The Music Crumudgeon's preview for Friday November 5th, 2008

THIS WEEK'S SPOTLIGHT IS ON
A Dark Crushing Hardcore Festival
and a Light Sunny H-Pop Record Release

H-Town Noisefest '08
@ The White Swan ($10/day starts at 7PM)
--Friday December 5th--
Gorenado, n.i.b.i.r.u., Termination Force, Ecocide, Dissent, El Desmadre, Laughing Dog, Catheter, Kill the Client
--Saturday December 6th--
The Assholes, Satannabis, 54R, Doom Siren, Snot Rokitts, Knelt Rote, PLF, Terrorism, Noisear, Superbad, Indigust
If you like your music loud, fast, heavy, punishing, and involving a circle pit then this is like an early Christmas present. The fun thing about this is the way the promoters describe the bands; you know, because there aren't enough sub-genres. So let's go though them shall we?

In Disgust (Extreme PowerGrindViolence, California) , Catheter (Grind HC Crusher Legends, Denver, Colorado) , Superbad (Crazy Heavy Jam-Grind / Portland, Oregon) , Noisear (Ripping Grind Brutality, New Mexico/Texas) , Laughing Dog (Crazy Grind, New Mexico) , Terrorism (Sick Grind/Gore, California) , Snotrokitz (Extremely Ripping HC Thrash, Oklahoma) , Knelt Rote (Portland, Oregon) ,
54R (Grindcore, Mississippi) , Doom Siren (Heavy Crust HC, Austin, Texas) , Kill the Client (Grindcore, Austin/DFW Texas) , Til Death (Crust HC, Texas) , PLF (Grinding Thrash, Houston, Texas) , Dissent (Burly Ripping Crust, Houston, Texas) , Satannabis (Slow/Fast Groove, Houston, Texas) , El Desmadre (Fast Ripping HC, Houston, Texas) , Termination Force (Grinding Thrash Metal, Houston, Texas) , Nibiru (Grindcore, Houston, Texas) , Gorenado (Fast Thrashing HC, Houston, Texas)

I love that there is a distinction between Crazy Grind and Sick Grind and that Knelt Rote's genre is merely Portland, Oregon. Oh and 54R, Kill The Client, and Nibiru. Grindcore? JUST grindcore? C'mon now, you're going to have to work harder if you want to earn those extra adjectives. But all kidding aside, this is going to be punishing and awesome. With sets expected to run about 15-20 minutes it's your best chance to come and sample some of Houston's and the Nation's best hardcore bands. Don't be intimidated, the hardcore kids are by and large nice people. If the circle pit is a bit rough for you, just keep your distance and you'll be fine. The fact of the matter is it's a bunch of kids out to have a good time. You should check it out or as the organizers say "Be there or POSE!"

Saturday, December 6th
News on the March (EP release)
with special guests
The Unbearables, Elaine Greer, Phillip Foshée
@ Rudyard's
News on the March have been laying down some lovely H-Pop that dips it's feet in Country Music while basking in lovely harmonies, clean reverb washed guitar, and some lovely cello work. Their previous EP release was thwarted by Hurricane Ike but here it is a few months later and the EP is in the band's hands and ready to jump in your CD player. Austin's Unbearables are a pop collective with some pretty arrangements and varied instrumentation that I'm sure will make for a very crowded stage. Elaine Greer's folky pop songs are always refreshing and lovely little gems that shine like a stars in the H-Pop sky. Phillip Foshée's folk music isn't the kind of thing that grabs you by the collar and demands your attention. Instead, it quietly grabs you with melody, emotion and understatement.

ALSO THIS WEEK

Friday, December 5th

Amplified Heat, The Big Green Machine, The Bexar County Bastards
@ Rudyard's
Jump in as Austin's Amplified Heat take the the Blue Cheer highway via Billy Gibbons Farm to Market. Oh yes, in case you didn't know, they even have a hot sauce made by Whorehound's Trevi Biles (Link)

Electric Attitude, The Gold Sounds, Studemont Project, Alkari @ Walter's on Washington
Go! Deer Park's favorite sons, Gold Sounds!

Benjamin Wesley
On the KTRU Revelry Report (6pm 91.7fm)
The Axeman from Fucking Transmissions / Bassess Loaded will likely be showing off his solo stuff. Neat!

Buddy Guy/Tom Hambridge
@ House of Blues
Buddy Guy is so amazing that even Hendrix would cancel his own shows to see him play. Check out this gorgeous video clip with the Texas Blues Legend Big Momma Thornton.





Saturday, December 6th

The Paper Chase, Tambersauro
@ Walter's on Washington
Can't tell you much about the Paperchase (thanks Myspace) but Tambersauro are one of Houston's sharpest and most energetic bands period. They're like the musical equivalent of watching gymnasts at work.

Andy Rourke (DJ set)/Fredster/Damon Allen/Les Boom/Shoe
@ The Meridian (Main Room)
Ex-Smiths Bassist Andy Rourke spins with some of Houston's finest DJs.

Secret Saturday Show
@ The Shady Tavern
The bands who playint he afternoon are hush hush but the price is always free.


Sunday, December 7th

Zechs Marquise, The Goods , Female Demand
@ The Mink
Marcel Rodriguez Lopez (of the Mars Volta) and his band, Zechs Marquise, clearly have been listening to a lot of Funkadelic and likely smoking a lot of herb if ya know what I mean. Should be a lot of fun plus it's one of your few chances to see a member of the MV outside a theatre stage.


Monday, December 8th

Fishbone, Heavy Mojo, Natives of the New Dawn, World's Most Dangerous Band
@ The Meridian
The first Fishbone EP was pretty amazing when it came out. I remember seeing the video for ? (Modern Industry) and wondering "What the fuck is that?" and immediately raced out to buy the EP. Somehow, they are still at it.

Dickey Hands, Burn the Boats
@ Boondocks
Monday's Free at Boondocks. Weee!

Wednesday, December 10th

Spain Coloured Orange, Motion Turns it On
@ Rudyards
This just popped on the radar screen so pardon the lack of a blurb but do these guys really need an introducton?

Thursday, December 11th

Eugene Chadbourne/Walter Daniels @ Rudyard's
Chadcourne's pretty fun to watch. Last I saw him was at the old SHFL and he ran through originals and interpretations of classic rock, jazz, and country in a way that recalls that same nervous energy of a mischievous child.

Wild Moccasins

Photography Molly Rodriguez

Pop. It’s not something that people regularly associate with Houston. Fair or not it’s a city more famous for sprawl, heat, mosquitoes, crooked businessmen, and masses of trucks, cars and neighboring chemical plants belching pollution into the sky than for being a home for bright melodies, sharp hooks, and youthful energy. Yet, over the last few years, there has been rising tide of great Houston pop bands that have redefined this city’s sound. Many come to mind but none this year has captured the restless and vigorous spirit of what is exploding out of Houston more than Wild Moccasins.

If you don’t believe that the H-Pop scene isn’t one of our youngest and most vibrant scenes, just walk into any Wild Moccasins show. Out in the audience you’ll see it: a floor shaking, hands rising in the air, voices singing along, and the joyous sweat of people dancing! Yes, people dancing! In Houston! To a live band! Bassist Nick Cody and drummer Andrew Ortiz are the kind of sprightly and agile rhythm section that demands a henie-shaking tithe from all who dare stand before them. Guitarist Andrew Lee’s clean reverbed sound may not be the distorted long-haired crushing sound of some bands but, much like David proved with a slingshot, there’s more to kicking ass that just being big and heavy. Front and center is Zahira Gutierrez (pronounced Zaira – the H is silent) whose stand-out vocals and (by comparison underappreciated) keyboards are the perfect compliment to principal songwriter Cody Swann’s guitar and vocals. It’s a band where each member throws in little flourishes in which their voice rises above the chorus but never dominates.

Surprisingly, this is Cody Swann's first band and the songs on the EP are the first he’s ever written. Cody and Zahira worked on songs together but soon Andrew Ortiz came in and gave the folky music a much needed kick. Nick Cody came into the picture when he heard them rehearsing at their friend Mary’s house with just drums and acoustic guitars and felt, not only that they needed a bass to fill out the sound but, that he’d be the right person for the job. Then, at a Dimes/Hearts of Animals show at Sound Exchange, they hit it off with a lead guitarist by the name of Andrew Lee from local ska band Dumbarton, brought him home, and recorded some tracks.

“I love those tracks,” says Andrew Ortiz, “because you can hear Zahira playing Mario Kart and cursing in the background.”

“Yeah,” says a red-faced Zahira laughing, “I kind-of really get into it.”

Andrew Lee says of his first impression, “I thought it was going to be a country folk thing but, once you put everyone together, that wasn’t the case.”

“The evolution from folk to pop was natural.” explains Cody, “It was a lot easier to play alone with an acoustic rather than an electric for me. ‘Shiny Strings’ was just a two and a half minute folk/pop song without drums. As we all practiced it, it became this poppy song - we added changes and it gained that minute and a half ending. That’s typical. I’ll write lyrics and chords, bring in a ‘skeleton,’ and [the song] changes. I tried with a new song to keep it set in stone and after a few practices realized it wasn't working for us. Now we’re very much what happens happens.”

That anything goes attitude was on full display at the last block party where the band seemed to shake the stage to near collapse. Andrew Ortiz loves energetic live shows, “I’ve been going to shows since I was 13 and there are bands that go, do shows, and just do their thing but then there are those bands that are into it - visually into it - and yet don’t sacrifice their sound.”

“It’s about being spontaneous.” says Andrew Lee, “When you see us live, it’s not like we sit there and say ‘OK, when I do this, you do this.’”

“For me,” says Andrew Ortiz, “it’s not about focusing on what I’m doing [as a performer], it’s about putting everything into what I’m doing but it takes a toll; I get tired.”

Mickey Mouse Club is a label that popped-up on Hands Up Houston and Nick responds to it with a laugh, “We’ve been called a pre-teen band.”

Zahira interjects, “I think it’s because we aren’t aggressive - people are wary of upbeat and happy music even when the lyrics may not be happy and upbeat.”

“Nobody called The Who a teen band and they were young.” says Nick Cody.

Andrew Ortiz seems equally perplexed and amused by this, “Criticizing our youth is cool. Not that I’m on a high horse but there’s this new community of kids and we’re all young and supportive. In Houston, all we have is each other; that’s cool!”

That camaraderie was on display in a recent regional tour with Young Mammals, Woozyhelmet, and The Mathletes What was simply a chance to play with some of their favorite Houston bands turned into a little goodwill tour where the Moccasins found themselves performing to rowdy crowds, having a blast, and redefining this city to outsiders. Yet, that gritty Houston stereotype is still a tough one to crack as Nick found out in Austin when someone, hearing they were from Houston, said, “Oh, sorry I’m not from Houston; I’m not into metal.” Clearly their work as H-Pop ambassadors has just begun.

The new Wild Moccasins EP, Microscopic Metronomes, is scheduled for release in January of 2009. In the meantime, you can see them December 9th W/ Peter & The Wolf & listenlisten @ Arstorm/Caroline Collective ($5 ; 7-10pm) and also on December 19th at the Mink Backroom Toy Drive W/ Buxton, News On The March, Elaine Greer, Giant Princess, and B-L-A-C-K-I-E.

Links:

Wild Moccasins on Myspace (Link)
Molly Rodtriguez Photogrpahy Link)

Music with Jameson & Lone Star: Born Liars, Guitars, Lazy Horse at Rudyard's 11/26/2008

You know one thing that is great about Houston right now is the explosion of local labels; AG82, Artstorm, Cutthroat, Ditchwater, Esotype, Mia Kat, Phonographic Arts, Psycho Wolf, Team Science and so on. It's part of the local indie boom that's been happening for the last few year. Well, while waiting for Shane Lauder to arrive and do sound at Rudz, I spoke with Jaime of Giant Princess and he mentioned in passing that he and some others were starting a label. I, of course, had to prod him about it - the more, the merrier I say. So here is the scoop. The label is called Paper Stamp Record Co. and much like CIA records it will run as a collective of sorts with these bands all contributing to the fund - pretty smart. The schedule for releases is pretty ambitious so here is a rundown of their '09 release schedule:

Feb '09 - Giant Princess/BLACKIE Split 7"
Mar '09 - Giant Princess LP
Mar/Apr '09 - BLACKIE LP
Apr '09 - Giant Princess/Sings Split 7"
Jul '09 - Sings LP
Aug '09 - La Femme Politico LP

You'll note that this is all on Vinyl? Awesome!!!! I love it! That seems to be a big trend among local labels. Thank goodness the CD, with the advent of decent Internet music services, has been recognized as the glorified coaster it truly is. (Well, except for boxed sets which, when well annotated, are the one true point where CDs shine.) So good luck Jaime we'll be looking forward to all the releases in '09.

Oh and another thing I should mention about 2009 is that according to JD, even though JD and Stacey are moving, the Secret Saturday Shows at The Shady Tavern will still continue. If you have a free afternoon on a Saturday you should stop by.

By the way, while I'm rambling, I need to point out that Shane did show up and that, beyond from the excellent sound, he did something I've never seen at Rudyard's - he actually kicked up the lights. Geez, I always thought Rudyard's just had bad lighting but it turns out that when you use the lights it looks great. My reliance on flash was minimal as was my need to Photoshop the images. So, thanks Shane.

Lazy Horse started off the night. Unfortunately my notes are pretty illegible. "Sound like H????? meets a 60's teen party band." Hayden? Nope, Halford? Nope. Really, I don't know what the hell I wrote. But I will tell you one thing that I do remember and that was Charles' guitar work. Anytime he'd solo it was this wonderful loopy and loose J. Mascius tone that was fluid and expressive. One person in the audience even shouted "More solos!!" I had to concur.

Guitars followed with the lads dressed as Pilgrims, the ladies dressed as Indians, and JD dressed as the most frightening Turkey ever. (Stacey was quite proud of her seamstress skills on the Indian outfits). The music is a nice mish-mash of influences and the nice thing is that while the costumes were funny and cute they never overwhelmed the performance or the music - they added but they were never a distraction. It was energetic and fun stuff all around.

Born Liars closed the show and as usual brought the house down. No girl fights or broken bottles this year but still all the straight up rock and roll you'd expect from these guys and the typical audience reaction which was a lot of fists and drinks held in the air, shouting, dancing, and Christian of Hell City Kings unable to resist the urge to jump on stage and sing backing vocals. Kudos to new drummer (Josh is it?) of Homopolice who clearly is much more comfortable with the material than the last time I saw them.

ATTN: Lazy Horse "More Solos!"

Lazy Horse:

"I wear my Sunglasses at Night!"

C'mon Pilgrim, It's Guitars

Guitars doing a historically accurate
reenactment of the first Thanksgiving.

JD was likely the most
frightening Turkey I'd ever seen

Stacey made all the costumes.
Now how many bands can do that?

Joe Mathlete Art
Stop Doing That Thing You Hate

Can you pick out the new member
of Born Liars who also plays in Homo Police?

Born Liars under the glorious
Shane Lauder Rudz lighting!

Scott firing on all rock and roll cylinders

Born Liars - It's a party!

Scott now in full Bataan Death March mode.

Cassidy (Cutthroat Records)
leads the Men's Room discussion.
Topic
"Who was the first Hardcore band?" Go!

Links:
More Pics on my Flickr (Link)

Lazy Horse on Myspace (Link)
Guitars on Myspace (Link)
Born Liars on Myspace (Link)

The Music Crumudgeon's preview for the Week of November 28th, 2008

This Week's spotlight is on
Hardcore Birthday Party - One Dolla'


Joey of El Desmadre and Eric of Humanicide's birthday!
Featuring
PLF, Dissent, El Desmadre, Battle Rifle, Last Rosary
@ The White Swan
One Dollar? How often do you to have your ass whooped for a dollar? Well here is your chance as some of Houston's most bone-crushing, heavy, and furious bands come together for...well a birthday party. Yeah yeah I know a birthday party doesn't sound very brain meltingly Hardcore but trust me, if these bands had an inflated Hello Kitty trampoline and my little pony balloons, it would still crush anything else you could possibly experience this week. Also, poseurs please note the poster: Absolutely No Drama! So, put on your party hat, bring a party horn, and come ready to jump in the circle pit!


ALSO THIS WEEK

Friday, November 28th


Jenny Westbury
On KPFT's Radioactive (90.1fm 2PM)
Awww we miss Jenny's good natured and happy happy joy joy enthusiasm. She's now in Seattle but KPFT recorded her at Sugarhill before she left. Listen in a find out why we're jealous of Seattle.

Golden Cities and or Room 101
On KTRU's Revelry Report (91.7FM 6PM)
Lance Higdon may be known as the manic drummer of Tambersauro but here is his more shoegazy side. They may or may not be playing (Ian you need to update your calendar) but Room 101 is definitely playing and he is a one man post-punk field of slaughter.

Little Joy, The Dead Trees, The Tontons
@ Warehouse Live
I believe Ton Tons is all I have to say. (Insert Mark C. Austin joke here)

GRRRL PARTS
@ The Mink
Tag Team DJ Duo

Wolves At The Door, HalffNelson, Desmond Zavala
@ Fitzgerald's
The wolves have a trumpet and they are not afraid to use it. Half nelson does the Reggae thing and Desmond Zavala's an instrumental band that plays some pretty and mellow melodic rock.

Secret Awesome Fest 9000, featuring Hollywood FLOSS, The Mermaids of Judaism, Ellypseas, Monoceros, Female Demand, Breathe In Your Neighborhood, Bear Kraft, Eddie T, Giant Battle Monster, ?//, Charger Fits, & Ryan Evans Jazz Oddysey @ 10553 Fisher Rd. (free!)
OK kind of a mixed bag here really but let me quickly run through these in order: Hip Hop, Low-fi Garage, meh, Monocereo's Nero Vs The State of Punk rock is probably the best Greg Ginn guitar cop I've heard in a while, Drum and Bass...no...I mean that's what this duo plays, your homework - listen to a bunch of spacemen three, smoke a lot of dope, then write a three page essay on why you shouldn't have to cram everything up-front in your mix, your assignment - build a myspace page, ATTN Eddie T- your name is too generic to Google, this band would make for a very good instrumental band, you really expect me to Google that?, they have a big ad for a tattoo shop and write songs like "My Girlfriend Rocknroll" and "Dust off the Leather", WTF?? Ryan Evans Jazz Odyssey you named your band Jazz Odyssey?



Saturday, November 29th

Sat., November 29 - The Riff Tiffs, The Eastern Sea, Piano Vines, Earnie Banks, The McKenzies
@ Walter's on Washington (8:30PM, $7)
With the expert shoe gaze of Houston's Riff Tiffs, the melodic sweetness of Austin's Eastern Sea and the awesome H-Pop of Piano Vines, Earnie banks and the McKenzies, this should be a pretty solid night of music. I know what yr asking. Isn't this on Friday? I saw this listed on Walter's website as being on Friday. No it's a fuck-up. This show is in fact on Saturday.


Do It Anyway You Want
Party/Art Show/ Ceeplus Bad Knives Sagittarius Birthday Bash
With The Mathletes
and DJ's Damon Allen, Dansparc, Grrrl Parts, PRKL8R, J. Calero, On Hiatus, Ceeplus Bad Knives
MC: Cornbread (of the Fucking Transmissions)
($10) 2210 Commerce St. (in back)
Here is the perfect way to start a message. "Hello all, your getting this mail because your rad." You hear that I'm rad!!! :P But seriously this looks to be pretty cool especially since the mystery band is now confirmed to be the Mathletes. Anyhow here is the rest of the message:

"Thanks to all you plan to make it out to the event this Saturday. To everyone who can't, you will be missed! If you guys and gals have other plans on Saturday, fret not, we will be rocking it till at least 4am.. :) Parking is cool on the streets Commerce and Saint Emanuel. Plus there is a pretty big lot at the warehouse space. Address is 2010 Commerce but entry is in the back on the Franklin side. We will have 5 kegs of beer and bottles. You can BYOB if you like as well. Art show starts at 8pm. Come out early to check it out."

Misfits, Shit City High, Focusyn, X-Pats
@ The Meridian
(Early In-store) Shit City High (5PM) @ Cactus Music
OK so with only Jerry Only left of the original line-up, calling this the misfits is pretty damn silly. Maybe Blackfits or Misflag would be more descriptive given the line up of Only with Black Flag Alumni Robo and Dez Cadena. Eh but who's splitting hairs not this "Goddamn son of a bitch. You better think about it baby?"

Tuesday November 4th

News On The March
On the KTRU Local Show (91.7fm 8PM)
Locals pop darlings play live on the local show as a preview to their EP Release.


Wednesday, December 3rd

Wilderness, Fertile Crescent, San Serac, Balaclavas, Guitars, TENSE, DJ Fredster/Psychedelic Sex Panther
@ The Mink
Echo bathed jangly guitars and emotive vocals are Wildernesses' stock-in-trade. It's good stuff but I'd still say that Balaclavas can out do them in terms of atmosphere, emotion, and raw dark beauty. If you've not seen or heard Balaclavas you really need to do so as they are one of the most unique and singular bands to walk the Earth. Also worth checking out are the ever fun and hummable Guitars and robot dancehall king Tense.

Deerhunter, Times New Viking
@ Warehouse Live
The bright clean indie rock of deerhunter meets the more noisy and immediate indie rock of Times new Viking.


Thursday, December 4th

Spain Colored Orange/Airon Paul Dugas (with Paris Falls)
@ The Continental Club
The other band with a trumpet who isn't afraid to use it. Is dugas playing with Paris Falls as a back up band? I don't quite follow that.

Music with Jameson & Lone Star: Bright Men of Learning and The Gary @ Rudz 11 Nov 2008

Yeah, as you can tell by the picture above, I wasn't feeln' too well Saturday. Likely I was ill from running around all day and not eating properly. I'd actually planned on running down to the White Swan early and catching some of the metal showcase but thought better of it given my state. Nevertheless, I did run by Rudz to catch a last minute show. You know those shows where for some inexplicable reason there is an open date on a bar and a few bands jump on the opportunity to play outside the rehearsal space. They're always dodgy affairs given the short notice and more often than not they become glorified rehearsals. The charming thing about these type of shows is the bands can be pretty loose and laid back. They aren't worried about knocking it out of the ballpark in front of a big crowd. It's just intimate and chill.

Austin's The Gary (with Trey of Sad Like Crazy) opened with a nice set. The bassist's vocals were a nice baritone with a talky/singing style that reminded me of those Minutemen songs where Mike Watt would talk through a song. It was a nice juxtaposition with the melodic bass and guitar lines. Good stuff. Then Bright Men of Learning followed. Third guitar slinger Chris wasn't there (this was a last minute show after all) and I, for one, missed what he brought to the band. BMOL isn't about one person after all but the collective unit and what they each bring to it and Chris does help in filling out the canvas. That small quibble aside, it was nice to hear the BMOL songs live for the first time in a long time. The rythm section is great, Marshall Preddy's vocals are always wonderful and horribly under appreciated, and Ben Murphy's lead work is one of the best in the city. Perhaps because the sound was more sparse with Chris' absence or just because this was a last minute show, Murphy even got a bit free-form and noisy with his guitar work at one point which was kind of a surprise and admittely fun to watch. But in the end, was it a wild and woolly night? Nah, but I did get to catch two solid bands play it loose and laid back which was great and more importantly I didn't throw up.

The Gary from Austin
showing off some nice guitar and bass work

No, it's not a short-scale bass.
I'm 6 foot 5.

Bright Men of Learning's Marshall Preddy
rocking the Rudz living room

BMOL's Ben Murphy
channels his inner Thurston Moore

Links:

More pictures on my Flickr (link)

Bright Men Of Learning on Myspace (link)
The Gary on mysapce (link)