The Marked Men at The Black Cat
I've said it before and I'll say it again, middle-aged punk bands are the best. If your band sticks with it for that long then you must be doing something right. And given that The Marked Men have a MySpace page I am pretty sure they qualify.
It isn't just The Marked Men's website which reminds me of the 00's (The "naughts"? The "zip-os"?) They have that emphasize-the-rhythm quality which was really popular in that era. Taken to the extreme you get something like Pennywise but The Marked Men don't go that far. Instead they stick to playing punk rock with some actual rock content. Music which is actually catchy not just energetic. I suppose you could even call them pop-punk but if so they're just a little tiny bit pop, not enough to stop their fans from headbanging. Trust me I know because some of them were banging their heads into my back.
The Marken Men's Website, Music (yep, MySpace, really)
Posted: 4/12/2017 at 8:00pm Tags: Black Cat Damaged City Fest 2017 Downstairs The Marked Men
Dirty And His Fists at The Black Cat
Rad new Garagepunk band alert! If you love crunchy, high energy, rough-around-the-edges rock 'n roll then check out Dirty And His Fists. If you can find them. They're so new they have no Internet presence at all except for a demo on Bandcamp for $999.99. All I know about them is that they're from "California" which is about as helpful as saying they're from "Europe" or "Asia".
So what do they sound like? Well, the last time I shot a Damaged City Fest there was this band who kind of reminded me of The Points. Well, Dirty And His Fists remind me even more of The Points so there.
Dirty And His Fists's Websit... never mind, Music (the cheap version).
Posted: 4/10/2017 at 9:00pm Tags: Black Cat Damaged City Fest 2017 Dirty And His Fists Downstairs
Honduras at DC9
The band Honduras seem to be influenced by 70's rock music. They definitely have a punk quality and some hints of New Wave influence. They also have a tendency to make songs which are kind of epic with long intros and big buildups going into the chorus, kind of like mainstream rock from the late 70s.
This of course makes sense for a band which formed in Brooklyn this decade. They remind me of Beach Fossils but a bit more punk. Those bands clearly have some of the same influences, let's put it that way.
Cinema Hearts at National Cherry Blossom Festival
A short set of photos of Cinema Hearts. These were taken at the National Cherry Blossom Festival which certainly explains all the pink.
Normally I hate to post about the same band too quickly. It makes me feel like I haven't been getting out enough and finding other good bands. I photographed Cinema Hearts last year so I guess this will be an exception. I already reviewed their music too. Short version: It's garagey and it's great.
I decided to post about them again because lead singer Caroline Weinroth is also Miss Mountain Laurel, a local Miss America winner, and if you don't believe me check out the sash. In that role she has been raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. I just want to encourage everyone to consider donating to them or to a similar non-profit which raises money for hospitals. All hospitals are facing financial uncertainty this week as our government prepares to vote on another health insurance overhaul. Now would be a really good time to help 'em out a little if you can. Just a thought.
Cinema Hearts' Website, Music.
Posted: 3/21/2017 at 5:50pm Tags: Cinema Hearts National Cherry Blossom Festival Tidal Basin
Death By Unga Bunga at DC9
I still just barely believe that there is really a band called Death By Unga Bunga. Knowing that there is, though, I am totally willing to believe that they're a garage rock band. Also that they're not from around here (they're Norwegian).
Listening to them online before the show they reminded me of The Manikins or Together PANGEA, just without the occasional folksy bits. That's not way off. Like TP they keep the subject matter light as any good party music should. What I hadn't picked up on online are the hints of glam rock influence. Certain songs reminded me of MC5 and Stalkers. So DBUB turned out to be a little edgier than I was expecting but not that much.
Death By Unga Bunga's Website, Music.
Posted: 2/22/2017 at 1:00pm Tags: DC9 Death By Unga Bunga
