Assrockers: "Tonight We Came to Rock"

Assrockers for Xmas! These clown princes of rock provided one of the utterly transcendent Pop Quizzes. Yes, there was alcohol involved. Quite a bit, in fact, at the fabled Brickskeller.

The lineup has changed over the years, but the ass-rocking mission statement remains inviolate. On the night we found them, the pseudonymous crew included Bison Roughbottom (lead singer), Buck Longjohn (keyboards), Durt Sizemore (drums), Killer-T Roxx (guitar), Riff Rokkwell (guitar), Misty Stainz (bass). From the All Inputs CD, here's a holiday treat. Enjoy.


"Tonight We Came to Rock"


A-rockin' Pop Quiz

The Carlsonics: "Tonight We Dine On Fumes"

Where have you gone, oh, Carlsonics? The superfine quintet of Aaron Carlson (vocals), Ed Donohue (guitar), John Passmore (guitar), Mike Scutari (drums), and Nikki West (bass) left us some memorable music and performances. Here is one of them. Enjoy.


"Tonight We Dine On Fumes"

Carlsonics Pop Quiz

(The Sounds of) Kaleidoscope: "Sun Set"

I confess I didn't initially get the parenthesis thing with (The Sounds of) Kaleidoscope. But the music, boy I got that right away. Huge sound, fab sound, fun sound. Simply Damien Taylor on guitar, Douglas Baker on bass, and Alex Hacker on drums. The group has since added Mike Hirst on guitars. Enjoy.


"Sun Set"

(TSo)K Pop Quiz

Laura Burhenn: "Helicopters"

Before she made a splash as half of Georgie James, Laura Burhenn made a splash as herself, with Wanderlust, a wonderful CD of lush atmospheric pop songs. This track fits in the ear in especially comfortable fashion.

"Helicopters"

Washington Toho Koto Society: "Inori (Prayer)"

Who knew D.C. had its own Toho Koto Society? Well, it's been around since 1971, so I have no excuse for my ignorance. Saw the group at the KenCen's Millennium Stage and was entranced. Bought the disc, did I. This song is a modern composition by Morioka Akira. Enjoy.

"Inori (Prayer)"

Lisa Moscatiello: "Lass of Glenshee"

Oh, that voice. Sends chills down the spine. Featured Lisa Moscatiello in both a Pop Quiz and a Tour Diary. From her 2000 CD Second Avenue, produced by Marco Delmar (who also plays keyboards, bass, and percussion), and featuring Robbie Magruder, drums; Freyda Epstein, violin; Rico Petruccelli, bass; Dave Chappell, electric and slide guitar; and Scott Giambusso, double bass, here's a very haunting taste of the Emerald Isle for this cold, cold day...


"Lass of Glenshee"

(Oh, there's a re-release out with bonus tracks.)

Chaise Lounge: "That Old Black Magic"

As mentioned last post, Chaise Lounge is D.C.'s answer to all that was cool and swinging in 1963. And yet, the sound is totally now, too. After too long a hiatus, the band is back and sounding better than ever. The top-flight lineup is Charlie Barnett, guitar, piano, vibes; Marilyn Older, vocals; Tommy Barrick, drums; Gary Gregg, sax; John Jensen, trombone; and Pete Ostle, bass.

From the only album so far, Chaise Lounge: The Early Years, here the group takes on the Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer classic "That Old Black Magic" and totally wins.

"That Old Black Magic"


Chaise Lounge Pop Quiz.

Adam West: "C'Mon and Bludgeon Me"

One of the early Quizzees, Adam West had already been rocking for five years when we profiled the band in 1997. And the guys are still at it, for which America is grateful.

We just saw the drummer on this track, Tommy Barrick, at the swanktastic O Street Mansion, where he was laying down the sophisticated grooves for the Manciniesque Chaise Lounge.

In addition to Tommy, the band is the indefatigable Jake Starr, vox; Steve, guitar/backing vox; Kevin Hoffman, guitar/backing vox; and Johnny May, bass. Enjoy.

"C'Mon and Bludgeon Me"


Adam West's Pop Quiz.

Shoddy Workmanship: "I'm Goin' Out"

Ah, another beer-filled Galaxy Hut interview. Every one was a wonderful memory, what I can remember. Ran into Mr. Shoddy on the streets of Silver Spring not too long ago. Not enough time to chat, unfortunately. Yes, we've all got things to do now. Anyway, this wry number features a different lineup than the original Quiz: Jonas Tavela, bass, Gregg Albright, guitar/vox, Rob Nicholson, drums. Enjoy.

"I'm Goin' Out"

Shoddy's Pop Quiz.

Bill Holland, featuring Mary Ann Redmond: "The Last Winter Rose"

Bill was one of the first folks I turned to when inDC began. A tireless raconteur and legendary pop jazzbo on the D.C. scene forever, Bill saw Elvis play on that riverboat on the Potomac, among many other claims to fame. Here he lets the wonderful Mary Ann Redmond take the lead on a haunting ballad perfectly suited for the current climate. From his Players, Fools & Thieves songbook CD, Bill's on keyboards, Al Williams on sax, Maurice Cridlin on bass, and Scott Taylor on drums. Enjoy.

"The Last Winter Rose"

Bill's original Pop Quiz.

Mary Ann's original Pop Quiz.

Welcome to My World--And Yours

Greetings inDC exiles and anyone else interested in music. On these pages, I shall post recordings from the Nuttycombe archives made by the various bands and musicians I interviewed for Washington City Paper's Internet music site, inDC. Over the course of more than a decade, that was well over 500 acts.

You can view them all here.

Anyone having problems with the posting of MP3 files, do get in touch.