WHY? | Mt. Eerie | Fishboy (Granada)
First off I want to mention that Mt. Eerie is playing Good Records at 5:30, which is pretty much right now, so if you're reading this, leave the house right now and you might make it, as instores historically always run a little behind schedule. It will be an acoustic performance and a keg will be provided. I still have yet to warm up to WHY?, and it's no surprise since Anticon is a pretty hit-and-miss label in general. Well, what label isn't? Honestly, I guess it's been more miss than hit. But I got an unwelcome surprise to hear a slowed-to-a-slur cover of The Cure's "Close To Me" when I checked out their page today. It brought back nightmarish memories of white hip/rock pioneers 311 also unmerciful rendition of The Cure's "Lovesong." I will give WHY? credit for their Cure cover being several notches better than 311, as is the band itself. But perhaps they only win out for sometimes reminding me of another 90's rhyme rock casualty that was also better than 311: Cake.

Intelligence | The Wax Museums (Club Dada)
We were surprised to get the late word on this show yesterday, not to mention a little disappointed, only because it's a highlight for this week's calendar as well as the perpetually struggling Deep Ellum. Intelligence has mostly defied a cohesive or event coherent description from those that have experienced them, judging by the contradictory genre descriptions and summaries available online. What is repeatedly communicated (and is obvious in their recordings) is that their dedication to distortion and overdrive on every sound is so absolute, that they make what could be just your average guitar band sound otherworldly and wonderfully unnatural. The vocals are equally fuzzed, and delivered in the classic punk rock amalgam of sarcasm, apathy, and force. Recommended.

I also want to take a second to complain about the fact that an Austinite was trying to tell me that Wax Museums were a local Austin band this past weekend, and it really pissed me off. Okay, they play there all the time but it actually made me stand up for a place I don't necessarily claim and correct her: "No, they are from DENTON, TEXAS. Thank you very much."