Mark Ryan

The 35 Must-See Bands at 35 Denton

So, this is definitely a top-five weekend in North Texas music annually. We're flush with bands this time of year, what with the mid-size tour Mecca four hours south and four days away. But much of what's going on in the Metroplex in the coming weeks owes at least as much of its awesome to our own d ... More >>

Looking Back on 15 of Our Favorite 2012 North Texas Releases

The 15 Best North Texas Releases of 2012

In a year when Kickstarter efforts have ballooned from humble requests to egocentric slaps in the face, the recording, funding and distribution of albums has taken on a different hue, as the chasm between what you can do "yourself" and what labels are offering gets wider and deeper. A few of the art ... More >>

Here are the Winners of the 2012 Dallas Observer Music Awards

Get To Know Your 2012 Denton DOMA Nominees

Leading up to our November 10 showcase, we'll be getting you familiar with some of our Dallas Observer Music Awards nominees, either via past features we've done on them, or new ones. You can vote for your favorite acts, venues and more right here. Warren Jackson Hearne & Le Leek Electrique It see ... More >>

The Five Best Concerts In Dallas This Week

Mind Spiders, Lenguas Largas, Occult Detective Club Monday, October 8, at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios When Mind Spiders' front man Mark Ryan transitioned from the studio to a live band in 2010, it was a breath of fresh air for the DFW punk scene. Since then, he's steered clear of the one-man sho ... 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.

Riverboat Gamblers, Mind Spiders, the Phuss at LaGrange

Friday, June 15, at LaGrange

Mind Spiders

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 >>

Mind Spiders Snap To at Rubber Gloves

Mind Spiders, Low Culture, Brain Attack, Occult Detective Club Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios Friday, February 10 With two drummers, two guitarists, one bassist and one keyboardist, Mind Spiders didn't sound lopsided Friday night at Rubber Gloves.Throwing in some new material from their sophomore ... More >>

MP3 Dig: Mind Spiders' "Wait For Us"

Mind Spiders excellent sophomore album, Meltdown, comes out February 21 on Dirtnap Records and already promises to be one of 2012's best local releases. Mark Ryan knows his way around a pop song, as "Wait For Us" and much of Meltdown proves, but he also isn't afraid to experiment. The closing title ... More >>

Video Dig: Mind Spiders on New Year's Eve

The new year gives us much to squeal about -- hell, even the first three months are looking pretty good -- but Mind Spiders' new LP, Meltdown, out February 21, has been on repeat for at least three weeks. It follows up 2011's debut self-titled debut on Dirtnap, and has the same balance of '50s/'60s ... More >>

The Ghosts of Saturday Night: Man or Astro-man? Live From Sons of Hermann Hall

Daniel Rodrigue​ Man or Astro-man? Sons of Hermann Hall Saturday, December 17, 2011 Better than: Having amoebas eat through your brain. A snippet of conversation overheard before the Man or Astro-man? show: "I'm really freaked out about Neti pots right now." "Why?" "Well, I read this sto ... More >>

Man or Astro-man?, Mind Spiders

Saturday, December 17, at Sons of Hermann Hall

And the Winners Are ... You

Our 23rd annual Dallas Observer Music Awards showcase a scene ready for the spotlight.

DOMAXXIII: Announcing Your 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards Winners...

Stephen MaskerErykah Badu headlined last night's DOMAXXIII. More photos in our slideshow: Scenes from the 2011 Music Awards ​Another year, another Dallas Observer Music Awards season down the drain. Gotta say, though, this year's season felt especially epic. Many thanks to the Toadies, the Old 97' ... More >>

Your 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase Performers

A closer look at all 52 acts playing this weekend's Dallas Observer Music Awards Showcase in Deep Ellum

Get To Know Your DOMAXXIII Nominees: Best Cover/Tribute Act, Best Label, Best Producer

​Welcome to our 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards breakdown, wherein we'll use the weeks leading up to the DOMA showcases on Saturday, October 15 (which is also when voting ends), to explain the nominees in each category Today, we look at the nominees in the Best Cover/Tribute Act, B ... More >>

Get To Know Your DOMAXXIII Nominees: Best Album, Best Electronic Act, Best Punk Act

​Welcome to our 2011 Dallas Observer Music Awards breakdown, wherein we'll use the weeks leading up to the DOMA showcases on Saturday, October 15 (which is also when voting ends), to explain the nominees in each category Today, we look at the nominees in the Best Album, Best Electron ... More >>

Bad Sports

Kings of the Weekend "Dirtnap Records"

Taking a Look at the Best Local Releases in 2011 So Far

Bonus MP3s: Bad Sports Passes Along "Teenage Girls" and "Days of Denton" As Free Downloads

Bad Sports​Tonight's show at Denton's Rubber Gloves Rehearsals Studios, featuring Paul Collins' Beat, Bad Sports and Occult Detective Club, promises to be a scorcher -- even if a certain tattooed bar manager doesn't crank the AC down to 63 degrees. Don't say we didn't warn you.It's no secret: Dent ... More >>

Five Locals to Watch at SXSW 2011

Good Friday: The Spectre of Frankie 45, Onward We March, Arson Anthemn, Retribution Gospel Choir, People on Vaction, Montonix, Whiskey Folk Ramblers, Florene, Menkena, Telegraph Canyon, Salim Nourallah, JJ Grey & Mofro, Mind Spiders and The Phuss.

​Before his death in the early hours of New Year's Day, Frankie Campagna and his bandmates in Spector 45 had only gotten around to booking one single show for 2011 -- a gig to take place this Saturday night at La Grange. Obviously, tomorrow night's show won't feature the late, great Frankie 45. Bu ... More >>

How A Portland Label Became Denton Punk Rock's Biggest Advocate

Counting Down the Best Local Albums of 2010

Bonus MP3: Mind Spiders -- "No Romance"

​As you may have noticed, much of the music section in this week's Observer is dedicated to the cause of counting down the 20 best local releases of 2010. Next week's issue, meanwhile, will heavily focus on the most anticipated releases of 2011.And few bands pop up on both lists, actually -- inclu ... More >>

The Best Songs in Dallas Music, 2010: Mind Spiders Rises Valiantly From The Ashes of The Marked Men at No. 10

[Over the next few weeks, we'll be presenting our favorite local songs of the year, counting down from No. 25 to No. 1, one track a day. Today, we take an in-depth look at song No. 10 on the list -- and, please, feel free to click after the jump to grab a free download of the track. Also after the ... More >>

Mind Spiders Mess With Your Head

So, Pitchfork Offshoot Altered Zones Launched. And It's Already Showcasing North Texas.

​Last week, we told you about new Pitchfork Media offshoot site Altered Zones, which, instead of heavily relying on writers to fill its site with content, is instead relying on bloggers, including DFW's own Gorilla vs. Bear and Weekly Tape Deck. Well, today saw the launch of the site--and, with it ... More >>

On Target

Denton punks hit the mark

Destroy the Riverboat Gamblers

Concussions, missing teeth and other occasional hazards of rock and roll