Central Track Staff
Go Home, Get Down.
Currently, researchers from the University of Amsterdam and the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester, U.K., are trying to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes some songs just so damn catchy.
Their findings so far? The Spice Girls hit “Wannabe” is the catchiest song of them all. And, well, it's kinda hard to disagree. Case in point: Just try getting through the rest of the day without getting that earworm lodged deep inside your brain hole.
Yup, it's a zig-a-zig-ah world, indeed.
But, fortunately, there's about a million things going on this weekend that can help dislodge that tune from your head for at least a few minutes. Check out the options below for some helping figuring out what you really, really, really want to do this weekend. — Cory Graves
Friday
First Aid Kit at Granada Theater (Sold Out)
Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg make such convincing Americana that it's no wonder they've been catching on so hard in the states since performing the backing vocals on Conor Oberst's newest LP earlier this year — and especially so after releasing its own harmony rich third LP, and major label debut for Columbia, the Mike Mogis-produced Stay Gold. No wonder tickets to this one went so quick. — CG
Burger Records Caravan of Stars at City Tavern
Headliners Natural Child from Tennessee are still touring behind a trio of 2012 full-lengths, and we gotta say, we find the band's wide range of influences quite intoxicating. This trio mixes in bits Waylon-esque country, Stones-era rock and even some hints of The Stooges into its garage-ready sound, making Natural Child — in our eyes, at least — one of the greatest rock 'n' roll bands of the XY generation. Labelmates Together Pangea, AJ Davila & Terror Amor, Mozes & the Firstborn and Denney & the Jets open. — Nicole Arnold
Dum Dum Girls at Dada
The retro-infused, lo-fi pop of the shy-ish Dee Dee and her all-female backing band is both charming and captivating in its own right. Still, our personal favorite is their cover of The Smiths' “There is a Light That Never Goes Out.” Ex-Cops opens, and after the bands' sets they'll turn in a free-to-attend DJ sets next door at Off the Record. — CG
Sabaton at Trees
Historically speaking, a sabaton is a heavy metal foot covering worn by knights in battle. The term also perfectly describes Swedish heavy metal outfit, which pretty much only sings about historical battles. As of 2012, though, the lead vocalist and bass player are all that remains of the band's original lineup, if that's the sort of thing that matters to you. — CG
Big K.R.I.T. at South Side Music Hall
Big K.R.I.T. (or King Remembered in Time) will be in Dallas tonight to claim his rightful title as the King of All Rap. South Side Music Hall will be temporarily referred to as “the throne room” for this show. (Not really.) The soulful, unapologetically southern rapper does have a new record coming out this Tuesday, though, so expect lots of new stuff. — Chelsea Upton
STS9 at House of Blues
Sound Tribe Sector Nine is easily the best jamtronica band out there whose name sounds like a place where the government might keep aliens for experiments and stuff. — Trace McCaslin
Daniel Markham (Album Release) at Twilite Lounge (Free)
Much has changed since Markham moved to Denton and began playing solo shows a couple years back. Now with the support of backing musicians Ryan Becker, Grady Sandlin and Tony Ferraro, the quartet has certainly played its share of shows and done a good bit of touring since initially coming together — to the point that Markham now considers them his official band. So much so, even, that Markham says he considered adopting a new band name to better convey the idea that this band has now morphed into something more than just his solo project. That shift in philosophy rears its head all over the band's upcoming sophomore record, Pretty Bitchin', which will earn its release at this show. This time around, the band tracked most of its new album at the same time, giving the thing a noisier, more live feel. It's a natural progression, really — and one that sees the late-'80s-, REM-mining sound of Ruined My Life moving ever-so-slightly towards an early-'90s-, grunge-leaning alt-rock thing this go around. Hell, the album's tenth track, the trudging “Disconnected and Flying,” could just as easily be an Alice in Chains B-side. Pick up a copy for yourself at tonight's Dallas release show. — CG
Brewer's Ball at Renaissance Dallas Hotel
North Texas Beer Week's signature event is this night of black tie “fun and frivolity” alongside the owners and brewmasters of two dozen Texas craft breweries and vittles from a dozen local gastropubs. Cheers! — CG
The Ouija Experiment 2: Theatre of Death at Inwood Theatre
Not to be confused with the just-released shitfest, Ouija, The Ouija Experiment 2: Theatre of Death is actually the unnecessary sequel to the unnecessary 2011 film, The Ouija Experiment. Side note: who else is curious why this film is being released a week after Halloween? — Chase Whale
Wedding Dress at Rubber Gloves
What happens when you subtract the math from Maps & Atlases? We'd imagine the product would be something like Wedding Dress, the project fronted by Maps' Erin Elders and rounded out by Mike Russell and Matt Lemke (both of Suns) and Bobby Burg (Joan of Arc). Catch them at Gloves tonight along with locals Dome Dwellers and Power Objects. — CG
Dirty Loops at Kessler Theater (Sold Out)
Swedish trio Dirty Loops are a bunch of classically-trained jazz musicians that use those finely-honed chops to back Swedish Idol contestants in the studio and otherwise craft intricately arranged Europop trash. It seems to be paying off, anyway, as this show is sold out. — CG
Gareth Emery at Lizard Lounge
English-bred DJ/producer Gareth Emery is one of the few people to have topped DJ Magazine's Top 100 producers list before turning 30. Tonight he'll celebrate his April-released sophomore LP by spinning a blend of trance, house, electro and techno tracks at this party. — CG
Reckless Kelly at Billy Bob's
Since its origins in an old farmhouse-turned-music studio 15 years ago, Reckless Kelly has been attempting to bring the old-school vibe back to country rock. Another thing that hasn't changed: The band has always tried to make its recorded output sound as live as possible. So what you hear on their albums is pretty much what you're going to get tonight. Mickey & the Motorcars opens. — Stephen Young
Moonraker at Alamo Drafthouse
The eleventh James Bond film takes our hero to the outer reaches of space, where, for the second time, he encounters Jaws, who is perhaps the most popular Bond villain of them all. — CG
Cocktails for a Cure Block Party on Henderson Avenue
Start off with some donation-based detox yoga at Henderson's CorePower Yoga, then do some re-toxing with their neighbors at Barcadia, Beauty Bar and Capitol Pub. Get good and drunk, too, because proceeds from this block party will benefit the GDAS Cancer Center. Namaste! — CG
Wild at AMC Palace
Reese Witherspoon is a rarity in Hollywood. Why? She started acting a young age and has maintained a high profile since. She hit her high with Legally Blonde in 2001, got an Academy Award for her portrayal of June Cash in Walk the Line, and then her career started to dip. But apparently she got her groove back with Wild, directed by Jean-Marc Vallée (Dallas Buyers Club). In this memoir adaptation, she portrays Cheryl Strayed, a careless, real-life drug addict who kicks her habit by embarking upon a healing, 1,100-mile solo hike. — CW
Deep Shade at Crown and Harp (Free)
Nothing screams “True American Passion” like the heart-warming, booty-shaking beats of house and acid music, right? Right?! I mean, our founding fathers were basically fighting for our rights to shake our money-makers how we like. The DJ trio Deep Shade gets that. So does DJ G. They're bringing that sense of patriotism over to the Crown and Harp this Friday for you to enjoy, and there's no entrance-tax for you to go either. Such patriots. — Chris Escarfullery
Tropical at Red Light Lounge
The yearly electro-fused Latin American dance party is back with Houston's DJ Gracie & Navo, San Antonio's Sonora and our own Shooknite. — CG
Saturday
Yelle at House of Blues
Regardless of its performance on American charts, French dance pop duo Yelle's catalog is perfect in its mix of just a bit out there-ness and straight up fun. Hit-maker Dr. Luke is a big enough fan he begged to produced the outfit's recently-released third LP, so maybe they'll start catching on stateside soon enough. — CG
Bastille at Verizon Theatre
As a thanks for letting the Dallas Cowboys come over and play on their side of the pond this week, the English sent over the so-called Best Breakthrough Act in Britain to perform on our shores. Or something like that. In any case, the bands big, empty synth-driven choruses will sound plenty anthemic in a room the size of Verizon. — CG
Eli Young's House Party at Globe Life Park
Joining the Denton-sprung Eli Young Band at its second annual party at the Texas Rangers' house will be Gary Allan, Pat Green, Cody Johnson and the bro country lampooning Maddie & Tae. — CG
Rodney Carrington at Will Rogers Auditorium
The East Texas-born stand-up was a big beneficiary of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour's success. Though not a member of that tour, per se, the southern-fried comedian did go from being a guy writing songs addressed to his own penis to the star of his own ABC sitcom during the height of Foxworthy and Co.'s popularity. — CG
Sohn at Dada
The Gorilla vs Bear-approved British producer brings his simple-yet-soulful electronic jams to Dallas this weekend. More than just a knob-twiddler, born Christopher Taylor, has got the sorrowful pipes that help elevate his live sets to another level. — CG
Sour Grapes Open Studio at 801 Seale Street, Suite B
When the Oak Cliff creative outfit known as Sour Grapes throws an open studio event, they really mean that shit: It's open as hell. It's not just that the artists allow the attendees of their open studio affairs to rummage through every aspect of their space across from the Belmont Hotel at 801 Seale Street that makes these affairs so remarkable. It's the fact that they outright encourage such snooping. It's kind of a stark change from the behavior one's expected to display at more standard art-inclined affairs — and one that can take some getting used to, as was the case the last time we went to one of these things. — Heather Abbott
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., Mini Mansions at Trees
How about some DEJJ fun facts to get you pumped for tonight's show? OK, here are two about the indie-pop duo: 1.) Band member Daniel Zott is also fronts the band American Secrets, but you probably know them better by their other name, the Freecreditscorereport.com band; 2.) The band counts their racecar-driving namesake among their fans, as the real-life Earnhardt has even gone as far as to wish the band luck via a letter he mailed them a couple years back. — CG
Death From Above 1979 at Granada Theater
In September, the once-defunct Canadian punk duo Death From Above 1979 released its first new album in over a decade to somewhat mixed reviews. The release also coincided with a documentary called Life After Death Above 1979, which you can rent via Vimeo on-demand. Biblical opens this, the first of two shows happening at the venue tonight. — CG
MSTRKRFT at Granada Theater
Following DFA's set, the band's Jessie F. Keeler will keep things going, heading up his own after-party as one half of the punky, Daft Punk-loving electronic duo MSTRKRFT. — CG
Boy George (DJ Set) at It'll Do Club
It's called the It'll Do Club, but on this night it might as well be called the Culture Club. On the real, though, last time Boy George DJ'd at the club, he mostly did exactly what he promised us he would: He played nothing anyone expected. And as he played, Boy George danced, too, never missing a beat. There was no doubt in his ability at all to keep a crowd's attention — just being him was seemingly enough. But his selections were on point well beyond that. George scores so well as a DJ that it at one point became a guessing game as to what genre and group he would effortlessly blend in next: a nod to Salt-n-Pepa led to an out-of-nowhere, but delightful Tag Team sample; he even had feet moving rapidly to a mix of “The End” by The Doors. — Brian Knowles
Jello Biafra & Guantanamo School of Medicine at Three Links
When we recently spoke with ex-Dead Kennedy's frontman Jello Biafra, he was still full of plenty of vitrol — and not just because he believes his former bandmates are out there half-assedly sullying the DK name. His new project is definitely in the same vein as that legendary punk outfit, with Biafra waxing mostly about the evils of the banking industry and, to a lesser degree, reality television, in his trademark half-spoken delivery. The most notable difference this time out is the addition of a second guitarist, which lends itself well to the many times the band opts to tread into psychobilly and/or surf rock territory. The World/Inferno Friendship Society and The Interrupters open. — CG
Wovenhand at City Tavern
The musical equivalent to an episode of True Detective, Wovenhand weave plenty of deeply religious subtexts into its eerie brand of old-timey, southern gothic songs. Pontiak opens. — CG
Hot Water Music at Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill
Hot Water Music isn't the band it was when it released 2004's The New What Next. For a few years now, frontman Chuck Ragan has spent most of his time performing with his roots-oriented solo project. As such, the jazz-influenced, pop punk leaning post hardcore outfit sound a bit gruffer these days. The Flatliners and Dave Hause open. — CG
Caviar Club Trunk Show at Glass Optical
Come to this one dressed in your snazziest high-toned duds, but just be sure not to over accessorize. After getting the first peek Caviar Club's careful curated collection of handmade accessories, you'll likely walk away from this one looking a little nicer than when you came. — CG
Ferris Bueller's Day Off Outdoor Screening at Alamo Drafthouse (Dallas)
Next summer Dallas proper will get an eight-theater cinema when the Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse opens its second location at the southwest corner of Cadiz Street and South Lamar Street in The Cedars. The chain will officially celebrate its groundbreaking with a free outdoor screening of everyone's favorite hooky flick. Just remember to bring your own chair. — CG
Fea at Double Wide
Currently San Antonio punks Girl in a Coma are in the middle of a self-imposed year-long hiatus — the band's first in 12 years. In the meantime the bands rhythm section (read: drummer Phanie Diaz and bassist Jenn Alva) have joined forces with guitarist Annette Iglesias and singer Theresa Moher for the even punkier, Ramones-leaning Fea. Hence the ladies decision to each adopt “Fea” surnames. Darlington and Virgin Gun Club open. — CG
DJ Craze at Lizard Lounge
When not winning world turntablism championships, YelaWolf's personal DJ likes to spin his fair share of Miami bass, trap and dubstep at parties like this one. Slum it up. — CG
A Live One at The Green Elephant
When the Giants recently won their third World Series in five years, Phish was finishing up a three-night run a San Francisco's Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Moments after the victory, the band busted into an instrumental version of “We Are the Champions” midway through “Moma Dance,” and then, bam!, right back into its own song. It's the kind of tough-to-pull off move only a band like Phish can pull off. To think this Austin band chose the legendary jam band to pay tribute to speaks volumes about its members' collective talents. — CG
The Dallas Flea at South Side on Lamar
The quarterly market will play host to loads of local designers and feature jewelry, candles, artworks, and other crafts, all at lower-than-usual prices. Oh, and unlike most flea markets, The Dallas Flea accepts credit cards.– CG
Re-Opening Party Dreamy Life Records
Already in its brief existence, Fort Worth's Dreamy Life Records has had to move locations. Now you can find their collection inside Lander's Machine Shop at 207 E. Broadway Ave. They'll celebrate their new lease on life with a grand re-opening party featuring free beer and in-store performances from LaVern Marigold, Sur Duda, Leon Bridges, Modrag and Toy Gun. — CG
Lone Star Film Festival in Sundance Square
Here's the blunt truth about film festivals: The best ones aren't the ones that rely on big names, but rather the ones that take on underdog productions and makes you fall in love with them. This is why I love Austin's Fantastic Fest so much. The ambitious leaps of faith that Fantastic Fest's organizers take in their crazy lineup full of movies are unlike anything you'll see anywhere else. And LSFF 2014, I'm stoked to report, appears to heading down this same path. It's looking right past the bold-faced names and focusing instead on the kinds of films that deserve your attention and otherwise might not receive it. It's just a brave move on LSFF's part — and one that's paying dividends, at least in my book. Looking at the festival schedule, here's eight films we think you should make it a point to check out. — Chase Whale
Tim McGraw in the NorthPark Center Parking Lot (Free)
Tim McGraw and The Band Perry will perform a free concert in the NorthPark Center parking lot on Saturday, November 8. Free doesn't necessarily mean easily attainable, though: You're going to have to endure a few hardships if you want to catch the performance that'll mark the opening of the mall's new Microsoft Store. To wit: People are expected to begin lining up at 10 p.m. on Friday, November 7, in order to snag some 2,500 pairs of tickets that'll begin getting distributed at 10 a.m. the next morning. Then the hour-long show will take place just a couple hours later, at around 1 p.m. — CG
Three-Year Anniversary at Deep Ellum Brewing Co.
Fans of Deep Ellum Brewing Co.'s Oak Cliff Coffee Ale can look out for cans of the brew at retail locations throughout Dallas this week. In the meantime, you can join the guys at DEBC as they celebrate their brewery's third anniversary this Saturday, November 8. The cost of admission will get you a logo pint glass with three beers, special brews and tappings all day, plus live music and more. The event takes place from noon to 10 p.m. — Porttia Portis
The Weeks at The Foundry (Free)
If Kings of Leon stripped away the tendency to channel U2 they picked up somewhere around their fourth LP they'd probably sound an awful lot like fellow Nashvillians The Weeks. Almost unsettlingly so. It's not that it's a bad thing — those long forgotten early KoL discs were actually pretty decent, after all — but we can't imagine frontman Cyle Barnes would have too much defense if one were to accuse him of intentionally mimicking Caleb Followill's affected southern drawl to a fault. In any case, it comes as absolutely no surprise to find out the band is signed to KoL's Serpents and Snakes record label. — CG
Sunday
Yann Tiersen at Granada Theater
French composer and avant-folk artist, Tiersen, will take Granada audiences on a whimsical ride from the Amelie soundtrack and beyond. — CG
Pallbearer at Three Links
The 2012 debut LP from sludgy, Sabbath-loving Arkansas doom metal outfit was one of the year's best heavy records. This August, the band followed it up with a sophomore record that proved it wasn't just a one-album wonder. In fact, several critics would tell you Pallbearer is the current high water mark for heavy acts on tour at the moment. — CG
Atmosphere at House of Blues
An interesting nugget on Atmosphere's Wikipedia page makes a case for Minneapolis hip-hop group's hard-working nature by citing a time early on in the outfit's existence when it drove from Minneapolis to Dallas for a $250 payday. It's that same work ethic that's helped Atmosphere build Rhymesayers, the preeminent backpacker label they co-own. — CG
Thee Oh Sees at Hailey's
While dozens of lo-fi bands have come out of the San Francisco beach pop scene in the past several years, few have fared better than scene vets Thee Oh Sees. After releasing one of its best albums in 2013's Floating Coffin, though, the band went on hiatus while its leader, John Dwyer, relocated to Los Angeles. The band's thirteenth album, released back in April, finds many changes for the group. Thee Oh Sees are a trio these days, and one that only retains Dwyer from its previous lineups. The band's newest LP is also one that ditches much of its trademark guitar freakouts in favor of more polished pop rock hooks. — CG
San Fermin at Dada
The eight-piece baroque pop group is the brainchild of Ellis Ludwig-Leone, who got the idea to tackle pop music towards the end of his studies in composition at Yale. Combining his penchant for film scores and operas with an over-the-top approach to modern day pop, San Fermin was born. Complete with horn pops and string flourishes, the band's output is catchy as hell and nearly impossible to ignore. — CG
Dallas Mavericks vs Miami Heat at American Airlines Center
While the Cowboys' trip to London has DFW sports in the international spotlight, the Mavs will quietly be hoping to continue the relatively hot start to their own season back home. A matchup with the now-LeBron-less Heat should help in that regard. — CG
Chili Confrontation at Four Corners Brewing Co.
The Texas Chefs Association invites you to wind down North Texas Beer Week with a good ol' fashioned chili cook-off out in Trinity Groves. Professional and amateur teams alike will compete for some sort of obligatory title, but at six tastings for $20, it's those doing the eating that'll be the real winners here. — CG
Sons of Bill at The Prophet Bar
Carl Fochler, co-owner of the NASCAR #77 race team, is so sure you'll love both Americana outfit Sons of Bill's and its recently-released fourth LP so much he's offering anyone that attends this show and doesn't like it their money back. Considering that Rolling Stone called the band's current tour one of this fall's must-see tours, we're guessing his money is safe. The Rhythm and the Beards and David Wax Museum opens. — CG
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
