Weekender 5/25/07-5/27/07

Contributions from SR and Wildcat...

FRIDAY

Morrissey/Kristeen Young (Palladium): Oh man...Morrissey. I don't think there is anyone in music that I simultaneously respect and despise more than him... watching him wave that tree branch around in the famous live video for "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side" has to be one of the most annoying rock n roll activities I can think of, and furthermore, the guy is an arrogant prick who hasn't put out anything that I've even remotely dug in a decade (although I do have to say that "Boy Racer" is awesome.). However, the fact that he manages to piss me off so much is kind of what I like about him, and although I don't know nearly as much about his solo work as I do about the Smiths (am I the only person on the planet who likes Meat is Murder the best?), I like some of it quite a bit, and I've never had the chance to see him live. So basically I hate Morrissey, and yes, I WILL be at this show tonight.

Glass Candy/Farah/Pretty Vacant DJs (Art Club, 823 Exposition in Dallas): Well you probably already have a hot sports opinion on Farah one way or the other, and if you want to read more about Glass Candy, you can check out our interview below. Pretty Vacant DJs are two former members of the High Society crew who spin a highly eclectic mix of disco, punk, new wave, and a lot of hard to find electro. They were nice enough to make a mix for We Shot J.R., and we'll have that mix for you some time very soon. It's highly daceable and tasteful, and their soundtrack should really add to things at Art Club, a new venue that has opened next door to Avenue Arts on Exposition.

Goodnight, Fish/Super Love Attack/Tame...Tame and Quiet (Secret Headquarters-Denton):
If you've been paying attention, I’m sure you’re aware that Tame… is probably one of the most unanimously enjoyed local bands among the weshot crew. While you probably don’t need prodding to go see them at this point, let us take this opportunity to instead encourage you to get out and see the Denton debut of Goodnight, Fish.

Paul Brinkley and Brendan Kiefer teamed up 8 years ago in San Antonio to form Goodnight, Fish. They were later joined by Andrew Jackson and Art Silva, and they currently put songs together while members split time between Austin and Fort Worth.

While Brendan admits that the band has “a soft spot for 90's indie rock and the Bee Gees,” he says that the group’s music is actually inspired more by the instruments they have at their disposal, “including drums, guitar, bass, accordion, mandolin, ukulele, autoharp, keyboards, trombone, clarinet.” I think the band’s sound is appealing partly because it recalls simpler times, like back when it would have seemed absurd to consider whether or not this or that indie rock band played music that was “danceable.” The reverbed accordion-sounding part on their Judy and Clyde song reminds me of background music to the ultimate “simpler times” classic 90s TV show, Pete and Pete.

Brendan says that the band is working on two split releases: one with Grumpy Bear, and the other with Austin’s The Lovely Sparrows, in which Paul helps out. Paul also has a pet project called Mermaid-Blonde, and Art uses The Narrow Escapes as an additional outlet for his ideas.

Goodnight, Fish will also be playing Saturday night at 1919 Hemphill with some other good bands listed below...

Andy Rourke DJ set with Zoo upstairs (The Cavern): I can't decide if this event is ridiculous or not. On the one hand, the idea of paying a $20 cover to see ANYONE spin records at the Cavern doesn't exactly leave a good taste in my mouth, however, the idea of being in a small room with Andy Rourke while he plays his favorite records kind of makes it seem worth it. And throw in the fact that the guy got screwed over financially with the Smiths (you know his playing was worth more than the measly sum he received), and I figure I can throw a little cash his way... although he might not be credited for writing any Smiths songs, his bass playing was always fantastic, and needless to say, The Smiths wouldn't be close to what they were without him.

Melt Banana/xbxrx/Count Dracula's Weed Smuggling Jam Engine (Rubber Gloves)


SATURDAY


Animal Collective/Sir Richard Bishop (Granada Theater): Very much looking forward to seeing Animal Collective for the first time. It's rare that a band like this comes through the DFW area, and I'm very excited about it. Early Animal Collective material played a big role in turning me on to avant garde and experimental folk music a few years ago, and part of the reason is that for however strange a lot of AC's music is, most of it has this very appealing human element that makes it easy to listen to and explore without getting boggled down in overly academic soundscapes. An added bonus, based on what I understand, is the fact that Panda Bear has been playing some of his solo stuff on this tour, which I'm very excited to hear live. I got my hands on some live recording that he did about a year ago at some small club in Lisbon with just a guitar and a laptop, and it sounds amazing... as good as the record, but more intimate and less controlled. Furthermore, this will be a first chance for many to hear new material off the forthcoming Animal Collective album. And if the sound at the Granada is as clear as it was for the Spoon show the other night, we might be in for a real treat.

Galuc Dadu/Goodnight,Fish/The Hell/Dear Muffin (1919 Hemphill)

Meltdown feat. Spank Rock, VHS or Beta, Laptop Deathmatch, Rober Taylor and Keith P (Lizard Lounge, 3 stages): Click on the Meltdown link for more info on this huge dance party. I've included the highlights in the little list above, and if you're interested in seeing Laptop Deathmatch people, you might want to get there early because they start going on at 5pm. And if the Spank Rock set is anywhere near the quality of their recent Fabric Mix, hearing them on a big sound system will be worth the price of admission alone. And VHS or Beta... can't really say I like their music, but they sound like one of those bands with good tatse and bad execution, you know? So the DJ set might be cool.

Hot Flash Party (Fallout Lounge): Prince William will be guest DJ at this.


Matt and Kim/ O Pioneers!/Parata (Rubber Gloves)


SUNDAY

Lake/Laura Veirs (Cavern)

Pretty Girls Make Graves/Moros Eros/Moonrats (Hailey's)

Lot's to do this weekend, and to get your Friday night started here's a Mad Lib that Goodnight, Fish was kind enough to do for us recently:

Hey (craggy) Denton, we’re Goodnight, Fish, and we’re really looking forward to playing at Secret Headquarters, if only we could find the place. What does it take to get some (gatorade and peanut M&M's) around here? No, but seriously, have you heard about Austin lately? There are too many (furry) taquerias and all of the (smiling) (octopi) are endangered. The state of things really got to us when we (lustily) recorded our recent album, “Echo, Chime, and Slightly Rumble.” When the going got tough, the tough really (dreaded) with us. That’s why we had to buy all these (thumb tacks).

In the end, it was well worth it. Having an album is great because it gets us tons of free (scarves). In fact, we have too many to count, and that’s why (Andrew Jackson), our lead (harpsichord) player, is packing them up and bringing them to Denton. So come to Secret Headquarters and play (hopscotch) with us so that we can get rid of these darn things. We’re having an afterparty with (the Bee Gees), (Davy Crockett), and tons of (pancakes) in our (roller skates). Permission slips for the (zoo) can be obtained from Tame, Tame, and Quiet.

BYOB and some for us too!