Weekend's here and I'm sure we're all eager to get it launched. So, without further ado, let's get right into it. First, the shows we've already talked up...
Tonight, Ben Kweller stops in for a homecoming gig of sorts at the Granada Theater, Cryptacize stops by Rubber Gloves for a set with Fishboy and Shiny Around The Edges and Erykah Badu stops by Late Night with Jimmy Fallon for a televised performance with The Roots.
Tomorrow night, Brave Combo takes to Sons of Hermann Hall to celebrate thrity years of polkin' fun and THe BAcksliders stop by City Tavern for a final hometown gig before heading out on the road for all of July.
Now, onto the best of the rest. But first? Let's jump.
The Felons, Lovie
Friday, June 26, at Club Dada
Though they've long played gigs around the local scene, this show celebrates what I believe is just now coming out as The Felons' debut disc. Sonically, it's a little different than what you might expect--the band lost its synth player, Fred Holston, a few months back--and, as a result, the band's actually got a better sound now--grittier, for one, and certainly, more direct in its approach. Look for a review in an upcoming Observer--perhaps as early as the next issue.
Joe Ely
Friday, June 26, at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton
Just a few weeks back, Ely played the House of Blues for a gig with The Flatlanders--one of the last dates on the band's tour in support of its recently released Hills and Valleys. Didn't take long for Ely, a Texas legend in his own right, to return back to his solo roots, though. This gig, in Dan's Silverleaf's intimate setting, is a no-brainer if you're a Ely fan, really.
Trebuchet, Peacemaker, Siren City, Vixens of Vaudeville
Friday, June 26, at the Boiler Room, Denton
I'll be honest: I'm not too familiar with these acts. But what I have heard of them ain't all that bad--least, so far as modern rock goes. Check out this video from Peacemaker and tell me that the band doesn't at least have the benefit of some swagger on its side. Oh, and you can download the band's The Reconstruction Of The Ossicular Chain EP for free on its Myspace site, if you want. Meanwhile, Vixens of Vaudeville will provide non-musical entertainment.
Orange Peel Sunshine, Dirty Birds, Follow That Bird, The Polycorns, Pataphysics, John Wesley Coleman (of The Golden Boys), Pillow Queens, Eyes, Wings, and Many Other Things (featuring members of The Theater Fire), Diagonals
Saturday, June 27, at the Annex House
This all-day event kicks off at 3 p.m., promising some food to go with the long lineup of Dallas, Fort Worth and Austin acts.
Monahans, Telegraph Canyon, One Wolf
Saturday, June 27, at the Double Wide
It ain't no secret that we here at the Observer are Telegraph Canyon fans. But we're gonna be proving it hardcore in the next month or so: Did you know we booked the band to play both our DOMA showcase (on July 18) and our DOMA awards show (on July 21)? Course not--I haven't told you till now. Either way, get excited: We'll be breaking some more DOMA news in the coming week or so, so keep an eye out. joining Telegraph Canyon on this bill are Austin's highly enjoyable indie rockers Monahans, and Lubbock's One Wolf. Yay, Texas!
Sleep Whale, Power Animal
Saturday, June 27, at Hailey's Club in Denton
This much is indisputable: As adorable band names go, this bill takes the cake this weekend. Sleep Whale you should know--it's the re-named, and still quite awesome, mostly instrumental and ambient duo of Bruce Blay and Joel North, formerly known as Mom. Don't know much about Philadelphia's Power Animal, meanwhile, but a quick listen reveals that, like Sleep Whale, the band's got a jones for found sounds.
Salim Nourallah, Whiskey Folk Ramblers
Saturday, June 27, at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton
Whereas it may seem weird, at first glance, to see the gypsy folk rockers of Whiskey Folk Ramblers paired with the impeccable pop of Salim Nourallah on this bill, consider this: If memory serves, Nourallah's producing WFR's sophomore disc.
Daniel Francis Doyle, Waxeater, The Sneezes, A Smile Full Of Ale
Saturday, June 27, at 1919 Hemphill in Fort Worth
Noted weirdo Daniel Francis Doyle treks up from Austin for this show, which I believe is a CD release show hosted by area blog and, now, label We Shot JR. Even if WSJR isn't formally sponsoring the show, though, it's definitely still putting out Doyle's disc--the label's first full-length effort, I think, which, I'd say, calls for congratulations. Get your copy of the disc through the WSJR blog.
Odis, Radiant, The Campaign, Little Black Dress
Saturday, June 27, at the Granada Theater
An all-local lineup that, love or hate the bands involved, has the potential to be a decent draw this Saturday night. Some notes of interest: Little Black Dress is still riding high off the release of its debut disc, Snow in June, and, later this summer, Radiant will be travelling to Berlin to open for the New York Dolls, which is impressive and awesome, if a little out of left field. As for Odis and The Campaign? Don't know what they've been up to lately, but I'm sure it's radio-friendly.
Record Hop, Eaton Lake Tonics, Quiet Company
Saturday, June 27, at Lola's Sixth
Another nice all-Texas lineup, this one featuring two Denton acts (Record Hop and Eaton Lake Tonics) and a band from Austin that's no stranger to the region, either (Quiet Company). The Fort Worth-based KTCU radio program The Good Show is sponsoring this show, which it also booked. Consider it a testament to the DOMA-nominated show's good taste.
...and that's your weekend. Have fun out there.
