Email Author Darryl Smyers

2009 Stories by Darryl Smyers

• Rooney Drummer Pays Tribute to Fallen Mentor Carter Albrecht

  published December 17, 2009

  Ten years ago, Ned Brower was attending SMU when he formed a band called The Cosmetics with one Carter Albrecht. Now the drummer for the Los... More >>

• Collin Herring

  published November 19, 2009

  Fort Worth's Collin Herring continues to battle his personal demons on his subdued but excellent fourth album, Ocho. It's by far the most... More >>

• A. A. Bondy, Elvis Perkins

  published November 12, 2009

  When Scott Bondy was lead singer for Verbena, he was just another guy with cool influences. Whether it was channeling the... More >>

• Jay Farrar And Son Volt May Have Good Intentions, But They'll Always Pale To Jeff Tweedy And Wilco

  published November 12, 2009

  When Uncle Tupelo called it quits way back in 1994, few could have predicted the career paths of the band's two major, alt-country gurus, Jay... More >>

• Warcola/Spittin' Bullets

  published November 5, 2009

  Oh, sweet 7-inch slabs of vinyl. Brings back such nice memories of misspent youth, days forking over allowance money to the mail-order gods who... More >>

• Pomegranates

  published November 5, 2009

  Skewed pop with art/rock sensibilities seems to be the norm these days with folks like Islands and French Kicks making decent money finding new... More >>

• THE PHUSS

  published October 29, 2009

  Those thrilled beyond reason when The Toadies re-formed should be quite satisfied to hear this debut EP from the local duo known as The Phuss.... More >>

• These Arms Are Snakes, dd/mm/yyyy, Broadcast Sea

  published October 1, 2009

  Expressions like "post-hardcore" and "math rock" are guaranteed headache producers, and the Seattle-based combo These Arms Are Snakes... More >>

• For Once, The Psychedelic Furs Are Happy

  published September 24, 2009

  With his raspy voice and elegant way with words, Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler just oozes cool. Off and on for nearly 30... More >>

• Living Colour ain't dead just yet

  published September 17, 2009

  Although it's been six years since Living Colour released a new album—and seemingly that long since the band played a gig in its home... More >>

• Somebody's Darling, John David Kent, Merrol Ray, King of the Rabbit Trail

  published September 10, 2009

  The seemingly endless wait for the debut full-length from local alt-country combo Somebody's Darling is finally over. Having won the... More >>

• Peter Holmstrom and The Rest of the Dandy Warhols are Men of Their Words

  published September 3, 2009

  One of the most bizarre and far-flung repercussions of Michael Jackson's death has to be the recently issued cover of The Beatles' "Blackbird"... More >>

• Fruit Bats Frontman Eric Johnson Is Clear: His Band Is No Shins Side Project.

  published August 27, 2009

  With his lilting voice and soft-spoken mannerisms, one might assume that Eric Johnson, leader of the folk rock combo Fruit Bats, lacks... More >>

• Danny Balis Offers Up A Gem On His Solo Debut

  published August 20, 2009

  Far from the dark-clouded pessimist he's often portrayed as on the radio, singer-songwriter/radio producer/radio host Danny Balis is, at least... More >>

• After All These Years, Slayer Keeps Bringing The Metal Goods

  published August 13, 2009

  Tom Araya, bassist and vocalist for legendary metal band Slayer, is unapologetic about the controversy that has always surrounded the... More >>

• Magnolia Electric Co.’s Jason Molina Doesn’t Mind Bending An Ear Or Two

  published July 23, 2009

  Deprived of caffeine and pastries by a seemingly endless series of interviews, Jason Molina is, at the moment, even more edgy (but no less... More >>

• Dallas Observer Music Awards

  published July 23, 2009

  Last year, at our 20th annual Dallas Observer Music Awards, there was a distinct theme of tradition behind all the festivities. And... More >>

• Brave Combo Celebrates 30 years of Rockin' Polka

  published June 26, 2009

  Even after 30 years as the leader of legendary area polka act Brave Combo, Carl Finch sounds like he's just getting started. "Every... More >>

• Paul van Dyk Is On A Mission

  published June 26, 2009

  Million-selling DJ and renowned remixer Paul van Dyk doesn't ask for much. On tour, van Dyk brings his own computers and various paraphernalia... More >>

• 30 Years In, Meat Puppets Are Still Going

  published June 18, 2009

  From his home in Austin, Curt Kirkwood, founding member of legendary indie rock band The Meat Puppets, sounds mellow and contented, a far cry... More >>

• David Byrne

  published June 11, 2009

  From his time leading the seminal new wave band the Talking Heads to his mercurial and oftentimes fascinating solo career,... More >>

• A Case For Air Guitar

  published June 11, 2009

  Like many before him, Jeff Morrison lives out his rock star fantasies in the privacy of his own home, playing with an imaginary guitar while... More >>

• Constantines, Crystal Antlers

  published June 4, 2009

  Ontario's Constantines has parlayed its intriguing brand of art-punk into a decade of rock 'n' roll relevance by balancing humor and... More >>

• The Von Ehrics Wrestle With Their Identitiy

  published April 23, 2009

  Robert Jason Vandygriff loves Dallas. So much so, in fact, that the guitarist/vocalist of local country punk trio The Von Ehrics named... More >>

• The Texas Red Legs

  published April 16, 2009

  "Long Way to Lubbock," the opening cut on this impressive debut, showcases the singing and songwriting acumen of Red Leg frontman Richard... More >>