Weekender 8/25/06-8/27/06

Despite a few good shows here and there, there isn't a whole shitload happening this weekend. Here you go:


FRIDAY

Chris from Gorilla Vs Bear will be spinning records upstairs at the Cavern tonight.

Pinebox Serenade/ Record Hop/ Medicine Window (Rubber Gloves) Although bluegrass influenced stuff isn't normally my thing, Pinebox Serenade seems to be pretty good at what they do, and are probably worth checking out... Record Hop is Record Hop, and I dont' know what else I can say about them that someone hasn't already said, but if you want to check them out, most would agree that the live shows are where its at. I actually think that the first band, Medicine Window, is the highlight of this show. Their sloppy start/stop hardcore reminds me of Jesus Lizard and a little bit of Flipper with some PIL style post-punk bass lines thrown in the mix. I don't know much about this band, but their strong vocals and aggro approach could be exactly what you need on a Friday night.

Really, thats all we've been able to dig up for friday.

SATURDAY

Terrorstorm w/ Alex Jones, Theater Fire, JFK screenwriter Jim Marrs, Shanghai 5 and more (Lakewood Theater): If you're at all interested in politics, or simply enjoy hearing points of view that most people don't even know exist, then you might want to check out Alex Jones' latest film, Terrorstorm: A History of Government Sponsored Terrorism. Jones will be at the Lakewood Theater at 7pm on Saturday to present his film and conduct a Q and A session afterward. His thesis is that the US government, and the Bush administration in particular, was behind the 9/11 terror attacks, and the film apparently presents evidence to this effect (I haven't seen it, so I'm not sure exactly what it will be like). The Alex Jones videos I have seen are typically low quality, and some of his, um, "logic" can be hard to follow. I think he sort of imagines himself as Winston from 1984, more or less alone with his knowledge of the truth. And while I'm not sure about most of what he says, I really think this could be an interesting opportunity to hear some perspectives that you usually don't, and to maybe challenge your own thinking on 9/11... even if only a bit. Because whether you believe Jones or not (Note to Homeland Security: I don't believe in him), it should still be fun to hear what he has to say. I mean, have you seen Info Wars on public access in Austin? If nothing else, it is highly entertaining and fun to watch. And if you dismiss Jones all together, you can look at it as performance art or something. Oh yeah, it costs 10.50, and the Theater Fire will be performing as well. Should be good times.

Casper and the Cookies will be at Metrognome on Saturday. And in case you are frightened by the name, this is a group of ex Of Montreal members, and they take many more cues from Syd Barrett, The Who, and Television Personalities than they do from Polyphonic Spree or whatever. Probably a bit silly, but I really like the cheapo electro/psychedelic tracks I've heard from them, and you might too.

Denton's excellent Current Leaves will be kicking off their September residency at Club Dada with a show there on Saturday night. They will be joined by the Backsliders. Of course, CL will be playing every Wednesday or Thursday or something for the next month, so if you're one of those weekend warriors, this will be the best chance you'll get to see one of Denton's best bands in Dallas.

Dj Nature will be spinning at Zubar again this weekend with DJ Mel, and if this show is anything like the one last week, well, you'll feel pretty stupid if you miss it.

Birth to Burial will be at SHQ with Oklahoma's Engine Orchestra... two great rock bands that are actually doing something interesting in addition to kicking ass. Its three bucks, BYOB, and starts at 8. No reason not to go if you're up in Denton.

Pleasant Grove/ Red Monroe/ Ennui/ Voot Cha Index (Wreck Room in Ft. Worth)

Silk Stocking/ Sean Kirkpatrick/Plexus Loom/ (Amsterdam Bar on Exposition) Hadn't heard Plexus Loom until today, but they are pretty fucking good... very strange, like the Cramps playing folk music or something. Oh yeah, they'll all be joined by Oak Cliff's The Sheena Militia.


And as usual, I am running out of steam, but I will say two more things:

Laptop Deathmatch is going on at DoubleWide on Sunday, and its not to be missed.

Also, the Feds are the most annoying group of pussies on the planet. I try to be friends with everyone that requests on Myspace, and The Feds are included in that. But these retarded suck asses have sent me one too many "we're coming home, check out this gig" and "vote for us on the cockfight" fucking bulletins and event invites that I am officially going to hack into their myspace account and do something mean to them. Thats all.