By Michael Coleman, Marcus Dowling, and Jon Kaplan
On Tap takes a look at four local and touring bands each month. If you are interested in being featured, please send your contact information, website, a list of upcoming shows, and two MP3 tracks to jon.kaplan@ontaponline.com.
The Henry Clay People
Web: www.henryclaypeople.com
Album: Twenty-Five for the Rest of Our Lives
Show: Saturday, July 7 at the Black Cat
These days, pop-punk bands are a dime a dozen. Most of them are more about pop sheen than punk attitude. Thankfully, the Henry Clay People buck this trend. The L.A.-based quartet exults in its ragged roots on Twenty-Five for the Rest of Our Lives, throwing off 12 exuberant tracks that, unlike some of their contemporaries’ records, don’t sound produced within an inch of their lives. The title track, a pounding, propulsive tune with machine gun drumming, wailing, distorted guitars and shout-along choruses, sets the tone. “We’re never gonna settle down, we’re never gonna settle for anything,” the band shouts in unison. That sort of “aw, to hell with it,” sentiment permeates the entire, energetic album. Other song titles include “Keep our Weekends Free”, Tasteless”, and “Backseat of a Cab”. While the band sounds loose, their songs don’t feel tossed off. And while they play with a jangly, furious punk quality, Henry Clay is hard to pigeonhole, as the band reflects classic and indie rock influences as well. It takes skill to make a record that sounds this easy sound so good. -MC
Red Palace: 1212 H St. NE, DC; 202-399-3201; www.redpalacedc.com
JD McPherson
Web: www.jdmcpherson.com
Album: Signs and Signifiers
Show: Monday, July 9 at IOTA Club & Cafe
There’s something of a classic R&B renaissance happening in America. For those of us who prefer real, organic instrumentation to the auto-tuned, synthesized stuff blasting from contemporary clubs and radio stations, the retro-revival is a breath of fresh air. JD McPherson, like Eli Paperboy Reed before him, is near the vanguard of the movement. McPherson’s debut record, Signs and Signifiers, is full of warmth, grit, and heart – as well as real drums, guitars and pianos. Sure, its retro – even recorded analog as opposed to digital – but it still sounds more vital than a lot of new music being released today. McPherson’s versatile and supple voice leads the way, crooning in a desperate falsetto one minute and growling like a man who’s backed against the wall the next. McPherson’s tight band is right there with him, blasting big horns on the rockers and downshifting into lowdown blues guitar lines when the tempo drops. The record jumps if it’s playing on your home computer or iPod, but this is music that needs to be heard – and danced to – live. -MC
IOTA Club & Café: 2832 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-522-8340; www.iotaclubandcafe.com
Black Dog Prowl
Web: www.blackdogprowl.com
Album: Vapor EP
Show: Friday, July 13 at Fillmore Silver Spring
The crunching power of heavy metal power chords meets insistent drumming on Black Dog Prowl’s latest release, the Vapor EP. Proving yet again that classic style doesn’t feel old if flawlessly delivered, the melodic convergence of lead singer Josh Finver’s lead vocal and Robert Peters’ lead guitar give what feel like nitroglycerine powered sounds a furious and heavy edge. The title single screams into your ear and worms into your soul, an effective combination displaying a band that feels more cohesive than ever. If you’re a fan of popular music desperate to remember what happened to the raw vitality that rock and roll once provided, Black Dog Prowl appear poised and ready to provide the answer to your soul’s desires. -MD
Fillmore Silver Spring: 8656 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; 301-960-9999; www.fillmoresilverspring.com
Music Still happens Here
Web: www.facebook.com/musicstillhappenshere
Album: Music Still Happens Here – Vol. 1
Show: Sunday, July 22 at IOTA Club & Cafe
Music Still Happens Here – Vol. 1: A Compilation of DC Music is the first release from this local organization. A cohesive mix of Rock, Pop, Blues, and Hip-Hop, comprised of 20 DC/MD/VA musicians and bands, Music Still Happens Here features a wide spectrum of unique and original artists. Though their main goal is to promote local talent, the bigger picture is to help establish more focus on the music scene in the DC area. Every song on this album is a radio single waiting to happen, including highlights like “Real” by Classified Frequency, “Tell Everyone” by Derek Evry, “Sunny Side Up” by Molly Hagen, and “Burn With Me” by Irresponsible. Launched on March 1, 2012, the compilation is the brainchild of Arlington, Virginia based artist/songwriter Derek Evry, who found the artists using connections from local shows and Facebook musicians groups. There will be a release show on Sunday, July 22 at IOTA Club & Café featuring 16 of the 20 bands on the comp. This is a free CD and is absolutely worth picking up. -JK
IOTA Club & Café: 2832 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA; 703-522-8340; www.iotaclubandcafe.com
