Alexsucks blows up Monday night at Washington, DC’s Atlantis

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Alex Alvarez brings a classic rock energy to a young performer’s physique. When he took the stage at Atlantis in Washington, DC, on Monday night to play with his band, Alexsucks, the crowd went wild. He immediately connected with fans by jumping off the stage and into the space in front of the cameras during the first song, “Flinch.”

Alvarez, with his black leather jacket and sunglasses, brings to mind Lou Reed, but with a softer edge. At times, he also resembles Marc Bolan from the early 1970s, though without the flamboyant style. (I just coined the term ‘glamificial’ to describe it, and I think it fits.)

You don’t need to be familiar with music from decades ago to enjoy Alexsucks. They create rock music that feels very current. While people often categorize them as skate punk – likely because of their style and lyrics that sometimes mention skateboarding – that label doesn’t quite capture their sound.

Alexsucks  heats up a Monday night in DC

Alexsucks’ music isn’t easily categorized, but it blends elements of modern indie rock with hints of older skate punk. Think of a slightly rougher version of LCD Soundsystem, or early Korn without the intense angst. Bands like The Vines and American Snuts also offer a similar feel. Overall, they pull from a broad range of energetic, fast-paced, and powerful rock music.

And they deliver a monster good live show.

This is the band’s second headlining performance in Washington, D.C., this time to promote their new album, Autopilot. They’re famous for their high-energy concerts, and it’s exciting to see how their sound changes from the recorded versions to the live experience. Autopilot features a great collection of indie rock songs, which sound even more raw and powerful when performed live.

The band’s 14-song performance on Monday heavily featured their new album, including the catchy song “The Headache” and a powerful encore of “Worm in the Sun” that made the whole dance floor vibrate. They also played the album’s namesake track, during which Alvarez crowd-surfed – a fitting moment for a song called “Autopilot.”

The audience was familiar with some of the band’s newer material, but they really came alive during the older, well-known songs like “What’re We Doing Here” and “Talk to You.” “Talk to You” was one of the band’s first big hits, back when their sound was raw and energetic skate punk. During the performance that night, drummer Jonny Ransom played with such intensity that he broke his bass drum, forcing the band to use a replacement.

The band’s 2023 debut release, titled “The Gutter” (it’s considered an EP by some, depending on how strictly you define those terms), is a high-energy rock song. “Fish Don’t Fly,” originally from Autopilot, showcases the synth work of bassist and producer DJ Topgun, who uses them more extensively on their latest album.

These synthesizers have a really rich, full sound – unlike anything else you’ll hear. I even made up a word to describe it: ‘growdy’ – like a vintage, slightly rough sound, but with a positive energy. When combined with John Luther’s distorted guitar, they create a thick, immersive soundscape driven by the rhythm section.

“6 Pack and Cigarettes” is a classic song that feels like it could fit into any era. It has the energy of a Marc Bolan track, the catchiness of Britpop, or even something you’d hear from a modern band like Parquet Courts. Some songs just transcend time.

Dogma Society, an opening act for Alexsucks on this tour, put on a lively 40-minute performance. They played strong rock songs like “Mute” and “See It All,” and their energetic stage presence – the band members were playfully bumping into each other – really got the crowd going, even sparking a mosh pit.

The band clearly knew their influences, mentioning iconic DC punk groups like Minor Threat and Bad Brains. They then launched into one of their first songs, “Take My Hand,” which sounded a bit like Red Hot Chili Peppers, but with a raw, energetic edge.

The show kicked off with an unexpected band on Monday. Called Edward, this four-person punk group – led by a frontman also named Edward – claimed they’d earned their opening spot by beating Alex in a skateboarding competition. It was a fun story that fit the night’s welcoming vibe.

Whether it was intentional or not, Edward really maximized his 25-minute set, playing a fast-paced and energetic performance with generally well-structured songs. He also briefly climbed onto the Atlantis balcony and sang while standing dangerously close to the edge, which understandably worried the staff.

Despite the fall, he finished the song, jumped back onto the stage, and continued performing.

After taking off his jacket, Alex revealed a pink t-shirt – the same kind fans could purchase at the band’s merchandise stand. It was common for band members to remove their shirts during the sets, too.

I don’t think Lou Reed ever did that.

Alexsucks and Dogma Society are kicking off a tour this Tuesday in New York City. They’ll then head to the Midwest for shows in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis, before wrapping things up with a run down the West Coast, finishing in Los Angeles in late March.

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2026-03-10 17:00