We have eight days until Christmas and it’s an unseasonably warm day. What does that mean? That means we celebrate by looking back on one of the great nights this summer offered: The second Flying Dog show that featured Lucero and Brooks Long and the Mad Dog No Good. Boy, doesn’t it seem like that was years ago by now? That was rhetorical. Just think: Only half a year until summer! Photo courtesy of Cassandra Mullinix. For more of her photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/bucketofrock.
OK. We know it’s been a handful of days since we packed up shop at Flying Dog for the summer, but that doesn’t mean we can’t offer one last recap of all the fabulousness that appearing at the brewery can bring. Thus, behold the following five things we learned from Saturday’s Real Estate/Heavy Lights show on Flying Dog’s front lawn. Because you can only make so many people promise to visit your website before you begin to realize, “Well, maybe we should write something on that website.” Duh. OK. Let’s go.
1. Can’t say this enough, but those dudes in Heavy Lights are some of our favorite people in the entire world (and at least four other planets). Not only was it great to catch up with Ryan and Chris and Derek and Colin and Brian, but it was also great to see how far they’ve come as a live act. They held the stage with as much charisma as anyone from Real Estate did and they looked just as pretty doing it. There were a few people who stopped by our table to ask where they could pick up some Heavy Lights paraphernalia, and to those people, we say this: Click here. You’ll want to own the album. You’ll need to own the album.
2. Without question, Real Estate was the most subdued band the Flying Dog front lawn saw all summer, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t rock (in their own special way) just as hard. They had a long day and despite arriving just a little bit later than they probably would have preferred, they still showed no signs of letting The Road get them down. So, kudos to them for pushing through and giving the Summer Sessions concert series one final great memory of 2014.
3. Koozies! We’re all out! No, but really. We printed a whole bunch-ton of them (somewhere in the four-figures) and between June, July, August and September, they are all gone. As in, kaput. Goodbye. Done-so. We started with the black. Then we went to orange. And now we have nothing. Thus, the question needs to be asked: Which color would you guys like next? There’s a comments section here, and there are also these two things called The Twitter and The Facebook. So, let us know, if you feel so inclined.
4. We’d be remiss if we didn’t send a virtual, huge-hearted THANK YOU to the people at Flying Dog, who allowed us to hang out all summer. There was a lot of wind, a little bit of rain, tons of sunshine, a whole brewery’s worth of rawk (with a “w”), and so much fun that mere words could never do the summer justice. When we started this thing at the beginning of June (more on that next week), we were just some brand new website run by a guy who is losing his hair that had no business being embraced by such a gigantically fantastic imprint as Flying Dog. But the people there allowed us to set up a table and introduce some bands every now and then, and for that, we will forever and ever and ever and ever and always and always and always and always be indebted. If a website could kiss a brewery, consider this that.
5. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t at least touch on hip-hop night, which also happened to be Saturday night, after the Flying Dog festivities ended. The problem? Yeah, some of us ran into a curb and got a flat tire. So, while we had all the good intentions in the world … well, for the most part, they’ll probably have to wait now until the end of this month to be fully realized. Yes, we eventually made it there, but there was no making up for precisely how obnoxious getting a flat tire in downtown Frederick can be at 10:30 on a Saturday night. You’ll have to forgive us.
In any case (and one more time for good measure), again: Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you and THANK YOU (notice the all-caps) to the wonderful people at Flying Dog for letting us come out and enjoy this summer with you. If you missed the music, you missed out. And you missed out A BUNCH (again, with the caps). To anyone who stopped by and humored some weird guy with a handful of koozies standing at a table (with a bunch of other fantastically helpful hands here and there) … well, we hope your one visit to www.frederickplaylist.com wasn’t a disappointment and maybe we can barter for a visit No. 2? Fingers crossed.
Welp. So, Saturday should be a day. Not only will we be at Flying Dog to rock and roll with Heavy Lights and Real Estate, but we will also be splitting a few minutes early to make sure we can make it to the Church Street Pub and the second installment of its Last Saturdays hip-hop series. Or, in other words, if you don’t see us trolling around town Saturday, then you aren’t looking hard enough (and shame on you). Outside of those super-fun, super-loud, super-awesome (side: When did it become a fad to put the word “super” in front of everything?) goings-on, you can head on over to Shepherdstown tonight to see the Dustbowl Revival. Or, you could stay in town and check out something called The Market Street Big Band. Because that sounds fun. Elsewhere on Saturday, the third Shindig is going to turn Baltimore upside down, DAPP will be at Nola, a former “Voice” contestant will be at The Cellar Door, the Amish Outlaws are coming to town (please take a moment to think about the Amish Outlaws … OK, back to it), a Led Zeppelin tribute will be climbing a Stairway To Heaven at the Weinberg and Girls Night Out. Because who doesn’t need a Girls Night Out every now and then? Who?! Remember: There are still a few hours left for you to enter our two-ticket giveaway to this weekend’s Real Estate show on Flying Dog’s front lawn. Come say hello. Come tell us we’re doing an awful job. Come for the beer. Stay for the rap-rock. Do whatever you want to do. Just, as Macy Gray once said, DO SOMETHING. And to all a good night.
THURSDAY
Who: Clearspring
Where: Beans In The Belfry
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Jazz Jam
Where: Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant & Tavern
When: 7:30 p.m.
Who: Open Mic
Where: Bushwallers
When: Sign-up at 9 p.m., play begins at 10 p.m.
Who: Rhyne McCormick
Where: Ayse Meze Lounge
When: 6 p.m.
Who: Shenandoah Run
Where: Hill Chapel
When: 6 p.m.
Who: The Market Street Big Band
Where: The Bentz Street Raw Bar
When: 7:30 p.m.
Who: Freddie Long
Where: The Cellar Door
When: 8 p.m.
Who: The Dustbowl Revival
Where: The Opera House, Shepherdstown, West Virginia
When: 8 p.m.
FRIDAY
Who: Dan McGuire
Where: The Bentz Street Raw Bar
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Bushmaster
Where: Brewer’s Alley
When: 8 p.m.
Who: DJ Two Teks Bang Bang
Where: Cafe Nola
When: 9:30 p.m.
Who: Windon & Ricker
Where: Elk Run Winery
When: 6 p.m.
Who: Cumberland Valley Duo
Where: Beans In The Belfry
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Moondog Medicine Show
Where: Hard Times Cafe
When: 9 p.m.
Who: The Few
Where: Champion Billiards
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Blues Vultures
Where: Bushwallers
When: 10 p.m.
Who: Safe Harbor
Where: The Frederick Coffee Company
When: 8 p.m.
Who: Prophets Of The Abstract Truth
Where: Ayse Meze Lounge
When: 7 p.m.
Who: Rick Moxley
Where: The Reunion
When: 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
Who: Real Estate, Heavy Lights
Where: Flying Dog Brewery
When: 5:30 p.m.
Who: Last Saturdays hip-hop series featuring Maurice Daniel, LJ Heiss, Bushido Brown, Benjo and The Higher Class
Where: Church Street Pub
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Led Zepplica
Where: The Weinberg Center For The Arts
When: 8 p.m.
Who: Dis-Funk-Shun
Where: JoJo’s Tap House
When: 9 p.m.
Who: The Nightcrawlers
Where: Brewer’s Alley
When: 8 p.m.
Who: DAPP
Where: Cafe Nola
When: 9:30 p.m.
Who: Austin Ellis
Where: The Cellar Door
When: 10 p.m.
Who: Michelle
Where: Elk Run Winery
When: 1 p.m.
Who: Champagne Jazz Supper with Prophets Of The Abstract Truth
Where: Beans In The Belfry
When: 5 p.m.
Who: Amish Outlaws
Where: Champion Billiards
When: 9 p.m.
Who: 19th Street band
Where: Bushwallers
When: 9 p.m.
Who: Girls Night Out
Where: Olde Towne Tavern
When: 10 p.m.
Who: Twin Radio, More To Monroe
Where: Crusader’s Sports Bar
When: 8 p.m.
The final Flying Dog Summer Sessions concert is set for Saturday night on the brewery’s front lawn and, much like we have all summer, we are giving away tickets to the event. This weekend’s installment features national indie darlings Real Estate and local indie darlings Heavy Lights. We recently caught up with Chris Morris of the latter to check in on how the band’s doing now that their record, “Mad Minds,” has been out for a few months, how their recent tour went and what’s next for the quartet.
How has the response been to “Mad Minds?” Has it exceeded or merely met your expectations? Why?
The response to “Mad Minds” so far has been generally positive. We’ve had a few write-ups that we have been happy about.
A few months removed from the record’s release, what’s your opinion on it, now that you have perspective? Do you like it more, the same or less, and why?
I think now being a couple months out from the record, I can throw it on and give it a good listen from a semi-outside perspective, which for me is a good thing. I’m still quite proud of the songs and the sounds that we got for the record.
You guys just went out on tour for a couple weeks. Do you have a good road story you might be able to share?
As far as stories from the road go, we don’t have anything too exciting. We met a lot of really great hospitable people and hung out with a few cool dogs as well.
After the Real Estate show at Flying Dog, what’s next for Heavy Lights?
After the show this Saturday, we have a few dates in October with our buddies in New God. Then in November, we are going to be out for a few days with a fantastic band from Austin, Texas, called Tinnarose. As well as working on some new songs.
What’s your favorite Flying Dog beer and why?
My favorite Flying Dog beer right now is the Agave Cerveza. Quite refreshing.
And finally, what can we expect from your opening set on Saturday?
For Saturday, we are going to be playing some songs that we are really excited about.
Need a way to get ready for Saturday’s Flying Dog show featuring Real Estate? Check out this performance of the band’s third record, “Atlas,” that they recorded for NPR. Then, because there’s still a handful of hours left, click on over to our contest to win two free tickets to see them play on the brewery’s front lawn this weekend. Just think: It’s already Thursday!
It’s time for another round of the game that’s sweeping the nation: Do You Want To Win Two Tickets To See (insert artist here)! Up next is the final Flying Dog Summer Sessions show, set to go down Saturday on the brewery’s front lawn. It features the fabulous Real Estate (note our most recent playlist to the side of the page). And it features the fabulous Heavy Lights, who we know all so well. What do you have to do? Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or answer the silly requisite question we cobbled together in order for people to win, even if they don’t want to like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. And it’s to those people that we shake our fingers. Anyway, you know how it goes: If you’re the lucky winner, we’ll be in touch on Friday. If you’re not, come say hi and grab a free koozie from us at some point on Saturday. Good luck to all, and to all a good night.
Let’s take a look back at Evan from Old Indian when the band performed at Flying Dog last month as they opened for J Roddy. Why do that on this Wednesday morning? Because in two days, those fine young lads are going to take to the Carroll Creek Amphitheater as part of the next Frederick Playlist Presents … show before the final Movie Night On The Creek of the summer. Oh, and better yet, they’ll have special guests. Come for the rock. Stay for the popcorn. Photo courtesy of Cassandra Mullinix. For more of her photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/bucketofrock.
And what better way to start off the day after the first Sunday of the NFL season than to … well, than to look at J Roddy getting ready to take the stage for Flying Dog’s third Summer Session this summer. Right now would be a good time to remind you to check out our current playlist, which features Real Estate, who will be playing the final show of the season on the brewery’s front lawn on Sept. 27. Oh, and don’t worry, friends: Check back in a little while because we’ll be giving away tickets to the show much sooner rather than later. Photo courtesy of Cassandra Mullinix. For more of her photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/bucketofrock.
Hey, quick question: How do you get through the middle-of-the-week blues? You take a look at this photo of Old Indian from Saturday’s Flying Dog show, you remind yourself that the weekend is only two-and-a-half days away, and you smile in a manner that no one else can see. Then after that, you think, “Oh yeah. Monday is Labor Day!” And you proceed to feel a tickle in your stomach. Thank you and goodnight. Photo courtesy of Cassandra Mullinix. For more of her photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/bucketofrock.
J Roddy Walston And The Business perform at Flying Dog on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Cassandra Mullinix. For more of her photos, visit https://www.facebook.com/bucketofrock.
Note: The below story was written by Cassandra Mullinix. You can check out all the great stuff she has going down on her Facebook page, or, if you’re so inclined, you could follow her on Twitter.
1. J Roddy and crew are super friendly. The band was not at all crowd-shy on Saturday. Many concert goers took the opportunity to snag photos and chat with band members while they were milling around the Flying Dog grounds. The band’s accessibility was definitely rewarded with an upbeat crowd through their entire beautifully raucous set full of classics as well as new tracks.
2. Steve Colmus once interned at the Chesapeake Bay Program. Fan signs are the absolute best at concerts. They can be informative and entertaining! Our favorite at this show was a group of folks who carried a sign with the words “CBP Loves Steve Colmus.” The backstory was that J Roddy’s drummer, Steve Colmus, once interned at the Chesapeake Bay Program in Annapolis, proving drummers are usually smarter than what they are given credit for.
3. Sometimes there are more beers to taste than you are capable of tasting. A classic Flying Dog dilemma: There are just way too many deliciously flavored beers to try in one show’s length of time and still walk away standing. Solutions: Go to multiple Summer Concert Series shows! Bring multiple friends and leave your germ-o-phobe tendencies at the gate! Some of the great specialty brews on tap included Bloodline Blood Orange (with “cocoa power,” everyone’s favorite typo of the day.), Dead Rise, Lemongrass Rice Ale, and making its first appearance of the fall season, the classic Dogtoberfest. So, those are four reasons alone not to miss the last Flying Dog show of the summer on Sept. 27 with Real Estate!
4. Old Indian is best heard on a big stage. Turn those amps to 11 boys because that’s THE only way to really listen to Old Indian. Our local dudes ripped up the big stage with a tight, monstrously fun rock set that included a very legit rendition of the classic “Fight For Your Right” by The Beastie Boys. Seeing Old Indian on the big stage gives you a full appreciation for the band’s sound, which often gets a little lost when they squeeze themselves into the small venues around town.
5. Orange Frederick Playlist beer koozies are all the rage. Nothing keeps your Flying Dog beers cooler than the Frederick Playlist beer koozie and it’s no secret. Those orange bad boys disappear quickly after the gates open, so next time you’re at a Flying Dog Summer Concert Series show, make sure you stop by the table and pick one up.
