True Widow, The Nighty Nite and Joey KendallDouble WideJune 11, 2011Better than: killing a litter of kittens.A few minutes before acclaimed area rock producer and former Paper Chase frontman John Congleton took to the stage at the Double Wide with his new band, The Nighty Nite, for their much-anticipated live…
Calhoun, Radiant and MenkenaKessler TheaterJune 10, 2011Better than: crossing the river to do anything else Dallas.Midway through Calhoun’s loose, rollicking set at the Kessler Theater on Friday night, frontman Tim Locke addressed the crowd. “It’s kind of casual tonight,” he said. “So, we’re gonna be, you know…” OK, so, its…
Paul Collins’ Beat, Bad Sports, Occult Detective ClubRubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, DentonJune 9, 2011Better than: a night filled with powerless pop. Power-pop, generally, is a young man’s game. It takes a certain vigor, a certain snottiness and a certain youthful energy to pull off chugging, three-minute takes on young love…
We’ve had Cary Pierce, Tiger Darrow, Salim Nourallah, Nicholas Altobelli and Smile Smile at Patio Sessions so far this year: a wild mix of styles and sound. It was no different on Thursday’s steamy afternoon: celtic masters The Killdares played outside the Winspear Opera House, in Sammons Park. Our photographer…
The Antlers, Little ScreamThe LoftJune 9, 2011Better than: Being in some hospice somewhere. When DC9 spoke with The Antlers’ keyboardist Darby Cicci for a piece we ran in last week’s paper edition, he mentioned that on the band’s new critically acclaimed album Burst Apart, he’s carrying more weight than he…
Mötley Crüe, Poison, New York DollsGexa Energy PavilionJune 7, 2011Better than: sitting on your couch watching the Mavs win. Sure, the game was dramatic, but not as dramatic as Tommy Lee’s drum rig. Let’s begin this review by addressing the elephant in the room directly: All the bands on last…
John Congleton is a name you’ve long associated with his roles as a producer and as the leader of The Paper Chase. But be ready to hear more from his new band, The Nighty Nite, in the coming months.As the band, which also features Jason Garner of the final Paper…
Beirut, Twin SisterSouth Side Music HallJune 6, 2011Better than: arguing over whether it’s called “beirut” or “beer pong,” which is a conversation had way too often in college. A few songs into his performance before a crowded, adoring crowd at the South Side Music Hall last night, Beirut mastermind Zach…
Deftones, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Le ButcherettesVerizon TheatreJune 6, 2011Better than: watching a Triunfo del Amor marathon. As strong a set as the Deftones performed to a packed Verizon Theatre last night, it was difficult to overlook an uneven mix from the venue’s sound system. Vocalist Chino Moreno could be…
Face to Face, Strung Out, Blitzkid, The Darlings Granada Theater June 5, 2011 Better than: punching a hole in your TV after the Mavericks’ game. Face to Face didn’t hit the stage until late in the evening (five minutes after 11, to be exact), but the large crowd that gathered…
Eisley, The Narrative, Christie DuPreeGranada TheaterJune 4, 2011Better than: the band’s Good Records in-store performance a few months back.Two-thirds of the way through Eisley’s 70-minute, Saturday night offering at the Granada Theater, the band, which had already performed a mostly tight, swirling set up to this point, unleashed quite the…
Welcome to My First Show, where we give bands a chance to talk about the first shows they ever attended — no matter how uncool and embarrassing those tales may be. For those disappointed about the lineup for the Warped Tour lineup for this year — as in, too many…
The Twilight Singers, Margot & the Nuclear So and So’sThe Granada TheaterMay 30, 2011Much better than: sitting around waiting for the damn NBA Finals to get going. While many folks gathered at parks and other area locales in order to show respect for those who have fought for this country,…
Manchester Orchestra, Cage the ElephantPalladium BallroomMay 29, 2011Better than: doing it by the numbers. Manchester Orchestra and Cage the Elephant are described as “co-headliners” on their current cross-country tour. Normally, that tag doesn’t always make sense. There’s always one act that outdraws the other. And let’s face it: Only one…
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.DadaMay 27, 2011Better than: making a left turn, and then a left turn, and then a left turn… It speaks to the power of the Internet/new music business model when a band with only four officially-released tracks is able to embark on a headlining cross-country tour. But…
It certainly was a sexy weekend (ooh ahoo). Before Pete and crew are along with reviews of Twilight Singers and Margot & The Nuclear So & So’s at the Granada, there’s several photos from the Memorial Day parties we’re gonna pass along. The Vault had DJ ASAP spinning for a…
Yesterday’s weather was perfect for bumming around, grilling, Kung Fu-ing, Mavericking, Whirleyballing, or patio sessioning. In last week’s Patio Session, Tiger Darrow and Cary Pierce played under a staticky-gray sky. Last night at the AT&T PAC, however, was all green grass and sunset. It featured Salim Nourallah, who worked with…
Here We Go Magic, Caveman, Carlo CanlasDadaMay 24, 2011Better Than: Sitting in a bathtub at home with a dog and a baby both trying to eat each other. First, there was a crash, followed by a series of booms, and then some smashing sounds.None of that happened at the Here…
An HorseThe LoftMay 22, 2011Better than: Tying me kangaroo down, sport. Australian duo An Horse rode into town on the leading edge of last night’s storm system for a show at The Loft. The storm was a likely contributor to the smallish turn-out — 80 people, maybe. Blame the band…
The Black Angels, Sleepy Sun and True WidowThe Loft May 21, 2011 Sure, Saturday night’s particularly droney triple-bill of The Black Angels, Sleepy Sun and True Widow may have taken place inside The Loft. But it hardly felt that way, instead feeling more like a spur-of-the-moment field party.Credit (or blame)…
My Chemical Romance, Circa Survive and The ArchitectsThe House of BluesMay 21, 2011(Just Barely) Better Than: Staying home and watching the Mavericks beat the Thunder. New Jersey’s alt-rock outfit My Chemical Romance put on a fierce and fun performance in front of a packed and sweaty, multi-generational horde at the…
Portugal. The Man, Telekinesis, Unknown Mortal OrchestraGranada TheaterMay 20, 2011Better than: trying to put on your own laser show. Die-hard fans lined the front of the stage for Friday night’s Portugal. The Man show, a group ranging from the young fans attempting to conceal their conspicuously X-ed hands to Gen…
