Do you love rockabilly music but can’t stand the slicked-back, greasy look that often goes with it? Well, leave the pomade behind and check out the Hall Monitors, a band from DC.

The quartet that dons matching outfits “out of convenience,” according to drummer Mike Sullivan, perfects the retro-garage, rockabilly sound. It's bluesy, with an appropriate hint of R&B and, of course, rock roots. Singer/guitarist Sean Crowley’s rustic voice fits seamlessly over the music, while the group’s backup vocals complement his. It’s also a treat when Ginger Richards (vox/guitar) croons alongside Crowley. The two sound so flawless on “I Don’t Want No One Else” that when the song’s over after a mere minute and a half, you’ll probably press play again.

A side of the band that doesn’t have the chance to shine through the music—but is apparent in the bio and Q&A responses—is that the members are a witty bunch.

How’d they get together? The band members will tell you it happened after a drunken night in the District when Crowley, Mike Sullivan, and Matt Sullivan (bass) were beaten up by a group of Yankees fans. For some reason, the guys launched into a version of the Standelles’ “Dirty Water.” Their arresting officer, Richards, was impressed and asked them to start a band with her. The guys agreed only because they believed she was the love child of Ginger Baker and Keith Richards (is that even possible?). And the rest is history. (Okay, so that story might not be completely accurate. Get the “real” story after the jump.)

Unfortunately, the Hall Monitors don’t have any albums released yet, but interested parties can stream tracks on the band’s Web site and MySpace page. Or better yet, go to the band’s show tonight at the Quarry House in Silver Spring.

Members of the band discuss their dream tour, how they really came to be, and more in our Q&A.

Fleetwood Mac is going on tour for the first time in five years, and the group comes to the Verizon Center on Tuesday, March 10. Rumours, the band’s 1977 album that sold over 10 million copies, will be re-released in conjunction with the tour dates. Tickets ($49.50 to $149.50) go on sale Monday, February 15, at 10 AM.

British musician James Morrison is playing 12 shows in the US, the last of which is at the 9:30 Club on Thursday, February 5. Tickets ($15) go on sale Saturday, December 13, at 10 AM.

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Thursday, December 11:Free wine, anybody? Domasoteca, in Rosslyn’s Hotel Palomar, hosts a complimentary mulled-wine tasting from 5 to 8. For additional information, call 703-594-5104.

Drinking for the holidays and for charity? That’s certainly something we can get behind. It’s happening this evening at the Adams Morgan bar Bourbon, when Bartending 4 Change hosts a happy hour  to benefit Hands on DC; 6:30 to 8:30.

As January 20 draws closer, one of the topics being discussed is who’ll perform at the various inauguration balls and galas. Already, more than a few names have been thrown into the mix. There’s talk about Bruce Springsteen, a staunch Obama supporter, and Stevie Wonder, whom the President-elect called his “musical hero” in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine. Beyoncé has expressed interest in participating, which almost guarantees the presence of her hubby, rapper Jay-Z. Then there’s Bob Dylan, another Obama favorite, and Will.i.am, the man responsible for the “Yes We Can” viral video.

Recently, reports have surfaced about Shakira being contacted by the Presidential Inaugural Committee to perform—reports that have yet to be denied or confirmed by said committee.

Now, these all sound like solid choices, but aren’t we forgetting something? Or rather, two young someones? That’s right, we’re talking about first daughters Sasha and Malia—and we bet there’s no one they’d rather see perform more on Inauguration Day than the Jonas Brothers.

Then there’s the local angle to consider. After all, the new President will be spending the next four years in our city, so he should be familiarized with DC’s music scene. Inaugural committee, in case you’re wondering who’d fit the bill, we’d like to nominate the indie band These United States. C’mon, the name alone makes the band the perfect choice.

What do you think, dear readers? Tell us in the comments who should rock the inauguration!

The Moderate is a band. Yes, that’s obvious, but it’s also refreshing. On the album AM/FM, released last summer, the band plays like three interdependent parts that follow smalls bits of dissonance with great harmony. Ignoring trends of studio overproduction and wizardry, musicians Jim Dempsey, Drew Marks, and Mike Maloney instead rely on just an electric guitar, bass, and drum kit to make their rollicking sound.

Two parts North Carolina and one part Maryland, the Moderate sounds just like three friends creating a glorious racket. Imbued with the bare simplicity of the Black Keys paired with the looseness of the Grateful Dead, the band knows not all songs have to fit nicely into a 2½-minute package. The Moderate uses space. Each musician plays as if he genuinely appreciates the others’ musical prowess, and the listener can hear that interaction in each song.

“What do they know about rock and roll?” sings Dempsey as he strums his raw, tremolo-infused electric guitar in “Rock and Roll.” The track builds on a flat note and a volume that fluctuates between restrained and roaring to produce a sense of anticipation before its crowd-pleasing climax. Head-banging transitions by drummer Drew Marks and the steady pluck of bassist Mike Maloney provide the glue for a song that never outstays its welcome.

Britney Spears is making her comeback official by going on her first major tour in four years next spring. She performs at the Verizon Center on Tuesday, March 24. Her new album, Circus, was released Tuesday, and we’re guessing there’ll be three rings set up in the middle of the arena to go along with the circus theme. Tickets ($39 to $128) are available during the presale until 10 PM Friday, December 5. The regular ticket sale begins Saturday, December 6, at 10 AM. The presale password is “IHEARTBRIT.”

Pop operatic quartet Il Divo will perform at the Patriot Center Friday, May 8. American Idol’s Simon Cowell brought the four solo singers together in 2004, and since then they’ve sold out two world tours. Tickets ($59.50 to $129.50) for the Fairfax show of their latest tour go on sale Monday, December 8, at 10 AM.

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Thursday, December 4: It’s never too early to start listening to Christmas music! So head to the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage tonight at 6 to hear NPR’s Jazz Piano Christmas. Tickets for the 7:30 show in the Terrace Theater are sold out, but you can still see the 9:30 show, where pianists such as Ellis Marsalis, Rebeca Mauleon, and more play Christmas-song renditions. $45; get tickets here.

The annual Washington Jewish Film Festival kicks off with the US premiere of the Australian indie film Hey Hey It’s Esther Blueburger, featuring Toni Collette and Keisha Castle-Hughes, at the Goldman Theater. Tickets ($20) can be purchased at the door. The screening starts at 7.