Spot The Local Music Curmudgeon - December 6th Edition

-A weekly blog where I highlight one show I definitely expect to attend (see *) and throw in a few more that I'd like to and might see given the money and the time.-

RECAP

Last Saturday was pretty hustle bustle. Sickish Fest 2 was quite nice. John Muzak kicked things off with a short and sweet set including a lovely deconstruction of Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit. A brief trip to see the Mathletes over at Rudz was well worth the hassle as any Mathletes show is a living personification of happy. Returning to the Prolee for Vaarg - A corpse paint alter ego of Mlee Marie (Hearts of Animals) - performing what could only be described a fog filled set of pure silliness. Balaclavas (pictured) followed with an amazing an impassioned set. "Own Me" was pure fury and energy. Great stuff! Glad we're profiling them for January's issue. A Pink Cloud's set was kind of a wash and to be honest it was kind of a disaster. I've seen great shows from APC but this one was not one of them. The sound was fine but for some reason the players never seemed to connect. Oh well, everyone has an off night. No worries they'll come back in spades.

THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT
Friday, December 7
The Dimes/ ((Sunset))/ Hearts of Animals
@ Sound Exchange
(7PM; free)
Goddamn another great Sound Ex Free show! The Dimes!!! What can I say that hasn't already been said. They are simply the high energy pop gods of Houston. Did you get their Grey Ghost last week at Domy Books? If you didn't, you totally missed out! I've been playing it endlessly in my car! Austin's Sunset do some nice simple pop but honestly I can't quite give it my full attention simply because I'm diggin on Hearts of Animals' Mlee Marie's Christmas Myspace profile. I recommend downloading them all and burning them for endless play. If you got a chance to read November's profile of Hearts of Animals come out and see what all the hype is about - you won't be disappointed.



ALSO THIS WEEK

Thurday, December 6
Krampus Day Celebration, featuring Larry and his Flask, Sophia Relentless, Caleb Fraid, Charlie McAllister, & Poopy Lungstuffing
@ Super Happy Fun Land
I'm recommending this totally on two acts - Charlie McAllister and Caleb Fraid. Charlie McAllister's "All the shit I dragged in" is glorious folky garage madness that I can't stop playing over and over again! Now if someone can tell me where I can buy his stuff I'd be ecstatic! Spring's Caleb Fraid plays some very clever indie catchy pop that has some potential.

Saturday, December 8 -
Secret Saturday Show, featuring several mystery bands & DJs
@ The Shady Tavern (1206 W. 20th St.; 12-5PM, free!)
You know the score - bands, DJs, and it's free. This week though there will also be a Gear-age sale being put together by Ben Murphy and Erik Bogle.

Saturday, December 8 -
Two Star Symphony / The Invincible Czars / Golden Arm Trio
@ Rudyard's
If the $20 price tag of last week's St. Thomas gig was a bit steep for you then this might be a bit more reasonable - bonus you can get smashed! Plus, aside from the lovely work of Two Star you get the bonus of Golden Arm Trio who also do some exceptional nuanced music as well- an excellent pairing.

Saturday, December 8 -
Jack Rose/Donald Miller
@ Live Oak Friends Meeting House
(1318 W. 26th St.; 5:15PM)
For More information see Nameless Sound
(Free but donation's are suggested)
Ex-Pelt guitarist Jack Rose has been churning out some glorious acoustic guitar work that will make you dust off those old Takoma LPs you have lying around and remember why you bought them in the first place. Scheduled to coincide with sunset this should be a pretty amazing event. Bummer I have family stuff.

Sunday, December 9
Tom Carter / David Dove & Jawwaad Taylor / Eat Grapes
@ Notsuoh
(9PM; $6)
Tom Carter has been one of Houston's most respected exports and now is your chance to hear some of his amazing solo guitar work. Trombonist Dave Dove is and has been one of Houston's greatest improvisational musicians and his performances are always inspiring. Opening will be Eat Grapes which is Tyler of Balaclavas' acoustic band. I saw him at last years Noise and Smoke and immediately grabbed a few of his CDRs - choice stuff.

Thursday Afternoon Update:
(Some other shows just announced. Sorry no time for links.)

Saturday, December 8th
Sabra Laval & Basses Loaded
@ Kelvin Arms in the village
begins at 10PM (Free!!)
Damn, another free show of note. Sabra is another one of those singer song writers (yes, it's sucky short hand given what she does but I'm doing this on my lunch break what do you want?) that everyone just loves raving about and with good reason. Basses Loaded are more than just a gimmick (3 bassists and a drummer) they also rip live with great songs.

Thursday, December 6th
The Delta Block, PLF, El Desmadre, The Squishees, Cop Warmth, Santa Catacha, Jody Seabody and the Whirls
@ The White Swan
begins at 9PM (Free!!)
I don't know anything about the other bands but PLF, El Desmadre, The Squishees, and Cop Warmth are reason enough to get over to the East side of town and drink beer out of one of those funny little plastic bottles.

Spot The Local Music Curmudgeon - November 29th Edition

-A weekly blog where I highlight one show I definitely expect to attend (see *) and throw in a few more that I'd like to and might see given the money and the time.-

Recap

Last week was all about friendship. I'm talking the band. If you went to Notsuoh last Thursday you were treated to manic chaos in the form of an 11 minute set by Friendship. Blades performed beautifully and Basses Loaded (left) proved that they are much more than a gimmick - they have great songs! For those who missed it, at the bottom of this blog is some really crappy video of the madness. Yeah, it's poorly lit and yeah the audio at times distorts to a screech but, so what, I still have confetti in my hair and a bruise on my arm from that show.


This Week's Double Spotlight: S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y NIGHT!

*Saturday, December 1
Sickish Fest 2: Holiday Hell
A Pink Cloud, VAARG, Balaclavas, John Muzak, MFK Kunst, TENSE
@ The Proletariat

*Saturday, December 1
Pong, The Mathletes
@ Rudyard's
Geez, does anyone have one of those Hermione Granger Time Turners? That or a Tardis. I don't know about you but I'm planning on club hoppin' this Saturday. First of you have Sickish fest II at the Prolee. A Pink Cloud always puts on an amazing show of textures and sound. Who will be playing with Domokos? Well see. VAARG is the black metal alter ego of Mlee (Hearts of Animals) and I believe Amye (Wols). If you are not scrrred you should be. Expect corpse paint and lots of screaming. Balackavas will be spotlighted in January for a damn good reason - they are doing amazing stuff. Not to make them sound derivative but to give you a ballpark I'd say their moody sound falls somewhere between Bauhaus and early Sonic Youth. John Muzak is well it's freaking John Muzak!! and two other bands I'd say something about except that myspace is blocked at work.

Meanwhile at Rudz (see poster) we have The Mathletes in full 10 piece glory. Their recent show at Dean's was pretty fun but I have to admit without Gie Gie the Mathletes lose something. To me she's the perfect foil to head honcho Joe Mathlete and for better or worse she's made "Animals" her song. So since she's performing that automatically makes it a must see. As if that isn't happy happy joy joy enough Austin's Pong will bring their crazy dancey music and lightshow extravaganza to everyone's favorite little bar. Oh kill me!


Also This Week

Thursday, November 29
Melt Banana, Dizzy Pilot, Cop Warmth
@ Walter's on Washington
Oh Melt Banana is always a kick. They are loud stupid jumpy nutters from Japan who make some of the most articulate chaos. Dizzy Pilot always puts on a solid show and they have a new EP out which I'm pretty psyched to hear. And Cop Warmth are a perfect opening act given their antics.


Friday, November 30 -
Two Star Symphony
@ Jones Hall (Univ. of St. Thomas campus)
I have to admit I've always loved the intimacy of a chamber music and Two Star has been doing some wonderful stuff. Friday's show at St. Thomas just stinks of coolness. They will be performing all of their compositions in a wonderful hall. Hey, I know you ain't got 20 bucks. Just go ask yr mom for the $20. I'm sure she'll give it to you happily when she finds out you aren't spending your Friday night in some beer soaked bar with all those low life friends of yours.

Saturday December 1
Secret Saturday Show
@ The Shady Tavern
Who is playing? I dunno. So far the lineups have been solid and it's free so quit yr. complaining!

Sunday, December 2
Satin Hooks,Ringo Deathstar, La Snacks
@ Rudyard's
I'm recommending this solely based on Satin Hooks. I'm not going to repeat myself. They are amazing live. End of discussion.


Monday, December 3
Balaclavas, Waterbabies, Cave, Triangle, Ceeplus, Perkol8r
@ Notsuoh
This looks to be a solid bill with spin masters Ceeplus and Perkol8r but I'm a bit confused. Lesse Balaclavas is playing Saturday and Cave is playing on Tuesday. Both good acts but twice in one week? Well I guess if you can't make the other two shows this would be a good way to not miss out.


Tuesday, December 4
Stevie Wonder
@ Toyota Center
Jeez it's Stevie Wonder. How can I not mention it. Don't play cool. You know you love the dude.


Tuesday, December 4
Clipd Beaks, Yip Yip, Indian Jewelry, Cave
@ The Proletariat
Attention promoters my band rehearses on Tuesday. Don't kill me with bills like this!!! Clipped Beaks, Cave and locals Indian Jewelry all promise to make your Wednesday morning hangover worthwhile.

The Afore Mentioned Friendship performance (part 1 of 2)