TMZ Says: Meet DC!
Published
We've brought you some music scene scoop on Philadelphia and Atlanta, now it's on to DC. Typically when we think of DC we think of scandals, corruption and lately cover ups. But, away from Capitol Hill and the backroom wrangling there is - and has been - some great music coming out of our nations capitol.
Anytime you have authority rebellion to authority springs to life. Since so much authority is in based in DC, it make sense that the area should also contain its fair share of rabble rousers. In music, rabble-rousing is the domain of punk rock and DC is a bastion of the genre. Punk rock legends Bad Brains - who just played some of the last shows at NYC's famed CBGB - Minor Threat and Fugazi all arose from inside the beltway. Minor Threat's Ian McKaye and Jeff Nelson founded "Dischord Records" which still keeps the DC punk scene alive today.
But, more than just punk rock thrives in DC. Indeed DC spawned its very own genre. "Go-Go" is an off shoot of funk and R&B born and raised with the vision of Chuck Brown and brought nationwide with E.U.'s "Da Butt" from Spike Lee's "School Daze" soundtrack. The backside celebrating song was named to Blenders' "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born." Speaking of nice backsides, R&B hottie Mya is also from DC.
Modern rock is also alive and well in DC. Both Army of Me and the Pietasters are making noise on the national indie scene. Army of Me has been signed to Atlantic's indie imprint Doghouse Records and have been touring with big names like the Damnwells and O.A.R. The Pietasters have relentlessly taken their brand of ska on the road for years and have been rewarded with a contract to Fuel By Ramen records, home to Panic! at the Disco and Gym Class Heroes.
Don't worry record execs, there are plenty of talented unsigned artists left on the DC scene. Justin Jones, Monopli and No Second Troy are just some of the DC bands looking to break out. So, next time you head to the capitol to see the monuments and exhibits, hit the nightclubs you just might see some really great music.