Rowdy Iranian Boys = A Surprisingly Good Time

The Red & the Black dragged me out of my hobbit hole after a long week/end of work. I'm glad I made the trip since I had a chance to see Hypernova this Sun night. I stumbled across the band and the many positive reviews just sort of screamed, "GO!" and I caved. I walked into the bar to see 4 skinny Iranian looking hipsters sitting at the front table. Who looked not too surprisingly, like the pic above. Only clearer because I was sober as a judge.

There was a surprise opener consisting of a handful of high school boys (the name of the band is escaping me...sorry guys.) Their parents were ROCKING. I'm telling you, it must have been a fun ride home in the minivan that night.

Hypernova is very good. They reminded me a bit of Interpol smushed with the Editors with a tiny bit of Madrugada anger thrown in for good measure. Nothing like a passionately riled up Iranian band to get you going. They wore the skinny jeans and tossed their hair (most of them did). It sort of made me want to see them lined up with Monotonix. But that could throw me over the edge...

Alright, upcoming shows if I can get my tail out of work:

My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult - DC9 - 9/28 (c'mon...it's worth it just for the people watching...)

* Pinback - Black Cat - 10/01

* Fleet Foxes - Black Cat - 10/03

* Nick Cave - 9:30 - 10/06

* Hot Chip - 9:30 - 10/08

Of Montreal - 9:30 - 10/9

It's going to be a fun October!

Can't Get Enough...

People in Planes!

I saw the boys at DC9 a few weeks back and was pretty darn excited to see they were opening for Stereophonics at the 9:30 on 9/11. They didn't have their new album at the last show so I trapsed down to the club to see them on "the big stage." Man, what a difference a stage makes. Granted, they were awesome at DC9, but it was obvious that the venue and good sound equipment made them happy. AND I got the album, which promptly gave me error codes when I put it in my cd player...hmmmmm. What gives, gentlemen? Or could it be the cheapest cd player in humanity's fault...

The headlining band was Stereophonics. Not to put them last, but well, I saw them open for David Bowie (!) a few years back and maybe it's the fact that no one can compare with Bowie, or that they just plain sucked live. They were much better this time around and I heard a couple of my favorite songs (on the old albums...). And it doesn't hurt that they're pretty hot. In any case, it was a great lineup and fun to see PIP again.

East (Euopean Folk Punk...) Meets West

I have seen a lot of shows and have not posted anything since Summerbirds. My bad. I'm going to give the cliff notes version, which is probably better anyway! The Walkmen came back to their stomping grounds on 9/06 and played an early show at the 9:30. They were pretty damn good, I have to say. And the highlight of the whole show were the 3 70+ year old rockers who had a blast in the front, center during the whole show. Man! I was there early and saw an old dude leaning on an amp on the stage and did a double take. This was followed by the god awful smell of Chantilly Lace...and giddy laughter from two white haired ladies who were all smiles. "This is great! Now all we have to do is get in the center," One of them yelled while pulling her friend and motioning at the old man. They all pushed their way to center stage and man...I didn't stop grinning the entire night. They danced through the whole show and sure as shit stayed in the front. I love it!

Aside from slugging down Stella all night and most of the band members having backup drinks (a sign of greatness), the piano player/guitar player Paul Maroon brought his son onstage at the end of the show and let him watch/play some stick knocker instrument. He was a teeny lad, maybe 3ish with the rocker long hair and a kickass hat and big ol' headphones to protect his ears. Awe.

The show opened with this random (cool) band called Golem. They were all in red and entertained me fully. Who doesn't like wailing Yiddish followed everyonce inawhile with an english curse I understand? That and the accordian make for a fun combo...they call themselves a "Eastern European Folk-Punk Band."

Summerbirds come back to DC

It's hard to get people to drag themselves out the first day after a holiday weekend. H Street was a deserted strip on Tues night, but I was one of the lucky ones who made it out and had a chance to see Summerbirds at Red & Black Bar. The venue is small, so the odds of getting up close to see a great show is always in your favor. Throw in the show being on Tues after Labor Day and you've got it made.

The guys in the band, Brad, Curtis, and Tyson, are some of the nicest guys you'll meet. The Summerbirds started out in Orlando, and have made a huge following in Florida and Georgia and seem to be on the road quite a bit. Both Brad and Curtis are also in Now it's Overhead. It's hard to pick one element of the band I like the best. Heavy on the synth, and a great mix of vocals and guitar make can't be a bad combination. Their first album has been in heavy rotation in my ipod and their second album, Druids, should prove to be a great addition.

Druids should be out around the beginning of 2009 and it sounds like DC will be another stop early next year.

Next shows, come and join me!

The Walkmen - 9/6, 6:30pm at the 9:30 Club

The Veils - 9/6, 10PM at Rock and Roll Hotel

People in Planes and Stereophonics - 9/11 at the 9:30 Club