We've talked about the lineup, interviewd the organizer, and even talked to a couple bands. Now we want to give you the chance to hear what's coming our way with some MP3 previews of a few DAM Fest bands. The music staff got together, divied up the lineup, gathered some files together and is now serving up brief breakdowns of a few bands D.C. will play host to this weekend. If you've got some insight on any of these bands, let us know.

Oranges Band
When the DAM! Lineup first came out, the most appetizing show appeared to be Thursday’s DC9 quadruple bill. Human blog barometers Cold War Kids might be getting the most press right now, but Baltimore’s Oranges Band are who really caught my eye. An endorsement from Craig Finn of The Hold Steady certainly sweetens their pot, but these guys could easily do it alone. Their stuff runs the gamut from Big Star to twee pop to the best of the Rainbow Quartz label’s revivalist psych. Roman Kuebler’s winsome melodies and nostalgic lyrics – clever when you can actually pick up what he’s saying, just plain pretty when you can’t – tie everything together. I haven’t heard a better album from a local band than their recent, wonderfully crafted LP The World and Everything In It. The safe money says their live show doesn’t disappoint either.

Bellflur
Joining Oranges Band (and CWK, and Soft Complex) on Thursday at DC9 is Wilmington’s Gaithursburg's Bellflur. Resurrecting Radiohead’s damaged guitar work with an ear for hooks and a more prominent wall of noise, the ‘Flur have “punishing live act” written all over them. Should make an interesting bill, sandwiched somewhere between torch-bearing, “conservative” alt rockers (Cold War Kids) and stately guitar pop craftsmen (Oranges Band), but diversity’s still supposed to be a good thing, right?

Forget Cassettes
Forget Cassettes hails from Nashville, Tenn. -- best known as the Music City. But don't expect honky-tonk piano solos and songs about "loving bars" from this three piece. Forget Cassettes' songs are moody, musically complex and interwoven with tales of love and loss. On top of that, we've heard members Beth Cameron, Jay Leo Phillips and Aaron Ford put on a volatile stage show.

The Gray Kid
Whether gaining notoriety through his charasmatic live performances, or becoming infamous from his hilarious "SexyBack" spoof "PaxilBack" on YouTube, the Gray Kid is fast becoming a name that people are recognizing. Combining pop, hip hop, soul, and excellent lyricism, this native DCer has just put out his first LP ...5,6,7,8 that is gaining national acclaim with indie rockers and hip hoppers alike. His catchy beats, strong melodies, crooning falsetto and amusing lyrics should be enough to bring some DC-ites into his fan-club as well this Thursday night at the Rock & Roll Hotel.

Travis Morrison
Since the dismembering of The Dismemberment Plan in 2003, Travis Morrison has continued on with his music as a solo artist, record producer, church choir member and currently as front man for his new band, Travis Morrison and the Hellfighters. No matter where he plays or with whom he shares the stage, his love for DC remains in both his lyrics and frequent return visits. DCist Hemal interviewed Morrison back in 2004, post break-up and DCist Jason pondered the true meaning of Pitchfork's lambasting of his first solo work this spring, and this Friday he’ll be back at the Rock & Roll Hotel, center stage once again with his very Ben Folds-sounding vocals. If you’re a Death Cab fan then you’ll certainly want to be there, as Travis spent many a day playing with Ben Gibbard both on tour an in the studio. It’s home grown indie rock at its finest.

Longwave
Originally known as “The Deaf Aides,” (a Beatles reference?) Steve Schiltz and his band have gone through many changes since 1999. Their big break came with the release of their second album, The Strangest Things, with the help of Dave Fridmann who has produced and worked with many big name bands including The Flaming Lips and Weezer. If they’ve toured with The Strokes, and they sound like The Strokes, does that make them The Strokes? No, Longwave may share the same raw guitar driven sound of their New York City peers, but they have a style all their own that’s a bit more mellow and vocally diverse. Catch them this Friday at the Rock & Roll Hotel.

The English Department
They may be slightly pale, the may be decked out in sweaters and ties, but appearances aside, The English Department wants to rock your socks -- not grade your papers. Cast aside all visions of add/drop forms and freshman writing seminars, the Brooklyn based band is offering "Nerd chic and big rock hooks to the Masses" when it plays the Velvet Lounge this Friday. Comprised of Brothers David (Vox, Guitar) and Justin (Bass, Vox) Wallace join and Brett Thorngren (Drums, Vox), this three piece probes serious themes without losing its humor, going for the personal to the political.

And for those bands we haven't gotten to yet, check out what DCist has said in the past about:

-Cold War Kids
-The Soft Complex
-Olivia Mancini and the Housemates
-Let's French
-Laura Burhenn
-The Opposite Sex
-Exit Clov

Compiled by Graham Hough-Cornwell, Matt Sedlar, EK Eckert, Chris Snyder, Salima Appiah-Kubi and Amanda Mattos