Riding the momentum from this month’s booty-shaking performance at WRIR’s Party for the Rest of Us, The Gaskets have a new DVD in the works. Called “Loose Change Live,” it was filmed during their sold-out CD release show at the Nanci Raygun. It’s available for preorder at www.loosechangelive.com, or you can grab it at their DVD release show and screening March 10 at Canal Club.
Richmond shoegazers Grayland have parted ways. Stephen Barber and Travis Beattie continue down the indie-rock trail with At the Stars; Richard LaJaunie will focus on his experimental/IDM project Living in Photographs; while Jason Beeken and Melissa Richardson have teamed up with Bari Davis (FearCandy, Spinvoid) to explore their dark sides with the Gothic-industrial Myotis.
While death-metal bands Human Tragedy and Wartorn continue to seek a capable drummer to handle the blast beats, vocalist Jeff Bush has loaned his growls to horror-metal band Argento Agenda. They’ve already recorded with Cory Smoot for a split 7-inch with death/black-metal gods Battlemaster, scheduled to be out around spring.
After teasing us for so long with their mandolin- and fiddle-soaked Americana songs, The Atkinsons’ long-awaited debut CD is finally being released. “American Gothic” tells the story of a nameless tragic hero from his birth to adulthood, and then, through streaks of bad luck and bad decisions, his death. Although the lyrical content is dark, you know the music and melodies will be upbeat, so bring your tappin’ toes to the CD release show at Cafe Diem March 10.
On St. Patrick’s Day, ska fans can get their skanking in while supporting a good cause. Neighborhood Friendly is hosting a benefit show at Alley Katz for Marc Across America (Marc Kantor of New York’s Patent Pending is riding his bike across the country to raise money for the American Heart Association). The lineup includes Patent Pending, the Fad and Richmond screamo band The Half Jeffersons, who just finished recording their first full-length.
Jay Smack’s local music radio show, “Studio B,” is heard on 102.1 the X Sundays at 9 p.m. Mike Rutz’s “Activate!” features bands coming through town on WRIR-FM 97.3 Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
