The Good Life: The Best of The Week
Weezer. Photo: Chelsea Lauren
Now that we’ve gotten through Summer Fest and summertime is in full swing, it definitely feels like all the big tours will be swinging through town for a while. This week is a great example when bands like Weezer will be here in our fine city. Houston, here’s where to spend your paycheck this week.
Wednesday you can kick off over in the studio at Warehouse Live when the solo efforts of Black Veil Brides’ singer Andy Black performs. Black has had a pretty good run with an album, The Shadow Side that hasn’t been out or even six months, and he’s getting tons of press for his live shows. The electro pop of Florida’s Colours will be on as direct support and openers for the all ages show with doors at 6:30 pm and tickets for $25.
Over at House of Blues the post hardcore sounds of Thrice will be on full display. I forgot these guys were a band until I saw this show posting, but that could be due to the fact that they haven’t released anything in four years. Their latest album, this year’s To Be Everywhere Is To Be Nowhere is a nice return, but not nearly as strong as their 2024 release The Artist In The Ambulance. The engaging sounds of Michigan’s La Dispute will bring their latest album, this year’s Tiny Dots to life as direct support, while New Jersey’s gates will open things up. The all ages show has doors at 6:30 pm and tickets for $21.
Told Slant. Photo: Richard Gin
Of course, I’d guess that most of you would be over at Walters to catch the high energy of Massachusetts’ The Hotelier. Post hardcore, indie rock, whatever you want to call this four piece, the word “great” should also be in your description. While they gained tons of attention for their previous album Home, Like NoPlace Is There, it’s their new album, this year’s Goodness where the band really shines. The band really emulates a ton of early nineties indie rock and emo without copying any of them, and their live shows are always impressive. The bedroom punk of New York’s Told Slant will be on hand as direct support, and should turn heads when they perform tracks from their upcoming album, including their new single “Low Hymnal.” I’d describe this band as the closest resemblance to Modest Mouse when Modest Mouse made good albums, if you can remember that..like The Lonesome Crowded West-era if that helps. The emo post folk sounds of Massachusetts four piece Loone will be on the show as well, while the emo sounds of Houston’s football, etc. will get things going. If for some reason you’ve never seen this three piece, just know that they’re one of our city’s best kept secrets and last year’s Disappear EP was one of my favorite releases of the year. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $12 and $15.
Over at Satellite Bar you can catch the blues psych rock mixture of Houston’s Space Villains*. This might be one of the hardest bands to stick in a genre because they tend to vary their sound from performance to performance, but that doesn’t mean you should miss when they play. Their 2024 album Asterism is trippy with soulful undertones, and they’re always entertaining to see live. The bizarre analog synth R&B sounds of Texas’ Trai Bo will be on as support, while the electro pop hip hop of Houston’s Electric Vacation will be there to open things up. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and a TBA cover.
Thursday you can get going over at Discovery Green to grab a FREE scoop of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. There’s not much to this, just free ice cream available from 2 pm until 9 pm as part of the company’s Texas Churned Tour. There’s no cover or age limit, but they might have a limit on how many scoops you can get.
After that you can head to Nightingale Room when the pop punk of Houston’s 30 Foot Fall drops by the small space to perform. These guys have done really well considering that they haven’t released anything new since 1999’s Ever Revolving, Never Evolving. They’ve become known for high energy live shows that are pretty stage dive heavy from start to finish. However, I doubt that there will be any stage diving at this show the 21 & up show has doors at 7 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
If that’s not your thing, then you could stop by Walters to catch the reformed sludge doom metal of The Obsessed. Featuring the singer of Saint Vitus, this three piece formed in the eighties and reformed officially this year after several reunited appearances. The prog doom of Sierra will be on as direct support while the desert rock of Karma To Burn will go on beforehand. Houston’s Blues Funeral will be on hand to open the show with their proto-metal intensity. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $20 and $22.
Black Coffee. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
Satellite Bar will host the hardcore of Sacramento’s HOODS. This six piece has been around over twenty years, they’ve become known for crazy live shows, and their latest album, 2024’s Gato Negro is why they’re here. The intense hardcore of Houston four piece Black Coffee will be on hand as direct support, and if you’ve never seen these guys then you’ll be in for a treat. Their latest release, Livefast is pretty amazing and their live shows are not to be missed. Houston’s Blunt will also be on the bill, as will Khobretti, while Block Watch will open things up. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets for $10.
If you’d rather get your laugh on, you could swing by Improv to catch the first of a weekend full of shows from Godfrey. The Chicago comic has toured the world, he’s been on Comedy Central, and he’s even had appearances in films like “Zoolander;” plus his 2024 album Black By Accident is pretty hilarious. As per all of these shows, two of Houston’s better comics will serve as host and feature act. The 18 & up show has doors at 7:15 pm on Thursday, two shows on Friday at 7 pm and 9 pm, two Saturday at 6:15 pm and 8 pm, and one on Sunday at 6:45 pm. All of the shows have tickets between $15 and $27.
The studio at Warehouse Live will have the French born and Queens raised hip hop of Bas. Bas has been making a name for himself for a while now, but his latest album Too High To Riot from this year proves his mic strengths. West Coast rapper Cozz will be on as direct support, with Atlanta based hip hop duo EARTHGANG on prior. Be sure to catch the trippy electronica of UK based group, The Hics, while producer Ron Gilmore will be on hand to open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $15 and $20.
Over at Stone’s Throw you can catch another edition of Thursday Tease hosted by Dem Damn Dames own, Tifa Tittlywinks. This edition of the often randy show will feature the burlesque skills of Dallas’ Mary Lynn Mayhem. The 21 & up show has doors at 8 pm, and it’s 100% FREE.
You can get your groove on at Alley Kat when Statik Selektah joins the Waxaholics crew for a set. Selektah hails from NYC and has become known for his lit sets and his deck skills alongside the likes of Big Reeks and the rest of the crew should be on point. An opening set from DJ Red Soda will kick off the 21 & up night with doors at 8 pm. The show is 100% FREE with RSVP, found here.
Guilla. Photo: Blake Hunter
Arlo’s Ballroom will host a turn up show when Guilla stops by to perform. For the past two years I’ve watched Guilla bust his ass and go from unknown to consummate performer. His sets have gotten stronger, his stage presence is on point, and this year’s Children of The Sun is one of the more future sounding hip hop records you can put in your ears. A set from Houston’s iLL Faded will kick off the event, and if you missed him at FPSF, then this is your chance to hear him bring his album No Big Deal to life. The 21 & up show has doors at 9 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
If you’d rather get your two step on, then you could sashay over to Firehouse Saloon to catch Houston’s The Broken Spokes. These guys play old school country that’s so good, that you’ll swear you took a time machine back to the fifties when you see them. Western swing, honky tonk, and all the other subgenres that used to be a part of the country music world are all over their new album, this year’s The Broken Spokes. There’s no opener for the 21 & up show that runs from 9 pm to 11 pm, and it’s 100% FREE.
On Friday you have plenty of choices that start off with an appearance from Weezer out at the Woodlands Pavilion. I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn when I say that Weezer felt out of touch with their own sound until they dropped their latest release, (White Album). A true return to form, they’ll rock out those tunes alongside old favorites in front of their trademark winged W logo. The emo pop sounds of Las Vegas’ Panic At The Disco! will also be on the bill, and should bring this year’s Death of A Bachelor to life. The pop sounds of Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness will open the all ages show with gates at 6 pm and tickets between $25 and $75.
If you don’t feel like that trek to the burbs, then you could head to Satellite Bar for the Shred Guitars and Spit Bars Fest. Headlining sets from Crimson Arrow, Vox Vocis, and Versa Nova will be preceded by sets from about 14 other acts. All of the details are here, the doors are at 6 pm, and the all ages show has a $10 cover.
Warehouse Live will have the rootsy blues rock of Austin’s Uncle Lucius in the studio. These guys have made quite the name for themselves with their popular and slow boil songs. Last year they dropped the unbelievably catchy album The Light, and they should be worth making it out for. Texas City’s own, Jason James will bring his country twang to the bill as direct support and opener. This guy brings hints of old honky tonk to everything he does, and last year’s Jason James proves he could be a real threat to what’s happening in Nashville today. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $12 and $14.
Remember when all you could hear was NOLA rapper, Juvenile? Well he’ll be over at Arena Theatre to drop a performance. Don’t worry, he will probably only perform a little of 2024’s The Beginning of The End, and focus on his jams “Back That Azz Up” and “Slow Motion.” Keeping in the vein of ass themed tracks, Mystikal will also be on the bill and should steer from his latest, 2024’s Tarantula and focus on his hits “Shake Ya Ass” and “Danger (Been So Long).” The all ages show has doors at 7:30 pm and tickets between $29.50 and $49.50.
Rogue Wave. Photo: Terri Loewenthal
At Walters you can catch the indie rock meets folk pop of California’s Rogue Wave. The two main members, Zach and Pat have been doing this for a long time, and their back catalog alone is worth making this show for. Albums like Descended Like Vultures, Asleep At Heaven’s Gate, and Permalight to name a few are all gorgeous examples of what this band does together. Their latest release, this year’s Delusions of Grand Fur is a shining example of their beautiful and catchy sound. They’ll have direct support from folky indie pop act, North Carolina’s Floating Action. There’s been a ton written about this band, but I feel like once you hear their new album Hold Your Fire, you’ll make up your own mind about their interesting sound. The all ages show has doors at 8 p and tickets between $14 and $16.
Over at Fitzgerald’s you can catch the extremely catchy indie pop of Houston’s Drop Out Vegas before they leave for tour. The three piece has been dropping hook filled songs for a good while now, and honestly if there were a band to break out in the indie pop world and they be from Houston, they stand the biggest chance to do so. They’ve dropped a ton of singles including “Symphony” and their latest “Rivers and Roads (feat. Anchor North & Callan Buchanan).” The indie pop psych of Austin’s The Human Circuit will be on hand as direct support while the traditionally trippy psych of Houston’s Mantra Love will go on beforehand. The folk pop of Spring’s Inzi will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for $10.
Fresh from some health issues, Houston’s Dillon Trimm will headline a set over at Midtown Bar & Grill. Trimm has fronted his band The Trimms for a good while, and his solo sets are always engaging. He’ll have Greyson Creely of the band 10000 Chiefs Under The Sea as his direct support, and Jeffers Thomason on beforehand. Daniel Oviedo of Devil Killing Moth will open the 21 & up show with doors at 9 pm and a $5 cover.
Rudyard’s will host the power trio stoner metal of Dallas’ Mothership. These guys have become well known for their intense live shows so much that their most recent album is a live one with Live Over Freak Valley. They’ll have to work twice as hard after having the high energy of The Satanic Overlords of Rock N’ Roll on as their direct support. These guys are like getting punched in the face from start to finish, and are quickly becoming known as one of our city’s most intense live shows. The stoner rock of Houston’s The Dirty Seeds will bring their intense and beer fueled high throttle sounds on as openers for the all ages show with doors at 9 pm and tickets for $10.
Dollie Barnes. Photo: David Brendan Hall
Saturday you can kick the day off at Ladybird’s for their Parking Lot Party. The all day event that includes a fish fry will have music from the always engaging and entertainingly beautiful sounds of Dollie Barnes. There also promises to be music from Grisbee, Whit, and Space Villains* who should help round out the day. Things get going at 11 am, it’s 21 & up, and it’s 100% FREE to attend.
If that’s not your thing, you could head to Pop Shop Houston for the Pop Shop Houston Art Festival, Summer Edition. The all day affair runs for two days at the Houston Pop Shop locale and will feature tons of wares for sale from local artisans. There promises to be giveaways, as well as sets from Gio Chamba, 10000 Chiefs Under The Sea, Hayden Jones, MindShrine and more. All of the details are available here for the all ages event with doors at 11 am and an $8 ticket.
Run DMC. Photo: Courtesy of Artist
Out in the Woodlands, you could get your hip hop fix at the Boom 92 Boom Bash at the Woodlands Pavilion. A headlining set from Rakim of Eric B. & Rakim fame will take place, and as someone who caught him last year, if you’re a fan you shouldn’t miss out. The MC will still drop fan favorites like “Don’t Sweat The Technique” and “Paid In Full,” and his live set is definitely on point. He’ll have hip hop legends Run DMC on prior, and while Jam Master Jay is no longer with us, the set should be lit while they rock jams like “It’s Tricky” and “Peter Piper” to name a few. There’s also sets from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, MC Lyte, Naughty By Nature, and Monie Love. Things will get kicked off with a set from DJ Quik which should be worth getting there early for. The all ages show has gates at 2 pm and the tickets are a little pricey between $45 and $150.
You can be part of a video shoot for the band Ganesha over at The Vanguard. The all ages event asks that you come dressed as a “greaser” or as a “psychedelic mess” to be a part of the shoot. The band will perform a set after the shooting is completed, and it’s 100% FREE with entry beginning around 3 pm.
Later in the day you can swing by the studio at Warehouse Live to catch a set from pop rock trio, Houston’s The Soapbox Revolution. I’ve never seen these guys before, but I’ve heard plenty about them and they’ll be playing track from their upcoming EP release that’ll be available at this show. Their latest, a single called Send My Love is pretty damn catchy for sure. They’ll have the high energy of Houston’s In Memory Of on as direct support. This four piece has created plenty of buzz around town, and their 2024 album In Memory Of… is pretty damn solid. The pop punk of Houston’s Kemo For Emo will also be on the bill, and should turn heads with their raucous live show. Their latest, this year’s A Picture Perfect Romance is a nice return to form of what pop punk was before it became the swan song of shops like Hot Topic. The space rock of Dallas’ Fantasma will also be on hand while the rock of Houston’s Cheers To Good Problems will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $10 and $12.
Continental Club will host the album release from Houston’s Young Girls. Their new album, Party Blood is a breath of fresh air complete with hooks for days and plenty of surprises. Their live shows are always full of energy and fun, and the fact that they’re so cohesive as a unit shouldn’t be lost on anyone. The instrumental shoegaze of Houston’s Raceway will perform the duties of direct support while the indie pop of Austin’s Rose Selavy will go on beforehand. Vas Deferens will also perform while things get kicked off with a DJ set from Brownsville’s DJ Uniporn. The 21 & up show has doors at 8 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
Over at Satellite Bar you can catch the psych doom of Austin’s Sweat Lodge. This band makes the kind of hard rock that feels like you’ll wake up someplace else after listening to them, and their album Talismana from last year makes me want to check them out. The proto-doom sounds of San Marcos three piece, Crypt Trip will provide direct support, and the alt rock of Houston’s Empty Shells will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a TBA cover.
Laidback Luke. Photo: Courtesy of Ultra
Stereo Live will host the always fun and groove heavy sounds of Laidback Luke. The Holland raised and Philippines born producer and DJ has become well known for his EDM mixtures, big name collaborations, and remix work for large scale acts like Depeche Mode and Madonna. His 2024 album Focus proved that he could still mix house, dubstep, and trance into something fresh and different. His latest drop, a collaboration with Afrojack called “Move To The Sound” is as lit as everything he touches. The 18 & up show has doors at 9 pm and tickets for $20.
At Mucky Duck you can catch the Americana sounds of Houston’s Libby Koch. Considered a true voice for country music, Koch has been turning heads since she started out years ago. This being her new album release, you should get to hear old favorites alongside new tunes. That album, Just Move On was produced by Grammy award winning producer Bill Vorndick who’s made his name by working with acts like Asleep At The Wheel, Bela Fleck, and more. The 21 & up show has doors at 9:30 and tickets between $20 and $22.
Sunday you can start off over at Little Dipper, when Rudyard’s in house talent buyer Punk Rock Stacy drops a DJ set. Knowing a bit about her music tastes, I’m guessing she’ll drop plenty of emo and indie rock, alongside tracks from Moz and more. The 21 & up event runs from 4 pm to 7 pm, and it’s 100% FREE.
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood. Photo: Annie Atlasman
The ballroom at Warehouse Live will have the groovy jams of The Chris Robinson Brotherhood. You might know this guy as the other half of brotherly love/hate blues rock band Black Crowes, but he’s been doing this solo thing for a good while now. Though their last album was a collaborative effort with Grateful Dead activist Betty Cantor-Jackson called Betty’s Blends Vol. 2, they can definitely groove heavy on their own. There’s no word of openers or direct support, but these guys have been known to play for really long sets too. The all ages show has doors at 6:30 pm and tickets between $22 and $28.
Satellite Bar will have the energetic sounds of Portland three piece, Summer Cannibals. These three make rock that’s like if you took the energy and vibes of Ex-Hex and mixed it with the intensity of Wild Flag. Their latest album, last year’s Show Us Your Mind is pretty tight from start to finish. The gulf coast indie rock swagger of Houston’s Deep Cuts will be on hand as direct support while the indie rock jams of Houston’s Vodi will open things up. Make sure to get there early to see Vodi because they’re really great. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $8 and $10.
Speedy Ortiz. Photo: Brian Mahar
Of course, you could find yourself over at Walters for the indie rock of Massachusetts’ four piece, Speedy Ortiz. This band has gotten immensely popular since they started about four years ago, and they always bring their a game when they play live. Their latest EP, this year’s Foiled Again is heavier and more intense than their previous works while keeping their hook heavy sound intact. The Tim Kasher lead sounds of The Good Life will be on hand as direct support. This four piece is like catching a snappier version of Cursive, and their latest album, last year’s Everybody’s Coming Down was a breath of fresh air where Kasher seemed to channel his inner Stephen Malkmus. The dream rock of Nebraska’s Oquoa will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $12 and $15.
If you’d rather grab your metal fix then you could head to Rudyard’s to see the stoner doom of Arizona three piece Goya. Since these three began they’ve made quite the name for themselves and their latest album, Forever Dead, Forever Stoned from this year lives up to that name. The doom metal of Houston’s Funeral Horse will bring their highly energetic and loud sounds to life as direct support, while the metal of Moonrazer will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $10 cover.
Lil Uzi Vert. Photo: Courtesy of Artist
Monday if you had planned to go to Warehouse Live to catch the hip hop of Lil Uzi Vert, the show has since Sold Out. If you were lucky enough to have grabbed tickets, the doors are at 8 pm.
Tuesday you can head to Satellite Bar to catch a set from former Ramones drummer Richie Ramone. Though Ramone only played with the legendary punks for five years, his own solo stuff is much stronger than you might have thought. His latest album isn’t available to stream, but you can jam his 2024 release Entitled to hear how solid he actually is. The always entertaining punk of Houston’s Talk Sick Brats will be on hand as direct support while the pop punk and crazy high energy of Houston’s The Turnaways will perform prior. These guys are like taking a time warp to the nineties with their pop punk jams, and last year’s A Taste of Texas proves it. The anarcho-punk of Houston’s The Ancient Gods will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets for $12.
Over at Rudyard’s you can see the trippy and engaging sounds of Brooklyn’s Steve Gunn. Gunn has become known for his compositions and folky tunes that border the bizarre and beautiful at the same time. His latest release, this year’s Eyes On The Lines keep those mixtures together like the tunes of a road weary troubadour. The music of Houston’s Eli Winter will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $12 and $14.
That’s about all that’s going on around town. Whatever you decide to do, please stay hydrated while being as safe and responsible as possible, for all of our safety.
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Austin Edward Lipinski
