Skydog, The Story So Far, Rock Lotto, Nighthawks, Former Champions, Southern Belles

We'll start our weekend at Capital Ale House Downtown for Allman Brothers tribute band, Skydog. Doors open at 9:30, show starts at 10. Tix are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. The band does a fine job recreating the classic Allman Brothers sound. If you can't catch them in Richmond Friday or you live closer to DC, you can catch them in Leesburg on Saturday night. If you like the Allman Brothers or think you should, check these guys out. Here's a short video that combines interviews with rehearsal footage:



And for a slightly different take on the Allman Brothers, here's Frank Zappa doing "Whipping Post":

Over at The Canal Club, it's the local jamtronica band, Former Champions, along with DJ Phil Dice and Digipossum. Doors open at 9 PM and it's $7 to get in. The Former Champs are billing this as "Startin' Somethin'" as in the Michael Jackson song as they'll be doing their take on MJ's music all night long. Here's a taste of the Champions from a video that was promoting their gig on 11/5 at Cary St. Cafe.



"Do you fell lucky? Well, do ya, punk?" Then head down to Rock Lotto at Strange Matter on Saturday night. What is Rock Lotto? Strange Matter assembled 40 musicians three weeks ago. They threw everyone's name into a hat and did a random draw forming 8 bands of 5 members each. The bands were given the 3 weeks to come up with a 10 - 20 minute set and you can see and hear the results on Saturday night starting at 7 PM. This is a benefit for WRIR and the Central VA Food Bank so you can get in with $10 or $5 and at least 2 cans of food.

THE BANDS (last to first/headliner to opener):

SARL CAGAN

WHIMSICAL ASS FASHION

WINKLE

INFECTED CEMETERY

GHOST BITCH

JERK BOOTH

SKULL THEATRE

DICK WOLFE

I don't have a video for this so here is Frank Zappa doing "Stairway to Heaven". Got to see this the one and only time I saw Zappa and remember being surprised and laughing when the horn section kicks in. Great stuff! Wish the video was better quality but the sound quality is pretty good.

On Sunday night, catch renowned blues band The Nighthawks at Lulu's. The show will start at 7 PM, tix are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Here they are doing the classic, "Mannish Boy".

Wednesday night at Kingdom, pop punk band with a good buzz, The Story So Far, checks in. Also playing will be Stick To Your Guns, Such Gold, Rotting Out, and Souvenirs. Doors will open at 6 PM and it's $16 to get in. Here's their latest single, "Empty Space":



If you would rather do the funky, Americana, jam band thing on Wednesday night, go to Cary St. Cafe for The Southern Belles. Show starts around 10 and it's FREE to get in. After the show at Cary St., they head down to NC for shows in Asheville (Friday) and Winston-Salem (Saturday). Here's the Belles entire show from The Camel on 11/1. They open with a tune you might recognize.


Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan