MARCH 2
The Coast at The Red & the Black
If there’s such a thing as cheerful shoe gazing, this Canadian indie band plays it well. Catch them here before they head out to Austin’s South by Southwest fest a week later. Their track “Take a Walk Outside” will get you instantly hooked. $8. — Dana Steinberg
The Red & the Black: 1212 H Street, NE, Washington, DC 202-399-3201; www.redandblackbar.com

MARCH 3
Blind Melon at 9:30 Club.
Remember Blind Melon? Bee girl, “Rain” great first album. Then their lead singer and inspiration Shannon Swoon passed away. Now they’re back with a new singer and a new album. Relive high school. $15. — Robert Fulton
Nightclub 9:30: 815 V St. N.W.(intersection of 9th, V and Vermont streets.); www.930.com

MARCH 6
Steve Poltz at IOTA
Don’t miss this talented singer/songwriter. One minute emotionally deep, the second hilarious. Formerly of the Rugburns, and co-wrote Jewel’s “Your Were Meant For Me.” Out of San Diego. 9p.m. $12. — Robert Fulton
IOTA Club&Café: 2832 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA; 703-522-8340; www.iotaclubandcafe.com
Born Ruffians, Cadence Weapon and US Royalty at DC9
In the same glorious golden indie vein as Clap your Hands Say Yeah, Toronto’s Born Ruffians are quite simply the bomb. This three-piece’s set list comes complete with merry harmonious sing-alongs, plenty of hooting and hollering, and a good dose of fun.  Crack open a cold Pabst at DC9 and also check out the openers---fellow Canadian indie hip hopster Cadence Weapon and DC local act US Royalty. Doors at 8:30 p.m. $10 — Nick Hardt
DC9: 1940 9th St., NW, Washington; 202-483-5000; www.dcnine.com

MARCH 7
Longwave at the Rock and Roll Hotel
As anthemic as they are moving, indie-rockers Longwave have a damn solid track record with their albums and a deserved reputation for their live act. With The Modern Society, Cobra Collective and John Wayne Hero. Doors at 8.30 p.m. $1.0 — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
The Rock And Roll Hotel: 1353 H Street, NE,  DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com


MARCH 8
Jukebox the Ghost at the Rock and Roll Hotel
Gotta check out these up-and-coming locals. New disc out. Sounds a little like Ben Folds. See review in this issue. Doors at 8 p.m. $10. — Robert Fulton
Rock And Roll Hotel: 1353 H Street, NE, Washington, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com:

MARCH 9
Working for a Nuclear Free City at DC9
Effortlessly fusing the techniques employed by the Stone Roses, the Happy Mondays, and Mogwai, WfaNFC are a multifaceted, eccentric, yet entirely cohesive and unique group stemming from the ever influential British city of Manchester. Doors at 8.30pm. $10. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
DC9: 1940 9th St., NW, Washington; 202-483-5000; www.dcnine.com

Akron/Family at Jammin’ Java
Akron/Family is an experience in of itself. Eclectic, experimental, psychedelic. Different. Doors at 8p.m. $12 — Robert Fulton
Jammin’ Java: 227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA; 703-255-1566; www.jamminjava.com

MARCH 10
School of Language at DC9
Featuring members of Field Music, Euphone and Tortoise, School of Language has a reputable, tested, and high caliber line up. As would be expected, the music is pretty accomplished itself. With Medications and Go Home Robot.  Doors as 8:30. $10 — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
DC9: 1940 9th St., NW, Washington; 202-483-5000; www.dcnine.com

MARCH 15
Louis XIV at Rock and Roll Hotel
You may have caught these San Diego rockers recently as an opener or at an indie festival. They’re post-punk; they’re bluesy; they just positively rock. The four lads are touring in support of their new album, Slick Dogs and Ponies. Doors at 8.30p.m. $15. — Dana Steinberg
Rock And Roll Hotel: 1353 H Street, NE, Washington, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com


23 Rainy Days at Velvet Lounge
Post-punk excellence from locals, who have a new disc and some local shows to boot. Think the Killers, the Smiths, AFI. Will get you moving. — Robert Fulton
Velvet Lounge: 915 U St NW Washington, DC; 202-462-3213 www.velvetloungedc.com

RBD at the DC Armory
Not all too dissimilar a rise like those of the Monkees and Miley Cyrus, Mexican pop sensation RBD found music superstardom only after becoming a real band following their telenovela soap opera “Rebelde.” But few could have predicted that the sextet would sell 10 million records in their brief three-year career, sell out U.S. venues like Madison Square Garden. — Alfredo Flores
DC Armory: 2001 E Capitol St., SE, DC; 202-547-9077; www.grupo-rbd.com

MARCH 19
The Cribs at the Black Cat
With all the swagger of the late 70s British punk acts and the sensibility of contemporary indie-rockers, The Cribs are by far one of the best exports from the British Isles in the past few years. With Ra Ra Riot and Jeffrey Lewis & The Jitters. Doors at 8 p.m. $15— Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
 Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW; 202-667-7960; www.blackcatdc.com

The Most Serene Republic at DC9
If The Cribs don’t seem up your alley, Toronto’s TMSR are labelmates with Broken Social Scene, and one of the more progressive and eccentric bands in the scene today. Their live show is not to be missed. With Miracle Fortress and Liam Finn. Doors at 8:30 p.m. $10 — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
DC9: 1940 9th St., NW, Washington; 202-483-5000; www.dcnine.com

MARCH 20
The Sketches at Dogfish Head Alehouse Falls Church
Riding the massive wave of publicity that was unleashed when these local pop-rockers were included on On Tap’s 2007 “On the Verge” compilation CD (listen online at www.ontaponline.com/cd), The Sketches scored an opening gig for Blind Melon at the 9:30 Club this month. Or maybe it was just because they’re that good. Either way, they won’t likely be playing smaller venues like this for long so catch them in this smoke-free setting while enjoying some of the great Dogfish Head microbrews. Doors at 7:30 p.m. —James Currie
Dogfish Head Alehouse:  Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA. 703-534-3342; www.dogfish.com

Gypsy Sons, Leaving, TX, Celeste Starchild, Wes Tucker and the Skillets at Jammin’ Java.
Talk about one heck of a local line up. Wes Tucker opens, Gypsy Sons close. A must see. 8p.m. $10— Robert Fulton
Jammin’ Java: 227 Maple Ave E Vienna, VA; 703-255-1566; www.jamminjava.com

MARCH 21
Virginia Coalition at the Hard Rock Cafe
Don’t miss local rockers VC at their CD release show. Also, nice to see some more live music at the Hard Rock. Doors at 9 p.m. $25. — Robert Fulton
Hard Rock Café: 999 E St NW, DC;
202-737-7625; www.hardrock.com


The Reflex at Clarendon Grille
The Reflex play other people’s songs, so here’s someone else’s (On Tap Editor Robert Fulton’s) review of them. Hey, it’s not plagiarizing, it’s a cover! “If you crave ’80s music, but you only want the hits and don’t have time to see every single rehashed geriatric lineup or one-hit-wonder that comes through town, then you are in luck.” Relive your big-haired glory days and rock along to “Jesse’s Girl” when they take the stage at Clarendon Grill. —James Currie
Clarendon Grill: 1101 N. Highland St., Arlington, VA. 703-524-7455. www.cgrill.com; www.reflexlive.com

MARCH 23
The Grandsons at JV’s
Catch DC’s legendary roots-rockers, The Grandsons, when they return to JV’s in Falls Church. The 60-year-old bar proudly offers “Ageless charm without yuppie bastardization”...and on this Sunday they offer great music as well. Doors at 5 p.m. —James Currie
JV’s: 6666 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA. 703-241-9504; www.jvsrestaurant.com

MARCH 24
Digitalism at DC9
You’ve heard them on Pontiac ads, probably grooved to them on the dance floor, and now you can see them live. Germany’s Digitalism are somewhere between the electronic flourish of Justice and the rockier leanings of Bloc Party. Doors at 9:30 p.m. $18. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
DC9: 1940 9th St., NW, DC;
202-483-5000; www.dcnine.com

MARCH 27
Xiu Xiu at the Black Cat
Utterly and endearingly bizarre, Xiu Xiu are somehow playing the backstage of the Black Cat. While this will provide for a wonderfully intimate show, it may mean that tickets are unavailable the night of the show. With Thao Nguyen & The Get Down Stay Down and Chris Garneau. Doors at  9 p.m. $12. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson
Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW;
202-667-7960; www.blackcatdc.com

MARCH 28
Victor Wooten at The State Theatre
This legendary bassist, formerly with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, plays some of the meanest funk and jazz around. Touring with his band, Wooten is a must see, and many a true music lover will be in that crowd. 9 p.m. $25— Dana Steinberg
The State Theatre: 220 N Washington St, Falls Church, VA; 703-237-0300; www.thestatetheatre.com

MARCH 28
Eric Brace and Luke Brindley at IOTA
Former Washington Post “Nightwatch” columnist-turned-Nashville songwriter, Eric Brace, hits this Arlington music venue a few times a year for sold out shows with his band, Last Train Home. Generally labeled with the catchall “Americana” tag, Brace’s work holds its own against the likes of Wilco, The Jayhawks and Ryan Adams. His band will be back in April, but you can catch a preview on this night when he shares the stage with singer-songwriter, Luke Brindley—himself a member of a top drawing band, The Brindley Brothers/ The Brilliant Inventions and Andy Davis open. 9:30p.m. $12  —James Currie
IOTA: 2832 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA. 703-522-8340; www.iotaclubandcafe.com

Howard Alden and Howard Paul at Smithsonian Jazz Cafe
When Woody Allen filmed his 1999 movie “Sweet and Lowdown” about a legendary jazz guitarist in the ‘30s, he turned to Alden to both play the music and coach Sean Penn on how to play guitar (Penn was nominated for an Oscar). If you missed that film, just hit Alden’s site, www.howardalden.com, and watch the clip from his concert DVD, “Live at the Smithsonian Jazz Cafe,” recorded during a 2006 appearance at this same venue. 6.30 p.m. $12 —James Currie
Smithsonian Jazz Café: Smithsonian Museum of Natural History; Constitution Ave., and 10th St., NW, Washington; 202-633-8801; www.smithsonianjazzcafe.org

MARCH 29
New Rock Church of Fire, Death By Sexy at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hotel.
Can’t miss show featuring these two excellent locals. Two rockin’ acts for just $10. 8.30p.m. $10— Robert Fulton
Rock And Roll Hotel: 1353 H Street, NE, Washington, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com

MARCH 30
Caribou at Rock and Roll Hotel
Once called Manitoba, the newly named Caribou project may have lost its name, but this had done little to affect the quality of Daniel Snaith’s hopeful, youthful electronic arrangements. With F*ck Buttons. — Lars Garvey Laing-Peterson.
Rock And Roll Hotel: 1353 H Street, NE, DC; www.rockandrollhoteldc.com