Remaining 9353 shows cancelled

Just a quick alert for The Faithful: the hometown 9353 tour is killed.

Legendary, ever-mutating DC punk/psych/surf/goth/sci-fi/strangeness band 9353 launched a series of dates last week, with gigs planned at the Velvet Lounge, Rock & Roll Hotel, Asylum, and a couple at the Quarry House in Silver Spring. Fearless Leader Bruce (pictured) said it would be their last great purge of old material, before moving on to bold, crescent-fresh new stuff.

Actually, he didn't say crescent-fresh. That was me--I'm still mourning the loss of Sifl and Olly. But that's another story.

Then the Asylum and R&R Hotel gigs were cancelled, leaving the two at Quarry House, slated for tonight and tomorrow night. Now those are gone. Drag.

The short version is, simply, the sudden loss of a band-member to "the penal system" yesterday morning and general unrest within the ranks. And 24 hours is just a bit tight to replace someone. But as BH says on a myspace bulletin, "Bruce and Vance vow to return as 9353 very very soon."

Thus proving: Just like viruses, cockroaches, certain grades of plastic, and Ben Stein, 9353 will live forever in some form or another. And that is a very good thing.

So, DC oldtimers, patience...

The return of 9353

It was an honor to have a hand in the new 9353 flyer, currently being ripped to shreds off walls across Montgomery County. Those uncooth Maryland bastards.

I do believe this will be a gig of the ages.

Paul (also of The Muffins and Thee Maximalists) is the new drummer for 9353 this time around, and he's a perfect fit for the band: Paul's style is jazzy, spontaneous, and INSANELY STRONG; he's the mad yeti in the room, and his brief association with Magma is clear; who else could beat the hell out of things next to a madman like Vander?

Anyway. Rumor has it the new 9353 has been practicing like beasts in a secret, subterranean laboratory in Baltimore for quite a while, and the result, to quote an insider, is F*CKED.....UP! ...in a good way, of course.

I'm expecting a magical show this Friday. Opening are King Giant and Rustbuckit. Friday, 7sept07 at the 9:30 club.