Weekender 9/14/07-9/16/07

Going to Suite last night really made me wonder something about myself: am I completely out of touch? Do I have no concept of what cool is and what it isn't? Let me tell you what I mean-- first of all, the show was incredible. Diplo was fantastic, throwing together all kinds of great pop mixes, dirty south tracks, Eurotech stuff and anything else you'll probably hear a lot more in next six months. The sound system at Suite is also one of the better ones I've heard in Dallas in a while, and it really seems to help elevate the energy level in the place. And actually, I really like the space Suite is located in. Not to say that it's anything too over the top amazing, but it's fairly comfortable all things considered. The problem I had was seeing all these jock doucheholes wandering around all night, flexing muscles, looking "relevant" and kind of embarrassing themselves all over the place. I kept wondering, "are these the cool people in Dallas? Seriously? This dude with the half unbuttoned dress shirt from Express?" Either way, the over the top hot bitches made up for a lot of it, and it was truthfully a pretty good time overall. And btw, I was just kidding about that "wondering if I'm cool" thing.

For those who were smart enough to skip out on the overrated ACL, here is some local stuff for the weekend:

FRIDAY

Egyptian Lover/Brian Bejarano/Sober (Minc): Already gave you the rundown on this show earlier in the week (scroll down and read, lazy), and I'm wondering how it will turn out. To me, seeing an underappreciated musician like EL who also happens to have added a lot to the genres of dance music that every ad exec is currently hoping they'll eventually be able to understand is certainly worth the trip to the on again off again Minc. Certainly the most interesting dance show happening tonight.

The National/St. Vincent (Granada): I still honestly can't jump aboard the whole St. Vincent train. I just don't see it. And the National, while they can certainly get a bit self important and annoying at times, do have some pretty good indie pop songs that add elements of surprise and musical quality that generally seems to be lacking in bands I lable "indiepop."

Wlico/Dr. Dog (Palladium): So Wilco is, uh..dh3q4t... forget it. I'm not really that interested these days. Dr. Dog is pretty sweet though.

John Vanderslice/Bowerbirds (Palladium Loft): This is the Gorillavsbear afterparty for the Wilco show upstairs at the Loft, and admission is free for anyone with a Wilco stub.

Gore Gore Girls/Record Hop/Switchblade Razors (Rubber Gloves)

SATURDAY

Evan Hecox/The Party/Cobrasnake (Public Trust): Are these events called "openings" or "shows" or what? Anyway, this is going down from 7-10pm and will feature the work of Evan Hecox (I'll spare you my attempt to analyze visual art). There is an after party for this at Suite, but your dumb ass probably isn't invited. I am though. Ha Ha.

Art Show feat. Mark Pease, Nevada Hill, Logan Hill, Josh Reames(Secret Headquarters): This art show will also feature live music performances from members of Nouns Group, Seth Sherman, and Nevada Hill.

Gallery Openings: An/Or Gallery, Barry Whistler, Road Agent (Dallas): All of these are part of the Deep Gallery walk, and I've been told by a trusted source that these places will be the cream of the crop on Saturday... and I'm glad someone told me, because I really don't feel like sifting through a bunch of crap in order to see the good stuff. And/Or events are always fun too.

Last of the Interceptors/Gazelles/Koji Kondo/Heartrapers/The Know/Bangs (XCW Wrestling Arena on 377-Denton): Party being put on by Wemadeoutonce and this guy named Brian who I kind of got into a little fight with in the comments section this week... we kissed and made up though so it's all good. I believe this is happening at the place where the Groovy Mule used to be off 377 in Denton, and if thats the case, then people who go to this show should really watch out for the ghosts of JNCO past trying to haunt the section of the party where the kegs will be. Oh yeah, it's $5, and there will be two free kegs for those who are 21 and up and pay. For a map, click here.

David Bazan/Casiotone for the Painfully Alone (Dan's Sliverleaf)

Magnolia Electric Co./Golden Boots/Tre Orsi (Rubber Gloves)

Oakley Hall/Zykos/Paul Duncan/The Narrator (Hailey's)

SUNDAY

Queens of the Stone Age/Howlin' Rain/Dax Riggs (House of Blues): I just realized that I haven't heard any of the last two QOTSA albums. Are they any good? Somehow I doubt it, but who knows. The association with Kyuss alone is enough to put them on my list. Also, some of you might want to check out Howlin' Rain, especially if you feel like you might be into hearing members of Comets on Fire and Sunburned Hand of the Man playing songs that sound like the Grateful Dead. Unfortunately, I actually AM that kind of person. Oops.