Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 by Ryan Kailath

Picks for the week of Friday, March 10 –- Thursday, March 16.

Check our venue listings page for a more complete musical calendar.

Friday March 10 >>

The Pogues were one of the most important bands of the early 80s punk scene, inspired by their neighbors the Clash. They are now reunion-touring the States and have sold out the 9:30 Club tonight.

Racebannon has been called “the most frightening yet talented band ever.” I’ve seen them a few times in the seven years, and I have to agree. Progressive hardcore fans will love it. Gospel, Mass Movement of the Moth, and Rue the Day open this show at the Warehouse Next Door.

Weird War (formerly Scene Creamers) is the musical brainchild of Ian Svenonius, a member of the Nation of Ulysses and the Make-Up. Featuring a new line-up, Weird War plays the Black Cat with Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds and Benjy Ferree.

Saturday March 11 >>

Measles Mumps Rubella are an Awesome DC band who are celebrating the release of their newest album with a show at DC9. French Toast and Free Blood start off the night. FREE MP3: “Fantastic Success” by Measles Mumps Rubella

Sunday March 12 >>

Beth Orton is back (did she ever go away, really?) with a new album that new album proves her ability to develop in a ten-year career, rather than stagnate like so many singer/songwriters. Comfort of Strangers was produced by Sonic Youth’s Jim O’Rourke, with the title track written by Beth, Jim and the increasingly-prolific M. Ward. She and Willy Mason have sold out the 9:30 Club this weekend.

The Hellacopters play old-fashioned rock & roll of the best variety, reminiscent of early garage giants the Stooges or the MC5. The Datsuns (from New Zealand) and LA’s Nebula open this show at the Black Cat. FREE MP3: “All the Way” by Nebula

Marah play roots-rock with an alternative feel, opening for Bruce Springsteen on occasion. They play the IOTA Club & Cafe on Sunday with These United States.

Holy shit, Prince just announced two surprise shows at Nation. We highlighted this early because of the pre-sale, but tickets are still available. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you (us) young’ns out there. This is our PICK OF THE WEEK.

Monday March 13 >>

My mom called me tonight to say she was watching Oprah, and had I heard of this British singer with a sad voice and a sad face that made her feel like crying? James Blunt is playing a sold out show at the 9:30 Club with the fabulous twee-pop The Boy Least Likely To.

Metropolitan is one of our favorite bands in the DC area. They play noisy, catchy, independent rock & roll - my favorite kind. The Bonapartes and the Third Programme open this show Monday night at IOTA Club & Cafe.

Tuesday March 14 >>

Jazz-rock? Punk-fusion? I’m not sure quite how to describe Gutbucket. They sound like a cross-breed of Phish and the Flaming Lips. Bass Jihad, featuring Doug Kallmeyer, one of the best bass players in the area, opens this show at DC9, along with Pop Tent.

Get out your black YM tee-shirts and your studded belts: we’ve got a new hardcore show coming through town. Bleeding Through, Every Time I Die, Between the Buried & Me, and Haste the Day are playing at Nation. I have to admit I’ve seen three of these four bands before, and I thoroughly enjoyed two of them. I’ll let you figure out which two. If you can tell any of them apart, that is.

Wednesday March 15 >>

The National have the best band bio I’ve ever read. Tell me I’m wrong. “Simply put, songwriting allowed The National to deepen their conversations. It’s how they broached the topics they really wanted to talk about — how they were past the halfway mark between twenty and thirty, and speeding toward a kind of permanence they never expected; how they pleased and disappointed their mothers and fathers; how flings had become girlfriends, and girlfriends, wives.” Baby Dayliner opens their show at the Black Cat

Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer kick ass. Keyboard-driven, poppy and hook-laden songs with girl vocals, on Eyeball Records. The Junior Varsity, My Favorite Highway, Small Towns Burn A Little Slower, and Transition open this show at Nation.

Thursday March 16 >>

Ris Paul Ric is the solo project of the late great Q and not U’s Chris Richards. He is playing the Warehouse Next Door on Thursday, with A Day in Black and White, Plain Lace, and Hand Fed Babies opening the show.

Karmella’s Game rock my socks off. I’ve seen this band six times and they just keep getting better. They play fast pop-rock with two singers in schoolgirl uniforms singing harmony. Jinxed at Twelve opens up this show at the Black Cat.

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