Tomorrow night will feature a special double-header of smart DC rock releases, as both Last Tide and Fire and the Wheel will be celebrating the release of new albums on the Black Cat Mainstage.
Last Tide is Nate Frey (guitars, vox), Rob Miller (bass), and Mike Baxter (drums). In their words, the psych trio’s first release since 2009, Lost to Memory, is a a nine-track album that “showcases a heavier, more guitar-centric sound than that of their debut EP.” Recorded nearby in Baltimore, MD and Mt. Rainier, MD, the album was mixed by Simon Cohen of Midnight Eye and mastered by local legend Chad Clark (Beauty Pill, Smart Went Crazy).
The entire album is streaming on Bandcamp for your listening pleasure! Give it a listen before stopping by the Cat tomorrow night.
You’ll probably recognize members of Fire and the Wheel, which comprises current and former members of local bands Lightfoot (Ron Storhaug, trumpet and keys), Mittenfields (Brian Moran, drums), The Strange Loop (Joey Harrison, lead vocals and guitar), and Loose Lips (Donny Potter, keyboards). They’ve combined forces to form Fire and the Wheel, who debut their self-titled LP at their first big venue show at the Black Cat tomorrow.
They regard the LP as a concept album, which features seamless tracks “inspired by Pink Floyd’s The Wall and the second side of The Beatles’ Abbey Road, and shades of both bands can also be heard throughout the record. We aim high.”
When listening to the LP, you’ll notice that every song segues seamlessly into the next, musical melodies and themes recur here and there, and the arrangements feature prominent keyboards, horns, and vocal harmonies. The lyrics tell the true story of a friendship strained by pride and a mind afflicted by illness; neither ended well.
The album was recorded and mixed by the band and mastered by Harris Newman of Grey Market Mastering (Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, Sunset Rubdown, Silver Mt. Zion). (Hot damn!) It can also be streamed in its entirety on Bandcamp.
More Humans and Teenage Aviation will also be performing on the Mainstage.
$10 for 4 fantastic bands? Doors at 9pm. Support local rock that will make you think, feel, and move. And buy some vinyl while you’re at it.
