Weekender: 3/23/07-3/24/07

In addition to all the film festival stuff going down this weekend, there will be some music stuff too. You know, like the stuff we list below. And yes, we will have SXSW recaps for you some time soon, although its mostly just bitching about crap. What did you expect anyway? We will also have at least two local reviews next week and a local feature. You probably don't believe me, I know, but have a little faith. As the amazing Big Bad Voodoo Daddy says, lets go daddy-o:

FRIDAY

Abiku/Mose Giganticus/Yatagarasu/Christian! Teenage Runaways (House of Tinnitus): If you're a keytar fetishist then this is your night, with two touring bands featuring the much maligned instrument. Abiku mixes hardcore punk ferociousness with speedy rhythms mostly associated with extreme varieties of Dutch-style electronic music. Mose Giganticus is somewhat along the same lines but with a more a focused aggravated vocal approach and Singularity Theory philosophy. Yatagarasu is from Huntsville and features distorted fuzz-grind basslines coupled with drum machine and hummingbird wing-flutter noise frequencies. Christian! Teenage Runaway continues their reign as one of the area's most surprising and genuine live groups with a show that I've seen convert even the most hardened and cynical coolie. Newer performances have seen the band writhing, screaming and rolling around with an enthusiasm and abandon not often witnessed in these vacant parts where most bands are more concerned with avoiding stains on their two hundred dollar jeans. Or maybe they want those stains? I can't ever tell for sure.

The Sword/Priestbird/Year Long Disaster (Doublewide): Solid night of stoned Sabbathesque metal at Doublewide tonight... The Sword, although probably the poster boys for "hipster metal," are a pretty underrated band, and their live show is certainly worth what is sure to be a small cover at Doublewide. Kemado's Priestbird might be interesting too.

Slider Pines/Mexico/Current Leaves (Barley House): You know, I was pretty indifferent to the old Barley House. Decent atmosphere, pretty good beer, crappy music, ok location. It was basically a decent place, no less or no more. But Christ, is there anything to like about the new SMU Frat Boy Barley House? I'm not so sure, but pretty much the first good thing that I've seen in reference to the place since it moved up north is the fact that Current Leaves are playing there tonight. If the altcountry people in Dallas had any taste, Current Leaves would be the toast of the town. That probably isn't the case, but I hope Current Leaves has at least built themselves a decent audience down here in Dallas. And I might not even mind going to Barley House tonight in order to find out.

Robert Gomez/Bosque Brown (The Cavern): The CD release show for Robert Gomez' debut on Bella Union, which could end up getting as much or more attention from the national "indie" press than any other release this year. Its not anything that will wow the mostly knowledgeable readers of this blog, but its certainly a worthy and pleasant release.

Hogpig/Cartright/Tre Orsi (Rubber Gloves): A CD release show for Hogpig. Although I have yet to hear their new record, I have serious doubts as to its status as a collection of "near symphonies," but you know, anything is possible I guess. Cartright stands as the clear highlight of this show, although the mostly straight forward material I've heard from Tre Orsi has sounded decent.

SATURDAY

Abiku/Mose Giganticus/The Great Tyrant/Akkolyte (1919 Hemphill): Similar lineup To Tinnitus from Friday but with two of the area's most intimidatingly great live acts added to the bill. The Great Tyrant bring it slow and heavy with gloomy goth prog that makes attending a show feel like bathing in lava. Akkolyte are a veteran grindcore two piece with admirers worldwide and an intensity that you won't likely ever forget. These two groups are enough for one show all by themselves.

Antelope/Knee Pad/Far Star (Rubber Gloves): Antelope has been releasing records on Dischord for sometime now and that actually gives you a good general idea of what they sound like. Of course you can't say that for all Dischord bands, but they are definitely of the melodic and serious variety of indie rock that the label made famous. The vocals are reminiscent of Clint Conley's in Burma (or more accurately, his recent work in Consonant) over some thoughtful yet energetic bursts of guitar. Kneepad are yet another slightly tongue-in-cheek group of raunch rockers from Denton, but they seem to have their moments more than some of their competition. The Far Star is local and lists Jellyfish, The Killers and Chipotle as their influences. I definitely hear all three influences, especially the last one. But when I say that, I mean like the early stuff, when they were still owned by McDonald's. Is that reverse selling out?

Robert Gomez/Bosque Brown (Haileys)

Check back for Sunday listings.