Maybe it's selfish to think like this, but I'm kind of glad this weekend's looking pretty slow. NX35 is right around the corner, only to be followed by SXSW, then Parade of Flesh's spillover showcase Bro Fest, and then, come April, the MusInk festival.
All I'm saying is this: We're all gonna have plenty of time in the coming weeks to keep our schedules busy, our wallets empty and our sleep schedules out of whack. Maybe one weekend with an open schedule and some wallet-tightening isn't so bad.
Still, as always, there are a few shows worth your potential while this weekend--some we've already mentioned, and a few (but not many) that we haven't. First, as always, your reminders.
Tomorrow night's the big night really. In print, we already told you that Saturday night sees STS9 playing at the House of Blues, as well as Doyle Bramhall and Bugs Henderson taking to the Granada. Those of you who watched this week's awesome DC9 Live in El Sibil episode featuring Somebody's Darling already know that the band is play La Grange that same night. And fans of Street Fighter everywhere are no doubt already aware of the fact that Man Factory is bringing its video game-adoration to The Cavern on Saturday, as well.
At some point tomorrow afternoon, expect a Q&A to pop up in this space, featuring a little more information behind Man Factory's inspiration/obsession.
And, after the jump, a couple other options for your weekend show-going pleasure...
The Polycorns, Baruch The Scribe, Record Hop
Fri., March 5, at the Double Wide
About as varied a bill as you can really expect to see this weekend. The only thing, really, that ties any of these bands together, is that each calls Denton home. Otherwise, there's little to the Polycorns' progrssive piano-led pop-rock, Brauch The Sribe's found sound-infused neo-folk rock or Record Hop's brutally loud brand of hard rock--except, maybe, that each is enjoyable in its own, unique way.
Dovetail, They Were Stars, Holy Fiction
Fri., March 5, at City Tavern
Dovetail has big arena aspirations, and Austin's Holy Fiction has an interesting, if a little too all-encompassing and thus somewhat bland, baroque folk sound. My pick on this bill is They Were Stars. Frontman Collin Cable's an engaging frontman and his slackerish drawl makes for a fine lead over his backing band's pop-rock sound. But the real trick up They Were Stars' sleeve is its most recent addition: Fort Worth singer-songwriter Maren Morris has officially joined the band on keys now, and brings with her some nice vocal interplay and harmonies alongside Cable's already compelling and promising efforts.
The King Bucks, Homespun Remedies
Fri., March 5, at La Grange
La Grange looks great, folks, and here's your chance to see the place--and the way it was intended to be seen, as an Americana venue. Can't do much better than a headlining slot with the Bucks, coupled with the always tight and traditional country-folk stylings of Homespun Remedies.
Bob Schneider, Josh Weathers, Josh Renna
Fri., March 5, at the Granada Theater
Long a Dallas favorite, Austin's Bob Schneider just wrapped up a tour swing with Dallas' Smile Smile, his Kirtland Records labelmates. This show finds him sharing the Granada stage with another young DFW favorite, the blues-rockin' Josh Weathers and his band of misfits.
Dark Star Orchestra
Fri., March 5, at the House of Blues
Because, really, nothing screams a good time like a Grateful Dead cover band, even one with as long a track record as Dark Star's.
Jacob Metcalf, Quiet Company, Lazy native
Fri., March 5, at The Cavern
It just says Jacob Metcalf on the bill, but, as anyone who's seen the Deep Ellum neo-folk roamer's live show knows by now, that usually means that anywhere between two and 12 of his frequent collaborators could join him on stage. He'll need the help: Austin's Quiet Company is only a four piece, but its layered indie rock sound far larger in a live setting than one would expect.
Fatty Lumpkin, Backside Pick, Hatch
Fri., March 5, at Hailey's in Denton
Fun with synergy: The jammy Fatty Lumpkin celebrates its new album with some help from the best basketball-related band name in town, Backside Pick, whose retro R&B is especially enjoyable when aided by, you guessed it, smoking a fatty.
Brave Combo
Sat., March 6, at Poor David's Pub
Because, really, you should see Brave Combo and its Grammy-winning polka rock at least once. If only because they've been The Simpsons and you haven't.
Brandi Carlile
Sun., March 7, at House of Blues
The VH1-approved singer-songwriter probably gets discarded by the indie set because of her critical and commercial success. But there really isn't all that much separating her folk-rock from that of the indie bourgeois--expect maybe better production value.
Slider Pines, Cocky Americans, Manned Missiles, STEW, Corey Howe
Sunday, March 7, at the Double Wide
Not a bad lineup--I like me the Slider Pines' retro pop-punk in particular--but the real news here is that this show is a benefit for the people affected by the recent Lower Greenville fire.
...and there's your weekend, in a nutshell. Have fun and be safe out there.
