Weekender

Sorry for the late, light Weekender. We'll add to it if we need to. Predominantly written by Defensive Listening.

FRIDAY

Aesop Rock/Black Moth Super Rainbow/Blockhead/DJ Signify (The Loft):

Aesop Rock is one of the biggest names in independent Hip Hop and I don't mean to be pointlessly contrary on this subject but I have to agree with Stonedranger on a lot of these acts. Indie Rap tends to prize the geek over the gangster, and though that might be respectable, it's not always a better listening experience. Making as many obscure references as Dennis Miller in a really nerdy voice is not really how I get down, though some of the production on these records make them worth a listen or two. DJ Signify for example, is obviously talented but the minute someone like Buck 65 starts in on it, I quickly lose interest. Black Moth Super Rainbow has been compared to Air, and whenever I hear one of their almost too obvious mournful little chord progressions I want to hate what follows, but never do. For that alone, they're actually much better than Air. I'm a sucker for treated vocals over huge beats.

The Dwarves/13th Victim/Lyin' Bitch and the Restraining Orders/Screaming Red(Red Blood Club):

Good thing The Dwarves cut their sets so short and usually destroy something leaving no hope for an encore, because their music has devolved into in-joke pop punk that's much more offensive than any of their album covers. They do put on a quite a live show, so if you're into spectacles, by all means go. I'm assuming Lyin' Btich And The Restraining Orders is a Ronnie Dobbs' reference. Red Blood Club has had some good lineups lately and is one of the only reasons that people I know have to go to Deep Ellum.

Meat Puppets(House of Blues): Of all the older groups playing out this weekend, The Meat Puppets are probably your best bet, if the general reaction to their last visit to North Texas is any indication.

Stereo On Strike(Minc): This free show marks the first time Stereo On Stike will headline Minc. Wanz says he'll be playing a batch of music spanning his interests in various genres, with an emphasis on Fidget.

DJ Nature is playing 90's reggae at the Cavern

Prince William and Killtronix are spinning at Fallout

Matthew And The Arrogant Sea /Ben Fleming/Florene/ J. Gray (Strawberry Fields)

Fishboy/Cavedweller/Man Factory (Rubber Gloves)

Pleasant Grove/Scott Adair/13 Ghosts (Doublewide)

SATURDAY

NOVEMBERFEST with Nouns Group/Tame...Tame And Quiet/Shiny Around The Edges/Tre Orsi/Fierce Perm/Douche/Fight Bite(Rubber Gloves):

All of the Bakesale proceeds from this show will benefit the Denton Community Food Center. I believe the patchwork nature of this lineup is the result of both SHQ and Fra House no longer hosting shows. Fight Bite opens the show and features members of C!TR and Teenage Symphony. The group's sound is very melancholy with lots of organ, keyboard percussion and airy vocals. Tame...Tame and Quiet and Tre Orsi approach some similarly thoughtful sonic territory, though Tre Orsi comes off as less prog-rock and seem heavily influenced by The New Year and Shellac. Fierce Perm are from Olympia, Washington and sound like the sort of agitated rock that Olympia became famous for. Douche is one of the loudest and fiercest of all local groups and Shiny Around The Edges is a high concept act that always mixes it up with barely recognizable feedback-suffocated covers, so I won't pretend to know what they might do at this show. I do know that they often feature local talent to accompany them onstage.

Hands up with Queen Majesty/June D/The Party (The Loft):

Queen Majesty is here to make up for her last Taxi Fare appearance that unfortunately fell through. Central Booking have very quickly made up for it by having the Reggae Vinyl archivist back in town, and at The Loft as opposed to Zubar. Promoter/DJ June D has made a name for herself not just in New York, but has mixed at countless parties across the US, heavy on Ed Banger and other French Electro stuff. And of course rounding things out will be The Party. This all-ages show is only $5 before 11 pm.

Helmet/Burning Brides/Totimoshi/Record Hop (Ridglea Theater)

Listening to Helmet's more recent material was a very similar experience to finding out what the aforementioned Dwarves have turned into. I remember this band being able to pull out the occasionally stunning block of riffage, and though that's still intact in the overall sound, any quality moments are ruined by dreadful modern rock radio crooning. In fact, I'd take Record Hop over any of these touring acts.

Lollipop Shoppe (Sloppyworld)

The Happy Bullets (Lee Harvey's)

SUNDAY

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