Whether you are aware of it or not, D.C. is currently experiencing its annual blessing from on high by the gods of contemporary music. That is, we are and have been for the month of October, musically more spoiled than usual. In my case, I am kicking myself squarely in the ass for having missed the first few of these offerings, namely what may have been the Murder City Devils’ final tour and American Steel on the 10th and Bis on the 12th. Chances are, not many of us from Georgetown were at either.
If you, like me, are thus far missing the train, fear not. The next few weeks are killer, particularly in the rock department. The Strokes and Death Cab for Cutie will be gracing D.C. before November takes hold, and there is serious buzz for veterans and indie-favorites Spiritualized.
Formed in 1990 as a side group of Brit-rock powerhouse Spacemen 3, bassist and main songwriter Jason Pierce has molded Spiritualized into a dizzying, genre blurring, post-psycheldelic freakdified rock extravaganza. Although much of the band’s history is forever committed to the arcana of British 7” releases, Spiritualized gained notoriety in 1997 with their third studio run Ladies and Gentlemen, We are in Space.The record capitalized on the conventional UK adherence to music-as-oeuvre. That is, most works that garner little attention from Top of the Pops have much to offer in terms of innovation and style, and they usually function as a planned, integrated whole. Thus, one takes a Spiritualized record in gulp for maximum potency.
What one finds, lurking beneath critical categorizations of roots-rock or neo-Pink Floydishness, is a true sonic tapestry that is evocative and forceful. Pierce maintains control of the piece and of the audience with an impressive mastery of trans-genre stylings. Spiritualized builds on a solid Brit-rock foundation of yore and adds lush, organic instrumentation including organs, strings and loop effects, upon which Pierce adds his inspired and nuanced voice.
This effect, mastered through 10 years of touring and studio refinement, comes through loud and clear on the group’s latest, last week’s acclaimed Let it Come Down.In support, the group is making a highly anticipated stop at the 9:30 club on the 23rd. I can guarantee that this show will rock yer socks off, and generate an emotive and charged ambiance. At the very least, it will provide a nice break from recent incursions of brit-pop and electronic acts and bring the stragglers back from forays beyond the rock-world.
Then, on the 25th, one of Georgetown’s own is taking his act to the Velvet Lounge?Sugar Jones is going to be doin’ his rock thang to show off his songwriting skills at this chill local spot. You can even hit the Chili Bowl and make it a date. SO?you have no excuse to miss this one, and if you’re behind in the fall rock show crawl, now’s your chance to catch up with flava’.
The 930 Club is located at 815 V St. You can find the Velvet Lounge at 915 U St.
