Good Friday: The Memorial Day Weekend Edition

Flock of Seagulls, When In Rome, Dramarama
Friday, May 22, at House of Blues
The '90s may officially be the new '80s (something DJ Yeahdef seems to have taken advantage of up in Denton with his Wednesday night parties at Hailey's), but '80s nostalgia's still a pretty powerful drug on the mind, it seems, or else this tour wouldn't even exist.

Doug Burr, The Angelus, The Orbans
Friday, May 22, at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton
With Doug Burr and The Angelus' Emil Rapstine, this show features two of the region's finest male vocalists. Add in fast-rising local favorites The Orbans and this show's probably gonna have a fine little turnout. Oh, and have you watched our DC9 in SPACE with Doug yet? You really should.

Florene, Hotel, Hotel, Salesman, Phantastes, Abacus
Friday, May 22, at Rubber Gloves in Denton
Austin's Hotel, Hotel and Salesman make the against-the-stream drive up I-35 to Denton to find their way onto this bill, which features a largely experimental electronica feel thanks to headliner Florene's lead.

The Bee's Fifth Collective Secret Show
Saturday, May 23, at 306 Texas St. in Denton
Matthew Gray's new artists collective's already hosted a few of these "secret shows" already, in which he invites people over to his home for some music from some of his Bee's Fifth Collective cohorts. But, every time, he refuses to announce who's playing. The idea? To try to get people to come for the music, not the scene, which is as respectable a reason as any. This show starts at 4 o'clock and runs until 7 p.m., and, though I'm sworn to secrecy, I can tell you that I do know the name of at least one of the acts scheduled to perform. And I can tell you that this act knows how to put on a great house show, for sure. Trust me. Or don't.

Possessed By Paul James
Saturday, May 23, at Rubber Gloves
Pretty much every DC9 contributor who covered NX35 and caught Possessed by Paul James' set at the Denton fest was absolutely blown away by his soulful, rootsy, one-man band performance. Find out why at this gig.

Riot! with Damaged Good$, galleryCat, Blake Ward, Keith P, Justin Bell, DJ Select
Saturday, May 23, at 1800 Lear St.
We kinda already mentioned this show, which is co-sponsored by Etc. Etc. and We Shot JR, but it should be a pretty insane time. I stopped by the spot last night for the Refatory 1 deal, and those folks put some serious work into making the place look a) presentable and b) an awesome setting for a warehouse party. But Saturday's party should be especially crazy: The doors open at 11 p.m., Damaged Good$ goes on at 2 a.m., and DJ Select, the final performer, goes on at 4 a.m. The whole thing is sponsored by Red Stripe and Three Olives Vodka, whose libations are free with the $7 to $20 costs of admission. If you think you can hang, that is.

Steve Aoki
Sunday, May 24, at Ghostbar
Celebrity DJ Steve Aoki will be in town, providing the soundtrack to an event Ghostbar is calling its Memorial Day Sleepover.

Queensryche
Sunday, May 24, at House of Blues
The Seattle-based progressive hard rockers in Queensryche have been doing their thing since 1981. That's pretty ridiculous. Just sayin'.

Gavin Rossdale, Nico Vega
Monday, May 25, at House of Blues
The former frontman of Bush (local tie-in: Dallas-based label Kirtland Records owns Bush's catalog) stops by, promoting his new solo project, which features that one song with the video that got played on VH1 a few times, I think. Supporting him is the far more interesting bratty and dance-y rock outfit, Nico Vega.

Harvey Milk, Hawk Vs. Dove, The Great Tyrant
Monday, May 25, at Rubber Gloves in Denton
The heavy, heavy rockers in Harvey Milk are about as loud as the former San Francisco politician is revered. Which is to say, I guess, that they're really fucking loud. Joining them on this bill are two locals: The new-ish, dirge-y Hawk Vs. Dove and the very, very, dramatic and heavy The Great Tyrant. Bring earplugs.

...and that's your long weekend. Be safe out there. Seriously, the cops are watching.