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Darryl Smyers

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Mark Kozelek: "I Like Good Words, Whether by Danzig or Sonny Bono"

By Darryl Smyers
Dec 6, 2012

Whether it is with Red House Painters or Sun Kil Moon, the work of Mark Kozelek has always been marked by quiet desperation and a dry, dark sense of humor. A singer/songwriter of immeasurable skill, Kozelek is right at home twisting AC/DC into introspective folk songs. We spoke to Kozelek...
John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats Talks Denton, Taco Bell and Breaking Bad

By Darryl Smyers
Dec 4, 2012

Over the course of 14 albums and countless cassette-only releases, John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats has become one of the best (and busiest) singer/songwriters around. While his songs can be depressing and dark, Darnielle's sense of exploration is simply remarkable. Whether it's writing about meth addiction or child abuse,...
The Long Winters' John Roderick Talks Christmas Music, Becoming Mayor of Seattle

By Darryl Smyers
Nov 30, 2012

Back in 2006, The Long Winters released Putting the Days to Bed, one of that year's best efforts, but various personal issues resulted in frontman John Roderick taking an extended leave of absence. Since then, he's appeared as a sideman on efforts by Death Cab for Cutie and Nada Surf,...
CD Source's 19th Anniversary/Black Friday Party

Friday, November 23, at CD Source

By Darryl Smyers
Nov 22, 2012

Even though it's not located in the trendiest of areas and the staff can lean a bit on the eccentric side, CD Source is still one hell of a music store. Case in point: The store's annual Black Friday celebration once again features a killer lineup of local talent performing...
Grant-Lee Phillips Talks Margaret Cho, Dream Syndicate and Being Cultist

By Darryl Smyers
Nov 16, 2012

Grant Lee Buffalo was one of those '90s bands that seemed to be perpetually flirting with the big time. Each of their four releases was heralded by the critics, but mainstream success was always just out of reach. The enigmatic Grant-Lee Phillips decided to end the band in 1998 and...
Asia's Steve Howe on Albert Lee, Dinosaur Rock and Going XXX

By Darryl Smyers
Nov 15, 2012

Whether it's the mind-blowing progressive rock of Yes or the slicker pop stylings of Asia, guitarist Steve Howe has always been a team player. At 65, he's been bending strings with the best of them for the better part of four decades. And although he became a legendary guitarist with...
Here are the Winners of the 2012 Dallas Observer Music Awards

By Audra Schroeder, Darryl Smyers, Kelly Dearmore, Deb Doing Dallas, Eric Grubbs, Vanessa Quilantan and Rachel Watts
Nov 15, 2012

Best Album Best Solo Act Best Female Vocalist The Body Wins, Sarah Jaffe Sarah Jaffe continues to be on the lips of North Texas music lovers in 2012, with her second LP, The Body Wins, revealing a tougher, darker side to longtime fans, and certainly gaining some new ones in...
Everclear's Art Alexakis: "I Can't Believe I Am Going to Be in a Red State on Election Day"

By Darryl Smyers
Nov 6, 2012

At 50, Everclear's Art Alexakis has just about seen it all. The guy has beat a drug addiction, formed a band, and was even elected a delegate at the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Oh, he's also toured Iraq and Guantanamo Bay. Maybe he really has seen it all. Speaking from...
King Tuff's Kyle Thomas: "I Am a Goddamn Wild Card"

By Darryl Smyers
Nov 2, 2012

One listen to King Tuff's eponymous sophomore effort and you will be hooked. Whether it's the glam-inspired "Anthem" or the painfully catchy "Alone and Stoned," the 12 cuts vary wildly, but are linked by an intensity that is as disarming as it is unique. Speaking from a tour stop in...
The Vibrators' John "Eddie" Edwards: "I Thank God That I Don't Have To Go To An Office Every Day"

By Darryl Smyers
Oct 12, 2012

Since 1976, John "Eddie" Edwards has been playing drums for The Vibrators, one of England's original punk acts. Nearly four decades later, he finds himself the sole original member, as the band continues to release albums and tour steadily. From a van driving through Ohio and in anticipation of Saturday...
Graham Fink of Milo Greene On Fake PR Guys and Touring With the Walkmen

By Darryl Smyers
Oct 10, 2012

For a band that has only been around a couple of years, Milo Greene has already garnered some positive press and some cool touring partners. You may have caught the band last month when they opened for the Walkmen at the Granada; now the band is back for a headlining...
Somebody's Darling is Ready for Their Close-up

By Darryl Smyers
Oct 4, 2012

Guitarist David Ponder is sitting in a bar on Lower Greenville, feeling cautiously optimistic. His band, Somebody's Darling, just released its sophomore album, Jank City Shakedown, and he thinks it's something special. "I don't know if I would call this album a make-it-or-break-it record," Ponder says, "but I do feel...
The Descendents Didn't Want To Grow Up, But They Did

By Darryl Smyers
Sep 20, 2012

From his home in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bill Stevenson sounds as content as any legendary punk rocker can be. The Descendents drummer certainly has a right to be laid back: After more than 30 years behind the drum kit, Stevenson has nothing left to prove. Hell, the guy doesn't even...
The Descendents Didn't Want to Grow Up, But They Did

By Darryl Smyers
Sep 20, 2012

From his home in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bill Stevenson sounds as content as any legendary punk rocker can be. The Descendents drummer certainly has a right to be laid back: After more than 30 years behind the drum kit, Stevenson has nothing left to prove. Hell, the guy doesn't even...
Keith Morris of OFF!: "When I Think of a Supergroup, I Think of Asia"

By Darryl Smyers
Sep 19, 2012

Even without considering his most recent band, OFF!, Keith Morris' punk rock credentials would be secure. Best known as the original singer for Black Flag and the founding member of the Circle Jerks, Morris has been at the forefront of the American hardcore and punk experience for the better part...
Hamilton Leithauser of The Walkmen on Bad Brains, Fatherhood and Making Heaven

By Darryl Smyers
Sep 18, 2012

Early morning interviews are always a risky proposition. When I was told to call Hamilton Leithauser, lead singer for indie darlings The Walkmen, at 9 a.m., I feared either early morning grogginess or outright surliness. Instead, Leithauser, who was speaking with DC9 in anticipation of Wednesday's show at the Granada...
Twin Shadow's George Lewis: "I Understand Why People Say My Lyrics Are Poetic"

By Darryl Smyers
Sep 13, 2012

George Lewis followed up 2010's Forget with the recently issued Confess , mixing the classic sounds of new wave with a more modern R&B twist. Speaking from the tour van as it crossed the California desert, and in anticipation of tonight's show at Trees, Lewis spoke about the unusual path...
Playing Ministry's The Land of Rape and Honey for My Daughter

By Darryl Smyers
Sep 11, 2012

See also: Playing Fugazi's Repeater for my kids I have been graced with a 15-year-old son who loves punk and metal. What's a better bonding experience than sharing a moment listening to Iron Maiden or Bad Brains? But when it comes to my 12-year-old daughter, her boy-band, country-pop leanings leave...
Fang Island - Dada - 8/16/12

By Darryl Smyers
Aug 17, 2012

Fang Island, Adebisi Shank, Spacebeach Dada Thursday, August 16 It was West Nile aerial spraying night, so my wife warned me not to go out, but I was rewarded with one of the best shows of the year. As planes buzzed above, the band joked about the situation. "I guess...
Top Ten Underrated Iron Maiden Songs

By Darryl Smyers
Aug 17, 2012

Seeing that the first show I ever took my son to was Iron Maiden, I get a special feeling every time the legendary metal act makes its way to our area. Anyone who calls themselves a metalhead knows the "hits," so in honor of the band playing tonight at Gexa...
Chris Georges of Fang Island On Staying In A "50-Room Child's Fantasy Mansion," Opening For Stone Temple Pilots

By Darryl Smyers
Aug 16, 2012

Fang Island just released Major, one of the best albums of the year. No joke. These guys somehow mix power pop with progressive rock, and the resulting chaos is quite appealing. Speaking from a tour stop in Kansas City, and in anticipation of tonight's show at Dada, guitarist Chris Georges...
Fang Island at Dada

Thursday, August 16 at Dada

By Darryl Smyers
Aug 16, 2012

Mixing progressive rock with power pop isn't easy and certainly doesn't sound like a workable combination. However, Brooklyn's Fang Island not only make it work, they do so with flair to spare. The band's recently issued sophomore effort on Sargeant House, Major somehow manages to bridge the gap between Pink...