Cory Graves
Go Down To The Wire with Haim.
According to a group of scientists and astronauts, a city-destroying, killer asteroid is headed our way. They admittedly don't know exactly when — it could happen any time between tonight and 1,000 years down the road — but it is coming, they say, rest assured.
And, hey, since the end is nigh, you might as well enjoy what little time you've got left. Thankfully, there are a ton of ways to spend your final moments on this planet. Like, say, 19 of them. And that's just tonight.
Crazy, we know.
Haim at House of Blues
Much was made of Los Angeles sister trio Haim's long-anticipated debut LP, Days Are Gone, before its release this past September. It all proved justifiable too: The album's an impressive and strong first foray into the music landscape from the family band; the disc smartly and adeptly blends classic rock influences (most notably through a serious debt owed to Fleetwood Mac) with modern-day pop sensibilities and perhaps just a touch of R&B. As such, the album's been earning rightful recognition left and right: It debuted at No. 6 on the sales charts here in the States, but did even better overseas, debuting at No. 1 on the U.K. charts and No. 2 on the Australian charts. Over the course of this process, the band's earned itself all sorts of fans, too; even pop goddess Katy Perry counts herself among that ever-growing bunch. And just as we predicted after the band's last swing through to town, they're indeed playing a much larger venue for this return trip. — Pete Freedman
Future Islands at Three Links (Sold Out)
Future Islands are not a new buzz band by any means. They've been around the block for a bit now. But with the release of their fourth album, Singles, and a noteworthy performance on Late Show With David Letterman, the band is buzzing more now than it ever has before. Good as the music is, the attention here is really all about frontman Samuel Herring and his rather epic gyrations, facial expressions and every-so-often growls. It's a sight to see, to be sure, and probably a big reason this one sold out so quickly. — Mikel Galicia
The Filthy Six at The Prophet Bar (Small Room)
Nick Etwell's two main gigs are nothing alike. Like, at all. While the trumpeter has toured the globe extensively with the Grammy-winning, multi-platinum folk rock outfit Mumford & Sons, his first love has always — always — been big band music. For the past decade, Etwell's fronted the Blue Note Records-style jazz outfit The Filthy Six. But, unlike Mumford, that band has never performed west of Ireland. That'll change this week as the band kicks off its nine-date swing through the U.S. tonight at The Prophet Bar. To find out more about this show, check out our interview with bandleader Nick Etwell here. — CG
Jub Jam at Kessler Theater
While mostly known for their funny impersonations and patented “hot sports opinions,” the hosts of 1310 KTCK-AM The Ticket's “Dunham and Miller” morning show will be showing off their musical talents tonight. George “Jub Jub” Dunham mostly handles the reins here, leading the way on a concert and silent auction to benefit The Senior Source. His own country outfit The Bird Dogs will be perform, too, alongside Bobby Duncan, Steve Helms, Michael Padgett, the Damn Quails and Ticket host Gordon Keith's band. — Jessica Petrocchi
S.E. Hinton (Sold Out) at Horchow Auditorium
Whether you were one of the privileged “Soc's” or the blue-collar “greasers” from the other side of the tracks, Hinton's 1967 novel The Outsiders probably hit pretty close to home for you the first time you read it in school. Maybe that's because Hinton wrote the thing when she was 16-years-old herself, and smack dab in the middle of her socially-awkward teen years. What's not up for debate is the fact that it remains one of the most popular young adult novels out there even today. That helps explain why Hinton's talk at Dallas Museum of Art's Horchow Auditorium is not only sold out, but that it will be simulcast in nearby C3 Theater is as well. — CG
Double Wide Karaoke's Thursday Night SmackDown at Double Wide
For the first time in three years, you won't find Josh Hammertimez or any of his Good Luck Karaoke cohorts hosting one of their weekly, Thursday night, themed karaoke parties at Double Wide tonight. The venue will, however, debut its new, '80s wrestling-themed competition karaoke concept, in which the best singer of the night will win a championship belt and a $50 bar tab. — CG
Good Luck Karaoke at Twilite Lounge
Speaking of Good Luck: Though they were abruptly canned from their long-running gig at Double Wide earlier this week, it took the fun-loving goofballs behind Good Luck Karaoke all of 24 hours to find a new home for their themed karaoke parties. Just goes to show how loyal the following these guys have built over the last three years really is. But, just because tonight marks the crew's first edition at its new Twilite Lounge home, don't expect them to ease up any on their “No Alanis Morissette” rule. — CG
AT&T Patio Sessions at Sammons Park
This week's edition of the free, family-friendly, outdoor music series will feature performances from The Cush and Diamond Age. As always, the music starts at 5:30 and it's BYOB. — CG
Dustin Diamond at Hyena's (Dallas)
Though in recent years he's proven to be the biggest scumbag of the Saved By The Bell cast, part of us believes it's all partly a calculated effort to distance himself his dorky Screech persona. He may even be a decent standup comedian. We don't know. We couldn't be bothered to stop watching videos of the Bayside High glee club singing “Friends Forever” long enough to check into it. — CG
James Murphy (DJ Set) at It'll Do
Despite that familiar it's-better-to-burn-out-than-to-fade-away adage, few humans have actually had the resolve to walk away from a field they've dominated whilst still at the top of their game. Michael Jordan and Jay-Z are two examples that quickly come to mind — until you remember that neither of these legends' initial retirements lasted very long at all. Thus far, though, LCD Soundsystem's sold-out, April 2, 2011, retirement gig at New York's Madison Square Garden very much remains that iconic, revered band's final show. And while LCD mastermind James Murphy has kept himself busy the past two years — doing things like breaking Ad-Rock's refrigerator and producing a decidedly-LCD-sounding album for indie darlings Arcade Fire — the mastermind behind the project has yet to go back on his word and announce that he's got any plans to get his band back together to headline a big-name festival. But that doesn't mean he's going quietly into that good night. Tonight, for instance, he'll be doing a DJ set at It'll Do, just like he did back in December. — CG
French Horn Rebellion at The Foundry
These classically trained french horn- and bassoon-playing brothers previously played with the Chicago Civic Orchestra — before telling the conductor that they were going to peace out and start making hot beats instead. Chicago disco-rockers Hey Champ co-headline this one. — CG
BYOB Art History at Kettle Art
Rockwall High School art teacher Justin Clumpner will be dropping his knowledge of art history as part of the Deep Ellum gallery's newest series. And, for tonight's second installment, he'll dive deep into the art and culture of ancient Egypt. As always, bringing your own beers — and chairs — is recommended. — CG
J. Cole, Best Coast and Bas at UNT Coliseum
Last summer, when Kanye West announced the release date to his Yeezus album, J. Cole moved the release of his Born Sinner LP up a week in order to directly compete with Ye. “This is art, and I can't compete against the Kanye West celebrity and the status that he's earned just from being a genius,” Cole later told MTV. “But I can put my name in the hat and tell you that I think my album is great and [let] you decide.” And though the cult of Yeezy might have overshadowed Cole's release almost completely, it's a release that didn't deserve to be slept on then. Kinda like his performance tonight, which comes as part of UNT's Spring Concert — especially considering the fact that North Texas students will get into this one for free. Even better: Best Coast and Bas open. — CG
Barefoot at the Belmont (Sold Out)
This summer's Barefoot at the Belmont series kicks off with an already-sold-out offering of Jamestown Revival and Ronnie Fauss. That's pretty much par for the course with these things, though; they always sell out. That said, you should probably check the link above for the dates that tickets to upcoming performances in the series go on sale. And then you best grab those suckers quick. — CG
semigloss.magazine Issue No. 5 Release Party at Texas Theatre
For the release of its fifth issue, Dallas indie art magazine semigloss.magazine has teamed with the local artist-run non-profit Dallas Biennial. You can pick up a copy tonight at Texas Theatre, where DJ Jessica Roberts will providing the tuneage. — CG
Dance Gavin Dance at The Prophet Bar (Big Room)
Throughout its history, the prog-y, post-hardcore outfit Dance Gavin Dance has gone through a revolving door of members, and especially at its dual vocalist positions. To that end, October's Acceptance Speech LP, the band's fifth, marked the debut of yet another vocalist. But fans have come to accept this kind of thing from the band over the years. And, for all intents and purposes, this most recent album doesn't stray too far from the path set forth by previous efforts. — CG
Big Bang Basement w/ Zach Witness at The Travis Basement
DJ Sober might be throwing a party at New York's Webster Hall tonight, but his regular residency at the Travis goes on nevertheless. The more than capable Zach Witness holds things down tonight in his stead. And the beat goes on. — CG
Salt & Mykita Spring Eyewear Trunk Show at Insight, Complete Eyecare
Who doesn't love eye care, right? Listen, the point is that summer is practically knocking on our doors, and it's the perfect time to score some new shades. Also, you can get 20 percent off your purchase and half-off routine eye exams at this one. — Porschia Paxton
USA Film Festival (Free) at Angelika Film Center
Part of tonight's USA Film Festival programming will include a batch of competition shorts hosted by Groundhog Day actor Stephen Tobolowsky, one of which — Across Grace Alley — was directed by Karate Kid star Ralph Macchio. The director and Dancing With the Stars' Karina Smirnoff, who stars in the film, have each promised to respond directly to anyone who sends them feedback on the film via Facebook or Twitter following tonight's screening. — CG
To find out what else is going on today, this week and beyond, check out our events page.
