Up In My Mixed Grill

(Photo of Andalusians from Dischord Records)

Here are a few random bits I'd like to share with Toggle Switch Nation (all 7 of you):

Thing One -- A recent Mojo magazine (the one with James Hetfield from Metallica on the cover) included a short, very positive review of a hard-to-find disc by Hush Arbors. The review's subhead announced: "Avant-pastoral stalwart Keith Wood finally steps into the spotlight." The short piece goes on to explain that Wood, the band's mastermind, is a Virginian now living in London.
"Wood has certainly paid his acid-folk and experimental scene dues," Manish Agarwal writes, and mentions Sunburned Hand of The Man, Current 93 and Wooden Wand as some of his earlier projects. Apparently, Wood collaborates with Leon Dufficy in Hush Arbors. Anyway, these guys are now officially on my radar screen.

Thing Two -- I was very happy to see on The Boot's calendar that the wonderful, funny and profoundly strange Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players are set to get weird at everybody's favorite Italian/Virginia/Indie rock restaurant on March 21. This is something to look forward to ... unless you're morally against laughing.

Thing Three -- The Andalusians, a Washington, D.C.-area band, that features Hampton drummer Sammy Ponzar -- are now out on tour after playing over the weekend in Richmond. The band has issued a 7-inch on esteemed Dischord Records. I'm hoping they find a way to make it to Hampton Roads soon.