. . . I was never that good at the words anyways - bn


. . . you're not punk and i'm tellin everyone, save your breath i never was one - bs



Thursday, June 30, 2011

Big News Week

Several new and interesting album and tour announcements . . .


Rocky Votolato has announced he'll be headed out on his first full band tour in nearly five years this fall (co-headlining with matt pond PA). No DC date (yet?), but will be at Ottobar in Baltimore on Wednesday 9/21.



ROCKY VOTOLATO (W/ BAND) / MATT POND PA
9/9 Fri – Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
9/10 Sat – Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club
9/12 Mon – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
9/13 Tues – Pontiac, MI – Pike Room
9/14 Wed – Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop
9/15 Thurs – Harrisburg, PA – Abbey Bar
9/16 Fri – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
9/17 Sat – Allston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
9/18 Sun – Ithaca, NY – Castaways
9/19 Mon – Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
9/21 Wed – Baltimore, MD – Otto Bar
9/22 Thurs – Raleigh, NC – King’s Barcade
9/23 Fri – Athens, GA – 40 Watt
9/24 Sat – St. Augustine, FL – Cafe Eleven
9/26 Mon – Orlando, FL – Will’s Pub
9/27 Tues – Tallahassee, FL – Club Downunder


Also, Suburban Home Records has announced that Micah Schnabel (of Two Cow Garage) will be entering Hi/Lo Studios with Matthew Smith (who recorded Two Cow Garage’s “Sweet Saint Me”) on July 1st to record his new album entitled, “I’m Dead, Serious,” the follow up to his outstanding “When the Stage Lights Go Dim”. No release date has been set, but it is tentatively set to be out this Fall.

If you haven't heard it you can listen to Micah’s first album, (and many other Suburban Home releases) here. Just drag the album's cover to the left to start the player. It is WELL worth your time. Also, save a link to the listening station for great access to albums by Drag the River (and individual members), Austin Lucas, Tim Barry, Two Cow, Cory Branan etc. etc.


. . . and (for me) probably best for last, Hot Water Music has signed to Rise Records and will heading into the studio this fall to record a full length album(their first since 2004)with an anticipated release date in Spring 2012.






oh yeah, Wilco has announced its new album "The Whole Love" will be released domestically on September 27 (unfortunately these days this news fails to excite me). Fall tour dates are on their site. For local folks who are interested they'll be at Merriweather on September 25.

all for now.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Weekend Playlists 6/23

Weekend's startin' early for me so i'm posting 2 playlists this week.

First is a set of some typical weekend favorites around the house. Second has some excellent poppier punk stuff, mostly more current (casey hope you are looking at the site).


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Get a playlist! Standalone player Get Ringtones

Monday, June 20, 2011

Red Palace adds a Patio


Apparently, the Red Palace (former The Red & the Black and Palace of Wonders now combined) at 1212 H Street NE, has opened its patio.

DCist: Red Palace Opens New Patio

So go see the reverb soaked southern pysch-rock of The Futurebirds from Athens,GA (RIYL: Early MMJ) on Saturday, July 16 or Sub Pop's indie upstarts Avi Buffalo (RIYL: The Shins, Built to Spill) on Thursday, July 28 and have a pre- or post- drink (or several) outside.

Also, the always interesting Fake Problems (RIYL: Against Me!, Gaslight Anthem, Riot Before) are playing the Red Palace Monday, August 8 w/ the Swellers.

Recommended Listing - Centro-matic - Candidate Waltz


Super prolific songwriter Will Johnson and Centro-matic have cranked out yet another hook laden rock album, Candidate Waltz, to be released tomorrow.

"On Candidate Waltz, the riffage, the tattered vocals and the taut melodies suck you into that happy place . . ."; 8.0 out of 10.0 - Paste Magazine


"Will Johnson, Scott Danbom (keyboards, violin, harmony vocals), Matt Pence (drums), and Mark Hedman (bass and guitars) have made a terrific rock record that's catchy, crunchy and raucous." - When you Motor Away




DC area folks can catch them at the front end of their summer tour supporting the album this Sunday, June 26 at DC9. Other tour dates are listed at the band's site.

Also, if you aren't already familiar with Centro-Matic they've put together a nice little compilation of material from 1996-2011.

1996-2011 by Centro-matic

For most newcomers I'd personally recommend 2003's Love you Just the Same or 2006's Fort Recovery (follow the links for a listen), although it's hard to go wrong with Centro-Matic, its more atmospheric folky/country sister project South San Gabriel, or Will Johnson's solo albums.

Centro-matic/South San Gabriel/Will Johson discography

Friday, June 17, 2011

Recommended Listening - Jason Isbell & the 400 unit - Here we Rest


Belated rec since it was released in April but former 'trucker' Jason Isbell's new one (third 'solo' album, 2nd with the 400 unit) 'here we rest' has something to appeal to just about everyone, from bluesy, southern soul inspired tracks, to melancholy ballads, to some very nice sing along anthemic rockers. It's been on heavy rotation here. Also, saw him at the rock n roll hotel recently and the live show doesn't disappoint.

Here's what some other people think of it (mp3s on these sites as well)

"We’ve already come up on a bunch of great albums in 2011, but I promise you that this one is one of the best I’ve EVER heard . . . It’s one that you should love. You should buy it on vinyl. You should send it to your parents, they’ll feel hip and ask you where you got it, just like the pot you sometimes bring home. Maybe that’s just a California thing." frontporchmusings.com

"A cliff notes version goes like this: Jason Isbell has released a new album. It’s got 11 tracks that crush. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. The more I like it, the more I think it could on top of the year’s end version of the Essential Listening list" ninebullets.net


Isbell's Official Site

Weekend Playlist 6/17

Hope to post these as a recurring thing


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PLAYLIST: NINEBULLETS RADIO 06.16.11

Most recent installment of a nice weekly radio show hosted by Bryan of ninebullets.net (great blog you should follow)

PLAYLIST: NINEBULLETS RADIO 06.16.11

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Introductory Post & Playlist

As someone pre-disposed to spend(probably too) much of my limited free time exploring and investing in the music i love, and 'advising' friends and family on what they might want to listen to, it has been suggested, and i've considered, that I try my hand at "blogging" about it.

Since i don't fancy myself a 'blogger' much less a writer or critic, i'll keep most posts relatively concise and to the point, in hopes of providing a quick reference to the world of compelling indie, punk, folk, 'alt'country, rock etc. music out there (or at least what i consider my world of it).

I'll generally leave it to others who are more articulate or 'professional' to delve into details, but will try to keep the site updated with news, info, and recommendations on artists, albums, shows etc.

To conclude my first post, and as a brief introduction to some of what you'll see on the site, a few opening songs off some excellent albums.

Also, see the link on the right to the Songza streaming radio station for a more comprehensive listen.