Ugly and Vermilions at the Velvet Lounge, DC

Upon creating this blog, I had the intention to report and write opinions and critiques on places and events I attend. Music being a bit part of my life and my of my friends being full/part time musicians, I found it quite appropriate to do some "on scene" reports on their shows and progress rocking in this modern world of ours.

Last Saturday, the gang and I headed out to the Velvet Lounge to see our friends band play and get a few drinks down on U street. I haven't been feeling to hot lately due to biking in the cold wet mornings but I was really impressed from the set up from the club and the groups that played. It actually made me forget about my acquired sickness. It was just the kinda vibe I'm into; small personal and a bit gritty. There was an upstairs where the music and dancing was, as well as a bar downstairs that had skateboarding playing on the tube, for you had something to look at when you didn't feel like talking to your friends.

The cover charge was a cheap 8 bucks and the beers (at least Yeungers) were only 5 dollars a pop, which from my experience down on U, isn't too shabby. Overall though, I found it a great club with good music and a good "young" vibe. Although this critique could be a tad bias, since I felt the bar was filled full of acquaintances and good friends.

The band I was there to hear and support was the one and only UGLY

My buddy Matt has been writing and singing songs for most of the time I've known him in college. His style is incredibly unique, but if I HAD to compare it to something, it'd go a little bit like this; with the mind and lyrical strength of Elliot Smith mixed in with the annunciation and pronunciation of Say Anything, Matt's (of Ugly) songs are constantly flowing and keeping your attention with superior lyrical wit and melody that automatically catches your attention . The newly acquired band featuring some other friends of mine brought out Matt's song writing abilities and melodies. The sheer power and feel the solid bass, lead guitar, and pounding drums made an audience who has never head them before, shake and sway in their musical wake.

Here are a few shots from the band.

Ugly- preparing for the next song

Matt Rappold- Lead Guitar

I gotta say boys, I usually am not that into band's my friends are in (I don't know why, maybe its just my own personal mix of jealousy and envy) but i was SUPER IMPRESSED. Please check out this video, it ain't the best quality, but it will give you a great insight into their feel and sound. WAIT TILL THE BREAK DOWN! I PROMISE YOU WONT REGRET IT!

I look forward to hearing more from these boys in the not so distant future!

The second band I caught was the Vermilions. Never heard of them before, but once again, I was impressed by young college kid musicians again for the second time in a night. They guys kinda reminded me a bit of the old Hives stuff, with shredding guitar and fast punchy pushy backup rhythm (sorry if that doesn't make sense). For a three piece, these boys knew how to rock it. Check out this sweaty rock and roll shots of these boys from Fredericksburg.

The Vermilions

Lead singer and shredder (apparently Matt's (Ugly) freshman year roommate too!)

Great job guys! I'll make sure to do a follow up on these groups in the future! Long live rock and roll.

Cold, Wet, and Miserable

Woke up and found most my roomates still in bed, right away i knew it was pouring outside. Saw some great photos from the Communication department group that went to Milan this summer. Fantastic stuff!

Also spoke to a professor today and had him knock some common journalism sense into me; do what you have to do first, before you can do what you want.

Here are some great take away shows to capture your imagination and attention on this cold and miserable (for those of us commuting by bike) wet day.

Enjoy you slackers!

Aloe Blacc | I Need A Dollar | A Take Away Show - Part 1 from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

La Blogotheque - Take Away Shows from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Wilco - Country Disappeared | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Bloc Party, 'This Modern Love' - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Music

Check it out, Jade and I performing on the Lindsay Gray show. Check out the sketch comedies and our musical debut (6:40). Enjoy!

SLEEP WHEN YOU'RE DEAD!

Good ol' Octoblake, Halloween!

Oh la la! Almost time to put on those costumes, consume too much booze, and loose your morals! (and possible your dinner!)

I do love Halloween. The past 2 years I've gone to Pittsburgh and I have never regretted it. This year we all have a very festive weekend planned out. First, Friday the roomies and I are going to throw a banging pumpkin carving party and potluck. After some early recovery, the crew is going to head down to the rally being held in DC, should be awesome. Then Sunday, probably more body abusing. Nonetheless, I am incredibly stoaked for the upcoming events.

It seems every day, I'm constantly looking forward to something. One that moment comes though, and i get that satisfaction from whatever i was looking forward to, i divert my attention to the "next thing". Being content is something I've been working on, but it's a tough society to live day by day in. Especially being 21 with a plethora of obligations and expectations on my shoulders.

Here are some classic shots from some past Hallows Eve's

Mary Kate and Ashley

Lincoln and John Wilkes Boobs
Dirty Dancing
90's tennis star, old tourist, frenchie
Beer Pong
Super scary! First night I met Kristen! I didnt recognize her the next day!

Gangsta Indiana Jones

Have fun this weekend, be safe, and enjoy the frightful festivities!

Respect

I'm a bit jealous...

Eric just got his first ink job. Not too shabby at all. Great lines and fantastic colors. He went in there with the idea of an American indian and an eagle and came out with this. The artist was David Cavalcante and he got it done and Tattoo Paradise.

It kinda reminds me of the Sailor Jerry tattoo style, but with a classic western feel, instead of Navy.

Looks great man! Can't wait to see more

Fall is Here!

This great weather and good times I've been experiencing lately has inspired me to be a little more proactive in my digital narrative on topics I find relative. Since it's been a while since I've put anything of interest in here, here are a few photos and recent memories to snack on

I'm glad to say I've officially hit the precious age of 21 and am able to consume alcoholic beverages, you are forewarned. Some snaps of the night

The Homies in Attendance

Deciding to wear a suit with a tiger tie was a ferocious, yet elegant, but smelly idea

It's great when you find some people you can make something out of nothing; Turn pure boring shit into extravagant shiny gold. Some moments from a trip to a Swedish furniture market

No trip is complete without ice cream

Met up the other day with some good friends. My buddy Jake and I talked our friend Troy into calling out of work and hanging with us. Right on Troy! Damn the Man!

After deciding not to hit downtown, we got a group of people together and biked over to Court Side Thai. Mike and Jeremy took an old tandem. They looked like an old couple from reno but smoked us going down (and up) the hills to the restaurant. The place is located downtown Fairfax almost right next to Auld's.

For some reason, the staff at the place treated us like young royalty. It could have been their fantastic service or their motivation for a hefty tip, but I felt like being in a group of well dressed individuals snapping photos gave us some un-deserved attention.

I was feeling a spicy curry and got a yellow coconut-based sauce with pork and steak. Extra rice of course.

The meal was super dank and the thai beer they had wasn't too shabby either, a bit light (and expensive), but honestly I'm not really that picky about what beer I'm drinking as long as it's cold (preferably). See the expression of pure thai bliss presented in Troy's workskippin face?

If you are ever interested in some great Thai in the local Nova area, I totally recommend Court Side Thai. The food was delicious and the environment was great, the food wasn't that expensive either. I'd say around 10-20 dollars a person was the average price spent. For some reason though, our time at the restaurant felt a bit like a dream, or something out of a corny indie film. Maybe they put something in the food or maybe it was just the good company. whatever though, we were left smiling.