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)

Tenacious D @ The Anthem (DC) - November 7, 2018

Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Gass) returned to form after their usual 6 year break between albums for their fourth effort, “Post Apocalypto”, and brought the tour to The Anthem in DC last night.

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.

Wynchester

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.

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.

Bleach Bandit/Foxy Dads/The Weak Days/Middle Kid @ Area 31 (Frederick, MD) - October 31, 2018

Middle Kid

Bleach Bandit (Frederick, MD) - Straightforward ferocious female-fronted rock and a punky foundation with growly vocals. Their emo influence from their past project is evident and the angst dominates. Distorted guitar leads with simplistic bass lines and unique sparse drum parts. They really show the possibility of their diversity on a country influenced number I think they called "Trailer Park Blues", while the rest of the set is emopunky. The band's surprisingly skilled area seems to be slower finger picked guitar riffs with drawn out vocals full of passion.

Foxy Dads Foxy Dads (NY) - Dancey drum backing tracks and indie guitar meshes with energetic poppy vocals and downer lyrics. Pre-looped and live harmonies create dreamy depth. The songs are short and sweet as their set rolls through as such a fun live act with a lot of quirky dialogue. Catchy hooks make the band irresistibly fun and the keyboard sounds add a magical vibe to it all.

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                  The Weak Days (VA) - Sporadic drumming results in smashing pumpkins type jams. Spacey guitar and rocking bass riffs complete the picture. Tense vocals are delivered from all members and single hammered guitar note solos wreck the soundscapes. The band delivers a real punch when it dives into the more math-rocky instrumentals; they’re loud and unforgiving. They ended on a heavy song about being emotional and seeking therapy, including an in depth discussion on how therapy really works vs how people perceive it. The moral of the story was to just to write a song and express your feelings - The song was their strongest by far.

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            Middle Kid (Frederick, MD) - Alternative/indie rock at its core. Middle Kid (electric) always comes through with the utmost musical strength. This time guitarist/vocalist Zack Willis is backed by two Silent Old Mtns. members: Pat Acuna on drums (solid backbeats and pure unleashed fury) and Andrew Bromhal on bass in his hot dog costume (dynamic and adaptable) . Willis always seemingly finds members that can fit into his sound and you never realize it isn't the permanent lineup. Some light hints of grunge/early 90s rock make themselves clear only in Willis' voice and the raging power. Entertaining banter from Zack Willis is a given when it comes to a electric middle kid show. He jokingly stated that the band was from Milwaukee, Dayton, Ohio, etc. after someone in the crowd shouted, “Where are you from?” and then exclaimed before a song, "I ripped off Roy Orbison for this baby". The second to last number featured a sit in guest of Sam Whalen (Silent Old Mtns, The Fun Boys) who added his signature on stage persona and incredibly rowdy voice.

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