Weekender

Be sure to check back here this weekend because we'll have a big announcement for you... which is why we're kind of short on descriptions, etc. today.... you know, we're workin' on shit. It'll be worth it though, trust me. Stuff to do:

FRIDAY

M.I.A./Holy Fuck (Palladium): Back in 2004, when I was still cooler than you, I saw M.I.A. and Diplo open up for LCD Soundsystem in front of like 50 people in Austin, and she kicked ass even then (I believe it was her first or second US show). I bet the show at Palladium won't be as much fun as seeing her in a little club back when only smart people like me knew what the fuck was up, but I'm really excited to see how what she does translates to a huge stage surrounded by normal people. Probably pretty well. And Holy Fuck has really been picking up steam in blog and trad indie media circles for the past few months (thanks in large part to Chris at Gorilla Vs Bear), and I plan on actually trying to get there early to see these guys, because I hear that their live shows rule for anyone who even remotely likes their recorded material.

Record Hop/When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth/Nouns Group(Rubber Gloves): Still haven't had the chance to see Dinosaurs yet, which features Daniel Francis Doyle and several other Austin musicians, but I really want to.

Teenage Cool Kids/Party Garbage/Bad Sports/Vacation (715 Panhandle): Really nice show tonight... I especially liked a few of the songs I just heard on Bad Sports' Myspace page.

Cool Out feat. Keith P/Disqo Disco/It's What We Get (Moosh): Moosh is the little place next to Zubar on Greenville, and this will be fun for sure, especially as an MIA after party. A collection of all the best DJs in town NOT associated with Central Booking.

Youth in Arms/End Times/Vorvadoss/Warcola (Bar of Soap)

The Theater Fire/WS Burn (Bend Studios)

Television City/Pools (Redblood Club)

Dixie Witch/Mesacalero (Lola's)

SATURDAY

Stumptone/Transona Five (Lola's): CD release party for Stumptone.

Tapes N Tapes/White Denim (Hailey's): Lame N Shit.

Sunset/The Mercers/Headstream (The Cavern): Sunset is the solo project from that one dude from that one Austin band that got sad when that one website dissed them. This is actually way way better than that band though... sort of reminds me of Atlas Sound, but not as good.

Angklung Performance (Dallas City Hall; 130 PM): The Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce presents an Angklung performance as part of this weekend's Asian Festival. I had no idea what these things were until just a couple of minutes ago, but apparently they originate from Southeast Asia, and by the descriptions I've read, produce sort of a low, buzzing kind of sound. I don't know. The performance will take place at 130 (and that's in real time, not in rock show time, my man), and will be comprised of traditional Indonesian music. Something different to do in the nice weather, and it's free. Food will be served as well.

SUNDAY

Meat Beat Manifesto (Granada): All over the place 80's industrial/90's techno legends Meat Beat Manifesto get compared to everything from Nitzer Ebb to The Orb to the Chemical Brothers, so either everyone will like this or no one will.

Old Haunts/Rival Gang/(Strawberry Fields): Olympia,WA's Old Haunts, signed to Kill Rock Stars, sort of remind me of all kinds of stuff-- Television, Velvet Underground, Pere Ubu (mostly for the vocal performances), old classic blues and rock, the Rolling Stones, and a lot of other things I can't put my finger on. Featuring former Bikini Killer Tobi Vail will probably help this band draw a nice crowd to Strawberry Fields on a Sunday, and I bet people will be pleased with what they hear. Good stuff.

New Science Projects/Delmore Pilcrow/Ella Minnow (Dan's Silverleaf; FREE): Martin IIles will be screening videos at this show as well, including a film about Roxy Music, a Lou Reed performance from 1983, and the Texas premier of Bruce Bickford's Prometheus' Garden. Sounds good to me.