shoegaze

by **Jaguar** » Wed May 21, 2003 1:29 pm

Though I myself don't live in Washington, DC, I usually spend most of my hanging out time there. It offers a lot more of my type of interests than my hometown. Actually, I live in the Baltimore, Maryland area. There is a little going on here but too much of it is Hardcore and the better Indie music scene tends to cater to a much younger crowd, with most being either older teenagers or those in their early 20s. Don't get me wrong, I can mingle with those of any age. It's my specialty. LOL. The DC Indie scene is much more diverse and includes not only the younger set but an equal amount of older adults, with the average age being late 20s - mid 30s. It may have a lot to do with the young professional nature of the area.

There are a lot of people here who are into Shoegazing yet it's not all that reflected in the local music scene. The Hardcore of Fugazi and Minor Threat seem to dominate when it comes to bands who are able to make it in any way. Not really my kind of thing. Garage has always been pretty strong here too.

We do have a band from DC that I've been raving about for about 2 years now who have some Shoegazer elements that I am in love with. They were just picked up by the Emperor Norton label late last year and have rereleased their latest album. The band is called . Click on the name to visit their website. Make sure you listen to the song Life And Illusion.

They've just started touring and maybe some of you will get to see them. Lucky us in DC. We get to see them open for Spiritualized on June 8th, one of the only confirmed Spititualized tour dates in the US.

If anyone has heard or seen Phaser before, I'd be interested in knowing about it.

by **Doc** » Wed May 21, 2003 11:32 pm

by **shallowdrowned** » Sat Sep 20, 2003 10:22 pm

by **john_hinterland** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 10:36 pm

I find Phaser to be far too derivative to be enjoyable. There isn't a note on Sway that wasn't played first (and better) by Spiritualized, Primal Scream, or any other British rock band of the past 15 years. These guys can certainly play their instruments, but they need to apply their talents to more original songs.

by **Jaguar** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 7:56 am

Have you heard Last Letter Home yet? It's on the out of print Skydive EP and will be on their next album.

Being derivative isn't a problem for me. If so, my record and CD collection would consist only of The Beatles, Muddy Waters, Pink Floyd and a few other very old works. I'm not that snobby and I like a lot of variety though my taste is very discriminating.

by **john_hinterland** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 10:04 pm

I see your point. Truly original artists are few and far between, and completely breaking away from the template is too much to ask. So I guess I shouldn't be too hard on Phaser for being derivative. I guess I just don't dig their songs, but hey, not everybody likes the things I like. Most of the people in the city where I live, for example...

by **bitsubeats** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 1:29 pm

yeah i live 15 mins outside of baltimore and youre right the scene is pretty lacking. that's why i travel to dc or philly for music

by **Jaguar** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 2:03 pm

by **bitsubeats** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:55 pm

by **Neo_Vincent** » Mon Dec 06, 2004 7:48 am

Hi....newbie here, live in Baltimore County.....

It's cool to see people who're into Shoegaze/Dream Pop muzik in the Baltimore/D.C area....if anyone still reads this, do you know of any local Dream Pop bands? Other than the one I'm trying to form.... :wink:

by **seanspaceman** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 1:19 pm

I live pretty much exactly half way between Baltimore and DC....near the Howard/Montgomery county line...good to see other people from the area who I am pretty sure I don't already know here!

by **thrushes** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:03 pm

hey sean,
great show in a few weeks in baltimore @ metro gallery, 9/21
Thrushes
Screen Vinyl Image (ex- alcian blue)
The Sky Drops
kisskill destroyer

by **seanspaceman** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:32 am

I'll be there! Going to Wall of Sound next weekend as well.

by ej » Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:54 am

by **Jaguar** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:34 am

Crap. Wish I would has seen this earlier. Yeah, shame you couldn't make it up to Baltimore. You would have enjoyed the evening.

That club you were asking about is called The Club Charles. Boy, I have got some ancient hipster stories about that place from a previous life! LOL. Maybe the next time I see you out and about.

Where did you end up going? Without checking out any schedules, I would have probably suggested some place like the Black Cat, the Velvet Lounge or the Rock And Roll Hotel. Also, there is some synagogue that has been booking some good shows lately. Haven't been there myself but have heard good things. Saw some great photos of Múm too who had just played.

shoegaze

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