Charm City Respect

Coming to school outside of a city known for crack and the Orioles can be threatening when looking for a substantial nightlife. That said, the past few weeks have had no shortage of music (just ask the MICA kids).

Witness Baltimore's own. Was it the basement of Charm City Art Space? The 50 or 60 odd people jammed in? The living room PA system almost busted open? Down a barely-carpeted flight of stairs in an unsuspecting row house, Four Fifty One managed to struggle through 4 full songs and a host of apologies about their computer breaking. Even without the keyboardist who had just called from California saying he wouldn't come back, the band made a rock-solid (ha!) impression on first-time ears. It's one thing to be young and have a lick or two that grab the listener, but being so set in their style and well-rehearsed is another. For Jaxon Vesely and fans, this band ought to bring back the days of Stand Up Get Down.

Enjoy full access to the EP on the band's website!

Enter Mark Redding: a living, breathing, seizing, humping, frontman who gives a shit about his band. The Shackeltons enjoyed the headline spot at this Saturday night show at Charm City Arts Space, and Mark Redding shoved through the crowd already soaked from pouring water on himself. Sporting a limited supply of roses and a host of death-wish stares as his ammo, he grabbed, hugged, poked, and petted anyone his microphone cord made available (pretty much everybody). The Shackeltons' confidence in their music (and Redding) pushed through their songs; verses featuring idle guitar noodling with occasional fills led to choruses that rocked hard enough to make the faint of hearing seek safety on the street. There was most certainly some dancing when roses weren't being tossed and water wasn't passed around for the sweaty crowd.

Listen to 'Your Movement' and more on Myspace

It seems silly to talk about the Baltimore scene without talking about Girl Talk's show-stopping opener this tour: Dan Deacon. With both acts gracing the cleaned-out old church at 2640 St. Paul street, it seemed like the dancing gods had smiled upon Baltimore County. Unfortunately, Deacon cut his set a bit short to leave enough time for Gillis and his heart-pounding set which lasted right up until the 11pm curfew. But the glowing-green skull and a small cat with a helmet on rode supreme on top of Deacon's speakers while he tweaked his tracks running off an i-pod and sang into multiple mics.

We were lucky enough to score a spot on stage (hands stabilizing our bodies against the monitors) for the Girl Talk set. We needed the support. Little needs to be said about Gillis' ideas. Fans of Night Ripper had plenty to recognize, but there was no shortage of fun little additions (a 'Since U Been Gone' remix, a little 'Wamp Wamp', and a throwback to 'Whoop, There it is' to mention a few). This is a set not be missed, still touring.

When all is said and done, I no longer have any fear about a lack of entertainment. And when Baltimore hits a brief lull (while that doesn't seem to be any time soon), Washington DC is just a short drive away (see 930 Nightclub).