Dumbek's Random Stuff

Other than a few logistical problems at the beginning of the evening, Blowoff was a blast once again.

Most of the DC homo bloggers listed on the left were there, with a few notable exceptions. Throw in a couple of the NY-types from that list and you've got a heck of a party. I definitely agree with Clickboo that it's starting to gel a bit better. I only expect it to get better with time. The music was as good as ever - both the DJ sets and the live set kicked ass. The visuals add a great touch and make it a bit more of an "event" than a regular party.

Thanks to Bob, Rich and Nick for another great night!







Photos courtesy of Dinger, because I was too busy dancing, drinking and flirting to take pictures. If he doesn't post the others, I'll put 'em up on flickr.

I don't do this a lot....but DAMN!




This ain't your daddy's NASCAR.

hmm....DC9 has a new website. They've added a forum and a place for folks to upload pics of events from the club. Vast improvement. Check it out.

Speaking of DC9 - it looks like Two If By Sea will be taking up residence there soon. Look for them to be playing every Thursday in April.



The Original Sinners (yet another band featuring Exene) is coming to Baltimore on 3/26. I have their cd, but haven't listened to it in over a year. I need to dig that out. You can't go wrong with Exene though.

The Penn State Dance Marathon was last weekend. The proceeds go to support the Four Diamonds Fund, which helps kids fighting pediatric cancer. I think it's the biggest college fund-raiser in the country. They brought in just over $4.2 million this year. Yes, you read that right. $4.2 million. When I was in at PSU I was on the monetary committee for the Thon. I was one of the folks that got to actually count the cash. I must have rolled $5000 in quarters. I never realized how dirty money is. Good for them. It's a great cause.

Metropolitan was great last night - as usual. Caught the last few songs by The Eames Era. I've only heard a couple songs from their myspace page. Those had a real Tuscadero/Velocity Girl pop-vibe to them. Live they were a bit rowdier and sloppier - but in a really good way. They seemed like they were having a blast. I wish I had gotten there a little earlier. They closed with a cover of The Rosebuds' "Drunkards Worst Nightmare". Very nice.

I wish The Warehouse started shows earlier. Metropolitan didn't come on until after midnight. Kinda late for a school night. I know some people left early because they had to catch the Metro. As a result, I'm beat tonight. We're staying in to save our energy for Blowoff tomorrow. It's gonna rock. I promise.

Tonight I had a hard time deciding between Metropolitan at the Warehouse and the dcist thing over at DC9 (Olivia and the Housemates, The Hard Tomorrows and DJ Leafblower). I'm opting for Metropolitan, because that's who the bf would rather see. You can't go wrong with either show though. I think The Hard Tomorrows are now at the top of my band-I-want-to-see-but-never-get-around-to-it list. One day.

Tomorrow? hmmm...toss up between the Teenbeat show at Galaxy Hut or WSC at Iota. Maybe I'll try to go to both, since they're right across the street from each other. Crap - I just noticed The Dance Party is playing with WSC. hmmm... I'll have to think about this one.

Saturday is an easy one. Blowoff at 9:30. Wouldn't miss it.

Sunday - I may go see Antelope at the Warehouse, if I have any energy left. I don't think they play out a lot.


I've had my own little mini-music-xmas over the last 2 days. I picked up the new Arctic Monkeys and Ray Davies cds yesterday. When I got home I found my yourmusic cd of the month waiting for me, along with an old-school DC punk classic that I recently ordered (vinyl rules). All that, plus my ticket for stellastarr*/The Editors arrived. Today I come home and find the Pearl Jam Xmas 7-inch waiting for me. I completely forgot I joined the PJ fan club last year. Score.

Off to Metropolitan. See ya.

Happy Anniversary!




Lord, You know they made a fine connection
They love each other

- "They Love Each Other" (Hunter/Garcia)

RUN FOR THE HILLS! IT'S SNOWING!


Despite that fact, I managed to get a lot done today. Work, haircut, gym... Maybe tonight we'll stay in and catch up on the dozen or so DVDs I've bought and never watched. Or maybe we'll just sit in the hot tub.

The Stones rocked. Plain and simple. How anyone can stay seated after hearing the opening riff to "Midnight Rambler" is beyond me. And going to the head when Keef is singing "Happy"? Good God people - he's 106 years old, done more drugs than the entire crowd at Woodstock and can he barely stand up. When he says "It's good to be here. It's good to be anywhere," he means it. There's a good chance he's going to croak before the song is over. Pay attention already.

Metropolitan is playing tonight at Galaxy Hut. I would normally be all over that, but I'm not going out in the snow. Especially when they're playing at The Warehouse on 2/23. Besides - I hate going to Virginia.

WSC is playing at CBGBs on 3/3. That might be worth taking a day off work for.

I saw (the sounds of) kaleidoscope last weekend. They'd fit in perfectly on the Children of Nuggets box. 60's psychedelia+a little Jesus and Mary Chain+a dash of Joy Division. Nice. I'll be back. French Toast was playing too. They were terrific, as usual. Random French Toast photo:


Been laying fairly low recently. We did manage to get out for Chemistry Lad's birthday party. That was fun. How could it not be fun? Cute boys, beer and cupcakes. mmmm....We had never been upstairs at Halo before . So very chic.

Caught up with this guy, who's had a hard time of things lately. Good to get him back home where he can properly recuperate.

Saw Mary Timony and Aquarium at The Cat on Thursday. I was shocked to see how crowded it was for Aquarium. (Is it "Aquarium" or "The Aquarium"?) I think they're great, but whenever I see them open for someone the crowd usually seems disinterested. Not Thursday. The crowd was definitely into them. Unfortunately, many of them left before Mary's fine set. She sounded great. And I'm not just saying that because her drummer's cute. I didn't realize she was a member of Autoclave. No wonder I dig her. Lots of people from other bands in the crowd too. I always think that's cool, seeing other bands digging each other. The BF picked up a free cd from The Dance Party at the show. Me likey.

Another gay Deadhead. We are everywhere.

AFI is having a free screening of The Concert For Bangladesh on 2/21. I may have to go to that.

hmmm...what else....it's been a while....oh yeah - I'm growing a beard. We'll see how that works out.

Metropolitan - Headway (buy it)
Autoclave - It's Not Real Life (buy it)
(the sounds of) kaleidoscope - Oh My Mind (buy it)
The Dance Party - Nintendo Power (hmmm - dunno where you can buy it - go to a show and support them)