So we were teased with beautiful summer weather just a couple of weeks ago…and now we’re back to wearing jackets. As we look forward to summer weather and long to hit the beach whenever we want, there are a plethora of bands that aren't hitting the airwaves, but are about to bring their talents to venues all around Maryland and D.C. Although none of these bands are playing on the Eastern Shore, these venues are only a few hours of a drive away, and are certainly worth the travel time. Without me dragging on about how excited I am for these bands, here are six bands you may or may not have heard about who will keep you entertained until the summer season begins.

 

Venue: 9:30 Club - Wash., D.C.

Date: April 30

I’m going to make a statement some may think is egregious, but I honestly believe what I’m about to say. Jim James is our generation’s Robert Plant. Singer, songwriter and guitarist of southern-rock influenced indie band My Morning Jacket, James has taken a little break from the band to work on his solo project. While he has produced a couple of solo albums before, they were technically EPs, and his first full length album released this year, Regions of Light and Sound of God, is what much of the source material in his live shows will be taken from.

 

Venue: 9:30 Club - Wash., D.C.

Date: May 6

Although the name may imply a certain type of sound, no, this is not a heavy metal screaming band (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). A garage-rock band from California, BRMC has been performing since the late ‘90s. Their music is grungy and bluesy at the same time, which combines a very interesting and surprisingly upbeat sound. During this tour, the band will be supporting their seventh album, Specter at the Feast, which is a tribute to founding member Robert Levon Been’s father – Michael Been – who frequently toured with the band and acted as its sound engineer until he passed away in 2010. 

 

Venue: Rams Head Live! - Balto.

Date: May 11

A low-fi electronic synth band from Canada, Crystal Castles is the combined effort of Ethan Kath, who is in charge of all aspects of the music, and Alice Glass, who is the singer and lyricist. While their music isn’t for everyone, its dark, sometimes glitchy-sounding, music combined with an upbeat rhythm provides an interesting and unique sound. The band has been gaining steam since their first album released in 2008, and released their third album, simply titled (III), just last year.

 

Venue: 9:30 Club - Wash., D.C.

Date: May 12

While James Blake’s music is known as post-dubstep, this sound is a far cry from the craziness written by artists such as Skrillex. Slower and more soulful than the dubstep sounds that can give someone a brain aneurism at any given moment, this music is minimalist and very soothing. His first album, James Blake, was noted as one of the best albums of 2011 by several music news outlets, and his second album that released this month, Overgrown, was greatly anticipated and received high praise as well.

 

Venue: Black Cat - Wash., D.C.

Date: May 19

Upon first hearing this band, some may think Bruce Springsteen drank a rejuvenation potion and started a new band. However, by hearing one lyric, “Baby we were born to die,” something definitely sounds off. From New Jersey, I like to explain this band as a punk version of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band with a little hint of The Killers. The band puts out raw, exciting energy each show, and all three of their albums have received high praise, including their release last year, Local Business.

 

Venue: Rams Head Live! - Balto.

Date: May 15

OK, so I kind of made fun of heavy metal screaming bands earlier in the article, but hear me out, Baroness is fricking awesome. The band is specifically categorized as sludge metal – meaning their music is mainly of a slow tempo and heavily distorted with harsh-sounding lyrics. Lead singer John Baizley provides unique vocals that are a combination of screaming and singing… it’s hard to explain; you’ll have to hear it for yourself. Several members were seriously injured in a tour bus crash last year, but the members who remain in the lineup are fully recovered and began touring as a band again this month, supporting their double album released last year, Yellow & Green.