Fine Line: February, 2008

I’m quite thrilled to announce a very special tour a’comin’ our way in the coming weeks finally here. Dave Palmer and Fred Hamilton, 2/3rds of the great Earl Harvin Trio, are hookin’ back up with Rob Avsharian and Ephraim Owens and they’s a’comin’ to come to town.

In case you don’t already know…

Palmer is the only native Texan hailing from Kingsville,he grew up,however, in a military family and had to return as a musical prodigal son in 1988. He attened the University of North Texas where he was an english major, however, by profession he was a musician and through these two situations managed to meet both Earl and Fred. A bond was created early on and even though being very busy himself and moving a few times over the past several years the trio was manifested and has been nurtured. Dave’s playing experiences include live stints with artists such as AIR, Fiona Apple, Seal, Chris Isaak, Joe Henry, Bobby Previtte, Wayne Horvitz, MC 900 Foot Jesus,etc,etc. He has also done extensive studio work not just for most of those artists but acts such as Cake, Lindsey Buckingham, Paul Stanley, and several dozen remixes for bands as diverse as Bush to Chumbawamba.

Hamilton has been playing music professionaly since the early seventies. Hailing from Colorado he has spanned the country working with several big name jazz artists including James Moody, Bill Frissel, Frank Mantooth, Hal Galper, and David Liebman as well as teaching at several excellent music schools including the University of North Texas where he is currently professor and head of the jazz guitar department. Fred has established himself as one of the premiere guitar and bass players in th DFW area. Besides the trio he has played with Marchel Ivory, Shelley Carrol, James Clay, and Fathead Newman just to name a few. Not to be omitted is his newest project called Brahma, a very cool ensemble of Texas immigrants from around the globe including such places as Turkey and northern India. Playing a hindustani slide guitar in this ensemble Fred has amalgamated many Indian musical concepts into his playing and has brought both those ideas and the instrument into the trio setting where it has taken on it’s own identity.

Supa’star Rob Avsharian has drummed it up with such brilliance as Bobgoblin, Adventures of Jet, Little Jack Melody, Robert Gomez, Chomsky, Snarky Puppy, Andy TImmons, Tim Miller, Brave Combo and many others.

In the twelve years since calling Austin home, Ephraim Owens has become more than a staple in the local music scene—he is truly the cornerstone of the intimate community of jazz artists. A native of Dallas, Ephraim began playing classical trumpet at the age of 8 later attending Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. While continuing his education on music scholarships at Weatherford Junior College and Southwest Texas State University, Ephraim gained international exposure for solo ensemble and composition. During this time he took a hands-on approach to breaking into the Austin club scene by cruising town with his horn in hand and sitting in with fellow musicians of all styles and genres. This quickly earned him a reputation as one of the hottest horn players in town. He is a master in the jazz arena, especially well known for his signature solos and ability to improvise. He has an uncanny ability to imagine his music laid on top of anything else he hears, and his adaptability makes him a welcome addition to almost any lineup. The Austin Chronicle ranks Ephraim as “Best Horn” in Austin and has named Blaze, a group that features Ephraim on trumpet, as “Best Jazz Band.”

Ephraim has recorded and/or performed with the likes of Doyle Bramhall, Seth Walker, Patrice Pike, Wayne “the Train” Hancock, Erykah Badu, Charlie Sexton, String Cheese Incident, Red Young, and numerous others.

M’kay, here goes my top pick for this eve…

Wednesday, February 20th
Dan’s Silverleaf – Denton
Dave Palmer / Shelley Carroll / Rob Avsharian / Fred Hamilton
9ish

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Aaaaah, yes. Lauren Gifford is not only quite beautiful, she’s also got the voice that would turn any straight girl gay…

The girl next door, a celebrated Jazz Diva, an insightful poetic singer/songwriter or the occasional rock ‘n roll brat – Lauren Gifford does not have to play any of these roles, she IS all of that and more at all times.

Her father’s great love for Jazz legends like Billie Holiday or Dave Brubeck provided a musical atmosphere that fostered the development of Gifford’s wonderfully independent talent. Later, endless hours of James Taylor and David Foster helped to round out and widen her musical scope.

Though often compared to Sarah McLachlan or Natalie Merchant, Lauren Gifford developed her very own unique style of singing with a voice that’s “captivating and pure” (fan comment). Her reckless and extravagant piano playing leaves the most demanding critics breathless.

I’ve loved Lauren’s music for quite a long time now. I also really dig the digs over at the Absinthe Lounge. So why not make a perfect night of it and head over tonight to see Lauren perform live in Absinthe’s intimate setting – and GREAT martinis!

Never Look Back by Lauren Gifford

Wednesday, February 20th
Absinthe Lounge
Lauren Gifford
9 PM

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More Shows to Go:

Club Dada
DJ Pendergrass
No Cover

The Cavern
AM Syndicate / My Life on Film
Doors at 9 PM – $6.00 Cover

Barley House
The King Bucks with a big ass feature on Joe Butcher
10ish – no cover – FineLineLive guaranteed great show.

Love & War in Texas (Plano)
Ed Burleson
The honkiest-of-tonk
7 PM – $7.00 Cover

Rubber Gloves
Short Attention Span Theatre
10 PM – No Cover

Hailey’s
The Radio Clash w/The Flashlight Party
10 PM – No Cover

Scat Lounge
Brad Williams
9 PM – $5.00 Cover

Adam Demetri (StunGun) and Christian Bland (The Black Angels) are the masterminds behind a masterful little fun-fest in Austin next month. The whole shindig goes down at The Red Barn…

The Red Barn is a new venue dedicated to Austin’s independent spirit, world-famous live music scene, and psychedelic music heritage. The venue was inspired by the Vulcan Gas Company, Austin’s first psychedelic venue.

…the venue is located in a renovated vintage red barn in North Central Austin.

The lo-down:

Saturday, March 8th
The Red Barn
Performing:
Cavedweller
The Astronaut Suit
The Tunnels
Horse + Donkey
Ringo Deathstarr
The Upside Down
The Quarter After
Acid Tomb
The Strange Boys
Spindrift
The Black Angels

…um…hell YEAH!

Tickets, directions and all that other crap can be found here.

“Bloodhounds on My Trail” by The “freakin’ awesome” Black Angels. Visuals by Hal “freakin’ awesome” Samples.

Boy-howdy did I spend me some St. Patty’s Days on Lower Greenville…well…at least from what I remember. The Dallas Observer blew the lid off of ol’ Greenville Avenue last year by bringing the Toadies to the outdoor stage…

…yeah. Lots of folks came.

This year is a doozy too. This year they’ve booked Ghostland Observatory…oh yeah…and that legendary parade, too. So on Saturday, March 15th, get up…put on something green…unless you are the pinch-luvin’ type…and head over to Greenville and University to watch the parade, then dance yo’ ass off to Ghostland Observatory. You can getcher tickets here.

…it’s gonna be fun. Open your wallet, fool.

Rock’n'roll drummer (as in Dana’s Fast)/really funny comedian, Justin Foster will step into Kelly’s shoes (as in Pugs & Kelly) today on Live 105.3. Should be a fun ride. Tune in at 10:30 AM and let hilarity ensue.

Check out this video: Justin Foster: My Roomate *NEW!

St. Paul United Methodist Church
African Heritage Celebrated in Classical Music
~ ~ Unheard Voices ~ ~
Showcasing two rarely-heard pieces of music by composers of African heritage
Saturday, February 23
3:00 PM
St. Paul United Methodist Church
1816 Routh Street
Dallas, TX 75201
The SOUL of the Arts District!
FREE Admission
No reservations required
Bring the children!
More info:
214-520-2219
www.fineartschamberplayers.org

Fine Arts Chamber Players invite you and your family to a free concert of classical chamber music at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1816 Routh Street at 3:00 pm on Saturday afternoon, February 23, 2008. Celebrating African heritage in classical music, musicians from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform in one of Dallas’ historic landmarks.

Following the end of the Civil War in 1865, St. Paul was established by freed slaves of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. The land for the church was donated by Dallas postmaster Anthony B. Norton. On weekdays, the church building served as a school for African American children – one of very few schools open for African Americans in Dallas. Throughout the difficult years at the end of Southern Reconstruction, many children who later became important Dallas leaders attended school and church at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

The February 23rd program includes George Walker’s Lyric for Strings (George Walker is the only African-American to ever win the Pulitzer Prize in Music) and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Quintet for Clarinet and Strings and the Mozart Quintet for Horn and Strings. This concert is free and children are invited to attend.

Performers include:
Gregory Raden, clarinet
Nicole Cash, horn
Maria Schleuning, violin
Kaori Yoshida, violin
Barbara Sudweeks, viola
Pam Askew, viola
Peter Steffens, cello

St. Paul United Methodist Church is in the Dallas Arts District in downtown Dallas. The church is located on the east side of Routh Street just south of the Woodall Rogers Freeway overpass, and is immediately adjacent to One Arts Plaza (a 24 story high-rise). Parking is available next to the church.
For more information about St. Paul United Methodist Church visit: www.stpaulumcdallas.com

…chop-chop with the Jason Castro talk! FINALLY we have a voice with an interesting sound…and he’s a drummer…sigh…and the ‘locks don’t hurt none neither…

There’s a wicked-awesome MySpace that covers loads of Dallas music history. I care. You should too. Go here to meet a new friend.

One piece of greatness featured on the HODM MySpace page is the above set list – KNON circa 1987. Aaaaaaah, the good ol’ days.

A few years back, I worked for KHYI 95.3 The Range. The best part of the job was getting to meet with some of the artists who came in the studio. Chris Knight was a big one for me. I’ve always liked his stuff, and after getting to know him a little, grew to really like him. He’s a funny and talented dude. Chris is the epitome of a good ol’ country boy, hailing from Kentucky, and it shows in his music.

Chris Knight is performing tonight at Dan’s Silverleaf. Dan’s is one of my particularly favorite DdFW venues.

Can I sweeten the deal even further? Chris Welch (Pinebox Serenade) performs tonight too. It’s gonna be a good night.

Tuesday, February 19th
Dan’s Silverleaf
Chris Welch / Chris Knight
9ish

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If you be a fan of really unusual, really interesting, really pretty music, then you’ll need to go see Balmorhea tonight. You’ve got 2 chances. You’ve got 2 cities.

Tuesday, February 19th
Good Records
Balmorhea
Free In-Store – 6 PM

Tuesday, February 19th
Rubber Gloves
Bryce Isbell / Alex Dupree & the Trapdoor Band / Balmorhea / Bexar Bexar
Doors at 9 PM – $5.00 Cover

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D.E.E.P. Meeting
July Alley
Listen. Talk. Drink. Make Friends. Become a part of something special.
9 PM – No Cover

The Double Wide
DJ Burlap
10 PM – No Cover

Absinthe – Joel Sprayberry

Knox Street Pub
AcousticKnox Series
Chris August / Larry Gayeo (Odis) / Tyler Wood (The Campaign)
Pop/Indie/Acoustic
8:30 PM – No Cover

The Cavern
Colin Boyd
10 PM – Upstairs – No Cover

Hailey’s
Sean Sparks Presents – OMG WTF LOL BBQ
“It’s Why We Dance”
A different DJ and performance art each week
No Cover 18+ – Doors at 9pm

The Scat Jazz Lounge
Gallio, Fisher, & Washington

White Elephant
95.9 The Ranch Presents: Texas Music Showdown
8 PM

I did the all-day live video streaming at Jay Johnson headquarters on Saturday, arriving at 10:30 AM, departing around 10 PM. ‘Twas a delightful day chock full of music, new pals and pounding Sangria and Tequila ’til closing time. Sunday was a wash.

So it’s always nice to know that, even though I continue to age, therefore finding it increasingly more difficult to attend more than one show per weekend, my young buddies over at Quick and the D.O. will go…and tell.

Hunter went to the Bridges & Blinking Lights show, as well as the pAper chAse show. He’s such a good boy.

Jamie Dougher went to Gezellig.

In other Quick news, Wanz made the cover of today’s issue. If you lurk ’round the local music blogs/sites, then prepare to read lots and lots of gush over this coming weekend’s Melodica Festival. Wanz Dover has outdone himself, with a lil’ help from his friends.

In every corner of Mwanza Dover’s Lakewood apartment, there’s a reminder of how much he loves music. Shelves are stacked with vinyl albums, guitars and amp cables litter the floor, and Dover sits at a sort-of command center with a laptop displaying iTunes at the ready.

And there’s a lot more music in his head. Chatting with the 34-year-old, you come to realize that he’s a human encyclopedia of music history – local and otherwise.

“A music snob is someone who knows all the stuff and keeps it to himself,” Dover says.

“A music fan is someone who knows the stuff and tries to share it with as many people as possible. I’m a music fan.”

Dover demonstrated his fandom and imparted some knowledge during a two-hour conversation about this weekend’s Melodica ’08. It’s a festival he’s reviving, after a seven-year absence, to showcase local and international underground music.

Dozens of acts, including headliners Light Bright Highway, Spectrum and Silver Apples, will perform over three days in Expo Park venues. Several of those will play all-ages shows at Sloppyworld and Club Dada.

“I put together the all-ages portion of it so people under 21 could see some really cool bands. Promoters are thinking about money first. With this, we are thinking about the music and the audience.”

Here’s more from Dover…Read the rest of the Q&A with Hunter Hauk.

Check out the first preview post too.

I’m sure you kiddies will delight in knowing that the Quick Battle of the Bands is back in action. They even have like a dedicated area that’s all cool and full of information.

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The young’un’s over at the Dallas Observer made the rounds this past weekend as well. Chelsea did the Museum and the Sons.

Newbie Pete Freedman had ambitious plans….I’ll betcha he kept most of them too.

UPDATE: Pete did indeed have himself a time.

Have I proposed marriage to Bob Schneider in the past? Several times. Usually the drill goes something like this…

Me: “Hey…um…*giggle*…Bob. Will you…um…*giggle*….um…marry me? *giggle*”

Bob: “What part of the restraining order do you not understand?”

Me: “…*giggle*…man…you are so freakin’ hot…*giggle*…”

Bob: “SECURITY!!!”

Just when I figured there was no place left to go on the biggest pedestal in the world, Bob Schneider just moved up another notch.

He’s got this big-ass tour coming up in support of this big-ass-hella-great new album, When the Sun Breaks Down on the Moon.

“I made this record at home, over the course of the last six months. I played all the instruments on it, including ukulele, banjo, trumpet, trombone, bass, guitar, piano, drums, keyboards, mandolin, steel drums, melodica, harmonica, as well as all the vocals,” says Bob Schneider of the experience making ŒWhen the Sun Breaks Down on the Moon¹. “I also did all the engineering, mixing, and mastering.”

Seriously, is there anything Bob can’t do? No. No there is not.

For Austin, Texas based songwriter and performer, Bob Schneider, finding a way to challenge everyone was at one point a major creative goal learned in Art School. Steeped as he was in the visual arts tradition of pushing boundaries Bob’s commitment to staying honest, and demonstrating independence was quickly embraced by Austin¹s music fans and other media artists for his purposeful trampling of every music, visual, and performance line he could cross.

He soon found this challenge to convention tiring and boorish. To Bob, real artistic credibility comes from harnessing all your creative energy and, to the best of your ability, passionately engaging your audience. This was clearly a nod to the music influences that helped shaped his perspective: Tom Waits, Queen, Prince and Paul Simon for music and Police, Talking Heads, and Earth Wind and Fire for live performance.

As such, Bob¹s songs are replete with characters and stories that populate his imaginative alternate universe of nihilism, redemption and the eternal search for peace of mind and are revealed in a highly visual and verbally clever musical style. Bob¹s stage performances comfortably fuse and weave anthemic rock songs with the addition of the tastiest bluegrass, R& B, country and funk inspired beats. So, as a proud University of Texas, El Paso Art School drop-out, Bob came to realize that he if enjoyed writing songs that inspired, entertained and made people just feel happy, then this might be the ultimate statement of independence.

And, the audience responded in kind. He¹s won Austin¹s Songwriter-of-the-Year award multiple times, built a rabid national audience based primarily on word of mouth recommendations, and has just completed a national arena tour opening for the Dixie Chicks. Though comfortably working with a major label, Universal, on the album, Lonelyland, Bob successfully reacquired his catalog rights and partnered with indie-distribution stalwart, Vanguard Records, on his most recent records I¹m Good Now and, The Californian.

Bob¹s reputation for being a tireless artist gigging hundreds of shows a year and painting and writing on the off days are no longer just a Texas legend. His fan base knows to expect the unexpected at shows with songs pulled off any of the fifteen albums he’s been involved with or the pop music catalog he has lodged in his brain. Indeed, every show seems to be two plus of hours of a phenomenally good time delivered as Bob iconoclastically climbs the hill of popular music stardom.

Tour Dates:

2/21/08 – Cypress Saloon (FULL BAND SHOW) – Cypress, TX
2/22/08 – Cactus Cafe (solo show) – Austin, TX
2/23/08 – Uptown Theater (solo show) – Marble Falls, TX
2/25/08 – Saxon Pub – Austin, TX
2/28/08 – Bend Studio – Dallas, TX
2/29/08 – Josabi’s (Leap Year Celebration!) Helotes, TX
3/01/08 – Threadgill’s (TX Bluegrass Massacre Kickoff) – Austin, TX
3/03/08 – Saxon Pub – Austin, TX
3/07/08 – Antone’s – Austin, TX
3/08/08 – Antone’s (SCABS show) – Austin, TX
3/10/08 – Saxon Pub – Austin, TX
3/13/08 – Mucky Duck (St. Patrick’s Day Celebration) – Houston, TX
3/14/08 – Saxon Pub (SOLO show, early show) – Austin, TX
3/14/08 – Threadgill’s w/ Texas Bluegrass Massacre – Austin, TX
3/15/08 – Threadgill’s – Austin, TX
3/16/08 – Threadgill’s w/ Mitch Watkins – Austin, TX
3/17/08 – Saxon Pub – Austin, TX
3/18/08 – Exit/In (Hotel Cafe tour) – Nashville, TN
3/19/08 – Center Stage (Hotel Cafe tour) – Atlanta, GA
3/20/08 – Cat’s Cradle (Hotel Cafe tour) – Carrboro, NC
3/21/08 – Warehouse Live (full band) – Houston, TX
3/22/08 – The Aardvark (full band) – Fort Worth, TX
3/24/08 – Rhythm Room – Phoenix, AZ
3/25/08 – Belly Up Tavern – Solana Beach, CA
3/26/08 – Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA
3/27/08 – Safari Sam’s – Hollywood, CA
3/28/08 – The Independent – San Francisco, CA
3/29/08 – Doug Fir Lounge – Portland, OR
3/30/08 – Chop Suey – Seattle, WA
3/31/08 – Big Easy – Boise, ID
4/01/08 – The Palladium – Salt Lake City, UT
4/02/08 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO
4/07/08 – NCAA Final Four – The Big Dance – San Antonio, TX
4/12/08 – Antone’s (Peace-Love-Happiness Charity Ride performance) -
Austin, TX
4/17/08 – Bend Studio – Dallas, TX
4/19/08 – Granada Theater – Dallas, TX
5/02/08 – Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN
5/03/08 – Double Door – Chicago, IL
5/04/08 – Blueberry Hill – St. Louis, MO
5/05/08 – Music Mill – Indianapolis, IN
5/06/08 – World Cafe – Philadelphia, PA
5/07/08 – Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA
5/08/08 – Knitting Factory – New York, NY
5/09/08 – Birchmere – Alexandria, VA
5/10/08 – Diesel – Pittsburgh, PA
5/13/08 – PRIVATE PARTY – Austin, TX
5/22/08 – Stubb’s BBQ (Rock & Restock Charity Event) – Austin, TX
5/23/08 – Meridian – Houston, TX
5/24/08 – Nutty Brown (Memorial Day Party) – Austin, TX
11/01/08 – Bowie High School (La Crosse Charity Fundraiser) – Austin, TX

Photo by Megan Cortinas

Yeah, so my Kidd Kraddick in the Morning listenin’ ways cat was let outta the bag long ago. Sometimes, though, every once in awhile, it pays off for one of our own strugglin’ artists. This morning Kidd Kraddick raved about a musician who shoulda been way famous long ago….sweet, precious Taylor Davis.

“New York City” by Taylor Davis

Kidd claims to have “wandered into some coffee shop in a really bad part of town…and this kid was performing…” Heh. I’m assuming he meant Opening Bell in that really bad part of town directly across the street from the Dallas Police Department.

Let’s hope the mention gets Taylor some much deserved attention outside those oh-so-dangerous coffee houses. Meantime, you can check out more songs and more Taylor here, including upcoming tour dates.

PART ONE

Here’s part one all of the time we were privileged enough to spend with the oh-so-fabulous John Bowley and John Wilson. Dave Little did the honors while we just watched and laughed and laughed. The boys played a sold-out show at Poor David’s Pub on Saturday night, and I hear-tell there will be another reunion show coming in the summertime (June 21st at Poor David’s)…enjoy.

PART TWO

Photo by Jonni Jewel

So here’s the deal. Award-winning singer/songwriter and all around supahstar, Jay Johnson is set to release his new single, “Truthwagon,” in that digital kinda way. Tomorrow, in fact. This dude, Big Kev over at WXLV 90.3 FM in Schnecksville, PA has a radio show. It’s called Big Country Review. Tomorrow, Saturday, February 16th, Big Kev will devote the entire 2-hours of his show to Jay and his music. Cool, huh? Since this lil’ radio dealio coincides with Jay’s new digital single release….we decided to throw one hella Virtual Release Party so all you folks from around the world can attend.

L’il background info. and stuff:

Texas Singer/Songwriter Jay Johnson’s new digital-only single, The TruthWagon, will premier Saturday, February 16, 2008. It will be made available for radio exclusively via digital format on AirplayDirect.com, and for sale at most online MP3 retailers. The release will premier from 1 – 4pm EST on WXLV Roots 90.3 in Schnecksville, PA on The Big Country Revue with your Most Excellent Host Big Kev. A live Virtual Release Party (streaming video) will be webcast simultaneously on Johnson’s site [as well as here on The Fine Line], complete with a chat room for viewers to enjoy a virtual meet-and-greet with Jay and the band.

AirPlayDirect.com is an easy to use digital file transfer system that was developed to streamline radio / artist promotion activities for today’s music industry. This new service is free for artists and programmers alike and allows artists to deliver “broadcast quality” tracks to radio quickly, efficiently and cost effectively. Johnson has been using Airplay Direct for almost a year now and been extremely pleased with the results and the exposure that the push of a button can garner an artist. The eco-friendliness of the technology was the other selling point in Johnson’s decision to go all digital, because he feels that as a part of the artist community, there is a platform allowed that should be used for the better when the situation presents itself.

Jay Johnson is a multi-award winning performer/singer-songwriter from Dallas, Texas whose multi-genre music has been compared to the likes of The Black Crowes, The Eagles, Dave Matthews and Neil Young, among others. This 19-yr veteran artist has self-released three albums in the last seven years, all receiving airplay worldwide. In addition to The TruthWagon release, he is currently doing an internet only global re-release (also through Airplay Direct) of his 2004 album, RoyalBlueMoon. In staying digital, Johnson plans on also beginning a monthly Live Virtual Concert Series this spring.

So it’ll be like a big-ass CD Release party that you can enjoy from the comfort of home-sweet-home.

We’ll go live tomorrow at 12-noon sharp (if not earlier) and there will be live video streaming from the party throughout the day. I’ll give you a link to the chat room where you can meet-and-greet with Jay and the band, request some acoustic play from Jay and generally say whatever you wanna.

We’ll have at least 3 cameras, one in which will be designated as the “Private ConverJay” in which attending fans and band members can talk directly to you, one-on-one, in the privacy of the “Private ConverJay” room. Sort like the confessional thingie on Real World.

Soooooo, see ya tomorrow?

Saturday, February 16th
In Front of Your Computer
Jay Johnson’s Virtual CD Release Party
Noon CST – Free

Might as well set-up a cot at the Double Wide, starting tonight, packing-up in the wee hours of Sunday morning. The shows to go are the shows at the Double Wide.

Friday, February 15th es muy bueno indeed. You gotcher Dougie Burr and you gotcher Dove Hunter and you gotcher Bridges and Blinking Lights….what you gotcherself right, my darlings, is one helluva line-up.

“What Turns Inside” by Dove Hunter

“Blackwater” by Bridges & Blinking Lights

“Always Travel Light” by Doug Burr

Friday, February 15th
The Double Wide
Doug Burr / Dove Hunter / Bridges & Blinking Lights
9 PM

If you love Chomsky, like I love Chomsky…go…go…go…yes kiddies, ’tis true…the boys are back and they’s ready to rock your arses off.

“00:15:00 to Rock.mp3″ by Chomsky

Now let’s go on and toss in more rockin’ finery by adding The Crash that Took Me to the stage…

“Julianne.mp3″ by The Crash that Took Me

…this show shall be Idolized…

Saturday, February 16th
The Double Wide
The Crash that Took Me / Chomsky
10 PM

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Wholly-crappy-olly! Whadda freakin’ great show! ‘Sup – The pAper chAse and Micah P. Hinson and Shiny Around the Edges. Are you kidding me? NOT. TO. MISS.

“We Know Where You Sleep” by The Paper Chase

Friday, February 15th
Sons of Hermann
Micah P. Hinson / Shiny Around the Edges / the pAper chAse
Doors @ 5PM – Show @ 9PM
Tickets: $10.00 Advance/$12.00 At the door

“Maybe” by Shiny Around the Edges

“Diggin’ a Grave by Micah P. Hinson

Saturday, February 16th
Sons of Hermann
Jim Suhler / Tejas Brothers
Doors @ 5 PM – Show @ 9 PM – $10.00

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‘Twas at AllGood Cafe that I fussed at Noah Bailey about just when his band, the Naptime Shake, would perform again. My answer is before me. Saturday, February 16th, the Naptime Shake, along with the great Jon Dee Graham shall take the stage at AllGood Cafe. 8 PM sharp. Don’t be late.

Jon Dee Graham has been an integral part of the Austin music scene since playing with and the legendary True Believers with Alejandro Escovedo. Since then hes played guitar with Ryan Hedgecock of Lone Justice, Michelle Shocked, John Doe, Exene Cervenka, Kelly Willis, and Calvin Russell. In 1996 he recorded Escape From Monster Island, followed by Summerland, Hooray For The Moon and The Great Battle in 2004. He is also a member of the Resentments with Jud Newcomb, Stephen Bruton, Bruce Hughes, and John Chipman. In 2000 Jon Dee was named singer/songwriter of the year at The Austin Music Awards at SXSW. After returning from a tour in Europe in November, Jon Dee just left the studio with John Cale playing guitar for Alejandro Escovedos upcoming record. Jon Dee is set to record a new record in early 2006. Jon Dee has recently had music featured in Ladder 49 and Veronica Mars.

Drawing their influences from such greatness as Wilco, Sufjan Stevens, Gram Parsons, Bob Dylan and…of course…The Theater Fire, the Naptime Shake lights up the stage with divine rootsy, folksy, rich and creamy greatness.

“Los Angeles” by The Naptime Shake

Saturday, February 16th
AllGood Cafe
The Naptime Shake / Jon Dee Graham
8 PM

AllGood Cafe
Friday – Rocket Girl (Annie Benjamin’s newish project…and besides, any band with a chick drummer works for me.)
Folksy pop rock
9 PM – $5.00

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Look. You can either sit at home with the warm and fuzzies, your remote and a box of wine. Or you can shake yo’ ass and get all Sloppy wit’it at the Lollipop Shoppe Anniversary Bash!

Saturday, February 16th
Sloppyworld
DJ’s – Tigerbee / Pandaflower / Mike Hooker
Performing: The Dirty Novels
Go-go dancers / Giveaways / Visuals / Sloppy, sticky, sweet, sweet fun!
9 PM – $5

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William “Freewill” Hunnicutt passed away from a sudden heart attack on January 12th, 2008, leaving hundreds (if not thousands) of friends, family, fans and admirers. He was loved. He loved. His wife, pregnant with their child, can use our help.

Saturday, February 16th
Green Elephant
Freewill Forever Benefit
Performances by: Verbal Seed / P.P.T. / DDC / Subchronicles / Info-Red / Epatomed / Knesecary / Dow Jonez / Mic Most / Reflect June / Colby Savage / Thesis / Jkid / Nonspecific / DC South / Cutty Onasis / Trav AP / Philly Station / Ruby Revue
DJ Sets / Live Art / Rap Battle
2 PM – 9 PM – $5.00 All Ages (9 PM ’til close is 21+)

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“RTB2″ “RTB2″ “RTB2″ – that’s all I’ve heard from Hunter as of late. Then like a whole buncha other folks done told me that they’s mighty-fine too. I know I’ve liked what I’ve heard.

I’ve been a loooooooooooooongtime fan of Rodney Parker and 50 Peso Reward. I have a particular fondness for the band’s bass player. REALLY good stuff goin’ on with that band.

Whiskey Folk Ramblers? Love ‘em!

So think about makin’ a quick stop at The Cavern this weekend.

Saturday, February 16th
The Cavern
RTB2 / Rodney Parker and 50 Peso Reward / Whiskey Folk Ramblers
8 PM – $6.00

Friday, February 15th (‘nuther durn fine show!)
The Cavern
Rose County Fair / The Folly Fandango / Fate Lions / The Hope Trust
8 PM – $6.00

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When the hell was the last time you had the chance to see I Love Math perform live? Yeah. That’s what I thought. Their shows have been few and far between, so it would be nice to see you at Barley House on Saturday night.

You know how I feel about Sarah Jaffe. EVERYBODY knows how I feel about Sarah Jaffe. And Marcus Striplin (who is set to take off on his solo career) ain’t no chump change neither. Oh yeah, and there’s never a cover at the Barley House.

Saturday, February 16th
Barley House
Marcus Striplin / Sarah Jaffe / I Love Math
9 PM

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More Shows…

Fallout Lounge
Saturday – Jeff Parker (Tortoise) / DJ Stephen R.

City Tavern
Friday – the Backsliders / Dustin Morris Greenstar Band / Escort Service
Saturday – Fishing for Comets / Sunward

Opening Bell Coffee
Friday – Tayler Davis / Bryan Dunn / Johnny Goudie
Saturday – Sara Donaldson / Van Risseghem

Poor David’s Pub
Saturday – Bowley & Wilson’s Colonoscopy Tour w/ Michaeal Martin SOLD OUT!

House of Blues
Friday – Days of the New / Saving Abel – Cary Pierce
Saturday – Cowboy Mouth / The Kildares – Molotov

Granada Theater
Friday – Coco Montoya / Caroline Wonderkind
Saturday – Dale Watson / Mo Robson Band / Two Tons of Steel (This show makes me happy)

White Rock Coffee
Friday – The Matthew Show / Jason Jackson

Love & War (Plano)
Friday – Jesse Dayton
Saturday – Brennen Leigh

Dan’s Silverleaf
Friday – South Austin Jug Band
Saturday – Bubba Hernandez & Y Los Super Vatos

Hailey’s
Friday – It’s What We Get / Wild in the Streets / Craig Welch
Saturday – Low Dosage / The Better Halves / Gun Gun / Raised by Tigers / White Drugs (really good show)
Sunday – Liars / No Age / DJ Select

Rubber Gloves
Friday – O Pioneers!!! / The Riot Before / Broadcast Sea / The Blanket Restraint

Lola’s
Friday – Josh Weathers CD Release / The Campaign / Hurt Street
Saturday – Devil Doll / Johnny Hootrock

Scat Lounge
Friday – Ricki Derek
Saturday – Andrew Griffith

The Moon Bar
Saturday – Darth Vato

White Elephant
Friday – Tejas Brothers
Saturday – Steve Carrasco / Bois D’Arcs

Woody’s Tavern
Friday – Ryan James / Miles from Nowhere
Saturday – Kyle Park / Magee Payne

Saturday, February 16th
Bill’s Records
Free In-Store
Performing:
2:30pm – Dean Seltzer
3:15pm – Tejas Brothers
4:00pm – Jerry Audley
4:45pm – Kurt South

Sunday, February 17th
Good Records
Free In-Store
No Age
4 PM

KTCU 88.7 – Radio Sputnik
Tune in Saturday, February 16th at noon! Stick around cuz at 1:00 PM, Janice will have the Goodwin boys in the studio.I can guarantee you no-do-goodery and possible curse word bleeps shall flow freely.

More Funnery:

Friday, February 15th

UTD Campus University Theatre – Vagina Monologues – Lovie Performs!

Saturday, February 16th

Kettle Art
Sergio Garcia – Formal
7 PM

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Pan American ArtProjects
William Cannings Exhibition InfL8
Pan American Art Projects is pleased to feature British sculptor William Cannings in our Dallas space. On view through March 29th, please join us on Saturday, February 16 for an artist talk at 2 p.m. and the opening reception from 5 – 8 p.m.

Living and working as a professor of sculpture at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, William Cannings, English-born, first studied art at Loughborough College of Art and Design in England, followed by a BFA at Virginia Commonwealth University, and finally a MFA at Syracuse University.

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Conduit Gallery
Collecting & Collectivity – Featuring: Julie Ault & Martin Beck / Otabenga Jones & Associates / Danica Phelps / Team SHaG is a collaborative team including New York artists David Humphrey, Elliott Green and Amy Sillman / Daniel Lefcourt / BASEKAMP + David Dempewolf
Collecting and Collectivity is an exhibition about two seemingly opposite ideas. Collecting, the gathering of objects, is usually associated with the marketplace while collectivity, the gathering of people, is often thought of in reaction to the marketplace. Collectivity designates a group of people constructing a set of shared values and acting accordingly. Politically, collecting is associated with capitalism and collectivity with communism.

The curators, through the exhibition, ask; Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, is there a new paradigm for collectivism that can be informed by collecting? How independent is the avant-garde, traditionally thought of as independent from the market? If art can be made by more than one individual, how does that affect the trend of the art star as a lone genius?

This exhibition brings together seven artists and collaborative teams that challenge the separation between collecting and collectivity.

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The Soda Gallery
Rock n’ Roll Ain’t Dead Yet Exhibition
Featuring several awesome artists from around the Metroplex and USA paying tribute to their favorite rock stars! We’ll also have live music and our monthly tequila tasting with tequila aficionado, Raul Santillan, Jr.
7 PM – Free!

I took a drive to Deep Ellum today for a video interview. Driving down Main, on my way to Space, I noticed really, really long lines outside of Tigger’s and that other tattoo joint down the street. I’m talkin’ 30-50 people in line outside both places.

After a little head-scratchin’ and mindless mull, I figured it out! Valentine’s Day tattoos! No wonder the lines were both 2-people deep…like the Ark.

On my way back, I stopped in at Tigger’s and had “Dougie Burr Rules” tattooed on my ass…heh.

The video interview was Reid and I getting to watch Dave Little chat with John Bowley and John Wilson and Rosebud and Billy King. It was really surreal for yours truly. The most vivid memories I have, from the ages of 16-18 years old, are memories from Up Your Alley with Bowley and Wilson. Their Colonoscopy Tour, set to thrill multi-decade fans at Poor David’s Pub on Saturday night, is sold-out. Completely sold-out!

Reid is working on the editing, so we should have the video up here sometime tomorrow. It’s gold…GOLD BABY! Dave Little is, by far, the funniest guy on earth. I’ll give you all the details and more rehash later.

Afterwards, I had lunch with Hal & Melissa, Reid and Greg. Greg is Seth Walker’s road manager. Seth Walker is an artist I’ve loved for nearly a decade. If you haven’t already, you need to check him out. Greg looks just like Kiefer Sutherland. Exactly like him. Then he opened his mouth and sounds like Kiefer Sutherland. Exactly like him. Greg is…how you say…hot! I think he wanted to request that I stop staring…and drooling. Request DENIED! Hot!

Reed Easterwood – Video by Jeff Liles

Jeffrey is back in Los Angeles and wasted no time surrounding himself with present, and former, DdFWites…

While I had a great time during my visit to Dallas, it didn’t take long for me to realize that I really need to be out here, where I can really help spread the word about Dallas music to an audience of people who aren’t already familiar with who we are.

On my way out here, I stopped in New Mexico and spent the weekend hanging out with Reed Easterwood. He played me some of his new stuff and it is amazing. We smoked a lot of weed, ate a ton of junk food and played chess all night, and I made him listen to John Vanderslice’s “Trance Manual” over and over again. He’s probably glad I’m gone by now.

From there, I headed into LA and settled back into the Sporehouse in Echo Park. It was 80 degrees here yesterday.

Last night, Dave Palmer (former Denton-based keyboardist for MC 900 Ft Jesus and Earl Harvin Trio/Quartet, now playing with Fiona Apple and Air, etc) did one of his monthly residency nights at the tiny Largo club in Hollywood. His special guest for the evening was our own Paul Slavens, who did one of his full-on improv sets taking song title requests from members of the audience. Dallas bassist Dave Monsey (Fiona Apple, Junky Southern, Sparrows, MC 900 and Cm, Tx) also flew in to back him up.

The crowd was packed with luminaries- some from here, others not. Justin Timberlake (minus the paparazzi entourage) was there with Charlie Sexton (who, along with Monsey, has been finishing up mixes on Carter Albrecht’s solo record down in Austin). They stayed the whole set, which I must give them props for, considering Paul’s last couple of songs were about feces and “toilet cheese”. Justin is a really nice, down to earth kid. He and Charlie have been in Austin working on an solo album by Justin’s best friend (I think his name is Matt Morris). Monsey is playing on that record, too.

Let’s see… who else was at Largo last night? Mitch Marine (ex Tripping Daisy, Brave Combo) was in the house. He’s still playing with Smashmouth and Dwight Yoakam these days. Former Ten Hands stick player Gary Muller was there, he lives here in Manhattan Beach now. Scrote was there – besides the amazing music he did for the new Cottonmouth, Tx stuff (”Charming Psychotic”, “Get Out of Jail Free”), he has a great new project with Earl Harvin called Scro11, and another new album (also featuring Harvin) by a band called The Radishes. Scrote has also been playing with Daniel Johnston, and also bassist Paul Barker and drummer Rey Washam from Ministry.

Lots of North Texas people on the scene last night. I really love Largo. It’s a killer little sit-down-and-shut-up showcase club (smaller than Dada) where established performers come to either blend in or try out edgy new material. On any given night you can see Fiona Apple, Sarah Silverman, Aimee Mann, Jon Brion, or any number of amazing comics or singer/songwriters doing their thing up close and personal.

I kept hoping that Justin would drag himself onstage to sing “Dick In A Box” during the middle of Slaven’s set about specific body functions.

This afternoon I’m heading back in to the studio to work on stuff for the next Cottonmouth record. I’ll be back in Dallas in a couple of weeks for Erykah Badu’s midnight record release party at Bill’s Records. If you haven’t seen her new video, check it out right away. The implicit message for her new track is “Save Mom-and-Pop record stores”, and she’s helping to do that by having her Dallas release party at Bill’s new location. She’s also doing a show the next night at House of Blues. It should be amazing.

See you soon… and keep sending our bands this direction. Trust me. Out here, the North Texas music scene is alive and well

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Quick is just chock full of music news…Hunter Hauk’s Liner Notes include:

Idol Records news about the wicked awesome Chomsky reunion on Saturday night at The Double Wide. – Read.

The North Texas Battle of the Bands competition. Read.

Stupid, manipulative, makes-a-gal-feel-sorry-for-herself Day…Read.

TONIGHT: It’s Valentine’s Day, which I like to spend on my kitchen floor with pints of ice cream and beer. But feel free to try to keep your No. 1 gal from flirting with Chris Holt when The Slack plays City Tavern, or you can romance her to the groovy instrumentals of Shibboleth at Dada.

…speakin’ of Dada, they are making it easy to get your drunk on earlier. Read.

Hunter also graciously mentioned a lil’ project I got in da’ works on Saturday. I’ll let him tease it, and I’ll fill you in on the rest a lil’ later. Read.

The New Frontiers are featured with a nice Q&A. Read.

Never forget Nightlife (the music blog) and the Boogie Spot.

Scooch over Hunter and gimme a spoon…sigh..

“Tell Me You Love Me” by Lovie

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So have you heard? There’s a new kid in town. Me thinks, even this early, that I’m gonna get along with this kid…real…good-like…

…Which brings us (oh yeah…) to the music itself. Some of the live performers I caught in my Dallas early-goings were really fucking good: indie rockers Ella Minnow, grindcore duo the Akkolytes, Centro-matic frontman Will Johnson, Pleasant Grove frontman Marcus Striplin and the guys who spin at The Cavern’s Cool Out Mondays. Some were really fucking weird: Loop 12 and The Great Tyrant, upon first sight/listen weren’t the surefire hits I was promised. And some were really fucking sleep-inducing (really!): Victory March’s instrumental rock sound wasn’t exciting enough to keep a member of Here in Arms from falling asleep on a couch in the back of The Cavern when the two acts shared a bill there.

So what does this all mean? Hell if I know. But I’m pretty stoked to continue trying to finding outREAD!

You couldn’t pay me enough to be in Pete Freedman’s shoes. Well, you could pay me enough to, literally, wear his shoes, but we are not talking literally. The past few years have seen many a Dallas Observer music editor come and go. Some by choice. Some, not so much. If you want to get a healthy, steamy, passionate debate going—head down to Deep Ellum and bring up the subject of the “local music scene.” So it’s an interesting position Pete has for himself, both literally and figuratively. Meet the new Music Editor for the Dallas Observer…Mr. Pete Freedman…

Here’s what I know about him:

1) I think he’s from New England.

2) He just moved here from Colorado Springs where he was the Arts and Entertainment Editor for the Colorado Independent.

3) If he gets stood-up, for whatever reason, he’ll still sit at the bar with a cold beer and talk Flaming Lips with a fellow music lover.

4) Hunter says “he seems like a good guy.”

5) He’s interested, motivated and excited about his new job in his new town in his new music community. That’s all I can really ask.

So welcome him. Let’s lose our “it shoulda been __________” attitudes and let this kid do his thang. M’kay?

Okay, now that we have that settled, go read Pete’s debut here.

It’s nice to know that even the young’un’s can throw out their backs too…Jesse Hughey writes:

Just months after opening for Interpol during its fall 2007 tour, Liars is back on the road, despite singer/guitarist Angus Andrew’s painful back injury, which has the frontman mostly seated during recent shows. (Andrew says he was just “tidying up” and reaching for a cushion when his back gave out.)…You know what to do.

First read the rest of the interview with Angus Andrews and Jesse Hughey. You can catch Liars a couple of times in Texas:

Saturday, February 16th
The Mohawk (Austin)
Liars w/No Age / Cex
Outdoor Stage
10 PM – All Ages
Purchase Tickets

Sunday, February 17th
Hailey’s (Denton)
Liars w/No Age – DJ Select
Doors at 8 PM – All Ages
Purchase Tickets

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Here’s another reason I’m going to love Pete Freedman. And no, I’m not kissing-ass. I think he’s kinda witty.

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The greatness of shows this weekend is mind-boggling. You’ll hear more from me in the coming days, but listen to the paid professionals too:

The Paper Chase / Micah P. Hinson / Shiny Around the Edges at Sons
Rose County Fair / Folly Fandango at The Cavern
Dove Hunter / Doug Burr / Bridges & Blinking Lights at the Double Wide.

Tribute to DJ Frantic

Finally, Jesse Hughey honors the life and talent of Fran “DJ Frantic” Erck…

…Despite his skills, friends say Erck remained humble. Abbott, who considered Erck to be his brother, says his combined absence of greed and love of music was profound.

“We agreed that our venture wasn’t about the money or the fame,” Abbott wrote. “It was simply about making good music and having fun. We wanted to give more than receive. We were already rich in the things that mattered most to us. We wanted to stay humble and not let anything interfere with our deep love for our music and our deep admiration and respect for each other. We loved doing shows much more than making money from the shows. We kept this pact.”

DJ Frantic’s death will leave a big gap in the DFW hip-hop community, says producer/rapper Richard “Picnic” Escobedo. Picnic’s hip-hop group, PPT, had performed with Erck’s Clever Monkeys on a few occasions.

“He was the first guy that I ever really met…that was the true definition of what a disc jockey is,” Picnic says. “I don’t know anybody that went as far with it as him. That’s some really rare shit. I don’t know anybody that was doing anything like him. I don’t know if anybody understands how big of a loss this is. ” …

Please read the rest.