Warehouse Next Door

since the last thread was getting pretty long, i figured i'd start a new one…

Saturday, February 26
Warehouse Next Door
1021 7th St NW
Washington DC
doors at 8:30, show at 9
$7, all ages

Earthride (Southern Lord, ex-Spirit Caravan, MD doom)
Unearthly Trance (The Music Cartel/Rise Above, from NYC)
VOG (northern VA doom)
The PB Army (Ohio stoner-punk)
Peasant (Baltimore sludge/doom)

Earthride

Earthride are another incredible band from the Doom Capitol/Maryland, the fertile breeding ground that has spawned Pentagram, Internal Void, Wretched, Iron Man, Unorthodox, and of course Spirit Caravan. In fact, there's connections to some of these bands: drummer Eric Little was in Internal Void, and singer Dave Sherman was in Wretched and also played bass in Spirit Caravan (along with sharing vocal duties with guitar god, Wino). The band's first offering was a self-produced, self-titled 4-song EP/CD on their own label, Earth Brain records (2000). This recording coupled with their relentless live shows quickly proved Earthride was more than just "Sherm's side project." The Earthride sound is a brutal combination of Sherm's whiskey-burned, Lemmy-esque vokills trainwrecked into a punishing mountain of doom. One listen to the mammoth wall of guitar that Kyle (sonic titan) Van Steinburg blankets over the concrete rythym section and its obvious that Earthride holds their own. "Taming of the Demons" is the band's first official full-length recording and was recorded by acclaimed producer Chris Koslowski (Pentagram, Spirit Caravan, Internal Void, the Obsessed) in their homestate of Maryland. The band's adopted phrase, "PURE MARYLAND DOOM FOR THE BROTHERHOOD OF MUSIC", sufficiently sums up that the strength of this band lies in their unified dedication to produce hard, no-frills, heavy music! So loud, so alive. All heavy, the Earthride!!!

Unearthly Trance

"The march of Templar Knights at twilight. Ritualistic subterranean drift. The decay of cathedrals over eons. Unearthly Trance, formed in 2000 and comprised of members Darren Verni, Rion Lipynsky, and Jay Newman, unleash a frostbitten, apocalyptic vision with their brand of grim hypnotic doom. Blackened sound waves, lethargic riffs, and dire proclamations drone from the void."

"I'm having a tough time putting the Unearthly Trance experience to words. Honestly, I've been thinking about this for at least a week before first spinning Season of Trance, Science of Silence and don't quite know how to translate music so innately visceral into a formation of words that can adequately describe this recording.

I'll give it a shot. There are words - just single words - that come to mind: Black; evil; occult;oppressive; rites and ritual; suffocating; sickness; crushing; prolific; hopeless; cold.

Unearthly Trance treads in the outer fringes of doom metal, territory held within the death grip of the most extreme: Khanate; Hlidolf; Ungl'Unl'Rrlh'Chchch; Runemagick and a few chosen others. Melody is forsaken for a pure, blackened visceral aura; gut-churning bass frequencies and beyond-the-grave vocals. Guitarist/vocalist Rion Lipynsky writes some incredibly captivating lyrics - part dark prose, part arcane ritual. For added dark art credentials, famed occultist Aliester Crowley gets credit for both band inspiration and for the lyrics to "Mass of the Phoenix". Lipynsky and Jimmy Page should get together and go bowling.

Underground artist/musician/doom hero Stephen O'Malley (Lotus Eaters, Sunn0))), Khanate, etc) gets credit for the mix and co-production of Season of…. A wise choice. I'm a firm believer that everything O'Malley touches turns to quality, and Season of… is no exception. The sound here is exceptional, the guitar and percussion crushing, the low-end set on suffocation. Lipynsky's vocals alternate between blackened dissonance and what sound like cries from a dark, desolate canyon. The latter effect, which sets lipynsky's voice farther back in the mix, is particularly chilling giving the whole thing a palpable supernatural vibe. Frighteningly supernatural.

Given the amount of time and effort this band has put into it's craft, I couldn't be happier with the result of their first full length. To say it's impressive is a big understatement. I'm no psychic but I'm betting Season of… will join the ranks of underground extreme doom classics like Burning Witch's Crippled Lucifer, The Teeth of the Lions Rule the Divine's Rampton and the first Khanate album. Congrats. You just etched your name in the hallowed pantheon of the unholy. A sure bet for cult status." (Hellride Music)

The PB Army

"PB Army's Keith Bergman likes to describe "Inebriates, Equivocators and Mockers of the Devil Himself" as "stoner-pop-metal." Some might take that to mean that they're fusing stoner rock and pop-metal – perhaps Fu Manchu, Orange Goblin, Goatsnake and Eyehategod by way of Warrant, Poison and Bon Jovi. That's an intriguing idea, certainly, but it isn't what PB Army is going for on this promising debut album. Rather, singer/drummer Bergman seems to mean pop as in highly melodic pop – as in having a sense of craftsmanship and operating from the premise that headbangers don't have to govern by brute force alone. This 2002 session has most of the familiar stoner rock ingredients: a definite Black Sabbath influence, fuzzy guitars and an appreciation of Seattle's late â??80s/early â??90s grunge. But PB Army has a cleaner sound than most stoner bands, and they obviously appreciate the fact that a lot of â??70s metal bands – including Sabbath – were highly musical. They realize that Ozzy Osbourne and his colleagues had more than riffs and amplifiers – they had songs. Sabbath had a commitment to melody – a fact that wasn't lost on the Cardigans when they provided dream pop/shoegazer interpretations of "Iron Man" and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" in the â??90s – and so did Budgie and Blue Oyster Cult, two other â??70s combos that have influenced PB Army. In fact, just about every band that has affected PB in some way – a list that ranges from those â??70s headbangers to Alice in Chains, Queens of the Stone Age, Voivod and Nirvana – realized that loudness and musicality aren't mutually exclusive. For all its forcefulness and aggression, this CD isn't brutal – invigorating and intense, but not hammer-to-the-skull brutal the way a metalcore outfit like Brick Bath is brutal. PB Army's debut falls short of groundbreaking; regardless, this is among the more memorable stoner recordings of 2002." (All Music Guide)


VOG

Formed in the peak of the summer of 2004, VOG had itâ??s first jam in a basement in Oakton, Virginia. VOG came to fruition based on an intent to play music with other members who were serious enough to commit to playing on a regular basis. Riffs written out of pipe dreams flowed through the aura of dirge that released the steam of sour days.
VOG is the hawaiian term for a wretched gas/smoke present when volcanoes erupt that makes all that come in contact with it nauseous.

I'll be there. Any idea when the show will let out?

probably around 1-1:30. we're starting promptly at 9 because there are five bands.

are you selling advance tickets for enon?

not that i know of, though considering how packed it was last time, we probably should. swearing at motorists is opening, and i doubt they have much pull.

Originally posted by snailhook:
swearing at motorists

hmmmm, enon and swearing at motorists, sounds like something I should go to but probably wont, when is that one?

friday, march 25

check out the new (and still pretty minimal) website. we have all of our confirmed shows going into may.

Originally posted by snailhook:
check out the new (and still pretty minimal) website. we have all of our confirmed shows going into may.

and that May 27 show looks like quite the party!

Originally posted by snailhook:
not that i know of, though considering how packed it was last time, we probably should. swearing at motorists is opening, and i doubt they have much pull.

What time will doors open for Enon, and how early do you think I reasonably need to get their if advanced tickets will not be sold?

doors for enon will be 9pm, and we will likely add a local band. if you get there around 8:30, you should be fine. if you get there early and there's no line, you can always hang out in the cafe for a bit.

i'm pretty stoked for chris thompson's new band, red eyes legends. thompson was in circus lupus, the monorchid, and skull kontrol.

mono is going to be amazing, too. their new record is as good as anything by explosions in the sky and mogwai.

Originally posted by snailhook:
mono is going to be amazing, too. their new record is as good as anything by explosions in the sky and mogwai.

I plan on trying to make it to this show.

Would you please post the extended calendar again in this thread? The one without all the details that has all of the shows on the list.

I was held back in the rotten core of nova babysitting my little nephew all evening and couldn't make it out to the warehouse. This is maybe the 10th opportunity I've had to catch unearthly trance and I keep blowing it. I guess I'll have to wait all the way to mid april for the hidden hand/weedeater show to get my doom fix.

if you need your doom fix, come out next sunday for nitroseed, valkyrie, and eldemur krimm. nitroseed is rob from earthride and gary from spirit caravan playing instrumental stoner/doom with a math-rock flavor, valkyrie are kind of like a heavy psych/NOWBHM hybrid, and eldemur krimm are from maine and described as "mountain on crack."

by the way, unearthly trance absolutely tore the place up tonight. too bad you got stuck babysitting, you would've loved their slow, brutal, droned-out sludge.

Wow I don't see how I missed this one on the calendar. I'm actually familiar with both bands. Weeknight shows can be kind of tough for me now that I don't have a car anymore and with the early metro closings and all, but I could possibly get one of my buddies to go. We'll see.

I'll be out for Circle Takes the Square on Thursday– they were just awesome last time they were in town.

Kudos to snail for having what is without a doubt the best lineup in the city.

circle takes the square always play with a lot of passion and it really transfers to record too. I hate to use the dreaded term noisecore, but for my money they are the best ones doing it. I'm not too familiar with the other bands but it should be a sick show.

Snailhook,
I read on dusted that Double Leopards, Mouthus & Axolotl are touring in March.. any chance you'll be booking this here? I think Double Leopards are fucking great (one of the highlights for me at noise against fascism as well) and I've liked pretty much everything I've heard from Mouthus up to this point but have yet to see them live. Also.. Afrirampo is touring the US in June.. Id be pretty stoked if this came through DC!

I read on dusted that Double Leopards, Mouthus & Axolotl are touring in March.. any chance you'll be booking this here?

axolotl is going back to the west coast today, but will probably be back in the fall. i talked to them when they played tarantula hill and they definitely want to play DC next time around. i have also been talking to mouthus and those guys want to come down here soon. in fact, i just scored richard bishop of the sun city girls for a house show in may and i'm gonna ask mouthus if they want to come down and play that. no word from double leopards. most of these bands are better suited for 611 florida than the warehouse.

If you have not come to enjoy the guitar and synth drone duo that is The Angus Brainpan, hit 'DELETE' now.

If you have become enamored of their buzzsaw lull, or wish to experience it for the first time, proceed directly to:

THE WAREHOUSE NEXT DOOR
1017 7th St NW
Washington DC
on Tuesday, March 1
at 9pm

Pay $5 to gain entrance, visit the bar or the coffeehouse next door, won't you?

OPENERS:
The Amoeba Men (Richmond, mem. of Suppression)
The Angus Brainpan (DC, mem. of Northern Machine)

THE HEADLINERS:
(((Microwaves))) (Pittsburgh, mem. of Don Caballero/Creta Bourzia)

The Amoeba Men may be heard here: http://www.cnprecords.com/the_amoeba_men.htm

3 men with mutating abilities and huge record collections dive headfirst into a wood chipper and attempt to reassemble, dissect, and rearrange their flesh, blood, and bone pieces into endless musical experiments…sometimes very dance-friendly, sometimes horribly monstrous. Driving, thick, distorted, rhythm section (formerly of KOJAK fame) with sharp, angular and/or all-over-the-place guitars (ex-SEVEN HEARTS). Crazy vocals too. FUCK YEAH!!!

Read all about The Microwaves at
http://www.surefiredistribution.com/cgi-bin/showdescription.pl?catno=CT7

and

http://www.pittsburghpulp.com/content/2004/05_27/arts_live.shtml

Because no other band generates the sound that (((Microwaves))) do. Early live shows and their previous release (the Professional Systems Overload CDEP, released on Cenotaph Audio) hinted at a taut, noisy post-punk sound akin to bands like Devo, Chrome, Dimension Hatross-era Voivod, and MX-80. But with System 2, the band overhauls this sound to integrate with the imposing Technopolis it's been living in the shadow of for so long. Unrelenting rhythms and heavily processed guitar and bass shift (((Microwaves))) into overdrive and shake their songs to their firmament. The noise these guys generate hearkens back to the first wave of aggressive, non-metal rock of the late 80s/early 90s (Unsane, most of the AmRep roster, Dazzling Killmen, etc.) and ups the ante by adding levels of John Carpenter-esque tension that no band before or since has been able to match. Cinematic flourishes of Carpenter's scores and the music of Italian prog-horror outfit Goblin can be heard bubbling to the surface all throughout System II, stirring the chaos even further (no surprise as Moore moonlights in prog-horror kings Zombi).

The Angus Brainpan remains without a website or release of any kind. You are encouraged to absorb the tones directly in the presence of the performers.

Thanks for reading this far. See you there?

sunday, a trio of up-and-coming stoner rock bands doing their own thing: nitroseed jams boogie rock by way of doom and math-rock, valkyrie plays dual-guitar epic metal with anthemic vocals, and eldemur krimm creates dark, heavy soundtracks to horror/sci-fi literature. fans of clutch, sabbath, and maiden will find much to like here.

Sunday, March 6
$6, all ages
doors at 8:30, show at 9:15

Nitroseed (MD instrumental stoner/doom, mem. of Earthride, ex-Spirit Caravan)
Valkyrie (from Harrisonburg VA, psych-tinged NWOBHM)
Eldemur Krimm (stoner metal from Maine, like Mountain on crack!)

Valkyrie

"According to Norse mythology, VALKYRIE were Odinâ??s angels of death, flying over him during battle, sending fallen heroes to Valhalla. Once in Valhalla, they served the chosen heroes unlimited wine and meat.

Well, the VALKYRIE have risen again; only this time, they are serving us with some great SABBATH inspired groove metal. "Sunlight Shines" is a three-track EP from the band. The last author, from the dogsite to do a review on this band, (for their first demo) The Dutchman, was very impressed with the band's sound. However, the production was a bit on the nonexistent side of things. While the production on this EP is not perfect, it easily passes, which really allows one to appreciate the music for what it is.

The first track, "Endless Crusade," begins with a dreamy, almost melancholic guitar lead before kicking into a bass-driven, uplifting riff and subsequent chorus. The song continues to alternate from dreamy to charging, and for the most part, really gets my head nodding in approval.

The second track, "Lost in the Darkness," kicks in immediately with some dirty heavy metal guitar riffing. Soaring above the noise is Pete Adamâ??s vocals, which are quite clean in a traditional heavy metal way. These vocals and the filth of the guitar provide a great contrast and a great sound. The song ends with an extended instrumental jam that comes off really well.

The final song on the EP, begins as a sprawling doom feast. The song hits a catchy riff that is very reminiscent of one played by Mr. Iommi back in the mid-'70s. The song then explodes into a jam of twin guitar soling, catchy bass lines and a driving drumbeat packed with some great fills. It is a fine way to end the CD.

"Sunlight Shines" is a great EP, containing three great tracks. My only problem is that there is not enough of it. Maybe the production could be improved a little, especially on the vocals. If you are a lover of metal or rock, this is an EP that would please your ears, get your hands on it, and if you are not…well…what the hell are you doing here?" (Peace Dog Man)

Eldemur Krimm

"Their brand of fantastical rock could have served as a soundtrack to H.P. Lovecraft's well documented nightmares."

"From Maine comes Eldemur Krimm, a four-piece band that shares a similar sound to neighbors Scissorfight and with some of the quirks of Clutch, but with less aggression than the former and more of a feel for â??70s southern roots rock, tempered occasionally with jazz-like playing.

The album starts with â??Elephant Gun,â? a fast tempo rocker that highlights the bandâ??s strengths â??- strong playing throughout (check out some of Jason Marshallâ??s bass licks), the John Fogarty-ish vocals of singer/guitarist Fred Dodge, and bluesy solos. Itâ??s easily the strongest song. Eldemur Krimm have a seemingly natural knack for songwriting, which also shows on tracks like "Black Fog," "Chopper," and "Alabaster."(Fuzzrock)

Texas psych legend – and Roky Erickson cohort – George Kinney will be making a very exclusive appearance in the DC area. For 13th Floor Elevators fans, this is an event not to be missed!

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Friday, March 11
Warehouse Next Door
doors at 9pm / $7
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GEORGE KINNEY (The Golden Dawn)
BRANDON BUTLER (ex-Canyon)
PAGODA (mem. of Shortstack)

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http://www.pagodamusic.net
http://www.brandonbutler.net
http://www.georgekinney.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GEORGE KINNEY
Texas musician George Kinney will be appearing in Washington, Richmond, and Baltimore this weekend for an evening of storytelling and original music. He is a 2005 Texas Music Hall of Fame Nominee and also the creative force behind The Golden Dawn, who released the album Power Plant in 1968 on the legendary International Artists recording label out of Houston. He is a childhood friend of Roky Erickson and Roky has been often quoted as saying that Power Plant was the best album ever produced by International Artists.

In the early 1970s, Kinney formed Pyramid Publishing Co. and published Erickson's first edition of "Openers". The manuscripts were smuggled out of the Maximum Security Ward at Rusk State Mental Institute for the Criminally Insane
(where Erickson was incarcerated on a minor marijuana charge) by Kinney, in his boot, to avoid detection and possible confiscation.

In 1973, Kinney headed for Nashville and bought a house at the very spot where his car broke down. There, he was introduced to the legendary Johnny Cash, who was so impressed with his singing that he was given the lead part in a musical documentary being produced by Cash. For the past thirty years to the present, Kinney's musical appearances have been almost exclusively reserved for Terry Boothe's campfire concerts at his south Texas ranch in Bee Cave. In 1999, Kinney was persuaded to go back into the studio and the result was the critically acclaimed album After The Fall.

In 2001, Kinney reformed the Golden Dawn with several original members and added guitar wizard Jerry Lightfoot. In the Spring of 2004, the band toured the US. The result of the tour is an excellent live recording, The Legend of the Dawn, available now from Freedom Records, a component of the Texas Music Round Up, based in Austin.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

BRANDON BUTLER
The name Brandon Butler may not be familiar, but any fan of indie-rock and emo probably is aware of Butler's previous projects. He fronted one of the most overlooked emo bands of the mid- to late-90s, Boys Life, which produced two of the finest albums in the vein of Christie Front Drive and Mineral. One album with his next project, Farewell Bend, showed a more hooky indie-rock style with those same emo leanings. Then Butler disappeared for a while, re-emerging with his project Canyon, on which his unique vocal styles took a more country- and folk-based rock sound. Now Butler has released his first album under his own name, and Killer on the Road shows a mature, strong songwriter with an extremely unique voice.

Butler's joined on this album by cellist and pianist Amy Domingues, who adds a lovely and lighter accompaniment to his guitar and voice, and the production by Fugazi veteran Brendan Canty (with Butler) maintains a raw style that fits
the songs perfectly. Butler has a raw, whiskey-soaked voice an octave or so higher than one might expect, and while it may have sounded out of place to some in his earlier rock offerings, it fits here nicely. He has a country-esque twang that doesn't sound at all forced, and the soft acoustic tracks speak of a harsh Midwestern life.

The title track kicks things off, with the cello adding a dark and sweet touch to this standout song. The country style of guitar on "First Day" feels more akin to Butler's Canyon work, while there's some nice studio effects to provide an echoey quality to the quiet "Throwing Roses." The stark "Sixty Stitches" is an especially moving storytelling track, and the closing "True Believer" sounds like Butler was perhaps recording the song live in a large space, the echoes of his softly plucked strings tinkling in the background, his voice stark and prominent.

The more upbeat "Sparks" finds Butler providing both melody and rhythm through his stellar and often beautiful guitar playing. The rock-n-rolling "Next Time" is another fun, upbeat tracks, with some rhythm and what sounds like mandolin adding a nice touch to the song. Butler adds a few recording moments into the powerful "Surrounded By Flowers," which adds some rich piano and feels
like a more enveloping song.

Butler's voice and style reminds me of Lucero frontman Ben Nichols. For singer/songwriter fare, it definitely leans toward the country side of things, but the songs here evoke the rich songwriting style of Neil Young more than Willie Nelson, and Butler pulls it off as if he's lived a hundred years, his raw voice and stark style proving it. This is a stellar album, and it's far and away better, in my opinion, than the Canyon albums that seemed to lead Butler in this direction. (Jeff Marsh - Delusions of Adequacy)

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PAGODA
Pagoda is a four-piece band from the Washington DC area that began when Ben Licciardi persuaded some friends to help him record songs for Lazyline Records. DC paradiddle champion Kevin Oâ??Meara tackled drums and vibraphone. Old friend and long-time musical co-conspirator Raj Gadhia helped write lyrics and later took on bass and keyboard duties. College cohort and Merle Travis aficionado
Adrian Carroll played electric guitar while members of his country quartet, Shortstack, lent a hand with stand-up bass and lap steel. Ben played guitar, keyboard, and sang.

Starting in mid-2002 the boys jumped back and forth between a local studio and Benâ??s apartment, hard at work crafting melodies and cobbling together ideas. What had begun as a sort of solo project quickly expanded into a collaborative
effort. Together they constructed a group of songs that would make up their debut album, Dearly Departed. The music, inspired by the likes of the Clean, Yo La Tengo, and Big Star is catchy, moody, and melodically rich.

The group and its line-up continue to evolve. Kevin recently decided to overcome his punishing bicycle-crashing fetish and focus his energies on school. This meant leaving the band unfortunately, and they are breaking in his successor Elmer Sharp. Despite the transformations, Pagoda remains focused on creating good tunes, eating more potted meat, and working on a new invention called the
computer.