The bands in Burn to Shine: Washington DC 01.14.04 set up in a vacant bungalow that was going to be demolished and perform in the quaint living room at full volume, playing just one song each, for the camera's alone. The songs were recorded on a nice multi-track mobile recording unit and filmed in HD with multiple camera's, which gives the film an incredibly crisp, clean look and sound. Surprisingly perhaps, the bands actually rock like hell in this totally marginal, domestic environment: a tiny freezing cold room in front of an unlit fireplace on what turned out to be the coldest day of the year. Half of them are still wearing their coats and hats!

The performances are unrehearsed and exciting. Bob Mould sings 'Hoover Dam' with an acoustic guitar! Ted Leo, The Evens, Q and not U, Medications, and French Toast all play songs that have just been released or will be released within a month of Burn to Shine: Washington DC 01.14.04's release. All the filming was done on one day this last January 14th, in Bethesda Maryland just before the house was burned to the ground by the fire department. The film features footage of the burn and original music by Brendan Canty and French Toast.