Half Bae: The Best of The Week
Robb Bank$. Photo: BFOS Booking
Well, this is the last week we’ll have to navigate our city with ease before a bunch of tourists visit and make us all really hate the NFL. The week is stacked with sets from French comic Gad Elmaleh, rapper Robb Bank$, and more alongside locals who will help fill up the days in between. Houston, here’s how to spend the next seven days.
Wednesday you can get going over at Walter’s for the screamy second wave emo sounds of Chicago’s Homesafe. Here in support of last year’s Evermore, this three piece has grown in popularity while distancing themselves from most of the bands in their genre with a more melodic sound. The pop punk of Oklahoma’s Life Lessons will be on as direct support while the indie folk of Indiana’s Chase Huglin will open the all ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets between $10 and $12.
There’s a pretty legit art opening featuring the El Rincon Social artist’s’ works at MKT Bar. The opening reception will have art from Jonathan Paul Jackson, Theresa Escobedo, and more. The all ages event has more information here, it gets going around 6 pm, and it’s 100% FREE.
If that’s not your thing, then you could swing by the Foundation Room at House of Blues for a set from Houston’s Sobe Lash. The punky and raw hip hop of Lash is something you need to see for yourself, as her sets are energetic and her sound from last year’s The Pretty Reckless EP is tough to beat. An opening set from DJ 4k will also be on hand for the 21 & up show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between FREE with RSVP or $10 at the door.
You might remember the band Soul Coughing, and if you do then you should head to White Oak Music Hall to catch their lead singer Mike Doughty. While Soul Coughing was best known for a mediocre song that blew up, Doughty’s solo work is far ahead of what the band ever did and his newest album The Heart Watches While The Brain Burns from last year is pretty solid. New York’s Wheatus, best known for their hit song “Teenage Dirtbag” will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $20 and $24.
Funeral Horse. Photo: Jordan Asinas
Satellite Bar will host the stoner doom of Louisiana’s Shadow Giant. While I don’t know much about these guys, I can say that what I heard of their music, I liked. However, the fact that Houston’s Funeral Horse will be on as direct support should be enough to attend. I feel like you’ve been missing out if you haven’t seen this metal band dominate a stage with their intensity and their last two albums 2024’s Divinity For The Wicked and 2024’s Sinister Rites of the Master are both epic to say the least. Dread Pixels opens the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $10 cover.
On Thursday the campfire gothic folk of Austin’s Name Sayers will be over at Nightingale Room. while they have an almost eerie sound that’s like serenading the moon, their latest drop New Moon is pretty interesting. The bluesy psych of Houston three piece Mojave Red will open things up with doors at 7 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
The Secret Group will have Austin comedic rap duo Vanilla Presley to drop one of the funny sets. While they don’t have an album yet, their single “What’s Up Girl?” is pretty funny. The duo will do more than rap funny rhymes for the all ages show with doors at 7:30 pm and tickets for $5.
New Madrid. Photo: Normaltown Records
Rockefeller’s will host the psych garage rock of Athens’ New Madrid. The four piece has made plenty of waves since they began, and their latest album magnetkingmagnetqueen is pretty impressive. The tongue in cheek meets we don’t care sounds of Houston’s Get A Life will provide direct support while the garage psych of Bernie Pink will open the 18 & up show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $12 and $15.
God Fearing Fuck is kicking off their tour with a set over at Walter’s. I’m not sure if you’ve seen these guys yet, but man are they solid live. Their latest release Wasteland Hymns is dark metal meets d beat punk in a haze of scary sounds. The sleaze glam of The Killer Hearts will be on as direct support while the tongue in cheek punk of The Cops will go on prior. Hel-Razor will bring their thrash metal on as well and DaggerHead will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a TBA cover.
On Friday you can get started with the ladies of Dem Damn Dames at Numbers for their Third Annual Legislate This benefit show for Planned Parenthood. The always successful event will not only feature those from the Houston based troupe, but special performances from May Hemmer of NOLA, JD Hicock, and many many more. There’s an opening set from everyone’s favorite daredevil clown, Skabz alongside Nicole Quinn and Kris Broken. The 18 & up show is hosted by Al E Cat of Benefit Betties, the doors are at 7 pm, and the tickets are $20.
Khalid. Photo: Uncredited/Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
In the Bronze Peacock Room at House of Blues, you can get down with the sounds of El Paso’s Khalid. This guy has been burning up since he dropped the hit single “Location,” and his infectious sound should be worth making it out for. His latest single “Saved” is definitely a jam, and the all ages show with doors at 7 pm has a lowly $12 ticket, meaning you can tell people you saw him before he blew up.
Fitzgerald’s will have the get down show when Houston’s Kay Jay drops by to release his new album Seize The Moment. While Kay Jay might not be a household name yet, his rhymes and positive attitude alongside a strong live set make him an act to see sooner than later. Houston’s favorite Devin The Dude will be on as direct support for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $5 and $10.
Satellite Bar will have the intriguing and sometimes proggy three piece Mockingbird Brother over to perform. These guys mix genres, so it’s best to call them rock; but oh are their live sets worth seeing. They’ll have the uptempo roots Americana of Son of Bitch on as direct support while the lo-fi garage sounds of Snow Indian goes on prior. The psych pop of Austin’s Brother Sports will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $7 cover for the adults, or $10 for under 21.
Valhalla Bar on the Rice University campus will host a local show headlined by the hip hop of Houston’s Tim Woods. Woods has made a name for himself with his crazed live sets and his latest drop Pushing Daisies from last year. The R&B of Milky Wayv will go on beforehand and the hip hop of Dallas’ David Morgan will be on to open the all ages event sponsored by KTRU. Things get going around 8:30 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
Angiesliste. Photo: Vibes Not Bribes/Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
The Trust Me Daddy series returns with a headlining set from NYC DJ/producer Baltra. You might not know this guy, but Mixmag and audiences around the globe have praised his sexy tunes. Austin’s deepcreep will bring her techno jams on as direct support while Ledef from House of Kenzo will be on prior. Houston’s Angiesliste will get things going as only she can for the BYOB event with more information here, doors at 10 pm, and tickets for $20.
Saturday, The Heights Theater will host a special show featuring one of my favorite honky tonk acts, Dale Watson who’s partnering with Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel for this show. The two have a new album called Dale & Ray that’s basically the best tonkin you’ll hear going today. Aside from the fact that both of these guys can bring it when they play on their own, their harmonies together on this release is pretty special. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $26 and $224.
Unknown Hinson. Photo Atomic Music Group
Of course, I’d guess if you were going anywhere, it’d be to Continental Club to catch the hillbilly sounds of Unknown Hinson. Four hundred year old vampire, borderline comic, or just plain entertaining, Hinson has become best known for portraying Early Cuyler on the cartoon Squidbillies, but I’d be lying if I said his live shows weren’t close to amazing. The 21 & up show has doors at 8 pm and tickets for $20.
Satellite Bar will host the always fun sounds of Austin’s Sailor Poon. Finishing their tour in Houston, the all female garage punks have been making waves recently with great videos and plenty of press. Their latest drop, last year’s Yeast Pigeon is definitely worth giving an ear to. The energized punk of Giant Kitty will provide direct support while Houston’s Whit will go on prior. The Wipers meets Wire punk of Houston’s Ruiners will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $10 cover.
Only Beast. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
At Rockefeller’s you could check out the alt rock sounds of Houston’s Another Run. These guys have been treading the line for over a decade, their music has grown a ton since they started, and aside from a crazy energy in their live sets, their latest drop 700 Days from last year just proves they aren’t quitting soon. The bluesy grooves of Houston’s Fox Parlor will be on beforehand and the insane and not to be missed energy of Only Beast will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $10 cover.
Rudyard’s will host what could be an epic event for the Linus Pauling Quartet vs. Hearts of Animals show. For starters, it’s two sets no matter how you slice it, both bands are killer with new albums to drop, and the 21 & up show with doors at 9 pm carries a measly $8 cover meaning you have no reason to miss both of these groups.
Sunday, if you were lucky enough to get tickets, then you’ll be catching France’s Gad Elmaleh at Warehouse Live. Considered the Jerry Seinfeld of France, Elmaleh is a pretty funny guy and he’s known to delight any audience he’s in front of. The doors are at 7 pm and it’s SOLD OUT with Ryan Hamilton opening.
Monday you could head upstairs at White Oak Music Hall to catch the sunny rock charm of Florida’s Surfer Blood. While this band got a bad name after some allegations that were later dropped, their music has always been worth checking out. Their live sets have always been fun and their latest releases have been singles from their upcoming release; the latest tracks being the easy going “Frozen.” Houston’s Young Mammals will be on the bill as direct support and openers. Their latest album, last year’s Jaguar is their most focused to date, and their live shows will probably blow the headliners off of the stage. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $13 and $17.
Walter’s will have an epic show when Florida’s Robb Bank$ rolls by to drop a set. Bank$ has become well known for his crazed live shows and his latest release C2:Death of My Teenage is a trip. New Jersey’s Da$h will be on as support while the hip hop of Wifisfuneral will go on before. Houston’s Craig Xen will also be on the bill and Ski Mask The Slump God will open the all ages show with doors at 9 pm and tickets between $15 and $50, the latter including a meet & greet option.
Rick Astley. Photo: Shore Fire Media
Tuesday you can get “Rick Rolled” in the ballroom at Warehouse Live when Rick Astley swings by to perform. Known for his good time hit “Never Gonna’ Give You Up,” the British singer is still going strong with a new album from last year called 50. The relaxed sounds of California’s Harrison Kipner will open things, while Astley will be performing favorites old and new for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $30 and $35.
If that’s not your thing, you could head to Mucky Duck to hear Houston’s Nathan Quick. Quick doesn’t seem to slow down, his live shows are a mix of emotion and fun, and his latest release The Sound from last year sounded like a call to arms, full of bluesy influence and swagger. The 21 & up show has doors at 7:30 pm and tickets between $15 and $17.
That’s about all that’s happening around the city this week. No matter what you decide to do, remember that a safe ride home is just an app or a call away.
