THURSDAY
Nadastrom (Rio Room): Nadastrom is a figurehead of the still-young and sometimes controversial genre, “Moombahton,” which has been called the “ultimate fusion of tropical music” and seems to sometimes suffer from the same backlash as dubstep. But if you’re going to give it a chance, you should definitely hear it from someone as highly respected as Nadastrom, that is, if you can get past the crowd that’s already made up its mind.
FRIDAY
hormones/Binary Sunrise/George Quartz/Romp Almighty (Club Dada): This is the first we’ve seen George Quartz’s name on a bill in some time, which is all the more reason to make it to a diversely booked show that features some of the more interesting musicians from Dallas proper. No word on whether or not he’ll have his excellent backing band or will just perform solo, as he was once forced to at a Pendu Disco show, along with Tearist, in New York City a couple of years ago. The artist tells me it was one of the best shows he ever played, and I believe him. A Facebook message sent at 5 a.m. on whether or not backing band will be in tow was not returned. Can’t imagine why.
Cozy Hawks/Codetalkers/Particular People (Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios): Show is in conjunction with the Meme gallery, which is hosting an exhibition featuring the work of Davidson Ergo Simmons. Show is free.
Telethön/Neeks/The Black Frames (Double Wide): The Neeks impressed quite a few people (the ones fortunate enough to make it into the venue anyway) at 35 Denton, and opening up for Germany’s Telethön will be a great opportunity to play for a packed Dallas audience, as opposed to the “Denton Basement Dwelling” audience that some of my Dallas friends refer to (when they are being particularly cruel anyway).
SATURDAY
Sleazy Mancini/The Black Dotz/The Boom Boom Box/Missile (The Foundry Bar): After-party for the Rockers vs Mods event that will cross the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, and that’s great and all, but what I really want to know is: Who’s who here?
Holy Moly/Johnny Hootrock/Fish Fry Bingo (The Aardvark): “Cussin’.” “Drinkin’.” “Fightin’.” If I’m reading this online flier correctly, that’s what a Holy Moly show “consists of.” So if you were lucky enough to have grown up in a nurturing home full of care and attention, make your way to the Aardvark on Saturday to see how the other half lives. This Fort Worth “cowpunk” band will provide the soundtrack. The term “cowpunk” is still funny, and has been ever since the first time I heard that term in 1994. Pretty sure these guys once sent a Holy Moly beer koozy to the D offices. Though it was a nice gift, it was unnecessary. I get it, guys: You’re cra-zy.
“Terminal Love” (Texas Theatre): After-party following the screening of Better than Something, a documentary film about the late Jay Reatard. Featuring Travis Box and DJ Turnthesmithson.
SUNDAY
Nature Boys/Collick/Spacebeach/Kid Prison/Mean and Ugly (Lion’s Den): I was recently lucky enough to acquire almost everything on the excellent local-heavy label, Pour Le Corps records, which included a cassette by Spacebeach. As happy as I was to see that in the stack, I was also happy to see that a Xander Harris tape was included, since I don’t tend to see much of the Austin musician’s work when I’m record shopping. To top things off, I’ve spent the past couple of days listening to the new 12-inch full-length LP by Eyes, Wings, and Many Things, who continue their rise and just received an excellent review by Impose Magazine. Quite uncommon for a local band. We’ll have our own take on that soon, but an early knee-jerk response is that it’s just about the least “Dallas” sounding record I’ve heard from a North Texas band that is getting some outside attention. That review is coming as soon as I finish this Fun Fun Fun Fest review from last November.
And about this event, I like when a band calls itself something like “Ugly and Mean,” because there is a good chance that they’re not influenced by My Bloody Valentine or Neutral Milk Hotel. Solid show.
