Dig This: The Best of the Week
By David H
The results of artists attempting to make their way into town prior to the inevitable heat wave that we know as the neverending Summer, is upon us. Comedians, touring acts, and local shows that will gear us up for April showers, are in full swing. Below is how you should soldier out the last weekend in March.
On Wednesday, the pop punk stylings of Queens’ own Bayside will make their way into town over at Warehouse Live. On the heels of their sixth release “Cult,” the band is just as strong as they were when they began almost fifteen years ago. This is a show that will more than likely sell out, so grab your tickets prior to reaching the venue. The fast paced and Gorilla Biscuits sounding Four Year Strong will be in tow as well as Pennsylvania’s Daylight; who are hopefully as great as their most recent release “Jar” sounds. Ohio’s melodic and poppy Mixtapes will be opening the all ages show with a 7:00 door time a $16.50 ticket price in the studio.
On Thursday, you can make your way over to Montrose Proper for the monthly installment of Feelings & Friends starring Antoine Culbreath and Amy Birkhead. For those of you who weren’t aware, Birkhead is one of the creative minds behind Beta Theater, and a funny writer/performer. The Feelings & Friends performance is a sketch comedy that also features a revolving door of writers. Any fan of the genre and comedy in general should make it out for this show. Events like this, are proof that Houston’s comedy scene is still on the grow, and that it may be the most exciting time for comedy since the early 80’s. This month features the hilarious comedian Josh Brokaw, as well as Jim Meyers, and Cris Skelton. It carries a measly $5.00 cover, it’s BYOB, and it gets started at 8:00.
Of course, if sketch comedy isn’t your thing, you could head on over to Fitzgerald’s downstairs and check out the pop goodness of Seattle’s Odesza. The duo will be serving up tracks from the 2024 release, “My Friends Never Die” EP. If you’re a fan of CHVRCHES and Pretty Lights, then this is where you should be on the 27th. The trippy sounds of D33J and the surreal and jammy Kodak To Graph get things started with tickets going between $10.00 and $14.00. The doors are at 8:00.
You have some serious contenders for your time on Friday night starting with the hilarity of Chelsea Peretti over at Warehouse Live. The stand up is probably most known for her role on the Fox show “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” but she has been kind of everywhere your television can go. She’s been on “Louie,” “Kroll Show,” and done various voices for Adult Swim’s “China, Il;” as well as her own Comedy Central half hour special. She might be one of the funnier comedians Houston will get to host on this side of The Moon Tower Festival. Happening over in the Studio on the 28th, the tickets are a small $16.00 and the doors are at 7:30 for this all ages event that should cause your sides to ache with laughter.
Over at the Continental Club, the annual return of Southern Culture On The Skids will make their return for two nights. Their most recent offering, last year’s “Dig This” falls in line with the other great releases from the trio. For over thirty years SCOTS have been bringing their sweet version of swing meets country twang to fans around the world. This is a not to be missed show for anyone who’s been a longtime fan, or someone who’s just discovered them. The stripped down garage rock sounds of Austin’s The Frank Mustard Project get things started with a $15.00 cover.
The pop rock sounds of Austin’s What Made Milwaukee Famous will be back in town on Friday over at Fitzgerald’s. I’ve always really admired these guys with their Bright Eyes meets Wilco sound, and I can attest to their live performance being worth making it out for. Their 2024 release, “You Can’t Fall Off The Floor” was a collaborative effort, but just as sharp and creative as pretty much anything else that came out in the year. The Americana goodness of Houston’s creative and inventive Second Lovers will be onboard as well, and are definitely worth getting there early for. Their most recent release, “New Mexico” is definitely worth a listen, and a purchase if you’re kind. Seriously, these guys have that Uncle Tupelo vibe that everyone should catch in person at least once. The New Mercies open things with 8:00 doors and tickets falling between $10.00 and $13.00.
There’s also the Deltron 3030 show on Friday over at House of Blues. This is a pretty solid lineup for anyone who’s a fan of hip hop. Da Lench Mob’s Del The Funky Homosapien brings hip mad flow rhymes atop the genius of Dan The Automator featuring the turntable skills of Kid Koala; presented as Deltron 3030. This should be a seriously tight show for any hip hop fan with an 8:00 door time, and tickets ranging from $22.50-$25.00.
On Saturday, you can make your way over to Fitzgerald’s to catch the guys from Tax The Wolf’s new project, Satellite D’Homme. Keep in mind, it’s my understanding that this is NOT Tax The Wolf, so don’t get sad if you don’t hear their stuff, as the details are vague. What isn’t vague, is the return of Houston’s favorite operatic glam act since Meatloaf, Roky Moon & BOLT! making their presence known. Judging from the small amount who made it out to Walter’s last Sunday to watch them perform, you may be surprised to know that they still have their chops and they sound as tight as ever. Austin’s chaotic and garage throwback sounds of A Giant Dog and the psych punk of Houston’s Mikey and The Drags open the show. The doors are at 8:00 and tickets are a flat $10.00.
If you want to have a small nerdgasm, then the Dem Damn Dames will warm up your joystick with their Digital Dames Burlesque show at Walters on Saturday. Showcasing the naughty side of video games, the show promises to be a barn burner with the bulk of your video game desires being met at the hands of some video game cosplay burlesque. The VIP seating is sold out, but the general admission tickets are still available for $10.00 advance, or $15.00 at the door. The doors open at 8:00 and the show starts at 9:00.
On Sunday, you can make it out to Mango’s for the pop math sounds of Portland’s The Hague. I’ve heard good things about their live performances, so it should be worth checking out. Bad Elmo will be playing with Houston’s garage rock Golden Sombrero as well. The chaotic pop rock duo Fox & Cats will be opening things up with their energetic live show. The doors are at 8:30 and the cover is $5.00.
If you didn’t get enough pop punk with Bayside, then you’ll definitely get your fix from Pennsylvania’s The Wonder Years. Touring in support of last year’s “The Greatest Generation,” the band will bring their fun and energetic show to the ballroom at Warehouse Live on Tuesday the 1st. The screamo and melodic sounds from the midwest’s Citizen and the pop punk energy of Chicago’s Real Friends will be on as well. The pop goodness of newcomers Modern Baseball will start the all ages evening off with a 6:00 door time and a $15.00 ticket.
So, it looks like it’s not a bad way to close March out. Plenty of laughs, local, and touring acts make it another March to remember; and probably the last chance we’ll have to wear a sweater, before we’re wearing shorts full time for another eight months.
