This show had great attendance and one thing that stuck out to me was the smiles on a few people's faces. The music scene truly brings so much joy and 11:11 provides such a laid back venue for shows. I sat right beside a guy who had seen Hendrix and we traded tons of cool show stories. You'll find amazing people at these events in Frederick.
Flo Petite - 90s alternative rock feel. This trio is reminiscent of Juliana Hatfield. Soft vocals with simple hooks consisting of various heys and woos on top solid drumming back beats and fitting guitar solos. Think moody and unexpectedly fierce. Power pop with more interesting time signatures and rhythms. Alanis Morrissette without a snarl.
| LISTEN HERE |
Bandcamp
Spotify
Double Trouble - First show by this act. Chaotic and noisy experimental rock. Nonsensical phrases and noises are shrieked. You get crazy songs like "When I shave my booty I shave my boobies". Along with all this mash up random sounds from some sort of amp device and a mixture of using violin bow on a small guitar and assaulting it with a slide.
Flooring - Aggressive indie rock. Chunky bass and guitars with punchy drumming. Driving riffs make every song feel like you're driving down an open highway. They definitely have a lo-fi feel yet their sound cuts through with more clarity and a punk edge. Such an energetic and fun live act.
| LISTEN HERE |
Bandcamp
Mr. Monday - Dreamy synth parts mix with the depths of the reverb drenched vocals. Vintage sounding electronic drum backing tracks keep everything in time. Kind of has that Gary Numan new wave vibe with lots of mysterious lyrics and fields of sound.
Monday, November 12, 2018
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Saturday in Frederick (11/10/18) - Stephen Blickenstaff/Black Butterfly (Taurean Washington)/JB Dunn
You can find yourself at many cool events any Saturday in the Frederick area. Here is just a small glimpse into what I was able to catch yesterday through videos, pictures and words.
Stephen Blickenstaff Art Show - 13th Oddball Holiday Extravaganza: The show features many unusual and peculiar pieces of monsters, pin-up girls and other freakish displays. Blickenstaff’s annual set-up at 8829 Yellow Springs Road, Frederick, MD (Frederick County Professional Firefighters Local 3666) has reached the thirteen year mark. When asked how it felt to still be doing art shows (this one in particular) after so many years he said, “I do them for myself as much as anything else. It’s fun to get out my art and be around friends; It’s normally all put away around the house and I only get to see digital versions of it.” His art is truly striking in any format but seeing the originals, especially his detailed paintings and drawings, is astonishing. When asked what keeps him going, Blickenstaff replied, “It’s what you live to do (as an artist). I can’t not do it. If there’s a napkin at a restaurant, I’m drawing on it. I’m not worried about money or if people are going to buy it, that’s all secondary.” (Video walk through below and pics at end of article)
Black Butterfly Art Exhibition @ Delaplaine Arts Center - This is simply the kind of event I am thrilled about having in Frederick; A regional artist doing a pop-up art show based on Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly”? How freaking cool! The album was playing as you walked through the show and in the two times I visited throughout the day there were a diverse and sizable crowd in attendance. Taurean Washington is the artist responsible, a Frederick native who graduated from TJ High School, Frederick Community College, and Hood College. When asked what inspired him to do the project he said, "I have always been inspired by hip hop. Over time, my practice evolved to where I could create a series based on a whole album from a particular artist. Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp A Butterfly" was the perfect album to start. This album had so many things that I could identify with. It took me about 4-5 months total to put together 16 paintings." As far as where you can find his art and his future projects, he stated, "You can find my work at www.taureanwashington.com and my Instagram @artybtaurean. Also, my next event will be on February 2nd at Slayton House Gallery in Columbia MD from 1-3:30pm. The next project in February will be based on the album Yeezus by Kanye West." (Video walk through below and pics at end of article)
JB Dunn @ New Market Plains Vineyard - First off, it’s amazing how many options there are in the area as far as wineries/craft breweries, and most feature live music. This one provides a great scenic hangout (as many others do). It’s down a long rocky road by adventure park and is quite serene. The music space/wine tasting room is in an outdoor pavilion covered by strong see through plastic with heaters that make winter weather tolerable. The only downside was the crazy wind yesterday which often shook the outside. JB Dunn played with the utmost passion to the three people who were there at the time. He played a wide range of covers as well as a handful of original tunes. His raspy vocals and precise guitar playing make for a perfect blend of folk and indie music. Luckily more patrons showed up before I left. (Video below and pics at end of article)
Stephen Blickenstaff Art Show - 13th Oddball Holiday Extravaganza: The show features many unusual and peculiar pieces of monsters, pin-up girls and other freakish displays. Blickenstaff’s annual set-up at 8829 Yellow Springs Road, Frederick, MD (Frederick County Professional Firefighters Local 3666) has reached the thirteen year mark. When asked how it felt to still be doing art shows (this one in particular) after so many years he said, “I do them for myself as much as anything else. It’s fun to get out my art and be around friends; It’s normally all put away around the house and I only get to see digital versions of it.” His art is truly striking in any format but seeing the originals, especially his detailed paintings and drawings, is astonishing. When asked what keeps him going, Blickenstaff replied, “It’s what you live to do (as an artist). I can’t not do it. If there’s a napkin at a restaurant, I’m drawing on it. I’m not worried about money or if people are going to buy it, that’s all secondary.” (Video walk through below and pics at end of article)
Black Butterfly Art Exhibition @ Delaplaine Arts Center - This is simply the kind of event I am thrilled about having in Frederick; A regional artist doing a pop-up art show based on Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly”? How freaking cool! The album was playing as you walked through the show and in the two times I visited throughout the day there were a diverse and sizable crowd in attendance. Taurean Washington is the artist responsible, a Frederick native who graduated from TJ High School, Frederick Community College, and Hood College. When asked what inspired him to do the project he said, "I have always been inspired by hip hop. Over time, my practice evolved to where I could create a series based on a whole album from a particular artist. Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp A Butterfly" was the perfect album to start. This album had so many things that I could identify with. It took me about 4-5 months total to put together 16 paintings." As far as where you can find his art and his future projects, he stated, "You can find my work at www.taureanwashington.com and my Instagram @artybtaurean. Also, my next event will be on February 2nd at Slayton House Gallery in Columbia MD from 1-3:30pm. The next project in February will be based on the album Yeezus by Kanye West." (Video walk through below and pics at end of article)
JB Dunn @ New Market Plains Vineyard - First off, it’s amazing how many options there are in the area as far as wineries/craft breweries, and most feature live music. This one provides a great scenic hangout (as many others do). It’s down a long rocky road by adventure park and is quite serene. The music space/wine tasting room is in an outdoor pavilion covered by strong see through plastic with heaters that make winter weather tolerable. The only downside was the crazy wind yesterday which often shook the outside. JB Dunn played with the utmost passion to the three people who were there at the time. He played a wide range of covers as well as a handful of original tunes. His raspy vocals and precise guitar playing make for a perfect blend of folk and indie music. Luckily more patrons showed up before I left. (Video below and pics at end of article)
Saturday, November 10, 2018
Win tickets to Louie Anderson at Weinberg 11/18
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Tenacious D @ The Anthem (DC) - November 7, 2018
Wynchester opened the show. The duo consists of Mike Bray (Kyle Gass Band) and John Konesky (Tenacious D) so their connection makes them an easy choice as opener. The group’s songs are steeped in country with a lots of folky elements. They each play acoustic guitar as Bray plays rhythm guitar and is the primary vocalist while Konesky shreds lead guitar and adds harmonies. The lyrical content and jokes throughout their set lead the crowd to laughter on numerous occasions. Perhaps the strangest moment was when the band proclaimed, “I don’t want to name drop but a guy who goes by L.
Richie gave us this piece of shit and told us to make something out of it.” before launching into a cover of “Easy Like Sunday Morning”. The set ended on another cover, this time “Rainbow in the Dark” by Dio which was dedicated to Tenacious D, their “idols”.
Tenacious D’s show started with a video of the “Post Apocalypto” theme from their new album and YouTube show. Before the band began playing, shortened parts of each episode were displayed on a see through screen and then the band would play songs in between each clip. Though the concept was cool, anyone who had already seen the YouTube
show was kind of just waiting for each time the band played. The most dazzling aspect of the set was the props, especially during “Take Us Into Space” and “Fuck Yo-Yo Ma” where Black sang from a space shuttle window suspended in the air while Gass was back on earth.
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| Wynchester |
Tenacious D’s show started with a video of the “Post Apocalypto” theme from their new album and YouTube show. Before the band began playing, shortened parts of each episode were displayed on a see through screen and then the band would play songs in between each clip. Though the concept was cool, anyone who had already seen the YouTube
After playing the reprise of the Post Apocalypto theme, the see through screen was taken away and the band’s gear was moved to the edge of the stage. Jack Black conversated with Kyle Gass saying, “most bands just watch the equipment get moved but we help out by encouraging them” and began a short impromptu song about lugging gear. Black announced the band would now start a greatest hits set. Dressed in their typical slacker-rock style (jeans, sweat pants and t-shirts) they marched on through the night.
“Rize of the Fenix” was played first and the crowd intensity changed instantly as you could tell the song was a fan favorite. It was a totally different vibe from the new songs, maybe because “Post Apocalypto has only been out since for a few days so some of the crowd didn’t know all the songs.
Two other “Rize of the Fenix” tracks followed and then Black exclaimed the next song was from an album 6 years before that one. The crowd roared and sang along as the band exploded into “Kickapoo” from the band’s “Pick of Destiny”. Gass sang Meat Loaf’s studio vocal part while Black sang Dio’s.
One of the most enjoyable and exciting things about a Tenacious D show is Jack Black’s patented dance moves and signature scat vocals. You can’t leave out the amazing dynamic between JB and KG, either. The whole night is full of sheer comedic entertainment, not to mention the face melting rock. Two more “Pick of Destiny” tracks are played: “Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)” featuring John Konesky on vocals as the devil (in place of Dave Grohl) and “The Metal” solidifying the metal genre’s unbeatable sound that still rocks socks off today.
“Dio” was a personal favorite for me as it’s often overlooked from Tenacious D’s first album and truly shows their ability to write a heartfelt salute to one of their heroes.
“Tribute” may not have ended the set, but it sure dominated the tail end of it. Touted as the first song written by the band, the rock anthem pays homage to so many important bands in its style and is truly one of the greatest and best songs in the world.
After many chants, the band peeked around the edge of stage left as they reappeared in tall uncle sam-like U.S.A. flag hats for the encore. Black fumbled around his guitar before the group found their footing and delivered the first performance of “Wonderboy” this tour. “Wonderboy” is the band’s top song to me as far as what they’re able to achieve; it totally makes you forget the band is mainly a comedic act and has such emotion in the vocals and honesty in the song structure.
Tenacious D ended on the hilarious ballad “Fuck Her Gently” and dedicated the song to all the guys in the audience. The thoughtful advice in the number was the last bit of sexual themes that were spread throughout the show.
I’m so glad that with The Anthem is now open in DC we finally have an act like Tenacious D coming to the area. The venue has filled the void in between mid-size venues and arenas. So many great shows are happening here… be on the lookout and catch Tenacious D if you can;it’s a show of endless fun and rock.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Postmodern Jukebox @ Strathmore (Bethesda, MD) - November 5, 2018
Strathmore Music Center: This is an absolutely phenomenal venue on every level. The short walk from the metro garage is through an above ground tunnel on the third floor featuring many different photos of past performers and other ads. Upon arrival you are greeted by super attentive staff who are strewn throughout the inside. A cafe (Allegro Kitchen) on the inside opens two hours before the show and has a decent amount of options and the food was much better than at other venues. The architecture is stunning and I often found myself wandering around to admire it. The seats were comfy and had plush cushions. Bathrooms and other fixtures are regal. The acoustics are incredible. It’s truly a swanky place and you’ll have one of the most
pleasant concert experiences here.
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox brought its Back in Black and White tour to the Strathmore Music Center last night (November 5th). The show displayed so many different forms of entertainment, many of which are not often seen in performers today. The group, famous for covering modern pop hits in a vintage and jazzy style, were a perfect fit for the Strathmore. The show opened on a swinging version of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. It truly showcased the pinnacle of what can be accomplished by the band; taking a classic and completely molding it into something fresh, yet it’s in a music style that’s from the 1920s/30s.
Next, a thrilling rendition of Guns and Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine” with Miche Braden at the helm of vocals. I was familiar with this take on the song from their popular YouTube channel.
One of the interesting aspects of Postmodern Jukebox live is the change in vocalist every song. At times, other vocalists add backup harmonies to certain songs as well.
The band members are each highly proficient in the ragtime, jazz and big band styles, but they’re also exciting and fun to watch as each of them contribute to different comedy bits throughout the night. Tap dancers added a special flair to it all and were a delightful act I had never seen before.
The crowd is often engaged by host Casey Abrams who is energetic and lively as he keeps the show rolling on swiftly.
Other hits played and sung included The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven”, a rousing body positive singalong to Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” and a very strange mix up of “Africa” by Toto.
The show goes on for about 45 minutes before a 30 minute intermission and then another 45 minutes of performing (2 hour show in total). I left after the first act for a number of reasons, none of which were because I wasn’t enjoying the show; I can guarantee the rest of the concert was surely amusing, delightful and entertaining in every way.
So why did I leave?
-I won free tickets and really wanted to check out Strathmore (I want to have a dedicated page of venue reviews on the blog soon)-Monday night show (First weekday after the time change left me pretty tired and it’s an hour drive home)
-I’m seeing Tenacious D on Wednesday night so don’t want to be too worn out
Overall, Postmodern Jukebox is truly a live machine that is built to make the audience have a great time singing, laughing, and smiling all night long.
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