If you dig your Rock & Roll poppy, energetic, and fun then the classic eponymous Nikki and The Corvettes album (Bomp 1980) is likely in your collection and if not, you may want to go back and grab the Bomp Re-issue. If you’re not familiar with Corvette and her pioneering work, let me try to make the most shallow and simplistic analogy for you – picture the Ramones with 60′s girl group vocals and a lot more twang and energy or how about let’s just say it’s the perfect soundtrack for your hottest sweatiest summer party. Still don’t believe me ... Read More »

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT IS ONGuys who think Tom of Finland is really fucking hilarious. Saturday, August 30Born Liars/ No Talk @ Rudyards No band in Houston spits and screams out rock and roll more than the Born Liars. If you read our interview of them a few months back, you’ll know that they are just as smart and funny as they are boisterous and rowdy live. At their best, a Born Liars show is something that should probably leave you a bit bruised and a bit hungover but that’s OK. You want cerebral “Rock and Roll” go see Steely Dan. ... Read More »

B L A C K I E: Skyline Network raves that their new album, Wilderness of North America, is “like nothing we’ve ever really heard”and Space City Rock says “[Wilderness of North America is] the absolute weirdest, rawest, most uncompromising, and most intriguing hip-hop I’ve heard…Top that, Kanye.”"Take equal parts fucked-up electronics, distorted pop-cult samples, guitar feedback, video game noise, and angry-as-hell street flow, set it on fire…” The Mathletes: Sarah Cress at the Houston Chronicle wrote a great little piece on these guys (link). Here is an except: “the Mathletes, which isn’t like any other band you know. It’s ... Read More »

My band was playing this past weekend which means there are no live reviews today. So, in response to some messages I got on my MySpace, let me instead supply you younger bands with some cranky hungover advice that you can take or leave at your discretion. 1) Don’t play one of those Gorilla productions’ battle of the bands. No! Music isn’t a sport and if you think that the next big band is going to be found through this ridiculous little Pokémon battle you are sadly mistaken. This preys on young bands who seek fame and not honing their ... Read More »

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT IS ON Ye Olde School Metal Saturday, August 23Judas Priest / Heaven and Hell / Mötörhead / Testament@ Cynthia Woods Mitchell PavilionRight, ironic isn’t it, after giving Chris Gray shit about too many goddamn classic rock posts that I pick this. But I have to put turn-in my cool badge and admit this is a pretty bad ass line up…well except for Testament. Fuck Testament! I mean lookit – Priest, Black Sabbath (yeah that’s right Sharon O. This is goddamn Black Sabbath too!), and Lemmy! If there was ever an excuse for paying for overpriced beer in ... Read More »

Warehouse Party!Peeps! Heat! Sweat! Dancing! Great Music! Mystery Beer! Awesomeness! Chris Gray was going on a while ago about alternative venues and I have to say that a sweaty hot warehouse is a nice change of pace from the usual club de rigeur. I have to admit that I had a little problem finding 2220 Commerce so I went across the street where there was a hardcore show to ask and they really nice and pointed me in the right direction.* Once I found the warehouse entrance there outside were the Wild Moccasins, Elaine Greer and Austin Lloyd, John Sears, ... Read More »

Well the White Swan’s staff pulled a doozy on Thursday – getting in a fisticuffs with its patrons. We wanted to get both sides before we blogged about it so here is what both sides have to say and you can decide for yourself. The incident is blogged here in Live journal (Link) and here is an abbreviated version: “Last night a couple of friends and I went to go see my friends’ bands play at The White Swan. … It all started when a (female) friend of mine who will remain nameless for now accidentally left her car keys ... Read More »

THIS WEEK’S SPOTLIGHT IS ON FREE SHIT! I was talking with a friend this afternoon about being broke-ass! Well how appropriate because this week if just made for penny pinchers as there are a slew of great shows that will cost you nothing. Like a rolling stone, like a rolling stone, like the FBI and the CIA, and the BBC–BB King, and Doris Day…Matt Busby. Dig it, dig it, dig it: FREE THING #1 Thursday, August 14 – Sunday August 16thTwo Star Symphony OrchestraSynesthesia@ Rice University, Hamman Hall,(entrance 20 and 21 off Sunset Blvd.)(Seating begins at 7:30 – first come ... Read More »

The long esteemed UK Grindcore/Death Metal label Earache (Godflesh, Napalm Death, Ultraviolence, Deicide, Adema, et al.) is currently in the final stages of inking a deal with former members of Houston’s Insect Warfare to reissue last years World Extermination album. According to Beau Beasely they are licensing the album for 5 years with an initial run of 5,000 CDs and a couple thousand LPs. “The label wants to go all out with a gatefold, liner notes, and stickers so we’re going to have to take some time and work out the new layout. ” And what will the band be ... Read More »

Riff Tiffs – Houston’s most popular seasonal band headlines specializing in shimmering guitars and melodies. The Eastern Sea – You may not know Austin’s Eastern Sea (though they have Houston Ex-pats in their ranks) but you’ll enjoy their excellent sense of melody and endearing and smart ass banter. Earnie Banks – Baseball Hall of Famer Earnie Banks is sounding good for his 77 years. Who would have known the Dallas born retired Cub would be so into Minus the Bear Indie Pop. Electric Attitude – “This band, from Houston, was an energetic bunch. Singer Blake Shepard is young but a ... Read More »