Top Notch: The Best of The Week
Photo By Andrew Thomas Lee
I love how this city has the ability to come together while the weather is still bearable. We can definitely play host to touring acts while putting on our own events and supporting local business at the same time. This week there are a host of great shows from local to touring acts, with comedy and FREE events in between. Here’s a rundown of where your time should be spent.
Sometimes it seems like all of the stars can align, and a show comes together based on all of the entities fitting on the same page. This is definitely the case over at Warehouse Live on Thursday, the 17th, when TEAM* stops by the studio. The Dallas based indie pop act just proves that good things can come from North Texas without having a Cowboys logo attached. This can only be amplified by the fast paced San Antonio group Hydra Melody in tow. Of course, it won’t hurt that two of Houston’s better new acts will be opening the night. I can’t say more great things about locals Catch Fever that wasn’t conveyed in my review of their album, “Shiny Eyes.” When you add the intense and melodic performance of Fox & Cats, you end up with a show that’s worth every penny of the $12.00 cover. The doors for this all ages show are at 7:30, early enough for you to catch all of the pop rock goodness.
If you’re a surf rock fan, then Moondoggie, you should be at Continental Club on Thursday, as legend of the genre Dick Dale will be performing. Any fan of Dale’s fast paced riffs and scale induced measures should go pay homage to a man that defined a generation and a culture of sun soaked youth. The show is at 10:00 and tickets run between $25.00 and $30.00.
On Friday, depending how high you want to get, Devin The Dude will be stopping by Warehouse Live. His “Buds & Suds” tour will not only feature his back catalog of stoner themed rhymes, but an impressive list of friends and openers. The Bay area flow of Berner will definitely help get the crowd into a frenzy with his sweet and smooth style. His 2024 album, “Drugstore Cowboy” will make you forget he’s a white guy. The buds keep coming with the stoned beats and rhymes of California’s Potluck and the reggae toned vibe of Portland’s Cool Nutz. Long Beach native, J. Hornay will get things started with doors at 8:00 and a $20.00 cover.
If stoned hip hop mega shows aren’t your speed, you can go downstairs at Fitzgerald’s, and check out the trippy and dark themed sounds of LA’s Baths. The 2024 Baths album, “Cerulean” really showcased how EDM can mix it up on a larger and more focused scale. His newest effort, last year’s “Obsidian” continues that trend with a more dark and intrusive vibe. The immensely talented and worth seeing sounds of Scotland’s Young Fathers will be making an appearance as well. The lo-fi hip hop trio doesn’t come around often, so they’re easily a “must see” for anyone who’s been a long time fan. Houston’s ambassador of ambient sound meets free form beats, Stephen Farris will be starting things off in his usually trippy and interesting way. The doors are at 8:00 and the tickets range between $13.00 and $17.00.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock that doesn’t play music, Saturday the 19th is Record Store Day. That means that your local participating record stores will be hosting all kinds of fun alongside super limited releases that will only be pressed for Record Store Day. Away from the new Pixies album there will be a new, yes new Sunny Day Real Estate song on a split seven inch. There’s also a rare R.E.M. on MTV’s Unplugged pressing and a reissued vinyl of Public Enemy’s “It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.” The records are just a part of the fun, as there will also be beverages and live performances at most record stores. Cactus Records will play host to several DJ’s and cap the day off with a DJ set from Bagheera. Heights Vinyl will be hosting several live bands that will include The Beans, as well as recording these sets to be cut on vinyl in store. That being said, after looking into it, I don’t see any RSD events at Vinyl Edge, Sound Exchange,or Soundwaves; but I do know that Black Dog Records has something going on, though a list of live acts wasn’t listed. Sig’s Lagoon will also have something happening for RSD, yet no details were available. All in all, it’s definitely a way to get your hands on some great stuff, support local business, and see some good music; and all for the cost of FREE.
Also on Saturday, and also for FREE; is the Feeeelin’ Gooood Fest at Avant Garden. A dog fashion show, body painting, the HTX SUX podcast & comedy, and 30 bands will be performing in three separate areas of the Avant Garden space. Without naming all of the bands, it’s best to say that the likes of Devil Killing Moth, Children of Pop, Fox & Cats, FLCON FCKER, and RIVERS will all be there. After seeing RIVERS recently ignite the crowd at Fitzgerald’s into a frenzy as they performed as The White Stripes, I can say that they’re definitely worth getting there early for. There’s also live art, poetry, and local vendors. The event is Free if you’re 21 & up, but it’s $15.00 if you’re under 21. Things get started at 3:00 and end around midnight.
There’s a great continuing show over at Station Theater called 20/20/20 also happening on Saturday the 19th. Hosted by the hilarious Christopher Oddo, the show features twenty minute sets from three separate comics. It all begins with a ten minute set from Oddo, followed by a twenty minute set each from Gabe Bravo, Albert DeLeon, and Nia DeBose. For those of you who don’t know, all three of these comics are great in their own right, and Nia is definitely a must see, as she hasn’t been doing a bunch of shows lately. The tickets are a measly $6.00 and things get started at 8:30.
So, if there just wasn’t enough being offered to you on Saturday, Three Six Mafia’s Juicy J will be winning over a possibly sold out crowd at Warehouse Live. I would think that anyone who had thumped any one of the songs off of Juicy’s last album, “Stay Trippy” would be there to get their groove on. Though there doesn’t appear to be an opener, I would guess that the show will offer some sort of special appearance by another MC. The doors are at 9:00 and the tickets are a little pricey ranging from $40.00 to $125.00, the latter being a meet and greet package.
Appropriately performing on Sunday, 04/20, is stoned rapper Curren$y. The show which takes place in the ballroom at Warehouse Live doesn’t show an opener, but the songs from Curren$y’s latest album “Stoned Immaculate” should be enough to get you “lifted.” The doors are at 8:00 and offer a $40.00 to $100.00 price range.
I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that I know at least twenty people who are 100% amped for the Manchester Orchestra show at House of Blues on Monday, the 21st. Hot on the heels of their very recent release ”Cope,” the band is rocking their way into town. This can only be matched by seasoned opener Kevin Devine and The Goddamn Band. Devine released two amazing records last year, and his show at Fitzgerald’s proved that he brings his “A” game when he plays. The always entertaining and screamy sounds of Balance and Composure are on board as well. This show has the ability to sell out, so I’d suggest grabbing your tickets earlier than later. The doors are at 6:30, and the tickets range between $18.00 and $22.00.
I sincerely hope that we all have the energy for the host of things happening on Saturday alone. If you haven’t planned things out yet, I implore you to make it out to a record store on Record Store Day, and check out some of the locals alongside these great touring acts. There’s no scene whether it be music or art, without people to support it.
