Well here it is, Monday, and not only did I survive the Hootenanny (link) but I also survived the Houston Press Music Awards. Having these two things back to back, admittedly, is pretty rough. So Sunday, being a bit worse for wear, I stayed away from the free booze and stuck to the vitamin water. One thing I have to say about the HPMAs this year is that the venues seemed farther apart than in previous years. Whereas last year you could step out of the Rice Hotel and immediately walk across to see say Insect Warfare, this year you ... Read More »

The numbers are in and we can happily report that last night’s Hootenanny was a huge success! Now I’ll admit that my expectations were lower at the outset for this Hootenanny because, while the last Hootenanny tended to focus more on indie/punk bands (Pixes, The Clash) and some less often covered bands (Nomenasno*, Jawbox), this Hootenanny tended to swing more toward more common Rock radio fare. I’m not saying the music is bad but that somewhere in the suburbs any night is some hacky cover band doing “Do ya think I’m sexy” and that doesn’t exactly make me jump up ... Read More »

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHTTWOTENANNY & The HMPAs Saturday, July 26 Skyline Network presents Twotennany!doors @ 7pm / bands @ 8pm tentative schedule as follows (subject to change): DOWNSTAIRS:Custom Drinker as Rod StewartWelfare Mothers as Johnny CashParis Falls as RushAmerican Sharks as The Cars UPSTAIRS :The Kimonos as BlondieBuxton as BjorkWild Moccasins as the B-52sTody Castillo (and friends) as Tom Petty and the HeartbreakersFlowers to Hide as The CureSharks and Sailors as The Police @ The Backroom (The Mink; $5) Yes! Hands down THE show of the week. Leave it to ADR and BDM to out-hype the Houston Press’ Showcase. In case ... Read More »

If you weren’t at Walter’s on Sunday because you were busy whining about Houston sucking, you missed out . Four bands, seven bucks, and a room full of happy cheerful people having a great time. If you ignored the invitation and missed the festivities, you’ll get no sympathy from me. But let me give it to you short, sweet, and with pictures; hopefully you’ll perk-up your ears and get away from that couch next time these bands play in town. Roll Call! Elaine Greer – Elaine, backed up by members of News on The March, The Wild Moccasins, and some ... Read More »

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT Some Love for The Hates, Elaine Greer, & The Wild Moccasins Saturday, July 19The Hates (CD release) , Static Thought , Societies Parasites , The Drafted@ FitzdownThe Hates are by now an institution and like any institution it’s easy to take them for granted and with Christian Arhheiter‘s Mohawk on his little scooter it’s easy for people to dismiss them as more cartoon than seminal Houston punk band. The band may have no original members beyond Christian these days but the band has continued for thirty years with his punk vision that at times can straddle the ... Read More »

Riff Tiffs - “an impressive frigate of sound, with pressure-treated wood so bright not a barnacle one could set-up shop on her hull. It is an ACES escort for casual chilling with the school and introspective dives into the deep alone. We’ve been rocking it out for a week and, like Flipper Daddy will do so until we say So Long, and thanks for all the fish. Recommended.” – The Skyline Network (Cancelled) Pale – “Pale has the rock ‘n’ roll ideal: the moxie and evolving know-how to get noticed in a business that gives less and less opportunity to ... Read More »

We forwarned you that last Friday’s show at the Jet Lounge was gonna shred. So, for you who doubted, here is a photo posted by Rosa “Ditch Water” Guerrero on Hands Up Houston of Shrek taking a stage dive during the Hypocristian’s set! Any questions? Read More »

There is a black hole approaching at the end of July that will suck in just about every local artist and fan – it’s the triumvirate made up of The Saturday Secret Shows’ Festival, The Houston Press Music Awards Showcase, and the sequel to the Hootenanny – the aptly named Twotenanny. As if to kick off the festivities for this, master promoters ADR and Ben Murphy – also the marketing geniuses at DZIGAVERTOV FILMS, a wholly owned subsidiary of THE SKYLINE NETWORK – produced this little promo that encapsulates the sophistication, dignity, and majesty that will be Hootenanny II. Read More »

As if to counter the John Lomax’s “our scene sucks” mantra, Saturday’s Creature Comforts art opening at Art Storm (located within Caroline Collective) was a raving success. Unfortunately, the traffic from Galveston resulted in my arriving just in time to hear Wicked Poseur’s last notes ring but, judging from the wild applause, they did pretty alright indeed. I wish Wicked Poseur had traded slots with Hard Place because I honestly could have done without them. You know that Spongebob Squarepants episode where Squidward is assigned to lead the half-time ceremonies at a football game and the orchestra plays this terrible ... Read More »

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT IS ONTHE YOUNG MAMMALS AND THE PAPERMOONS Friday, July 11 Papermoons (record release & tour kickoff) / Phillip Foshee / B. / The Sour Notes@ The Backroom (The Mink) Here is a show I wish I could attend but such is fate. The ‘Moons are relocating and this will be their last Houston show in the foreseeable future. That’s disappointing because they only just got started. The ‘Moons have become one of Houston’s best bands and if you haven’t heard their newest album I highly suggest you do so. The album is a perfect mix of nuanced ... Read More »