Mike D’s Top 5 Can’t Miss Shows of August

1. Saturday, August 13: Foo Fest with Dan Deacon, Arc Iris, Churchburn, Ed Schrader’s Music Beat, Harry And the Potters, AS220 Youth Zukrewe, Taina Asili, Houseboy, Leiko, Gertrude Atherton, Powermonster, Hussy, Secret Lover, Lovesick, Sidy Maiga, The Quahogs, Snowplows, Theosophia, Flintstones, XR-Tabs; 1pm; $7 advance / $10 day of; All ages; Empire St Block Party, Providence. One of Providence’s best annual parties of the year is back with a tremendous headliner: electronic psychedelic dance party empressario Dan Deacon. Do yourself a favor and arrange your schedule around his performance. I am also really excited to catch Ed Schrader’s Music Beat. Check out their video “Laughing;” my powers of deduction lead me to believe they recorded at Machines With Magnets. Also check out Churchburn, Gertrude Atherton, Arc Iris and the Quahogs. Regardless of when you get there or if you go by yourself or not, there will be a ton of people you know walking around drinking in the sun all day. The atmosphere is just as great as the music.

2. Sunday, August 14: The Mallett Brothers; 3:30 to 6:30pm; 21+ only; The Ocean Mist, 895 Matunuck Beach Rd., Wakefield. It’s almost the end of summer and you haven’t done shit. No worries, it happens to the best of us. This season flies by, and we all long for the ultimate beach day experience. This is your chance. Wake up a bit early, get down to the beach for a little bit, then shoot over to the Ocean Mist, the ultimate summer beach bar. Maine’s honkey tonks The Mallett Brothers are playing a late brunch set inside and are not to missed. The Mist kitchen is a great spot for lunch; build up your strength, then go get oysters at Matunuck Oyster Bar (amazing) or Two Ten Oyster Bar (pretty good, cheaper). After fully soaking in the best of what summer in South County has to offer, I recommend going to Newport for a later show …

3. Sunday, August 14: Fishbone, The Agents, Brunt Of It; 9pm; $20; 21+; The Cafe at The Parlor, 200 Broadway St., Newport. Last call for a summer experience continues at the Parlor in Newport (not to be confused with the one in Providence 20 steps from my house and with a u). Fishbone are the ultimate party house band, blasting ska punk funk for well over 35 years (?!). Rhode Island ska standouts The Agents have also been at it for a long time — 20+ years. After a year or so hiatus, they are back at it and smack in the middle of a tremendous bill that also features another Rhode Island mainstay. Newport’s Punk Ska Hardcore act Brunt of It are also veterans to the scene, having been at it for over 15 years. You should get a ticket in advance for this as the Parlor is a small joint for this show and a great intimate setting. Getting an AirBnB isn’t a terrible idea either.

4. Saturday, August 20: Reunion In Honor of Joe Moody: Kilgore (Smudge), Times Expired, State Of Corruption, Shed; 730pm doors; $18 advance / $20 day of; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. It was a sudden tragic loss when Joe Moody passed away this March and a huge hit to the local music community. Joe produced countless local musical acts based out of his studio Danger Multitrack Studios and was beloved by them. And if you want to see how much he was appreciated and loved by the local bands, look no further look than the scene’s call to action and response.  Here we have huge local metal acts from the ’90s, reuniting to play in Joe’s honor for one night only. It’s been well over a decade since Kilgore or Shed hit the stage. Shed goes on first, so get there early.  And make sure to get a ticket in advance.

5. Friday, September 2: Rhode Island Peace Fest 6: Promoting Love, Unity, and Culture; with performances by Chachi, Jon Hope, Cam Bells, Cru Alxndr, Swann Notty, Medusa Black, Rudy Rudacious, Project 401, Trav Black, Satta, Need, J9 with all artists backed by International Players Band; 7pm doors/ 8pm show; $10 advance / $12 day of; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. I stopped reading the newspaper last December. Anyone who knows me or sees me eating lunch or dinner knows that is significant. While I gave up on The Providence Journal years ago, I was still committed to The New York Times. But in December, the election cycle finally crushed my soul and I couldn’t take it anymore. In this current media cycle, fear sells, resonates and gets louder and louder every week. With the surprising and surging amount of hate out there, there couldn’t be a better time for another installment of Peace Fest. The event, organized by local hip-hop icon Chachi Carvalho, brings together some the most talented and sharp minds of the Rhode Island hip-hop community for a night of Love, Unity and Culture. Each act will be backed by The International Players band; it should be a great evening and a sign that we are above fear and hate.

Also worth noting: 8/5 & 8/6 Collie Buddz @ The Ocean Mist; 8/11 L7 @ The Paradise (Boston); 8/12 The Silks (album release), Tall Teenagers, The Low Cards @ Aurora; 8/17 Hurry Up (mems of Bangs, The Thermals), Pyramid, Neutrinos @ The Met; 8/19 Moga, Last Good Tooth, Sugar Honey Iced Tea; 8/25 Bored With Four @AS220; 9/3 Wargames @ The Met