October's Best Rock/Pop By Joe Heim washingtonpost.com Staff Writer Monday, October 1, 2001

Country singer Allison Moorer performs at the Barns at Wolf Trap, Oct. 18. (File Photo)

Oct. 1 She's a bit too precious for my tastes, but folkie Dar Williams has legions of fans and always fills the 9:30 when she plays there. Be prepared for a big turnout. I prefer the strange stories and rough-hewn literary rock of Ohio's Ass Ponys. They'll be at the Black Cat.

Oct. 3 Unfortunately, Scottish rockers Travis's Oct. 2 show at the 9:30 is sold out. Try the veteran English rock group the Waterboys -- led by Scotsman Mike Scott -- at the same venue the next night.

Oct. 4 Joe Strummer is still going strong as is evidenced by the Clash city rocker's most recent album, "Global a Go-Go." He plays the 9:30 with his current band, the Mescaleros. Young blues phenom Robert Randolph will be at Metro Cafe for two performances. If he puts on half the show he did at the Birchmere a few months back, you're in for a treat.

Oct. 5 The Donnas play straight-ahead punk rock with a heavy dose of pop. Think of the Go-Gos with a little more attitude. The California quartet visits the 9:30.

Oct. 6 If the White Stripes are the most famous ex-husband-and-wife, guitar and drum duo, then Quasi is surely second in line. From Portland, Ore., Janet Weiss (she of Sleater Kinney fame) and Sam Coomes bring their powerful indie rock to the Black Cat. Tori Amos begins a two-night stand at Constitution Hall.

Oct. 7 Blues guitarist and singer Kelly Joe Phelps is a genuine, if under-appreciated, talent. Catch him at Iota. Also at Iota for a rare 3 p.m. show is the ornery alt-country singer Neko Case. Her CD "Furnace Room Lullaby" was one of my favorite releases of 2000.

Oct. 8 I've heard lots of good -- mostly outrageous -- things about local rockers the Apes. They play a CD-release gig at the Black Cat. Drums and Tuba, an all-instrumental guitar-drums-tuba trio, is at Iota.

Oct. 10 Zydeco king C.J. Chenier drops a dose of Louisiana at the Birchmere. The Murder City Devils are coming to the Black Cat and this may be the last time you'll be able to see this hard-rocking garage band.

Oct. 11 Discover Canyon's spacy and surreal minimalist rock at Iota.

Oct. 12 Howard University's homecoming brings a first-rate hip-hop package to Cramton Auditorium with Mos Def, Talib Kweli and Bilal headlining what promises to be a memorable night. Whiskeytown's Ryan Adams, flying solo these days, plays the 9:30.

Oct. 13 Smart-aleck pseudo rockers Tenacious D brings its brilliant silliness to the 9:30.

Oct. 15 Electronica fills the 9:30 when the English house music ensemble Basement Jaxx visits.

Oct. 16 Fugazi doesn't have a show, but this is the album-release date for its latest, "The Argument." For a full-on dose of indie roots, check out Mike Watt of Minutemen and fireHose fame when he comes to the Black Cat.

Oct. 17 The gifted country singer and songwriter Iris DeMent visits the Birchmere. Canadian folk singers Kate and Anna McGarrigle are at the Barns at Wolf Trap.

Oct. 18 A big night: One of country music's bright lights, the sultry singer Allison Moorer plays the Barns at Wolf Trap. Bluegrass queen Rhonda Vincent is at the Birchmere. Stone Temple Pilots and Staind will take over the MCI Center. Robert Cray and the jubilee gospel group the Blind Boys of Alabama are at the 9:30.

Oct. 20 Discover the cool, languorous indie-pop of Ivy, at the Black Cat. David Mead, whose ethereal voice sounds a bit like Jeff Buckley's, is also on that bill.

Oct. 21 Burning Spear, led by singer-prophet Winston Rodney, brings its deep-and-driven roots reggae to Nation. The U.K. punk legends the Damned (or a version of the Damned anyway) plays the Black Cat.

Oct. 22 A buzz is building about New York rockers Oneida. Check it out at the Black Cat.

Oct. 23 Son Volt's Jay Farrar is also going the solo route these days. His tour to promote his recently released album, "Sebastapol," brings him to the Birchmere.

Oct. 24-25 D.C.'s legendary hometown bluegrass band the Seldom Scene plays two nights at Wolf Trap.

Oct. 27 Progressive soul, funk and jazz chanteuse Meshell Ndegeocello begins two nights at the Birchmere.

Oct. 28 The laid-back, ever-cool Boz Scaggs plays the Warner Theatre.

Oct. 29 Another New York band getting plenty of hype these days is the Strokes. With just one CD to their credit, they are already being compared with such legends as the Velvet Underground and Television. The Strokes are at the 9:30.

Oct. 30 The Pharcyde, L.A.'s gift to alternative and highly inventive rap, comes to Nation.

Oct. 31 Cape Breton fiddle player Natalie MacMaster grew up in a family of musicians and has been fiddling -- in styles both traditional and modern -- her entire life. She's certain to put on a lively show at the Birchmere. Britney Spears has probably never even seen a fiddle. She'll put other gifts to use at MCI Center.