Central Track Staff
Do You Realize It's North Texas Beer Week?
As the nine-day North Texas Beer Week kicks off this Friday, it's important to note a few things. First, there's an endless list of local craft brew events, special tappings and the like going on all over town. There will be special beers literally everywhere you turn.
As such, it's good to know which of your pals is best suited to attend these types of brew balls with you. Fortunately, there's a way to tell before heading in. According to multiple studies, folks with lighter colored eyes can handle their booze better than their dark-eyed counterparts. That explains so much.
For the rest of you brown-eyed betties, there's plenty of other events that don't involve boozing up — like, tons of them, actually. — Cory Graves
Friday
Janes Addiction at Gas Monkey Live
Jane's Addiction's sophomore album, 1991's Ritual de lo Habitual has been called “the fifth best album of the '90s” by UK rag, Select, and one of the best albums of all-time by American mags. And to think, the band broke up just as the album was starting to receive some radio play. Now, as its members are taking a break from judging reality shows, it's finally getting a chance to properly play that sucker front to back for live audiences. — CG
Windhand at Dada
Like Dallas' own True Widow, its Richmond, Virginian Relapse Records labelmates, Windhand, too, drift somewhere in that dark region between stoner rock and doom gaze. Trudging along only begins to describe what the band does. Fellow stoners Danava, Monolord and Mothership open. — CG
Heartless Bastards at Shipping & Receiving
Getting its start on the same label as fellow Ohioans The Black Keys (Fat Possum), this raw outfit has since moved beyond that sound. The recently released Restless Ones LP was recorded in El Paso with Dallas' John Congleton at the helm, and finds the band taking more chances sonically than ever before. Gollay and Blue Healer open. — CG
Zac Brown Band at Gexa Energy Pavilion
Atlanta isn't strictly the breeding ground for ratchet rap. They've got some country music, too. Grammy Award-winning country music, even. About things that are chicken-fried! — H. Drew Blackburn
The Wicker Man at Inwood Theatre
The quote-unquote Citizen Kane of horror movies, The Wicker Man screens Friday and Saturday at midnight. Not the “Not the bees!” Wicker Man with Nicolas Cage, but the amazing, 1977 original starring Christopher Lee. — CG
Steven Michael Quezada at Hyena's (Fort Worth)
As somewhat serious as AMC's wildly popular Breaking Bad proved to be in its five-season run, it's kind of wild to think about how many comedians played substantial roles in the series. Think about it: Bryan Cranston was primarily known for his role as Hal on Malcolm in the Middle; Bob Odenkirk, who played Saul, starred in Mr. Show; stand-up comedians Bill Burr and Lavell Crawford played Saul's con-man Kuby and bodyguard Huell, respectively; and DEA Agent Steven “Gomie” Gomez was played by Steven Michael Quezada, who'll be showing off his funnier side with stand-up sets all weekend long. — CG
Brew-Haha Comedy Series at Franconia Brewing
Laugh until Franconia Octoberfest comes out of your nose at this North Texas Beer Week edition of the brewery-set comedy series. Maybe take a tour of the green brewery, too, while you're there. — CG
together PANGEA at The Foundry (Free)
Hailing from the WAVVES school of acoustic-flavored '90s era alt-rock pastiche, LA trio together PANGEA is bringing its hard-partying ways to the West side for a little free get-together. It's about the most unfettered Tuesday you could possibly ask for. Oh, and chicken. — CG
Jack Beats at Red Light Lounge
Is there such a thing as a DJ supergroup? UK electronic duo Jack Beats is half-and-half a dude from the Scratch Perverts and another from The Mixologists. Their powers combined, they'll be kicking out some jams tonight in Dallas. — CG
Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear at Kessler Theater
When Kansas City mother-son folk duo Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear released its Skeleton Crew full-length this spring, it caught a big break, riding a wave of buzz to a Letterman performance and the opening slot on a Sufjan Stevens tour. Maybe you can't place it, but you've definitely heard the pair's “Silent Movies” single. Somewhere. — CG
Cody Canada & The Departed at Granada Theater
For better or worse, alt-country figurehead Cody Canada pretty much single-handedly helped kick off the red dirt country scene. Now, backed by the harder-rocking Departed, he's pretty much picked right back up where his previous outfit, Cross Canadian Ragweed, left off. Jonny Burke and Von Stomper open. — CG
SOJA at House of Blues
Arlington, Virginia's SOJA is widely considered one of America's best reggae bands. Something of a backhanded compliment? Sure, but an accomplishment nevertheless. The band's currently signed to Dave Matthews' ATO Records, which has put out its last few records. — CG
Baring Teeth, Ten Foot Beast, The Knobs at Crown and Harp
In making its case that Dallas is one of the most metal cities in America, VH1 cites Baring Teeth as one of our biggest local metal heroes. Now you know. Check them out when they blow the top story clean off of Crown and Harp along with fellow locals Ten Foot Beast and The Knobs. — CG
FW Rock Assembly IV at Lola's
For the second year in a row a whole swath of local talent will gather out in The Fort for a three-day celebration of their jukebox heroes. Over the course of the weekend 20-plus North Texas bands will pay tribute to a who's who of classic rock bands. For instance, night one of the thing includes Vodeo paying tribute to Prince, Dead Mockingbirds as David Bowie, Moon Waves as Led Zeppelin, Trai Bo as Paul McCartney, Mammoth King as The Police and Troody as Ray Charles. — CG
Grifters at Three Links
Noisy, intentionally sloppy mid-'90s rockers The Grifters has been likened to the Stones to Guided by Voices' Beatles. That's not entirely accurate, though, as unlike Mick Jagger's massively popular outfit, The Grifters is one of the most underrated bands of its day. American Werewolf Academy and Cliffs of Insanity open. — CG
Saturday
Untapped: Dallas at Fair Park
The fourth annual Untapped: Dallas moves to its new location at Fair Park, where acts like the Flaming Lips and Dr. Dog will perform and over 100 craft brewers will bring over 400 beers to sample. And because these things happen at least twice a year, and don't look like they're going away anytime soon, it's important to note how to go to one of these things without getting completely wasted, an invaluable skill, no doubt. — CG
Lewis Black at Majestic Theatre
Piss and vinegar is just kind of Black's thing. To wit: This is a guy that can get fired up and scream rant about just about any subject. Hell, in an anger-filled diatribe about how superior New York is to our beloved Texas, he even had the hubris to brag about how his home state's urine smell is part of what makes it great. For what it's worth, even we found that a bit funny. — CG
Peaches, Christeene at Trees
Shows from Austin “drag terrorist” Christeene are, generally speaking, not for the faint of heart. Performing while backed by her DJ, JJ Booya, Christeene, the brainchild of one Paul Soileau, puts on decidedly NSFW performances. To wit, the Christeene has described her performance style to interviewers as “a sexually infused sewer of live electro, dub Step, R&B and unclassifiable stylings of vile shamelessness.” And the live show certainly lives up to that hype. Watching it was like watching someone who's completely fallen apart, but has found their happy place at the bottom. We should also point out that, before headlining this one, Peaches will make a pit stop over at Oak Cliff literary hub The Wild Detectives to sign copies of her book The Teaches of Peaches. — Jeremy Hughes
Pure Bathing Culture at Three Links
The sound of Portland-based duo Pure Bathing Culture is undoubtedly a backward-facing one, but the pedigree of its catalog — which comes off like every great slow '80s pop ballad you ever secretly or not-so-secretly adored — is undeniable. There's not much energy or antics at play in a PBC show, but there's no need; the music does all the heavy lifting, every single bit of it, and no one's complaining because, hey, who doesn't love “Time After Time” or songs that sound just like it? No one who attended this show, it seems. — Pete Freedman
Cheap Trick at The Bomb Factory
Surrender yourself to Cheap Trick's throwback stylings tonight in Grand Prairie. Sure, the bulk of their hits came out the late '70s. But they did put out an album back in 2009 as well. Fun fact: To prove they're totally still relevant, they wrote and performed the theme song to The Colbert Report, showed up in the Foo Fighters' Sonic Highways doc and Bun E. Carlos even sat in on drums during a recent Old 97's set. Go figure. — Jessica Petrocchi
Hudson Mohawke, The Dream at South Side Music Hall
The Glaswegian Yeezus producer steps out on his own to show off further ways he's combined/pushed the boundaries of hip-hop and electronic music. Special guest The Dream opens. — CG
Nots at Rubber Gloves
Nots is a breed of Memphis punk fire like no other. Sounding equal parts very familiar and empathetic, raw and capable of putting one in a groove, the band's We Are Nots full-length still doesn't hold a candle to its live performances. It's reason enough to stay in town and skip Fun Fun Fun Fest in our books. — Evan Henry
James McMurtry at Granada Theater
Singer-songwriter James McMurtry, son of legendary novelist Larry McMurtry, has been called a Tex-ified Bob Dylan. Some even loftier praise comes from The Hold Steady's Craig Finn, who took it upon himself to review McMurtry's latest LP Complicated Game. Writes Finn: “The music is always elegant here; it's never overly maudlin, never veers into Americana clichés. McMurtry is consistently honest and the songs' characters are dignified and nuanced. He never writes down to these people or judges their situations. That's why Complicated Game is another fantastic collection of songs by one of America's best songwriters.” Well put. Rolling Stone called it the best country record of the year you probably didn't hear, so there's that, too. — CG
Operation Bravo Homebrew Competition at Shannon Brewing
Current and former members of the military or public service professions like police, fire and EMT, are invited to come judge this BJCP sanctioned homebrew competition held at Keller's Irish-themed brewery. The rest of you can come, too, but unlike these heroes you'll have to pay to get in. — CG
NPC Jay Cutler — Cut Above The Rest Championships at Irving Convention Center
It's a body building convention. For body builders. Bring your own baby oil. — CG
Kenny Dope at It'll Do Club
Here's something we've always been fascinated by. When K-Dope (under the name The Bucketheads) sampled Chicago's “Street Player” for the '90s dance hit “The Bomb! (These Sounds Fall into My Mind),” all he did was speed it up and change the title of his song, and then, all of a sudden, that's what our ears think the lyrics actually are. In reality Peter Cetera's singing “Street sounds swirling through my mind.” It's true. Listen closely if he puts that old number on during this weekend's DJ set at It'll Do. — CG
Ronnie Millsap at Arlington Music Hall
Ronnie Milsap is perhaps most known for his rebellious 1983 “Stranger In My House,” which pushed the bar for the genre. Furthermore, his “Smoky Mountain Rain” is one of the greatest country songs of all time. Relive the glory days past and present, and help Ronnie celebrate his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame earlier this year. — CG
Mike & The Moonpies at Dan's Silverleaf
Austin's Mike & The Moonpies like to refer to their sound as “outlaw country,” but it's far less dangerous than it sounds. Of course, in the modern climate when bro “country” is so mainstream, all it takes is a few traditional country instruments and a friendly, Pat Green-like sound to be considered outside the norm. It's a sad state of affairs, indeed. — CG
Lagwagon at Dada
California punks Lagwagon have put out double-digit LPs via Fat Wreck since forming in 1990. The band's also named after an old tour van, which we think is pretty cool. Of course we're kinda biased. Pears and Runaway Kids open. — CG
Yonatan Gat at Texas Theatre
Since splitting from Monotonix, a band he co-founded, master guitarist Yonatan Gat has continued making an interesting brand of punk rock influenced by the Middle East, Africa, Brazil and New York. Take note: the guitarist's new outfit immediately took over his old band's mantle as the most exciting live band in rock 'n' roll. PVC Street Gang and Teen Slut open this behind-the-screen show. — CG
Aaron Lewis at Billy Bob's
If it's been awhile since you've heard from the Staind frontman, it's probably because in recent years he's gone back to his “roots.” Now he's a little bit country and a little bit less butt rock (and roll). It explains, anyway, why he can get away playing the world's largest honky-tonk these days. — CG
Festival at the Switchyard in Downtown Carrollton
Rain or shine 3 Doors Down, Fastball, Vallejo, tap dancers, a juggler, a jump roping team and a hula-hoop artist will perform at this family-friendly festival. — CG
Escape the Fate at Gas Monkey Bar N' Grill
The wounds for Escape the Fate are still fresh after its now former-bassist Max Green left the band earlier this year. Now drummer Robert Ortiz is the last of the band's remaining original members. Let's hope they can use all of the angst and tension created from the recent band fracture to their advantage, channeling all of the darkness and emo vibes that made the band who they are in the first place. — Porttia Portis
Gin Blossoms at The Colony Five Star Complex
Are the Gin Blossoms Arizona's version of the Toadies? Think about it: They had one massive radio hit in the early '90s, “Hey Jealousy,” followed by three just-as-good-but-not-quite-as-popular singles in the next couple of years. They broke up in 1997 and re-formed in 2002 with most of the core members returning and released three albums most folks outside of the region have never really given much of a chance to. I mean, when you put it that way… — CG
Kip Winger at Poor David's Pub
For the generation of thirtysomethings just slightly too young to remember Winger's first couple of not all that horrible hair metal albums, the band will probably forever be the poster children of dork rock thanks to being emblazoned on the t-shirt of Beavis and Butthead's nerdy neighbor Stewart. Not sure if that's some sort of justice or a complete shame. It is what it is. In either case, the band's namesake rolls solo over in the South Side tonight. — CG
Skinny Puppy at Gas Monkey Live
Not to be confused with Snarky Puppy, the Grammy-winning, Denton-based jazz outfit, Skinny Puppy is the '80s electronic act from Canada who helped pioneer the pre-EDM electro-industrial genre. — CG
Chili on the Green at Magnolia Green Park
Come out and judge forty teams of Fort Worthians as they compete in a chili cook-off of grand proportions. A ten spot will get you admission and the right to taste and judge all of the chilis. — CG
Ttotals, Tame Tame & Quiet, Ill Smiths, Bulls at The Boiled Owl
Psychedlic Nashville blues bros, Ttotals swing by Fairmount for a free show with uber hip locals Tame Tame & Quiet, Ill Smiths and Bulls. But you should be a dear and bring the touring band the recommended $5 donation. — CG
Francine Thirteen, Mercury Rocket, Lily Taylor at City Tavern
About a year ago, theater student Francine Thirteen moved back to her hometown of Dallas, following a few-year-stint spent living in Austin. It was around this same time that she began work on her current project, an eight-song, concept EP told from the perspective of four new characters she's meticulously crafted. Each named Mary, these four women each see the world from vastly different viewpoints — the whore, the mother, the sister and the queen/wife — over the set of minimalist electronic beats that demand one's full attention. Allegorizing the manner in which women shape and interact with society is the type of deeper territory that's only made all the more compelling by Francine Thirteen's delivery. This is music that, in many regards, is just way too interesting to dance to. — CG
FW Rock Assembly IV at Lola's
Night Two of the cover band fest includes The Foo as Foo Fighters, Un Chien as Smashing Pumpkins, Mills & Co. as Oasis, The Raven Charter as Incubus, Banned as Faith No More, Henry the Archer as Weezer and Chingalotus as Cake. — CG
2015 Dallas/Fort Worth Suffercat Dallas to Fort Worth Bike Race
This 40-mile alley cat-style bike race takes off from the Lakewood Whole Foods and ends at the Woodshed Smokehouse in Fort Worth. There's a couple mandatory checkpoints you've got to hit along the way but, other than that, the route you take is up to you. It's a way to show off your planning and navigation skills, especially given that there's still tons of road between Dallas and Fort Worth with no bike paths. — CG
Ye Ol' $50 Show at Bobby on Drums
We could nary think of a more appropriate name for this event because, well, it's an art show where all the pieces will go for $50. Simple as that. — CG
The Pancakes & Booze Art Show at The Prophet Bar (Free)
Come for the $5 pancake buffet, stay for the art show which features works from 50 emerging and underground artists from the region. Check out some scenes from a previous edition of this event here. — CG
Cranking Gears & Drinking Beers at Tupps Brewery
Bike races + live music + craft beer straight from the source. Alright, alright, alright. — CG
We Heart Art: Creating New Worlds Art Celebration & Auction at J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
The Stan Lee Foundation, the Dallas Public Library and For Love & Art are joining forces for this celebration of comic culture. Expect panels, cosplay and a charity art auction. Pow, pow! — CG
The Alvin Brothers at The Kessler
Yes, for a time, Dave Alvin was in the seminal West Coast punk band X. But that's not why you should care about this show. You should care about this show because he and his brother Phil, who joins him here, were the driving forces between another California band that doesn't get the credit it deserves: The Blasters. That band was at the forefront of the genesis of cowpunk — and, make no mistake, without cowpunk, there's no alt-country and, in turn, no Old 97's. Here, expect a slightly less rowdy showing. But pay proper homage all the same. — PF
Sunday
AAA Texas 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Texas Motor Speedway
This is not only four-time Sprint Cup-winner Jeff Gordon's last race at TMS, it's one of last races ever. He's only scheduled to run in a couple events after this one. In honor of the occasion, TMS will be serving up a special dish at its concession stands this weekend, a gargantuan ice cream sundae that features two scoops of Rocky Road (Gordon's favorite) as well as “a Krispy Kreme maple bacon doughnut, two scoops of rocky road ice cream, hot fudge sauce infused with bacon, bacon whipped cream, honey roasted peanuts, chocolate chips, marshmallows and candied bacon.” In case you didn't catch that, it's “two scoops of ice cream and four kinds of bacon” in honor of Gordon's No. 24 car. — CG
Girlpool at Rubber Gloves
Girlpool writes simple songs about friendship, relying on exquisite harmonies to draw you even closer. It gets you right in the heart. So, um, thanks to Transmission for bringing em to town for the first time ever. Dripping Wet and The Single Issues open. — EH
Gogol Bordello, Antemasque at The Bomb Factory
Following the dissolution of post hardcore outfit At the Drive-In in 2001, the band's frontman, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and guitarist, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, went on to form the notably proggier offshoot The Mars Volta. After putting out six well-received albums, though, the band went through a rather nasty public split when Rodriguez-Lopez opted to forgo a tour in support of the band's Noctourniquet album in lieu of starting his Bosnian Rainbows side project with Le Butcherettes vocalist Teri Gender Bender and Bixler-Zavala responded with an official statement that read: “Am I supposed to do be some progressive house wife that's cool with watching their partner go fuck other bands?” Fortunately the split didn't last long, with the duo forming ANTEMASQUE a few months later. After playing its fourth-ever show at Trees last year, the band's back with Blink 182's Travis Barker serving as its drummer. Headlining will be notoriously exciting to watch gypsy punk outfit Gogol Bordello. — CG
Psychedelic Furs at House of Blues
We remember first falling in love with the P-Furs after that time we heard “Love My Way” playing off in the distance of our dentist's waiting room so many years ago. Tonight, however, we'll rock out with the English post-punk group in-person. Let's relive our Molly Ringwald days together as one tonight. Max & the Moon opens. — Zoe Mattioli
La Dispute at The Prophet Bar
Michigan post-hardcore outfit, and one of Paste's top 25 live acts of 2014 headlines this 2015 show. Envy and Wildhoney open. — CG
Liz Longley at Kessler Theater
Our generation's Paula Cole, 27-year-old Pennsylvania native Liz Longley, headlines a venue that her hero Cole headlined herself only 17 months ago. Max Gomez also performs. — CG
FW Rock Assembly IV at Lola's
Closing out the Funky Town cover fest is Big Mike's Rolling Stones set, Goodwin doing KISS, Lindsay Hightower as Alanis Morissette, The Phantom Sensation as The Eagles, Coyote Cyanide as The Kinks, RTB2 as Frank Zappa and Lindby as Creedence Clearwater Revival. — CG
Cover photo by Taylor Cleveland. To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
