only issue is that I can't seem to find out how to put an umlaut over the "n" in Spinal Tap ... any ideas?
FRIDAY
The Secret Machines ?? at 930 Club ?? have been turning heads with an intoxicating concoction of old-school psychedelic jams and hooky indie rock, replete with a uniquely stark light show. Hopefully you??ll be treated to their gorgeous shoegazey cover of Dylan??s ??Girl from the North Country.?
Clem Snide ?? at Black Cat ?? defies stock alt-country conventions to create a timeless and diverse sound that highlights frontman Eef Barzelay??s remarkable singing and songwriting talents. Archer Prewitt (formerly of post-rock supergroup The Sea and Cake) opens.
The cozy Ram??s Head Tavern in Annapolis is the perfect spot to catch Austin roots rocker Alejandro Escovedo. Known for his mesmerizing live performances, Escovedo informs his excellent Americana-drenched tunes with his rebellious cowpunk background.
Soulfly ?? at Jaxx, in Springfield ?? features ex-Sepultura frontman and heavy metal luminary Max Cavalera. Openers Death by Stereo veer more towards thrashy metal than their poppier So-Cal skatepunk brethren. Attendees should go ahead and schedule an appointment with their ear doctor for Monday morning.
SATURDAY
After innumerable opening gigs for hotly tipped indie bands, Ambulance Ltd. finally have the spotlight to themselves. Headlining at Black Cat, the impeccably coiffed NYC quartet play dreamy pop, but aren??t afraid to wander into grittier territory. Openers include VHS or Beta and Robbers on High Street.
A wizened sage of underground rock and lo-fi pioneer, Lou Barlow brings his decades of experience in legendary bands like Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, and The Folk Implosion, to Iota. Acclaimed local songwriter Karl Straub opens.
Notorious rabble-rouser George Carlin peels himself away from his dusty Atlantic City and Vegas haunts to perform his stand-up at the stately Warner Theatre. While Carlin??s incendiary views on religion, politics, and American society haven??t mellowed with age, his sharp tongue has grown a bit tired in recent years.
Sure, you??ll have to scrounge for a ticket to this sold out show at 930 Club and struggle through insipid nu-metal imitators like Chevelle, but post-hardcore innovators Helmet are well worth your wait. Reunited after a six year hiatus, Helmet??s ??Meantime? remains one of the best hard rock albums of the 90s.
SUNDAY
As mock-rocker David St. Hubbins of Spinal Tap declared, ??It??s like a pair of eyes. You??re looking at the umlaut, and it??s looking at you.? That??s right, German punctuation trailblazers Mötley Crüe are back at MCI Center. Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee, Vince Neil and the gang use a little less hairspray now, but their misogynist pop-metal hits still rock.
Head to the Black Cat backstage say a proper farewell to indie popsters The Small Shouts, playing their final show. Don??t worry, you can catch tireless Small Shout??s member Olivia Mancini perform with the Washington Social Club nearly every weekend at a club near you.
