Clusterf*ck: Local Shows this Weekend

This weekend is ridiculously packed full of options. The local music overload starts tonight at the Wind-Up Space. The Baltimore Community Radio Coalition is throwing a party, featuring Air Waves, The Art Department, Eternal Summers, and Microwave Background.

I've already gushed over the lineup at the Ottobar on Friday, and today's the last day to win free tickets to see Ponytail spread guitar-riff-pixie-dust-bliss all over Remington. Don't forget to get there early for DJ Dogdick, Dope Body, and the Crazy Dreams Band.

Another solid show is going down Friday at the Talking Head with Deleted Scenes, Soft Cat, and more. If you choose the Talking Head show, check back here at bmoremusic.net for the audio from the stellar Ottobar lineup courtesy of Jeff.

Shit hits the fan Saturday, with three quality shows to choose from. The Baltimore Taper is throwing his 5 year anniversary party, and inviting some his favorite bands to help celebrate. Heroin UK, the Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad, and more will all grace the Metro Gallery's presence. Rumor has it, this is the DMFS's last show of the year.

Sonar also has a stellar one, with local hero's Double Dagger headlining a show that includes the LA noise-wavers Health. Health are fresh off the release of Get Color, a much more focused affair than their last. And last but not least, Nuclear Power Pants is having an album release party at Floristree Saturday night. You can check out some positive reception for Wicked Eats the Warrior over at Beatbots and Aural States.

Choose wisely, folks.

Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad's 8x10 Show Trailer

Disclaimer: As one should expect nothing less from the DMFS, the trailer above has some pretty inappropriate content. Headphones at work please folks.

As noted in our interview with the Hilltop Hightops, The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad have a gig at the 8x10 this Saturday night. With a ton of options this weekend, choosing the show with its own trailer (above) seems like a good call. The show starts at 8 and tickets are 8 bucks. Attendees have a chance at winning a custom DMFS guitar!

Interview: The Hilltop Hightops / DMFS

To most, the Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad's transition into the Hilltop Hightops was a no brainer. Everything about turning a song about homosexual relations into a children's track lecturing the dangers of experimental cooking called "Anchovy Pancakes" is just plain brilliant.

A steady riser in the 5 and under DIY scene, the Hilltop Hightops just dropped their debut. You can grab Super Galactic Space Banana right here, a must for your back to school recess soundtrack.

I recently had the pleasure of asking Professor Doktor Von Science aka Nikc Miller a few questions:

Bmore Music: Clearly the best band transformation ever, how’d it happen?

Nikc: A lot of people have told us that the Flute Squad is a lot of fun because we remind them of being a kid. Horsepower has this sort of superhero mystique. Also the songs are easy to remember cause of so many chants, crowd participation etc. Then Ryan (guitarist Father Ryan O’Graham) and Curtis (Bassist King Crispin) started writing the songs and I was really impressed with how well thought-out the new lyrics were. I kind of like the new versions better. At our first show tons of kids showed up and loved it. Playing for kids is cool. It’s like playing for a really rowdy drunken crowd of little people.

Bmore Music: “Juice Box Love”, the only true American love ballad?

Nikc: We’re no strangers to songs about food. The relationship between man and lunch is a serious one to consider even from an early age.

Bmore Music: Better performers, Raffi or Sharon, Lois and Bram?

Nikc: I really don’t know those guys. My favorite bands when I was a kid were Megadeth and Faith No More.

Bmore Music: Best DMFS --> Hilltop Hightops song transition?

Nikc: I would say “Anchovy Pancakes.” I won’t even say the name of the song it was originally from. It’s so obscene we decided to not even put it on “Die Humpin” We still play it at shows quite frequently however. It’s really popular with the gay/lesbian/bisexual community.

Bmore Music: More influential on Baltimore’s youth, Sheila Dixon or Hilltop Hightops?

Nikc: Geez, I hope it’s us, but she’s gotten around Baltimore a lot more. I think at this point Hilltop Hightops could make a song called “Don’t Be Like Sheila Dixon” and it would be pretty good for kids.

Bmore Music: Virgin Fest pre-party at the 8x10 next week?

Nikc: That’s gonna be nuts. We got invited to play at The 8x10 on 8/29 which is a huge deal to begin with. We found out that Flavor Flav was filming a new show called “The Next Great Hypeman” and we think our own Captain Mediocrity has what it takes. Everyone knows our history with reality TV so it totally makes sense. Plus Public Enemy’s gonna be in town for Virgin Free Fest. I really hope it goes well, but either way it will be a crazy night at the 8x10. Flav is a really nice guy.

We’re also giving away this really cool hand-painted Flute Squad guitar at The 8x10 that night. All you have to do is show up and say you came to see us. There will also be extra chances to win by ordering our special Flute Squad drink special. We thought it would make the night extra fun.

Excitement Building (Dinosaur Jr.)

Tomorrow night the legends that are Dinosaur Jr. will be gracing Baltimore with their presence at the Ottobar. To say that I am a little amped for this show is quite the understatement.

With this tomorrow night, and Animal Collective playing there next weekend, I think the Ottobar might soon spontaneously combust from awesomeness. Expect detailed coverage of both completely sold out shows in the coming weeks.

Tons of other stuff to do this weekend as well, including True Vine's benefit tonight at Floristree that sports Matmos, Jana Hunter and a ton more. Please go and show some support for one of the best record stores around.

Also tonight, Jeff the Taper is sponsoring a pretty intense lineup that include the always fantastic Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad. Tons of choices, enjoy!

Free Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad Show

The Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad are back in action, telling girls they are too skinny in a theatre near you. Free show this Friday night at Joe Squared that features DMFS and Nikc Miller's bluegrass band that covers classic 80's and country jams known as the Wild Bonerz. Expect horse head antics, drumbots, and captains of mediocrity all night long.

Supporting the bill will be two Brooklyn bands including freak folkers, The Zombie Nationalists. Bringing baked goods to every gig, Scott Alexandar Makes Freinds will also be there with cookies in hand. Show is 21+ and starts at 10.

DMFS has a new album in the works, and promises it to be more outrageous and overproduced than their 2007 classic Die Humpin'. The band was kind enough to give me 2 demos from the new album to share, both of which are still works in progress but embody all that is glorious about the squad. Stream "Big Check" and "Big Fist" below.

Interview: Brian Adam Ant

Brian Adam Ant is back in action in these here parts. His new group Deekee Zjevotneya sports members from other local projects, and unveils their new-found sound Saturday at the Talking Head.

The show is a CD release party for Northermost, with Caestles and Old Man Family Band also filling the bill. 5 bucks gets you a ticket and a CD.

Mr. Ant of Dirty Marmaduke Flude Squad, Evolve, and other varying fame, recently spoke with me about what to expect from the new project and their local debut:

Pronunciation? Dee-Kee Sha-vot-nia. It's Russian for "wild animals".

Band Members? Origins? Charlie Hughes, guitar/vox and also played in Nice Zombies and SciFi and the Sunflowers. Andy Thomas, who used to be the drummer for Wailsounds. And bass player, Jake the Snakemaster. Origin currently unknown.

Genre? A rock band that plays 3 1/2 minute songs that are catchy, not vapid.

Influences? We all share love for the Beatles, Pixies, & Kinks.

Choice of peaunut butter? Chunky! Chunky chunky chunky superchunky.

Recording? In process right now at our house off Falls Road.

Expect gigantic things to come from Deekee Zjevotneya, start by seeing them Saturday.

Brian Adam Ant

What if I were to tell you I knew of an artist who sounded like an amalgamation of Daniel Johnston, Cass McCombs, and maybe even some Woody Guthrie. Is that something you might be interested in? Well, like Bob, I don't really care either way. Mainly because Brian Adam Ant is pretty frickin' sweet whether or not you like the dudes mentioned above.

Mr. Ant has been rocking out ever since the fourth grade when he was in a band that sang a song about white men in their yellow suits and black men in their purple suits (shameless plug: I was in this band for 3 days and sang Helter Skelter, eventually being rightfully told that I sucked).

Brian recently moved from Bmore to Brooklyn to keep on keepin' on. He played with a few different bands here, the most recent being the Dirty Marmaduke Flute Squad. He was the bassist and was labeled "The Pikesville Gynecologist". A seemingly normal name in a band that has "Captain Mediocrity", who is in charge of intimidation and tambourine.

I featured one of his most recent demos on my muxtape and expect more excellent things to come as he continues to write and record up in Brooklyn. You should probably go to Soundgarden and pick up his album Separation Celebration. Here's his video for "I'm So Bored" done by Better Hollywood Productions.