Weekender: 3/30/07-4/1/07

Lots of stuff going on this weekend. Forget the intro, lets just see if I can make it through typing all this without crying. I bet I can't:

FRIDAY

Sneaker Pimps Release Party with DJ A One and Genie G (7-11pm Passport Exhibit Gallery): Passport Exhibit Gallery, if you didn't already know, is a boutique shoe and clothing store (located at 3112 Swiss Avenue) that seems to have already acquired a national reputation amongst shoe people. I don't know if I know any shoe people. Anyway, the colorful clothes, pleasant setting, attractive people and typically reliable flow of free beer always make these parties a lot of fun, but what really holds things together are the DJs that P.E.G. books for these things. I don't know anything about the two DJs they've got for tonight, but I've never seen a DJ at P.E.G. thats been even just o.k... they've all been great. Go watch a shoe store turn into a dance party.

Peeping Tom feat. Mike Patton/Dan the Automator (Granda Theater): Goddamn it, Mike Patton. What are we supposed to do with you, anyway? Peeping Tom is a hip hop influenced project that Patton put together with the likes of Dan the Automator, Norah Jones, Massive Attack and Kool Keith among others. Like everything Patton does, its strange, often stupid, and sometimes brilliant, but its certainly good enough for any old school Faith No More fan like myself to check out.

Melissas' Party with Farah and DJ Select (Avenue Arts): Well this is Farah's first show since the post heard round the world, and although she certainly didn't help herself in the comments section a few months ago, people were being at least a bit unfair to her throughout the whole thing too. Honestly, I've never seen a more substantial group of pointlessly nasty comments in the entire history of this blog, and thats really saying something. The repercussions of all that stuff will probably be nonexistent tonight, however, since I doubt anyone that really can't stand her music (or her) is actually going to go see her show, leaving only those who are either 1) indifferent or 2) interested in seeing what has to be one of the stranger performers in DFWd these days. I happen to like her Johnny Jewel produced material quite a bit, and I'm interested to see what she can pull off live. Add Select into the mix, and you you've got one of the best DJs in town to hold things down all night and into the after-hours realm, which is really when these Avenue Arts parties peak. This is why I enjoy not knowing very many people in the local "scene." We can largely ignore the personal politics and just listen. And watch.

The Lovely Sparrows/Eaton Lake Tonics/Warren Jackson Hearne/The Night Game Cult/Karrie Hopper (The Cavern): A pretty solid line up most of the way through, but to me Night Game Cult is always a true highlight. I saw one of the best local performances I've seen all year a few weeks ago when Kyle played a short set in a completely dark 8th Continent in front of about 30 people. It was pretty dead on, and the audience was literally telling Kyle how much they loved him in between every song. I've seen good and bad shows from this guy, and when they're good, theres a certain feel to them that you just can't deny.

Current Leaves/Red Monroe/The Watchers (Secret Headquarters)

Jerry Lee Lewis/Leon Russel (Nokia Theater): Do I really have to say anything about this show? This is one of those "we might not even be here talking about music if it wasn't for this guy" shows. It does cost like $50, however, so we can just appreciate its importance in theory or something.

Sean Lennon/Kamila Thompson/Women and Children (Gypsy Tea Room): So this is pretty much the last show at Gypsy for all intents and purposes. These club closings have been been absolutely covered to death in other local publications so I won't even bother crying about it, but I think the Tea Room will be remembered as a solid venue, and its going to seem like the Hacienda or CBGBs in 1977 after a few months of House of Blues.

Happy Bullets (Lee Harvey's)

SATURDAY

Misshapes (Lizard Lounge): Did you guys hear about this show? Well you should totally go! Just be sure to smoke a shitload of Camels once you get there, cuz Papa needs a new pair of shoes. The girl is hot and all and I'm sure this is going to be fun, but jesus those guys are a couple of cunts, aren't they? Anyway, you have to RSVP at Camelsmokes.com to go to this thing, but it is free.

The Great Tyrant/War Wizards/Bexarametric/Cygnus (Doublewide): What a line up. I've heard that Wanz Dover was unfortunately involved in some kind of car accident on his way up to Lawrence, Kansas to finish recording an album. I don't know if the accident was serious, but I seriously hope he's ok. Anyway, I'm not sure at this point whether War Wizards will actually be playing this show, but the rest of the line up is so good that it doesn't matter. Bexarametric's cold, jittery percussive electro freak outs remind me a bit of Aphex Twin and a more gentle Kid 606 among other things, although I always feel uneasy even mentioning Aphex Twin since he seems to spark so much passion. Check out "matsumoto" on the Myspace page, or "scent of a rise" if you want to hear something more sprawling and poppy. Really good stuff. And unless I'm a dumbass, Cygnus' name is spelled wrong on everything I've seen about this show, which is a shame because he's put together some very dizzy, spaced out orchestral tracks here. And anyone that likes Yellow Magic Orchestra deserves more respect than that.

The Nouns Group/Angry Businessmen/Christian! Teenage Runaway (Rubber Gloves): Angry Businessmen are officially nominated for funniest local Myspace URL. This will be a kick ass show, no question about it.

Hot Flash Party (Fallout Lounge): A smaller version of what you'll see at Misshapes, but it probably won't be any more low key when its at its peak. Stephen R and Schwa are still finding their bearings a bit, but they've been putting together some great sets of acid house, funk, disco, new rave and everything in between. This night is starting to come together.

The Smoke Mod Club (Avenue Arts): We've made a few shitty comments in the past about some of the cool dudes that go to The Smoke, but it was never about the DJs or the music, both of which are top notch. After all, this party has been going on for years now, and in Dallas (or anywhere else for that matter), thats a goddamn miracle.

Red Monroe/The Tah Dahs/Happy Bullets (Club Dada)

SUNDAY

I believe you'll be able to catch Wild in the Streets at Hailey's this evening.