Local Live Music

[jsteele]

Let's talk about local live music groups and venues. While many of our users may be too busy with children to get out much, where do those of you who can like to go for live music? What are your favorite local groups?

We've been frequenting the Birchmere a lot lately, but we haven't been seeing local groups. We stopped by a new place in Columbia Heights called Acre 121 which had the local band, The Weathervanes, playing. They weren't bad but not quite my style

It seems like DC's local music scene may be getting revitalized, but I pretty out of touch. What do you all have to say about it?

[Anonymous]

Well, I still go to shows at Black Cat once in a while. I still really like Ted Leo, but it's hard to find people to go with. 9:30, of course. U Street Music Hall is a good edition; also Howard Theatre will be great. But I don't really keep up with the local music scene any more. When I moved here Fugazi was still together, and I was into that scene, but it's so hard to keep up and often you feel like the oldest people at the show. I do like Le Loup (from here) and one of the members is a friend of friend so she turned me on to them.

[Anonymous]

I've been to a number of venues but never for a local band. Birchmere's the best. I also like Jammin' Java and State Theatre and the Iota.

But I'm afraid I've turned into an old fart and don't frequent the bar scene. (Plus it doesn't help that I don't drink.) I wouldn't know who to follow locally. Can anyone recommend a local alt-country band?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend a local alt-country band?

You might like the band that I mentioned in the original post:

http://www.theweathervanesmusic.com/

[Anonymous]

I'm close to Jammin' Java so I'm there a lot. Probably at least once a month. They have great bands there. Was at Graham Colton/Green River Ordinance 2 weeks ago. Adore them both! State Theatre is good too. I hate Birchmere. It's dinner theater.

And nothing beats 9:30.

[Anonymous]

Black Cat
9:30
Fillmore (new, pretty nice venue)
Iota (smaller acts)
State Theatre

[Anonymous]

Hill Country BBQ on 7th (between D and E) has country and other acts for the person seeking alt-country.

Also love State Theater, Jammin Java, 9:30, Iota, etc.

Haven't been, but U Street Music Hall was recently one of the top ten clubs in the nation in a list dominated by clubs in NYC and Miami. Need to check it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hill Country BBQ on 7th (between D and E) has country and other acts for the person seeking alt-country.

Also love State Theater, Jammin Java, 9:30, Iota, etc.

Haven't been, but U Street Music Hall was recently one of the top ten clubs in the nation in a list dominated by clubs in NYC and Miami. Need to check it out.

Oh yeah, that's right I heard about Hill Country. I'll check it out. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

The is a club in Adams Morgan that has live bands . . . the name escapes me now. The band plays upstairs in the rowhouse and it is standing room only. There is another place on U street . . . names escapes me too. Wow, I am getting old . . . must be all the loud music.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend a local alt-country band?

You might like the band that I mentioned in the original post:

http://www.theweathervanesmusic.com/

Hey thanks, I'll check 'em out!

[Anonymous]

[jsteele]

Thanks for the video. It was interesting. But, just for the record, I don't think you will ever catch me racing the rest of the crowd for a spot on the lawn.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, I still go to shows at Black Cat once in a while. I still really like Ted Leo, but it's hard to find people to go with. 9:30, of course. U Street Music Hall is a good edition; also Howard Theatre will be great. But I don't really keep up with the local music scene any more. When I moved here Fugazi was still together, and I was into that scene, but it's so hard to keep up and often you feel like the oldest people at the show. I do like Le Loup (from here) and one of the members is a friend of friend so she turned me on to them.

you sound like me. I moved here in the early 90s and was pretty into the local music scene- chisel, fugazi, the make-up, but have not been able to keep up with the new bands since parenthood. we still get out to the occasional show, but it tends to be bands I used to listen to back in the day, like ted leo, or superchunk.

fort reno is great in the summer though, since you can bring the kids and hear new music. the evens (Ian Mckaye & his wife's band) usually play there each summer.

[Anonymous]

What about local bars that have cover bands? I would love to just go out and dance to the best of the "80's, 90's and today" Preferably Silver Spring area but we're open.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:What about local bars that have cover bands? I would love to just go out and dance to the best of the "80's, 90's and today" Preferably Silver Spring area but we're open.

You might try to track this band down, though it looks like they play a little further out than you'd like:

http://www.terryglaze.com/crayfish/

My friend is catching their show tomorrow. He has seen them before thinks they are great. The singer used to be in Pantera back in the '80s.