Photos: Japanther, Dope Body, Blood Baby

Valerie went out and attended the mayhem that was the Japanther, Dope Body, Blood Baby show at the Penthouse last Thursday night. This was rumored to be Blood Baby's second to last show, and was fresh off Citypaper crowning Dope Body the best new band in Baltimore. Oh and hey, this here blog was voted the second best local blog in the 2010 Readers Poll, thanks folks!

More of Valerie's shots from last week's affair below and after the jump.

Tonight: Japanther, Blood Baby, Dope Body

Tonight you can get classy at the Penthouse with a triple header that's sure to make your ears spin in that good way. The bill sports Japanther, Blood Baby, and Dope Body.



If all goes well at the Copycat tonight, we hopefully all won't be ending abruptly while singing along "1,2,3,4 fuck the cops" like in "Radical Businessman". Tonight is also rumored to be the second to last Blood Baby show, and if you've seen this rare breed of antics and adrenaline before, you'll know this ain't to be missed.



Dope Body are fresh off being named "Best New Band" by the Citypaper, and I'd advise coming to get rowdy with them to celebrate. I've been hearing some really exciting things about recordings in the works for these dudes, so expect rad new things.

Photos: Future Islands, Thank You, Blood Baby at Floristree

Floristree hosted yet another hell of a good time Saturday, with Future Islands closing out a lineup that included Thank You, Weekends, The Art Department, and Blood Baby.

The lineup lived up to what you'd expect. Future Islands put on quite possibly one of my favorite sets of theirs to date, and if you've read this blog you'd know I've been to more than a few. Valerie captured the moment in epic fashion, and you can check out the full set if you read on.


Sam, William, and Gerrit proved they were more than amped for this one, having mentioned how "honored they always were" to play Floristree in a recent interview.


Future Islands have one more local show coming up, but will have to take a rest from touring when Sam has knee surgery. When they get back, a heavy agenda ensues with their debut LP on Thrill Jockey, and a split 7 inch with Lonnie Walker that will be out on Friends Records.

Friends Records is a local Baltimore label that a friend and I are debuting in early 2010. In addition to this 7 inch, our label will also be pressing the next Weekends LP to vinyl, another band that rocked on Saturday night. Much more info to come right here on Friends Records and its releases very soon.


Blood Baby was a whole mess of fun, as you can see Ellie from Sick Weapons was digging her guitarist's other band. The Art Deparment were mind-boggling as always, and Thank You tore through their set in a fury of drums, chants and halfway warped melodies. Thank You played some of the tunes on their new EP, and seemed as tight es ever.

You can check out Valerie's full photo set here, or below in the flash gallery.


Photos by Valerie

Photos: Wavves, Vampire Hands, Blood Baby

Photos by Chrissy

Last night's show at the Zodiac was aurally solid, and quite fun. Wavves displayed his west coast no-fidelity surf pop with pure enthusiasm that made it impossible to stand still. Nathan Williams proved he deserved the ridiculous amount of hype he's gotten as of late, and his catchy as hell tunes translated even more infectiously live.

Vampire Hands were an extremely pleasant surprise, and made me wonder why I've never checked them out. They rocked moveable psych-infused tracks that left you feeling giddy and nostalgic, and I myself hope to be getting my non-vampire hands on some of their records ASAP.

Gawk at Chrissy's photos above, and definitely check either band out next time around.

Free Show: Wavves and More!

I think the flyer pretty much speaks for itself on this one. But if you need more insight, expect no-fi surf pop anthems, crunchy post psychadelic rock tunes, and more!

Also, come tonight to determine the fate of the crying kid to the left on the surf board. Will he survive? Will he drown? Will he be eaten?

The Zodiac has your answers tonight. Expect our photo review right here tomorrow.