Central Track Staff
Have Gun Will Travel.
Forget the played out Ice Bucket Challenge and that don't-get-me-started-on-it Coke Between the Boobs “Challenge.” The next big Internet game of one-upmanship comes from Thailand, where folks are putting fire ants on their junk. It's called the “Red Ants Challenge” and it looks absolutely brutal.
If we had to hazard a guess, we'd say there's a couple days recovery period that follows this one. It's an aspect of the challenge they don't really hype up at the beginning.
That being said, you might want to wait a few days for dipping your own wicks into a pile of pissed off ants, because there's a lot going on you won't want to have to miss because you're at home recuperating. — Cory Graves
Friday
Jon Bellion at Trees
The 20-year-old New York producer, singer-songwriter and rapper, Jon Bellion, is playing at Trees this Friday. You've heard his words in Eminem's “The Monster” and Jason Derulo's “Trumpets.” Here, though, he'll be showcasing his own material, much of which will come from hist latest album, The Definition, which came out this past September. — Diamond Victoria
Other Lives at Dada
When alt-indie noir outfit Other Lives was last here, it was opening for Radiohead at the AAC. Things will be much more intimiate this time around, as the band promotes its new album, Rituals. Watch out for Dallas' Daniel Hart to pull double duty tonight, too, fronting openers Dark Rooms and then jumping back on stage as Other Lives' touring violinist. Riothorse Royale also performs. — DV
Friday on the Green at Magnolia Green Park
In its seventh season, Friday on the Green continues to bring food trucks, families, pups and live music to Fort Worth's Magnolia Green Park. Playing this month's edition is Telegraph Canyon, Natural Anthem and Shadows of Jets. Just remember to BYO blanket. — DV
Steve Earle at Billy Bob's
Steve Earle is an Americana legend. He's played alongside Townes Van Zandt and wrote for Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. Tonight you can catch him on the equally legendary stage at Billy Bob's. — DV
Jason Lytle at Bar Louie's (Fort Worth)
In conjunction with Good Records, Bar Louie's in Fort Worth is hosting a string of free shows in their intimate little venue featuring the likes of DFW's older pop acts. This time around Jason Lytle of Granddaddy and members of Midlake are set to fill the room. Rumor has it these guys have a new project in the works, too. — Evan Henry
Lynyryd Skynyrd at Verizon Theatre
Lonestar 92.5-FM hosts Bo and Jim are having their annual classic rock bash at Verizon Theatre Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eddie Money, Blue Oyster Cult, Stone Cold Sweat and, of course, the two DJs themselves. Please don't be the guy that requests “Freebird” all. night. long. — DV
Joe Ely at Vagabond
Quintessential Lubbock-based, and founding member of The Flatlanders, Joe Ely raves along at the Vagabond on Lower Greenville, the bar which he co-owns. Dallas' own country-fueled rock 'n' roller, Ronnie Fauss opens. Reserved indoor and patio seats come at $50 a pop. — EH
Ethereal & the Queer Show, Cygnus, Moth Face, Jakkkechan at Crown and Harp
Mellow out and fall in love with the new age, ethereal and electro sounds of Moth Face, Ethereal and the Queer Show, Jackkkechan and Cygnus at Crown and Harp Friday night. This is what the future sounds like. — DV
Downtown Dallas Tunnel Tour at 1700 Pacific Avenue
For more than 30 years now, workers in Downtown Dallas have made use of the Dallas Pedestrian Network to get back and forth between their cars and the office. Known colloquially as “the tunnels,” the 36-block, three-mile network of underground tunnels and sky bridges doesn't necessarily live up to its full potential. Not everyone shares our opinion, though. Michael Sitarzewski thinks the “Over Under District” is one of the city's jewels, and is full of ideas how the network can help enrich Dallas' walkable reputation. On Friday, June 12 — and then monthly after that — Sitarzewski will lead a free-to-attend, three-hour walking tour of the tunnels, where he'll share some of his visions for the tunnels' future. — CG
Cody Jinks at House of Blues
It isn't often that an all-local evening happens at House of Blues, but on this particular evening a series of Fort Worth alt-country stars take over. Cody Jinks, The Damn Quails and the ever-so-popular Quaker City Night Hawks honky things on up at max for $45. — EH
Cory Morrow at Granada Theater
Thanks to the help of compatriots of guys like Pat Green, Cory Morrow's carved out a niche for himself as one of the Texas country scene's elder statesmen. Tonight he holds court down on Lower Greenville, where J. Charles & the Texas Gentlemen open. — CG
Jeremy Loops at The Prophet Bar
South African artist Jeremy Loops makes folk music with a modern twist. It sounds pretty old school, but he makes it all on the fly with the aid of a looping pedal. Hence the name. Matt Jennings opens. — DV
Spirit Animal at The Foundry (Free)
Which comes first at The Foundry, the chicken or the rock? While the venue hosts to yet another fitting rock band, Brooklyn's synth-heavy selfie-freaks, Spirit Animal and Fort Worth pop star Ronnie Heart. As always, it's free and all ages, though not generally the ideal setting for those that value watching cool bands to eating fried chicken. — EH
“Rough Around the Edges” at El Centro
For for the next month, an array of El Centro students are set to display their take on estranged pop and traditional art in a large physical form. Curated by Raymond Butler and featuring work from Frank Fazio, Jaime Flores, Pete Hernandez, Robert Israel and Briena Segundo the exhibition is prepared to take viewers to new heights. — EH
Marlon Wayans at Arlington Improv
In recent weeks, comedian and actor Marlon Wayans has acquired rights to go about and write a spoof of the trendy 50 Shades of Grey film entitled 50 Shades of Black. It's safe to expect in this three-night venture for the funnyman to poke at the film's future and what-have-you. — EH
Neil Hamburger at Texas Theatre
Alter ego of Gregg Turkington, Neil Hamburger, stars in a new film hitting the Oak Cliff Film Festival for a Friday night screening at Texas Theater. Better still? America's $1 Funnyman will appear in person after the film for a brand of live comedy awkwardness you'll have to see to believe. — DV
Warbeast at Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill (Free)
Haven't seen Warbeast in a minute? The Texas thrash outfit welcomed new members into its fold earlier this year, and it'll also debut some new material at this free show, too. Alls we're saying is it's a good time to get yourself reacquainted. Protest, Turbid North and Driven Below open. — EH
“White Void” at Tractorbeam Gallery
Erik Lee Thompson is showing off his “White Void” exhibit tonight at the Tractorbeam Gallery. It's basically what it sounds like; a lot of art that is minimal in structure and completely white. I suppose we could say that it says so much by, well, saying so little.– DV
The Lord of the Yum Yum at Black Lodge
Lord of The Yum Yum is a Chicago-based grade school teacher by day, though by night transforms into the performance art-inspired butterfly. Luckily for us, with projections by local zine mastermind, Randy Guthmiller, Yum Yum himself comes to the Black Lodge with Stefan Gonzales' Orgullo Primitivo. It's just $5 for the full experience. — EH
The West Windows, The Dead Twins, Descender, The Demigs at Three Links
Let's just say this is quite the sturdy all-local bill, featuring four acts that've been around long enough to know exactly what they're doing by now. — CG
Who Framed Roger Rabbit at Inwood Theatre?
Well, who did frame Roger Rabbit? Find out at one of this weekend's midnight madness screenings at the Inwood. — DV
Beth Hart at Kessler Theater (Sold Out)
With her powerful and throaty vocal chops — which have not only earned her Grammy nods, but descriptors like the best contemporary blues vocalist — Hart's stood toe to toe with anthemic guitar slingers like Jeff Beck and Slash. She'll come in like a wrecking ball, to be sure. — CG
Graceland Ninjaz at Lee Harvey's
Ever wanted to watch an Elvis impersonator cover Rage Against the Machine? The self-proclaimed world's greatest party band brings its world's greatest party to town — for free, even. — CG
Saturday
Reverend Horton Heat at House of Blues
After rocking Coachella back April, the always lively hometown heroes Reverend Horton Heat are back to standing on basses and ripping through dazzling guitar heroics in their old stomping grounds. — CG
The Sonics at Texas Theatre
Northwest garage-rock pioneers, The Sonics are alive and kicking once more. Back in March, the highly influential rockers released its first new LP in over 40 years, and tonight they'll play at the Texas Theatre as part of the Oak Cliff Film Festival. Local badasses Mind Spiders open. — EH
Uncle Lucius at Kessler Theater
It's hard enough for most bands to work through all their creative differences — at least enough to so to record a few albums. Austin-based Southern Rockers Uncle Lucius somehow manage the feat with five songwriters in the band. More power to 'em, we say. — CG
LEV (EP Release) at Dada
At this one, Dallas electronic pop trio LEV will release Fear No Evil , its debut EP. Joining them are locals Dovetail, Blue Healer and ethereal space queen, Lily Taylor. Pick up a copy of the album and dance along as synths pulse, drums pound and hearts flutter. — EH
Dallas Derby Devils at NYTEX Sports Centre
It's the Dallas Derby Devil's third bout of the season Saturday night. Watch the girls battle it out at NYTEX Sports Centre and, as usual, join them for the after party at Zuroma's. — DV
The New Division at Three Links
Leading modern new wave in 2015 with his own blend of synthesis and melody is The New Division, the solo effort of John Kunkel, which just oozes with nostalgia. Iris and Denton's electro-pop twins Nite open. — EH
Heather & Colette at It'll Do Club
Since the mid-'90s Mrs. DJ Collette has been, in some form or fashion, modifying the club scene to her liking. Whether it be promoting at 19-years-old, or the nearly years later, where we find her continuing mix and spin musics in real time. $15 gets you into this 21+ dance party. — EH
Geeks Who Drink: Game of Thrones Edition at Alamo Drafthouse
In attempt to drink away your hard-earned knowledge of trendy medieval television series, Game of Thrones comes the challenge of attending a themed Geeks Who Drink-event quiz. For two hours, in groups of six, put it all on the line for the sake of embarrassment and possible prizes in your honor. Sounds like a real game of Game of Thrones. — EH
Seratones at Double Wide
Shreveport's Seratones will heat up Double Wide Saturday night as the female-fronted outfit look to restore your faith in the power of rock 'n' roll. — DV
Jack's Throwback at Gexa Energy Pavilion
At this Jack-FM and KLUV-sponsored fest, tribute acts will take on the catalogs of The Beatles, Elton John, Motley Crue, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, Pat Benatar, The Pretenders, Pearl Jam, Metallica, Def Leppard, KISS, The Eagles, ZZ Top, U2, Journey, Aerosmith and The Smiths on three separate stages. Yup. — CG
Rich Robinson at Levitt Pavilion (Free)
The guitar playing half of the oft-feuding throwback rock outfit The Black Crowes performs his solo material. It's a free show, anyway, and you're encouraged to bring your own blankets and/or lawn chairs. — CG
Texas Comic Fest at Lakeland Plaza
There are, like, so many conventions in town. There are over 100 in Texas alone. Here's yet another one, which will be a celebration of pop culture at this year's Comic Fest in Lewisville at the Lakeland Plaza, with stars from FX's Sons of Anarchy and AMC's Walking Dead in attendance. — DV
The Red Paintings at The Foundry (Free)
From Geelong, Victoria, Australia is orchestral rock outfit The Red Paintings, which will, along with buzz-worthy forward-thinkers Fever The Ghost, challenge the warmth of The Foundry for a series of short hours. As always these shows are free and all-ages. — EH
Theory of Obscurity: A Film About The Residents at Kessler Theater
Not much is known about The Residents, other than the fact that some entity uses that name to put out lots of avant garde music and films. Here, the Oak Cliff Film Festival hosts a screening of Theory of Obscurity: A Film About The Residents which is, more or less, a conversation of the possible identities and details of the group. — DV
Rock 'n' Roll High School at Texas Theatre
As part of the Oak Cliff Film Festival, the Texas Theatre offers a chance to see seminal '70s punk outfit the Ramones take over a high school in efforts to fight the man in 1979's Rock 'n' Roll High School. The screening will take place early in the evening, before the real magic starts later with a live performance from '60s garage rockers, The Sonics. — EH
“Hyperfocus” at CentralTrak
Hyperfocus is the MFA exhibition from CentralTrak resident Jessie J Griffith. In it, Griffith explores intrigue and curiosity by means of simultaneously displaying and recreating an experience as it happens with visual-heavy stimulation. It is on display through June 27. — EH
Andy Pickett (Album Release) at The Chat Room Pub
Andy Pickett's debut album — which we premiered earlier this week — is surprisingly slick, especially considering that most people didn't realize the Chat's big hairy door guy even played the piano at all. It turns out he does. And he's good. — CG
Old School Hip-Hop w/ DJ Love at The Wild Detectives (Free)
Local independent book retailer/coffee shop The Wild Detectives brings its customers on over to explore the roots of the hip-hop that we know and love with the help of DJ Love. With it, they'll play real vinyl cuts from the classics to the obscure that define the genre in 2015. — EH
Le Train Bleu at Dallas Museum of Art
During its original run in 1924 the ballet Le Train Bleu featured a “libretto was by Jean Cocteau, music by Darius Milhaud, set designs were by Henri Laurens, curtain by Pablo Picasso, and costumes were designed by Coco Chanel.” The Dallas Neo Classical Ballet has chosen a fitting place to stage its pair of takes on the ballet this Saturday afternoon; the DMA's collection includes pieces by Picasso as well as several of Chanel's old belongings. — CG
HK Breakdown IV at Hong Kong Market Place
So you think you can dance? No? Well, can you at least watch people dance? Several bboy crews will go head-to-head at this big dance competition. It'll all go down at Hong Kong Market (2615 W Pioneer Pkwy) in Grand Prairie. — CG
Jamey Johnson at Billy Bob's
If you like a combination of old country and sad bastard music, that's exactly what Jamey Johnson does best. Just head down to the world's largest honky tonk, order up a whiskey neat and remember the one that got away. — DV
BIKES:BEER:DONUTS:COFFEE at The Collective Brewing Project
In Fort Worth, The Collective Brewing Project is hosting a BIKES:BEER:DONUTS:COFFEEevent on Saturday, that will take attendees on a bike ride through the city, followed by beermosas, coffee and donuts. The ride meets at 8 a.m. — or 9:30 for those who only want to drink — with $8 covering the cost of a pint glass and two beers/beermosas. — Porttia Portis
Moonlight Madness Half Marathon & 10k at Community Beer Co.
Unlike most fun runs, this one happens at night. It starts and ends at the brewery — so you know there'll be beer — and crosses the Trinity a couple times. — CG
Sunday
Geto Boys at House of Blues
Originating from Houston, southern rap pioneers The Geto Boys play the House of Blues Sunday night as part of their “Office Space” tour. Damn, it must really feel good to be a gangster. — DV
Dub Car Show 2015 at Dallas Convention Center
On paper this thing might be a car show, but the lineup of hip-hop notables scheduled to perform at this 97.1-FM The Beat sponsored event maybe even outshines the autobmobiles themselves.To that end, Future, August Alsina, Kevin Gates, Don Chief, Lil Ronny, Chedda the Connect, Jidenna, Z-Ro, Paul Wall and Slim Thug are among the acts performing at this thing. — CG
Allen Stone at Granada Theater
Allen Stone's only 28, but he's an old soul that's already built quite the solid career with his retro R&B catalog. Like Robin Thicke, Stone rips a lot of his sound straight from Marvin Gaye, though it's a bit more sincere when the “hippie with soul” does it. — Chase Whale
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
