Takoma Station, 6914 4th St NW, Washington, DC 20012
I passed up a chance to see the Bar-Kays at Fort Dupont Park to attend this.
Facez U Know is a side project featuring members of Familiar Faces and Suttle. I first heard about it in July from Stomp. I didn't know who was in it until later and I even read (THANKFULLY UNTRUE!) rumors about the members of Familiar Faces leaving Donnell which I connected to this group's creation. Finally, earlier this week, Dwayne Lee invited me to their debut performance backing up No Label with a Universal A&R rep expected to be at the performance.
When I walked up to the front door of Takoma Station, the security guard, who recognized me, said, "You know Familiar Faces isn't playing here tonight." I told him that was not entirely true. I still didn't know exactly who was in Facez U Know until the set started.
Takoma Station had changed since the last time I was there, they have new tables.
Sherray (Always Showtime!!) was there.
I figured that the ladies sitting and standing by the table over by me were the members of No Label. They talked about about if there was enough room on the dance floor. They left shortly afterwards.
Facez U Know
The line up was: Dwayne Lee (guitar), Doc Hughes (bass), Lorenzo Johnson (keyboard), Chris Wright (keyboard), Stomp Dogg (drummer), Sean "Kal-el" (percussion)
Sound check (Kal-el wasn't present): Jill Scott's He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat) - they performed it as an instrumental, but a male fan stood in front of the stage and started singing, it had a light crank.
Stomp Dogg, Chris, Doc
Lorenzo, Dwayne, Stomp Dogg
The women of No Label returned and started just as I got my dinner. They had changed clothes from what they wore when I saw them earlier.
No Label
Their line up (all singers) was: Danni Blaze, CJ, Shawn Michelle, Dada, and Krys
No Label starting their performance: Shawn Michelle in front
Dada, Shawn Michelle, Dwayne, Krys, Sean "Kal-el" (behind Krys), Danni Blaze, Stomp Dogg, CJ, Doc
Dwayne, Sean "Kal-el", Stomp Dogg, Doc, Chris
No Label concluding their performance: Danni Blaze, CJ, Shawn Michelle, Dwayne, Dada, Krys
All pictures taken by and Copyright - Jordan Rich
1) Tease
Introduced "For anyone who's in love":
2) When
Introduced "Then six months later":
3) Clueless
4) Whatchu Like
5) Actions
Their voices sounded good, but it was hard to make out the lyrics over the music, which cranked. They danced and moved around constantly, they were obviously well choreographed. I would go see them again.
Soundproof Band was up next, but I left for Tradewinds.
