FRIDAYGonzalez Brothers with Sarah Alexander, Nevada Hill and Bobby Taylor (Kettle Art, 9PM)
Kicking off at 9pm, this all star cast of musicians will play on the last evening of the eNeRGy exhibit at Kettle Art, and it will be your last chance to pick up the accompanying book featuring the work of artists Sergio Garcia, Richard Ross, and Mark Nelson. There will be a book signing at 8:00 PM and music at 9:30 featuring the Gonzalez Brothers accompanied by Bobby Coaxe, Nevada Hill, and Sarah Alexander. Considering that these are some of the most extreme and unconventional local musicians currently playing, or musicians period, that I know of, it should be an expectedly intense performance and well worth your time.
El Ten Eleven | The Boat Lights | Slider Pines (the Cavern)Fungi Girls | Scoff | Electric Vengeance (Cleburne Skateland)
Cleburne Skateland.... shit, I wonder what that place is like? I can just picture James Van der Beek saying "I don't want your life" in his fake Texas accent while a bunch of evangelical Christians skate around in circles wondering aloud whether any of tonight's bands feature any "queers." I hope they do, because that shit would be funny. Anyway, we first noticed Cleburne's Fungi Girls a few weeks ago when they were playing a show in Denton, and we really liked what we heard, like a lot. Like, take a listen to the insanely catchy lo-fi slop punk of "Into the Cosmos," available on their Myspace page. That song alone already makes me think that they could end up being one of my favorite bands in the area. I know this shit's in Cleburne, but it might be the best reason you'll ever have to go out there. Fun fact-- did you know that Cleburne had the exact same population as Dallas in 1900? Anyway, Fungi Girls. Keep your eye on them.
Uptown Fridays with Select (Zubar)
Swedish Teens | Stymie | The Uptown Bums | Ian Bangs (Rubber Gloves)
This is the Swedish Teens CD release party, but the Uptown Bums are the real highlight here.
Stumptone | The Unbearables | New Science Projects (Lola's)SATURDAYViking Moses | Golden Ghost | Daniel Bass (Muscle Beach, 907 Denton St.)
Nice show for Muscle Beach this weekend. Viking Moses is one of those groups that actually pulls off clever, quiet experimental folk (take notes, Denton bands) with a sound that might remind listeners of Adrian Orange, Little Wings, and even the softer moments of Karl Blau. So basically, PacNW stuff with a touch of southern soul. The group first made a name for themselves in 2004 with an appearance on Devendra Banhart's Golden Apples of the Sun compilation, which came to be the defining document of what later became known as "freak folk." Fortunately, Viking Moses stands the test of time a lot better than their freak folkie Ms. Havisham, and seeing them at a small house like this is certainly the right way to do it.
Hands Up with Dj A1 (the Loft)The Faith | Blixaboy | Farah (Rubber Gloves)Magnets | Eyes, Wings and Many Other Things (Mountain House, 5320 Tremont)
This is Swiss House Evan Horn's new pad. The show is free, and guy usually has pretty good parties... even when the bands are a little... eh? Oh, and Eyes Wings and Many other Things? Worst band name of the week! However, they are clearly the better band on this bill.
The Theater Fire | Peter and the Wolf | Some Say Leland (Chat Room): I kinda like Peter and the Wolf, even though I don't really want to.
Decemberfest feat. Gun Gun/Handbrake/Isaac Hoskins/Kaboom/Shiny Around the Edges/Rival Gang (Dan's Silverleaf): Shiny Around The Edges are the organizers of this annual showcase that includes baked goods from a group of folks that can barely restring a guitar. Just joking, Kaboom! Actually,
most of the food last year was surprisingly great. Though this is a tightly packed show with bands going on at 9:30 sharp all the way until one in the morning, I trust that nobody but SATE front-couple Jenny and Mike Seman are more capable of getting this whole thing to run in a timely fashion. This diverse show boasts a good lineup with an equally good cause: The Denton Community Food Center. On a purely selfish note,I hope to see some Red Velvet or Hummingbird Cake but will probably eat one of everything no matter what. Schedule is as follows:
9:30 Gun Gun 10:15 Handbrake10:45 Isaac Hoskins11:30 Kaboom 12:15 Shiny Around the Edges 1:00 Rival Gang Denton Community Food CenterArt Conspiracy 4 with Sober | Mount Righteous | ATON | Chameleon Chamber Group (3011 Guiden Ln.)
I wonder if the Observer will write a review of this show where they describe Mount Righteous as "joyous." To quote Bruce McCulloch, "FUCK HAPPY."
SUNDAYthe Theater Fire | Peter and the Wolf | Delmore Pilcrow (Muscle Beach)