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Live Review: Bob Mould w/ J. Robbins @ Black Cat — 5/7/25

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Bob Mould
Bob Mould performs live at Black Cat on May 7, 2025. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

Like another famous musician named Bob, Bob Mould contains multitudes. In his more than 40-year career, Mould has gone from making hardcore punk with Husker Du to becoming one of the most revered figures in alternative (even if he did write a song called “I Hate Alternative Rock.”)

Along the way, Bob made his solo debut with the largely acoustic Workbook in 1989 and dabbled electronica. A lifelong wrestling fan, he worked for World Championship Wrestling during its dying days. He’s never lost the intensity and fury of his early work, though, and he played loud and fast in his recent sold-out appearance at the Black Cat, blazing through nearly songs in his 90-minute set.

Live Review: M3 Rock Festival w/ Accept, Warrant, Pearcy and DeMartini, and more @ Merriweather Post Pavilion — 5/2-5/4/25

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Warrant
Warrant performs live for the 2025 M3 Rock Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion. (Photo by Michael Sprouse)

M3 Rock Festival 2025: Three Days of Rain, Riffs, and Nostalgia at Merriweather Post Pavilion
Words and Photos by Michael Sprouse/OddRocker Photography

You can feel it in the parking lot before you even step inside the venue — the Maryland spring air crackling with denim, leather, Aqua Net, and anticipation. For those of us who still blast cassette tapes in the garage and think modern music’s lost its bite, the M3 Rock Festival isn’t just a throwback — it’s church.

Live Review: Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo @ Altria Theater — 5/6/25

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Pat Benatar
Pat Benatar performs live at Altria Theater on May 6, 2025. (Photo by Michael Sprouse/ OddRocker Photography)

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo recently rolled through Richmond, Virginia, like it was 1983 all over again — except somehow it felt even better this time around. The Altria Theater, tucked right into the heart of downtown, lit up with a crowd that came ready to sing, sway, and let some old memories out to stretch their legs. It wasn’t just another Tuesday night. It was a rock n roll moment.

Live Review: DEVO @ The Anthem — 5/3/25

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DEVO
Mark Mothersbaugh fronts DEVO live at The Anthem on May 3, 2025. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

Rod Rooter, CEO of Big Entertainment (now Big Media), would like to know that DEVO were his biggest disappointment.

“Some things never change. That goes for the spuds you are about to see,” Rod says via a video played before the recent show for the 50 Years of De-Evolution… Continued! Tour at The Anthem in DC.

The clever short film, a callback to a ’70s and ’80s series of them, predated mockumentaries as a commercial form of entertainment. And it accurately paints a picture of DEVO as avant-garde devil-may-care musical adventurers who care more about de-evolution than slick marketing.

Video Interview: Jake Schaefer (Jake Schaefer and The Realm of Possibility @ Pie Shop, 5/12/25)

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Jake Schaefer
Jake Schaefer (Photo by Jarrett Gulakowski)

The DMV’s own Jake Schaefer, who won our hearts and ears with his killer guitar playing in the young band One Way Out, has gone to school in New York City, where he’s testing out his solo chops. He releases a solo album on this month.

Although he lives in NYC, Jake returns often to the DC area, and he performs as Jake Schaefer and The Realm of Possibility at Pie Shop on Monday, May 12.

Prior to the show, Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter chatted with Jake about his guitar playing, his solo ambitions, and our shared love of Marc Bolan and T. Rex!

Live Music: Trivium and Bullet for My Valentine w/ August Burns Red, Bleed From Within @ The Anthem — 5/6/25

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Matt Heafy
Matt Heafy fronts Trivium at The Anthem on May 6, 2025. (Photo by Gerald Henry)

“I was there, Virgil,” I declared solemnly between mouthfuls of cheesesteak at Grazie Grazie, grease indelicately dripping onto wax paper. “Some 20 years ago, at the 9:30 Club, when Roadrunner Records anointed their chosen son, Matt Heafy, with Dimebag Darrell’s guitar, and a very illegal shot of whiskey for an underage minor, to honor the late legend. I bore witness.”

Virgil, unimpressed, dipped his fries in the house-made cheese whiz. “You know,” he retorted, “I think you’ve mentioned it before.”

I rolled my eyes. “Mock me all you want, but that night felt important. I was a fresh-faced DJ at Mary Wash’s WMWC, getting into concerts for free and playing these bands in heavy rotation. It was a rite of passage for college radio.”

Snapshots: Allison Russell w/ Kara Jackson @ Lincoln Theatre — 5/3/25

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Allison Russell
Allison Russell performs live at the Lincoln Theatre on May 3, 2025. (Photo by Steve Satzberg)

After a brief run of dates in Australia, Allison Russell embarked on her rescheduled All Returners Tour, which included a recent date at the Lincoln Theatre! Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show.

Live Review: Djo w/ Post Animal @ The Anthem — 5/1/25

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Djo
Djo performs live in a sold-out show at The Anthem on May 1, 2025. (Photo by Carolin Harvey)

Djo (the d is silent), also known as Joe Keery, is a sleeper band that like most artists these days, rose to fame with a song going viral on TikTok. The song is “End of Beginning,” originally released off the sophomore album Decide (2022), but became an internet sensation two-years later. Its success is likely due to its universally relatable nature, no matter what stage of life you’re in. Being back in “Chicago” could be any place, or any state of mind for the listener. The nostalgic synths and soft vocals make for a picturesque montage soundtrack. It’s no wonder so many people have latched onto this song, myself included.

Keery got his start in music with the Chicago-based psych-rock band Post Animal in 2015. In 2016, Keery made his TV debut as Steve Harrington in Stranger Things, which became the role he’s known for. He departed from Post Animal to focus more on acting, but started releasing music under the “Djo” moniker at the end of 2019. Three albums and six years later, Djo hits the road on the “Back on You Tour,” with a sold-out stop at The Anthem in Washington, DC on May 1.

Live Review: Linkin Park w/ grandson @ CFG Bank Arena — 5/3/25

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Linkin Park
Linkin Park brought down the house at the CFG Bank Arena on May 3, 2025. (Photo by David LaMason)

Linkin Park needs no introduction — but with their most recent album, maybe a reintroduction is more apt. The band that was formed nearly 30 years ago has gone through some monumental changes over the past decade. From the untimely death of singer Chester Bennington and disbandment to their reformation — adding singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain — it’s been a trying time for this monumental band. 

Live Review: The Damned @ 9:30 Club — 5/2/25

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The Damned
The Damned perform live at 9:30 Club on May 2, 2025. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

The classic lineup of The Damned recently performed live in a sold-out show at 9:30 Club on their North America 2025 tour, and the concert was amazing!

When I say classic lineup: This is The Damned of the ’80s — Dave Vanian (vocals), Capitain Sensible (guitar), Paul Gray (bass), and Rat Scabies (drums)! And of course Monty Oxymoron on keyboards. The return of Rat to the fold clearly energized and elevated The Damned, and this was their first appearance in DC since he rejoined in 2023.