#foul swoops

$12, 10pm and All Ages at Comet Ping Pong

RSVP + more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/1538492343046685

Purling Hiss (Philly) Fuzzy Psychedelic Punk http://www.facebook.com/PurlingHiss http://purlinghiss.bandcamp.com  Meatbodies (CA) Heavy Groovy Jams http://www.facebook.com/Meatbodies http://twitter.com/meatbodies  Foul Swoops (DC) Wasted Garage Rock Noise http://www.facebook.com/foulswoops http://foulswoops.tumblr.com

<5K: Volume 10

FAQ:Asher, I heard that Phish is one of your favorite bands. Is this unsettling rumor really true? Have you ever been to a Phish show? I heard they’re hives of sin and evil. Asher:Good question, friend! Phish really is one of my favorite bands. I’m not going to write several pages about it here. Talk to me if you want to talk about Phish - I’ll be thrilled. Their shows are nothing to be scared of, unless you’re allergic to dreadlocks. I’ve seen them 11 times.

Have a question? Email me! (Info below.)

THE OLD STORY OF THE NAMESAKE//JUST WHAT’S GOING ON HERE There’s an xkcd comic that exposes the secret coalition to make certain YouTube videos go viral: they have to get exactly “300+” likes from the committee, and are then certified to spread like the plague onto innocent newsfeeds worldwide. In that vein, I present you with <5K: exposition on bands that have less than 5,000 likes online. Perhaps one of them will be the next to pass that mysterious threshold into the world of fame and fortune… after all, once you get 5,000 likes, you sell out every show and your records go gold. That’s how it works, right?

The Girls Upstairs (343 likes) are a pop rock band from College Park, MD, with lighthearted charm serious folk sensibilities. Their recent Kickstarter hit its goal of funding their upcoming studio release, Never Love You; they’ve been making a name for themselves around the greater Washington area, playing shows with all their might, leaving audiences thoroughly impressed, and looking dapper while they do it. Their sound is familiar enough to hook a listener’s emotions, but fresh enough to keep them interested. Think about how much you liked the Plain White Ts. Think about if they got hip and never stopped moving. There you go. I’m looking forward to the release of Never Love You, and to all the energy and antics that are sure to accompany it.

Listen to The Girls Upstairs here.

Recommended Tracks: "This Rose," "No Apologies," "I Don't Look For Love"

sgc002 by foul swoops

Foul Swoops (506 likes) are a DC band without much of a public face. They let the music do the talking. It does. I don’t want to talk about them too much, because I want you to listen to them yourself and decide what it is. I will say that they put on one of the most transportive shows I’ve ever seen. That is all.

Listen to sgc002 here.

Recommended Tracks: “Burn One For Bobby Keys,” “Shot In The Dark,” “Good Looks”

American Spirits LP by Little Bird

Little Bird (1,102 likes) are an Annapolis, MD band that defies short description. They blend high-energy funk, laidback reggae, and soulful blues to create a sound that works just as well at urban gigs as in the open hills of campout festivals. Bandleader Jay Hurtt leads the group with undeniable stage presence, and between their heavy-hitting rhythm section and sweet, sweet sax solos, they get even the sleepiest of morning-slot festival crowds on their feet and boogieing. Their first demo, American Spirits, is a well-crafted snapshot of their live power, calling to mind similar funkaholic bands like Dale and the ZDubs. Little Bird has big things in the works, and by the time next summer rolls around, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them on festival bills around the country.

Listen to Little Bird here.

Recommended Tracks: “Half Fool,” “Cabin Fever”

Busch Hymns by Posture & The Grizzly

Posture & The Grizzly (1,527 likes) are a Broken World Media band, made of members from One Hundred Year Ocean and recorded in the BWM headquarters, sharing spaces and a spirit of musical nihilism with The World Is. Their full-length Busch Hymns is, to me, one of the most important punk albums to have ever been released. Not only is it everything a punk album should be – short, alienated, and pissed off – but it stands for something new: the reinvention of punk in a hopeless time. There’s a lot to be said about what many are calling the emo revival of the past couple of years, which has found an epicenter of sorts around Broken World Media; though they might be carried along by association, Posture & The Grizzly aren’t trying to be a part of anything. They’re just trying to fuck things up as severely as possible, for everyone involved, themselves included. Get it.

Listen to Busch Hymns here.

Recommended Tracks: “No Brains,” “God’s Drugs,” “Jordan Michael’s Space Jam”

Wednesday, June 25th - Guerilla Toss, Peoples Drug, and Sneaks $12, 9pm and All Ages at Comet Ping Pong

RSVP + more info: http://www.facebook.com/events/1462329847341748

Guerilla Toss (Boston) Snarled Noise Punk http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guerilla-Toss/294357483907927 http://guerillatoss.bandcamp.com

Peoples Drug (DC) Featuring Laurie Spector of Foul Swoops/Dudes, Alex DB of Mary Christ, and Mary Regalado of Neonates/$40 Fuschia

Sneaks (DC) http://sneaksdc.bandcamp.com