We've got a nice and busy Thursday evening of shows for you this time around. Looks like Friday got here a little early...
Matthew Gray, Tony Ferraro and Ryan Thomas Becker at The Kessler Theater
I
dare anyone to find a better trio of local singer-songwriters than this bill
of three men playing the Kessler this evening. Gray, of Arrogant Sea fame,
has such a large backlog of great material that he could probably carry
the entire night by himself. But that would be a slight to Eaton Lake
Tonics' Tony Ferraro. Despite having a name that suggests the title
character from a bad '70s detective show, Ferraro knows a thing or two
about creating a great tune. Same goes for Ryan Thomas Becker. Together,
these three should just call tonight's performance a songwriter's
clinic.
Lo-Fi Chorus and Welcome Signs at Dan's Silverleaf
Dallas'
Lo-Fi Chorus is the unappreciated duo of Erik Thompson and Chad Walls.
Sure, in a town blessed with so many fine Americana acts, it's easy to
get lost in the crowd. But Thompson's songs are special, emotionally
packed creations. Check out "Cannonball" from the band's self-titled
effort from 2001. Paul Westerberg himself couldn't wrench a heart any
better. Or there's "Best Friend's Wedding" from the band's 2007 release,
Something in the Air, a power-pop ditty that shows Thompson and Walls
growing by proverbial leaps and bounds. Word is these guys are
prepping something new. Good news, for sure.
The Virgin Wolves and The Klanks at Lochrann's Irish Pub
Denton's
Virgin Wolves is a blues-based rock band that features the talents of
singer Jaimeson Robbins, a gal who doesn't mind shouting out "I've been
living with half-dead men" on the wonderfully demented "Virtue and
Vice." Seems Robbins is a tormented young gal -- and it's her spunk and
spirit that helps these Wolves rise above the usual, run-of-the-mill
blooze.
Within Chaos, American Lab Rat and Tyrade at Trees
Fort
Worth's Within Chaos certainly lives up to the band's moniker. Jay
Childress and crew have to be one of the most aggressive and
uncompromising bands in our area. Songs like "Venom" and "Virulent" are
headache-inducing slabs of pure anger that combine several different
metal genres and end up sounding original and intense. Certainly a band
to look out for in 2011.
