Now that the World Series is over (a round of applause for the Houston Astros, who put up a good fight), you can get back to going out to see local bands, right? I hope so — according to the Chronicle, one band’s already decided to stop playing shows due to poor attendance. Read about 61 Cygni‘s decision here & join in the lively discussion going on there by making a post.
This is a serious problem and one that won’t be solved until one of us wins the Lotto and buys the now-defunct Rhythm Room and books local bands for every national touring act that comes into town. Anyone up for that? Uh huh… Actively pursuing up-and-coming indie bands (both local and national) and relatively unknown acts from outside of Houston would be nice as well. Surely someone can do this (Super Unison is the only group doing this that I know of — and they do a fantastic job). The Warehouse is certainly not the answer (like they’re going to let Super Unison book there?), though it is certainly nice to have a new venue in town. Hopefully they will be good to local, struggling acts. Not all shows should be at The Meridian (or Mary Jane’s. Or Walter’s). But, alas it’s not up to me and I know there’s more to it than what band would sound best where.
Anyway, on to the music this weekend:
Tonight, the incredible Porcupine Tree plays at Engine Room. 9 p.m. Tickets $15. I highly suggest checking out this band’s latest CD, Deadwing — definitely one of 2005’s best albums. This will be a rare treat.
The always impressive Arthur Yoria plays tonight at Onion Creek and will surely be performing some of the songs from his new EP. I plan to post his KPFT interview from earlier this week sometime soon so be sure to check back for the MP3.
Also, The National plays tonight at Walter’s on Washington. This should be a good one as well.
Scattered Pages play at Brasil tonight and on Saturday at the Free Range Studio’s Halloween celebration. More info can be found on their website.
Drums & Tuba play with Three Fantastic at Rudyard’s on Friday night. There’s a good article on them here.
U2’s sold out anyway, and do you really like anything they’ve put out since The Joshua Tree anyway (other than the mildly amusing “Lemon”)? Speaking of U2, have you read John Nova Lomax’s piece about U2’s Houston shows in this week’s Houston Press? You should.
Studemont Project‘s release show for their new EP, Avenue of the Observatory, is Saturday night at Rusk House (2905 Rusk, 77003). Program and DJs Joe B, Lotus and Pistola will perform. Houston Chronicle‘s Sara Cress did a great piece on them today, which you can read here.
Other shows this weekend include:
Tonight (Thursday, 10.27.05)
The Detroit Cobras/Reigning Sound/Hell City Kings @ Rudyard’s
Some By Sea/Morrow/Belville/Brilliant Red Lights @ Super Happy Fun Land
Blitz/Total Chaos/Countless Victims/All or Nuthin @ Walter’s on Washington
H.I.M./Finch/Skindred @ Verizon Wireless Theater
Friday, 10.28.05
U2 @ Toyota Center
LCD Soundsystem/The Juan Maclean/SH*T ROBOT @ The Meridian
Asylum Street Spankers @ Super Happy Fun Land
Bury Your Dead/Terror/Scars of Tomorrow/August Burns Red/Winter Solstice/Bloodlined Calligraphy @ Fat Cat’s
Ikue Mori/Zeena Parkins @ Barnevelder Movement/Arts Complex
Eternity Black/Rigor Mortis/Rotting Corpse/Cremator @ Forgetta ’bout It
Mass Murder Media @ The Southmore House
Saturday, 10.29.05
MECA Dia de Los Muertos Festival, featuring Mariachi MECA, Zolazul, Ecos Eternos, Remoto, Free Radicals, Imagenes Ocultas, La Guru, Volatil, Cuervo, LitVre, Azul Frio, Kuumba House Dance Theatre, Los Hijos de Manuela, The Jive Sisters, Magdalena, Ambassadors International, Oscuridad Social, & Cleola Williams and Wilford Davis @ MECA
The Invincible Czars/Two Star Symphony/Shaolin Death Squad @ Rudyard’s
West of Dread 3 Halloween Party, featuring The Roebucks & Jacques and the Cousteaux @ Fitzgerald’s
Spinnin Kitties/Boys & Girls @ The Proletariat
Arrowfest, featuring Styx, Foreigner, Eddie Money, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Little River Band, Foghat, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, & Kansas @ The Woodlands
Rob Thomas/Antigone Rising @ Verizon Wireless Theater
Brides of Destruction @ The Engine Room
Nancy Wilson @ Hilton Americas Hotel
Sunday, 10.30.05
Social Distortion/Bullets & Octane/The Dead 60s @ The Meridian
MECA Dia de Los Muertos Festival, featuring Conjunto Altiro, Lucy Salazar the Female Elvis, Del Espadin Baile Espanol & Gabriella “La Tempestad”, Skyblue72, Zwee, Houston Balalaika Society, Sagram School of Classical Vocal and Instrumental Music, Shortcomings, Hormiga, Vantress Tillmon, Sirrom School of Dance, & Mariachi MECA @ MECA
Treasure Mammal/Panda 84/The Sidekick/Slash Fiction/The Wiggins/Lukalicious @ Super Happy Fun Land
Requiem/Ballast @ Bill Hicks Resurrection Laboratory (2915 Delafield)
Hall & Oates @ Verizon Wireless Theater
Leela James @ Scott Gertner’s Skybar
Have a good weekend.
As always — if I missed your band this week, keep me posted on your shows.
Now Playing: Dirty On Purpose — Sleep Late For A Better Tomorrow
