We have a fond farewell in the books this week. Community in our eyes, feet in the door, we look forward. Ever onward.
Got a show coming up? New single? Simply want someone to talk music? Hit me up at griffin@rvamag.com.
Ten Pound Snail, Shagg Carpet, Sprawl
Saturday, January 10th
The Camel
A bittersweet piece of news drifts down to our feet. The legendary Richmond psych rock band Ten Pound Snail will be performing their last show this weekend. After about ten years of rocking local stages, the band is retiring the name and moving on to a range of new projects, but not without throwing one last killer show to help raise money for Roughshods’s singer Cel and a recent surgery. It is very on brand for TPS to go out on a note of charity and community.
I remember seeing them as a fresh-faced 18-year-old and thinking Richmond was lucky to have a band like this. We have been lucky. I can say that with confidence. So we shuffle through the doors of The Camel for one last Snail show.
In support is Shagg Carpet, whose latest album, hurting other people, features Cel on vocals. I rarely hedge my bets on this band because they never disappoint. I have seen them more times than I can count, and it is always a blast. Their 2025 album pushed them into the next level as songwriters and performers, so they should absolutely be on your list.
Closing out the night is Sprawl. They released their debut album last year and have a sharp, snappy sound. The stew that is Sprawl is full of power pop, bits of noise, a tinge of emo, and plenty of other good things. I have not caught a full set from them recently, but that debut made it clear they are not messing around.
Leftöver Crack, La Pobreska
Thursday, January 8th
The Canal Club
One could say Leftöver Crack is ska. One could say they are hardcore. One could say they are punk. All of that would be correct. They have been on the circuit since the late ’90s and still hit like a semi loaded with bricks. Whether you are skanking or thrashing, their pit is always going to be absolutely insane.
They are a force of sheer power, fueled by what some would call radical politics and relentless, blasting drums. Over time, they have become an impossibly important group in American alternative music, blending the huge sound of ’90s ska with the ever-present, underground crust scene. From every video I have watched, their live shows feel even more intense than their recordings, which makes this one a can’t-miss.
They are joined by L.A.’s La Pobreska, who bring nothing but energy. They blare forward with a horn section riding a dancing beat and bouncing bass. Go watch a live video of this crew because they are wild. Even through the small screen of my laptop, a wave of heat and speed comes through. My feet start to skank, my arms start to swing. There are close to a dozen of them on stage, all hopping and thrashing, while someone screams into a burning hot mic. I am new to La Pobreska, but I believe in La Pobreska.
Dumb Waiter, Hot Lava, Serqet, False Nectar
Friday, January 9th
The Camel
Super stacked local bill here. Dumb Waiter is headlining, and if you have not listened to them yet, do yourself the favor of fixing that. This is a band that is genuinely hard to pin down. They are spacey and psychedelic, but there is an undeniable jazz element at work, along with a clear metal edge. I can struggle with instrumental music at times, but the saxophone and guitar here carry so much voice that you never feel its absence. This is a really, really strong local group, and their sound clearly lends itself to an immersive live experience.
Next up is local, self-described “dad rock” band Hot Lava. Their 2025 album Queen of Fools is an absolute heater. It is the kind of record that just gets you. It understands your struggles, acknowledges the weight of things, and somehow still smiles back at you, which is not easy to pull off. I would start with “Disaster” and let yourself step away from whatever reality is chasing you for a few minutes. There is an untouchable warmth in that song.
Then we turn to Serqet, another experienced and excellent local act. They come out of the gate with a gothy, new wave sound. Those never-slow drums you associate with New Order or Joy Division are front and center, especially across their 2017 demos, which explore a range of deeply dark and atmospheric songs. The vocals have an eeriness that unnerves you, then pulls you closer through sheer confidence. It is quietly mesmerizing, and this is a band I will absolutely be returning to.
And False Nectar. There is a bit of bittersweet news here with the departure of their guitarist, who is moving on to other projects. False Nectar first caught my attention with their 2024 album Unlimited Things to Do Forever, and I have counted myself a fan ever since. Their music spins. What that means exactly is hard to explain, but you feel it immediately. Listening to them feels like entering new territory. Sometimes it is cavernous and grand, other times narrow and dark. Those are the journeys I take with False Nectar, and they are special, memorable, and worth holding onto.
New Tunes
“Rabbit Hole” by Elle Christine
Instrumentally, this song immediately brought to mind The Cure’s MTV Unplugged, with that same warmth and gentle, inviting piano. When Elle Christine’s vocals come in, there is something sunny and distinctly Southern about them. She narrates a familiar, slightly lost slice of life that feels ever-present, a quiet awareness that something is missing, even if the missing piece can’t quite be named.
The production here is excellent, and I cannot get over that dipping piano line. I love it to death. This is a song made for wandering. We tend to do a lot of that, and the difference between wandering and feeling truly directionless is often just a good soundtrack.
Main image: J Roddy by Joey Wharton
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