The DC scene has always managed to hold attention through all of its turns and transformations since I first heard Jawbox and Fugazi in 1993. There have been many changes over the past seven years. Jawbox have split, and Fugazi rocks a bit less in favor of explorations in jazz and dub.

The new blood in the scene has invigorated me. El Guapo, Q and Not U, the Dusters, and the Better Automatic (now broken up). BA's drummer has gone on to new things, such as the No-Go's. There wasn't much new soundwise with them, yet I was shocked. They had the typical "DC sound," yet there was something different about them, something that brought me from my table to the merch table to lay down two bones for their demo.

Kurt did not impress me. They are from Germany and from what I hear, they have been around for a while.

Milemarker, from North Carolina, is a new signee to Lovitt Records. They were straightforward, almost screamy hardcore, with keyboards. They were also very talented, something that one would be hard-pressed to find in many screamy hardcore bands. Most of the set was sung by the guitarist, except for one song done by the keyboardist/bassist. I really liked them. They were fun, very good, and a very nice group of people.