SHOWS OF NOTE THIS WEEK

WED:Snowden/Colour Revolt (House of Blues)
THU:The Black Angels/Brothers and Sisters (Granada)
THU:Scarily Terrible/Peace Corpse/Falkens Maze/Farah (The Cavern)
FRI:Centromatic (Dan's Silverleaf)
FRI:Night Game Cult/Silk Stocking/White Bitch/Violent Squid (Rubber Gloves)
FRI:Marked Men/Teenage Cool Kids/Total Abuse/Back Stabboth (715 Panhandle)
SAT:Strawberry Fields Last Concert at Oak St. Location
SAT:Dub Assembly (Green Elephant)
SAT:Female Snake/Division of Power/Rocket for Ethiopia (Exploding House)
SAT:Margot and the Nuclear So and So's/Matthew and the Arrogant Sea/Red Monroe (Rubber Gloves)

First things first-- I know we've been a bit light on features over the past 10 days or so, but we have a number of things in the works that you'll see next week, including local record reviews and various other features. But we won't spoil the surprise. We're taking Monday off, but we'll be back Tuesday morning. Things to do in Dallas when you're hipster:

FRIDAY

Strawberry Fields' Denton Deluxe Vol. 1 with Nouns Group | Fight Bite | J Gray | Florene | Verulf | Violent Squid | Peach Street Gang | RTB2 (Rubber Gloves)
Man, what a show.  It should be said first and foremost that it is sad to see Strawberry Fields dissolve as a live music venue.  After the end of what seemed to be the most recent golden age of Denton DIY with the demise of Secret Headquarters, Strawberry Fields really stepped up and became a great spot to see show, as well as functioning as a community center of sorts.  But I suppose if the place has to go, they couldn't do so more appropriately, with three solid local shows starting tonight.  Featuring quite a bit of musical diversity, tonight's show should give a little something to everyone.  Lately, I've been particularly interested to see where Florene goes, as the solo work of Gavin Guthrie has indicated that the band might be taking a more adventurous yet accessible IDM/synth oriented route to wherever it is they are trying to go.  Be sure to get there early to see what Violent Squid might cook up as well. 

Age of Disinformation (Bath House Cultural Center): The highlight of the 2008 Bath House music fest, Age of Disinformation is a local improv supergroup of sorts, featuring members of Akkolyte, The Great Tyrant, Zanzibar Snails, Vorvadoss, Aphonic Curtains, and the Tidbits.  The Bath House Cultural Center is located at 521 E. Lawther Dr. near White Rock Lake.  The "suggested" donation is $5, but if you ain't got it man, it's all good.  No one will bug you about it.  I've never been to this place before, and I'm interested to check it out.  Should be a fun show... is this thing BYOB I wonder?  I'll try to find out.

The Utah Saints (Lizard Lounge)
The Utah Saints come back to town for the second time in about a year.  The Saints were probably the most important precursor to 90's English "Big Beat" like Prodigy and Chemical Brothers, bringing a big stadium, almost rock band approach to house music that, for better or worse, served as an indicator that dance music could be mass marketed in a manner similar to rock music.  This isn't to imply that there is anything inherently pandering, commercial, or compromised in their sound, however, and if you're interested in that semi-progressive late 80's/early 90's pop oriented house sound, then seeing them at Lizard Lounge will probably be fantastic if you can somehow make the douche bags and 90's rave cultural burn-outs disappear from your field of vision for the duration of the show.  Otherwise, you might want to be prepared for some gross outs.

Bavu Blakes and the Extra Plairs | D Madness | Verbal Seed | Element 7D (Liquid Lounge)
You know how when Antony sings, especially on the new Hercules and Love Affair disc, he tries to sound like a black house diva?  Well Bavu Blakes' main background singer sort of sounds like that, and it's pretty sweet.  Neva Dug Disco and Vigilante have been hyping this show for a couple weeks now, and I'm sure their crews will be out in full force like usual.  Bavu is certainly an adequate MC, and his beats are fairly tight as well, if a bit been there done that.  Some of Austin's Element 7D's funk/electro fueled beats are pretty worth checking out too.  Pretty chill show overall, although I'm not sure if it's worth going to Liquid Lounge to experience.    

Yanari / Mirror People | Dirty Water Disease (Red Blood Club)
OMG don't bring the kids to this one LOL :-) !!

SATURDAY

Ladyhawk | Neva Dinova | Thrift Store Cowboys (Hailey's)
Jagjaguar's Ladyhawk sort of sounds like what happens when a term like "indie" rock becomes... oh Christ, I'm just too tired.  Let me state it another way: just go watch an episode of 120 Minutes from 10 years ago and imagine what would happen if American "indie" rock hadn't progressed one bit for an entire decade other than the fact that people now equate having an organ and a few whirls and screeches to "being a little experimental" and kind of sounding like Spoon.  Repeat this process until you fall asleep or start listening to Band of Horses or something.  Neva Dinova, an Uncle Tupelo raiding alt country band from Omaha sounds exciting in comparison.  Get it?

Skate Jam with the Party, Tommy Boy and DJ Lissa Monet (Red Bird Skate Land): Pretty interesting idea from Central Booking, as they bring their party to a skating rink and invite Toronto's Lissa Monet, who will be playing a lot of 90's stuff apparently.  Oh, and if you are completely uncool and still haven't checked out one of the best local dance mixes I've heard during my entire time doing this blog, click here and discover Tommy Boy, as he'll be doing videos and such for this show.  The rink is located at 1206 N. Duncanville Rd. in Duncanville, and shit goes down until 330AM.  

Strawberry Fields' Denton Deluxe 2 with Kaboom | Street Hassle | Deep Snapper | Eat Avery's Bones | Delphi | Zanzibar Snails | The International (Rubber Gloves)
Another solid line up for Strawberry Fields.  I've actually been digging a couple Street Hassle songs lately too, and I haven't had the chance to check them out live.   

Silver Pines | Tonite Tonite |  Rival Gang (Swiss House, 3114 Swiss Ave)
Starts at 11 and bands play on the hour.  BYOB and $5, usually a keg at the beginning of the night.  Rival Gang goes on at 1, so I guess I posted this backwards.  Oops. And PS-- is that REALLY what Tonight Tonight sounds like?  Ouch.  UPDATE:  Ouch indeed.  I was just informed that I linked to Tonight Tonight instead of Tonite Tonite.  Thank God.  Fixed.
Nouns Group | The Angelus | Darktown Strutters (Chat Room)
Darktown Strutters don't have a Myspace page, but they are apparently a duo that combines minor key organs with live electronic drums played by Wes from Faux Fox.  They have a new release out on Asex Tapes as well.  

Fleas and Lice | Mouth Sewn Shut | Human Struggle | Warcola (Red Blood Club)

SUNDAY

The Kills | Dax Riggs (House of Blues)
Dear House of Blues, please don't make me walk through your gift shop to get to a show.  Thanks ya'll!  

Positive Education with DJ G | Walter Jones | Luke Sardello (Minc): Positive Education is a monthly event in which groups of DJs get together to spin tunes that they describe as not adhering to dance music's rather rigorous dictates as to what happens to be "in" and "out" of style during a given season. The even numbered months bring in one group of DJs and focus on techo, house and italo, while the odd months, such as May, feature DJ G and company spinning disco, funk, soul and jazz. Luckily, disco and funk happen to be all the rage in hip dance circles these days, so this should be a good evening whether you follow the latest trends in electronic music or not, particularly since this ISN'T a school night.

Silk Stocking | Violent Squid | The Mad Scientists (Dan's Silverleaf)

Mark Sultan | Bad Sports | The Lash Outs (Rubber Gloves)
Mark Sultan's 2007 release (and the first under this alias) "The Sultanic Verses" was pretty well received, even by people who don't like garage rock. It's understandable, as there is something more authentic than cartoonish about his music when compared to others in what some refer to as the "Stillborn Genre." He really started to get attention with King Khan & BBQ Show after operating under various pseudonyms. I would go into all of the other names he's played under, but I just don't have the time, even if I had all day.

Lost Generation (Fallout Lounge)

Lymbyc System | Florene | Top Secret...Shhh (Lola's)
Lymbyc System partly hails from Austin, which for better or worse has a long history of tepid, borderline experimental groups that meander more than they ever fully arrive at a satisfied sonic conclusion. Not always a problem or even the point but man, Austin has always had a lot of it. Depending on who you are, this is a good show to either watch the band and concentrate sternly, or converse really loudly for four hours. Your call.

80's Night with DJ G (Hailey's)
I'm just going to start using this space to talk about records I bought since everyone complains that we always list 80's Night. I was at this flea market recently and found a little stack of Giorgio Moroder (including the Oakey collab) shit, played out I know, but at two dollars apiece it was totally worth it. Also, a Divine 12-inch for the same price. Finally, the MVD reissue of the Target Video Flipper tape rules. Yes, I know how impressed you are, you don't have to tell me. If DJ G wants to start sending us a little list every week, we'd love to post it and I'll shut up.

Next weekend is the CADD Art Fair, get ready! This weekend, check out a couple of openings and closings in between stuffing your face with memorial day hot dogs. A little class would do your sloppy ass some good.

TODAY

El Franco Lee II (Angstrom)
Be sure to check out these chaotic paintings from the recent recipient of the Artadia Award.

SATURDAY

A Walk in the Rain: Edwards, Abrahms and Stone (Haley-Henman)
I've never been to Haley Henman, but this looks like it has potential.

CLOSING

JMW Turner (DMA)
Extended another week.

Kehinde Wiley (the Modern)
See it. Don't argue. Just do it.

David Bates (Dunn and Brown)

The Police/Elvis Costello (Starplex)
I've probably said this before on here, but I feel inclined to say it again-- I have honestly never really enjoyed a single thing Elvis Costello has ever done aside from his collaborations with Burt Bacharach a number of years ago. I couldn't even tell you why exactly, but Costello is one of those artists that I've never been able to connect with in any meaningful way at all. I'm sure a lot of people reading this do not share my view, but I find most of his music to be quite boring, even his "cool" early output, and no one has ever been able to change my mind. Sorry. Anyway, The Police apparently sold over 2.5 million tickets on their last tour (2007), making it one of the most successful tours of the year anywhere. And with tickets starting at $55 and going all the way up to $250 in most locations, I'd have to guess that the thing Sting can't stand losing... is money.

It's What We Get (Hailey's)
This will be Alan Palomo's last appearance in Denton with It's What We Get, as he'll be moving to New York for the summer to begin his new musical projectbefore a permanent move to Austin later in the summer (a move that was one of the major forces behind the break up of Ghosthustler, apparently). Tonight's show will also feature a guest set from Keith P. Stop by and say goodbye to homeboy.

Fishboy | Amo Joy | Daneil Folmer (J&Js)
This is a welcome home show for Fishboy.

Taxi Fare (Zubar)

The Scoop (Fallout Lounge)

'Twas a bad day for the Myspace player to be down, but it was. I'll tell you what I know.


Capsule | Furnace | Hide And Secret | Trifle Tower (715 Panhandle)
One of a couple of punk shows in Denton tonight, with this one especially heavy on the Skramz, both local and touring. For those that might not know, Skramz is what we say since this word has so much baggage attached to it. Trifle Tower is your best bet as far as local groups in this genre.


Test Patterns | The Wax Museums | Bad Sports | Vacation (Rubber Gloves)
Much more light-hearted and garage-y punk show with some newer bands I've been hearing a lot about. Bad Sports is fronted by Orville Neeley, formerly of Chief Death Rage and I've been meaning to post the above video for months. Vacation is another young band with members of Bad Sports, Wax Museums, and the celebrated Marked Men. Somewhat unexpectedly, Denton seems to be known for its garage punk as much as anything else. A lot of these groups tend to sell a lot more records nationally than locally, which is ideal yet confusing. Looking forward to hearing a proper full-length from The Wax Museums.

Deep Snapper | Mother's Anger | The Delta Block (J and J's Pizza)
I like the selflessness of these benefit shows, but there is something about the hippie presentation that weirds me out sometimes. I mean, if I show up to J and J's tonight is someone going to slip some sort of mysterious gnome-related tincture into my root beer? Proceeds go to Oklahoma tornado victims and Deep Snapper already has a new record out soon.


The Physics Of Meaning | Binary Sunrise | Your Midway Host (The Cavern)

Gazelles | Dignan | All Get Out (Hailey's)

Gazelles is an indie pop group that's been around for years now, but you might also recognize one of the members from It's What We Get.

Disqo Disco (Fallout Lounge)

Liars | Colourmusic (Lola's)
I'm sure there isn't anyone reading this who doesn't already know Liars, and since they aren't touring behind new material or anything, I'll just say "hey, there's a Liars show in Ft. Worth tonight." Yes, they are currently touring HUGE venues and HUGE stages with Radiohead, so this will be a chance to see them in a venue that is much more suited for what they do. They've been very good every time I've seen them live, and I would be surprised if tonight was any different.

Efterklang | Slaraffenland | Mom (Hailey's)
Solid show at Hailey's featuring Efterklang, a Danish group who I've seen compared to everyone from Max Richter to Godspeed to Sigur Ros to Mum to Steve Reich.

Cool Out (The Cavern)
Schwa and Big J will be celebrating the one year anniversary of Cool Out by purchasing 100 drinks for all their regulars. I'm guessing it is first come first serve as far as that goes. Aside from a few off nights here and there, Cool Out has been a huge surprise over the past year, somehow figuring out a way to maintain a sizable and loyal crowd at, uh, the Cavern... on Monday nights. Yeah, what the hell, right? If you haven't ever been, this should give you some indication as to just how good these guys are at what they do. This should be one of the better nights to go for sure.

Attractive and Popular | No Way(Rubber Gloves)
The obvious highlight here is No Way, a project featuring Shane English and Lars Larsen.

The Physics of Meaning | Gavin Guthrie | Verulf (1919 Hemphill)
Perhaps if you're heading to Ft. Worth for the Liars show at Lola's, you might be interested in stopping by 1919 first to check out the solo work of Gavin Guthrie, a member of Florene, as well as Verulf, which ti me is still the best project associated with Matthew and the Arrogant Sea. I often wonder why Verulf doesn't get a little more attention.

RECYCLED TOP SALES AND NEW ARRIVALS

1)
Florene - Florene
Record Hop - Record Hop

2)
Brave Combo - Polkas for a Gloomy World
Doug Burr - On Promenade
Shaolin Death Squad - Shaolin Death Squad
Stumptone - Gravity Suddenly Released

New Arrivals:

Deep Snapper - Into the Ugly
"Bourbon Street Blues" (featuring Karen Foster)
Matthew and the Arrogant Sea - Kenjiurada

GOOD RECORDS LOCAL TOP SELLERS

1. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah
2. Mom - Little Brite
3. Faris Nourallah - Problematico

GOOD RECORDS OVERALL TOP 20

1. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
2. Black Angels - Directions to See a Ghost
3. Portishead - Third
4. Old 97's - Blame It On Gravity (Ltd.)
5. Old 97's - Blame It On Gravity
6. Murry Hammond - I Don't Know Where I'm Going But I'm On My Way
7. Ratatat - Shiller/Maholo 7"
8. Last of the Shadow Puppets - Age of Understatement
9. No Age - Nouns
10. Santogold - Santogold
11. Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords
12. Duffy - Rockferry
13. Pattern is Movement - All Together
14. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Lie Down In the Light
15. Animal Collective - Water Curses
16. Boris - Smile
17. Dark Meat - Universal Indians
18. Samamidon - All Is Well
19. We Are Scientists - Brain Thrust Mystery
20. Jamie Lidell - Jim