The Meditations and JohnStone at Alley Katz
Wily old Washington still has a few surprises in its powdered wig, like being a home for such young reggae acts as JohnStone, a five-piece roots outfit that, like all youngsters, enjoys getting carried away on its own jams. Luckily, it’ll be kept in line by veterans and former Marley pals The Meditations (hailing from Jamaica, just south of Washington). They play Alley Katz Jan. 14, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $12-$15. 643-2816.
Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden are not exactly playing in Richmond
With the breakup of Richmond’s GNR cover band, Rocket Queen, many faux fans became just foes. And since the real Axl offers little more than cornrows and fat ankles these days, hope for an approximately true GNR experience lies with Appetite for Destruction, “The Ultimate Tribute to Guns N’ Roses,” playing the Canal Club Jan. 12 at 8:30 p.m. $10. 643-2582. Meanwhile, at Alley Katz Jan. 13, Iron Maiden will not be playing at all. But Powerslave, Withersoul and Tombstone will pick their way gingerly through the gentle strains of “Seventh Son of a Seventh Son,” perhaps, or somehow give you that British metal sound without having to leave the country. The Iron Maiden tribute show runs 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $6. 643-2816.
