It's a relatively slow weekend this time around, folks. At least when compared to last weekend. And next weekend, when the NBA All-Star game comes around, that's gonna be... bananas.
Maybe the Super Bowl's to blame? Not necessarily--there's some good Sunday night options either if you don't really care about the game or the commercials (and, thus, you hate America?). And, though a little less jam-packed, there's good options overall.
So, first, let's recap the rest of your weekend options...
Tonight: Bowerbirds and The Fox & The Bird play at House of Blues' Cambridge Room; at the Double Wide, Hello Lover celebrates its new EP release with The Crash That Took Me in tow; and out at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth, Eleven Hundred Springs toasts its new album, This Crazy Life.
Saturday: Justin Townes Earle plays the Granada with Chris Knight; Clap Your Hands Say Yeah frontman Alec Ounsworth takes to the stage at Lola's Sixth in Fort Worth; Denton's own Eli Young Band plays the state fairgrounds with some 19 other red dirt bands; and Fizzy Dino Pop and Sore Losers play Cold Fusion Lounge up in Denton.
As for Sunday? We've got your options after the jump, along with some new ones to consider for tonight and tomorrow night.
RTB2, Cocky Americans, Orange Peel Sunshine
Friday, Feb. 5, at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios in Denton
Pretty
much a straight-ahead rock show, with each band boasting various
elements of the rock sound. RTB2 brings the classic, blues-rock feel.
Cocky Americans give the bill a somewhat alt bent. Orange Peel
Sunshine's sound is probably the most difficult to peg, though, its
songs variously showing off poppy, grungy, alternative and even some
aggressive influences. Maybe tonight it all lines up for OPS; its the
band's CD release show.
Elkhart, Little Black Dress, MenkenaFriday, Feb. 5, at City Tavern
Saturday, Feb. 6, at City Tavern
Kinda of a mid-tempo night at the tavern. But a rewarding one: Little Black Dress' deliberate shoegaze is pretty expansive stuff; the band's 2009 release, Snow in June, probably deserves a little more credit than it has received. Menkena, meanwhile, revels in the same sound--but takes an acoustic route, which gives it a pretty interesting aesthetic. We can look forward to that band's debut in the next few months.
RTB2, Cocky Americans, Orange Peel Sunshine
Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Double Wide
No, you don't have deja vu. Same bill as the night before, just in Dallas.
The Marfalites, The Derailers
Saturday, Feb. 6, at La Grange
Saw the Marfalites a few weeks ago at this spot and I was blown away--the griminess of the band's alt-country sound, the grit behind Noah Caveny's vocals, the swagger of the band's stage presence. Real impressive stuff, folks. Expect a profile of the Marfalites (which features a handful of many former Truckstop Junkies) in the coming weeks, likely alongside one covering Stephanie Houston's beautiful new Deep Ellum venue.
Oso Closo, Goodwin, THe BAcksliders
Saturday, Feb. 6, at The Moon in Fort Worth
The Moon seems to be upping its game up lately. This bill's no exception, with Denton favorite, the prog-rockin' Oso Closo, and Dallas favorite, the blues-rockin' THe BAcksliders joining the pop-rockin' Goodwin on its home turf. A nice, varied bill.
Polysics
Sunday, Feb. 7, at The Loft
I'm sorry, I just think it's amazing and hilarious that a Japanese band would come to America and try to play a gig on Super Bowl Sunday. Even if the band boasts this really flashy, very fun, kinda crazy, J-pop rock sound.
Myka 9
Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Green Elephant
I honestly don't know about underground, LA-based rapper, other than that he's pretty well-respected by some serious hip-hop heads. For more info, refer to Nic Hernandez's preview of the show in this week's email newsletter. You've signed up for that, yeah?
...and that's about it. Feel free to add more shows in the comments. Other than that, be safe and have fun out there.
