Eek! It's time for SXSW spillover, the yearly event in which the hordes of bands heading to Austin collect a little gas money by playing our fair area. But I'm not one to complain: Good music is good music, no matter where or when it's played.
Lady Gaga, Scissor Sisters, Semi Precious Weapons at the American Airlines Center
Did you guys know that Lady Gaga is in town? Because she totally is.
The Small Ponds and My Cousin, The Emperor at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton
Caitlyn Cary was once, literally, second fiddle to Ryan Adams in
Whiskeytown. After Ryan's solo career (and ego) blew up the legendary
alt-country outfit, Cary has managed quite well for herself. These days,
the multi-talented songstress works with Matt Douglas, another
singer-songwriter of note. Together, Cary and Douglas make an impressive
duo that plays fairly traditional folk-rock without all the acrimony
(or urgency) of prime Whiskeytown. New York's My Cousin, The Emperor add
a bit more of an edge to this interesting bill.
The Lonely Forest at Club Dada
Hailing out of Washington state, The Lonely Forest are an indie rock
band with enough balls and humor to write a song called "Turn Off This
Song and Go Outside." And by the way, the song is great. The Lonely
Forest's newest effort, Arrows, is set for release next week and should
bring the band more critical kudos and, perhaps, a few more admirers as
well.
Babar, Girlfriends and Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio
Denton's Babar plays angular, jazz influenced rock that would have made
the late, great Frank Zappa smile from ear to ear. Songs titles like "I
Used to Travel by Air, But I Don't Anymore" and "I'd be a Weird Lady,
Probably" tell a good deal of the story. The SXSW connection of this
bill consists of Girlfriends, a noisy power pop outfit from Beantown and
Beware the Dangers of a Ghost Scorpion, a surf-punk outfit also from
Massachusetts.
Muffalo and The Missionary Position at The Double Wide
These days, the term "supergroup" gets bandied about a little too
frequently for my tastes. Back in the day, a supergroup had to contain
members with a popular pedigree beyond a cult band -- however bad they
were, Asia was still a supergroup because it contained members of King
Crimson, Yes, etc. I guess we can call Muffalo a supergroup because
Derek Myers is from Mondo Generator, Gene Trautmann is from Queens of
the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal, and Brett Netson is from Built
To Spill. How about we just call them an excellent group?
Milktooth, Hello Lover and DeathTree at La Grange
Tennessee's Milktooth play infectious indie pop that reminds me of
Cincinnati's Pomegranates. Both bands feature singers who can go from a
whisper to a scream in about two seconds and both acts also take the
"indie" part of indie-pop seriously. Check out Milktooth's "Your Arrows"
as it presents the band's strength most succinctly. Dallas' own Hello
Lover incorporate a bit more metal and punk into their material; such should set them apart from the SXSW-bound headliner quite nicely.