Radkey at DC9
Damn. Once in a while some band I haven't heard of comes along and blows me away. Radkey are totally intense, both musically and in their stage presence, and they're barely 21 (in fact I think a couple of 'em are underage). I can not even imagine how crazy good they'll be when they've been doing this for a decade or so.
Tweens at Black Cat
In case it is not immediately obvious from looking at the photos, it was hot that day! The temperature may have hit 100 degrees outside and I'm guessing it was at least that hot on stage under all those lights. So here are my photos of Tweens melting (or at least their hair product).
Posted: 6/30/2014 at 9:00am Tags: Backstage Black Cat Tweens
Gringo Star at Black Cat
At first I had a hard time believing that this was the same band I saw before. They were so clean-cut before! All I can figure is that this was the end of their tour (13th show, I believe) and that noone remembered to bring a razor. This is the face of touring, folks.
Posted: 6/29/2014 at 9:00pm Tags: Backstage Black Cat Gringo Star
Dope Body at The Pinch
I've seen Dope Body play at larger venues in the past, but this time they headlined a show at a small venue which happens to be right near my apartment. Obviously I had to go check it out.
The show was in the basement of The Pinch, though it looks more like a garage to me. Sure enough this show had many of the qualities of a garage show including random crap on the floor and mics which went in and out. Despite these annoyances Dope Body put on a rather energetic and fun show just like last time at that big venue.
I have to say, though, that I really preferred the lighting at that big venue. The Pinch is pretty bright for a basement. That's better than the alternative. The problem is that the lighting is so even it's actually a bit dull. The colors aren't very impressive either. The lights are mostly white and the venue really does look like a basement! Oh well, at least the lighting didn't go in and out.
The Gloomy Ones at CD Cellar
The CD Cellar uses an old traffic light placed on the ground as their "stage lighting". Note that "stage" should be in its own set of quotes as there is no actual stage. Anyway, being lit from below makes bands look creepier. You know, it's the campfire ghost story look. So I figured it would be a great place to get some shorts of a band called "The Gloomy Ones".
Now, The Gloomy Ones do have a bit of horror-movie kitsch in their some of their surf-rock numbers, but they're not exactly hard-core about the whole "gloom" angle. You could dance to some of their peppier stuff, and I do mean actual dancing, not "shuffling while staring at one's feet" dancing. Then they also have some sci-fi inspired songs which vary from Man... or Astro-Man? style rockers (not very gloomy) to heavier and more contemplative stuff (okay, maybe as little bit gloomy). So in summary, The Gloomy Ones: lots of rock, not actually that much gloom.
Posted: 6/28/2014 at 3:00pm Tags: CD Cellar The Gloomy Ones
