He's one of the quiet observers-from-a-distance of our local music scene. He knows local people both big and small, but judges no one.
He's sick and tired of all the name jokes, and wisecracks about being eaten on a Lee Harvey's burger. He's the ultimate barfly, and wise observer of all things that go down at our beloved Lee Harvey's....even on dog day Sundays.
He's also a damn cat, but I still think we should scratch his head and pick his brain about local music in order to get answers we definitely did not write ourselves based on guesses about what he might care about. Why not? We all talk to our cats, anyway.
Congrats! You're our first non-human Local Music 'Mercian.
I am honored to be asked by you about my opinions on local music. They are broader than my dietary preference, which consists solely of dry Meow Mix.
Jesus, really? You're a fixture at one of the tastiest food joints in town, though.
I love Lee Harveys, and their gift for human cuisine. I love my friends Jeana Johnson and Marc Cassel, and their restaurants, Mot Hat Ba and 20 Feet, but dude....dry cat food is where it's at.
Suit yourself. I love the grilled cheese...and the bands.
As a bar cat who grew up at a bar in South Dallas, I have heard a lot of bands. I will tell you that the best ones I have heard and have the most feelings for are the "kid bands" from Zounds Sounds http://www.zounds-sounds.com/. Those kids can rock the free world and beyond!
Ok, well before we get into these kid bands, what is Zounds Sounds? A school of some sort?
It's a rock school, for kids. How cool is that? Kids who are into music in this town have a lot of opportunities that most of us cats, or people, will never have...to learn to rock out. First, I love Plowboy. They're around 15, and they're amazing. They vibe a lot of early Zeppelin and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, who they recently got to open for on a few tour dates! Also, the Psycho Sonics are a great band, and are also sprung from Zounds Sounds. They kinda channel The Raconteurs and Wolfmother.
You would think a cat would hate anything to do with a band called Wolfmother. As if mere mention of the name would make your hair stand on end.
Nah! Not at all. I'm chill. I rarely "arch" at anything. I am also very partial to the Mo Robson Band, they've play some good original Honky Tonk at Lee Harvey's. Yells At Ells have pulled off some great jazz here! All CATS love jazz...you should know that.
I do know that. Who else?
I do love Le Cure, the Cure cover band, even though it's tribute covers, and not local originals. I love them because they dedicate the song "Love Cats" to me every time. Even when I'm being a dick. Doug, the bassist from Le Cure, is in a cool local band called Ten Can Riot.
How about local music people who have made it big? Don't you occasionally spot them there?
Sure, it ain't no big thing. It was interesting to spot Rhett Miller watching the Bowie tribute band The Thin White Dukes one night. It's been an honor to have MC900 Foot Jesus come out of retirement and spin a little here. Billy Joe Shaver is a groovy guy, too...but his cat petting could use some work. He's a little ham-handed.
Any final thoughts at the end of the day for our local arts community who love you?
At the end of the day I says SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC AND UPCOMING LOCAL MUSICIANS. Hey, even if they're here playing covers, man. Tribute cover songs are like comfort food. Like a good bowl of chicken and dumplings from Dixie House. Embrace that familiar taste, and explore the riches that Dallas has to offer. And don't forget to check out the kid bands, or I might just have to kick some sand in your face. Or..is that sand?
