for full discolosure: Georgie James had to cancel, we're going to miss them. Maybe we can all join hands across r'n'r and lead the audience in an a cappella rendition of the Justin Timberlake songs they would have covered, to make the void a little less painful)

But to sweeten the deal, and to also (at least a little bit) prep you for what is to come on Saturday (and in the coming months) we got a free-to-download-oftentimes-very-new-exclusive track from each band + an MP3 of one of the songs they (just) may or may not be playing at the party on the 5th.

Its mixed tape time kids!

in no particular order of awesome:

middle distance runner online
"Middle Distance Runner" is the first promo cd we were ever sent (it made us feel very official) and we loved it on first clap.
Since then the MDR boys2men have been sort of unstoppable: playing everything from the Black Cat to Iota to Amie Street's r'n'r hotel show, and Of course, their supersonic "930 club on a Friday night headliner" debut this past january.
Catch them next on May 25th at the Black Cat with Telograph and The Hard Tomorrows.

An original tune: Middle_Distance_Runner-Man_of_the_People.mp3
And they might be playing: Bangles-Walk_Like_An_Egyptian.mp3

(photo courtesy of shervinfoto)
bellman barker online
This past winter it was almost impossible to see Thomas or Aaron out and about as Bellman Barker changed its name, bought a van, grew some beards and locked themselves in the studio to record "Anise and Anisette" (which will be released, with a bang up party at the R'N'R hotel on May 26th). Since wrapping up in studio, they shaved their beards, embraced the spring and have been everywhere, from the Six Points Music festival to Artomatic's showcase to the (web) pages of every blog this city has to offer. And still, we look forward to more.

An original tune: Bellman_Barker_-_Molly_Maroon.mp3
And they might be playing: Scissor_Sisters-Take_Your_Mama_Out.mp3

these united states online
Jesse Elliott is a busy man: It seems These United States are ALWAYS on tour and yet ALWAYS in DC in time for whatever good is going on in the District.
Amie Street Favorites and Federal Reserve spearheaders they have played more shows in more places that anyone we know in 2006 or 7 for that matter. Catch them while you can on May 19th with Lets French and Death by Sexy at Black Cat's mainstage.

An original tune: These_United_States-Kings_And_Ac.mp3
And they might be playing: Beastie_Boys-Sabotage.mp3

death by sexy online
Death By Sexy (aside from featuring our favorite movie reviewer Jason Griffenhagen) have been around since 2005 (or so) and genuinly mean business: hard rocking, hard drinking, plenty of sweating, constant show playing bizzniss. Their "Big Hit" EP has been around for a little while now, and they've packed in everything from R'N'R hotel to Black Cat's mainstage to DC9.
Catch them next on May 19th at Black Cat's mainstage with Lets French and These United States

An original tune: Death_By_Sexy-Blow_My_Mind.mp3
And they might be playing: Guns_N_Roses-Welcome_To_The_Jungle.mp3

(photo courtesy of shervinfoto)
telograph online
So far in 2007 Telograph released "Beneath your feet" to swooning local reviews, played the DAR Constitution Hall (opening for OAR and Gomez), won the DC101's Last Band Standing and then turned around and did a series of smaller/more intimate shows at Iota and R'N'R Hotel. Not too bad, we (and you) say. Next up: some touring with MDR and a homecoming on May 25th at Black Cat's mainstage (with Middle Distance Runner and The Hard Tomorrows)

An original tune: Telograph_-_Beneath_Your_Feet.mp3
And they might be playing: David_Bowie-Lets_Dance.mp3

lets french online
Lets French, Interpol and other comparisons nonwithstanding, worked hardER, played hardEST (including a monumentally sold out show at Black Cat's mainstage with WSC this winter) and are about to release their very excellent debut album (which we heard, and promptly used as getting ready to go out music last night and from which the track below is off of) on May 19th. When you should all come to The Cat and see them on mainstage with These United States and Death By Sexy.

An original tune: Let's_French-Your_Name_Here.mp3
And they might be playing: Gary_Glitter-Rock-And_Roll_Part_2.mp3

(photo courtesy of shervinfoto)
greenland online
Its springtime, so it must be new record time. Greenland went into a little bit of a hiding and is ready to bust out some new tracks
(one of which, about fish no less is available for your enjoyment below) and a brand spanking new album in June 2007 (Release party at Iota on June 22nd). Those who loved "Salome" as much as we did, are probably eager to see more.

An original tune: Greenland_-_Solace_in_the_Sea.mp3
And they might be playing: Joe_Jackson-Is_She_Really_Going_Out_With_Him.mp3

(photo courtesy of sarah claxton photography)
hard tomorrows online
Hard Tomorrows released "Lights out" in 2006 (which contains one of our favorite DC songs "Patterns", available for download below) and have played big and small venues from the Cat (with ex-Rob bandmates and current Atlantic record darlings Army of Me) to R'N'R hotel (for both Jeremy Enigk and this past weekend at the Big art show) to DC9 to their legendarily packed, always free, always filled with pretty Mt. Pleasent/Col.Heights shows at Wonderland Ballroom. They team up with Telograph and Middle Distance runner on Black Cat's mainstage on May 25th next. Be there.

An original tune: The_Hard_Tomorrows-Patterns.mp3
And they might be playing: The_Cure-Jumping_Someone_Elses_Train.mp3

the dance party online
Late last year, we heard about The Dance Party. They were opening for The Whips and next for Asobi Sesku and we were curious to see them live. Which we did when they took the Friday stage at 930 club with Middle Distance Runner this January, and we were totally awesomed out by it. Next up:
a new record (from which the song below is exclusively) and another 930 club moment: June 16th with Washington Social Club.

An original tune: The_Dance_Party-Lipstick.mp3
And they might be playing: Go_Gos-Our_Lips_Are_Sealed.mp3

nihilitia online
A newbie in the bunch, Nihilitia showed up a few months back and has chewed the scenery off of the Red and The Black, Velvet Lounge and Asylum since with their stoner glam rock. (right). Plus Sara Hussain is a hot screaming girl with a bass, and that is always golden in our books.

An original tune: Nihilitia-Suppressant.mp3
And they might be playing: Pat_Benatar_-_Invincible.mp3

len bias online
Several bands had to disband for Len Bias to happen. They play tight, rythmic, DC at its core rock and have an EP out, you should
probably look into getting. Last seen at the Cat this past January, we look forward to their back to formness this summer.

They might be playing: Joy_Division-Love_Will_Tear_Us_Apart.mp3

Previously in Downloads:

• 1/27: Download: Axel F 1 Yeah Anniversary Mix
• 1/20: Download: Fatback Mix XXXIX
• 8/22: Download: Ferris Presents; School's out 4EVER!
• 8/19: Download: FATBACK MIX #33
• 8/17: Download: QUE SERA Slaughterhouse Mix
• 8/4: DOWNLOAD: A Busy Season for DAWES
• 7/25: Download: HELL IS FROM HERE TO ETERNITY, Denman Summer Mix
• 6/17: Download: FATBACK MIX 3.3
• 3/17: Download: Fatback Mix #30
• 2/22: Download! Stereo Faith & Micah Vellian "Fr33k3rs"