J2B2 (Photo courtesy the band)
Guitarmaster John Jorgenson released From the Crow’s Nest, a new album with John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band, or J2B2, in July via Cleopatra Records. John and the band perform their new songs at City Winery on Wednesday, Jan. 2.
Alec MacKaye fronts Hammered Hulls at Black Cat on Dec. 19, 2018. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Post-punk supergroup Hammered Hulls made its debut performance at the Black Cat’s 25th anniversary concert showcase in September. The quartet returned to Black Cat recently for a mesmerizing sold-out show at the club’s backstage, and we took some pix!
Los Lobos performs at City Winery on Dec. 21, 2018. (Photo by Ben Eisendrath/Instagram+Twitter: Insomnigraphic/GrillworksBen)
Initially formed by singer and guitarist David Hidalgo and guitarist/percussionist Louie Perez in 1973, the lineup of East Los Angeles band Los Lobos hasn’t changed in more than three decades. They know each other’s playing really, really well. And even though they scored a #1 hit with their cover of Ritchie Valens’s arrangement of the traditional song “La Bamba” on the soundtrack to the 1987 film of the same name, Los Lobos have never stopped being a blue-collar band in the very best sense: hardworking and professional about their performances — including one such performance at DC’s City Winery recently.
Too Many Zooz amaze the crowd at the 9:30 Club on Dec. 23, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
The New York City-based trio Too Many Zooz refer to their own music as “brass house,” which can be a bit hard to describe. Incorporating elements of up tempo ska, house, dub, and jazz, David “King of Sludge” Parks (drums/percussion), Leo Pellegrino (baritone sax), and Matt “Doe” Muirhead (trumpet/keys) have gone from busking the busy New York subway to playing alongside Beyoncé and the Dixie Chicks at the 50th Annual CMA Awards in 2016.
And the trio took their brass house sound to 9:30 Club on Saturday.
Hiss Golden Messenger performs at Pickathon 2014 on Aug. 1, 2014. (Photo by Eli Duke)
“Who knows, maybe James Mattis is here tonight. He’s looking for something to do,” said MC Taylor, frontman and founder of Hiss Golden Messenger, referring to the Secretary of Defense’s resignation earlier that day. at 9:30 Club recently, MC fit a friend’s description as “an introvert” and “kind of engaging,” contrasting with guitarist Phil Cook, “the most extroverted human being I’ve ever met, and it’s not even close.”
But then leaving the stage after their encore, Phil looked right up at us on the balcony, making eye contact.
The Oh Hellos perform at 9:30 Club on Dec. 19, 2018. (Photo by Matt Ruppert)
White Christmas tree on a balcony. Lights dangling from the ceiling and draped on railings. More holiday-themed clothing than an ugly sweater competition. Mics covered in holly and burgundy ribbons. An Oh Hellos Christmas tree on the stage. A giant television evoking the static-dusted sets of yesteryear. A small fireplace with a handful of stockings. Billowing white drapes evoking snowfall and clouds overhead.
Awesome decorating, 9:30 Club, although you couldn’t pay me enough to hang those lights!
Midnight North performs at Gypsy Sally’s on Dec. 15, 2018. (Photo by Nathan Payne)
Midnight North recently rocked Gypsy Sally’s with the help of the Doobie Decibel System Trio and Travers Brothership. The San Francisco band is composed of lead guitarists and vocalists Grahame Lesh (yep, Phil’s son!) and Elliott Peck with Alex Jordan on keys, guitar, and vocals, and finally, Connor O’Sullivan on bass.
Trombone Shorty (Photo courtesy the artist)
Looking for something to do on New Years Eve? Look no further than The Anthem for a night full of fantastic music as Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue take over the big stage with some help from George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic and Trouble Funk! Catch this funky show at The Anthem on Monday, Dec. 31.
Judy Collins sings at the 50th Anniversary of the visit of John F. Kennedy to New Ross, Co. Wexford, Ireland, on June 22, 2013. (Photo by Sean Rowe)
At 38, I’m not typical of the audience here at The Birchmere on a Tuesday night for a Judy Collins concert; the friend I’ve brought to the show is a bit closer at 52. As Judy said, said “I’ve been doing this for 59 years.” “You’re looking at the American Idol of 1957,” she joked.
GWAR (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)
Intergalactic scumdogs Gwar invade DC to take over 9:30 Club on Saturday, Dec. 29 with music from their new album, Blood of Gods.
