The Problem With… Taylor Swift’s “Mine”

Taylor Swift’s formula for charm makes her accessible to much of America. She’s got a Rust Belt background that plays well with the country music audience, a girl next door vibe that pulls in all the young-uns, and a sense of humor that just warms your heart, doesn’t it?However, one…

Listomania: The Best Songs to Listen to During a High-Speed Chase

Just a few minutes ago, the not-so-high-speed chase that happened in Dallas passed by the Dallas Observer offices. We cheered as the carjacking suspect led about six or seven cop cars down Maple Avenue, and we discussed his motive, his determination, his lack of clothing, and, finally, his playlist. Assuming…

The Secret Handshake Comes to Grips With Adulthood

It’s unavoidable: Eventually, you grow up. Your tastes change. Your priorities shift. Mostly, though? You become tired of the same old, same old. In turn, you want something new. In 2010, that inevitability has hit the local mall-punk scene—and hard, too. No longer featuring a cast of teenage brats looking…

Mariachi Quetzal Bucks Tradition

Mariachis are a vital part of Mexican culture and identity. But one mariachi group in particular is proving that this traditional art form is not just for those of Mexican descent. Only three of Denton’s Mariachi Quetzal boast Mexican backgrounds. Of the remaining seven, one is Guatemalan. The rest are…

Holy Ghost! Shakes Its Buzz Demons

Nick Millhiser, half of the New York-based duo Holy Ghost!, once dreamt of creating a band that would both earn him a successful career in music and allow him to make a good living. And, for the most part, his dream has come true, thanks to the success of Holy…

Billy Idol Goes Back To the Future

A true ’80s icon since his earliest days of chart-topping, lip-curling and heavy MTV rotation success, Billy Idol has always been a trendsetter who managed to tap into the future while keeping one black leather boot firmly planted in his punk past. And that’s truer than ever now, as Idol…

The Budos Band

The Budos Band records for Daptone, so they often get lumped with the “soul revival” crowd, the house that Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson built and that is providing a nice retirement fund for Sharon Jones. But this group is a very, very different one. They describe themselves as “Instrumental…