RVA Shows You Must See This Week: October 16 – October 22
FEATURED SHOW
Cobranniversary Six
Night 1: Friday, October 18, 7 PM
Speedy Ortiz, Snack Truck, Ramen Holiday @ Cobra Cabana – $15 (order tickets HERE)
Night 2: Saturday, October 19, 7 PM
Evening Shadows, Xed Out, Pink Peugeot @ Cobra Cabana – $15 (order tickets HERE)
I think we can all agree that it has been an unmitigated good thing to have Cobra Cabana in this city for the past six years. From their delicious food, which is not only creatively delicious but displays a subtly progressive political worldview, to the many amazing shows they host on their patio, this spot has become an essential landmark on the Richmond culinary and musical map, and a beloved gathering spot for a variety of underground communities here in the RVA. For all those reasons and more, it’s wonderful to see that this weekend will be dominated by the six-year Cobranniversary celebration that will bring amazing music to Cobra Cabana’s stage two nights in a row.
You’ll want to come out for both of these magical musical evenings, both of which focus on punk rock from the more melodic end of the spectrum. For example, Friday’s show is headlined by Speedy Ortiz, Sadie Dupuis’s long-running quartet that, as of the last few years, pairs the talented songwriter with members of Worriers and Mass Movement Of The Moth. These folks bash out excellent 90s-style alternative rock with a 21st century edge that makes them stand out in a field of retro imitators. Not only did they return to action with a bang last year by releasing Rabbit Rabbit, their first new material in half a decade, they followed it up this year with a special remastered 10th anniversary edition of their classic debut LP, Major Arcana. We can expect to hear songs from both of those excellent slabs and everything inbetween when Speedy Ortiz take the stage Friday night.
Saturday night’s headliners, Evening Shadows, are a horse of another color entirely. Featuring members of ASG, Strike Anywhere, and Valient Thorr (among others), this melodic punk combo cranks out upbeat slices of catchy fun on their brand new C.B.E.P. These tunes are guaranteed to put you in the kind of great mood that you’d normally get from a perfect day at the beach, and in light of the current social, political, and meteorological environment, that’s just what the doctor ordered. Both days of this shindig will be filled out by some other excellent bands, from the legendary revived Richmond indie rock trio Ramen Holiday (who I’m guessing aren’t allowed to be named after that one Audrey Hepburn movie anymore) and the spaced-out math-noise of fellow Richmond legends Snack Truck to the catchy punk anthems of Xed Out and the strange guitar-driven melodies of Savannah two-piece Pink Peugeot. Everything you will encounter on this fine evening will just be yet another reminder of why everyone in Richmond should be glad Cobra Cabana exists in our town. Come spend your weekend celebrating a truly great spot with some truly great tunes.
Wednesday, October 16, 7 PM
Devin The Dude, King Kaiju, Boobie Holiday, Ty Sorrell, CJ The Profit, DuctTape Jesus, Hip Hop Henry @ Cobra Cabana – $20 (order tickets HERE)
Like I was just saying, one of the greatest things about Cobra Cabana is the way it’s become a central gathering spot for a variety of underground communities around Richmond. That doesn’t just include the punk and metal scenes — it also refers to Richmond’s always-fertile underground hip hop scene. Quite a few excellent hip hop-oriented bills have graced the Cobra Cabana stage in recent times, and of course Hip Hop Henry’s always-lit DJ nights are a staple of the Cobra Cabana calendar. Now, a couple days before their official anniversary celebration, Cobra Cabana adds to the week’s festivities with a truly momentous hip hop occasion: the arrival onto a Richmond stage of Devin The Dude.
This veteran Houston-based rapper has been establishing his reputation for over 20 years now, releasing some classic albums on Rap-A-Lot in the late 90s and early 00s, then continuing to reach new career heights on a regular basis right up to the present day. Devin The Dude’s laid-back flow complements his easygoing personality and pairs well with the smooth, funky beats he tends to favor. No gun-toting gangsta, Devin likes to rap about more relatable subjects, like getting high and flirting with girls. If anything, it means he’ll fit right in here in Richmond. He’s certainly in good company on this bill, sharing the stage with half a dozen or so of Virginia’s finest MCs. From King Kaiju to Ty Sorrell to DuctTape Jesus, they’ve all got their own unique brand of lyrical excellence to show off. And of course, with Hip Hop Henry providing the music for the evening, you know this will be a night to remember. Make sure you’re a part of it.
Thursday, October 17, 7 PM
Shame Chamber, Houdan The Mystic, Burns Burly West, Debrider @ Bandito’s – $10
Here’s a Thursday-night lineup that came out of nowhere to win my heart. Before this week, I’d never heard of Akron, Ohio shoegaze band Shame Chamber — and really, it’s not that surprising; they’ve only been around for a few years, and only have one EP and a couple of singles to their name. That said, the six tracks they’ve released thus far display some incredible mastery of the form, with latest single “Half Life” being a particular highlight. They manage to create the perfect wall of fuzzy dreamy guitar awesomeness without losing the songcraft in the haze of it all. Indeed, their vocals are both clearer and more evocative than the usual shoegaze fare, and their guitar riffs are perfectly constructed hook machines. They’ve got tracks, in other words — the kind that stick in your head all day. I feel entirely comfortable saying that Shame Chamber will blow the minds of all in attendance when they hit the stage at Bandito’s.
Don’t get me wrong, though — they’re joined by some pretty excellent local bands on this bill as well. Houdan The Mystic are at the top of that list; it’s always great to see them back in action after a long period in which the laid-back melodies of this mathy indie trio were in scant evidence. They’ve actually been playing out pretty regularly over the last several months, and if you haven’t caught them yet, it’s time to fix that situation. You’ll also get the chance to check out the tunes on offer from a new Richmond band called Burns Burly West. Featuring members of a few semi-obscure Richmond groups, including Mermaid Skeletons and Cold Toast (!), these guys play catchy, laid-back indie tunes with a strong melodic sense. I don’t think too many people in this town have heard them yet, but I feel sure they’ll make more than a few new fans at this show. The bill is rounded out by moody shoegaze group Debrider, which is led by singer-songwriter Lia Pisa-Relli and has been through a variety of different configurations over the years. The latest lineup is a duo pairing Lia with a synth player named Dante, and I have to wonder if this will take things in a more gothic direction. Show up on time and find out; every moment of this show is sure to be impeccable.
Friday, October 18, 9 PM
Wes Parker, Celler Dwellers, Shormey @ The Camel – $15 (order tickets HERE)
The buzz is on for singer-songwriter Wes Parker, who has burst upon the Richmond music scene over the past year or so with a run of excellent singles that would have fit right in on the post-Nirvana landscape of the mid-90s. Tracks like “Annie Moore” and “Tattoo” slot in alongside long-ago faves like Velvet Crush and Teenage Fanclub, while also calling to mind more recent examples of the slacker guitar archetype, from Mac DeMarco to bygone Richmond heroes Lance Bangs (no, not Corin Tucker’s husband). Of course, if you recognize the name, it might be because Wes was previously a member of Camp Howard, who were often paired with Lance Bangs back in the mid-10s as part of a miniature Richmond slacker alt-rock-verse. It feels to me in hindsight like Camp Howard’s other singer-songwriter, Nic Perea, overshadowed our boy Wes, but his recent singles put to rest any doubts that may linger about whether or not he’s a killer songwriter in his own right.
Wes Parker’s set is sure to be illuminating for all comers, even if you don’t remember Camp Howard at all. And considering how few songs he’s released thus far, we’re sure to hear some killer new tunes that no one else has caught onto yet. Get in on the ground floor with this one, boys and girls — this elevator’s going straight to the top. Opening sounds on this gig will be provided by a couple of formidable talents in their own right. First, Richmond rockers Celler Dwellers have some catchy alt-rock tracks for us, mixing in some retro sensibilities and a thoroughly modern sense of place. Fans of Vampire Weekend or Parquet Courts should be able to connect pretty strongly with what this band’s bringing to the table. Indie-electro artist Shormey rounds out the bill with some unusual and catchy tunes that mix danceability with bedroom-pop vibes to the max. Even as your feet are moving, you’re feeling all the feels. It’s a great way to start an evening that’s sure to be great throughout. Don’t miss this one.
Saturday, October 19, 7:30 PM
Bruiser and Bicycle, Bonemachine, Wifi Password, Pink Window @ Imperial Lounge – $8 in advance, $10 at the door (order tickets HERE)
It’s hard to know what to expect from a band that names themselves after two completely contrasting nouns, as Bruiser and Bicycle has done. Once you listen to their music, you may find yourself still struggling to reconcile the different sides of their sound. But if you ask me, that’s a positive — bands that are too easy to figure out rarely stick with you longterm. Bruiser and Bicycle have definitely been sticking with me over the past couple of days, their jangly indie-gaze riffing sliding right up alongside their psychedelic folk elements, including a pop sensibility that seems to have been derived from The Beatles, but via Animal Collective. Their most recent release is an Audiotree Live session, and I think this sheds the most light on what we can expect from Bruiser and Bicycle live. Those of you who are hoping for unusual but always intriguing and catchy takes on bouncy indie pop are definitely in for a treat; that said, those of you looking for this band to get weird at times will certainly not be disappointed either. These folks are going to give us a set we won’t forget.
Our three local openers are also sure to be memorable in their own right, and at least where Bonemachine is concerned, I can’t imagine you even need me to tell you that. You’ve all listened to last year’s New And Improved Sleeping Positions at least a dozen times by now, right? You know this band’s take on energetic rock n’ roll with a noisy undercurrent and a post-hardcore sensibility is the bee’s knees, right? Anyone shaking their head in confusion, scroll up and order yourself a ticket for this show. You need to be there. For the rest of us, we’ve got the equally intriguing prospect of a set by the Richmond-based band audaciously brilliant enough to name themselves Wifi Password. Their recently released debut EP finds them exploring a delicate, dreamy take on shoegaze-adjacent indie pop that should please the Tera Melos fans in your life. Moody, jangly indie tunes with a dash of Americana from Richmonders Pink Window will kick this one off, and it’s sure to be a delight from there until the very end of the night.
Sunday, October 20, 7 PM
Wakelee, Circle the Drain, Turning Jade, The Overdogs @ The Camel – $10 (order tickets HERE)
It only took a few seconds of Wakelee’s self-titled 2023 debut album for me to be completely won over, and I imagine the same will be true for many of you as well. This Brooklyn-based trio, featuring twin brothers on guitar and drums, have a similar demographic makeup to The Secret Machines, but have a lot more in common musically with Death Cab For Cutie, though I hear a bit of Real Estate and other early-10s jangle-pop elements mixed in there as well. What’s important is that these boys know how to write some really great songs, and they’ll stick with you long after you’ve given up distinguishing which micro-genre to file them under in your mind and just surrendered yourself to the vibes.
Support for Wakelee on this lovely Sunday evening bill at The Camel is headed up by Richmond’s own Circle the Drain, who have a delightful two-song single that I’ve been enjoying since its release this summer. Catchy, bouncy indie guitars meet a semi-funky rhythmic sensibility that at points reminds me of the (sadly unremembered) post-Minutemen band fIREHOSE, and the whole thing is just a blast. I assume the same will be true of this band’s entire set; it certainly stands to reason. Both Turning Jade and The Overdogs are relative newcomers to the Richmond scene, and I know less about the two of them than I’d like — though I can at least say with confidence that both bands write songs on guitars and play something somewhere in the broader pop-rock canon. Considering the quality of the top two artists on this bill, and the highly economical ticket price on this gig, I think you can definitely afford to take a chance on them. Rock out throughout the entirety of this one.
Monday, October 21, 10 PM
Sweat, VV, Spicy Meatball @ Don’t Look Back – Donations requested
A 10 pm start time on a Monday night reminds me of going to shows in Richmond 15 or so years ago, when we were smack in the middle of an era that revolved around shows starting after the venue’s kitchen closed down and going until the bright lights of last call came on. Back in those days, the Broad Street hotspot now known as Don’t Look Back – Triple was just the Triple, a pool hall with a bar where I saw some wild shows in the heady days of the late 00s, back when I was totally willing to push through a night in which I got four hours’ sleep in order to stay for the last band and still make it to work on time in the morning. Of course, I was running from a lot of things back then… but let’s not get off the subject.
This show reminds me of the good ol’ days of the late 00s at the Triple, only now, instead of pool tables, it’s got some of the best tacos in town. The wild show is provided this Monday night by a Los Angeles band called Sweat, who are playing a Monday night show in Richmond for the second time in nine months. You’ll definitely want to catch this one even if you saw them last time, because Sweat are a great example of wild raging punk with a hammering rock n’ roll heart. Their latest album, Love Child, came out since last time they came through town, and finds them strutting, swaggering, and putting the pedal to the metal like AC/DC circa Highway To Hell demonically possessing the bodies of The Donnas, or Be Your Own Pet. It’s fucking awesome, is what I’m saying, on a level you have to see to believe. Local support is provided by the killer No Wave trio VV, who’ve got plenty of weirdo punk energy all their own, like first-LP Pere Ubu crossbred with the Bush Tetras, or something equally bizarre and amazing. Spicy Meatball rounds out the bill, and while I can tell you that they have an awesome name, I don’t know too much about ’em musically. Let’s all learn more together this Monday night. You can get by on four hours’ sleep — it’ll be worth it.
Tuesday, October 22, 7 PM
Clementine, 7th Grade Girl Fight, Scan Slow, Machi @ Bandito’s – $10
Halloween will still be over a week away when this show takes place on Tuesday night at Bandito’s, but considering that it seems kids today look forward to Halloween the way I looked forward to Christmas when I was a kid, it’s no surprise that a show taking place nine days before All Hallows Eve still has a strong spooky-season vibe. Illinois/Wisconsin combo Clementine definitely enhance that feel with their driving, hard-edged emo sound, as recently showcased on a split EP with Richmond’s own Flight Club. I don’t know how this comparison will be received, so please understand I intend it as a compliment: Clementine definitely evoke some of the less melodramatic moments of the first two My Chemical Romance records for me. That said, they’ve also got a bit of a retro-rock feel; I sort of feel like they could have hit the top 40 circa 1985, though they’d definitely be one of the tougher bands on the list. Ultimately, that’s what I come away with: catchy, yet tough. Moody, yet sweet. These guys really are great.
So, to be fair, are the opening acts on this jam-packed Bandito’s bill. Charlottesville’s own 7th Grade Girl Fight have generally had a poppy rock sensibility, though recent singles have seen them integrate a bit more of an electronic element into the proceedings. They’re pushing boundaries, and that’s always a great thing to see — especially if they also keep the songs as catchy as possible. And they definitely do that. As for Richmonders Scan Slow, they like to refer to themselves as pop-punk, but I gotta be honest — the only single they’ve released thus far, “Worlds Where Dogs Eat,” sounds very emo to me. If you’ve been paying attention at all, you probably realize that that means I love it. And I do — I think these guys are great. Definitely one to watch out for on the local scene — starting with their set at this show. As for openers Machi, I’ve also only heard one song by them, and it leads me to expect a set of intense yet melodic screamo from this combo when they kick off this show. Once again, you should know by now that this means I think they’ll be awesome. And it’s true — I do. Show up on time for these folks, and stick around for the whole spooky thing. You won’t be sorry.
Email me if you’ve got any tips for me about upcoming shows (that take place after the week this column covers -– this week’s column has obviously already been written): rvamustseeshows@gmail.com
Please consider supporting my Patreon, where I’m documenting my progress on two different novels and (sometimes) writing about music of all types. patreon.com/marilyndrewnecci
