“Decks in the Park” (Klyde Warren Park): VJ S (Eye) will be providing visuals this evening, and this is actually your second chance to see the artist in action, after appearing at Margo Jones Theatre earlier in the week. We have more details on our Things To Do In Dallas Tonight post as well.
Kool Keith/-topic/Buffalo Black (Club Dada): One of my favorite self-imposed writing assignments was the time I selected the most arguably memorable lines from Kool Keith’s 2000 masterpiece, the lyrically-barbed, Matthew. You can read that here, but be warned, it’s extremely profane. There is still no better outspoken music industry critic, even if some of the battles are entirely imagined. Then again, how is that different from anything else?
Buffalo Black is an opening act worth showing up early for, and I don’t know any other Dallas rappers who use the word “chillwave” on their music pages. Considering that -topic rounds out the supporting talent, this is a complete hip hop show, with two of the most solid Dallas rappers, along with one of the most gifted on earth as a headliner.
The Crack Horse/Raging B****/Litigators/Errors of Metabolism (1919 Hemphill): A couple of the newer acts this evening caught my eye, as they feature members of other locals who have logged far more working hours. First off, there is the band who known as Litigators, which features members of Collick and Special Guest, and I love when punk bands make completely normal facets of professional life so cool and threatening.
The other is Errors of Metabolism, which features John Newberry and Chris Smith, of Deep Snapper. A quick listen reveals two artists who are finding strength in a freer approach to their work, full of impossibly distorted and treated tones, over very unusual time signature changes. It’s a willful recklessness only hinted at in their earlier project, and it’s some of the most interesting music I’ve heard from these two longtime North Texas musicians. Guitarist Jeremy Emmert is also involved, which is another major factor separating this from Deep Snapper.
Jake Schrock (Texas Theatre): Following the 35mm version of Honey I Shrunk the Kids, local artist Jake Schrock will be DJing mp3s from his extensive collection in the main lobby in an event that’s being called “Honey, I Schrocked the Kids,” but I promised myself I wouldn’t type that…
“Lost Generation” (The Crown and Harp): Upstairs: Gavin Guthrie will be trading off with Wanz Dover this evening, and I recommend going, especially after seeing Guthrie put on an excellent display at the Willie Burns show in Deep Ellum he booked a couple of weeks ago. Guthrie is one of the more humble DJs you’ll ever run across, in a business that often comes with an expected and even necessary amount of factoid-based chest-puffing and grotesque self-promotion.
Downstairs: Things get off to a strange start at 7 p.m. this evening, as a Rocks, Paper, Scissors tournament will be taking place, with fifty drink certificates given away to winners at a value of 2o bucks apiece. I had no idea it was still possible to win this game after a certain age; I thought it was like tic-tac-toe at this point. Drinks probably help.
Shortly thereafter, A.Dd+’s Slim Gravy will be leading festivities in a contest of another sort, this one featuring various producers in the “Fresh Beats” competition. Blue, the Misfit will be appearing as a special guest judge, since the artist walked away the victor at last month’s event. A $3 cover at the door ensures the winner a cash prize.
“Subsonic Indulgence” (Andy’s Bar): Tonight’s bass-addicted DJ is Ohio’s Yheti, who promises “awkward bass intensities” according to the event invite. I’m not quite sure what that means, but when it comes to having an awkward night in Denton, during the school year, on a Thursday evening, at a dance event, with well drinks costing about the price of your average candy bar, yes—the sky’s the limit. Resident DJs Spacechase and Sofaking will also be in attendance.
Other Thursday Shows—
“The Turn Up” (Beauty Bar)
Slobberbone (Sundown at Granada)
“Big Bang” (The Travis)
Paul Slavens (Bryan Street Tavern): Again, Liz Johnstone has more details in Liz’s Picks.
