The Music Crumudgeon's preview for the Week of November 14, 2008

This Week's Spotlight is on...
Noise and Smoke II!

Saturday, November 15
Noise and Smoke Festival 2008, featuring
Teenage Kicks, B L A C K I E, Cop Warmth, The Takes, Patsy, Vincent Trails, El Desmadre, Mydolls, Balaclavas, Homopolice, & The Born Liars
@ Notsuoh/Dean's Credit Clothing
Wow this is hand down this week's big show. A while back Noise and Smoke #1 was just incredible and a hella lot of fun. The thing was that two nights left everyone pretty beat so this time around the folks putting this together put it all in one night by booking it at Dean's and Notsuoh. Hey they're next door to each other; how smart is that? So get ready to Ping Pong between venues and catch some great bands. Hell a reunion of the seminal Houston Mydolls alone is worth the price of admission. The rest of the line-up reads like a who's who of awesome local bands with a few San Antonio favorites thrown in for added ass whoopitude. Plus, look, Notsuoh may be closing soon so this would be a perfect time to go so you can then say "Ahh yes, Notsuoh! Man that place was cool too bad you missed out!"


ALSO THIS WEEK

Friday, November 14th

The Scrips, Something Fierce
@ Fitzgerald's
Generally speaking I can't get into most of what gets booked ta Fitz. That's no dis against the venue, especially as it's really gotten nicer over the years, but simply acknowledging the fact that their booker's taste and my tastes are quite different. Given my endless admiration for Something Fierce and the endlessly good garagey soul of LA's Scrips it looks like this is one show where our tastes seem to agree.

Forsa Pink's Almost Famous Fashion Show,
featuring Glasnost, The Tontons, SerJ, & Grrrl Parts
@ The Mink
The always phenomenal Tontons are playing - need I say more?

Bigfoot and the Bear, Broman, Tiziano Dominico, Steve Eck, Cory Derden, Baby Hurricane, Airon Paul Dugas
@ Stitched Tire House (1506 Caywood Ln.; 7PM, BYOB)
Wooo! It's a Hootenanny!

The Invincible Czars
@ Rudyard's
Austin's Invincible Czars rock and roll take on The Nutcracker is pretty amusing stuff. Not sure what they have planned for this show but it should be a lot of fun.


Saturday, November 15

Woozyhelmet (CD release), The Jonx, The Wild Moccasins
@ ArtStorm (Caroline Collective; 6:30PM, all ages free)
Man, this is going to kick ass. Why the hell is everything crammed on the same day? Woozyhelmet has a new album (we're psyched!!!) and if you've not seen them live they are a blast. Toss in the muscular punky-prog of the Jonx and the high energy party time Wild Moccasins and you have a sure-fire hit.

Nameless Sound Presents: The Thing
(Mats Gustafsson, Ingebrigt Haker Flaten, Paal Nilssen-Love)
@ Christ Church Cathedral (1117 Texas)
$13 / students $10 / under 18 free
Man I love Mats Gustaffsson's playing from loud and skronky to soft and nuanced his shows are always brilliant. If you love Free Jazz and want to see three guys rip some skulls live this is your show. I just wish they'd have picked another day because it's ridiculous how many great shows you have to choose from this night.

Two Star Symphony, listenlisten, Golden Arm Trio
@ Rudyard's
See this is what I mean? Why is there all this cool shit going down in Saturday. Two Star are some of the brightest spots in the Houston sky, listenlisten's folk has been raising quite a folky stir around town, and Austin's GAT are no slouchers either.

Ray Wylie Hubbard
@ McGonigel's Mucky Duck
Hubbard most famously wrote Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother. Check him yack it up about the song on this youtube clip; it's horribly endearing (link).

Local Artist Showcase, featuring
Studemont Project, Magnetic, Electric Attitude, Hueman, & Desmond Zavala
@ House of Blues
Well good for the HOB for featuring some local bands.

Drew Smith's Lonely Choir (1:30PM)
Johnny Falstaff (4PM)
@ Cactus Music
Free Free Free! Yes! Cactus Rules!

Secret Saturday Show
@ The Shady Tavern
The always tight lipped SSS is a perfect way to spend this Saturday afternoon.

Miguel Zenon Quartet
@ Cullen Theater
Oh sure Mr. Genius here with is McArthur grant. OK, I kid. Zenon plays some pretty cool jazz that's goin' pretty well with my late night mental state.

Sunday, November 16

DJ Melodic Benefit
DJ SUN, DJ Chicken George and Nick Cooper
@ Block21 (2420 Washington Ave.)
EARLY SHOW!!! 1-4PM Tickets $10,
Raffle Tickets $5 each or 5 for $20.
If you listen to KPFT's Soular Grooves I'm sure you are familiar with the work of Ben "Paco" Jennings AKA DJ Melodic. Sadly, earlier this month, he suffered a cardiac arrest - shocking news especially given how young the fellow is. The good news is he recently came out of his coma. Unfortunately, there is the matter of the medical bills. Thankfully, some of his friends are putting together this benefit to help him and his family out. We want to extend our best wishes and sympathy to him and family and hope to hear him back on the air and around town soon. Try to make it out for this one but, if you can't make it, know that you can chip-in by making a contribution on line at djmelodic.chipin.com.

Bearfoot
@ McGonigel's Mucky Duck

Hey what do you do if you are a Bluegrass Camp counselor? Why start a Bluegrass band. And that's what the young whippersnappers in Anchorage, Alaska's Bearfoot did. Nice stuff really.

Teens For Teens Charity Rock Concert,
featuring nelo
@ Verizon Wireless Theater
From the TFT website: "The concert will feature the Austin rave band, nelo. It will benefit teenagers impacted by the horrors of Hurricane Ike and the teens at Camp For All who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses and special needs."


White Album for Purple Songs
Benefit for Purple Songs Can Fly Project
featuring Love Street Light Circus
@ Rice Hotel (Crystal Ballroom)
From the LSLC website: "Enjoy open bar drinks, unique auction items and delicious appetizers and Savoy Truffles from some of Houston’s top restaurants as The Houston Symphony Orchestra’s Brett Mitchell serves as Master of Ceremonies of this ...Gala Evening celebrating the music of The Beatles and the magic of giving to children in need. Created to support the Purple Songs Can Fly Project at Texas Children’s Cancer Center, the evening will honor special guests Mayor Bill White and artist David Adickes and showcase the art of Don Bertram’s Celebrate Imagination. See...bands come together to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Beatles’ White Album, performing it live on stage, in its entirety, accompanied by a live orchestra."

Madonna
@ Minute Maid Park
Celbrate Madonna's 50th birthday (well 50 and 1/4 to be exact).


Monday, November 17

The McKenzies, The Gold Sounds
@ Boondocks
Double your ass whoopin' power with two of Houston's finest. The Mckenzies do that light nimble pop that you can't help but love and Gold Sounds is no less melodic and hook riddled but they do it with a bit of havy lifting muscle; check out "Two Ways" on their my space - freaking brilliant!

Tuesday, November 18

Dragonforce, Turisas, Powerglove
@ House of Blues
Lets face it Dragonforce can't write a good song to save their lives but lucky for them they are so over the top that moments like the classic guitar duel at 3:21 in this song (link) makes the rest of the crappy song almost forgivable.

Black Sheep, Nice & Smooth, Orgone, J. Period
@ Warehouse Live (free!)
One sheep, two sheep, free sheep - Well free is you RSVP here is my undersatnding (Link)

Dave Alvin
@ McGonigel's Mucky Duck
The younger Alvin of The Blasters (not to mention stints in X, The Flesheaters, and the Gun Club) hits the Duck.

Coldplay
@ Toyota Center
I like a few Coldplay songs...I'm not proud of it.

Da Camera of Houston
Hommage à Max Ernst: A Musical Collage
@ The Menil Collection
Artistic Director Sarah Rothenberg tossed this little program of Satie, Schumann, Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Puolenc, Antheil , and Cage insipred by Menil's Max Ernst exhibition. Neat.


Wednesday, November 19


Danielson, Cryptacize, The Mathletes
@ Walter's on Washington
Ha! So here I am listening to Danielson and thinking man this should be paired with The Mathletes and, sure enough,...ding...they are! OH OH and NAP did a nice interview with Cryptacize this week (check it).

Method Man, Redman, Termanology
@ House of Blues
I'm sure by now How High is seen as an American cinematc masterpiece on par with Citizen Kane.

Flosstradamus, Le Boom
@ Numbers
Take two DJ's from Chicago with a terrible name like Flosstradomus and the result is a whole lotta booty shakin sillyness


Thursday, November 20

Mad Happy, Tha Fucking Transmissions
@ Boondocks
I make no bones about the fact that I about as un Hip-hop as they come so I hope that the fact that I think Tha Fucking Transmissions are a phenomenal live band doesn't hurt their street cred.

Augustina, Tody Castillo, Antarctica Starts Here
@ Walter's On Washington
I can't say I really dig the headliner here but the local openers are pretty rock solid Americana and shoegaze.

The Black Crowes, Buffalo Killers
@ House of Blues
OK so I have to admit a soft spot for Atlanta's resident stoners.

Metallica, The Sword, Down
@ Toyota Center
OK so yeah Metallica hasn't really made me make a Dio Metal sign since "...And Justice for All" but they do have that elder statesman of Metal thing going. The Sword, on the other hand do get the Dio sign in spades.

Sad News - Notsuoh will be closing soon.

If you were on the fence on seeing Noise and Smoke Saturday, I suggest you get off it right now as Notsuoh posted a blog on their myspace today where they announced they will be selling the building.

It may not be touted by the city tourist bureau, but to many of us Notsuoh is/was/has been a vital part of this city's culture and this city will lose a great deal with the loss. Our best to Jim Pertle and his family who have done such a great service to this city over the years by running this downtown cultural oasis. Like Pik-N-Pack, the Axiom, the Proletariat, and the original Super Happy Fun Land it will soon slip into mere memories and I pity those of you who missed out on what it had to offer us.

Thanks Jim

Goodbye Mitch Mitchell

Could you imagine the Jimi Hendrix Experience without Mitch Mitchell? I sure as hell can't. His distinctive flourishes and his playful style were the perfect compliment to Jimi Hendrix's unparalleled guitar work. Sadly, Mitch passed away this week. I know that's not new news and I'm certain that his contributions are covered in better and in great detail elsewhere but for this morning I say let's just enjoy Jimi, Mitch, and Noel on the Lulu show. (I've always dug the Lulu performance because of the sloppy jump into Sunshine of Your Love. It may not be the band's most professional moment but I always found it charming.)

B L A C K I E Q&A

By Omar Afra
Photo by S. Theriot

B L A C K I E has taken to the local music scene with a vengeance in recent months. His self-release of Wilderness of North America has been getting quite a bit of attention, and for good reason. We had the chance to ask him a few questions and his responses were as enigmatic as his music and character. He, thus far, is the only person I have interviewed that has responded in ‘flow’. (See #5) Ultimately, copy-editing the responses was doomed to be an exercise in futility. So, here is the raw and real B L A C K I E.



1. Tell a little bit about the evolution of your sound and what gear did you begin with?

I started with two tape decks in 9th grade. I went to college at 16, with accolades. BLACKIE failed out, now he gotta get paid=night shift at Whataburger flipping burgers and serving lemonade. I started using computers now and somehow. Everything I was making had Li’l Jon sounding like Wayne Brady.

2. Your album title is 'Wilderness of North America' and I feel like I am the only one who gets it. This is an obvious reference to Elijah Muhummad's groundbreaking work. I have a similar distaste for white people as him. Particularly hipsters. How do you feel about these people latching on to your work ?

AHA! NAW! I LOVE ALL PEOPLE! The title is an inside joke. Anyone who wants to latch on, needs to latch on and grasp the humour. But understand, its funny but I. AM. NOT. JOKING. HaHa, I do not know any hipsters though? Are they really latching on my ish??? That is dope! GOTTA LAUGH TO KEEP FROM CRYING

3. Who are some of your favorite local Houston musicians?

Pink Cloud/FUTURE BLONDES got this track "Joi 2" that is my SHIT!
Close personal alliances = Giant Princess, Buxton, Cop Warmth, S.O.S., FatTony+SmashBro. Insect Warfare, DJ CEEPLUS, and By The End Of Tonight [and all their side projects].

4. Tell us about the massive rig you drag to shows that is unprecedented in hip-hop: Marshall stack, 2 8x10 Ampeg cabs, 2 subs…elaborate please.

FIVE KILO-WATTS MY MAN. Four PA cabs, two 8x10s. BEATING DOWN YOUR BLOCK KNOCKING PICTURES OFF YOUR WALL. I had a dream I was riding a wave of sound and so I decided to assemble this to live my dream.

5. Your ‘versus’ performances with Cop warmth have become legendary. How did this start?

Lemme explain: Call us "THE ALSACE LORRAINE". I would play with a live drummer and played at Alvin Bowling Alley one night. Hol’ up dog, that shit was a bummer. I met Warmth comma Cop and we got it popping through mutual hoes, literally. Playing mutual shows, physically/ ill with our flows/ my drummer bailed out, I said, "You already know."/ There ain’t no stopping/ It’s BLACKIE all caps and./ Cop Warmth got his back and./we ready to smash and crash that/ if them shots is warranted black.

6.
What is next for B L A C K I E?

Split 7" w/ Giant Princess on The Paper Stamp Record Company.
Limited Edition BLACKIE tape on AG82 Records. (Insect Warfare)
Multi-Colored COP WARMTH Vs. BLACKIE tape on Dull Knife Records.
AGUANTE COP WARMTH.
AGUANTE CHEMICAL CITY.
AGUANTE FREE PRESS.
AGUANTE OMAR!


B L A C K I E performs November 15th at the Noise and Smoke Festival at Notsuoh

www.myspace.com/blackieblackieblackie

Sugar Shack Yesterday

Classy Motherf%*@#s Sugar Shack ripped-it-up yesterday at the Continental Club. Circumstances were such that I only saw three songs but, thankfully, in this Internet age there is YouTube and someone going by timjo62 was good enough to post quite a few videos. Here is one of them (you can see the other three videos here. Thank you timjo62...whoever you are.