By Joe Heim
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Wednesday, May 7, 2003 | |  Stephen Malkmus plays the 9:30 Sunday, May 11. (Photo courtesy of Matador Records) | David Bazan sings about Christianity in his songs, but rather than simply espouse his beliefs he explores spiritual questions. A former punk rocker, he now fits more easily in a melodic, indie-rock vein. And while his songs can be difficult and dark, they also possess a haunting beauty. Bazan performs under the name Pedro the Lion and he's at the Black Cat Wednesday, May 7. The Stratford 4 and Ester Drang are also on the bill. The former lead singer for the glam band D Generation, Jessie Malin is now heading comfortably down the singer-songwriter path. His recently released solo debut album, "The Fine Art of Self-Destruction," was produced by none other than alt-country-gone-Hollywood crooner Ryan Adams. Hopefully none of Adams's whininess rubbed off on Malin during the process. Find out at Iota Thursday, May 8. Who knew Nebraska would become as famous for breeding indie-rock bands as breeding cattle? The burgeoning Omaha scene is home to the much-lauded bands Bright Eyes and Cursive. And it is also home to the Faint, which brings its melancholy synth rock to the 9:30 Thursday, May 8. Les Savy Fav and Schneider TM share the bill. Christine McVie has opted out of this reunion, but the other members of Fleetwood Mac are at the MCI Center Friday, May 9. The band is on tour promoting its latest album, "Say You Will," its first studio album in 15 years. It's an impressive bluegrass doubleheader when two influential bands of the 1970s, J.D. Crowe & the New South and the Seldom Scene, play at the Birchmere Friday, May 9. Los Hermanos Rodriguez headlines at the Velvet Lounge Friday, May 9. The local rockers are still working on their first CD (it should be ready by the end of the month), so you have to go to live shows to hear their songs. "American Beauty" is among the best songs written by a local band in years and worth the cover charge even if that's the only song you hear. Drummer, singer and songwriter Doyle Bramhall is steeped in Texas-style blues. Beginning in high school, Bramhall was a regular bandmate of Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vaughn. And throughout his career, he has continued to play with blues greats, including Marcia Ball and Mason Ruffner. Bramhall released his own solo debut in 1994 and now he's back with his latest effort, "Fitchburg Street." He's sure to bring a stellar band with him to Iota Saturday, May 10. Alan Jackson is the big-name draw at this year's edition of the WMZQFest, but Joe Nichols is the reason country fans will want to make sure they arrive early. Last year Nichols released a fine album, "Man With a Memory," that showcased his made-for-country-weepers voice. Terri Clark and Diamond Rio fill out the mainstream country bill at Nissan Pavilion Saturday, May 10 The hip-hop extravaganza Beats for Peace takes place at Nation Sunday, May 11. Pharoahe Monch, Cee-lo, Maseo, Medusa, the Jazz Hip-Hop Orchestra, B-girl Manifesto, Head-roc w/DJ Eurak and more are scheduled to perform. Tickets are $10 in advance; $15 at the door. Lo-fi pioneer and founder of the Stockton, Calif. band Pavement, Stephen Malkmus is one of those influential indie-rock figures who helped define music for at least a segment of a generation. These days Malkmus continues to record and perform with his new band, the Jicks, and he brings the group to the 9:30 Sunday, May 11. Singer-songwriter Avril Lavigne (okay, so she doesn't really write most of her songs) brings her corporately approved skate-punk-pop to the Patriot Center Monday, May 12. The Avrilution must go on. Until it dries up and blows away, of course. Plagued by severe stage fright that was once so crippling, singer-songwriter Linda Thompson stopped performing and almost lost her voice altogether. Early in her career, Thompson amazed listeners, particularly on a series of magnificent albums she made with then husband Richard Thompson, including "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" and their heart-wrenching breakup album, "Shoot Out the Lights." By 1985 though, Thompson had abandoned both performing and recording. So fans were both surprised and delighted when Thompson returned last year with "Unfashionably Late," her first album in 17 years. Don't miss Thompson when she plays the Rams Head Tuesday, May 13, and the Birchmere Wednesday, May 14. You never know how long you'll have to wait to see her again. COUNTRY MUSIC CHAT Join music critics David Cantwell and Bill Friskics-Warren for a Live Online chat Tuesday, May 13, at 1 p.m. to discuss their new book, "Heartaches by the Number: Country Music's 500 Greatest Singles." If you're feeling gutsy, ask them to explain how an Olivia Newton John song was included. Or, for that matter, how songs by Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Bob Dylan made the list. JUST ANNOUNCED The monster-length tour that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band embarked on more than a year ago will visit FedEx Field on Sept. 13. Tickets for the show go on sale Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. Tickets are $83 and $73. RECENT STORIES AND REVIEWS FROM THE POST David Segal was there when local hero Dave Grohl brought the Foo Fighters to the Patriot Center last week. Britt Robson says that the "missteps are painful" on the new CD by legendary British band the Yardbirds. And Craig Smith reviews Floetry's show at the 9:30 last week. POST YOUR SHOW HERE Every week I receive a dozen or so e-mails from bands or artists asking me to write about their shows. Time constraints make it almost impossible to listen to everything that ends up on my desk, but I've decided to solve this problem (sort of). Every week I'll list a randomly selected show by a band that I don't know much, or anything, about. This week's pick is a double bill featuring two local bands, Moodroom and Jennifer on Sunday Thursday, May 15, at Iota. The show starts at 9 p.m. and the cover is $3. Washingtonpost.com's MP3 site has samples of both Moodroom and Jennifer on Sunday. If you want your band listed in this spot, e-mail me at joe.heim@washingtonpost.com MUSIC COVERAGE? Finally, if you have suggestions for how washingtonpost.com can improve its music coverage, or if you just want to comment on the music section, feel free to e-mail me. I'd love to know what you think we should do better and what gaps we need to fill. MUSIC VENUES |
