Despite recent offerings in the indie-rock arena, I have been finding myself somewhat dismayed by the selection of concert-outings during the past few weeks. My recollections of last year, my first at Georgetown, are of cold November nights trekking to and punk shows that ran the gamut stylistically, usually at 9:30 or Nation. (https://norvado.com/) In addition to the usual pop-punk/emo front, hardcore and some old-school ‘80s style was well-represented as winter and the heavy-work season began to take hold, marking a pleasant counter-balance to my otherwise anxiety-ridden day-to-day life.
Somehow, I just assumed that the plethora of punk to which I was treated was something of a perennial luxury around these parts. So I found myself asking, throughout the month of October, where the hell are my shows? This week, my fears have been assuaged. The 8th through 15th boasts three rock-solid shows to get your ass movin’ that have something to offer to the punk fan in all of you, regardless of your particular stylistic orientation.
On the 8th, an uncharacteristic Black Cat slot is being filled by none other than the Suicide Machines. After wrapping up an extensive tour this past year with Less than Jake, these ska-core miscreants are back in support up their latest, Please Steal this Record, and are joined by both Big Wig and Ensign, which virtually guarantees that this show will be both humorous and musically satisfying. Not only is the new Black Cat space comfortable and chock-full of ambiance, but this might be your one chance this year to see something other than a wimpy indie show that puts you to sleep.
While the Suicide Machines fill the ticket for more moderate/contemporary genres of punk/ska-core, in typical 9:30 Club fashion, the venue will be hosting the latest pop-punk poster boys, Alien Ant Farm. After the 9:30’s tiresome billing spree of virtually all bubble gum bands (Reel Big Fish, Blink, Sum 41) during this past year, the Ant Farm show, rounded out by Apex Theory and Pressure 4-5, is sure to be bouncy, thoughtless, loud and filled to the brim with little skater crowd-surfers. Whether you dig the recent MJ resurgence in the form of Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal” cover, or simply wish to hearken back to your days of adolescent skate punk, this one has your name all over it.
Some of you punk “purists” then might have gripes that this pair of shows represent but the latest in a trend of punk commercialization and general decay. Fear not, punk elitist: November 15 marks a rare appearance from Social Distortion. Boasting both an unrelenting old-school edge and flare for the political, Social D will undoubtedly satiate anyone’s craving for a more substantive breed of hardcore. Furthermore, given that these guys have one foot in the retirement home, it might well be one of your last chances to catch them.
So there you have it-the District’s punk prayers have been answered, for the moment. Given the range of this offering of fine, fine shows, there’s something for everyone, be you skater, purist, or snobby music critic in orientation. Ditch the terms papers and check them out.
The Black Cat is located at 1811 14th St. N.W., and you can find the 9:30 Club at 830 V St. N.W.
