State Radio w. Big D and the Kids Table

Friday, February 26, 9:30 Club ($20), doors at 8 p.m.

State Radio’s The Lefty Rides Again Tour rolls into D.C. tonight with ska staple Big D and the Kid’s Table in tow. Hmm … a politically conscious band, known for its activist efforts, in the nation’s capitol? My guess is they won’t be talking about life on tour in between songs.

Ani DiFranco

Tuesday, March 2, 9:30 Club ($40), doors at 7 p.m.

Ani DiFranco is one hell of a musician. In the 90s, she started her own record label, Righteous Babe, to fight against mainstream record companies—but unlike every other “independent” musician, she skyrocketed to success. Check out her unique brand of folk music next Tuesday at the 9:30 Club.

Jay-Z w. Young Jeezy

Wednesday, March 3, Verizon Center ($62—$122), doors at 6 p.m.

Didn’t Jay-Z retire? Why retire if you’re going to churn out albums and keep touring? Oh well. The hip-hop icon, and rising star Jeezy, will be at the Verizon Center next week for an epic concert. The tickets might be expensive, but you’ll get to see some of the best. I’d say that’s worth the price of admission.

Alice in Chains

Wednesday, March 3, D.A.R. Constitution Hall ($38.50), doors at 8 p.m.

Hey, it’s Alice in Chains! The last time the band released an album—before Black Gives Way to Blue came out in fall 2009, that is—we were in grade school. In other words, it’s been a long time. The band’s line-up is a bit different without Layne Staley (R.I.P), but these geezers can still bring the metal.

Jack’s Mannequin

Thursday, March 4, 9:30 Club ($29.50), doors at 6 p.m.

I wonder if Andrew McMahon misses 2003. After all, that year his band, Something Corporate, was one of the top acts in the country and he was the poster-child of the emo movement. Alas, time doesn’t stand still. Now he fronts Jack’s Mannequin, an almost-equally entertaining band, but the emo trend is long gone. If you’re nostalgic for sensitive ballads and piano breakdowns, check out the 9:30 Club next Thursday.

The Used w. Atreyu

February 17th, 9:30 Club ($25), doors at 6 p.m.

Grab your skinny jeans and eye liner, the emo-train is headed to the 9:30 Club. The Used and Atreyu headline next Wednesday in a show that’s sure to feature floor-punching and arm-windmilling galore.

John Mayer

February 20th, Verizon Center ($42.50—$78), doors at 7 p.m.

If you haven’t read John Mayer’s interview with Playboy yet, please do. Dude’s a physical manifestation of www.whitewhine.com. It’s a shame he’s such an asshole, because he’s quite the guitar player. If you want to yell at him and his “David Duke c–k,” buy your tickets early—this concert will probably sell out.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sweaty hug!

With a nod to Mark Lisanti and his Mad Men Power Rankings, Vox Pop will be running episode recaps of The Real World DC … just for you! Rather than bore you with summaries, every week we’ll rank house members in order of entertainment value. Rankings were determined with a scientifically thorough process that definitely didn’t involve a bottle of liquor.

Sorry about last week, gang. On Thursday morning, I woke up and started my morning routine—Gym, Tan, Laundry, and optional afternoon self-loathing crying session, in case you’re curious—and neglected my power ranking duties.

But before I get to this week’s, a plea. Try to avoid gushing about friends you glanced on the screen during the show, stop giggling when the cast goes to Rhino, and please stop pointing out Georgetown establishments you recognize. We recognize them too.

Let’s get to it.

1) Emily (previously #3)

I’m curious to know what “cult” Emily followed in her younger days. I didn’t think Scientology had spread to  Missouri yet. Or, maybe it’s a secretive Catholic sect. Someone call Dan Brown, he might be interested.

Hopefully, her relationship with Ty is dead now. I don’t think they had much to begin with—”cuddle buddy” isn’t a relationship option on Facebook.

Choice Quotation: “You can suck up your jealousy, suck your own cock, and go to bed.”

Moment of High Comedy: She spit on Ty. Afterwards, Ashley said, “[Emily and Ty] fight physically because they have so much sexual tension.” If so, is the spitting incident a metaphor for snowballing?

Read the rest of this entry »

A six-plus hour hearing to decide the fate of Philly Pizza & Grill?  Repeated explanations of the difference between fast-food establishments and restaurants? Arguments about silverware and dishwashing techniques?

All this has happened before, and all this will happen again.

Here’s the abridged version of the hearing held yesterday by the D.C. Board of Zoning Adjustments to determine whether Philly P was in violation of its certificate of occupancy and should be closed: those in charge pretty much decided nothing. Time ran out shortly after John Patrick Brown Jr., Philly Pizza’s legal representative, and owner Mehmet Kocak closed their argument. The BZA will convene again to make a decision about the appeal on February 9. In the meantime, Philly P’s will stay open under the conditions of the Stay of Enforcement passed back in November.

The BZA hearing revolved around Kocak’s appeal of the Zoning Regulator’s decision to revoke his business’s Certificate of Occupancy. Kocak sat with his attorney, Brown, armed with photos, non-disposable plates, and desperate words for clemency, all to demonstrate that his restaurant was a sit-down and not take-out affair.

“I have put a lot of time and energy into making sure that people of all ages and nationality can enjoy my restaurant … Nobody told me I was doing anything wrong … I don’t want to burn my bridges,” Kocak said.

Read the rest of this entry »

With a nod to Mark Lisanti and his Mad Men Power Rankings, Vox Pop will be running episode recaps of The Real World DC … just for you! Rather than bore you with summaries, every week we’ll rank house members in order of entertainment value. Rankings were determined with a scientifically thorough process that definitely didn’t involve a bottle of liquor.

1) Andrew (previously: unranked)

This crazy son-of-a-bitch lies about EVERYTHING (i.e. sky-diving, cage fighting, music, photography). If he isn’t a virgin, I will go to the National Zoo, murder Butterstick, and wear his pelt on my head.  Andrew is a magnificent asshole.

Vox Pop Oddsmaker (5/1): Andrew is the Georgetown Cuddler.

Choice quotation: “I’m definitely not a racist. I’m a big basketball fan. You can’t be racist and like basketball.”

Moment of high comedy: Scheming to sleep with Emily while standing under a picture of JFK. Or breaking a closet when he does pull-ups. Or taking a photo of Ashley’s cleavage. Or getting fired from his college newspaper for offending women and lesbians. Or immediately asking Ty how much he can bench-press when he meets him.

2) Ty (previously: unranked)

Ty is from Baltimore! And he compared his life to The Wire! Ty casually mentions that he’s had sex with more than forty-five girls. He is a stubborn atheist who trashes “close-minded” religious folk, like Mike. In a wonderful example of nominative determinism, Ty is very particular about his ties.

Vox Pop Oddsmaker (9/2): Ty joins the Church of Scientology.

Choice quotation: “What do you weigh…like 180 pounds?”

Moment of high comedy: Moments before he walks in, Ashley says, “I’m waiting for the really hot black guy with big muscles.” THAT’S FORESHADOWING, MTV STYLE.

Read the rest of this entry »

Fact: There are no monkeys in the Arctic Circle. You sit on a throne of lies, Alex Turner.

Friday

Grunge metal? Stoner rock? Power sludge? Who knows. Head over to the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight to see Pelican, a genre-bending act that’s currently touring the States with Black Cobra and Disappearer to promote their newest album, “What We All Come to Need.” While you’re there, try to stick another label to the band—I’m thinking pre-techno-grindcore-powerpop. Don’t forget to bring $14. Pay to play, kids. (Doors open at 8:30 p.m.)

Monday

Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah doesn’t just have a fun name to say, he also writes some damn good songs! Ounsworth and his friends from Dr. Dog, The Walkmen, and Man Man are touring at indie-supergroup (is that an oxymoron?) Flashy Python. Check them out at DC9 next Monday for the low, low price of $12. (Doors open at 8:30 p.m.)

Read the rest of this entry »

The Voice is looking back at the best of the decade in Tomorrow’s Classics. To celebrate the end of the decade, Vox is getting in on the fun too! This week, the best of the silver screen, broken down by genre.

Drama

• The Wrestler (2008): Darren Aronofsky’s best film yet reminded us all that Mickey Rourke is still one hell of an actor, even if he looks like Clayface. In a decade dominated by “ironic” nostalgia, The Wrestler is refreshingly honest about one man’s past. Let’s just hope that Rourke keeps putting in performances like this one in the future.
• Children of Men (2006)
• Gangs of New York (2002)
• Letters from Iwo Jima (2006)
• Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Comedy

• Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004): Still the most quotable film of this decade, Anchorman is the high water mark for Adam McKay and Will Ferrell’s long running partnership. The film is filled with visual gags, ridiculous dialogue, and tons of facial hair. What else do you need?
• Best in Show (2000)
• Shaun of the Dead (2004)
• The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)
• The Foot Fist Way (2006)

Read the rest of this entry »

Broken Lizard—the sketch-comedy troupe behind films such as Super Troopers, Club Dread, and Beerfest—came to DC last Thursday as part of a nationwide comedy tour. Vox spoke with Steve Lemme about the group’s upcoming film, The Slammin’ Salmon, as well as Mike Tyson’s weaknesses, the group’s early days, and the food service industry.

How did Broken Lizard meet?

We met at college. Four of us were fraternity brothers—Jay [Chandrasekhar] and Kevin [Heffernan] were older than us and Eric [Stolhanske] and I were the younger guys. At that time, Paul [Soter] wasn’t anywhere near my radar screen. Jay was given the opportunity to direct something student-run, and he and Kevin decided to do a sketch-comedy show.

I auditioned for it … and ended up becoming the guy who would play the scumbag, the dirtball, or the dick in sketches … The first night 25 people showed up, but eventually we were turning people away from the door. We realized we had a good thing going, brought it to NYC, got into movies, and now we’re back on the road doing a live sketch-comedy tour.

What’s The Slammin’ Salmon about?

We play waiters in a restaurant that is owned by a Mike Tyson type of figure. He’s a retired Heavyweight Champion of the World. He’s a teddy-bear, but he’s also prone to throwing temper tantrums. He can break you neck with one hand if he wants to. Often he slides off into these tantrums.

One night, he ends up owing the Japanese Yakuza, so he has a contest with the waiters to see who can make the most money in one night. The winner he is going to give a cash prize to, but he is simply going to beat the shit out of the loser. That’s the movie. It’s our Glengarry Glen Ross, really.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Voice respectfully disagrees

The Voice is looking back at the best of the decade in Tomorrow’s Classics. To celebrate the end of the decade, Vox is getting in on the fun too! This week, the best of the boob tube, broken down by genre.

Serial Drama (Broadcast TV)

• Lost, Season 4 “The Constant”: Desmond and Penny. The boat. Time travel! “The Constant” laid the groundwork for immediate and long-term plot development on Lost, not to mention it had some of the most gut-wrenchingly emotional scenes this side of M*A*S*H. Lost may be the most frustration show on broadcast television, but episodes like “The Constant” keep pulling us back in again and again. That might not be a good thing—can we blame our failing grades next semester on J.J. Abrams?
• 24, Season 1 “11:00 PM – 12:00 AM”
• West Wing, Season 2 “Two Cathedrals”
• Friday Night Lights, Season 1 “Pilot”
• Kings, Season 1 “Chapter One”

Serial Drama (Cable TV)

• The Sopranos, Season 4 “Whitecaps”: Without The Sopranos, high-concept cable dramas would be seen less often than Surviving Christmas, the Jame Gandolfini-Ben Affleck holiday bomb. “Whitecaps” is brilliant because we, the uncomfortable audience, get to watch Tony and Carmela  tear into each other after years of mounting marital tension. On reputation alone this episode is the best of the decade—it opened the door for the Don and Betty Drapers of the world to dominate cable drama years later.
• Mad Men, Season 1 “Nixon vs. Kennedy”
• The Shield, Season 7 “Family Meeting”
• Deadwood, Season 2 “A Lie Agreed Upon, Pt. 1″ and “A Lie Agreed Upon, Pt. 2″
• Breaking Bad, Season 1 “Pilot”

Read the rest of this entry »

The Voice is looking back at the best of the decade in Tomorrow’s Classics. To celebrate the end of the decade, Vox is getting in on the fun too! This week, the best of the written word, broken down by genre.

Short Essays

• Consider the Lobster: And Other Essays (David Foster Wallace):  If you’ve never read a book written by David Foster Wallace, start with Consider the Lobster. He writes about, among other things, a pornographic awards show, John McCain’s 2000 Presidential campaign, and the moral implications of eating a lobster.  Consider the Lobster may be a collection of recycled essays, but it’s still better than everything else out there.
• Me Talk Pretty One Day (David Sedaris)
• Blink (Malcolm Gladwell)
• A Man Without a Country (Kurt Vonnegut)
• Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto (Chuck Klosterman)

Read the rest of this entry »