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User
Soundoffs 1
News Articles 8
Band Edits + Tags 1
Album Edits 49
Album Ratings 298
Objectivity 73%
Last Active 02-16-11 5:19 am
Joined 09-02-06
Review Comments 1,220
| Recent Shows
Been a minute since I posted one of these bad boys, been what weirdly counts as a slower month for me, but here's a rundown of who I've made it out to see since September. | | 1 |  | He Is Legend
Endless Hallway
Played Das Ottobar back at the beginning of September - was kind of a spur-of-the-moment decision weeknight show, but very glad I made it out to this one. Actually my first time seeing these guys live, and while they didn't pull quite as much from the first couple albums as my oldhead could quibble about, their latest few have been solid enough that it's easy to look past. (Bizarrely, though, the only record they were actually selling at their merch table was, uh, Heavy Fruit? Which, fine album an all, but is that really anybody's favorite haha) | | 2 |  | Actor | Observer
Songs For The Newly Reclusive
Opened for HiL (along with Inspirit and a local act called Fadest, both solid in their own right) - glad to see these guys still out there doing it, too, definitely helped nudge me into making it out to the show. I only wish their latest release was longer, which is a pretty great "gripe" to have. | | 3 |  | The Wonder Years
The Greatest Generation
Played Ram's Head Live in early September - Greatest Generation 10-year anniversary tour, which a) jeez, we're (read: Soupy and I are) getting old and b) absolutely brought the thunder. | | 4 |  | Sweet Pill
Where the Heart Is
Opened for WY - Like 2, a good part of the reason I schlepped myself out on a weeknight, and am once again pleased with the outcome. Another topnotch alt-pop-punk-emo-whatever-core artist keeping that angsty flame alive. | | 5 |  | Anxious
Little Green House
Also opened for WY - hadn't really gotten too deep into their stuff pre-show, but they really sold me onstage that night, so grabbed this album. | | 6 |  | Action/Adventure
Pulling Focus
The fourth(!) act on the bill - Pretty okay, I spose, but not quite as into them as the rest, which could easily also just be partly the impatience of seeing more than three bands play outside of a festival setting, womp. | | 7 |  | Death Cab for Cutie
Transatlanticism
Played Merriweather Post Pavilion mid-September - 20th anniversary of both this and the below (what'd I say up there about getting old? I forget...). Expectedly great, though part of the proceeding feels a little oddly hollow without Walla coming back. Funny(?) sidebar: during "Passenger Seat," that tranquil, melancholy comedown from the title track's grandiosity, a plane was flying overhead at one point, and I not only had the distinct urge to shush it, but could tell I wasn't the only one. | | 8 |  | The Postal Service
Give Up
Closed/"coheadlined" (if that's the term) w/ DCfC - Jenny Lewis tagged along, which was wonderful. Chalk it up to the vibe of the music/record itself, or the fact that this half of the top bill was up last, but the crowd definitely seemed more into this than Transatlanticism, which I found a bit surprising in the moment. Still, a killer, high-energy set, and they brought things full ouroboros with an encore of "Such Great Heights" closer to the style of Iron & Wine's cover, before ultimately blowing the roof off with a Depeche Mode cover. | | 9 |  | CHVRCHES
Screen Violence
Opened the Death Cab/Postal Service - Technically not the above (which would have been Great), but Lauren Mayberry solo (which was still Quite Good), so was hindered slightly by my not knowing a lot of her lone-wolf output (which, in my defense, is new)--but she threw a pretty baller Madonna cover into the mix, so that was cool. | | 10 |  | Civic
Taken By Force
Played Metro Gallery early October - Great set from the fellas Down Undah, even if this was a surprisingly subdued crowd for a Friday night punk show in Baltimore. Maybe people conserving energy for the O's playoffs. Let's drop it. Anyways, local boys Rabid City and D.C. post-punk duo Teen Mortgage opened (neither of whom are in the database, which I may rectify once I work up the gumption); the former were decent, though didn't exactly live up to the promise of their name, while the latter were super good, had a very enveloping sound for a two-piece. | | 11 |  | Holy Fawn
Realms
Played Metro Gallery just last night - My second time seeing this group in 2023 (they opened for Thrice back in the summer), and I wanna say fifth or sixth overall? Reliably great. I always find it endearing how sincere and softspoken the singer comes across between songs. Was also happy to finally snag a vinyl press of Realms. I'd say more, but my ears are still ringing a little. | | 12 |  | Caracara
New Preoccupations
Opened for Holy Fawn - Truly great set from my Philly phriends. Maybe not the most logical of bedfellows on this bill, but having been a fan of both for years, I was all about it, and glad and gratified to see the crowd at large come increasingly aboard, as well. | | 13 |  | lowheaven
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Also open for HF - Stars truly aligned on this one, in that I just started getting into them last month (thanks for the tip, Sput!), and they weren't even announced on this bill until a couple weeks ago. Very powerful set, they also played this probably-almost-10-minute post-metal-type track that doesn't seem to have found its way onto any studio recordings just yet, so consider me hyped for when that rears head. | |
thecheatisnotdead
10.11.23 | Next on the docket:
Super City @ Ottobar
Don Broco + The Home Team @ Bmore Soundstage
Bell Witch @ Ottobar |
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