Cory Graves
This Week, Pantera Rose From The Grave.
Each week, we take a survey of the local music scene and try to determine which acts in town are really putting in work and seeing it pay off. Which bands have the most intriguing shows coming up? Which bands are getting the most press around town? Which bands have accomplished the most notable feats of late? Based off these criteria, our music writers submit a list to be weighted and compiled into a master list revealed each week in this here space. We like to think it's fairly revealing. Check out our previous Buzz Rankings here.
Let's not sugarcoat this: This was not a hugely active week in the local music scene.
Now, how quiet were things? Well, a shitty, misguided “prank” made at Dimebag Darrell's grave by a guy that used to be in a band from Indiana was far and away the most buzzed-about story of the week.
For what it's worth, though, the tasteless Tumblr post that spurned the whole story was far and away the talk of the metal world, nationwide. Still, it's kind of an unfortunate way for the local metal heroes in Pantera to earn their first-ever No. 1 spot in our weekly local music power rankings.
On a happier note, Leon Bridges continued his global takeover, touring through Europe, getting added to a Gorilla vs. Bear showcase at SXSW and premiering his first-ever music video.
Likewise, Oil Boom and Def Rain earned their spots in this week's rankings thanks to new music videos of their own. And, though not his own video per se, Mystery Skulls' music did find its way into a new Victoria's Secret spot.
Meanwhile, on the night before the release of her new single “Piece By Piece,” Kelly Clarkson dropped by The Tonight Show to turn in a hilarious “History of Duets” sketch with Jimmy Fallon. She also helped Arlington a capella group Pentatonix earn its spot in the rankings when she announced the outfit as openers on her tour.
Other big names in the news this week: Meat Loaf, who will return to his alma matter, Thomas Jefferson High, for this weekend's homecoming; ex-Pearl Jam drummer Dave Abbruzzese, who is wanted by authorities in Denton; Warbeast, who will play the first-ever Fort Worth Metal Fest; Reagan James, who dropped a new single; and Ray Wylie Hubbard, who released a stream of a new track he penned with Jonathan Tyler.
(Also receiving votes this week: Power Trip, Layer Cake, The Demigs, Fungi Girls, Dead Flowers, Luke Wade, The Birds of Night, Ishi, Rangers, Jacob Furr, Sealion, Dead Mockingbirds, The Jack Kerowax, Sam Lao, The Roomsounds, Pyramids, War Party, Dark Rooms, Brandon Fxrd, Booty Fade, Blessin', Ethereal & the Queer Show, LEV, Blank-Men, French 75, The Angelus, Dome Dwellers, The Phuss, Sir Silky, -topic, Bashe, Messer, AV The Great, Mink Coats.)
