Spot The Local Music Curmudgeon - Janury 31tst Edition

-A weekly blog where I highlight at least 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

OK. Well, last week, I actually did head out after all. By chance, I was able to catch the Saturday Secret Show and it was brilliant. Bright Men of Learning were smooth, The Ka-Nives were a hoot, The Dimes were peppy, and the sun was finally shining after 5 days! Being the first time to one of these things I can report back that the Shady Tavern is hella sweet, the sound is surprisingly good, and the vibe is all sweetness. Yadda Yadda. But screw all this jibber jabber and check out this video I made of most of the Ka-Nives set. No compressed Youtube Weaksauce here! (Link)

Right, well onward to a very Bittersweet weekend...


SPOTLIGHT - This Week Belongs to the Proletariat
Adieu Mon Ami

Thurs., January 31
Rockbox
The Final Farewell Blowout
with Gracie Chavez, Squincy Jones, Witnes, Dayta, & more
@ The Proletariat
Tonight is your last chance to get enjoy the long celebrated Thursday night institution known as the Rockbox at the Prolee. Now, I'll be the first to admit that my dance moves are, shall we generously say, painful. Therefore, by law, I am required to remain no less that 300 feet from any event that involves dancing. Be that as it may, my suckitude should be no gauge as to the worthiness of this weekly party. After all, Rockbox has been a mecca of excellent DJ action for the last four years so tonight is your last chance to get in on the sweet mixes, drinking , dancing, and sweating. Just don't embarrass us, ok?

*Fri., February 1
Fatal Flying Guilloteens, Whorehound, O Pioneers!!!, Cop Warmth
@ The Proletariat

I believe the word for tonight is Braaaah! Yup, a night of dudes with loud guitars in all its shameless varied glory. Cop Warmth will bring the spastic epileptic seizure Braaaah! Oh Pioneers!!! will bring that special Eric and Chris Braaah! (Yeah, they are their own Braaah!) Whorehound will crush you with their burley "I wouldn't mess with that dude" metal-esque Braaaah! And the Fatal Flying Guilloteens will close things out with their herky-jerky garage Braaah! If you don't know what I'm talking about, don't ask me because I'm writing this up all scattershot at work where I can find the time. The point is this - it is going to kick-ass like Chia Hui Liu in Master Killer. Except without the extensive Shaolin training sequences.

*Sat., February 2
The Fiery Furnaces, The Dimes, Hearts of Animals (7" pre-release), Elaine Greer
@ The Proletariat

Here is a classy way to go out, eh? New York's Fiery Furnaces closes the Prolee. That enough would be pretty sweet but dig this line-up. Local peppy pop gods the Dimes. Hell yeah! I don't know about you but I've been digging on their new material big time. If you missed out on their Grey Ghost entry, too bad for you is all I have to say. Then, before that, Hearts Of Animals will have copies of her long awaited Dull Knife records 7" debut. Sure the 7" is culled from her Gray Ghost entry and her brilliant CDR EP Lemming Baby (which, in my opinion, was the best thing to have come out of Houston in 2024) but hey there is nothing wrong with an HOA greatest hits is there? Of course, the time limits of a 7" means scholars will be debating for decades why their favorite songs were left off of this release. Also, opening is Elaine Greer who I've been psyched to see live so do be a dear Elaine and no 10 minute sets this time eh? I'll see everyone there.

Sun., February 3
Final Night of the Proletariat
No bands. No Shows. Just kickin' it Charles Bukowski style tonight. Come on down and drown your sorrow in the final hours of a dear friend.

ALSO THIS WEEK

Fri., February 1 -
Fired For Walking/Antarctica Starts Here
@ Rudyard's
Fired For Walking play unapologetic rock straight-up and no chaser which makes it an interesting pairing with the more spacey shoegazer stylings of Antactica Starts Here but, me, I prefer my shows a bit varied. Should be a good show.


Sat., February 2 -
H-Town Blues Festival,
featuring Shirley Brown, Marvin Sease, Latimore, Mel Waiters, Bobby "Blue" Bland, Sir Charles Jones, Jay Blackfoot, & Floyd Taylor
@ Reliant Arena
Bobby "Blue" Bland are the only three words you need to know. I remember the first time I had my ass kicked by Two Steps from the Blues! God that album Rules! Do they still have it at the juke box at Warren's? Damn makes me want to go get a martini about now! Oh and one last thing - it's always fun to say "Latimore"!


Sat., February 2 -
Digital Underground
@ The Scout Bar (Clear Lake)
Ha!

Sat., February 2 -
Generator Show II, featuring
KdotT, Science Monsters Galore, Cop Warmth, The Alsace Lorraine, Buxton, Giant Princess, & Blades @ Sylvan Beach Skate Park (La Porte; free)
Holy crap, this is going to rule! Were the Proletariot not going down this would be my pick of the week. No club - just a skate park in La Porte with a generator for power and a bunch of great bands. Freaking genious!


Mon., February 4 -
Benjamin Davis Murphy/Papermoons
@ Boondocks
I'm assuming BDM is DJing? Or is he doing his solo stuff ala his Grey Ghost? I don't know but it should be cool. His work - be it with current bands like Bright Ment On Learning or former bands like Panic in Detroit - is always tops. The Papermoons are also on the bill and their live shows are just as great as their single.

Tues., February 5 -
Nina Nastasia
@ Rudyard's
New York's Nina Nastasia does some lovely acoustic work that is worth noting here even if it is on a Tuesday night. Should be very chill and cool.