Mary Lou & The Untouchables, who rocked the Purple Moose last week, will return to party at M.R. Ducks Sunday and Monday.

And the party continues! Wow, what a week this has been. Three nights with Mary Lou at the Purple Moose - fun but exhausting. And she and the Untouchables are back this weekend for Labor Day fun at M.R. Ducks Sun. and Mon. We always have a blast there, right. Check out the pictures to see that our former mayor is still rockin’ with us - Go Delegate Jim! Sure hope he gets to continue representing us in Annapolis. Get out and vote!

Coming off that great weekend (I also saw Crowded Outhouse Fri. at Sunset Grille, Sun. at Harborside; Lauren Glick Sat. at Babes; Randy Lee Sun. at M.R. Ducks and more) I was part of the sold-out crowd to see Violent Femmes at Seacrets on Mon. What a show they put on. I think everyone there who had not heard of them before is now a convert - their music is infectious. My daughters have been huge fans for years so I had already been indoctrinated into the Femmes fan club. Released in 1983, it’s amazing that the music has survived to speak to successive generations who can relate to the lyrics. Next generation: my 6-year-old grandson’s favorite is “Gone Daddy Gone.”

“We specifically intended to make this record so it would sound out of time,” says Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie (from the liner notes). “We wanted to make a recording that was American music of any time.” Now more than 20 years after its release, sales have hit the two million mark and climbing. As related, “DeLorenzo (drums) seemed to have sensed the record’s enduring influence right from the start. When the first box of Violent Femmes records arrived at his house, his first child, his son Malachi, had just been born. DeLorenzo held the baby as he opened the box and held up a copy. Wow, he thought to himself, here’s the future right here in both my hands.” And here they were, bringing their timeless music to us in a powerful performance. Still vital, if a few years older, Gordon Gano (guitar, violin, lead vocal), Brian Ritchie (acoustic bass, zylophone, electric bass, nose flute, vocals) and Victor DeLorenzo (snare & tom drum, vocals) clearly still enjoy performing together and I could see they were pleased at the response from the Seacrets audience. Their uniqueness includes the use of many and varied instruments to achieve the desired sounds. In addition to the ones listed above, we saw a slidewhistle, mandolin, banjo, washboard, box drum, stick bass, trumpet and a few that might not even have a name. So, despite the fact that they would not allow photography (so I have no pics for you), I had an excellent time and have since listened to the special anniversary edition here at work with another huge fan, Melissa. I heard someone unfamiliar with them remark, “just when I think I know what kind of music they play, they do something different.” And that’s just what the Violent Femmes would like to hear. I spoke to the road manager who said they were impressed with our club and appreciative fans so maybe they’ll roll this way again one day.

Meanwhile, we have a rock star right in our midst as home boy Phil Ritchie returned from the limelight to rejoin Lennex bandmates for a ‘welcome home’ concert last Thurs. at Seacrets. It was a rockin’-good show as Phil, Bruce, Brian, Derek and Brandon pulled out all the stops. Yes, those young men I first wrote about as Kiss Me Kate have come of age and are ready for the big time.
The show opened with our own Lower Class Citizens who brought a huge crowd of fans out to hear them. I’m proud that our musician-friendly town has produced such excellent artists and I’m enjoying being witness to their progress. You can hear Ryan, Tyler, James and Billy playing this Wed. and Thurs. on the big stage at the Purple Moose. You heard me right - LCC rockin’ out at the Moose on the Boards in OC. I’ll be there!

Meanwhile, at the Moose this weekend will be Surreal with fabulous ‘80s-’90s rock done to perfection, followed by the Ray Pittman Project Mon.-Tue., another excellent band presented by the Moose.

Marco told you all about Danny Morris Sun. at BJ’s so I’ll just add my recommendation to his; I was amazed by him and plan to go back for another dose. No Byscuyts will be there Fri. and Sat. There’s just no end to the incredible choices for great music around here. Check our listing for everything from jazz to R&B, to country rock and reggae. Party safe!