Marry a Stranger, Dallas duo Smile Smile’s third and latest album, finds keyboardist Jencey Hirunrusme and guitarist Ryan Hamilton in a different place than 2010’s Truth On Tape. That album traced and psychoanalyzed their broken relationship, but the Salim Nourallah-produced Marry a Stranger comes out of the bag feeling a…
It’s hard to believe we’ve been living in a world without Frank Zappa for almost two decades. I still remember the day — December 4, 1993 — when I was driving back to Fort Worth from Denton, heard FZ’s music on KERA-FM 90.1, and thought, “Uh-oh.” Between 1974 and 1978,…
The Virgin Wolves recently took time out to discuss their backgrounds with the blues, their first shows, and The Song Remains the Same. Catch them Friday at Andy’s Bar and Saturday at City Tavern. Which came first for you: hearing a blues pioneer play the blues, or a band interpreting…
Team Tomb Dan’s Silverleaf Saturday, August 4 Even though this was Team Tomb’s “digital release show,” and one of the few shows they’ve performed so far, the vibe at Dan’s on Saturday night was familiar. That was due in no small part to the lineup of Team Tomb, which consists…
KISS, Mötley Crüe Gexa Energy Pavilion Saturday, August 4 See also: The fans of KISS First up on Saturday night were the “newbies,” Mötley Crüe. Their set-up was as bewildering as it was impressive, the stage dominated by what can only be described as a kind of rollercoaster for Tommy…
Dirty Projectors, Wye Oak The Kessler Theater Friday, August 3 Dirty Projectors, and David Longstreth particularly, are incredibly adept musicians that wear their musical smarts on their sleeves. But idiosyncratic arrangements and vocals that, while not jarring are hardy mellifluous, can make sitting through an entire album more of a…
Neil Halstead’s progression from the dreamy pop of Slowdive to the rarefied country of the Mojave 3 wasn’t the most predictable move, but the British singer-guitarist’s talent as a songwriter has allowed him to dip his toes in a few different pools. As a teaser of sorts for his upcoming…
Atlanta punks the Coathangers come to Texas so often, it feels like they’ve adopted it as a second home. They return to Dallas, following up their March Brofest appearance, and stumble into the back room of Bryan Street Tavern with Sub Pop’s Jaill and locals Sealion. Last year’s third LP,…
“Experimental” falls short of describing most of the Dirty Projectors’ output, although the recently released Swing Low Magellan edges a bit closer to conventional song structures. While the recorded music is probably more admired than enjoyed, the band has been quite a treat to watch mature. Singer David Longstreth is…
Sandaga 813 has been slowly building up its weekly lineups, including stellar Tuesday jazz nights. This electronic music event tests the waters on Saturday night, collecting an eclectic array of house, downtempo, disco and techno DJs, including Israel Marcano, Maxx Bass, Kendo, Michael Duncan, Hulon Pate, Cliff Kwaslar Osler, Craig…
The album art for Bludded Head’s new record pretty much tells you what you’re getting into: It’s a drawing by singer-guitarist Nevada Hill’s daughter, and she’s gracefully inked up a thundercloud that is both smiling and crying while shooting lightning. Once you get inside the wax, the trio digs its…
Milwaukee-based trio Jaill comes back to Dallas at Bryan Street Tavern this Friday, with the Coathangers and Sealion, in support of their latest album, Traps. We caught up with singer Vinnie Kircher last week while the band was in the middle of an eight-hour drive, and he shared plenty about…
Nicki Minaj, 2 Chainz Verizon Theatre Sunday, July 29 I would have been happy just hanging out in the ladies room of Verizon Theatre last night, peaking over the stall, David Attenborough-style, taking notes and observing the various plumage. It’s this neon cult following that’s made Nicki Minaj such a…
Saturday night, Gorilla vs. Bear’s second festival took place at the Granada Theater, showcasing A.Dd+, Laurel Halo, Taken By Trees, Twin Sister, Chromatics and Glass Candy. Mattie Stafford grabbed some shots of the fans and bands…
See also: The fans of Aerosmith Aerosmith, Cheap Trick American Airlines Center Saturday, July 28 At 64, Steven Tyler is simply a wonder to behold. As he pranced, pouted and prowled the stage at the American Airlines Center Saturday night, it was hard to keep up with the showboating. And…
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…
The inaugural session of Girls Rock Dallas has been rolling along all week, and Saturday at Dada, you’ll get to see all their hard work. While in camp, the girls form bands, learn instruments and write a song, and I can tell you from attending several of the Girls Rock…
Zebra Katz, the musical identity of artist Ojay Morgan, knows how to make an impression. “Ima Read,” his homage to New York vogue and ballroom culture, documented in the singular 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning, has already caused some controversy, yet his minimalist approach only emphasizes his muse: the fiercest…
It’s all right to be a lady and feel conflicted about Nicki Minaj. The eternal dance between the business of sexuality, product placement and independent thought has driven her career, and perhaps driven her to take even bigger chances, as this year’s uneven Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded illuminates. 2010’s Pink…
Of all the shows I can barely remember seeing, the Psychic Paramount at Emo’s roughly five years ago somehow stands out. It wasn’t some barn-burner of a show, just a random night where the band was so unbelievably on, it made you clutch your beer a little tighter and wonder…
After founding New York’s Ultramagnetic MCs, an institution in underground hip-hop, Keith Thornton went solo in 1996 with Dr. Octagonecologyst. Along with his trademark moniker Kool Keith, he adopted others, including Black Elvis, Dr. Octagon and Dr. Dooom. Kool Keith’s peculiar flow ranges from raunchy to nerdy to gory, and…
See also: The Angelus, Le Leek Electrique at Dan’s Silverleaf Local trio The Angelus is playing Thursday night at LaGrange with another local featured in this column before: Crushed Stars. Expect the music to be slow, but no doubt peaceful and heavenly. The three members of The Angelus took time…
