Friday, August 25, 2017

Your Handy-Dandy Calendar of Rock & Roll

Last year was a bit challenging for me in a handful of ways. Family illness, divorce #2, got no jack, blah blah blah. There's no time to feel sorry for yourself in a world brimming with sad events and sorrow, but I probably did.

But music is solace, especially if you can emotionally compartmentalize like I can.  A good rock show cures what ails you for two to four hours at a time.  Festivals even moreso.  And against some odds, I did manage to make it to a boatload of good concerts last year.  As I recall, in order:
  • Badfish
  • Wilco
  • Widespread Panic
  • Pink Talking Fish
  • Jimmy Buffett
  • Pearl Jam
  • Jason Isbell
  • Violent Femmes
  • The Wailers
  • Avett Brothers
  • Bruce Springsteen
  • English Beat / Squeeze
  • Old 97's
  • The Cult
  • Drive-By Truckers
Thus far this year I have caught three of those same bands once again, plus Ween, Green Day, Trombone Shorty, U2's Joshua Tree tour, Lionel Richie, the Australian Pink Floyd Show, and a ton of bands at JazzFest in New Orleans. Plus some local acts.  And the Random Idiots uncorked session in Norfolk pre-OBFT.  And drumming on my desk when I'm bored.

Seems like a lot.  But never enough, I guess, because there's more on the docket. Who's with me?

Okay, I'll be more specific.  I began to assemble a list of bands heading to the area over the next few months.  Then "the area" expanded, since we've journeyed far and wide for the right rock concert in the past.  And then I thought I'd have some fun with it and threw in my estimated percentage chance of attending each show. And some bands I likely will not see.  Ever.

Note... that percentage figure increases substantially if other gheorghies are going to go.  Some recall the mini-summit of 2013 in NJ for the Old 97's/DBT's show.  No fewer than 4 GTBers ganged up for that one.  Let's do this.  Apologies to Mark, Squeaky, and others geographically displaced from my town.  Though I will friggin travel for the right show.

Also... what is up with the explosion of music venues in DC now?  I leave town and they pop up like an outbreak of... whatever that is down there.  Used to be the Verizon Center for big acts, the 9:30 Club for mid-majors, and the Black Cat and such for the littl'uns.  Now: Rock & Roll Hotel, Hamilton Live, The Anthem, Hill Country Barbecue Market, U Street Music Hall, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue (??), Lincoln Theatre, and a place near the old Bayou called Gypsy Sally's -- each of which have bands I listen to playing there.  Kind of awesome, kind of wtf.

Anywho... come join me for some musical shenanigans, won't you?




53 comments:

Marls said...

Verizon Center is now the Capital One Arena. Moose out front shoulda' told ya.

Mark said...

Apology accepted. I'll be hitting my first concert in a few months next Friday. Kendrick. Pretty damn pumped.

Danimal said...

good stuff. fighting gravity heh? how 'bout them apples.
liam is a douche but his show looks pretty solid - saw a few minutes of it on the telly the other evenin. his brother was on stern the other day and is quite the opposite.

rob said...

we could walk from my house to the tally ho. howard jones would appreciate the effort.

zman said...

If anyone wants to schlep to the (newly revitalized) Wellmont in Montclair we could see:

9/9 - Danzig
9/13 - Dita Von Teese Burlesque Review
9/14 - Andrew Dice Clay (not a typo)
9/29 - Rick Springfield
10/6 - Yacht Rock Review
10/7 - Psychedelic Furs
10/28 - 311
11/2 - Dee Snider

Whitney said...

Review or Revue? Marls, Greg, and I review yacht rock episodes on occasion.

Whitney said...

So Howard Jones is up to 20% based on feedback
Liam Gallagher up to 2%

rob said...

tally ho has an excellent craft beer selection. also, nachos.

Whitney said...

Are they craft nachos?

Shlara said...

I saw rick Springfield's show in Vegas a few years ago--it was really fun

And I've seen a few shows at sixth & I--it's a cool Venue

I'm excited to check out Anthem, and disappointed that I couldn't get tix when Foo opens the venue in Oct

Also--I will now be calling the Verizon Center the Cap Center, even tho Capital One really doesn't want people to do that

Whitney said...


Mark, Yngwie Malmsteen is headed your way right after my town. 11/12 at the King Center in Melbourne. There's probably also 0% chance you go see him.

Marls said...

The Marls family will be going to Howard Jones.

zman said...

All nachos are craft nachos.

TR said...

I prefer artisanal nachos.

Marls said...

Anal nachos?

I like my Nachos free range.

Mark said...

I agree with those percentages, Whit. Not much at the King Center piques my interest. I did see Chapelle there though and it was fantastic.

I'd like to see The National. Of course, they aren't coming anywhere near Florida.

zman said...

Trump hired Webster's dad to work on his campaign? I'm stunned TR didn't pick up on this earlier.

mr kq said...

Great post, great list. Love to join you for a few. Picked up original (used) pressing of Pink Floyd Animals today. Been looking for that one for over a year. Also Dire Straits Brothers in Arms. Twas a good day. Celebrating with a juicy Aslin IPA. Cheers.

TR said...

Boarded flight to Savannah w/ family. We're packed away in coach. A great big fat person just came in and sat in the row behind us. He was carrying a trough of unidentifiable food. Lid comes off and he starts scarfing a giant mound of Pad Thai like he's going to the chair. The entire cabin reeks. No fucks given.

zman said...

They shouldn't sell stinky food at airports.

zman said...

This is the most transparently corrupt administration in American history.

rob said...

the arpaio thing, man. such gross contempt for the rule of law, and for people of color. outrage upon outrage upon outrage from this band of venal fucksticks.

zman said...

At least the hurricane response will have plenty of Trump brand water and steaks. Provided at a discount, of course.

TR said...

Not afraid to double down on racism, I see. Arpaio is a despicable human.

Whitney said...

Remember when Trump said he was the "law and order candidate"? I now get that he meant he's a huge fan of Logan and Briscoe. What a joke.

Whitney said...

Just fucking get fitted for a hood and sheet and stop pretending.

zman said...

He strikes me as more of an Angie Harmon and Elisabeth Röhm fan/groper.

zman said...

In other news, zson is really into Solomon Burke. Who knew?

TR said...

Did Zann just make a Rizzoli and Isles reference?

TR said...

Zann, Zmed, Zman. Whatevs.

zman said...

I did not. This why I'm stunned you didn't make the George Papadopolis connection.

zman said...

Harmon and Röhm played impossibly good looking lawyers on Law & Order.

TR said...

Charleston Session IPA from Palmetto Brewery is tasty. I will need it the next couple days. Forecast is for thunderstorms. No bueno.

T.J. said...

I'm dressed in all white headed to DC Diner en Blanc

T.J. said...

Also, Adrian Zmed is the man

zman said...

But is he zman?

zman said...

I'm going to my neighbor's to watch the fight tonight. Mark/Mayhugh, is there any reason to believe that Mayweather isn't going to pummel McGregor as painfully and protractedly as possible? Does McGregor stand any chance?

rob said...

come on, man

mayhugh said...

I'm not watching the fight myself and I don't really follow MMA so I dont know much about CM. Floyd is unbelievably fast. I think this will go like Floyds fights against Gatti or Hatton, both workmanlike, bigger and slower fighters that got embarrassed and annihilated in the mid rounds. Much is being made of the amount of money coming in for CM but that's primarily because the odds have been so stacked that you have to bet an obscene amount to make any money off a Floyd win.

It sounds like CM will try to give Floyd the bum's rush from the first bell like Hurricane Peter McNeely tried with Tyson when he first got out of jail. I don't think it will turn out well and I would fully expect a clumsy slip or knockdown in the first round.

Floyd is basically the best scout of talent of those he would face and hasn't taken a fight that would challenge him in a decade. He's not risking 49-1. And despite the fact that he's a pretty/very terrible human, I think he respects boxing and his own place in it way too much to leave much up to chance here. I have virtually never been right on a prediction but I would say a no-question-type KO in 5th or 7th.

So, long way of saying what Rob said.

Mark said...

I basically agree with everything Mayhugh said. Or I the word if my good friend Vitas, "Floyd is going to dust him". I actually cited the Hatton fight as a reference point earlier today. And Hatton was an actual boxer. I'll watch the fight but it ain't gonna be shit.

Mark said...

Fucking autocorrect on the second sentence. I think you got the jist.

rob said...

this fight will last as long as floyd wants it to last. in other words, figure out what round he's had his cutouts bet on the ko, and go lay money on that.

Whitney said...

In the Outer Banks boozing heavy and streaming Lockn on a projector. Life isn't bad.

rob said...

you're allowed to do that at the martha wood?

mayhugh said...

Yes, I think it's fair to say that Floyd can dictate the outcome by the round and by the minute. He's been fighting organized bouts since before mac was born. Something tells me he wants to close the show on this guy though. He might Have to get used to the style of someone who doesn't regularly box for a round or two (and a lefty at that) but I think he'll settle in quickly.

zman said...

So rob, it's like a Norfolk State/Missouri situation?

rob said...

i'll buy you a mcgregor onesie if he wins.

zman said...

There's no chance Mayweather loses on purpose? How crooked is this event? Is it sanctioned by some legit body?

mayhugh said...

I would view a Mayweather loss as irrefutably fishy.

rob said...

mayweather ain't giving up a chance for 50-0 and history to fix this fight. the fight is sanctioned, but that in itself is fishy, as mcgregor's never fought in a sanctioned boxing match.

mayhugh said...

Yes. I don't know who the ref is but he needs to keep a close eye. Chances are remote but a seasoned boxer could literally kill an amateur.

mayhugh said...

Despite my outrage at this fight I am following Dan Rafael live blogging. It sounds like CM's technique is terrible and Floyd is not pushing the action. Big surprise. Hopefully he puts on a good show to win over some boxing fans. He's capable of doing that against this meatball.

zman said...

Dude here says it's all scripted. It isn't compelling TV.