Local hip-hop takes over the Brightest Young Things pool party, No Scrubs moves up to the 9:30 club, online fashion mag Panda Head rounds
up some of D.C.’s most interesting indie bands and These United States bring a new album into the world — again. Wednesday, August 26 includes a couple of dudes that used to be in indie rock classicists Hockey Night. But you don’t care about that, and nor should you. Free Energy is a different beast entirely, and if the band’s debut single is any indication, it’s going to be a beast well worth riding. (Note to self: No more beast metaphors.) That debut single is called “Free Energy,” and when a song is named after the band, you can be pretty sure that it’s a mission statement. And “Free Energy” announces itself with serious swagger: Within the first 45 seconds you’ve got big, bright guitar riffs straight out of the Cheap Trick playbook, doubled-up guitar solos that scream Thin Lizzy, an opening lyric of “We’re breaking out this time/Making out with the wind/And I’m so disconnected/I’m never gonna check back in,” plus more cowbell to please even the most ironic T-shirt wearer. It’s a shameless ’70s album rock tribute that sounds fresher than most of today’s indie rock. Catch them at the Black Cat. Thursday, August 27 The lazy days of summer are coming to an end, and with them go the chance to while away an evening on ‘s rooftop deck. From the views of Thomas Circle’s green space to the views of people lolling on lounge chairs next to the pool, it’s quickly become one of the city’s best rooftop lounges, even if getting in can be difficult, thanks to various invite-only events. So here’s a chance: Tonight, there’s a fundraiser at Donovan House for Menzfit, a non-profit that provides suits, job interview advice and career training to low-income men in Washington and Philadelphia. With a $20 donation to the charity, you’re welcome to mingle from 7:30 to 10. (Cocktail attire is requested.) LaVar and Trish Arrington are on the event committee, so you never know who might be there. RSVP to RSVPMenzfitgmail.com. Local trio is an increasingly rare commodity in that you never know exactly what to expect from the band when you see them play. Sometimes you’ll get some good old-fashioned indie rock guitar noise, sometimes you’ll get experimental noodling using instruments that barely qualify as instruments. But since most bands present such a pre-packaged product, TW’s expect-the-unexpected routine is refreshing. Deleted Scenes, another fine band of locals, starts the evening at the Black Cat with its smart and slippery songs. DJ Geometrix () is one of those names you see gracing flyers all over town — Ibiza, Ultrabar, Lotus Lounge, Eyebar, etc. — because while he spins a party-rocking mix of hip-hop, Top-40 mashups and ’80s remixes, he’s one of the rare DJs who also has the technical skills to keep blending in new tunes into the mix and making things interesting. He’s making an appearance at the all-’90s 95 Live party at Steve’s Bar Room this week, and it will be interesting to see what kind of old-school joints Geometrix can surprise the crowd with when they’re not asking him to play the latest Hot 99.5 hit. Ladies should plan to arrive early: There’s free champagne from 9 to 11. Four years ago, the was the site of a devastating fire, which the fire department blamed on a cigarette tossed into a trash can. Smoke and water damaged the interior, and it took almost four months for one half of the building to reopen. In honor of the anniversary, there’s a fundraising party for the D.C. Fire Department’s Burn Foundation. There’s a fire wing eating competition (e-mail jamescapitolloungedc.com to sign up) and themed drink specials, including $4 Fire Rock Pale Ale and Capitol Amber drafts and $4 Prairie Fire shots. The party starts at 6 and goes until close. Saturday, August 29 There are only two more weeks of the , and this one’s pretty nuts: Up-and-coming D.C. hip-hop artist Tabi Bonney (listen) is performing live on the poolside deck, and the DJ lineup — Tittsworth, Matt Nordstrom and Stereofaith — is worthy of headlining the 9:30 club. It’s going to be the best electro/house/indie mix you’ll hear anywhere this weekend. (Call it a hunch.) Admission is $10. BYO towel or pay $3. All drinks are $5 or less.
Looking for great dance music in a lower-than-low-key environment Meet Push, the last-Saturday-of-the-month party at . DJs Juan (of the longtime fixtures East Coast Boogiemen), Joe L. and Dimitri Max spin house, disco, breaks, rare grooves and other gems. The bar’s out-of-the-way location means that the crowd is a mix of regulars and folks who care about the music, and isn’t that really what you want The no-cover party gets underway at 10 p.m.