Black Clouds at Black Cat
I suppose it would be too simple to just call Black Clouds DC's answer to A Place To Bury Strangers. However I am very, very lazy so there it is.
Now of course there are differences, the most obvious being that Black Clouds have no vocalist. They're all about creating soundscapes, and not nice psych-y "let's all get stoned and be happy" stuff either. For example they show some strong metal influences the disturbing "Everything Is Not Going To Be Okay". Their live show in general seems to be harder edged than their album, which is now two years old. Bands like Disappears like Nothing have been popularising the nihilistic psych thing lately. Perhaps Black Clouds decided to move further in that direction as well?
Posted: 3/30/2014 at 3:36am Tags: Backstage Black Cat Black Clouds We Were Black Clouds
Beach Week at Black Cat
As far as I can tell Beach Week normally perform as a trio. This performance was as a duo, and I'm guessing the result was more rock-n-roll than usual. I say that because the one recording I can get my hands on seems more focused on the vocals, more girl-group-ish, more "clean". This show was more like garage rock, more aggressive, rougher around the edges, and kind of fun that way. Still, a bassist wouldn't hurt.
Posted: 3/18/2014 at 10:06am Tags: Backstage Beach Week Black Cat
Throwback at The Velvet Lounge
The Velvet Lounge in DC seems to be the equivalent of NYC's Trash Bar, or perhaps the showroom of Bar Matchless sitting on top of the Trash Bar. Either way a hardcore show, yep, makes perfect sense. The surprising thing is how narrow the stage gets in front. It's not that wide to begin with plus the subwoofers are on the ground in front of the stage. So of course who pushes their way up to the front of every show? That's right, the most violently energetic fans! When Throwback really got going there was this tight little mosh pit in front where serious brutality was taking place while in back people leaned against the (unmanned) bar and just sorta chilled. Something for everyone I guess, except for people who want paper towels in the bathrooms.
Posted: 3/16/2014 at 4:09pm Tags: The Velvet Lounge Throwback
Speedy Ortiz at Black Cat
Speedy Ortiz is one of those bands which sound just a little crazy. While they certainly play rock music with the catchy rhythms (at times) they also use more than a touch of atonality and some unexpected surprises in the lyrics. It is music which requires effort.
Posted: 3/16/2014 at 4:39am Tags: Backstage Black Cat Speedy Ortiz
Pile at Black Cat
Some band pairings are really weird. Pile played a very long set because Big Ups didn't, and the reason that happened is that they're totally different types of bands. Pile is one of those heavy but artsy bands whose songs seem to be composed like classical music. No pop-y verse-chorus-verse structures here. Their songs on their albums aren't particular long, but live they seem to be playing longer pieces with distinct movements, like they're performing the soundtrack of a dramatic play. Not really my sort of thing, but interesting.
