Emily Haines (Photo by Justin Broadbent)
Emily Haines, the always melodic lead singer of Metric, released Choir of the Mind, a solo album with her project The Soft Skeleton, in September via Last Gang Records/eOne. Emily launched a solo tour that arrives at Sixth and I Historic Synagogue on Saturday, Dec. 2.
Beach Slang pour their hearts out at Black Cat on Nov. 28, 2017. (Photo by David LaMason)
It goes without saying that Beach Slang have been having a difficult year. There was the well-publicized changes in band members in 2016, immediately followed by the first of two thefts where all of their gear was stolen. The second coming this past month in Seattle where their tour van was stolen. But it’s a testament to the spirit of Beach Slang that they not merely continue on or go through the motions, but they consistently play some of the best heart-on-your-sleeve-seat-of-your-pants rock ‘n’ roll every night. And at Black Cat, James Alex and Company poured out those hearts on Tuesday.
Brian Setzer Orchestra performs on their Christmas Rocks! Tour at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Andrzej Liguz)
I vividly remember the friend who put me on to the music of the Stray Cats 30+ years ago, as he was living the zeitgeist of the ’80s rockabilly revival. I was in Rochester, New York, attending RIT, and he’d come up from Jersey to attend school there as well. He had the greaser haircut, the leather jacket, rolled up cuffs on his jeans, cigarettes under his T-shirt sleeve, and designs on marrying his still virginal high school sweetheart once he got his degree.
The Stray Cats were in constant rotation in his dorm room, and he said to me once, “Y’know, even if this whole rockabilly scene fades away tomorrow, this guy Setzer’s still got a job for life.” He was referring to Stray Cats frontman Brian Setzer’s formidable talent as a guitarist. It was clearly evident back then, even if Setzer’s stylistic trappings were a little different from rock hero contemporaries like Eddie Van Halen or Yngwie Malmsteen.
Maximo Park performs at U Street Music Hall on Nov. 28, 2017. (Photo bv Paivi)
Earlier this year, English indie rockers Maximo Park released Risk to Exist, their sixth studio album, via Daylighting/Cooking Vinyl. The gents then launched a US tour, and they visited U Street Music Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Paivi was there to photograph the show!
Squeeze performs at 9:30 Club on Nov. 28, 2017. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
“Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)” by Squeeze is a song of sweet nostalgia. It inspires memories of summer vacations and young romance, and it does so in such a brilliant and successful way that the song has become timeless since its debut in 1980.
Squeeze performed the song early in their set for a sold-out crowd at 9:30 Club on Tuesday, and while welcome hits were a key part of the show, Squeeze also made it clear early they are no nostalgia act. The same clever wordsmithing, strong pop moorings, and superb musicianship that generated songs like “Pulling Mussels,” “Black Coffee in Bed,” and “Tempted” was fully on display in songs from a brand new 16th studio album, The Knowledge, in addition to being on full display during the concert.
Ex Hex (Photo courtesy Merge Records)
Several years ago, Ex Hex, one of the best bands to come out of DC in quite some time, dropped Rips, their debut album, and then toured a lot. The all-female power pop trio have been relatively quiet in 2017, but they will end the year with a big show at Black Cat on Saturday, Dec. 30.
Action Bronson (Photo by Tom Gould)
Rapper Action Bronson, perhaps better known for his VICELAND TV show about food these days, recently released Blue Chips 7000 via Atlantic Records and Vice Records. He’s launched the Blue Chips 7000 Tour, which comes to The Fillmore Silver Spring on Friday, Dec. 22.
Hiss Golden Messenger (Photo by Elise Tyler)
Hiss Golden Messenger released Hallelujah Anyhow, the band’s latest studio album, via Merge Records on Sept. 22. Vocalist MC Taylor is bringing the show to 9:30 Club on Monday, Dec. 11, and you can win tickets to go with Parklife DC.
Municipal Waste (Photo courtesy Nuclear Blast)
Hailing from nearby Richmond, Municipal Waste are hitting the road for dates in Philadelphia, Boston, and DC in December with their Nuclear Blast labelmates Nails. They’ll play at 9:30 Club on Sunday, Dec. 17. Back in June, Municipal Waste released Slime and Punishment, their sixth studio album, via Nuclear Blast, enlisting bassist Phil “Landphil” Hall to produce at Blaze of Torment Studios in Richmond.
Foreign Air (Photo by Luke Adams)
Jesse Clasen and Jacob Michael formed Foreign Air in North Carolina, and the duo have found a home in DC. Foreign Air recently released “Lying,” a new single, and they are on a co-headlining tour with SHAED that visits Rock and Roll Hotel on Friday, Dec. 8.
