RE Returns to U
Flyer courtesy of TMOTTGOGO.com
It seems Rare Essence is returning to U Street.
In the ‘90s and early '00s, RE's weekly gig at Club U, inside the Frank D. Reeves Municipal Center, was one of the hottest events on the U Street corridor. The band's run at the club ended in 2005, following the stabbing death of 31-year-old club patron Terrence Brown.
The District’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board decided Brown's death was the last straw in in a string on incidents at the nightclub, and yanked the spot's liquor license indefinitely, which led to its demise. As a result, the Wickedest Band Alive left U Street, becoming part of a huge nightlife flight that eventually made way for an Alero, a Quiznos, and a bunch of condos.
Essence's return to 14th and U is being billed as the Club U reunion, but it's actually happening at The Republic, which is pretty much right across the street from the Reeves Center. Close enough.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
9:00pm – 2:00am
The Republic
1355 U Street, NW
$25
5:01 pm
The name 'Rare Essence' may still be playing, but that ain't Rare Essence.
Lil Benny
Funk
Footz (RIP Quentin)
Jungle Boogie
Mickey
Rory
Scotty
Marky
Godfather
Funky Ned
Whiteboy (held it down when everybody else rolled out)
David (rolling toms/timbales)
Mike (slow jams)
Laurence
Donnell
and Miss Annie Mack (RIP Mama Annie)
This is Rare Essence; anything else is a facsimile
1:26 pm
Grumpy: I agree with you completely--the RE of today looks nothing like the RE of the '80s. But isn't that true of most go-go bands that have been around for 20+ years? Or, really, *any* band that has been around that long? I'm just glad Essence still exists, in some form, and that they're still making music, ya know?
11:24 am
I'm torn really
I know I sound like an old fogey 'in my day, music was better' but when you hear Essence from the Kaywood (The famous Lil Benny HubbaBubba joint) or the Highlands (The 'we ain't go no power' joint) or the Maverick Room (The best TransEuropeExpress/RE Express) then you hear this banging and cussin passing itself off as GoGo, then there is no comparison.
To Whiteboy's credit, he held it down after all the rest left for their many reasons. But Whiteboy ain't a 'talker'. His voice is not for lead talking. And nowadays they got 'talking by committee' where everybody got a damn mic. It sounds like confused garbage.
When you come up listening to Chuck, EU, Trouble, Mass Extinction, PumpBlenders, Class, Prophecy, Redds, Ayre Rayde, even them Shadygroove bamas from VA., you can't listen to this shit now.
12:37 pm
Grumpy Says:
you hear this banging and cussin passing itself off as GoGo
It sounds like confused garbage.
When you come up listening to Chuck, EU, Trouble, Mass Extinction, PumpBlenders, Class, Prophecy, Redds, Ayre Rayde, even them Shadygroove bamas from VA., you can’t listen to this shit now.
^U right 110%, brother. Hey Sarah we just ventin! Im glas Essence still around too.They are an institution BUT between the degraded from of go-go, the senseless violence and mental illness on display by a few of the patrons and the arrogant and greedy promoters, I dont get out as much and would rather throw an old PA tape inthe boombox and rock to it in my living room.And nobody will say nothin to me about my blunt either HAHAHA!!