Last night’s Queensryche show was pretty cool. I had never seen them live and was impressed at the number of people out for the show (especially on a Tuesday). One thing’s for sure: metal fans are the most enthusiastic, music-loving crowd around. I was amazed at the reactions of people around me to the band, especially after all this time. I think the last Queensryche album I bought was Q2K, which I thought blew. Of course, last night’s show was Operation:Mindcrime and Operation:Mindcrime II back-to-back, plus a two-song encore, so the fact they were playing some of their best material didn’t hurt. Singer Geoff Tate’s voice wasn’t the strongest it’s been, as was expected, but he did a good job and the band…well, they rocked. I am glad I went.

Tonight (Wednesday, 9.27.06), local punk band Born Liars–whose new CD is available at CD Baby–play with Sparkle Motion at Rudyards. I suggest checking out this show. Also, the Houston Press Concert Series is on Wednesday at Pub Fiction and features Mike Eli, Deryl Dodd, and Mark Miller.

On Thursday, the Reverend Horton Heat play at The Meridian with Horrorpops and The Herschel Berry Band. Check out the September issue of Envy magazine for an interview with Rev. Horton Heat.

The Dimes play at Rudyards on Friday night with Moonlight Towers and Butter Cup. If you STILL haven’t yet checked out The Dimes, you’re missing out. Go see them. Now.

Or, drive out to Scout Bar to see Vanilla Ice (no, I am not kidding). He’s performing in Clear Lake with Faceplant and LoneStar PornStar on Friday night.

Also on Friday, The Jonx play with The Texas Steamers, 47 Miles of Barbed Wire, and 500 Megatons of Boogie at Super Happy Fun Land.

On Saturday night, I suggest heading over to The Proletariat before 9pm to watch Houston’s own Flowers to Hide open the show for Serena Maneesh. Wovenhand and Evangelicals round out the bill. Check out F2H’s music online here.

If you’re into a more sedate evening, check out Playing with Stars and the talented Orents Stirner at Paadzi’s (3535 Bingle, Suite G). I’ll have to check out this place soon — that’s two good shows in two weeks they’ve booked. Anyone been there yet? Let me know.

If you’d rather hear some experimental electronic music, check out About This Product (who have played with Mogwai) at Super Happy Fun Land with Werewolf Jerusalem, Crawling Iris, In the Land of Archers, and Respirator.

Also, the always entertaining Fondue Monks play at Dan Electro’s on Saturday night. Pick up a copy of Rozz Zamarano’s new CD while you’re there. And last but not least, Sharks and Sailors play on Saturday with the incredible Cinemechanica with Oh God It’s Back at Robinson Rd. Community Center in The Woodlands.

Sunday is the 2nd Annual Rockin’ for Rise Battle of the Bands Fundraiser, which features Anubis, Broken, Saturate, Sitch, Threnody, Trellis, & more @ Scout Bar.

Other shows this week include:

Wednesday, 9.27.06

Nada Brahma, Enderness, Mourning Star, and Top Of The Fair @ Java Junction (8302 North Eldridge Parkway)
Tha F***ing Transmissions / You (Genius) @ The Proletariat.
Ese @ The Continental Club

Thursday, 9.28.06

Hatebreed/The Black Dahlia Murder/Napalm Death/Exodus/First Blood/Despised Icon @ Warehouse Live
Magnolia Electric Co./Bottomless Pit @ Rudyard’s
Mason Jennings/Jennifer O’Connor @ Walter’s on Washington
Rockbox!, featuring Gracie Chavez, Witnes, & Dayta @ The Proletariat
Lucy Kaplansky @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Billy Bacon & the Forbidden Pigs @ The Continental Club

Friday, 9.29.06

Ratatat/Envelopes/Panther @ Walter’s on Washington
Kissinger/In The Market/Quiet Market/Stare Decisis/Emo Side Project @ Java Junction (8302 North Eldridge Parkway)
Live @ Verizon Wireless Theater
Robin Trower @ The Meridian
Grupo Fantasma @ The Continental Club
Jimmy Lafave @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Kaskade @ M Bar
Leila Bela/Maya Bond/Hiranimos Taj/Count Dracula’s Jam Engine @ Fitzgerald’s
Clay Farmer (CD release) @ The Armadillo Palace
Cheyenne Kimball/Josh Hoge @ Warehouse Live
The Hudsons @ The Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe (Galveston)

Saturday, 9.30.06

Los Skarnales/The Stingers/The I-gents/Ryan Scroggins and The Trench Town Texans @ Fitzgerald’s
Breathing Forever/Name Your Cliche/Skyscrapers Walk Among Us/Perilous Fight/High Noon/Gates Of Acheron @ Java Junction (8302 North Eldridge Parkway)
Rebirth Brass Band/Zwee @ Warehouse Live
Trout Fishing In America @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Allison Fisher @ The Big Top
San Saba County/The Haymakers @ Rudyard’s
Steve Miller Band/Jonny Lang/Delbert McClinton @ The Woodlands
Vast/Crossculture/Pale @ The Engine Room
Xiu Xiu/Cong For Brums/BARR @ Walter’s on Washington
Matt & Kim/Tuff King/O Pioneers!!! @ Dunbar Park (Lake Jackson)
Bobby Mitchell @ The Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe

Sunday, 10.1.06

Matt & Kim/King Tuff/O Pioneers!!! @ The Proletariat
Cyndi Lauper @ Cullen Performance Hall
Posin @ Super Happy Fun Land
The Portrait of Dorian Gray/Pallida Mors/Virgins/Pope Benidict/All Hands On Deck @ Java Junction

Come out and support local music.

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