Okay, this list is by DL, NM, and FP. The writeup on John Maus almost reminds me of something out of the old Rollerderby zine. Anyways, I'm sure I forgot something and I'm sure you'll remind me. Thanks to everyone who made my week easier, specifically, Shep and Josh at Rubber Gloves, Time Bandits, Vulgar Fashion, Kashioboy, and everyone that came out on Wednesday night. Sometimes I almost don't hate local music. (DL)
PS- Time Bandits re-opened today at noon and will be having a Grand re-opening soon.
FRIDAY
DJ Select and AV (Murray Street Coffeehouse) From 5 PM to 9 PM.
Stereo On Strike Atomic Party With Convextion | Phantastes | War Wizards (The Fallout Lounge): This is the first War Wizards show in years, featuring the talents of Atomic Party curator, Wanz Dover, along with the always crazed vocals and confrontational showmanship of Lars Larsen, who incidentally also plays in Phantastes. We should have a free War Wizards track for you in the "News" section, when I get around to it this weekend. Internationally renowned techno phenom Convextion also performs. I appreciate the fact that the Discogs bio for Convextion describes his hometown of Dallas as "unlikely." You don't say.(DL)
Will Johnson | Liz Durrett (Dan's Silver Leaf) Will Johnson makes music that has been around since the first time someone coupled an unkempt beard with a designer cowboy hat. Maybe it’s the fact that when anyone references his work, especially his lyrics, it is referred to as a “a masterpiece”; that has always rubbed me the wrong way. I just don’t hear it. I’m not saying every musical experience has to be a genre-bending-mind-fuck, but yeah, all relationships are doomed to fail, and you listened to The Eagles growing up. We get it. There is only so much one man can do with a gruffy voice, fuzzed out guitar, and confessional lyrics, and it had all been done by 1978. If you are looking for a poor man’s Son Volt, and I know a lot of people who are, then this is the show for you. (FP)
Old Snack | Ghost Owl | Thriftstore Cowboys (Hailey's): Pretty much picking up where Aaron White fronted power-pop act The Make Believers left off, is Old Snack, though the group has been shaved down to a trio, and therefore makes up for the extra space with extra speed and extra grit. I don't remember TMB being quite as dirty and amped; even the bass guitar sounds nastier. Listen for the subtle charms like taking an old Flamin' Groovies tune and over-driving past what should still qualify as "sounding good," but damn my damaged ears if doesn't actually achieve just that. Pretty sure this is one of those bands where the members actually all "like the songs." Weird. (DL)
Chairlift | John Maus | Sydney Confirm (Hailey's): God must have heard my creepy whispers and obsessive hopes, because this show is going to be the answer to many of my prayers. Strangely left off of Hailey's advertising, the reason why I wouldn't miss this night for anything is named John Maus. And he is the most delightful creature I've ever had the displeasure of not meeting.
My first introduction to Mr. Maus, sometimes-member of Haunted Graffiti and sometimes-keyboard-player to Panda Bear, happened on a tape deck of my friend's car as we were driving to Ikea. As a part of a mix that included complements such as Ariel Pink and Arthur Russel (because I can now only think of that tape as something surrounding him, adding to his music), John Maus' brooding, baroque, keyboard-induced melodies were sneaked into my life...which would in turn never be the same. When I got home and started to build my cheap shelves, I listened to every track I could find by him. For hours. I went to sleep that night thinking of his music. And woke up a firm fan. A follower. A convert.
His synth-ey songs are a very un-produced, echo-laden, and deep-voiced mixture of the soundtrack for a low-budget 70's sci-fi film, and a piece of classical organ/religious music circa Bach. His songwriting is beautiful, intelligent, shy, self-deprecating, at times violent and intensely humorous. "Love is Real," his only full-length album, released onUpset the Rhythm!but never in America, is completely wonderful from beginning to end. "Songs," a compilation of some of his earlier tracks, has tracks I've worn out from listening to them so much. Who can say no to "Maniac?" Or the video that goes along with it?
I'm not sure what makes someone into a "Mausketeer," but I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who's suffered the Maus effect. John's website, Mausspace, is full of us. People who judge their other friends by how they feel about Maus, who think can't pick a favorite Maus song because they're all so wonderful, who have thrown Maus-themed parties (including Maus cake), and people whose significant others genuinely fear abandonment if John ever took an interest in their partner. Basically, people who would scare John Maus if he met them in real life. And this Saturday, I would recommend everyone to make the leap into this type of thing.
Chairlift and Sidney Confirm should also be fun to watch. (NM)
Video | Yeah Def | BC The Dinosaur | Sans Soleil (Rubber Gloves): This looks like yet another great, free show, and a good place to hop scotch back-and-forth to between sets at Hailey's. Look both ways crossing Bell though, kids. Don't miss Video. (DL) Hot Flash with Genova | Schwa | Killtron (The Fallout)
Throw Me The Statue | The Brunettes | Nurses (The Cavern) Whoa, I got a suckerpunch of a listening experience out of Throw Me The Statues; my first thoughts were that someone took the dinky backing tracks of label-mates I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness, and paired it with some "Sweater Song"-styled vocals. That's probably the best thing I can say about this, because that's almost funny. I can't believe this band is on Secretly Canadian. I used to really like that label. And some of you wonder why We Shot JR covers grindcore shows. (DL)
Rise And Shine Records Benefit with Division Of Power | Negaduck | Scum Rush/Raging Boner | Zwounds (1919 Hemphill) Note: All proceeds from this show go towards putting out the first Negaduck seven inch. (DL)
Screening By Martin Iles: "The Apple" (Dan's Silver Leaf) Apparently this early Eighties musical predicted the future, which means I have to check it out because I hate the future. Oh, and it takes place in 1994, which certainly isn't the future, but I wish it was. (DL)
There is so much going on this weekend! Hooray for North Texas. I had to narrow it down quite a bit by cutting out a lot of the openings related to the DADA Gallery Walk. Hot Picks for the weekend are CentralTrak and 500X -- and maybe try to hit Dragon Street on Saturday afternoon and drink as much free booze as you can before getting back on the road. Tell 'em Richardson Heights sent ya. You could probably say that to the cop that pulls you over as well, as it'll make the same difference in either situation.
"The Gallery Walk features 33 of DADA’s member galleries, museums, and nonprofit art spaces throughout the Dallas metroplex that will be open from 2-8 pm for this FREE event that allows art lovers to socialize and roam (in a car) from gallery to gallery all in one day."
I hate when music writers have to tell you about how hard they partied last night, trying to somehow convince you that they are bad-asses instead of just overgrown nerds that spend too much time obsessing over the unbelievably unimportant minutiae of what college sophomores do in their parents' garage over the weekend. That being said, last night's show did take a lot out of me, and unfortunately as a result, I have to be rather brief.
Zanzibar Snails | The Annoysters | Welby | Wu Fru De Lu VS Space Dragon Killah (The Phoenix Project located at 406 S Haskell in Dallas): Welby is the solo project of "anti-music guru," Mark Church, who plays in The Watchers, and occasionally, Zanzibar Snails. This is a rather rare appearance by Welby, so be sure to catch it.
I've seen steadily employed local artist and Snails' founding member, Nevada Hill playing a cacophonic jumble of scrapes, streaks, and screeches on his electric violin, as opposed to guitar lately, and he seems to have embraced the treacherous instrument rather comfortably. The Annoysters and Muzak John are participants in the active Houston experimental/noise scene, which often centers around the wonderfully moniker-ed venue, Super Happy Fun Land. Zanzibar has an upcoming release entitled, "Vitiligo" on the Tape Drift imprint, while Wu Fru has a current release available from Asex Tapes.
Tweetup At The DMA (Tech Lab, Dallas Museum Of Art) From the event description featured on the invite: "Thurs 9/10, "Tweetup" at the DMA! Meet fellow Twitter-ers & participate in a Twitter Gallery Hunt! 6:30-8:30, Free!"
So, absolutely everyone and their mom is having an art opening this weekend. It's partly due to the semi-annual DADA gallery walk, but also lots of other stuff like the 500x member show. I haven't had time to process it all yet, and won't until later tonight, but I thought you should know about an important show going on tonight, September 10, from 6-8 PM at Dunn and Brown Contemporary.
"World-renowned artist Dale Chihuly and his team of installers from Seattle have transformed the 3,000 square foot Main Gallery at Dunn and Brown Contemporary into an immersive world of light and brilliant color. The exhibition will feature Chihuly’s signature Macchia, Seaform, Persian, Putti, and Basket glass works. In addition, three monumental installations of glass – Sunset Boat, Persian Wall, and Neodymuim Reeds and Clear Heron – will create a dazzling landscape in the darkened exhibition space."
Neon Indian | Vulgar Fashion | Kashioboy | Between Set DJ Performances by Time Bandits (Rubber Gloves) It was very kind of Neon Indian to agree to do this show before the beginning of their extremely ambitious world tour, and I'd just like to get away from the blinding hype for a moment to say that Mr. Palomo has proven himself a little different from most in whatever genre he's tackling, and this advanced copy of their upcoming record that I've been listening to all summer would still be every bit as good if it came without all of the extra media attention. I honestly believe that. There is an inevitable backlash whenever someone gets soaked in the blinding beams of the music industry's PR-powered searchlights, and an artist's or group's actual output can be overlooked in the tired arguments about undue credit VS undue criticism. My point is, you should try to look past that, and take Neon Indian, their record, and their live show at face value. There is a lot to process; the attention to detail in the Rundgren and "What A Fool Believes" references, the always bubbling synth parts, and the intriguing story of a generally dance-oriented musician making a comparably more straight-forward, guitar-laden, pop record and actually pulling it off.
I've heard good things about Vulgar Fashion's live show, and I'm still looking forward to seeing them after hearing their "Krystal" tracks, "Krystal Lies," and "Krystal Navy." Denton video game manipulator, Kashioboy also performs.
Note: Darktown Strutters unfortunately had to cancel due to equipment issues.
Uh Oh | Wiccans | Dark Forces | Collick (The Lion's Den located at 622 North Austin Street in Denton) Uh Oh are here from Wisconsin, and are a pretty important part of Milwaukee's punk scene as far as setting up shows goes, and have helped out some local acts in that ever-important underground hub, from what I'm told. It's always nice to return the favor, which is the likely story for the show tonight. There is a lot of variety in their music; some lazy vocals, some yelling vocals, while a jumbled variety of tempos keep things interesting. The only constant is that it tends to stay within the parameters of catchy (but not poppy) punk rock; albeit a type that doesn't suck, avoids the wrong cliches, and embraces the right ones.
The Lion's Den is the newest show-hosting house in Denton, and it's nice to see the place has taste. So often now days, the story is about the fact that there is a house show, as if that in and of itself is special. You know what else is special? When all of the acts playing aren't total shit. This show starts at 7:30 sharp. Please help the touring band along by paying five bucks instead of just trying to steal all the Steel...Reserve.
A couple of things I noticed today: Anyone who has ever had to book a show in Lubbock, TX has probably had to deal with a strangely charming trio called, The Numerators. They have also played locally, at both The Majestic Dwelling Of Doom, and Secret Headquarters. The group has a pretty diverse sounds and does everything from Half Japanese-styled noise-punk freak-outs, to calm instrumentals, and, of course, the ridiculous rapping-over-the-Ipod bit, that "hipster haters" love to bitch about. Anyways, they have a new track on The Fader website, which is a poppy, reverb-strangled number entitled, "City of Gold." This is one of the few times where I'm 100% behind a featured track on Fader, so I had to bring it up.
The Dandy Warhols (Good Records 6 PM, Free) This will be an acoustic performance by a band who has gotten a lot of mileage out of a terrible single, as well as misbehaving in an oft-discussed documentary. Expect to spend some time around more "casual" music fans, or hardcore overrated documentary aficionados.
There will also be a Beatles-themed party at Good tonight, celebrating the release of all of the remastered albums, which I find to be terribly interesting, as well as the release of The Beatles Rock Band game, which I find terribly uninteresting. It's actually much easier to learn to competently play those instruments than it is to try to figure out that warped, kiddie-toy shit. For the first time in my life, I truly understand my uncle's rage as he threw an NES controller across the room during a frustrating try at Excitebike, Christmas Day, 1985. Anyways, there will be free food, drink, and a prize giveaway. Classic, local Beatles cover band, Hard Night's Day will also be appearing. The Warhols perform later in the evening with Spindrift at The Granada.
90's Night With Yeah Def (Hailey's) Hey, everyone. Here's a special message from Yeah Def about tonight's performance (via Facebook) "wrote a lil rhymey to promote tonight: 9pm tonight. its 90's night. every tuesday bub. @ hailey's club. please come early and enjoy discounted drinks. please stay late and dance out the kinks."
Good work, Mr. Def. Reminds me of a certain Hollywood MC's repeated rhyme of the word "West."
By Defensive Listening, Nite Maus, and Frank Phosphate.
FRIDAY
Sleep Whale | Dust Congress | Geistheistler | New Science Projects | Emil Rapstine (Rubber Gloves): As Rubber Gloves Free Week pushes on with the intensity of a first-time mother, the lineup for today looks like a nice complement to a good southern afternoon. Sleep Whale, previously known as Mom, is an always engaging opener. Even my mother--yeah, I know--liked them...she'll be sad they changed their moniker. It was pretty catchy.
Dust Congress, which boasts members who have dipped their fingers in The Baptist Generals', Jandek's, and Shearwater's puddings, is probably my favorite item on the list, and one that I'd like to catch.
The tempo picks up a bit with New Science Projects, who unfortunately rely on a bit of the Oberst-ian, emotionally overwrought approach, though their live show could be redeeming.
The bill also features noise-improv act, Geistheistler and a solo set from Emil Rapstine. How can Emil be in two places at once? I guess now I've seen it all.(NM)
The Angelus | Tre Orsi | The Hope Trust (Double Wide): These bands all sound fine, are populated by able musicians, and usually put on good shows. They also all kind of sound like serious, respectable, guitar-rock bands, with shades of groups past; one act respectively mining from the Swans' latter and prettier, era, and the following pulling from either the epic "Cortez The Killer," or folksy "Comes A Time" side of Neil Young. I have seem them all enough to never really need to seek them out on purpose again. They're all the pride of the North Texas local music media and who they keep being proud of, again and again. So, hurrah. The Double Wide's regular crowd kind of turns me off of anything going on there anyway. But good luck to Angelus band members to getting from Fair Park to Denton in one swift car ride (See Above). (NM)
I hadn't heard Tre Orsi's cover of "Insomnia" until today. Excellently subdued version. (DL)
Black Fridays featuring Unit One and Disqo Disco (Fallout Lounge) New weekly at The Fallout which features all the Waves; Cold, Dark, and of course, New. Also classic Industrial, Goth, and Post Disco. For a generously comprehensive overview of what will be playing, download this mix featuring everyone from Xymox, The Cure, and the one-original-song-discography-powerhouse, Q Lazzarus.(DL)
Screening: "Amercian Hardcore"/"Valley Girl" (1919 Hemphill) "American Hardcore" Starts at 7 PM, 30 Minute Blue Sky Soda break, and then "Valley Girl."(DL)
Absu | Solitude Aeturnus | Averse Sefira | Hod | Violent Intentions (Ridglea Theater): Plano Black Metal legends Absu play a rescheduled show that was originally supposed to be at Trees. Yet another group that is more known outside of DWF than they are around town. Is it any wonder? Dallas is a place where you get writers who are more into the "Seven Habits of Highly Successful Manager's" than anything involving artists or musicians, writing about music. Them's the breaks. (DL)
Group Exhibition: "Character Building" with work by Rick Fuentes/Daniel Bennett/Jessica Fuentes/Eddie Burrell/Thomas PH/David Degrand/Emily Donjuan/Matt Hogan/Diana Urbino/Billy "chickenbilly" Hayes (The Firehouse Gallery located at 4147 Meadowbrook Dr in Fort Worth) Musical performances by Yanari, Pff(f)t!, and Hentai Improvising Orchestra.
Leatherwood | Daniel Folmer | The Bad Press | Giggle Party | Reinventing Jude | The Hand Combine | Young & Brave | Rio Rasco | The River Mouth | Western Giants | Hard Times | Lazy Native | Manned Missiles | Yeah Def (The Schoolhouse): DayBowBow.net's host or “teacher,” as the flier for its upcoming show states, has done a good job of educating the public on a large number of relatively unknown bands. The site has featured daily listings this past week with some brief artist bios for Saturday's gargantuan all-day house show. The eclectic shindig promises a bizarre mix of bands, which is cool, I guess, for a quasi-inaugural show. Not quite sure why the theme has to be Fight Night and not something with a slightly more positive tinge to it, but I'm always supportive of a new DIY venue and hopefully over time it will find its niche, 'cause this show is going to be all over the place.
I saw Giggle Party at one of their first shows and they annoyed the shit out of me beyond belief. Matching outfits, unison singing and high energy were harshing my mellow. Surprisingly a month or two later I viewed a really slick and humorous video for one of their songs and apparently ended up liking it. Their hyperactive indie pop sounds like it has been polished to the bone with sugar, coming across as a hybrid of Apples in Stereo and Frank Zappa, sprinkled with a little Gary Glitter singalong pomp. A band certainly worth checking out for its healthy sense of humor.
Leatherwood recall a Fairport Convention-esque British folk rock group who seem to be able to book a good amount of shows in the area. Not much that sets them apart from their ilk, but what is there is solid. Definitely worth checking out for you die-hard folkies if MATAS is too out there for you.
And of course it wouldn’t be a party in Denton without Yeah Def behind the MacBook. This fool is everywhere and has a potent talent for getting people moving. His sets are never my cup of tea but you've got to give the guy credit for putting in the hours. One time he even managed to play an hour worth of songs featuring "heaven" in the title, which is surely a talent in itself. Much like Giggle Party, don't take yourself seriously and hype yourself out the wazoo to ensure a guaranteed recipe for musical success.
