This is what’s going down in B-more this week: the Recher is tearing it up with a slew of diverse, fun bookings, ska flexes its remaining muscle, quite impressively with Streetlight Manifesto and the Slackers, Dan Deacon takes a break from his live show marathon this past Saturday to spin, and some popular locals make a showing including Karmella’s Game, J Roddy Walston and All Mighty Senators.
Tuesday April 22
Ra Ra Riot, Engine @ the Ottobar
In what looks to be a nice table-turning trend, Baltimore hosts the only Balto-DC metro tour stop for Ra Ra Riot, blogger faves bringing their string-bolstered indie rock to the masses. B-more locals Engine play support.
Wednesday April 23
Dan Deacon (DJ set) @ Scarey Studios
You Deacon-ites get your dancing-shoes and brightly colored work-out apparel ready. Dan Deacon DJs at the new West Baltimore venue.
Thursday April 24
Jakuta & Carl, the Aquarium @ the Sidebar
Self-proclaimed “laptop spazpop” peddlers Jakuta & Carl serve up some delicious new wave for your delight. Aquarium scoots its way up 95 to open.
Friday April 25
Soul Cannon (CD release), J Roddy Walston and the Business @ the Ottobar
Peabody-trained alums in Soul Cannon celebrate their CD release, local favorites J Roddy play support.
All Mighty Senators @ the Talking Head
Funky rock-soul mainstays and Baltimore locals since their 1994 debut, All Mighty Senators bring it hard to the Head.
Yes, Baltimore exclusive tour date strikes again, you metal lovers. This is in fact one of the few instances where I will refer to a metalcore band with praise and not ridicule. Consistently quality metal, regardless of their Hot Topic standing.
Kneel before the power of ludicrously sweet synth-pop and harmonies, courtesy of Baltimore’s own Karmella’s Game.
Saturday April 26
Singer, Microkingdom @ Floristree
I’ve already endorsed Microkingdom’s experimental free-jazz. Their pairing with Chicago’s Singer makes it even better.
Jimmie’s Chicken Shack @ the Recher
I’m sure to lose cred for backing these guys. But I really do love Jimmie’s Chicken Shack. They have a great sense of humor and inject it into everything they do, creating some great lyrical wordplay. Plus Haha has a great ear for making catchy tunes.
Again, a ska staple takes over the Ottobar. One of my all-time favorites, the Slackers. Get your live fix in before they release their new LP next week. Nothing beats Glen Pine belting out a cover of Sam Cooke’s “Cupid.”
So frenemy has become a new buzz-word. But Frenemies were here first, I’m almost sure.
Sunday April 27
What is it with Sunday being a day of rest?
All Weekend
Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique @ the BSO
In another life and another time, I was a total band dweeb. Marching and everything. And fuck if I didn’t love every minute of it. While I barely have time to pull out my tuba each week anymore, I am trying. And I still love me some good classical. Berlioz definitely ranks (me being a low-brass player and all) for writing some great bass lines and powerful use of brass instrumentation; “Damnation of Faust” is a joy to play. Also accompanied by a Prokofiev piano concerto with a pretty fantastic young pianist named Yuja Wang.
The Berlioz was used in the J. Roberts flick “Sleeping with the Enemy.”
Random trivia.
April 21, 2008 at 9:06 pmMy response to that trivia? Fantastique.
I usually hate Julia Roberts, but I liked that movie. Maybe it was the Berlioz?
April 21, 2008 at 9:16 pmJimmy’s Chicken Shack screams cred. Apparently Ian Mackaye tried to release Pushing the Salmanilla Envelope on Dischord.
Have you heard their version of Waiting Room w/a ska break into their hit single High?
Behold the Spectacle: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZIOeSgl4ZI&feature=related
April 21, 2008 at 11:23 pm(I’m actually sorry to say that) the All Mighty Senators date back to the late ’80s if not earlier; I can remember them playing with some friends’ ska bands around the area, like in College Park and at the East Side.
April 25, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Feeling that maybe Ra Ra Riot and Ra Ra Rasputin should do a show together, or a split 7″.
April 21, 2008 at 8:42 pmor maybe just rumble.