This Week's Playlist July 1st 2013

1. We Found Love- Palma Violets

2. Elephant- Tame Impala

3. Fight Test- The Flaming Lips

4. I Need Something Different- Stone Gossard

5. Deep- Pearl Jam

6. The Punks are Finally Taking Acid- FIDLAR

7. People Don't Change Blues- The Growlers

This week brings a mix of new discoveries and older favorites. On Friday, I bought tickets to the Tame Impala and Flaming Lips concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion (an outdoor venue in Columbia, MD) on October 4th. I cannot wait for such a stellar band combo. I first heard Aussie rockers, Tame Impala when their song was featured on the hit HBO show Girls, which features a great alt-indie music playlist. "Elephant" has an intense bass beat that carries the song and reminds me of a mix of indie band, Deerhunter and the pop-rock band, The Strokes.

Last week Stone Gossard, guitarist in Pearl Jam, released his album Moonlander and his solo work carries his skillful Pearl Jam guitar-playing but brings his own inspiration to "I Need Something Different" by bringing a little more grit and little less grungy punk. With Stone Gossard's album release it also brought my back to listening to Pearl Jam classics. One of my favorite songs off of their most famous album, Ten is "Deep" because of the intense and powerful lyrics that Eddie Vedder belts out to the fantastic solo that Mike McCready shreds through.

FIDLAR also shows a more versatile side in "The Punks are Finally Taking Acid" because they add a bluesy guitar riff that is not typical of their songs and the riff alone has a hint of the Black Keys' sound. There is a great YouTube video that captures fans going wild over this killer song at The Blue Star Cafe last summer in Los Angeles. Check it out here: The Punks are Finally Taking Acid (Live)- FIDLAR

The Technicolors @ Black Cat June 12th 2013

The Technicolors are midway through their East Coast tour and their show at Black Cat in DC was notable, to say the least. Their set list brought a perfect mix of their slower songs, as well as a harder rock sound where Mikey Fanizza showed his skill on guitar. Fans were quiet to start but came alive once "To Love" began everyone started to dance. The resemblance to Oasis was uncanny throughout this song. Next up was "Wicked Game," a beautiful song that captivated concertgoers. Brennan Smiley, has an extensive ability to sing the slower songs and the band almost fools you into being on the quiet side. Just wait until the last three songs of their set. Brennan and the guys show their rock roots with"Fake a Smile." The killer riffs and solid beat remind me of Wolfmother. I never would have thought that a band could sound like Wolfmother and Oasis, but The Technicolors pull it off and express a wide range of musical influences which appeals to a myriad of rock music lovers.

"Sweet Time," their single off of their album "Listener" enveloped the crowd and true fans were singing along. To top it all off they played my favorite song, "Hollywood." This song showcases everything I love about them, from great lyrics to a serious beat, and to make it even better they cranked up the speakers to end the night. Although they get compared to other alt-rock bands there is no question that they bring a distinct sound and a wide array of songs on just one album. I look forward to hearing more that they have to offer in future albums and would recommend checking out their live show. They are playing a few clubs in New England and the Midwest to top off their East Coast tour!

JEFF the Brotherhood plays the Rock & Roll Hotel May 25, 2013

JEFF the Brotherhood never fails to impress a group of punk and grunge fans and they definitely didn’t at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington, DC on May 25th. The Orrall brothers hail from Nashville, TN and bring an impressive sound. While it may seem simple because they are just a duo and Jake plays riffs on a 3-string guitar, they have a lot to offer in a live setting. The stage is also complete with a fog machine; which puts the band and crowd in a haze. With classics from their album Heavy Days, like “U Got the Look” and “Heavy Days” to their newest album Hypnotic Nights, fans are in for Jake’s truly tough guitar riffs and Jamin keeping a killer beat on the drums. JEFF also plays their newest available song, “Melting Place,” which gives off a great Black Sabbath and metal vibe, showing that they have the power to try every sub-genre of rock and roll. They have a musical presence on stage and cohesiveness that shows their fraternal relationship.
 After the crowd sings along to “Ripper,” the head banging and moshing truly begins.

 A JEFF show isn’t for everyone, so be prepared for a few bruises, especially if you’re up in the front. This never deterred the crowd who was riveted and tapping their feet along with the songs, completely enthralled. Christina, a keyboardist from the Nashville-based punk band D. Watusi and Karl, guitarist, add more noise and distortion to Hypnotic Nights favorites like “Sixpack” and “Country Life”. Although Hypnotic Nights is their newest record, JEFF sticks to the band’s roots and plays a mind-blowing rendition of “Heavy Krishna” that takes the crowd into a pure state of musical nirvana. If that wasn’t enough, you get to hear a different, softer side of JEFF in “The Tropics” and to top it all off with a jam of an encore in “Dreamscape”. All in all a fantastic night with true musicians playing some kick ass punk music.

My first post!

Hey everybody,

My name is Lauren and I just finished my sophomore year at GWU in Washington, DC. I decided to create this blog to do what I do best, review my favorite food and music. My two favorite ways to indulge in the city are to go to concerts at my favorite venues such as the Black Cat and the 9:30 Club, as well as try out new restaurants across the city, Maryland and Virginia.

xx Lauren