Here’s the additonal schedule for bands performing as part of Saturday’s Westfest Compressed.

Number’s:

Southern Backtones 1:00-1:30
Novus 1:45- 2:15pm
Studemont Project 2:30-3:00pm
Dremnt The End 3:15-3:45pm
Heist at Hand 4:00-4:30pm
Satin Hooks 4:45-5:30pm
Hognose 5:45-6:30pm
Los Skarnales 6:45-7:30pm
Woozy Helmet 7:45-8:30pm
DJ Sun 8:30pm to end

Helio’s (outside stage):

The Generic Tribe 1:00-1:30
The Kidnap Soundtrack 1:45-2:15
Q.U.E. 2:30-3:00
Bo Jones 3:15-3:45
The Mighty Orq 4:00-4:30
Eldridge 4:45-5:15
Million Year Dance 5:30-6:45
Medicine Show 7:00-8:00

Helio’s (upstairs):

Aimee Jones performs at 2 and 8pm
The Jonx 3:00-3:30
Anguish in Exile 3:45-4:15
Hit by a Car 4:30-5:00
Bull Thieves 5:15-5:45
The Niyat 6:15-6:45
Reverend Butter 7:15- 7:45

Mangoe’s (times TBA):

Go Spread Your Wings
Free Radicals
Skyblue72

I sincerely hope that there is a better turnout for Westfest Compressed than at last Saturday’s “Bringing Back The Big Easy” hurricane relief benefit show at The Meridian. Once again, I was completely blown away by the apparent total apathy shown by Houston music fans. A ton of New Orleans and Houston musicians played stages inside and outside — to hardly anyone. I arrived mid-afternoon and was one of maybe 50 people there (including sound guys and bartenders). It was a pathetic turnout.

I did, however, catch some good bands. Punk rockers Living Dolls were particularly impressive (can’t go wrong when you close with “Gimme Gimme Gimme”), as was the last song (all I caught of their set) by Something Fierce (one to watch in the future, for sure). Both New Orleans’ Ya Ya Sol and Arthur Yoria played fantastic sets to an empty parking lot. It was a sad showing — and yes, I know the Astros were playing, the Bayou City Artfest was going on elsewhere, and that it was the best weather we’ve had all year. Maybe people at The Meridian should have checked to make sure there wasn’t so much competition that day, but I refuse to believe that was the cause. It could have been 20 of Houston’s best bands and I assume the attendance would have been much the same. If no one goes out to the shows, fans simply won’t have any decent bands worth seeing because they’ll all freggin’ move to some city where they’re halfway appreciated.

If Houston wants to be a city with a “real” downtown vibe like Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, or New York City, it’ll never happen unless people begin to actually take interest and show initiative and pride in their city. This includes going to see the vast array of bands that make up Houston’s music scene (including those now living here from New Orleans). Sure, you may have helped a few homeless people the week after Hurricane Katrina, but what about now? This benefit could have helped a lot of musicians displaced by the storm. Instead, it only showed them that if they want to make any sort of living playing music, they better get as far away from Houston as possible. Pathetic.

Your thoughts appreciated here.

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