Penthouse Floor: The Best of The Week
John Legend. Photo: Courtesy of Live Nation
This week we’ll be visited by the likes of legendary punks The Damned, soulful favorite John Legend, and one of Japan’s best exports, Shonen Knife, while locals like Devin The Dude, Giant Kitty, and So Soon The Truth fill in the gaps. Houston, here’s your roadmap for the following week.
Wednesday you can begin with a free show at Discovery Green featuring Mango Punch. Going strong since the early nineties, this band is like going to South America and chilling by the beach. Their latest release Mi sombrero y yo is pretty diverse with hints of reggae, Latin, and tropical fusion. The highly energetic digital cumbia sounds of Gio Chamba will be on hand as opener, and should get the show going right. The free show gets going around 7 pm and it’s all ages.
The Damned. Photo: Dod Morrison
Of course, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to catch the legendary punk rock of The Damned over at House of Blues. Here in support of their 40th Anniversary tour, these British punks have done it all and seen it all, and their album Damned Damned Damned is considered by many as one of the greatest punk albums of all time. The swag heavy rock of LA’s The Bellrays will provide direct support while the pop punk of Houston’s Turnaways will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets for $20.
Downstairs at White Oak Music Hall, the young folk rock British sensation also known as Barns Courtney will be on hand for a headlining performance. You might not know this guy depending on your age, but he’s being hailed as the next big thing. And with a sound that’s close to the likes of Ed Sheeran, it’s no wonder why his EP The Dull Drums is so popular. The pop rock of Foxtrax will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $13 and $17.
Giant Kitty. Photo: Daniel Jackson
Walter’s will host the always fun time sounds of Japan’s Shonen Knife. While the three piece was made famous for touring with Nirvana, it shouldn’t go without note that they’ve always been ahead of the game. In fact, alongside a fun and energetic live show, their latest release Adventure from last year is pretty solid, and in line with their best work. Houston’s Giant Kitty will energetically provide direct support while Hearts of Animals will be on the all ages show with doors at 8 pm as openers, with tickets between $10 and $12.
Thursday you might find yourself over at House of Blues to catch the alt rock of The Cult. Known for hits like “Fire Woman” and “Rain” to name a few, these guys have always been a bit mysterious while their live shows are always fun. They’re here in support of their latest release Hidden City, the album is a true return to form for a band that’s been around since the eighties. LA based industrial duo VOWWS will be on hand as direct support and openers for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $32.50 and $59.50.
A Place To Bury Strangers. Photo: Dusdin Condren
Downstairs at White Oak Music Hall, Austin psych purveyors, The Black Angels will return to headline a set. These guys opened the venue up and they’ll be here in support of their latest, this year’s Death Song. The loudest band you’ll possibly ever see, A Place To Bury Strangers will bring their intense atmospheric rock on as direct support and openers for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $20 and $24.
Walter’s will host the reunited grindcore of Houston’s Insect Warfare. If for some bizarre reason you’ve never heard these guys before, just know that their metal is insane and intense, and their latest release World Extermination might bring nightmares. LA’s Excruciating Terror will be on as direct support while the crust metal of Australia’s Captain Cleanoff will go on beforehand. The thrash meet grindcore of Australia’s PLF (Pretty Little Flower) will also be on the bill, with the power violence of Houston’s Holy Money on prior. The stacked lineup will see California’s Vulva Essers opening up the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and $15 tickets.
Upstairs at White Oak Music Hall, the indie electro pop of Indiana’s Hoops will swing by to perform. This trio has been getting plenty of steam since they started and their 2024 album Routines is catchy enough to get down to. The darkpop of Michigan duo Parts will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm with tickets between $10 and $13.
Continental Club will have the blues of LA’s The Reverend Shawn Amos. Amos has had quite the storied career of pain and loss, but his latest release Live at Bear’s from last year is definitely a tour de force. He’s an act you should make it out for with doors at 10 pm and a TBA cover for the 21 & up show.
Arthur Yoria. Photo: Jay Dryden Photography
On Friday you might want to swing by Nightingale Room to catch a set from singer songwriter Arthur Yoria. Yoria gets plenty of names tossed on him, but essentially he’s a singer songwriter who can mix it up in pretty much any room he performs in. His last release, a single “Shake” showcases his diverse talent. The show doesn’t have an opener listed yet, but that could change for the 21 & up FREE show with doors at 7 pm.
Over at Anderson Fair, you can catch the album release party for Hayden Jones. Jones has been truckin’ along at a strong pace for the last couple of years, and this being his second release should make for a fun show. The all ages event has doors at 7:30 pm and tickets for $15.
At Discovery Green, the Cirque la Vie event will bring aerial acrobats from Italy to town, the show will also have a performance from Houston’s Two Star Symphony. The all ages and free event gets going at 7:30 pm.
Satellite Bar will have a set from Brooklyn’s Imaginary Tricks. Playing eclectic pop rock, these guys have a sound that’s hard to deny all over their debut, Skommel from this year. There’s no word of openers, though that could change for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a TBA cover.
Abuse of Power. Photo: Triple B Records
At Rito’s Bar you can show up for Planned Parenthood and get some hardcore as well when Boston’s Glory swings by to play the benefit show. These guys have that kind of sweaty Boston punk meets Cro Mags feel, and their latest release The 12” is pretty solid. Atlanta’s Abuse of Power will also be on the bill while the hardcore of Houston’s Skourge will go on beforehand. The straight edge hardcore of History Repeats will also be on and things will get started off by Matter of Trust at the pay what you want show with doors at 8 pm.
Walter’s has the NOLA punk of Heavy Lids over to drop a set. Here in support of their latest, last year’s We Believe In The Night, this four piece is known for their energetic shows. Sean Spits Ltd. featuring Sean Spits of the Michigan skate punk band The Spits will go on prior, while Houston’s Snooty Garbagemen will bring their punk on prior. Austin’s Landshark will also perform, as will Criminal Itch with an opening DJ set from Houston’s Last Wave DJ Eliseo for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $10 to $12 ticket.
D&W Lounge will host Houston’s Young Mammals for what should be a pretty impressive show. On the heels of their latest release, last year’s Jaguar, these guys never disappoint when they perform. Clare will also play a set while Houston’s Milk Leg will open the free all ages show with doors at 9 pm.
Rosewood Thievz. Photo: Unique James
Rosewood Thievz will bring their R&B infused alt hip hop jams to the Foundation Room at House of Blues. I can’t describe these guys any better than to say that they have a ton of energy and moves that are on a whole other level, which translates best to “you need to experience” them for yourself. Their latest, a compilation called Stalin features a mix of tracks that bump and thump like you want. The 21 & up show gets going around 9 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
At Boondocks, the ongoing dance party known as BLACKOUT returns, this month featuring a headlining performance from DC Moombathon Godfather, Dave Nada. Nada has made quite the name as one of the strongest Latin producers and DJs, and his latest Fania Mixtape is a trip that sounds like it gets feet movin’, Resident DJs Hyro, Act Badd, and Leckie will be on hand to get the house bumpin’ for the 21 & up show with doors at 10 pm and a $5 cover, while Ladies are Free until 11 pm.
On Saturday you could head to Nightingale Room the electro indie sounds of Kay Weathers. Weathers is making this her last set before her appearance at FPSF, so it should be a doozy. The synth pop of Tee Vee will go on prior, and should mesmerize all who attend, as her sets have been on point as of late. The 21 & up show has doors at 7 pm and it’s Free.
Later on at House of Blues, you can go for the good times ride of The B-52’s when they swing by to perform. I hope I don’t have to oversell this Athens group too hard. Their live shows are fun, they seriously never disappoint, and with hits like “Love Shack,” “Rock Lobster,” and “Roam,” this should be another epic set from the enigmatic group. The garage soul of Florida’s The Sh-Booms will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $40 and $90.
Catfish and the Bottlemen. Photo: Jill Furmanovsky
Warehouse Live will host the Brit pop rock of Catfish and the Bottlemen. Don’t worry if you aren’t familiar with this popular British four piece, just know that this will more than likely be your last chance to see them in a room as small as the ballroom. They’re here in support of their pretty strong 2024 release The Ride. The blues jams of Canada’s July Talk will be on as direct support and openers for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $22 and $25.
Satellite Bar will host the prog rock sounds of Houston’s Valeluna. The five piece makes music that’s a mix of psych and alt progression, and their latest Affinity has them sounding like they’ll close the night strong. The alt rock of Save The Fire will be on as direct support while the math heavy indie rock of So Soon, The Truth will go on prior. Bearlios will open the 21 & up show with doors at 8 pm and a $10 cover.
Scout Bar will have the hip hop of Houston’s Devin The Dude in full display. Devin has been on fire as of late, dropping releases pretty feverishly and getting praise for his recent sets. His latest, Acoustic Levitation is pretty on point as well. Galveston’s Tex T will be on as direct support while GT will go on prior. Things will get opened by Houston’s Analyst on the 18 & up show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $20 and $65.
Rudyard’s will help you get your doom metal fix when San Antonio’s Cursus swings by for their album release party. While this band hasn’t been to Houston much, they’re rumored to be pretty epic to catch live, and this album Cursus is definitely worth catching in person. The riff heavy doom of Vulgurnaut will be on as direct support with Houston’s Sleeping Ancient on beforehand. The proggy doom of Crimson Void will open the 21 & up show with doors at 9 pm and a $10 cover.
Gio Chamba. Photo: Coed Photography
Sunday at Karbach Brewery, you can get down to the sounds of Saint Motel at the first ever Love Street Music Fest. The all day affair will have the California indie pop foursome here in support of their latest release, last year’s saintmotelevision. The electro pop sounds of Detroit’s JR JR will also be on the bill while the acoustic indie pop of Lewis Del Mar and the indie pop of California’s Run River North will also be on hand. There’s also sets from Cobi, Foreign Air, and Charley Crockett, while the two locals that are getting the fest started will give them all a run for their money. Gio Chamba will bring his crazed and energy heavy digital cumbia sounds to the fest. With his right hand percussionist Coffee Guzman, these two have such a raging set that you should attempt to match their energy when you see them perform. Their latest single, “High Rider” keeps that energy high while offering up a newer version of their infectious sound. Opening the fest up will be singer songwriter Adam Bricks, whose last album Relations is easily one of the best things you can put in your ears. Of course, the fest will also have plenty of Karbach beer on hand, as well as tons of food offerings. The 21 & up fest has doors at 1 pm, and tickets between $42 and $129, the latter being a VIP option full of goodies.
Of course, you should be over at Rudyard’s for the benefit show for Christian Kidd of The Hates. Kidd was recently diagnosed with Cancer, and this benefit show is just a small part of what the Houston music scene owes this legend. Sets from Hallowbody, No Love Less, and UYUS, as well as an all star cast of Houstonians singing classics by The Hates. Members of Mell Hell & The Texas Mod Crushers, Homopolice, The Guilloteens, Stinkerbell and more will be on hand to perform. The 21 & up show has doors at 6 pm and $10 tickets as well as auction items on hand.
On Tuesday you can head out to Woodlands Pavilion to catch the enigmatic sounds of John Legend. Legend is pretty much just that or at least in the making. His live shows are always worth making it out for and his latest drop, Dankness and Light from last year is easily his strongest release to date. Maryland’s Gallant will bring his sexy jams on as direct support and opener for the all ages show with tickets between $42.50 and $102.50 for the seated performance with gates at 6:30 pm.
Mouthing. Photo: Andrew Dominguez
Walter’s will host the scream heavy intensity of Toronto’s La Luna. The four piece makes essentially emo core with screamy vocals creating a sound that’s hard to deny. Their latest, last year’s Always Ready sounds pretty amazing, and has me excited for their set. Things will just get crazier when B L A C K I E performs as direct support, while Houston’s Mouthing will bring the math rock with terrifying vocal screams on as well while Narrow Head will open things up. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and tickets for a measly $5.
That’s about all that’s happening this week. No matter what you do, please remember that drinking like an adult means that you find a safe way home.
