Nightclub Amnesia: The Best of The Week
Ratatat, Photo: Sean Gutierrez
I feel like last week proved that we’re getting plenty of entertainment options. This week is no different when we get all sorts of acts roll through town. Even heavy hitters like Ratatat pictured above will make their way into our fine city. Houston, here’s your entertainment options for the next seven days.
Starting off on Wednesday, if you’d like your mind blown by music, then I’d suggest heading to Walters for Yonatan Gat. This guy is like a gypsy camp jam band that echoes the sounds of blues, rock, and a train that can’t make its’ stop. After years of touring with his old band, Monotonix, he’s become quite the force to see live. He just released a new album called, “Director” that really showcases his wailing guitar sound. The indie pop psych of Austin’s Tele Novella will be there as direct support, and bring tracks like their latest, “Hair Of The Dog” to life. The trippy and strange sounds of Houston’s Ak’chamel will also be on the bill. The lo-fi nature in which these guys do things is almost as alluring as trying to pigeonhole their sound. Experimental, lush, and like a passing Vespa through India, they’re one of the most original acts you can see right now. They just released a new album called, “The Man Who Drank God,” and it’s seriously like nothing you’ve heard before. The spaced out sounds of Houston’s United Waves will open the all ages show with doors at 8:00 and tickets between $7.00 and $10.00.
Bill Burr, Photo: Charles Sykes
Jones Hall will host two shows from the riotously funny comic, Bill Burr. Burr is a straight shooter, he doesn’t hold back, and he’s seriously hilarious. His last album was 2024’s “You People Are All The Same,” and he hosts the Monday Morning podcast. You’ll kick yourself if you miss him I promise. The first show is at 7:00 and the second is at 10:00, and both have tickets between $40.50 and $50.50.
If you’d rather have your metal fix, then you could make it over to The Continental Club for the doom metal of Indiana’s Apostles of Solitude. The four piece started by Gates of Slumber drummer, Chuck Brown, but not playing drums in this band; is known for a tight live show. Their latest, last year’s “Of Woe and Wounds” is filled with thick laced guitars and stronger vocals than you may be used to from the genre. Houston doom three piece Project Armageddon will be on as direct support. I feel like you haven’t been catching metal bands in this town if you’ve never seen these three. Their intense live sets are only gaining steam as they add tracks from 2024’s “Cosmic Oblivion.” The classic metal of Houston’s Sanctus Bellum will open things up. Their last release was 2024’s “The Shining Path,” and they’re usually entertaining with their mix of old metal and an almost Alice In Chains type of sound. The 21 & up show has doors at 8:00 and the cover is $10.00.
Thursday, you have some tough decisions to make starting over at Phoenicia MKT Bar, when they host the opening reception for: Shooting Stars by Trish Badger. For those of you who don’t know, Trish has shot most of your favorite concerts in Houston, she’s insanely professional, and I see her more than I see my own mother. She’s proven her professionalism time and time again, even getting me FPSF 2024 pics by midnight on the festival’s final night. She has more than enough pictures to show off, and you’d be doing yourself a favor if you’re an artist in this town, to make it out, meet her, and make her your friend. Feel free to check out some of what she does here. Things start at 7:30, there’s food and drinks, and it’s 100% FREE.
I’m thinking many of you will be at the ballroom at Warehouse Live for the New York electronica duo, Ratatat. Returning after a five year hiatus, these two dropped a new album this year called “Magnifique,” that has them exploring new territory. Known as a killer live act, I feel like this might be the one show this week that you’d be sad if you missed. New York producer, label owner, and video producer Hot Sugar will go on as direct support and opener. His music is like if you threw an 808 down a flight of stairs while playing keyboard. His latest, “Seductive Nightmares 2” from last year is definitely different from what you’re used to. The all ages show has doors at 7:00, and tickets are $39.99. FYI, this show might sell out.
Walter’s will be bringing in the throwback country rock of Nashville’s Natural Child. The three piece has the vibe of a band that was formed in the seventies without sounding dated. Their latest, last year’s “Dancin’ With Wolves” is like drinking cooking sherry in the California hills with Don Henley and Glenn Frey. They’ll have the Krautrock meets psych jams of Chicago’s Cave on as direct support. This four piece makes the kind of tunes that make you want to leave the desert with Jim Morrison and find a place to trip alone. Their latest is an 8 song album called “Release,” and it’s pretty jammy and tripped out. Austin electro six piece, Sweet Spirit will also be on the bill. Their newest is a single, “Have Mercy” with Spoon’s Britt Daniel adding vox, and they’re pretty damn tight to catch live. The tongue in cheek electro rock of Houston’s Get A Life will be there as openers. While the prolific Chase DeMaster puts Children of Pop to bed, you should make it out for this newer band of his. Mixing loud guitar with pop hooks, their album, “As If Emoji,” is pretty strong, and they’re great live. The all ages show has doors at 8:00 and tickets between $8.00 and $10.00.
You can get your laugh on out at Joke Joint Comedy Showcase, when Houston’s Mo Amer returns for another series of hilarious shows. Amer has toured the world, he’s a killer comic, and he’s been featured all over TV and radio. As per all of these shows, two of Houston’s better comics will perform the duties of host and feature act. The Thursday show has doors at 8:00, there’s two shows on Friday and Saturday, both with doors at 8:00 and 10:30; and all have a $16.00 price.
Thundercat, Photo: Theo Jemison
In the studio at Warehouse Live, the engaging basswork and funk jams of Thundercat will be in town. Besides being one of the best bassists in the world since the age of 13, besides working with Flying Lotus; this guy is a beast. His most recent release, this year’s “The Beyond/Where The Giants Roam” is a true gem, and adds to his mix of funk, R&B, and hip hop sounds. There’s no word of an opener, of course that could easily change. The all ages show has doors at 8:00 and tickets between $17.00 and $20.00.
Rudyard’s will be hosting the pop punk of New York’s American Pinup. Like if Gwen Stefani sang for NoFX, the four piece will be here in support of their newest, “The Radio EP” from this year. Nebraska four piece, Freakabout will be there as direct support, while the ska punk of Houston’s Refinery Coast will be there to open things up. The 21 & up show has doors at 8:00 with an $8.00 cover.
At Avant Garden, the What The F**** Is Happening Right Now? comedy show will be occurring. Comedy from names like Andy Huggins, Dale Cheesman, Albert DeLeon, Bret Whitacre, Nick Meriwether, and more will be on the bill. It gets going around 10:00 and it’s a FREE show.
Van Halen, Photo: Jeff Kravitz
Friday you can start the night off out at the Woodlands Pavilion when legendary rockers, Van Halen come to town. I had always said I’d pay a small fortune to see David Lee Roth with the brothers VH until Eddie brought his chubby son and no Michael Anthony on bass. What this makes you realize is that Roth’s vocals aren’t what they used to be, and that Wolfgang isn’t a suitable replacement for Anthony. Either way, they’re here in support of 2024’s “A Different Kind Of Truth,” and knowing their history; this could be your last shot at catching Roth with them. The bluesy rock of Kenny Wayne Shepherd will open things up with gates at 6:30 and tickets between $35.00 and $149.50.
At House of Blues they’ll have the bluesy funk of Blues Traveler on stage. I just realized that these guys have been around 25 years, and I think most know that they have a ton of hits. James like “Hook,” “Run Around,” and But Anyway” will all be played, while they support their new album, “Blow Up The Moon.” The pop rock of Matt Jaffee and the Distractions will be there as support, with doors at 7:00 and tickets between $40.83 and $62.45.
Of course, I’m sure you’d like to find yourself in the gaze of beauty, which you can do at Numbers for another show from Houston’s Dem Damn Dames. This time it’ll be pirates Vs. strippers on The Booty show. Both male and female pirates will adorn the stage next to naughty first mates and more, while the Dames take you portside with their choreographed show. Of course all of the Dames will be on hand while they bring on guests like Fat Bottom Cabaret, Chola Magnolia, Zaftigg VonBonBon, Ginger Snaps, Miss Something, and JD Hicock alongside Nick T Vegan, Mars Capone and many more. Luckily for you, the troupe has worked specials on Lone Star as well as including entry into Classic Numbers after the show, with your ticket price. The doors are at 7:00, it’s an 18 & up affair, and tickets are between $15.00 for G/A and $30.00 for VIP seated.
If you were planning to take a drive to the NW side to catch Austin three piece Honky at BFE Rock Club, they cancelled. The show is still happening with Conroe’s Torrid Complex on the bill, as well as MadSons, The Guillotines will be there, and Unknown Brothers will open things up on the show with doors at 7:00 and a Free cover.
Warehouse Live will host the Philly based dreamy electro pop of Vacationer over in the studio. Lead by a multi-instrumentalist, the act has the ability to cross genres while keeping it light and fun. His latest, “Relief” from last year has garnered tons of praise. The electro pop goodness of Brooklyn’s Great Good Fine Ok will be there as openers. The dup is here supporting this year’s “2M2H” EP, and they’re supposed to put on a fun live set. The doors are at 8:00, and tickets are between $12.00 and $14.00 on the all ages show.
Notsuoh will have the always entertaining and trippy sounds of Houston’s Disfrutalo. These guys are like taking shrooms and waking up in a bus terminal in Toronto. Last year they dropped their Ikey Owens’ produced album, “Disfrutalo!;” and it’s pretty epic. The space fusion of San Antonio’s Remanon will be on hand, as will the trippy jams of Houston’s Dadsmom. Dadsmom is not only like if you took Miles Davis’ horn and Parliament’s funk and melded them; it’s more than that. The duo drops trippy psych infused sounds that can be found all over this year’s “Dang!” and they find a way to even bring hip hop and Latin fused sounds into their strange world. You need to see them sooner than later. Austin prog rockers Transit Method will also be on the bill with doors at 8:30 and a $5.00 cover.
ZEDD, Photo: Emilio Gonzales
Revention Music Center (formerly Bayou Music Center), will have the electronic greatness of German producer, ZEDD. If you missed this guy almost cause seizures from his insane visuals at FPSF 2024, then this is your chance to catch the hit maker live. Considered one of the best in the world, this guy has a knack for releasing dope jams. His new album, 2024’s “True Colors” has at least 3 hits, and it hasn’t been out that long. London producer, Alex Metric will be there as direct support. Metric has some jams to his name as well, and his latest release “Hope EP” from last year is pretty legit. 21 year old French producer Madeon will bring his hits on board as opener. This year’s “Adventure” is full of house and dubstep tunes that are worth getting there early for. The 18 & up show has doors at 9:00 and tickets for $42.50.
MKT Bar will host another edition of the twelve week Beta Bracket Comedy Contest presented by Phoenicia, Beta Theater and Dinolion. Now in round two with both of the losers rounds out of the way, it’s a straight six week shot for one lucky comic. At the end of that path, $3,000.00 awaits one lucky winner, being the most money awarded in a Houston comedy competition. In round two, the sets are 5 minutes long and since it’s audience vote, you could decide the fate of one of the comics. The event gets started at 10:00, it’s hosted by the riotously funny Bob Biggerstaff, and it’s 100% FREE.
Rudyard’s will be bringing the Tokyo based indie punk duo of Mugen Hoso to town. These guys are high energy and loud rock with an intensely crazed live show. Their latest album, this year’s “Hana Ichi Monme” is their most focused to date. Dallas rock band The Swingin’ Dicks will be there as direct support, while the high energy rock of Houston’s The Velostacks will go on prior. Aguila Black, also from Houston will be on hand to open the 21 & up show with doors at 10:00 and an $8.00 cover.
On Saturday you should consider starting off at the Woodlands Pavilion for Daryl Hall & John Oates. These two guys have crafted more hits than I thought until I looked them up. They were the jam in the seventies and eighties, and after catching them years back, I have to admit that they’re pretty good live. Songs like “You Make My Dreams,” “Rich Girl,” and “Maneater,” are just a few of the massive hits that these two had. There’s no word of an opener on the show with gates at 6:30 and tickets between $35.00 and $99.50.
If you’d rather get your laugh on, then you could make it over to Toyota Center for The Comedy Get Down. This show is basically getting a ton of comedy for the price, and features some heavy hitters on the same bill. Cedric The Entertainer, Eddie Griffin, DL Hughley, George Lopez, and Charlie Murphy will all be on hand to make you laugh your ass off. The show should either sell out or get close with doors at 7:00 and tickets between $50.75 and $65.75.
Over at Notsuoh, you can come out to see Wisconsin’s The Complication. The three piece plays kind of a bluesy rock kind of sound. The high energy of Houston two piece, Kose will go on beforehand. I feel like you’re doing Houston wrong if you’ve happened to miss these two rock a room. Last week that lit The Nightingale Room on fire, and their 2024 release, “Kose” is like punk meets garage rock, except with more energy. Houston stoner rock three piece Cake Rangers will also be on the bill, while the crazed drumming meets electronica of Pitter Patter will go on to open things up. Check out his latest, “Demo” to hear how he plays to electro synths in a crazy way. The doors are at 8:00 and the 21 & up show is a measly $6.00 CASH.
You could have a good laugh at Rudyard’s when the Throwing Shade Podcast comes back to town. The last time these two were here, they caused the bulk of Warehouse Live to erupt in laughter, and it shouldn’t be any different this time. The duo made up of Bryan Safi and Erin Gibson are silly, irreverent, and pretty damn funny. The show is 21 & up, the doors are at 8:00 and the cover is between $20.00 and $25.00.
Dpat, Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
I don’t think anyone would blame you though, if you found yourself over at Fox Hollow for another edition of A Really Kool Party, this time with Soulection artist and Houston native; Dpat. Dpat has a grammy nomination, he drops epic dance jams, and his 2024 album “In Bloom” is seriously amazing. Though this is a DJ set, that shouldn’t keep you from checking him out. Of course the resident squad of Dayta, Gracie Chavez, and Hiram will all be on hand to keep the night moving while putting feet in motion. The show is hosted by Reko Trill, and the 21 & up show without a dress code has doors at 9:00. As always, it’s 100% FREE.
D & W Lounge should have a barn burner, when Deep Cuts brings their indie rock tunes to life. Deep Cuts has grown more in the last year than most bands do in a decade. We saw the forward moving “Love Grows” EP last year, only to get a single drop this year with “While The House Fills Up” further growing the band and their overall sound. They’ll have the Sergio Trevino and Chase DeMaster hybrid Guess Genes on prior, that is totally worth checking out. These two mix electronica and folk to craft a whole new sound. Give their song, “Lilly Vine” a spin to hear what you’ve been missing. The indie pop rock of Austin’s Major Major Major will go on prior, and are also worth seeing. Their latest, last year’s “God Doesn’t Want Us” is as fun as it is energetic. Chase USA which I believe is a DJ set from Chase Harris and Chase DeMaster will open things up. I think it’s all ages, and the doors are at 9:00 on the FREE show.
You can close your Saturday off over at Crocker Bar for another edition of Dykon Fagatron. This time the show should be just as entertaining with the indie pop R&B sounds of Houston’s Brandon West. West has been making quite the name for himself around town, and his latest single, “Shadow Play” is quite the mix of smooth R&B and electronica. The always fun deck work of DJ Stickers will be on the bill as well. If you’ve never seen a set from her, you’re missing out. Things will be opened by Biz Vicious’ alter DJ ego, DJ QUEERMO, while the entire show will be hosted by Crystal Toliver. The always entertaining show is 21 & up, things start going around 10:00,and as always it’s 100% FREE.
Sunday you could head to Walters to catch Sacramento five piece rock act, Sianvar. They’re kind of alt rocky, with hints of second wave screamo thrown in. They’ll be in town supporting their new release, “Sianvar EP.” San Diego four piece alt rockers Idlehands will be there as direct support. They’ll be here supporting their latest, this year’s “Dena Mora.” The groove rock of California’s Strawberry Girls will also be there, while Houston’s Crimson Arrow will go on prior. Houston’s Mosaic Dream will also be on hand, and Mannequin Mishap will open things up. The doors are at 6:00, it’s an all ages show, and tickets are between $12.00 and $15.00.
On Monday you can go back to Walters to see the psych pop of Nashville two piece Keeps. These guys sound pretty cool, and I really enjoyed their last album, 2024’s “Rift.” They’ll be joined by Houston band, Fan Club. The doors are at 8:00 and the all ages show has a $5.00 cover.
The Turnaways, Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
Tuesday Rudyard’s will have some punk going, when New Jersey pop punk band, Parasites performs. These guys have been around since the late eighties, they’ve had plenty of lineups, and though they’ve been NJ natives, California residents, and now Chicago dwellers, they’ve always been an act to catch live. I think their last album was “Non-Stop Power Pop, Vol.1,” but you’ll be entertained no matter what they’re playing. Houston pop punk three piece Something Fierce will be on the bill, and freak you out with their sound that’s like a mix of The Clash and Buzzcocks. Their last album was 2024’s “Split,” but it jams no matter what year it is. College station three piece Mutant Love will also be on the show, while Houston pop punkers The Turnaways will be there to open things up. Get there early for them because even though they sound like early era Green Day, they’re really impressive live. This year they dropped a three song release called “A Taste Of Texas” that you should give a listen. The 21 & up show has doors at 8:00 and tickets for $8.00.
That’s really the bulk of what’s happening this week. No matter what you do, please act respectful and drink like an adult.
