The weekend's finally here, boo-yah, and it's a deceptively crowded one music-wise, actually. You should already know about the weekend shows we've already discussed here and in the print edition, but, in case you forgot, well, let's recap.
Well, now that I think of it, pretty much every show we've already discusses in happening tonight: LehtMoJoe's CD release show at the Granada with Mount Righteous and Anonymous????; De La Soul at the House of Blues; Kim Lenz at the Double Wide; William Fitzsimmons at Good Records and then at Lola's Sixth; and El Ten Eleven, Bizarro Kids and Ishi at Hailey's.
After the jump, a few more Friday options, a couple choice Saturday gigs to liven up your night, and a few more to end your weekend right on Sunday.
Cats & Dogs: The Denton Humane Society Benefit (Night One) with Brent Best, Tre Orsi, Spooky Folk, Dust Congress and New Science Projects
Friday, June 31, at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, Denton
I've learned this much: Rock stars sure do love pets. Earlier this year, City Tavern was able to round up a fine lineup for its ASPCA benefit, and, for years now, the Denton Human Society has been able to book some of the best Denton has to offer to its annual benefit show. Tonight's bill is the folkier of the two-night events, thanks to performances from Dust Congress, NSP and Spooky Folk, but make sure to check out Tre Orsi, which, despite boasting accomplished area producers Matt Barnhart, Howard Draper and Bryan VanDivier, never seems to get the shien it deserves.
The Ghost of Blind Lemon's Two-Year Anniversary Party with The O's, Elkhart, Menkena, Iris Leu, The League of Fucking Decency and Spencer Garland
Friday, June 31, ar City Tavern
Chris Mueller's been running his Ghost of Blind Lemon blog for two years now, and to celebrrate, he's invited a cast of his favorite acts to stop by the City Tavern and celebrate with him. It'll cost you $5 to join in.
Eleven Hundred Springs
Friday, June 31, at Dan's Silverleaf, Denton
I'm contractually obligated to mention every Eleven Hundred Springs show. OK, that's not true. Far as you know.
Eaton Lake Tonics, Pet Hospital, Orange Peel Sunshine, and Manned Missiles
Friday, June 31, at J&J's Pizza, Denton
A nice lineup here at the Ol' Dirty basement, but the real surprise is seeing Pet Hospitals on a bill, after the band seemingly dropped off the map out of nowhere in the wake of releasing its pretty impressive, if Death Cab-aping debut EP, Dry Bones, early last year.
Cats & Dogs: The Denton Humane Society Benefit (Night Two) with
Record Hop, Chris Flemmons, Fishboy, The Slow Burners and The Heelers
Saturday, August 1, at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, Denton
Night No. 2 of the Cats & Dogs benefit is kinda all over the map, stylistically, but with three of North Texas' finest--the Hop, Flemmons and FIshboy--all on there, you really can't go wrong.
Hendrick, They Were Stars, The Campaign
Saturday, August 1, at City Tavern
A nice, free $5 show, featuring some of the poppier rock acts in the region. Hendrick is still riding high on its new album, Exhale, which we should have a review of soon enough in the print edition. And we'll have a review of They Were Stars' solid new Own Your Atoms album real soon, too.
Whiskey Folk Ramblers
Saturday, August 1, at Andy's, Denton
The Ramblers tell me their sophomore disc, produced by Salim Nourallah, is getting real close to being finished. And says frontman Tyler Rougeux promises that the disc is a vast improvement over the band's debut--exciting news, 'cause, really, last year's Midnight Drifter was pretty kickass.
Yppah
Saturday, August 1 at Good Records (with an afterparty at Fallout Lounge)
Songs from Houston-based Yppah are pretty much all over the map stylistically, hitting everything from electronica to more straight-ahead rock and even some dance-y stuff. Which explains why, for his CD release shows in Dallas, he's not just performing in Good Records, but also hitting an afterparty at the Fallout Lounge where he'll be DJing to the dancing hipster set.
John Lefler
Saturday, August 1, at Barley House
It might be easy to take a jab at Lefler for his work in the emo heartthrob outfit Dashboard Confessional. But the relatively new Dallas resident's solo work pretty much runs from any of those ties, heading into some pretty interesting whimsical pop realms.
100 Monkeys
Saturday, August 1, at Palladium Ballroom
The Twilight convention TwiCon is in town this weekend, and 100 Monkeys, featuring one-time Dalals resident and Twilight star Jackson Rathbone, will be performing in a number of rooms over the course of the weekend as a result, including Poor David's Pub and in some room at a Sheraton. But, clearly, these guys would get booked to the Palladium even without the Twilight connection, right?
August Burns Red, All Shall Perish, Blessthefall, iwrestledabearonce
Saturday, August 1, at The Door Dallas
Don't know much about any of these bands except that I once had an intern who got almost got too flustered and fan-crazy to interview August Burns Red over the phone. Which surprised the hell out of me, as it seemed like pretty standard christian screamo to me, breakneck pace and undercurrents of interesting melodies notwithstanding.
Rick Springfield
Saturday, August 1, at Billy Bob's, Fort Worth
He sure gets a lot of love for "Jesse's Girl," but, honestly, "Love Is Alright Tonight" is right there, and you know it is.
Thrash and Burn Tour with Devildriver, Emmure, Despised Icon, Mychildren Mybride, Veil Of Maya, For The Fallen Dreams, Oceano, Periphery and Red River Revival
Saturday, August 1, at House of Blues
I'm hardly the most aware person in the wold when it comes to contemporary metal music, but I've only heard of Devildriver out of this bunch, which can't be a good sign for this show, which is clearly going for strength in numbers.
Toby Keith, Trace Adkins
Saturday, August 1, at Superpages.com Center
The two most professional wrestler-looking modern country acts on one bill? Say it ain't so! Also: Trace Adkins is awesome, if only because he once wrote a song about a girl whose favorite color is chrome, and you didn't.
Elliot Levin Trio, Zanzibar Snails, The Tidbits
Sunday, August 2, at the Annex House
Bad news for the proprietors of the Annex House: The house is being foreclosed on the current residents' landlord, meaning the guys who live there and have been hosting shows are going to be forced to move out in the coming months. Expect some bigger blow-outs as the move-out date approaches, but this free experimental and jazz bill (with donations appreciated) is the start of the end for the house venue.
Charlie Daniels Band, Billy Ray Cyrus, Lee Greenwood, Michael W. Smith
Sunday, August 2, at Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie
You think, back when Achy Breaky Heart was at its popular peak, Billy Ray Cyrus would've ever guessed that he'd one day be touring with Lee Greenwood? Probably not. Charlie Daniels? Sure--probably as his opener. Don't really know why, but seeing Miley's dad plopped between Charlie Daniels and Lee Greenwood on a bill is just striking me quite hilarious this afternoon.
...and that's your weekend. Have fun out there.