It gives me butterflies to reminisce of the fist pumping (the kind that you did to express just how hard that down-beat shook you to your core, before that Jersey Shore nonsense), the stage diving (because you know someone will catch you), and the skanking (those powerful fist punches which required the oh-so-important running man legs in unison), on those warm summer nights where the air is electric.

Helping to establish ska and soul in the trenches of the D.C. dive-bar scene in the early 90’s, The Pietasters are a tight thread pulling together some of the most vivacious live shows in the genre at our area’s most notorious venues. If you’ve never experienced such an event, a Pietasters throwdown is the perfect way to dive into the scene.

So instead of bumbling about in the freezing cold, praying for the warm days ahead, you can come to Rams Head Live! on January 1^st and be welcomed by a crowd who knows how to warm you to your core. Bring your best greeting, “skavoovie,” will do, and enjoy a night of local ska and boisterous shenanigans.

Now if you’re just diving in for the first time, we’ve provided a YouTube tutorial, sort of thing on Skanking like a pro. And if you think that sounds silly or maybe a little too “alternative” I can prove the legitimacy of the groove with this bonafide wiki entry.

Wiki Sanctioned-ness

This little diddy will play for you the Jams that NCAA Football was down with for their gaming soundtrack.

Also, catch this did of Pietasters Live with our homies over @ the 9:30 Club.

Check out our local support!

Bullbuckers @ Federal Hill Street Beat

Skribe

The Scotch Bonnets

Wait. I look forward to award season for two reasons, and two reasons only – 1) See our bright and shining alumni with the chops and 2) See the great flops! And they do.

We know building a career in the biz has one of the smallest success rates of any profession. Anyone can get into a studio and POOF! A little scrub, dub and a tune later your vocals are, arguably, ready to go. Very few can bring it live, up front and in your face without the bells and whistles. At Rams Head Promotions we are proud to be a place where artist and audience have to face the music. With the latest and greatest Grammy Nominations on the wires, we would like to pay hommage to those who have “walked this way” on the live circuit and made it to the stage at the mother of all award shows THIS YEAR.

Lets get at the nominees on the current schedule so you know what opportunity you have right off the bat to come and see them live.

Trombone Shorty will be blowing through Rams Head Live right round the end of the year on Dec. 30th 2010. His nomination is for Best Contemporary Jazz Album with Backatown. Album means if you come to this one you will probably enjoy the whole show. And he hooked up the New Orleans connection by bringing on Ben Ellman from the band Galactic to produce the work. Um, smart!

Robyn will be at Rams Head Live on Feb. 1 2011 to show you what she’s going up against Rihanna and Lady Gaga with in the Best Dance Recording category. Bring your comfy shoes for moving at this show. She’ll probably be spitting all kinds of crazy energy as this show will be a mere week and 1/2 before the big day.

Without taking up leagues of scroll space, below you can find a VERY abridged list of our Alumni across all 3 venues that are nominated for the 2011 Grammy Awards. Congratulations to all!

Jay Z - Record of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

Leon Russell – Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

India.Arie – Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

Snoop Dogg – Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

Ray LaMontagne - Song of the Year

Sara Bareilles – Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

Band of Horses – Best Alternative Music Album

Norah Jones – Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

The Black Keys – Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, Best Rock Instrumental Performance, Best Rock Song

Adam Lambert – Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

John Mayer – Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance

Chuck Brown – Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

B.O.B. – Record of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals

Drake – Best Rap Album, Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group, Best New Artist, Best Rap Solo Performance

Train – Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

Paramore - Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

LaRoux - Best Dance Recording, Best Electronic/Dance Album

Alice in Chains – Best Hard Rock Performance

Lamb of God – Best Metal Performance

Megadeth – Best Metal Performance

Band of Horses – Best Alternative Music Album

Musiq Soulchild – Best Male R&B Vocal Performance

Roots – Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best R&B Album, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, Best Rap Album

John Legend – Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best R&B Album, Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

Bilal – Best Urban/Alternative Performance

Little Big Town – Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals

Mos Def – Best Short Form Music Video

Poison Arrow
How To Be A Millionare
Date Stamp
That Was Then
Love is Strong
Ride
All of My Heart
4 ever 2 gether
Tears Are Not Enough
Be Near Me
When Somebody Sings
The Look of Love

Starting with Rams Head Live, Boo Valdez – venue guru and production master – is going to add retrieval of said materials to his and his crew’s ever growing list of to-do’s. Now, not all shows use setlists and often bands and artists vary from the original blueprint. But if it’s what the people want… then work it out, damnit! After all, at the end of the day it’s about you and your Rams Head Music experience. We wouldn’t want to overlook even the little stuff, so we look forward to doing our best to provide you with the info you need.

Stay tuned for our first setlist post – and if you’re ever looking for them in the future, just type “band name, setlist” in the search field in the upper right hand corner of our blog.

Cheers,
The Rams Head Music Team

Once I looked into Jake Shimabukuro and listened to his music, I quickly became interested. I had never really thought that the ukulele was something to be taken onto a stage. He has done several different and interesting renditions of his favorite songs, from Sarah McLachlan to Cyndi Lauper, and even some tunes from Led Zepplin and The Beatles. Have you ever heard the Wizard of Oz classic song, “Somewhere over the Rainbow” on an ukulele? Yes, Jake plays an absolutely beautiful rendition of it on his ukulele.

Jake Shimabukuro plays \"Somewhere Over The Rainbow\"

So, I am looking forward to seeing Jake Shimabukuro live here at Rams Head On Stage this Sunday, May 14th. I absolutely encourage you to go onto Youtube and take a listen to the truly unique style of Jake Shimabukuro. Then come see him here at On Stage at 3pm, tickets are only $27.50.

Hope to see you there!

Your Trusty Intern,

Cymantha