Pretty busy Thursday evening we have here, highlighted by the Price of Darkness himself, and a pair of punk rock quadruple-bills.
Ozzy Osbourne and Slash at The American Airlines Center
Say what you
want about Ozzy, but the guy can still muster up some serious metal
hubris. And God knows how long the 63-year-old will continue to tour. So this may be one of the final times to catch the Ozzman in our area.
Besides, "Crazy Train" and "Bark At the Moon" never get old, do they?
Former Guns 'N Roses guitarist Slash opens up what should be a hell
of a fun evening.
Authority Zero, Flatfoot 56, Lionize and The Broadsiders at Trees
For
those whose tastes run toward the younger set of punk and metal, tonight's
nice quadruple-bill at Trees should do the trick. Arizona's Authority
Zero has been around since 1994, but the band's sound (and name) hearkens
back to '80s punk stalwarts Bad Religion. Nothing wrong with that, as
Authority Zero play punk with backbone and bite. Chicago's Flatfoot 56
could easily headline this bill, as the band plays Celtic punk along the
lines of Flogging Molly. Led by brothers Tobin Bawinkel, Justin Bawinkel
and Kyle Bawinkel, Flatfoot 56 prove that bagpipes have their place in
the brawl of classic punk.
Danny Balis, Doug Burr and Glen Farris at Lola's in Fort Worth
These
three terrifically talented tunesmiths have played together several
times, but catching them in Cowtown would seem to be the perfect place
to take in said greatness. Balis needs to get off his ass and
start working on his sophomore effort -- perhaps hearing the fine songs of
Burr and Farris will spur him on. That, or he might just pull out
the flask from his car for an after-hours drink or two.
NOFX, The Bouncing Souls, Cobra Skulls and Old Man Markley at the House of Blues
Another
terrific quadruple-bill of punk-related music. California's NOFX comes
around here often enough to almost be declared locals. But the other
three bands on tonight's bill are less familiar. The Bouncing Souls are a
lighthearted punk band out of New Jersey who seem to have been around
forever, while Reno's Cobra Skulls is a relatively new outfit. Starting
things off, though, is Old Man Markley, a terrific eight-piece country, bluegrass and punk
band from Los Angeles. Led by Johnny Carey, Old Man Markley may well be
the best band on tonight's bill. Seriously.