Winning Ugly

(Matt Thomas is Uglyography/Toggle Switch photo)

Uglyography cannot be stopped. It's doing exactly what too few Hampton Roads rock bands ever attempt: A regional tour. Hampton-based mastermind Matt Thomas has continued to refine his one-man-band concept (he performs live vocals, bass and guitar accompanied by pre-recorded tracks), and, based on the set I caught late last year, he's never sounded better.
At the shows listed below, he'll be performing tunes from his fine disc "Love Boat" which was released a few years back and possibly some new blasts of his quirk punk.

Here's the message Matt sent out earlier this week:

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Friends, Family, Fans, and everybody else out there,

I'm super stoked to announce Uglyography's first regional tour. I'll be hitting the road April 4 - 11 on a tour that encompasses 4 states and our nation's capital. If you live nearby any of the towns listed on this schedule, I would really love to see your mug out in the audience when I roll through. If you don't live in any of these towns, but know someone that does, please forward this along - I love to see strangers' mugs in the audience as well!

Super big ugly thanks to all of you who have helped me out in booking these dates and offered up places to stay, etc. You know who you are and I am forever grateful.

Note that I am playing THIS Friday [March 27] in Washington DC for what I consider to be a "warmup" show. The Andalusians rock (that is who I am playing with) and the record store is great from what I hear.

So, without further ado, here are the dates. Pass them on!!!

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Warm up show:

Washington, D.C. - Friday March 27 - @Crooked Beat Records at 2318 18th Street NW 7:00pm with The Andalusians.
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April Tour:

Roanoke, VA - Saturday, April 4 - @ The Water Heater with Kid A and Billy Wallace 7:30pm, $5, all ages

Washington DC -Sunday, April 5 - @ Solly's U Street Tavern with Sean K. Preston and a special guest 8:00 pm, $5, 21 and up

Charles Town, WV- Monday, April 6 -@ Jumpin' Java with Rob Crutchfield 6:00 pm, $3, all ages

Johnson City , TN - Tuesday, April 7 - @ The Hideaway with Killbot 11:00 pm, $5, 18 and up

Chapel Hill, NC - Wednesday, April 8 - @ The Cave, details to come 10:00 pm - $5, 21 and up

Blacksburg , VA - Thursday, April 9 - @ Gillie's Late Night with Schmarx of the Incline 8:00 pm, free, all ages

Harrisonburg, VA - Friday, April 10 - @ The Little Grill Collective with Buck Gooter, Book of Kills, and Don Zientara 8:00 pm, $5, all ages

Richmond , VA Saturday, April 11 - @ Wonderland with One Friend and Push Button Reaction 10:00 pm, $5, 21 and up

Hope to see you out there on the road. Thanks for all your support!

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Sock Hoppin', Hot Rockin'

Forgive the short notice, but this is a great show that will raise money for a great cause, Gallery5. If you're looking for entertainment and a way to get all up in the Virginia new rock scene, You should head for Gallery5. Word up.

Weekend Wrap-up

(Toggle Switch photo of The Mountain Goats, Darnielle left, Vanderslice right)

A few brief, belated words about a pair of fine concerts that took place in Norfolk over the weekend. The Mountain Goats, who played Friday night at The Attucks Theatre, were in fine form. John Darnielle cuts an unusual figure as a performer -- his weird, nerdy energy is strange, but compelling. I'd never seen him live before and I was certainly impressed. His voice was every bit as strong as what's heard on his records. And his odd charisma meant he commanded the stage even though he was alone for most of the show. His producer (and opening act) John Vanderslice joined him for a few tunes, but mostly it was John alone. Definitely one of the young year's most memorable sets.

The size of the crowd at the Attucks was a pleasant surprise. The place was almost sold-out. I know the Discovery Music Series (of which the Goats were a part) has chalked up a few sellouts, including ones by blues rocker Joe Bonamassa and The Avett Brothers. But this was the biggest crowd I personally witnessed. Says something good about the local audience for adventurous music.

On the other hand, Saturday night's show by the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players attracted just a handful of folks. The Trachtenburg's didn't seem bothered that there were only a few dozen folks at The Boot to watch their sweet, funny performance art shtick. "It's fine. We're about to break this thing wide open," Jason Trachtenburg told me after the set. "The show's never been better." Amazing that he could be so optimistic after playing a nearly empty room in Norfolk, Virginia. But it was great to hear and see the Trachtenburgs here. And for only $10? Where was everybody?

MACRoCk The Casbah

(Cinnamon Band photo via MySpace)

MACRoCk, Harrisonburg's annual new rock celebration, has announced its lineup. I was glad to see the list includes familiar names like Mas Y Mas, Young Sinclairs, Red Clay River, Great White Jenkins, Cinnamon Band and Super Vacations. At the same time, I'm happy to see lots of unfamiliar names. I'll be exploring a bunch of these folks in preparation for the festival, which happens at various venues April 3-4.

The Kings of Slides

The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players are a band everyone should see. Well, you shouldn't see them if you don't have a sense of humor. Or if you don't like sugary indie rock music. Pretty much everybody else should see the Trachtenburgs. And thanks to the wonderful people at The Boot, doing just that is as easy as a ride over to 21st Street in Norfolk.

On March 21, you'll see the three Trachtenburgs working their magical spell of music, weird comedy and old slides from the 1970s.

Oh yeah.

James River Blues

(John Cephas photo by Jack Vartoogian/FrontRowPhotos)

I was sad to read this week of the death of John Cephas -- known as the singing, guitar-playing half of the blues duo Cephas and Wiggins. John's deep voice and robust acoustic guitar style helped to keep the Piedmont style alive here in its native Virginia. With his loss -- and the loss of John Jackson a few years earlier -- there's an enormous void.

Here's a link to the New York Times story about John's death.