My First Show: Best of 2012 Edition

We decided to check back in with some of the people we interviewed this year for My First Show, and ask about favorite concerts, records, and most-wanted Christmas gifts. Bad Design’s Steven Altuna takes the cake for best answer for a Christmas wish.

What was the best show you saw this year? Evan Johnson (Dead Flowers/Smile Smile): Best local show I saw was Somebody’s Darling at Dada. It probably would have been their show at LaGrange opening for Shovels and Rope, but I missed it. Roadshow was either Delta Spirit or Yeasayer, both at House of Blues. Stephen O’Sicky (This Will End): Would have to be the whole Coachella Festival. Refused, At the Drive-In, Childish Gambino, Radiohead, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, etc. It was amazing. Christopher Robinson (Caterpillars): The best show I saw this year was The Velvet Teen at Dan’s Silverleaf. I have been a fan for years but never got the chance to see them. Brandon Butters (The West Windows/Things of Earth): Without question would have to be At the Drive-In at Trees. This was supposed to be a band I was never going to be able to see live. I’m extremely thankful for Kris Youmans bringing them to town. The online sale was an event in itself. I remember practically breaking my mouse trying to refresh the ticket page. But the show blew me away. I haven’t been to a show with that much energy in a long time. My ribs were sore the next day. It was just a rowdy good time with the entire club singing (screaming?) along with every word. Vinnie Tuley (Dead Flowers): Mugen Hoso at LaGrange. These two could be an amazing blues band, but they chose punk and do it right. Attitude and energy, huge sound for a two-piece. John Paul Hossley (Bad Design): Wilco at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, California. Totally amazing experience. The sound was impeccable, and Wilco put on one the best shows that I ever seen. John Gillespie (Bad Design): Probably the Dirty Projectors at the Kessler Theater. Great venue, great band. I’ve seen them a few times, but I’ve usually had to travel quite a ways to do so. The opener, Wye Oak, was about as exciting as listening to paint dry, but the sound at the Kessler is fantastic and the Dirty Projectors sounded amazing. Justin Young (Rich Girls/Auxiliary Voice/J. Charles & the Trainrobbers/Arm Tha Homeless): M83 at Granada. First time to see them and I walked in assuming it was a project that couldn’t replicate the power/intensity of their albums. I was completely wrong on that front. Clint Sawyer (Bad Design): I got to see Lincoln Durham open up for James McMurtry at Dan’s Silverleaf back in June. Amazing set, very powerful performance. If you haven’t had the chance to see him live, it is well worth it. Steven Altuna (Bad Design): For pure scene factor it was The Eccotones on top of Cool Beans as a non-official 35 Denton show. Jordan Kline (Ice Eater): After listening to them for 10 years, I finally got to see M83 at the Granada.

Corey Howe (Dead Flowers): The best show I saw this year was probably Shovels and Rope and Somebody’s Darling at LaGrange. It’s been so much fun watching Shovels and Rope grow in our little Dallas scene, and those little Dallas Darlings have never played a bad show! Also, The Revival Tour at Trees would be up there too, seeing all those gods on stage commanding a large crowd with a single voice.

Emil Rapstine (The Angelus): Swans at Trees this past September was the hands down, thumbs up, earplugs in show of the year for me. Their sonic bludgeoning was as cathartic as usual – my fourth time seeing them since their 2010 reformation – but when Michael Gira let loose on the club for having several flatscreen TVs on, I think everyone in the crowd experienced a bit of schadenfreude as the staff sheepishly scrambled to shut them off. After that Gira abused the crowd and his band equally in a dramatic manner which made it hard to tell if it was purely show or grave earnestness. Either way, new levels of what is known as the sublime were achieved musically. The audience left stunned but euphoric. Ed Chaney (Dead Flowers/Aquaholics): Best show for me this year was Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree at House of Blues. Was surprised to see Marco Minnemann on drums. I have always loved his style. He was backed by top notch players and the show was inspiring. Guyton Sanders (Menkena): Honestly, there were a lot of shows that blew me away. So it is hard to narrow it down. But I’d have to say locally, it’d be Air Review. They really impressed me with the music, but when I saw them at the same show Menkena played at, they were dynamic and had a lot of strong grooves I always look for in other music. Nationally, I’d have to say Beach House. I had bought tickets to surprise my girlfriend; she’s a big fan of theirs. It was a blast seeing those guys. When you make an album like they do, you expect to be more people in the band at least to play on the tour, but seeing them live pulling off the textured tones and music just like the album impressed me. I can also appreciate a band who uses visuals. Sean Dove (Noonday Morningstar): Future of the Left at Prophet Bar. It was the night before Thanksgiving so the crowd was pretty meager but they put on a ridiculous show. They closed out with a 15-minute feedback-drenched freakout, pulling people up on stage and forcing instruments into their hands, Dismemberment Plan-style. Throwing a couple of McLusky songs into the set didn’t hurt matters either. Runner-up moments: Bob Mould playing Hüsker Dü, Afghan Whigs playing Frank Ocean, and evacuating City Tavern during King Tuff/Natural Child/Spookeasy after the roof (almost) caught on fire.

What was the best record that you heard this year? Evan Johnson: If I had to pick one favorite record it would be Delta Spirit’s latest release, but there’s so many others in heavy rotation. Stephen O’Sicky: This amazing young hardcore/punk/experimental band called Code Orange Kids. They have an album that is called Love is Love/Return to Dust. So good! Christopher Robinson: I’m not sure what the best record would be. That seems to be constantly changing. I am currently listening to The Wooden Birds and a band called Husky on Sub Pop. Brandon Butters: Father John Misty, Fear Fun. It’s not even in my typical genre, but this is just a great record. The music, the lyrics, even the artwork is top notch. Bonus points for putting Aubrey Plaza in his “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings” video because she is cute and I want to marry her. Vinnie Tuley: I am partial to O’Be Joyful by Shovels and Rope. Loves me some Michael and Carrie Ann; you get rock, great harmonies, grit and a wonderful finesse on that record. As an honorable mention, Jason Burt made me listen to Ram by Paul McCartney during down time mixing Dead Flowers record, and it blew my mind how good it is. John Paul Hossley: Jimmy Cliff, Rebirth.

John Gillespie: Killer Mike, R.A.P. Music. Fantastic record. El-P’s production is the perfect complement to Mike’s dark visions. Smart without being overly didactic. An extension of Public Enemy’s legacy into the 21st century. Very excited that he is coming to 35 Denton in March. Justin Young: JD McPherson, Signs & Signifiers. I can’t believe this album was released in 2012 by a twenty-something from Oklahoma. Such a great throwback. Clint Sawyer: This is not anything new to most people, but I was recently turned on to Sunny Day Real Estate. How It Feels to Be Something On is probably my favorite album right now. As local newly released albums go, I was really impressed with Pinkish Black. Steven Altuna: The Walkmen, Heaven. I can’t really get enough of their overall mood. Jordan Kline: Not sure if it’s the best record I heard all year, but I’m really digging Other Lives’ Mind the Gap EP. Really shows the band’s talent and newer direction. Corey Howe: O’Be Joyful, Shovels and Rope and Heart Burns, Tom Gabel. Emil Rapstine: Nervous Curtains, Fake Infinity. I pondered this for awhile and was thinking about all the records I bought this year and then it dawned on me that I’ve listened to this album countless times without tiring of it. I’ve danced to this album, run to this album, cleaned house to this album. I’ve even listened to other albums while thinking about this album. On this record, Sean Kirkpatrick and company interlaced fist-pumping songs with the perfect mix of paranoid introspection and the glorious array of damaged synth sounds never disappoints. Ed Chaney: Best record for me this year would be the new Deftones. Been a fan since the late ’90s, and have seen them as the one band in their genre that has progressed more and more every album. Guyton Sanders: There were a lot of good releases as well, but I’d have to give my vote to Neil Halstead’s Palindrome Hunches. I’m a drummer at heart and I normally listen for the drums and percussion in every album I listen to. At first I wasn’t really sure what to think of his solo album, since I didn’t hear any percussion on it. I had just bought it because I was a big fan of all of his past solo work — Mojave 3 and Slowdive albums. Figured I couldn’t go wrong. But it was in my CD player in my car for about three months of straight listening. It grew on me a good bit. Now I love the album. I wish I could see a Slowdive reunion. I got to see the My Bloody Valentine reunion and it took me back. I’d love to see the same happen with Slowdive. Sean Dove: For sheer volume of repeat listenings, I don’t think anything topped Sharon Van Etten’s Tramp for me this year. I couldn’t pull myself away from that thing. There’s a case to be made for cherry-picking the best songs from the three albums Ty Segall put out this year and calling that the best record of 2012, though. Also, Metz’s self-titled album.

What do you want the most for Christmas? Evan Johnson: For Christmas I want all of my gear to be in working order at the same time. Stephen O’Sicky: A brand-new drum set. Christopher Robinson: I actually don’t want anything for Christmas. It will just be nice to relax with my family. I’m content with everything I have and I’m very thankful to have them. Brandon Butters: Honestly, I could use a new bike. I moved to downtown this summer and it only took two months for someone to help themselves to my old one. Hopefully they really, really needed it, but with a blown back tube they weren’t going very far. Either way, Transit Bicycle Co. has an amazing selection. You know, if you’re looking. Vinnie Tuley: A documentary on the Dallas music scene. Being a newbie here, I’ve never seen musicians that support each other like they do here. Genres aside, musicians are great here. It’s like everyone is good and they can be seen hanging out together around town. I love it. Oh yeah, and maybe a new pair of jeans. John Paul Hossley: Uncle Scrooge McDuck’s money pit from DuckTales. That would be nice. John Gillespie: A week off so I can play video games and drink Mountain Dew all the time, but it ain’t happening. Justin Young: I would say a BB gun. Luckily, Casey Hess was kind enough to leave his over at my place. Clint Sawyer: A new door for my truck. Mine is falling off. It’s really bad. Steven Altuna: I would love it if on December 21, the aliens would finally announce that they have been here all along and that we are all actually aliens from a planet in the Orion constellation. They would give us such a vivid description of life without a necessity for things like money and non-renewable energies, and explain that as one of the higher beings in the universe it is our right to unlimited knowledge. This would unite the whole planet. We would build spaceships and take intergalactic road trips. There would be planets made of Fender Jazzmasters, Miller High Life, Vans SK8 hi-tops, and toys for all the chitlins of the human federation of planets. Jordan Kline: I would kill for anything made by Moog or a Roland sampler. Corey Howe: The health and happiness for my friends and family. It’s the only thing I ever wish for. Emil Rapstine: I am anxiously awaiting the birth of my daughter, which should be happening right near Christmas. What more could I ask for besides a box of diapers and lots of sleep before she comes. Ed Chaney: Some 1969 citrus mod Ludwigs. No. Seriously, I am getting what I want this year. That is my whole family together for Christmas. Guyton Sanders: That’s the hardest question to answer. But I think it’ll have to be a Pork Pie Piglite or Ludwig Vistalite C pattern blue/clear drum kit. 24×14 Bass drum, 8×12 Rack tom, 16×16 floor tom, and a 7×14 snare. Yeah, that’d make me a happy camper. Sean Dove: Next year I get to see Nick Cave and they’re putting in a Trader Joe’s down the street from me. I think asking for anything else is pushing it.