In our last column we reported on the reputed final show of Hot Lava. “Not exactly,” frontwoman Allison Apperson says. Although two members moved to the West Coast, Apperson and keyboardist Matt Deans have decided to retool the band with drummer Tim Falen, also of the Diamond Center, and bassist David Hood, who handles saxophone and percussion in the No BS Brass Band. The new lineup likely will debut in Richmond before Hot Lava's scheduled appearance at the CMJ Music Marathon in New York.
The brief time off did give Apperson an opportunity to switch instruments and play drums with some other pals as the Catnip Dreams. This '60s-inspired indie-pop group features guitarist Brandi Price of the Diamond Center, bassist Laurie Lay of the Color Kittens, guitarist Zoe Golden of the I-Las, and keyboardist Lindsay Phillips, formerly of Meditate Motherfuckers. Lay's bandmates from the Color Kittens, Robert Barrow and Alison Hancock, also have kept busy as enthusiastic garage-pop duo Tyrannosaurus Awesome. For those anxiously awaiting new music from Richmond buzz band the Diamond Center, the psych-rock quintet has just finished recording several new songs for a future release.
The motto of the No BS Brass Band has to be “go big or go home.” The band's scheduled not one, but two nights at the Camel for the release of its new self-titled record. On Oct. 1 and 2, the group will be joined on the ones and twos by DJ Harrison, aka Devonne Harris, drummer for R&B funk band Beast Wellington. Harris will unveil some of the hip-hop remixes he's completed for an upcoming No BS Brass Band remix album. And if that's not enough brass for you, No BS will record both shows and cull the best cuts from those and past recordings for a live album due out this winter. The band's also featured at the Richmond Folk Festival.
Instrumental rock outfit Tulsa Drone has released promotional videos on Youtube for “Medusa Bloom” and “Approach,” two new cuts from its forthcoming record. “Kill Rites” is due out this fall.
Although Alabama Thunderpussy lies dormant for now, bassist Mike Clark, guitarist Ryan Lake and drummer Bryan Cox satiate their thirst for rock 'n' roll with Lights East, which also includes guitarist and vocalist Jesse Clark.
Eddie Charlton, founder of new online record label the Acme Thunderer, is psyched for the upcoming launch party Oct. 9 at Gallery5. The label will specialize in local and regional indie-rock bands, including releases from White Laces, Ghost Lotion, and Lubec, whose first EP, “Nothing Is Enough,” will be released that evening. The three acts will be joined at the launch party by Flechette and experimental post-punk trio Tungs. The first 12-inch record from White Laces will be out at the end of October while Tungs has posted its EP “Sleeping” for free download at tungs.bandcamp.com.
It's obvious why Flechette named itself after a pointed steel projectile. The band, composed of current and former members of Memorial, the Two Funerals, Field Day, and Resonance, plays sharp, angular punk rock that would fit well on the Dischord Records roster. Flechette's first demo, “September Session,” is available for free download from the group's Facebook page. Memorial's latest post-hardcore offering, the “Mile High City” EP, is slated to be released through Run For Cover Records.
Inside Track is compiled by Mike Rutz of “Activate!” on 97.3-FM WRIR.
