Jamie McLean Band @ Velvet Lounge 4/1

Former Dirty Dozen Brass Band guitarist Jamie McLean has got his own thing going these days with the aptly titled project, the Jamie McLean Band. Funky and bluesy with some surprisingly soulful vocals, he’s got a new album, American Heartache, due out in April. I’m really digging the rollicking track “Home Movies” off of his previous CD. Definitely give it a spin, and you can go catch him live at Velvet Lounge in DC Tuesday, April 1st for a little Widespread Panic after-party action.

MP3: Home Movies – Jamie McLean Band

Honor By August / The Influence @ IOTA - Acoustic

If you’re looking for rock/pop with strong vocals – unplugged – stripped-down versions of The Influence and Honor By August (above) will be at IOTA, along with Dan Ferrari, this Sunday night, March 30th.

MP3: Ocean of Mine – The Influence
MP3: Hometown Heroes (live) – Honor By August

A Case of the Fridays

I’ve been knocked out for over a week with a big cold but I’m finally getting back in the groove. And I’m really digging the glorious driving, glammy pop-rock of the UK’s Switches. It’s exemplified by their track “Drama Queen,” and those whirring synths and woo-hoos don’t hurt either. Take a listen.

MP3: Drama Queen - Switches

And we close out with a little bit o’ country from Kathy Mattea. She’s returning to a rootsier sound on her new album Coal, and the first single, “The L&N Don’t Stop Here Anymore” has got that Appalachian folk sound. She’ll be in the area three nights next week, with two shows at the Barns at Wolf Trap April 1 & 2, and then one show at Ram’s Head Tavern April 3rd.

MP3: The L&N Don’t Stop Here Anymore – Kathy Mattea

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers @ The State Theatre

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers will be rolling into town this Thursday, March 27th for a show at The State Theatre. You might remember Roger Clyne as the lead singer from The Refreshments back in the 90s – they had their moment in the sun with a little one-hit wonder “Banditos.” Clyne is an accomplished songwriter and engaging performer, and he and the Peacemakers have been spreading their southwest-flavored Americana rock across the country.

MP3: Banditos (live @ The Aggie Theatre 8/20/05) – Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers

At the Black Cat Tonight...Bellman Barker, The Ruby Suns, LeLoup

Yeah, I’m quarantined at home with some mutant cold or flu type thing, but others can still roam the streets unfettered. I had written about Bellman Barker awhile back, and I’m still obsessing a bit over their jangly acoustic-pop track “Pockets.” It sneaks up on you, and if you’re not careful, it’ll sink its harmonious little hooks into you. They’ll be at the Black Cat tonight w/ the much-buzzed about LeLoup and Auckland’s psych-poppers The Ruby Suns. Check out an interview with Sam Simkoff of LeLoup at Brightest Young Things here.

MP3: Pockets – Bellman Barker

Rockin' the District Line

Bob Mould celebrated the release of his album District Line with a doubleheader last night at the 9:30 Club. The first act featured his band performing songs from the new album, along with gems from Mould's expansive Hüsker Dü, Sugar, and solo discography. Act 2 featured him in his Blowoff persona with bandmate Richard Morel.

While I didn't stay for the second set, I thoroughly enjoyed the opening act. The band, featuring Morel on keyboards, Jason Narducy on bass, and Rob Black behind the drum set, played a surprisingly muscular set. While District Line plays at times along the lines of Mould's Modulate or Sugar's Copper Blue, the live interpretations of the song hearken back to those self-described "poison years" when Mould fronted Hüsker Dü. Mould doesn't want you to forget that he's one of the godfathers of the American punk and post-punk scene, and in that regard he doesn't disappoint.

EDIT: A poster on my blog pointed out that Brendan Canty was unable to participate in this tour, and has been replaced by Rob Black as the tour drummer.

Photo courtesy of Granary Music.

Nashville Star Open Auditions In DC This Friday

Think you could be the next Miranda Lambert or Buddy Jewell? Nashville Star is having open auditions for its sixth season in DC this Friday, March 14th from 10am-6pm at The Westin Grand. It’s located at 2350 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037. You’ve got to be at least 16 or older to audition, and you’ve got to sing a song off of the approved song list. For more information, check out the site here.

The Sketches @ 9:30 Club

DC locals The Sketches will be at the 9:30 Club Monday, March 3rd w/ Blind Melon (didn't realize they were still around). I’m liking The Sketches’ catchy indie guitar-pop with super-strong vocals and tight harmonies. They’ve put together a couple well-done videos, too, with the sanitarium-themed “Pieces” and the DC-based “Sleeper.”

MP3: Dizzy - The Sketches

Photo by Jonathan Zuck

Jesse Malin @ IOTA Tuesday

I'm pretty psyched to go see Jesse Malin this Tuesday, March 4th at IOTA. I haven't actually gotten to see him live yet, but his newest album Glitter In The Gutter was one of my favorite CDs of the past year. He brings the catchy, driving guitar rockers with what’s definitely a distinctive voice. Here’s a video of his track “Broken Radio” (with Bruce joining on vocals), and one for “Don’t Let Them Take You Down.”

MP3: In The Modern World – Jesse Malin