Congratulations to Chris Bell, an accomplished Dallas sound engineer recently named president of the Recording Academy's Texas Chapter. The Recording Academy, you'll remember, is the group behind a little thing called the Grammys. Bell, who has spent the past four years at Luminous Sounds, has worked on releases from, among others, Erykah Badu, Destiny's Child and U2.
1,2,3,4,5,6 clockwise
Related Content
More About
Summer is a time of anniversaries, and it's no exception this week: Bar of Soap club owner Charlie Gilder celebrates 21 years in the Deep Ellum area with a show on Saturday featuring the Necro Tonz. On Wednesday, July 14, Zubar celebrates eight years on Greenville Avenue with an '80s prom-style party called "Eight Ball" (hmm, what does that name reference?). DJ Redeye will be playing retro songs in the front room while DJ Robert Taylor blasts out the hair bands in the back.
I've never actually heard the acoustic rock band Monkeyshyne, but the group is holding a CD release party on Saturday at the Curtain Club. They told me I could make fun of them in print if I wanted, so I suggest they find a better name. Sadly, that's all I've got. Oh, and also, they will be joined that night by an excellent Austin rock band, Endochine.
Gentlepeople, start your engines: This weekend is the North Texas Rock Rally, July 9 through July 11 at Texas Lil's Dude Ranch in Justin. The 50 featured bands include the Cardboard Vampyres (with Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains) and Billy Duffy (of the Cult). And there will be bikes. Tons of bikes. Bring your leather and your earplugs.
Good Records is hosting a listening party for the new Polyphonic Spree album, Together We're Heavy (see review on page 75), from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday, July 12; there will also be a screening of the new DVD The Earth Giving Birth. Afterward, the band will sign copies of the album. Good luck finding enough space.
The LaMont-a-Scope
Mail Bag:
A few months ago, a press kit for local soul/gospel singer LaMont crossed the desk. What struck me most wasn't the music (pleasant, unremarkable) but the press photo, a killer medley of LaMont striking various poses. Over time, the staff grew attached to LaMont--hung the picture on the wall, chose favorite styles. What I came to realize was that their favorite LaMont told me something about their character--their hopes, their dreams. Political columnist Jim Schutze chose No. 3, which he dubbed "the real deal," while art director Steve Satterwhite lauded the "sense of world-weariness" he saw in No. 1. So I ask: Which LaMont is your favorite? And what does it say about you?
1. Casual cool. You're approachable yet sophisticated. You like comfort but with a veneer of class. Doesn't mean you don't get freaky!
2. Nice guy. Give it up, man. She just wants to be friends.
3. Straight-up gangsta. You don't need citizens telling you the vicissitudes of what's veracity and what's mendacity. Power to the pen, fool.
4. People person. You're smart, you're patient, you collect a paycheck at CompUSA. This chick? So digs you.
5. Smoove groove. Check out the hat! The hat says it all.
6. Thoughtful guy. Hmm, lemme think about that for a minute. Yeah, yeah, I know what you are: You're free for dinner. Am I right? Am I right?
