Maybe it’s not right to say this here in D.C., but is it possible that Jawbox was only the second best indie/alt-rock band of
the ’90s with a name that started with the letters J-a-w-b Hey, that’s for you to decide– we’re just throwing it out there. Why do we always find the need to tear something down just to build something up Why must it be a zero-sum game Shouldn’t our therapists have found a solution for that by now In any case, the “other” band in question is Jawbreaker, a San Francisco punk/pop-punk/(pre-eyeliner) emo band that made us want to pogo in all the right ways. The band was led by Blake Schwarzenbach and while his next band, Jets to Brazil, was a tad too emo for us, but that was then. It barely even registers on the “too emo” scale now. Schwarzenbach is the featured guest at the latest edition of ‘s Modernist Society, so you can ask him about his career as a musician (and as a literature professor) and how he feels about the best “j-a-w-b” band debate. DJs D-Mac and Neville C will provide the usual good tunes. Rio’s legendary Carnival kicks off this weekend with parades, balls, street parties and concerts, all featuring elaborate costumes and as much partying as humanly possible before Fat Tuesday. While there’s no substitute for seeing the Samba Parade or dancing all night in Ipanema, you can get a taste of the music tonight at ‘s Brazilian Rhythms, where DJ Neal Becton’s sets of Carnival favorites should make one of our favorite dance parties just that much hotter. There’s a new administration in town, and to celebrate, hosting the first meeting of the U.S. Department of Bhangra tonight in its upstairs lounge. DJs Beta-G and Miss Modular will be joined by guests Triobelisk and DNF of Swedish Columbia for an all-night celebration of Indian dance music. It’s free, and it should be a blast. Friday, Feb. 20 Brazil’s not the only country hosting Carnival this week — there’s international flavor all over town. Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival kicks off Monday with parades and musical competitions. Celebrate at tonight, where “Push Yuh Bumper” sees DJs Majestic, Shiloh International and Spyda the DJ blasting the soca and calypso hits. Ladies get in free before 11 everyone pays $10 before midnight. (The price ominously goes up to “more later,” so we’d suggest early arrival. Doors open at 9. In Germany, meanwhile, the Karneval season is hitting fever pitch, with parades, street concerts, fancy costumes and (of course) plenty of drinking before Ash Wednesday. While tonight’s at the Germany Embassy probably won’t be as crazy as a night in Cologne, it includes everything you need for a great night out: live music, dancing, a DJ and plenty of German food and beer. Fancy dress — either costumes or formal wear — is requested. Itching to get a jump on Mardi Gras Probably a good idea, especially if you can’t take next Wednesday off. You might need a day or two to recover from at the Front Page, where Dewey favorites Love Seed Mama Jump will be playing party hits around sets from Playboy Magazine-approved DJ Kay Jay. Expect the usual bead contests, feathered masks for the first 200 people through the door and a cover charge that starts at $5 at 9 p.m. and rises steadily throughout the night. If you’ve ever been to one of the Garutachi parties around town — and if you’re a fan of dance-punk and electro, you probably have — you may have met hosts Ca$$idy and Coby. The two ladies celebrated their birthdays this month, so they’re buying you Red Stripe at tonight. Jamaica’s favorite beer is free until midnight, so make sure you take a minute from dancing to wander over to the DJ booth to wish Ca$$idy a happy birthday. There’s no cover all night.
Monday, Feb. 23 Local singer-songwriter-sadsack Sad Crocodile likes to do the monthlies. Maybe it’s because he’s so sad he can only get himself out of the house (er, shallow pond) once a month. Maybe it’s because he likes strict scheduling. Maybe he just likes finding a different person to play with on a regular basis. After a successful run at Galaxy Hut a few months ago, Croc is taking over once a month for a little singer-songwriter showcase where he can share his tales of woe. Joining him tonight will be Marty Royle who hasn’t been heard from too much lately after he called it quits as frontman for one of the area’s most popular rock bands, Washington Social Club. So this is your chance to hear what he’s been working on and maybe try to cheer up that poor, Sad Crocodile.