Imperial China is a relatively new band from Washington, DC playing hard rock. Despite this being only their sixth live show, they seem to have their act together fairly well and delivered a fantastic set. I’d seen their previous show in Baltimore earlier this month and this show blows that one out of the water (and it’s not as if they stunk it up in Baltimore). More than likely they were feeding off the home crowd as the joint was packed. No offense to the two headliners (which I didn’t stick around for), but I’d hazard a guess that the majority of the audience was there for Imperial China. And they did not disappoint.

The video isn’t all that great. My camera works better in the light and there was very little of it on the stage. In addition, I didn’t even bother moving closer, so the vantage point is from all the way in the back where I was set up to tape.

Imperial China
The Rock & Roll Hotel
Washington, DC
February 2, 2008

Source: Peluso CEMC6/ck41(hypercard)>PS-2>AD-20>NJB3
Transfer: NJB3>PC>SF-7>Wav>FLAC
Taper: Jeff Mewbourn (jm292@yahoo.com)
http://baltimore-taper.blogspot.com

1. Parts Per Million> (video)
2. Sirens>
3. Ghost Bear> (video)
4. Radhus
5. Space Anthem

Notes:
Lineup:
Caverns>Imperial China>The Hatch>Stella Mira
My first show at the venue
Audience is chatty
Tracking almost certain to be off
http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com
http://www.myspace.com/imperialchina
SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC

The audio files for this show have been removed.

This was my first time at the Rock & Roll Hotel in Washington, DC. It’s a nice club, super friendly staff, not too big and not too small. I was really surprised how well the room sounds. I was expecting it to be boomy because of the wide open space, but it sounds really nice in there. The only problem I have with the venue is that there really is no protection for taping, everything is wide open. Thankfully, the sound guy was kind enough to let me set up in the DJ booth directly behind the soundboard. Overall, it’s definitely a venue I’d frequent more IF I’m sure to be able to tape from the same location. I would have preferred to have been closer to the stage and not so close to the bar, but I’d have had a heart attack if I had taped from the floor. I’ll take crowd noise over getting trampled any day.

This was my first time taping Caverns, a local instrumental hard rock band from DC. Apart from making my ears bleed, I thought they were really good.

Caverns
The Rock & Roll Hotel
Washington, DC
February 2, 2008

Source: Peluso CEMC6/ck41(hypercard)>PS-2>AD-20>NJB3
Transfer: NJB3>PC>SF-7>Wav>FLAC
Taper: Jeff Mewbourn (jm292@yahoo.com)
http://baltimore-taper.blogspot.com

1. Silk Scorpion
2. Brodown:Highnoon
3. Turkish Bathhouse Armaggedeon
4. Stop Being Paranoid>
5. Money Maker
6. The Family That Slays Together, Stays Together
7. Spread Like A Virus

Notes:
Lineup:
Caverns>Imperial China>The Hatch>Stella Mira
My first show at the venue
Audience is chatty
Tracking may be off between tracks 4-5
http://www.myspace.com/caverns
http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com
SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC

The audio files for this show have been removed.

Most times I go to shows, I spend my time watching those around me to make sure my gear is safe. Most shows I go to, I don’t really get to fully enjoy them until I listen to the recording.

Without a doubt, this show was the funnest time I ever had at a show I was taping…hell, it was the funnest time I ever had at a show. I don’t think I touched my gear after pressing record and I didn’t really care if the recording came out or not. I was just caught up in the moment of experiencing Mardi Gras Indians in full suits…and with Mardi Gras season soon upon us, it is with great pleasure that I share this fine recording of Big Chief Bo Dollis and The Wild Magnolias. New Orleans funk at its finest!

The Wild Magnolias
The Funkbox
Baltimore, MD
August 21, 2005

Source: SP-C4>PS-2>AD-20>NJB3
Transfer: NJB3>PC>SF-7>Wav>SHN
Taper: Jeff Mewbourn (jm292@yahoo.com)
http://baltimore-taper.blogspot.com/

CD1-Set I:

1. Intro
2. Come Back Jack#
3. Fire Water
4. When The Saints Go Marching In
5. Hey Pocky Intro>Iko Iko*
6. Party*
7. Life Is A Carnival*
8. Big Chief*

CD2-Set I:

1. All On A Mardi Gras Day*
2. Dialogue
3. Wild Magnolia>
4. Let’s Go Get’Em>

CD3-Set II:

1. Dialogue>
2. Chameleon%
3. Hey Pocky Way$
4. Two Way Pocky Way*
5. Iko Iko*
6. Party*
7. Happy Birthday*
8. Dialogue
9. Smoke My Peace Pipe*
10. New Suit*
11. Hey Now Baby*>
12. We Love The USA*>
13. Hey Now Baby
14. Happy Birthday reprise/Dialogue

Notes:
*Big Chief Bo Dollis
#Leo Noncentelli cover(?)
%Herbie Hancock cover
$The Meters cover
One of the best shows I’ve ever seen
http://www.wildmagnolias.net

The audio files for this show have been removed.