This weekend is jam-freakin'-packed, huh? Kinda overwhelming, actually. So, let's just jump right in. Cool? First, the shows we've already talked up a bit...
Tonight, there's Eleven Hundred Springs., Rodney Parker & 50 Peso Reward and Homespun Remedies at the Granada; Deer Tick and Dawes at Hailey's; The Strange Boys, Coathangers and Bad Sports at The Lounge on Elm Street; Summer Fried Summer Jam '09 at QuickTrip Park with Bun B, Slim Thug, Paul Wall and others; Manya and Clay & The Electronic Cowboys at Rembrandt Cafe; and, though Nico Vega won't be playing, The Cavern will still feature My Wooden Leg, Cocky Americans and The Effinays (awesome name, by the way).
On Saturday, there's Matt & Kim and Giggle Party at the House of Blues' Cambridge Room; J-Live at The Lounge on Elm Street; and the School of Beats reality competition tryouts in Irving.
On Sunday, it's the last Plano Centre show ever for Third String Productions, with Forever The Sickest Kids, Ryan Cabrera, Drop Dead Gorgeous and many others scheduled to perform.
Now, onto the best of the rest... after the jump.
The Paper Chase, Matthew and The Arrogant Sea, Tre Orsi
Friday, July 10, at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton
About as strong an all-local bill as you'll find this weekend--or any other weekend, for that matter. This show's also The Paper Chase's homecoming gig, so expect a large turnout, even on this crazy-packed Friday night.
The Slow Burners, Record Hop, Braker Lane
Friday, July 10, at the Barley House
Too bad the SMU kids are still on summer break, as this would be probably the most jarring lineup they've seen at the Barley: Two highly enjoyable roots acts--par for Barley course--and, uh, Record Hop? The students might cry from all that noise. The good news for us non-SMU students, though? More room to rock out.
Emarosa, Our Last Night, In Fear and Faith, Burden of a Day, Broadway, I See Stars
Friday, July 10, at The Door
Another Third String Productions show sure to bring out the kids. Originally, this show was booked to The Max, but, because of renovations, this, along with the rest of TSPR's shows, was moved to The Door. Big win for The Door, I'd say.
Eddie Money
Saturday, July 11, at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth
Tell me if this is odd: I just blared Eddie Money's "Take Me Home Tonight" in the office and no one else here even blinked an eye. What does that say about Eddie Money? What does that say about my coworkers? Most importantly, what does it say about me? Actually, don't answer any of those. Except for maybe the first one.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Saturday, July 11, at Nokia Theatre in Grand Prairie
I think I was watching one of those I Love the '70s shows on VH1 and I heard someone say that every Earth, Wind & Fire song is essentially the same song--but that it doesn't matter 'cause, well, even so, it's still a great song. Tough to disagree with that, actually...
Robert Gomez, The Slow Burners, The Southern Sea
Saturday, July 11, at City Tavern
Like The Paper Chase, this is kind of a homecoming gig for Gomez, who himself has recently returned from the road. Actually, he's been home for a week or two now, I think, but either way, I'm pretty sure this is the ambient/folk/pop artist's first gig since getting back to the region. Meanwhile, a fun fact about Gomez, which will put his talents in perspective: There's this radio host I've spoken with a few times in Austin and whenever he mentions Denton, the next words out of his mouth are almost always "Robert Gomez." Not Centro-matic, not Midlake, not, uh, Bowling For Soup. But Gomez. A bit surprising? Shouldn't be; it's well-deserved. His recently released Pine Sticks and Phosphorus is a phenomenal down-tempo disc.
...and that's your weekend. Have fun out there.
