Eric Grubbs

The Fifteen Worst Make Out Records Ever

It's a classic Valentine's Day dilema -- you've planned ahead, made the sweeping gestures, made eyes across a white tablecloth and now you're ready to express yourself with some good old fashioned parts-rubbing. Whatever you do, don't play any of these records.

The Appleseed Cast at Macaroni Island, 2/4/13: Review

For those lucky enough to score a ticket to last night's Appleseed Cast set at Macaroni Island, it was friendly reminder that this band is still around and quite relevant. Despite a shaky start with some microphone issues, the Lawrence, Kansas-based quartet really clicked when they got a few songs ... More >>

Looking Back on 15 of Our Favorite 2012 North Texas Releases

Rush - American Airlines Center - 11/28/12

Rush American Airlines Center Wednesday, November 28 Last night at the American Airlines Center, which was filmed for a future DVD release, Canadian trio Rush took some bold chances by not playing a predictable set. They gave staples like "Limelight," "Working Man" and "Freewill" a rest. Matter of ... More >>

Here are the Winners of the 2012 Dallas Observer Music Awards

Converge

Thursday, November 1, at Dada

The Six Best Concerts of the Summer

See also: Ten of August's best music photos This summer's musical choices have been made. Our thighs have been chafed from festivals, our livers raked over the fiery coals, our eardrums gently caressed. And now, as we drift into the last quarter of the year, we're taking one look back at some of o ... More >>

Waltz Around Our 100 Best Texas Songs

The 100 Best Texas Songs: The Complete List

100. Tripping Daisy, "Sonic Bloom" Before this album, the band had a grunge-pop affectation, but this song, from 1998's Jesus Hits Like the Atom Bomb, was more heartfelt than anything they'd done before. - Daniel Hopkins 99. Pleasant Grove, "The Plaque at 16ft" Bret Egner wrote "The Plaque at 16ft, ... More >>

The Best Texas Songs of All Time: #59-40

Best Texas songs, #100-80 Best Texas songs, #79-60 The Spotify playlist for songs #59-40 59. Tum Tum, "Caprice Music" For years, the Dallas hip-hop community's had a love affair with the Chevy Caprice Classic. Tum Tum's "Caprice Music" was an ode to that car culture, illustrating the unique trend ... More >>

Crushed Stars - LaGrange - 7/26/12

The Angelus, Crushed Stars LaGrange Thursday, July 26 Last night at LaGrange was certainly a sit-down kind of show, but it wasn't a slumber party. Crushed Stars, the acclaimed combo led by Todd Gautreau, proved why they are one of Dallas' hidden treasures. The band rarely plays live (this was their ... More >>

The Best Texas Songs of All Time: #100-80

"Between the Hank Williams pain songs And Jerry Jeff's train songs And blue eyes cryin' in the rain Out in Luckenbach, Texas Ain't nobody feeling no pain" - Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, "Luckenbach, Texas" With that introduction, welcome to the first in a five-part series, in which we attempt ... More >>

16 of the Best Local Releases of 2012 1/2

As we wind down the month of June and find ourselves square in the middle of 2012, there's that old familiar nudge to gather, quantify, qualify and categorize the local music we've enjoyed so far this year. Here are some of of favorites.

This Week in Print: Mind Spiders, Violent Squid and More

Eric Grubbs talks with Mark Ryan of Mind Spiders about Meltdown and his first shows. I spoke with Aaron Barker about graduating from ice cream college. North of the Dial checks in with Denton experimental supergroup Violent Squid. Plus recommendations for Big K.R.I.T., Blackstone Rangers and Di ... More >>

This Week in Print: The Evolution of Sore Losers, Bad Decisions with Bad Design and More

This week, Nic Hernandez plots the evolution of Dallas hip-hop collective Sore Losers. Eric Grubbs checks in with Denton's Bad Design about their first show experiences. Plus new albums from Exit 380 and Eleven Hundred Springs, recommended shows from King Khan & the Shrines, Fate Lions, Doomtree ... More >>

Over the Weekend: No Rest For the Wicked, 76, Here Holy Spain Crack Open the Double Wide

Eric Grubbs76​No Rest for the Wicked, 76, Here Holy Spain Double Wide Saturday, January 7 Better than: Listening to "live" records that were never recorded in front of live audiences. Saturday night at the Double Wide was a mixed bag that ran pretty late, even for a weekend show. A few minut ... More >>

Best and Worst Shows of 2011

Eric GrubbsTrashcan Sinatras​ Shows that stuck out for me in 2011 Trashcan Sinatras/Salim Nourallah at the Loft, March 4 This was a very special tour for the Sinatras. Paired down to a four-piece, the mostly-acoustic show was more of a fans-only event. Before the tour began, they solicited so ... More >>

The Dodos' Logan Kroeber Names For Us His All-Time Top Five Bay Area (Musical) Giants.

The Dodos​Earlier this week, when Meric Long of the San Francisco-based band The Dodos told us about some of his earliest concert-going experiences, our Eric Grubbs noted that the band "plays folk, but with a kick to it." Give their Live from Akropolis, Prague album a listen, as well as their most ... More >>

Five Bands Expected To Draw Big Crowds at Warped Tour

NPR's Streaming The New True Widow Disc... So, You Should Probably Go and Listen To It.

The artwork for the new True Widow album.​A couple weeks back, you may recall, Eric Grubbs caught up with local "stonegaze" trio True Widow to talk shop and to talk a long, hard look at the band's sophomore album, the obnoxiously titled As High As the Highest Heavens and From the Center to the Cir ... More >>

Over The Weekend: Trashcan Sinatras at The Loft

The Trashcan Sinatras, Salim NourallahThe LoftMarch 4, 2011 Better than: looking for closeout deals at the Borders in Uptown and Highland Park. Eric GrubbsTrashcan Sinatras​ There are shows where you completely forget about the pains of the day, like the rising price of gas, job woes, or the ri ... More >>

Giveaway: Five Pairs of Tickets to See The Get Up Kids at The Loft on Sunday

In this week's paper, Eric Grubbs puts back on his emo -- nay, post-hardcore -- cap, to talk the reunited Get Up Kids, who will be coming through town this weekend for a gig at The Loft on Sunday night with River City Extension and Steel Train. Writes Grubbs:The Kansas City five-piece packed the Gr ... More >>

Staff Trax: Mark Ronson & The Business Intl., Quadron, Balkan Beat Box, Two Cow Garage and Tim Kasher

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into ... More >>

Giveaway: Three Pairs of Tickets to See KISS, Pat Green, Daughtry, The Academy Is... and Drowning Pool at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday.

​The big show this Saturday at Frisco's Pizza Hut Park might be the weirdest bill we've seen in a while. You've got American Idol buttrocker Daughtry, opening for Texas-Country cheeseball Pat Green, opening for, well, KISS. Oh, and somewhere else along the line, Dronwning Pool and The Academy Is.. ... More >>

Staff Trax: Titus Andronicus, Off With Their Heads, Basia Bulat, Jaydiohead, Manic Street Preachers and Love Spit Love

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into ou ... More >>

Staff Trax: The Apples in Stereo, Arcade Fire, Paul Brill, Built to Spill, Twin Sister and The Futureheads.

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into ou ... More >>

Staff Trax: Jasper TX, Randy Rogers Band, Freddie King and The Walker Brothers

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into our o ... More >>

Over The Weekend: The New Pornographers, The Dodos, Imaad Wasif

The New Pornographers, The Dodos, Imaad Wasif The Palladium Showroom Saturday, July 24, 2010Better Than: staring at Lady Gaga fans. Eric Grubbs​ On their third visit to the Dallas area, The New Pornographers finally got to be a headliner. (See more photos in Hal Samples' slideshow.) Given the s ... More >>

Picture Show: New Pornographers, The Dodos at Gilley's

Hal SamplesThe Dodos ​Neko Case joined the New Pornographers at Gilley's Saturday July 24, making the indie pop group look more like a team of Marvel Super Heroes than a great band. As always, the Pornographers were exacto-knife pitch perfect for songs like "Challengers" and "Sing Me Spanish T ... More >>

Giveaway: Two Pairs of Tickets To See The Hold Steady and The Whigs at Granada on Saturday Night

The Brooklyn-based bar rockers in The Hold Steady, having just dropped their latest, Heaven Is Whenever album in May, are knee-deep in their national summer tour, with stops all over the U.S. and even the occasional dip across the Canadian border. Their new album has met widely positive reviews, and ... More >>

Staff Trax: Crystal Castles, Galaxie 500, BrakesBrakesBrakes, Christina Aguilera Covering John Lennon and The Bouncing Souls.

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into ... More >>

Riverboat Gamblers To Play Double Wide's Warped Tour After-Party on Saturday. Also: They're Running a Remix Contest. And They Played Daytrotter. And They Have An App.

G-A-M-B-L-E-R!​In this week's paper, which is almost out (but not quite), Eric Grubbs talks to the Double Wide's Chelsea Callahan and Kim Finch about their venue's annual post-Warped Tour party, which, this year, will celebrate its fourth year of existence and second as an open-to-the-public affai ... More >>

Staff Trax: Oberhofer, The Henry Clay People, Chin Up Chin Up, Blockhead, Jamey Johnson, Beastie Boys and Crowded House

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into ... More >>

Throwback Staff Trax: The Replacements, The Fugees, Depeche Mode and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into ... More >>

Staff Trax: Delorean, Wintersleep, Tripping Daisy, Das Racist, Them and The Boss.

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into ... More >>

Staff Trax: Bear in Heaven; Does It Offend You, Yeah?; The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy; The Swell Season; The Go! Team

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into ... More >>

Giveaway: Two Pairs of Tickets to Tonight's Sold-Out OK Go Show at the Granada Theater

In this week's paper, Eric Grubbs catches up with OK Go frontman Damian Kulash and talks, among other things, about the band's DIY approach to its music videos (like the above, recently released, Rube Goldberg-inspired "This Too Shall Pass" take)--and its former label's issues with the band's ideals ... More >>

Staff Trax: The Fall, The Binges and Holland-Dozier-Holland

Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight into o ... More >>

Staff Trax: Bad Brains, The Broken West, Humble Pie and The Cooper Temple Clause

​Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight i ... More >>

Staff Trax: Rollins Band, /-, Danny Elfman, Spoon

​Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight in ... More >>

Staff Trax: Wilson Pickett, Dom Kennedy, Yeasayer, Ash

​Welcome to Staff Trax, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Consider it a chance for you readers to get some more insight in ... More >>

Over The Weekend: Alkaline Trio, Cursive and The Dear & Departed at the Palladium

Alkaline Trio, Cursive, The Dear and DepartedPalladium BallroomMarch 27, 2010Better than: Paying good money in hopes of seeing Georges St. Pierre knock out Dan Hardy in the first round of UFC 111.Eric GrubbsMatt Skiba and Co. at the Palladium on Saturday night.​At this point in its career, Alkalin ... More >>

Staff Trax: Thieves Like Us, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Yeasayer, KISS, Goldrush and Owl City

​ "Drugs In My Body" - Thieves Like UsI first staggered upon Thieves Like Us a few years back while carelessly clicking in and out of the blogospherem, and my first exposure to the electro trio was via its video for "Drugs in My Body." Since then, the band has produced several videos, EPs and, las ... More >>

Killswitch Engage, The Devil Wears Prada, Dark Tranquility

Friday, February 26, at the Palladium Ballroom

Check Out This Jam: The Apollo Commanders, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, The Preservation Hall Benefit Album, Bottomless Pit, The Organ, Neil Young and The Band of Heathens

Welcome to Check Out This Jam!!!, the weekly feature here on DC9 where we shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Also, it's a chance for you readders to get more insight into ... More >>

Check Out This Jam: Vic Chesnutt, The Grouch, Metric, Tim Barry, Wheat, Richard Hawley, Owen Pallett, Great Job and Gil Scott-Heron

Welcome to Check Out This Jam!!!, a new weekly feature here on DC9. The idea's pretty simple: It's a chance for us writers to shed some light on the music we've been enjoying of late, regardless of the touring or album release schedules that tend to bear the focus of most of our coverage. Don't thin ... More >>

Giveaway: Three Pairs of Tickets to Tomorrow Night's Strung Out Show at The Granada

In this week's paper, Eric Grubbs comments on Saturday night's Strung Out show at the Granada Theater, even going so far as to tell you all what you can expect from the show. But I guess that just starts to happen once you've reached two decades of performance, huh? Anyway, writes Grubbs: Definitel ... More >>

Catch Up On A Slew Of Recent, Interesting Local CD Releases

Last Night: Mark Olson and Gary Louris at Sons of Hermann Hall

[Editor's note: This review was penned by our newest Observer/DC9 contributor, Eric Grubbs.] Mark Olson and Gary LourisSons of Hermann HallApril 17, 2009 Better Than: wondering if Ryan Adams and Caitlin Cary could successfully do a reunion record and tour. Steven CohenThe ave ... More >>

He's So Emo

Eric Grubbs chronicles two decades of DIY music the only way he knows how--doing it himself