Hidden Knives: The Best of The Week
AFI. Photo: Velvet Hammer
Well, we survived Super Bowl impeding our lives last week, but that doesn’t mean that things are slowing down. This week you’ll have to decide between appearances from The Coathangers, Dashboard Confessional, AFI, and Milemarker while local bands fill in the gaps. Houston, here’s how to navigate the next seven days.
On Wednesday you can begin at White Oak Music Hall upstairs when the bedroom electro pop of Chad Valley returns to town. Riding high off of the success of his single “Now That I’m Real (How Does It Feel?),” Valley returns with 2024’s Entirely New Blue to keep things poppy. Brooklyn’s Computer Magic will bring her pop heavy electronica to life as direct support while Houston’s Children of Pop will fit right in as openers for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $12 and $16.
MyDolls. Photo: Uncredited/Courtesy of Artist
Over at Satellite Bar you could choose to get sweaty with the legendary punk of Houston’s MyDolls. This show, serving as their new album release party is just another great reason to check this energetic band out sooner than later. Direct support will be provided by San Antonio’s Fea. While they’re intense, their live show is fun, and last year’s Fea was impressive; they’re here enough to start getting their mail here. The crazed energy of Houston’s Only Beast will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $10 and $12.
The Secret Group will have a different show of sorts when Emily Snow and Skabz the Clown host the Fixation Super Secret Fetish Party. Boylesque, burlesque, BDSM and fetish performances will be on hand alongside performance art and more. The 21 & up show has doors at 8 pm and it’s 100% FREE with more information here.
Downstairs at White Oak Music Hall, the all female garage punk of LA’s The Coathangers will swing by to perform. While the show was originally set to take place at Raven Tower, that doesn’t mean that it won’t be worth making it out for. The group almost always throws a killer show while here and their last album Nosebleed Weekend from last year was an album everyone should grab a copy of. The indie rock of Houston’s The Cleen Teens will be on as direct support and openers for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $12 and $16.
Bear’s Den. Photo: Phil Knott/Stay Loose PR
Thursday you can get going at House of Blues in the Bronze Peacock Room when the folky sounds of British three piece, Bear’s Den will bring their massively popular sounds to town. These guys have a slew of hits, they’re rumored to have intimate live shows, and their latest set of singles including last year’s “Berlin” give you an idea of their sound. Louisiana’s Gill Landry of the group Old Crow Medicine Show will provide direct support as well as open up the all ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets between $18 and $22.
If you’d rather get your art on, at The Secret Group for the Houston premiere of the film “Saving Banksy.” The film, about misguided people attempting to save a piece of Banksy art on the side of a building is an intriguing look at how some people view street art, or at least the almighty dollar. There also promises to be an opening DJ set from Damon Allen, and a closing set from Allen & DJ Fredster, as well as an art show and more. All of the details are here for the all ages event with doors at 6:30 pm and tickets for $10.
If you’d rather get your laugh on, then you can go to Improv with one of the best joke writers in town at The Couple’s Therapy with Alan Adams show. Adams is highly regarded as a killer comic by many, and while this show might not help your marriage, it should in the least make you laugh hysterically. The 18 & up show has doors at 7:15 pm and tickets between $10 and $20.
D&W Lounge will host the never ending tour dogs, The Living Deads. This two piece makes rockabilly like there are five people in the band, their live shows are always like a heart attack, and their last album The Living Deads still holds up. The 18 & up show has doors at 9:30 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
Delicate Boys. Photo: Uncredited/Courtesy of Artist/Bandcamp
If you want to catch a pretty impressive band, you could swing by Continental Club to see Austin’s Delicate Boys. This four piece plays some solid indie garage rock that’s all over last year’s The Delicate Demo, and it should sound pretty stellar in a live setting. Houston’s Redpalms, formerly A Tribute To The Sun will open the 21 & up show with doors at 9:30 pm and a TBA cover.
Friday you could begin at The Secret Group for the pop punk of Houston’s Waterparks. I would think you’d have known about the Houston trio that’s had plenty of success, but if not then you should check them out. Their live shows are fun and energetic, and their new album Double Dare from last year is really solid. Kentucky’s Too Close To Touch will be on as direct support while Chapel will open the all ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets between $12 and $15.
Mantra Love. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Jean Valez
Over at Nightingale Room you can get groovy when Houston’s Mantra Love will headline a set. The three piece psych band has been making all sorts of moves including recording a new album. While their shows are always fun and maybe you’ll hear some new tunes, their debut EP Mantra Love should pacify you until they have a new record out. The proggy psych sounds of Austin’s The Halfways will open the 100% FREE 21 & up show with doors at 7 pm.
I don’t know who Katt Williams will get into an altercation with, but given his past history it could totally happen before or after his set at Toyota Center. The embattled comedian, minus all of the drama, has always been one of the funniest guys you can catch; and his albums including 2024’s Priceless are all pretty great. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $52 and $175.
Jones Hall will have a pretty cool event when the Houston Symphony performs the John Williams score to “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” while the film plays in sync. Whether you’re a fa of the score or the film, this one night event should be worth making it out for. The all ages evening gets going around 7:30 pm with tickets between $39 and $110.
The Wiggins. Photo: Teresa Vicinanza
Walter’s will host the return of Chapel Hill’s Milemarker. It’s been over ten years since this band did anything, but that being said, they definitely left their mark when they were around. Their 2024 album Frigid Forms Sell and their 1999 album Future Isms were both pretty amazing, and their live shows were always on point. Houston’s Narrow Head will provide direct support while the always intriguing one man sounds of The Wiggins will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for $12.
Satellite Bar will have the Americana folk sounds of Minnesota’s David Dondero. Dondero has a soft and road weary sound that’s been hailed by critics everywhere, and his new album Inside The Cat’s Eye from this year is worth checking out. There’s no word of openers or support for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for $10.
In the Foundation Room at House of Blues, you can get down with Austin rockers A. Sinclair. There’s something engaging about their mix of throwback and indie rock that’s all over last year’s Get Out of the City, and they bring it when they play live. The alt garage sounds of NOLA’s Bantam Foxes will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm for the 100% FREE show.
On Saturday things get get real over at Black Hole Coffee for the Write 4 UR Rights letter writing event. On hand people will help show you how to best reach those in power and tell them how you feel about the state of our federal, state, and local governments. Granted, this will mean you’ll have to hop off your couch and actually do something rather than post ideals on Facebook to a group of people who think just like you; but that’s the point here. The all ages event runs from 11 am to 2 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
Scout Bar will host the Bloodfest II featuring a set from Blood of An Outlaw. The all day event includes sets from Patterns, Skabz the Clown, and many many more. The all ages show has doors at 2 pm and tickets between $10 and $13.
Doomstress. Photo: Uncredited/Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
At Satellite Bar you can make it out for the throwback sounds of Amplified Heat. The Houston born now Austin transplanted trio makes the kind of blues rock that makes you wonder if young Clapton is playing lead, and their last album On The Hunt still holds up. The all day show will also feature sets from Crypt Trip, The Dirty Seeds, Jody Seabody & the Whirls, Funeral Horse, Doomstress, and many more with the full lineup here. There’s FREE BBQ, it’s all ages, and with doors at 3 pm and a $12 cover, you have no reason to not attend.
Over at The Secret Group, comic Ku Egenti will host a variety show featuring comedy from himself alongside Roxxy Haze, Tressa Eleby and more. Music from Nicole Quinn, Lisa Denae, and more including magic and enough entertainment to make you realize it’s not to be missed. There’s more information here with doors at 6 pm for the all ages show with $20 tickets.
Walter’s will host a barn burner when the dark metal of Houston’s Peasant takes center stage with a headlining set. Like the music from your nightmares, these guys have an intense live show and their latest release Pain Is Near from last year is pretty crazy. The punk of Houston’s The Pose will be on beforehand while Trillblazers will bring their trippy sounds on prior. The all female punk of Fuck With Fire will also be on the bill while the intense hardcore of Lace will be on as well. The grindcore of Cryptic Void will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for a measly $8.
Over at Eastdown Warehouse, if they fixed their PA after that incident during the Youth Code set last week, you can make it out for The Smiths VS. The Cure Vol. 6. The show will feature DJ sets from Damon Allen and Abrahan Garza, a well as art from Browncoat, Julie Zarate, Lizbeth Ortiz, and many more. There’s more information here with doors at 8 pm for the all ages show with a $20 ticket price.
Studded Left. Photo: Uncredited/Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
Civic TV will host a cool show when Studded Left (Formerly Indian Jewelry) will swing by to drop a set. The always intense and crazed sounds of this Houston treasure can never be diminished as their live shows are on point and their last release Doing Easy was pretty amazing. The dark punk of Houston’s Rough Sleepers will provide direct support while the electro-acoustic sounds of Oakland’s Gerritt Wittmer will go on prior. The electrofunk of Erotic Tangerines will also be on the bill and things will get opened up by the Fantasy 1 DJ’s. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and a TBA cover.
Sunday you can swing by Insomnia VGC and check out some anti-Valentine’s Day art at the It’s Not You, It’s Me show. Over thirty artists will have their anti-Valentine’s themed wares for sale, there’s FREE chocolates, a DJ set from Jay Tovar and more. The all ages show gets going around 6 pm, the list of artists on hand is here, and it’s 100% FREE.
Dashboard Confessional. Photo: Live Nation
Over at House of Blues you can get teary eyed when Dashboard Confessional returns to perform. While they’re not anywhere near the top of my list of bands to go see, I’ll admit that they put on a good live show. Their latest release Covered and Taped is pretty decent, and the popular group will more than likely sell this show out. There’s no word of openers for the all ages show with doors at 6:30 pm and tickets between $27 and $45.
Upstairs at White Oak Music Hall you can get down with the indie pop of Brooklyn’s Miniature Tigers. The popular four piece has been making fans for over a decade, and their new album I Dreamt I Was A Cowboy from last year is pretty infectious. The indie acoustic pop of Houston’s Sam Turner & the Cactus Cats will provide direct support and opening duties for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $15 and $16.50.
Walter’s will host the hardcore of New Jersey’s Night Birds. Crazed, fun, and full of energy, these guys bring it when they play live and their latest Who Killed Mike Hunchback from late last year is pretty damn good. The new wave garage sounds of Austin’s Drakulas will be on as direct support while the pop punk of Houston’s Turnaways will be on prior. The intense hardcore of Black Coffee will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and a $10 cover.
Zach Dickson. Photo: Uncredited/Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
All good things must come to an end, and so begins the end of comic Zach Dickson’s time in Houston. The winner of Laff Town’s Funniest in 2024 will be getting appropriately roasted at The Secret Group, before he leaves for…well, not better shores, but San Antonio. Possibly one of the funniest guys in town, he’ll get sent off by Bob Biggerstaff, Ashton Womack, Dale Cheesman, Victor Tran and more. The evening hosted by Zahid Dewji is 100% FREE, it’s all ages, and the doors are at 9 pm.
On Monday you could head to Walter’s for the metal core of Buffalo’s Every Time I Die. The five piece lead by two brothers has been going strong since the late nineties, and while they’ve become known for a crazed history on live shows, their latest release Low Teens from last year was a return to form. The hardcore metal core hybrid sounds of Knocked Loose will provide direct support while the hardcore metal of Chicago’s Harm’s Way will go on prior. Pittsburgh’s Eternal Sleep will open the all ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets between $15 and $20.
Of course, over at White Oak Music Hall downstairs to catch the popular melodic sounds of AFI. While I’m hoping the Havoc haircuts will have subsided by the time they take the stage, the band has made plenty of fans the world over meaning that you still might see some supporting their new release The Blood Album. Philadelphia’s Nothing will be on as direct support while the emo of California’s Souvenirs will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $26 and $28.
P.O.S. Photo: Uncredited/United Talent Agency
Tuesday in the studio at Warehouse Live you can get down with P.O.S. from the group Doomtree. P.O.S. has always been the more enigmatic of the group, he brings it when he performs, and his newest solo release Chill, dummy is pretty on point. The hip hop of Connecticut’s Ceschi will be on as support while DJ Fundo will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $10 and $12.
That’s about it happening around town this week. No matter what you decide to do or where you decide to go, always drink like an adult and remember that a safe ride home is in everyone’s best interests.
