Big Ups – who played our 2012 NYC B.E.A.F. Fest – have been getting a lot of attention lately as a result of their highly anticipated and forthcoming LP titled ‘Eighteen Hours of Static’ due out on 1/13 via Dead Labour & Tough Love Records. They recently scored a much hyped review from Noisey.com, that’s currently streaming their entire album. The local punk masterminds portray a hardcore vibe of Black Flag and Kill Your Idols, fused with melodic post-punk and sort-of-indie rock verses. The LP release show (where you can snag an early copy of the record) will go down tonight at Shea Stadium, so be there if you’re into punk madness – because these guys really ARE crazy when on stage. Washer, Mannequin Pussy & Flagland are also on the bill. Listen to “Goes Black” from the upcoming LP below! – Michael Haskoor (@Tweetskoor) 

 If you ever wondered if Wale is the only rapper in DC, look no further than Javier’s song “Ctrl-Alt-Delete.” His music ranges from top 40 worthy to insightful. “Ctrl-Alt-Delete” is the latter. He blames the city for being “excellent at overlooking excellence.” He also attacks those who rap solely about the money they have a acquired. That theme has become a cliché, if not dishonest for those just starting out in the rap game. He is not trying to dethrone Wale as the DC rap king either. He’s just clearly frustrated by the abundant comparisons. “Don’t compare me with Wale,” he angrily raps. No one will, after they hear his fervor. Hopefully Javier will be one of the acts to raise DC rap community to the ranks of the city’s jazz and punk legacies.  

We keep churning out results from the open submissions for our Best of NYC 2013 Poll for Emerging Artists – here are the winners for the ALT ROCK.

When we say Alt Rock – by the way – we mean punchy rock music that’s melodic and inspired to the alternative rock music of the 80-90s, from Aerosmiths to Pearl Jam and Weezer.

Total submissions in this category: 37

Artists Qualified to the next stage (Readers’ Poll, starting around 01.15):

1. Spirit Animal – 8.16 (out of 10)
2. PUSHMETHOD – 7.33
3. Late Cambrian – 7
3. Active Bird Community – 7

Honorable Mentions (scores above 6)
Raccoon Fighter, Watermelon, Von Shakes, The Bushwick Hotel, The Como Brothers Band, Dirty River, Gillian, Butchers of Sky Valley, Ceramics, Grand Electric, Revolving One, Slim Wray, STRNGRS.

Jurors: Quang Tran (Deli Philly), Terra James Jura (Deli Nashville), PDG (Deli NYC)

Stay tuned for more results, and then for the readers’ poll!

The Deli’s Staff

D.C. natives, The Silver Liners, took their band name from the old adage, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” The name seems very apt these days—after losing a few original members, the band revamped their former pop rock sound and released a new EP, Bliss. The EP features electronic tracks, with synthesizer backings and distorted vocals—a much more mature sound than before. Since the release, The Silver Liners have had enormous success, receiving airtime on MTV and local radio station DC101. The Silver Liners have a show this coming Saturday, 1/11 at the Rock & Roll Hotel. — Katie Bowles