Crushed Stars on Seeing KISS, Prince and The Replacements

Crushed Stars’ newest record, In the Bright Rain, came out this week, and to celebrate, we asked band mastermind Todd Gautreau and drummer Jeff Ryan about their first shows. What was the first show you remember seeing? Were you with your parents? Todd Gautreau: My first show was KISS. I…

Radiohead – American Airlines Center – 3/5/12

Radiohead American Airlines Center Monday, March 5 Around 9:30 last night, the sold-out American Airlines Center was singing along to the climactic roar of Radiohead’s 2003 single “There There”: We are accidents / waiting to happen Here’s the question: Who is Radiohead? Are they rock music’s most consistent critic of…

Photos: Leslie & the LY’s at Bryan Street Tavern

Iowa’s comedic pop act Leslie and the LY’s packed out the back room of Bryan Street Tavern last night. Leslie Hall and her backing band, clad in leotards and Day-Glo accessories, bedazzled the crowd with catchy pop songs and gauche pelvic thrusts. The hour-long performance was followed by a makeshift…

Flogging Molly – House of Blues – 3/4/12

Flogging Molly House of Blues Sunday, March 4 Sunday night’s Flogging Molly show more or less served as the triumphant closing ceremony for what might have been the most Irish-intensive week in recent Metroplex history. Last Monday, Boston shamrockers Dropkick Murphys kicked things off, while the North Texas Irish Festival…

An Open Letter to Zouk

Dear Zouk, Friday, I had the strange pleasure of gracing your door, though I did have some idea of what I might be in for. Moments after I posted the announcement that you were hosting Drake, not just for an after-party but a ticketed club performance, my Twitter feed received…

Baruch the Scribe – Dan’s Silverleaf – 3/2/12

Baruch the Scribe Dan’s Silverleaf Friday, March 2 In what seemed like a battle for most effects processors and pedals, Denton’s Baruch the Scribe headlined Dan’s on Saturday night with the Coves, Botany and the very slick, very talented Gold Beach out of Austin. Their new seven-song LP, Intentions, is…

The Relatives – Ben E. Keith World Stage – 3/3/12

The Relatives Ben E. Keith World Stage Saturday, March 3 The headline of Wilonsky’s opening night post sort of summed it up: The Margaret Hunt Hill bridge to-do, for many, was about back-patting and drinking and essentially celebrating an unfinished project that’s cost the city seven years and close to…

Grimes – Good Records – 3/1/12

Grimes Good Records Thursday, March 1 Was it just me or did Grimes seem a a little nervous to be playing at 4 p.m.? There was a hesitancy to the daylight set, as well as vocal and sound issues, which could have added to the feel. And she could apparently…

Jon Anderson and Tim DeLaughter – Kessler Theater – 2/28/12

John Anderson, Tim DeLaughterKessler TheaterTuesday, February 28Tim DeLaughter took to the Kessler Theater stage on Tuesday night like a guy about to meet his girlfriend’s parents for the first time. He was struggling to keep himself together in front of a sold-out crowd of mostly grey-haired dads — odd for…

Dropkick Murphys – House of Blues – 2/27/12

Dropkick Murphys House of Blues Monday, February 27 A Dropkick Murphys show isn’t one to hold surprises, nor is it one to attend when you’re just looking for a decent night of music. Don’t get me wrong, the beloved Celtic punk band’s performance last night at House of Blues was…

Big K.R.I.T. – Trees – 2/25/12

Big K.R.I.T. Trees Saturday, February 25 Big K.R.I.T.’s tour supporting his upcoming 4evaNaDay had longtime loyalists packing out Trees once again for Scoremore. I only caught the last few songs from Dallas-based opener Lu Sloan, but the assembled crowd was enthusiastic and responsive to clear crowd favorite, “In Luv Wit…

Dave Bazan – A Living Room in Denton – 2/25/12

Dave Bazan Saturday, February 25 In case you forgot how cool the town of Denton is, Saturday night, Denton city councilman Kevin Roden hosted an intimate evening with Dave Bazan at his home on Texas Street, right across from TWU. “[Bazan’s] management team put out the call that they were…

Reptar – The Prophet Bar – 2/24/12

Reptar, Quiet Hooves, Zhora The Prophet Bar Friday, February 24 “We are about to get nasty,” said Graham Ulicny moments before “Sebastian,” a standout from Reptar’s self-titled album. The Athens, Georgia group didn’t disappoint. Combining the nerdy dance vibe of early Talking Heads with the more modern sensibilities of The…

The Final Annex House Show – 2/24/12

The Final Annex House Show w/ Spookeasy, Darstar, Rocketarm, Sealion Annex House Friday, February 24 There have been other “last” shows at Annex House before, but the Keller Williams “For Lease” sign out front made it definite on Friday night. If this was the final show, it was pretty fantastic,…

VNV Nation – Trees – 2/23/12

VNV Nation Trees Thursday, February 23 A lanky blonde, clad in black pumps, fishnet stockings, satin booty shorts, elbow-length gloves and a red corset that didn’t leave much to the imagination, stepped up to the bouncer guarding the front door of Trees last night. The young girl frowned when the…

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks – Granada Theater – 2/21/12

Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks Granada Theater Tuesday, February 21 There was a noticeable difference between the Jicks of last night and the reunited Pavement I saw at Stubb’s in Austin in 2010, mainly in that the Jicks looked happy to be there. Stephen Malkmus walked onto the Granada stage…