Concert Review: Amanda Blank and Spank Rock at Rock & Roll Hotel

Amanda Blank and Spank Rock

Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington DC

April 24, 2010

It’s 12 am on a rainy Saturday night in D.C. and I’m watching two of my favorite MCs in the music business perform about 5 inches from my face. I’ve bonded with the girl standing next to me over the fact that we both know every lyric to every song (and even got to show our skills by singing into the mic). I’m convinced this night can’t get any better then all of a sudden I’m being pulled on stage by none other than Spank “[insert explicit]” Rock! This is the part where I think I’m going to wake up and my awesome night will be over except, that doesn’t happen. Apparently it’s not a dream and I’m actually dancing on stage with two of the biggest bad-asses ever.

I’ll back up a bit and start from the beginning: I arrive at the Rock and Roll Hotel at the beginning of Ninjasonik’s performance. An intense dance party is already underway and I push my way to the front of the crowd to join the fun. I must admit that this isn’t my first time seeing Ninjasonik and I pretty much know what to expect (although there are a few surprises, one being me getting serenaded on stage). About forty-five minutes of ass-shaking later, Amanda Blank is ready to take center stage as the show’s headliner. She steps onto the stage in a cape and super sexy leopard print leotard. Total BAMF. The crowd goes berserk and she’s loving the hype. Amanda Blank’s performance is vulgar, raunchy and absolutely amazing. (more after the jump- and pictures!)

Interveniew! Behind the Scenes at Rock & Roll Hotel

Name: Steve Lambert

Official Position: Booking Manager

At Rock + Roll Hotel since: October 2006

Favorite Shows: “I saw Phoenix play about a year ago, when they were still kind of under the radar for some reason. They’re definitely one of the best live bands – incredibly accessible to their audience.”

Excited about: the new Liars record, the Crime in Stereo concert at DC9 in May, the fact that people like Mayer Hawthorne can produce throwback stuff that younger generations are getting into

              I wish I could say that I didn’t go to the Rock and Roll Hotel for my interview with Steve Lambert fresh off a Chinatown bus from Philadelphia, but, well, that’s what happened. Still wearing last night’s clothing and frustrated by the perils of cheap transportation, I was definitely not as prepared as I would have liked to be standing outside and trying to figure out how to work the intercom buzzer. But the girl who puts me out of my misery by opening the door shoots me a friendly smile as she leads the way to Steve Lambert, and I feel a little bit of the tension dissipate.

              In the middle of the afternoon, the Rock and Roll Hotel is eerily empty – most of the lights are off, the doors to the main stage area are closed and foreboding, and the stairs creak as we climb to the second level of the club. The office is tucked away in a hall just past the upstairs bar area, cozy but not cramped, and littered with fliers promoting both past and future shows. Lambert himself fits in well with the environment, dressed comfortably in jeans and a t-shirt that displays his fondness for tattoos. He rises to shake my hand with a quiet smile before settling back into his obviously well used desk chair.

              “So,” he begins, “what would you like to know?” And with that, we’re off. Lambert works as the booking manager for two DC venues in addition to Rock and Roll Hotel: The Red and the Black, which tends to support the smallest local and touring bands, and DC9, whose manager I spoke with earlier in the month. He began his career as an industry professional in 2000, working his way up from booking underground acts for parties, alternative space shows and bars to his current position booking the acts with the some of the greatest momentum. (more after the jump!)

Concert Pick of the Week: Shearwater

Shearwater

Friday, March 26th, 8 PM doors

Rock and Roll Hotel, $12

Don't be the kid who doesn't know about the next big art-rock band out of Austin. Coming to the Rock and Roll Hotel this Friday is Shearwater, a band just about as interesting and weird as the photo implies. So, if the people from GU Art Aficionados haven't forced you at gunpoint to go to G40, take the free shuttle from the Chinatown Metro down to H Street and catch what should be a really expansive and entertaining gig.

Check out their Tiny Desk Concert after the jump!

Concert Pick of the Week: Sondre Lerche

Sondre Lerche

Rock and Roll Hotel

Friday, March 5th, 10pm

$20

Not going home quite yet? Getting a flight on Saturday morning? Parents finally said they don't love you and you can't go home at all for spring break? Come catch the stringy tunes and boyish good looks of Sondre Lerche at the Rock and Roll hotel on H Street this Friday. Touring on his latest album, Heartbeat Radio, Sondre is bringing sunny songs and hopefully a Norwegian accent back to DC...and lets not forget that he played Georgetown just a few years back. To get to the Rock and Roll Hotel, take advantage of the free H Street shuttle that leaves from the China Town metro stop every half hour or so.