WASHINGTON – Tommy Keene may be power pop’s best kept secret.
Originally from D.C., Keene gained some notoriety in the 1980s with a major-label contract, and has since continued to release excellent albums. His most recent effort, “Excitement at Your Feet,” is a covers album featuring songs by the Who, Donovan, Mink DeVille, and Guided By Voices.
Tommy Keene plays an early show Friday at the 9:30 Club with the Deadmen and Hero Jr. opening.
Another former D.C. resident, Bill Kirchen is scheduled to perform at the Birchmere Saturday. The “Titan of the Telecaster” and his band deliver rousing live shows full of rock and twang.
His latest album, “Seeds and Stems,” is a collection of his road-tested crowd- pleasers revisited in the studio, including “Too Much Fun,” “Semi Truck,” and “Hot Rod Lincoln.”
Check out a fan video of Bill Kirchen performing “Semi Truck” below.
Also scheduled for Saturday night at the State Theatre, Bruce in the USA pays tribute to Bruce Springsteen by recreating an E Street Band performance live on stage.
The band does a remarkable job with song arrangements, and the fake “Boss” sounds a lot like the man himself, even during stage banter.
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