5GB With The Boxer Rebellion; Playing Black Cat Tuesday April 24

London-based quartet, The Boxer Rebellion, have reached their 10,000 hours. For over a decade the band remained the underdog in the U.K. underground indie rock scene, despite their multiple television and movie placements. After a brief cancellation of their North American tour, the band is back in D.C. and joined us for our 5GB series before their show tomorrow at Black Cat.

What’s the first gig you ever attended?

Foo Fighter’s record release for “Colour and the Shape” at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Dave had a shiny green Grestch he just got, and I shook Pat Smear’s hand. Danny high-fived Taylor Hawkins, and we went home infected with an even deeper desire to be real musicians.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?

Staying with the theme, Midnight Spin’s record release for “Through the Mojo Wire” pops into my head every time I’m asked this. It was our fans, our friends, and our first show with Jeremy. I remember after we finished the first song I was a little frightened at how loud the applause was inside Mercury Lounge, a really great feeling. Here’s to hoping the upcoming record release can top it.

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

I couldn’t really ask for anything better than having my 2nd favorite band open up for my favorite band. Seeing Pearl Jam open up for the Rolling Stones in Pittsburgh in beautiful October weather was about as good as it gets. I almost fell over the outfield bleacher railing when they started playing “Get Off of My Cloud”, there was a lot of jumping around on my part. Eddie Vedder came out to sang Wild Horses with the Stones. I drove up from DC with my Dad to see the show, it was a great memory.

Gig you would most like to play?

Something about the Reading Festival tells me that we’d have a great time there.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

The radio DJ would probably say something like, “A third band has been added to Friday night’s bill at Madison Square Garden, where Midnight Spin will now be joining The Strokes and headliner Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.”

Catch Midnight Spin, April 20th at The Red Palace, Washington D.C.

5GB With Midnight Spin; Playing The Red Palace, April 20

Brooklynites, Midnight Spin, are making pop-rock and aren’t afraid to not be hipsters. They were voted #1 Best Emerging Artist in 2009 in NYC’s Deli Magazine, and have been steadily building their tribe. They are playing The Red Palace tomorrow night, and joined us for our 5GB series.

What’s the first gig you ever attended?

Foo Fighter’s record release for “Colour and the Shape” at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Dave had a shiny green Grestch he just got, and I shook Pat Smear’s hand. Danny high-fived Taylor Hawkins, and we went home infected with an even deeper desire to be real musicians.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?

Staying with the theme, Midnight Spin’s record release for “Through the Mojo Wire” pops into my head every time I’m asked this. It was our fans, our friends, and our first show with Jeremy. I remember after we finished the first song I was a little frightened at how loud the applause was inside Mercury Lounge, a really great feeling. Here’s to hoping the upcoming record release can top it.

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

I couldn’t really ask for anything better than having my 2nd favorite band open up for my favorite band. Seeing Pearl Jam open up for the Rolling Stones in Pittsburgh in beautiful October weather was about as good as it gets. I almost fell over the outfield bleacher railing when they started playing “Get Off of My Cloud”, there was a lot of jumping around on my part. Eddie Vedder came out to sang Wild Horses with the Stones. I drove up from DC with my Dad to see the show, it was a great memory.

Gig you would most like to play?

Something about the Reading Festival tells me that we’d have a great time there.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

The radio DJ would probably say something like, “A third band has been added to Friday night’s bill at Madison Square Garden, where Midnight Spin will now be joining The Strokes and headliner Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.”

Catch Midnight Spin, April 20th at The Red Palace, Washington D.C.

5GB With Candlebox; Playing Jannus Live, Friday April 20th

If you are a fan of 90′s rock like I am, then the band, Candlebox, needs no introduction. Originally signed to Madonna’s Maverick Records, Seattle rockers,  Candlebox found inital massive success with their hit songs, “Far Behind” and “You.” After a brief hiatus, the band reunited in 2006, and on April 3, 2012 Candlebox released their 5th studio album, Love Stories & Other Musings produced by Ken Andrews (Failure/Thousand Foot Krutch/Lostprophets). We chatted with lead vocalist, Kevin Martin before their show this Friday at Jannus Live, in St. Petersburg, FL.

What’s the first gig you ever attended?

Black Flag/Dead Kennedy’s in San Antonio TX.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed?

Madison Square Garden with Rush.

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

Guns N Roses with The Cult Seattle. Axl jumped off stage and kicked this guy in the head because he was yelling “you suck.” I wonder what it’s like to be that stupid!

Gig you would most like to play?

Glastonbury or Big Day Out Australia. Either would be a dream come true, both prestigious festivals and would mean that we finally made it.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

Candlebox/Soundgarden/Alice n Chains/Pearl Jam/The Presidents of the United States & Mudhoney at Austin City Limits! Need I say more?

Catch Candlebox, April 20th at Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, FL

5GB With Crystal Stilts; Playing Rock and Roll Hotel, April 14

If you’ve never been introduced to their take on experimental noise-pop, the Crystal Stilts are primed and ready to take you on a ride. Their latest album In Love With Oblivion will give you the perfect crash course. Coming to Rock and Roll Hotel this Saturday April 14th, JB Townsend of Crystal Stilts joined us as part of our 5G series.

What’s the first gig you’ve ever attended?

Well, most of my life I went to church on Sunday with my folks and there was always a big emphasis on the music at the churches they went to. So I guess I went to a gig every Sunday morning for the first 15 years of my life. The guys playing in the bands certainly treated it like a show.

What is the best gig that you’ve ever played/performed?

We’ve had a lot of fun ones. It’s in the future!

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

White Lion in ’89. Scorpions in ’88. Phish in ’95. All epic.

Gig you would most like to play?

I think it depends- some of the super big festivals could be cool if you’re a big enough band– we’re usually pretty keen on doing most festivals that come our way because they’re a good axis for a tour. All Tomorrow’s Parties curated by somebody interesting would be fun. It tends to be more enticing if there are other bands you know and like playing at it and stuff. Festivals treat you pretty well so they’re usually worthwhile.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

I’ve had this question before and I’m always stumped. Probably something so oddly matched that it would have to be weirdly awesome and out there like Cockney Rebel, Love, Wu-Tang, Bo Diddley, Television, Milli Vanilli (headlining) and us. There’s potentially a million different dream shows. The venue I’m not sure of. Dream bill would have to be a dream venue too. Rock’n'Roll Hotel?

Catch Crystal Stilts this Saturday April 14th at Rock and Roll Hotel.

5GB With The Jezabels; Playing The Red Palace, April 14th

Australia knows indie rock. Take for example, The Jezabels, whose debut album  was voted #6 in the well respected Australian  Triple J Album Poll for 2011. They joined us for our 5GB series before their show at The Red Palace this Saturday, April 14th.

What’s the first gig you’ve ever attended?

I saw the Gloria Record at a youth centre in San Diego. They had technical difficulties and only played a few songs, so my friend drove me up to LA to see them at the Knitting Factory the following night.

What is the best gig that you’ve ever played/performed?

We played quite early on the main stage at a a festival called Soundwave in Australia. an all time favourite band of mine, Sunny Day Real Estate, were watching from side of stage as they were on after us. It was nerve racking but equally exciting. After we finished up I got to watch SDRE from side of stage, quite a memorable day.

What is the best gig you have ever seen?

Seeing The National at Southbound in 2011 was absolutely incredible. Really opened my eyes to how much a good performance adds to good music.

Gig you would most like to play?

I’ve been told about an amazing festival in Iceland called Airwaves. Apparently the line up is always incredible and I’ve never been to Iceland.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

The National, Cursive & us with David Bazan doing a few acoustic songs during each change over. Would be magic.

Catch The Jezabels April 14th at The Red Palace

5GB With Basement Batman; Playing April 12th @ Rock & Roll Hotel, D.C.

They consider themselves “Dirt Pop” but we think that Brooklyn’s Basement Batman has the same sort of grittiness that made the Beastie Boys awesome…They are playing the Rock and Roll Hotel tomorrow and joined us for a 5GbB series of questions…Their answers are short, but their show will be well worth it.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

The Fugees, in College Park Md. We were taken by our friends mom. We thought we’d hear Lauryn Hill, but it ended up being 10 rapping yelling into mics.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed at?

Baghdad, Summer 2011

What is the best gig you have ever been to?

Baghdad, Summer 2010

Gig you would most like to play?

Woodstock, 1969 Basement Batman at 11 on the last night.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

Outkast, Kanye West, The Beatles, Beethoven + Mozart (in a piano battle), Basement Batman-At the White House

Catch Basement Batmans tomorrow  at Rock and Roll Hotel tomorrow, D.C..

5GB With Bombino: Playing DC9, Tomorrow, April 10th

What was the first gig you ever went to?

The first show that I saw was in 1995 when the Peace Corps was here in Niger, they organized a big concert featuring Tidawt and some other local groups.  It was the first time I saw a real concert, and as far as I know that was the first real concert of its kind in Agadez.  It was very eye-opening and it helped me a lot to inspire my concerts today.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed at?

That is hard to say because there are several that I think of. The one that sticks out in my mind is the concert we played last year in Tel Aviv. There was such a large crowd and they were so deeply into the music, as if they had been born and raised in our traditions. But it was the first time many of them had heard this kind of music. It was a huge inspiration for me.

What is the best gig you have ever been to?

This is also really hard to say. There are so many and its not easy to try to pick one. I would have to say my favorite show that I can remember is the show that JuJu did at WOMEX (Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara). It was such a cool mix of styles and it blended so well. And it rocked! I had such a good time just dancing like a madman that night. But also I should mention the first time I saw Tinariwen — Ibarhim from Tinariwen is my biggest musical inspiration because he has shown other Tuareg musicians that it is possible to find success for our music and culture abroad and open the eyes of the rest of the world to Tuareg music.

Gig you would most like to play?

I think I would like to play at the World Cup or the Olympics or something very big like that. Our mission is to get as many fans as we can from all over the world and to have them discover Niger, Agadez, and the Tuareg culture through our music. So I want as big an audience as I can get!

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

I think my perfect bill would be to play with Ali Farka Toure, Jimi Hendrix, and Dire Straits. That is the bill of my dreams. Ali and Jimi were my biggest heroes growing up, so I always dreamed of playing with them. If I could chose any place to do that concert, it would be right here in Niger, in Agadez, so that my whole community could enjoy it.

Catch Bombino tomorrow  at DC9, D.C..

5GB With Satori Trova; Playing Rock and Roll Hotel, April 7th

Satori Trova, a Washington, D.C.-based experimental rock band that has been gaining a steady following across the area,is bringingits synthesis of soul and indie rock to the Rock and Roll Hotel again on April 7th. The show this Saturday is a single release party for their upcoming album due out in May. They are also doing a fundraising campaign through Pledge Music, and some of the proceeds will be going to charity.  They joined us for our 5GB series before their show.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

Avi: The first show I ever saw was Guns and Roses and Soundgarden at Madison Square Garden in 1992.

Liora: Spice Girls.  I was 12.

Dave:  The first gig I ever went too was a keith sweat show, but if you’re talking about the first gig I played it was at a community center in Chatam NJ back in the 80s.

Tommi: The Supreme’s at the Carter Baron.

Stephen: The first gig I ever went to was Weird Al Yankovic when I was in 4th Grade.  The rest is history.

Regina: Lollapalooza 1994…. Smashing pumpkins, Breeders, the Boredoms, Beastie Boys, and George Clinton. Yes.
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5GB With The Dirty Guv’nahs; Playing The Red Palace, April 5th

Knoxville’s The Dirty Guv’nuh’s have been consistently touring around the South gaining a steady following with their distinct roots, funk, blues and country-rock sound. Their latest album, Youth Is In Our Blood, was produced by two-time Grammy-winner Justin Guip (Levon Helm, The Black Crowes) at Helm’s renowned barn/studio in Woodstock, NY. They are voted Knoxville’s Best Band for the past three years, and joined us for our 5GB Series before their show tomorrow at The Red Palace.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

Our first show was a benefit concert in Knoxville for a non-profit called Invisible Children. We had never played in front of anybody and our set was 30 minutes long. 3 originals and 3 covers. I’d love to see some video footage of that… it was pretty rough.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed at?

TIE. My favorite gigs ever were Bonnaroo, and opening for Levon Helm Band in Woodstock, NY. Levon asked us to take the stage with him for encore and asked me to sing the first verse of “The Weight.”

What is the best gig you have ever been to?

I saw My Morning Jacket at a small club in our hometown about 8 years ago. It was one of the most rock and roll moments of my life.

Gig you would most like to play?

Every video of Glastonbury looks incredible. My number one goal though is to headline Madison Square Garden one day.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

Opening for The Rolling Stones or Paul McCartney would be the most outrageous thing dream-able. Realistically, we’d love to tour with My Morning Jacket, The Avett Brothers or Dave Matthews Band.

Catch The Dirty Guv’nah’s tomorrow at The Red Palace, D.C..

5GB With Gentleman Hall; Playing DC9, Wednesday, April 4th

Boston synth-rockers, Gentlemen Hall are not slaves to the keyboard…all members are Berklee College of Music graduates, and play multiple instruments. In 2009 MTV awarded them the Video Music Award (VMA) for “Best Breakout Boston Artist.” In 2010 the Boston Phoenix named them “Best New Local Act.” Gentlemen Hall has shared the stage with the likes of Black Eyed Peas, Nicki Minaj, One Republic, Britney Spears, Lil’ Wayne, Rihanna, Swizz Beatz, LMFAO, Beyonce, Ke$ha, Cee-Lo Green,  Taking Back Sunday, and All Time Low. They joined us before their show tomorrow night at DC9.

What was the first gig you ever went to?

Cobi – MC Hammer
Brad – Phish
Seth – DMB
Ro – Moody Blues
Gavin – Weird Al
Phil – something in kindergarten

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed at?

Everywhere we’ve gone has been a really good time but it seems like no matter where it is, house parties are almost always the best.  There are no age limits, rules, agitated bouncers, hang-ups about what is acceptable behavior.  Just a ton of people enjoying a great experience together.

What is the best gig you have ever been to?

Wow, that’s a toughie.  As a collective group, probably Muse last year.  Talk about top-notch musicians, light show and stage presence.

Gig you would most like to play?

Anywhere the vibe and the acts are great.  Outdoor shows are always fun.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

We’d be opening for The Beatles, and it would be in outer space.

Catch Gentleman Hall tomorrow at  DC9, D.C..