Weekender

First things first-- I know we've been a bit light on features over the past 10 days or so, but we have a number of things in the works that you'll see next week, including local record reviews and various other features. But we won't spoil the surprise. We're taking Monday off, but we'll be back Tuesday morning. Things to do in Dallas when you're hipster:

FRIDAY

Strawberry Fields' Denton Deluxe Vol. 1 with Nouns Group/Fight Bite/J Gray/Florene/Verulf/Violent Squid/Peach Street Gang/RTB2 (Rubber Gloves): Man, what a show.  It should be said first and foremost that it is sad to see Strawberry Fields dissolve as a live music venue.  After the end of what seemed to be the most recent golden age of Denton DIY with the demise of Secret Headquarters, Strawberry Fields really stepped up and became a great spot to see show, as well as functioning as a community center of sorts.  But I suppose if the place has to go, they couldn't do so more appropriately, with three solid local shows starting tonight.  Featuring quite a bit of musical diversity, tonight's show should give a little something to everyone.  Lately, I've been particularly interested to see where Florene goes, as the solo work of Gavin Guthrie has indicated that the band might be taking a more adventurous yet accessible IDM/synth oriented route to wherever it is they are trying to go.  Be sure to get there early to see what Violent Squid might cook up as well. 

Age of Disinformation (Bath House Cultural Center): The highlight of the 2008 Bath House music fest, Age of Disinformation is a local improv supergroup of sorts, featuring members of Akkolyte, The Great Tyrant, Zanzibar Snails, Vorvadoss, Aphonic Curtains, and the Tidbits.  The Bath House Cultural Center is located at 521 E. Lawther Dr. near White Rock Lake.  The "suggested" donation is $5, but if you ain't got it man, it's all good.  No one will bug you about it.  I've never been to this place before, and I'm interested to check it out.  Should be a fun show... is this thing BYOB I wonder?  I'll try to find out.

The Utah Saints (Lizard Lounge): The Utah Saints come back to town for the second time in about a year.  The Saints were probably the most important precursor to 90's English "Big Beat" like Prodigy and Chemical Brothers, bringing a big stadium, almost rock band approach to house music that, for better or worse, served as an indicator that dance music could be mass marketed in a manner similar to rock music.  This isn't to imply that there is anything inherently pandering, commercial, or compromised in their sound, however, and if you're interested in that semi-progressive late 80's/early 90's pop oriented house sound, then seeing them at Lizard Lounge will probably be fantastic if you can somehow make the douche bags and 90's rave cultural burn-outs disappear from your field of vision for the duration of the show.  Otherwise, you might want to be prepared for some gross outs.

Bavu Blakes and the Extra Plairs/D Madness/Verbal Seed/Element 7D (Liquid Lounge): You know how when Antony sings, especially on the new Hercules and Love Affair disc, he tries to sound like a black house diva?  Well Bavu Blakes' main background singer sort of sounds like that, and it's pretty sweet.  Neva Dug Disco and Vigilante have been hyping this show for a couple weeks now, and I'm sure their crews will be out in full force like usual.  Bavu is certainly an adequate MC, and his beats are fairly tight as well, if a bit been there done that.  Some of Austin's Element 7D's funk/electro fueled beats are pretty worth checking out too.  Pretty chill show overall, although I'm not sure if it's worth going to Liquid Lounge to experience.    

Yanari / Mirror People / Dirty Water Disease (Red Blood Club): OMG don't bring the kids to this one LOL :-) !!

SATURDAY

Ladyhawk/Neva Dinova/Thrift Store Cowboys (Hailey's): Jagjaguar's Ladyhawk sort of sounds like what happens when a term like "indie" rock becomes... oh Christ, I'm just too tired.  Let me state it another way: just go watch an episode of 120 Minutes from 10 years ago and imagine what would happen if American "indie" rock hadn't progressed one bit for an entire decade other than the fact that people now equate having an organ and a few whirls and screeches to "being a little experimental" and kind of sounding like Spoon.  Repeat this process until you fall asleep or start listening to Band of Horses or something.  Neva Dinova, an Uncle Tupelo raiding alt country band from Omaha sounds exciting in comparison.  Get it?

Skate Jam with the Party, Tommy Boy and DJ Lissa Monet (Red Bird Skate Land): Pretty interesting idea from Central Booking, as they bring their party to a skating rink and invite Toronto's Lissa Monet, who will be playing a lot of 90's stuff apparently.  Oh, and if you are completely uncool and still haven't checked out one of the best local dance mixes I've heard during my entire time doing this blog, click here and discover Tommy Boy, as he'll be doing videos and such for this show.  The rink is located at 1206 N. Duncanville Rd. in Duncanville, and shit goes down until 330AM.  

Strawberry Fields' Denton Deluxe 2 with Kaboom/Street Hassle/Deep Snapper/Eat Avery's Bones/Delphi/Zanzibar Snails/The International (Rubber Gloves): Another solid line up for Strawberry Fields.  I've actually been digging a couple Street Hassle songs lately too, and I haven't had the chance to check them out live.   

Silver Pines/Tonite Tonite/ Rival Gang (Swiss House, 3114 Swiss Ave): Starts at 11 and bands play on the hour.  BYOB and $5, usually a keg at the beginning of the night.  Rival Gang goes on at 1, so I guess I posted this backwards.  Oops. And PS-- is that REALLY what Tonight Tonight sounds like?  Ouch.  UPDATE:  Ouch indeed.  I was just informed that I linked to Tonight Tonight instead of Tonite Tonite.  Thank God.  Fixed.

Nouns Group/The Angelus/Darktown Strutters (Chat Room): Darktown Strutters don't have a Myspace page, but they are apparently a duo that combines minor key organs with live electronic drums played by Wes from Faux Fox.  They have a new release out on Asex Tapes as well.  

Fleas and Lice/Mouth Sewn Shut/Human Struggle/Warcola (Red Blood Club)

SUNDAY

The Kills/Dax Riggs (House of Blues): Dear House of Blues, please don't make me walk through your gift shop to get to a show.  Thanks ya'll!  

Positive Education with DJ G/Walter Jones/Luke Sardello (Minc): Positive Education is a monthly event in which groups of DJs get together to spin tunes that they describe as not adhering to dance music's rather rigorous dictates as to what happens to be "in" and "out" of style during a given season. The even numbered months bring in one group of DJs and focus on techo, house and italo, while the odd months, such as May, feature DJ G and company spinning disco, funk, soul and jazz. Luckily, disco and funk happen to be all the rage in hip dance circles these days, so this should be a good evening whether you follow the latest trends in electronic music or not, particularly since this ISN'T a school night.

Silk Stocking/Violent Squid/The Mad Scientists (Dan's Silverleaf)

It List: Thursday

Mark Sultan /Bad Sports/The Lash Outs (Rubber Gloves): Mark Sultan's 2007 release (and the first under this alias) "The Sultanic Verses" was pretty well received, even by people who don't like garage rock. It's understandable, as there is something more authentic than cartoonish about his music when compared to others in what some refer to as the "Stillborn Genre." He really started to get attention with King Khan & BBQ Show after operating under various pseudonyms. I would go into all of the other names he's played under, but I just don't have the time, even if I had all day.

Lost Generation (Fallout Lounge)

Lymbyc System/Florene/Top Secret...Shhh (Lola's):Lymbyc System partly hails from Austin, which for better or worse has a long history of tepid, borderline experimental groups that meander more than they ever fully arrive at a satisfied sonic conclusion. Not always a problem or even the point but man, Austin has always had a lot of it. Depending on who you are, this is a good show to either watch the band and concentrate sternly, or converse really loudly for four hours. Your call.

80's Night with DJ G (Hailey's): I'm just going to start using this space to talk about records I bought since everyone complains that we always list 80's Night. I was at this flea market recently and found a little stack of Giorgio Moroder (including the Oakey collab) shit, played out I know, but at two dollars apiece it was totally worth it. Also, a Divine 12-inch for the same price. Finally, the MVD reissue of the Target Video Flipper tape rules. Yes, I know how impressed you are, you don't have to tell me. If DJ G wants to start sending us a little list every week, we'd love to post it and I'll shut up.

Art List

Next weekend is the CADD Art Fair, get ready! This weekend, check out a couple of openings and closings in between stuffing your face with memorial day hot dogs. A little class would do your sloppy ass some good.

TODAY

El Franco Lee II (Angstrom)
Be sure to check out these chaotic paintings from the recent recipient of the Artadia Award.

SATURDAY

A Walk in the Rain: Edwards, Abrahms and Stone (Haley-Henman)
I've never been to Haley Henman, but this looks like it has potential.

CLOSING

JMW Turner (DMA)
Extended another week.

Kehinde Wiley (the Modern)
See it. Don't argue. Just do it.

David Bates (Dunn and Brown)

It List: Wednesday

The Police/Elvis Costello (Starplex): I've probably said this before on here, but I feel inclined to say it again-- I have honestly never really enjoyed a single thing Elvis Costello has ever done aside from his collaborations with Burt Bacharach a number of years ago. I couldn't even tell you why exactly, but Costello is one of those artists that I've never been able to connect with in any meaningful way at all. I'm sure a lot of people reading this do not share my view, but I find most of his music to be quite boring, even his "cool" early output, and no one has ever been able to change my mind. Sorry. Anyway, The Police apparently sold over 2.5 million tickets on their last tour (2007), making it one of the most successful tours of the year anywhere. And with tickets starting at $55 and going all the way up to $250 in most locations, I'd have to guess that the thing Sting can't stand losing... is money.

It's What We Get (Hailey's): This will be Alan Palomo's last appearance in Denton with It's What We Get, as he'll be moving to New York for the summer to begin his new musical projectbefore a permanent move to Austin later in the summer (a move that was one of the major forces behind the break up of Ghosthustler, apparently). Tonight's show will also feature a guest set from Keith P. Stop by and say goodbye to homeboy.

Fishboy/Amo Joy/Daneil Folmer (J&Js): This is a welcome home show for Fishboy.

Taxi Fare (Zubar)

The Scoop (Fallout Lounge)

It List: Tuesday

'Twas a bad day for the Myspace player to be down, but it was. I'll tell you what I know.


Capsule/Furnace/Hide And Secret/Trifle Tower (715 Panhandle): One of a couple of punk shows in Denton tonight, with this one especially heavy on the Skramz, both local and touring. For those that might not know, Skramz is what we say since this word has so much baggage attached to it. Trifle Tower is your best bet as far as local groups in this genre.


Test Patterns/The Wax Museums/Bad Sports/Vacation (Rubber Gloves): Much more light-hearted and garage-y punk show with some newer bands I've been hearing a lot about. Bad Sports is fronted by Orville Neeley, formerly of Chief Death Rage and I've been meaning to post the above video for months. Vacation is another young band with members of Bad Sports, Wax Museums, and the celebrated Marked Men. Somewhat unexpectedly, Denton seems to be known for its garage punk as much as anything else. A lot of these groups tend to sell a lot more records nationally than locally, which is ideal yet confusing. Looking forward to hearing a proper full-length from The Wax Museums.

Deep Snapper/Mother's Anger/The Delta Block (J and J's Pizza): I like the selflessness of these benefit shows, but there is something about the hippie presentation that weirds me out sometimes. I mean, if I show up to J and J's tonight is someone going to slip some sort of mysterious gnome-related tincture into my root beer? Proceeds go to Oklahoma tornado victims and Deep Snapper already has a new record out soon.


The Physics Of Meaning/Binary Sunrise/Your Midway Host (The Cavern)

Gazelles/Dignan/All Get Out (Hailey's):
Gazelles is an indie pop group that's been around for years now, but you might also recognize one of the members from It's What We Get.

Disqo Disco (Fallout Lounge)

It List: Monday

Liars/Colourmusic (Lola's): I'm sure there isn't anyone reading this who doesn't already know Liars, and since they aren't touring behind new material or anything, I'll just say "hey, there's a Liars show in Ft. Worth tonight." Yes, they are currently touring HUGE venues and HUGE stages with Radiohead, so this will be a chance to see them in a venue that is much more suited for what they do. They've been very good every time I've seen them live, and I would be surprised if tonight was any different.

Efterklang/Slaraffenland/Mom (Hailey's): Solid show at Hailey's featuring Efterklang, a Danish group who I've seen compared to everyone from Max Richter to Godspeed to Sigur Ros to Mum to Steve Reich.

Cool Out (The Cavern): Schwa and Big J will be celebrating the one year anniversary of Cool Out by purchasing 100 drinks for all their regulars. I'm guessing it is first come first serve as far as that goes. Aside from a few off nights here and there, Cool Out has been a huge surprise over the past year, somehow figuring out a way to maintain a sizable and loyal crowd at, uh, the Cavern... on Monday nights. Yeah, what the hell, right? If you haven't ever been, this should give you some indication as to just how good these guys are at what they do. This should be one of the better nights to go for sure.

Attractive and Popular/No Way(Rubber Gloves): The obvious highlight here is No Way, a project featuring Shane English and Lars Larsen.

The Physics of Meaning/ Gavin Guthrie/Verulf (1919 Hemphill): Perhaps if you're heading to Ft. Worth for the Liars show at Lola's, you might be interested in stopping by 1919 first to check out the solo work of Gavin Guthrie, a member of Florene, as well as Verulf, which ti me is still the best project associated with Matthew and the Arrogant Sea. I often wonder why Verulf doesn't get a little more attention.

Last Week's Local Charts

RECYCLED TOP SALES AND NEW ARRIVALS

1)
Florene - Florene
Record Hop - Record Hop

2)
Brave Combo - Polkas for a Gloomy World
Doug Burr - On Promenade
Shaolin Death Squad - Shaolin Death Squad
Stumptone - Gravity Suddenly Released

New Arrivals:

Deep Snapper - Into the Ugly
"Bourbon Street Blues" (featuring Karen Foster)
Matthew and the Arrogant Sea - Kenjiurada

GOOD RECORDS LOCAL TOP SELLERS

1. Erykah Badu - New Amerykah
2. Mom - Little Brite
3. Faris Nourallah - Problematico

GOOD RECORDS OVERALL TOP 20

1. Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
2. Black Angels - Directions to See a Ghost
3. Portishead - Third
4. Old 97's - Blame It On Gravity (Ltd.)
5. Old 97's - Blame It On Gravity
6. Murry Hammond - I Don't Know Where I'm Going But I'm On My Way
7. Ratatat - Shiller/Maholo 7"
8. Last of the Shadow Puppets - Age of Understatement
9. No Age - Nouns
10. Santogold - Santogold
11. Flight of the Conchords - Flight of the Conchords
12. Duffy - Rockferry
13. Pattern is Movement - All Together
14. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Lie Down In the Light
15. Animal Collective - Water Curses
16. Boris - Smile
17. Dark Meat - Universal Indians
18. Samamidon - All Is Well
19. We Are Scientists - Brain Thrust Mystery
20. Jamie Lidell - Jim

Monday Morning Rock

SHOWS OF NOTE THIS WEEK

MON: Liars/Colourmusic (Lola's)
MON: Efterklang/Slaraffenland/Mom (Hailey's)
TUE: Capsule/Furnace/Trifle Tower/Hide and Secret (715 Panhandle)
WED: Police/Elvis Costello (Starplex)
THU: Mark Sultan/The Lash Outs/Bad Sports (Rubber Gloves)
THU: Lymbyc System (Lola's)
FRI: Strawberry Fields' Denton Deluxe Vol. 1 with Nouns Group/Fight Bite/J Gray/Florene/Verulf/Violent Squid/Peach Street Gang/RTB2 (Rubber Gloves)
FRI: Age of Disinformation (Bath House Cultural Center)
SAT: Ladyhawk/Neva Denova/Thrift Store Cowboys (Hailey's)
SAT: Skate Jam with the Party, Tommy Boy and DJ Lisa Monet (Red Bird Skate Land)
SAT: Strawberry Fields' Denton Deluxe 2 with Kaboom/Street Hassle/Deep Snapper/Eat Avery's Bones/Delphi/Zanzibar Snails/The International (Rubber Gloves)
SUN: The Kills/Dax Riggs (House of Blues)

Weekender

I almost just had to not publish anything today due to a personal energency of sorts. So below you've got links accompanied by less than my best work (bunch of one liners), and if you complain about it, then I hate you. Sorry. Ill try to add to this if I can later today (and be sure to check out some of the new Mp3s we posted in the MP3 section.)

FRIDAY

Dark Meat/Quiet Hooves/The Great Tyrant (Lola's): Strange bill tonight in Ft. Worth, as Vice Records' Dark Meat is joined by Great Tyrant, a band they couldn't sound any LESS like. Not that this is a bad thing necessarily, just strange. I've been completely underwhelmed by everything I've heard from Dark Meat, so maybe Spune added one of my favorite local live bands, Great Tyrant, in a specific attempt to get me to come to this show. Probs.


Numerators/La Panza/Geistheistler/Go To Hell (Wisconsin, 731 Texas St., Denton)

Executrix/The Heartstring Stranglers/Matthew and the Arrogant Sea (Exploding House): Exploding House is turning into quite a nice little development for the music scene in Ft. Worth. This is the first of two solid show's they'll be hosting this weekend, and although it requires a drive to Ft. Worth, the guys at Exploding House are making it harder and harder to avoid.

Nylon Tour with She Wants Revenge/Be Your Own Pet/The Virgins/Switches (House of Blues): What a load of horrible bullshit. Especially the Virgins. I really want to punch them.

License to Trill with Bobby Trill and Cool Out (Moosh)

Cardinals/Dirty Water Disease/Doyen/Mom (802 Massey St., Denton): Birthday house party with kegs. Translation: show up early. Apparently Cardinals is Geistheistler.

The Folly Fandango/The Noise Revival/Starhead (Hailey's)

Bangs/Short Attention Span Theater (Rubber Gloves): Apparently SAST will be doing videos during a dance floor set from Bangs.

SATURDAY

Baptist Generals/Dust Congress (Cafe Rembrant, 703 McKinney Ave.): This is an Art Prostitute after party. I'm not sure if it's invite only or not, but it doesn't matter to me because I'm always invited to everything.

Hands up! with DJ Teenage Wolf and The Party (The Loft)

Handbrake/Raised by Tigers/Quiet Hooves (Strawberry Fields)

Hot Flash (Fallout Lounge): Saturday's Hot Flash Party will feature a guest set by Genova. There is no cover.

Dark Meat (Good Records, 4pm, FREE)

SUNDAY

Radiohead/Liars (Starplex): Yes, I'm fucking calling it Starplex from now on. I'm not going to allow my teenage memories of Lollapalooza 95 to be clouded by some website I've never even been to.

Japanther/The Pharmacy/Naxat (Rubber Gloves): Uh, yes you should go to this show. Just heard some great new stuff by Japanther too.

Vivian Girls/Vacation/Teenage Cool Kids (Exploding House): Heard a fun little rumor that Japanther might be opening up this show on their way to Denton. I wonder....

El Paso Hot Button/Attractive and Popular (Good Records, 3pm, FREE)

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Granada): This is a private show that requires an RSVP, which you can send to management@granadatheater.com I believe the show is free, and I don't believe I remember any BRMC songs other than that one that kinda sounds like a Brian Jonestown Massacre song mixed with a Jesus and Mary Chain song. You know the one, right?

Cody Robinson/Daniel Folmer/Dust Congress/The Baptist Generals(Dan's Silverleaf)

Getting to Know Pyramids

Over the past few weeks, we've received several inquiries from people both in and out of town concerning Denton's Pyramids, a band that has recently signed to Hydra Head Records (home to Boris, Isis, Torche, and Big Business, among others) and collaborated with the legendary Blus Aus Nord.  The group's dreamy, relatively formless wall of ambient reverb and drone has been compared to the likes of Jesu and My Bloody Valentine, and the two tracks on their Myspace page are both quite striking, existing in that delicate balance between the heavy and the celestial. So yes, they have this great record deal, they've already been covered in Pitchfork, and their songs are actually pretty good, but the funny thing about all this is that no one in the local "scene" seems to know anything about them.  Who are these dudes?  Why don't they play shows?  How did they get a record deal?  Well, we decided that since we are pretty much the coolest people in town, we'd just ask them ourselves. We sent Pyramids an email full of questions, and they were nice enough to answer some of them.  I didn't say they were all very informative answers, but answers all the same.   Here is our exchange:

1. The main question everyone is asking about you guys: who are you? where did you come from? A lot of people suggest that Pyramids couldn't possibly be from Denton because it's such a small town and most people seem relatively unfamiliar with you. So could you tell me your names, and where you are from, and why you might be relatively unknown in the area?

We fell from the sky. Half of the band is currently in l.a., but I run the joint out of North Texas. There is something in the water in Denton...

2. How did you end up on Hydra Head?

We are kindred spirits.

3. A lot of people mention things like "shoegaze," and Justin Broadrick and drone and Earth when talking about your music. Could you tell us about what influences you musically? I hear more gentle things in your sound like Atlas Sound and Animal Collective and stuff like that a bit too.

Aside from Blut Aus Nord and Cocteau Twins, the other artists on our remix disc really make up the founding fathers of our sound. It is such a mind blowing situation to be in, collaborating with every single musician that reflects the reasons why music controls our very beings. Toby Driver, JK Broadrick, the extremely underrated Blut Aus Nord, lovesliescrushing, Campbell Kneale, and of course the true genius behind the sound of this record James Plotkin.

4. Have you played out in the area any time recently? Do you plan to any time soon?

We have never played and are not sure if and when we will, but if the situation is absolutely right, then it just may.

5. How did you hook up with Blut Aus Nord?

They are one of the three best bands of all time and probably the most underrated. We are just really respectful fans and Vindsval enjoyed our music, so we collaborated.

6. What are your plans for the immediate future?

We have a follow up album already in the works that is just as epic, with a slew of collaborators to make it just as fun. This will be a Hydra Head release as well, though we don't know when.

It List: Thursday

Nothing really going on except for 80's Night at Hailey's and Disqo Disco at Fallout. Oh, and I can't wholeheartedly recommend but I can tell you that Reverend Horton Heat and Nashville Pussy are playing House Of Blues for free. Sometimes free is really expensive.

ADD: House Of Dang and And/Or Gallery present Summer Smackdown 2 featuring "Raiders Of The Lost Arc: The Adaptation." I've seen this and it's incredible: a group of youngsters spent a good chunk of their childhood recreating a micro budget version of "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" scene for scene. Watching them grow up on camera as well as their dedication is as moving as it is hilarious. BYOB and BYOLC (lawn chair).

Art List

Check out the Goss Michael opening today, and the Martin Puryear if you haven't yet- it's closing the 18th.

TODAY

Tim Noble and Sue Webster (Goss-Michael)
Interesting stuff with neon lights- I'm pretty excited about this one.

ADD: Summer Smackdown Movie Night: Part 2 (And/Or House of Dang Party Yard)
How could I forget! I'm not sure if you can count Indiana Jones: The Adaption as art, but it will sure be a hell of a good time.

FRIDAY

24-Hour Video Race (Magnolia)
The race starts at 11:59 a.m. It is too late to register, but you can see the entries next weekend.

SATURDAY

Nothing Moments (Public Trust)
Another opening from our friends at Public Trust. I think I've heard rumors of an after-party?

Eddy Rawlinson and Deborah Roberts (Mighty Fine Arts)