Central Track Staff
Ride The Bull With Erykah Badu.
Sometimes, the staff here at Central Track weeps for the youth of America. Today is one such occasion.
Through no fault of their own, future generations will be deprived of the delightful combination of cinnamon twists, tortilla chips and nacho cheese, plus a toy and their choice of two tacos or a bean burrito, all for one low price.
You see, Taco Bell has just announced plans to discontinue kids meals.
You might be thinking “Who cares?” right about now. But, you should, for one. See, if the Bell can just do away with kids meals without a second thought, then who knows what might get the ax next?
What would you do if you woke up one day never to be able to order a Crunchwrap Supreme, MexiMelt or — God forbid — a Cheesy Gordita Crunch ever again?
It's something we'd rather not think about.
With that in mind, we should all go out this weekend and enjoy that band, that art show, that comedian, or whatever else we'd rather not be yanked away at any moment.
Y'know, live in the now.
Friday
Red Bull Sound Select Presents: Erykah Badu and The Cannabanoids at Prophet Bar
So you did it. You got out there, you promoted the hell out of the local music scene and you earned yourself a free ducat to this show. All that's left to do is enjoy the work of two of Dallas's most dynamic up-and-comers, Dustin Cavazos and Larry g(EE), and bask in the glow of the longtime queen of the Dallas music scene, Erykah Badu, and her frequent collaborators in the Cannabinoids. Congrats, y'all. You've earned it. — Stephen Young
Sublime with Rome at South Side Ballroom
Sure, Sublime with Rome isn't the same as what Sublime, well, without Rome. But sometimes a rose by any other name is just as sweet, y'know? If you think about it, South Side Ballroom hasn't always been called the South Side Ballroom either — and that place is still pretty sweet. Sublime certainly accrued its share of haters since reforming with Rome Ramirez in 2009, but the ska-punk group is carrying on just the same. Pennywise opens. — Jessica Petrocchi
Pageantry, Major Major Major, Sacco and Vanzetti, The Dome Dwellers at Rubber Gloves
Local “pop-gazers” Pageantry headline this show at Rubber Gloves featuring Austin garage-rock duo Major Major Major and fellow Denton acts Sacco & Vanzetti and The Dome Dwellers. There will be noise. You will have a good time. Go check it out. — SY
Paper Diamond and Supervision at Lizard Lounge
It seems Colorado DJ Paper Diamond is just about everywhere these days. Aside from his current tour, Paper Diamond's fall schedule is stacked with appearances at ACL, Hard Summer, the Zeds Dead Tour and even TomorrowWorld. Tonight, he makes a stop in the Dirty D to light up the night along with a few Dallas locals such as Supervision and wiZard. With this crew, anything is possible. — Zoe Mattioli
Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me at Texas Theatre
This Big Star documentary looks into cult rock band's initial commercial failure, and the massive critical acclaim that came not long after the band's breakup. Their story is an interesting one, to be sure, and a must-see — even for those whose only exposure to the band was through their song “In the Street” being used as the title theme to That '70s Show. Can't fit the showing into tonight's plans? No worries, the doc is playing this Sunday, too. — JP
Reckless Kelly at Granada Theater
Since their 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 their recorded output sound as live as possible. So what you hear on their albums is pretty much what you're going to get tonight. Same goes for local openers J. Charles & The Trainrobbers and Dead Flowers, now that we think about it. — JP
Punk Rock Karaoke at Three Links
Think you do a pretty decent Johnny Rotten, Henry Rollins or, hell, Chrissie Hynde? You do? Well, this one's for you at Three Links. All you have to do is show up, wait for your live backing band to start up, and scream your head off. It's really that easy. Oh, and be sure to get there early, as the band will only do each of the available songs on their list once. — SY
Summer Slaughter Tour at House of Blues
“The most extreme tour of the summer” brings New Jersey mathcore pioneers The Dillinger Escape Plan, whose constantly-revolving lineup just released a new album called One of Us Is the Killer. Prog-metal acts Animals as Leaders and Periphery are among the biggest names on the undercard. The all-day fun starts at 3:30, so you may want ditch work a little early for this one. — SY
Problem Dogg, Love Cop, Midnite Society at Macaroni Island
Roommate collective/band/thing Problem Dogg is, without a doubt, the most prolific act in North Texas. Dogg has, at last check, released 21 LPs this year, including the epic 49-track Trippin' Murder Dogg, which retails for $420.69. Get in on the joke with the locals and the gauzy atmospherics of Burger Records band Love Cop alike at this popular Denton house venue tonight. — SY
California Wives at Dada
We're not entirely sure what sort of look and sound is evoked by the name California Wives but, whatever it is, it certainly isn't close to what the band actually looks and sounds like. First, the band — made up of four dudes, incidentally — hails from Chicago, not the Golden State. Second, their music sounds more like London or Manchester than L.A.; it's guitar-backed synth-pop that sounds a lot like '80s New Wave. Go see if you can decipher the name for yourself at Dada. — SY
50 Shades of Beauty Show at Palladium
Dallas fashionistas unite! Presented by Creme de la Creme, this runway party will feature the hottest swimsuit and apparel designers in the DFW area. — JP
No Thanks Fest at Taqueria Pedritos
The first of seven planned No Thanks Fests for the second half of 2013 goes down tonight at Taqueria Pedritos. The DIY volunteer music festival started in 2011 as a weekend-long camping and music festival in Emory, Texas, but tonight's offering featuring Mountain of Smoke, Kollahonka and Godless Jihad promises to be a much shorter and sweeter affair. — JP
Saturday
Brad Paisley at Gexa Energy Pavilion
Like it or not, pop country has continued to grow in popularity since the late '80s — and especially since Paisley almost singlehandedly eradicated racism earlier this year. So get out those designer boots and overly pristine ten-gallon hats for tonight's “Beat This Summer” tour. Chris Young and relative newcomer Lee Bricere open. — JP
Brutal Juice, Bobgoblin, Here Holy Spain and Descender at Three Links
This one's got a little something old and a little something new. There was a time a couple decades back when Denton's Brutal Juice and Bobgoblin were the biggest heavy acts North Texas had to offer. Tonight they share a bill with the Descender and Here Holy Spain, who are releasing a vinyl split tonight. — Cory Graves
The Nervebreakers at Dada
Here's the thing about this show, guys: Not only are proto-punk legends The Nervebreakers a pretty huge deal around these parts, but you never know when/if you'll get the chance to see them again. Tonight's show is a one-off reunion thing, and — whereas it might be safe to assume they'll probably do it again in a few years — it's certainly not a guarantee. — CG
American Idol LIVE! Tour at Verizon Theatre
Catch up with America's Sweethearts tonight out in Grand Prairie. The American Idol LIVE! Tour returns this summer to showcase the vocal stylings from Season 12's top 11 finalists. Don't expect idol judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj to make appearances at this one, though. Too bad. A live “Fantasy/Superbass” remix is the only thing we can think of that might have saved this one. — Nicole Arnold
Cornucopia! at Nerv Gallery
The list of artists participating in this group exhibition pretty much speaks for itself. On hand for this one will be the works of Jeremy Biggers, Mattice Lowery, Desmond Blair, The CoWorkers (read: Joonbug McIntosh and Arturo Torres), Hatziel Flores, Monzmoe Rose (read: Natasha Cortez and X'Zavier Edwards), Valerie Des'Rae, Brenton Black and Miguel Donjuan of the Sour Grapes crew. — CG
Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven at Granada Theater
David Lowery, in effect, opens for himself at this show featuring the frontman's two most well-known projects. Camper Van Beethoven may have a longer history and the most recent album — January's La Costa Perdida — but Cracker has “Low,” which is just such a fucking fantastic song. Either way, you can't lose at this one. — SY
Kinky Friedman at Queen City Music Hall
The man behind a doomed campaign for governor that never felt as goofy as people made it out to be brings his singular stage presence and outrageous lyrics to Fort Worth's latest attempt to create a “Granada West,” the Queen City Music Hall. Go give the guy who should be Texas' poet laureate his due. — SY
Rock the Foundation with Mike Modano at Trees
All proceeds from Mike Modano's inaugural “Rock the Foundation” show will go to the legendary Stars player's foundation and DFW Rescue Me. The show features Bulletboys, Burn Halos, Emphatic and Brand New Machine. The Mike Modano foundation provides assistance to organizations and programs helping children, veterans and canines, and, if you've got some extra money lying around, keep in mind that a VIP ticket purchase allows you to watch the concert with Modano himself. — JP
Paul Varghese CD Release Party at House of Blues
The Dallas-born comedian celebrates the release of his new comedy album, the deliciously named Paul & Oates, at this party. Varghese, you may remember, first burst onto the scene after making it to the semi-final round of Comedy Central's Last Comic Standing during season two. Since then, his stand up has only gotten stronger, earning him opening slots for such big-name comedians as Dave Chappelle when they roll through town. At this one, though, Varghese is very clearly the star. — JP
Living Colour at Kessler Theater
Funk metal pioneers Living Colour celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album Vivid by playing the LP from front to back at the Kessler. So, that means you're sure to hear “Cult of Personality,” and probably have a helluva throwback good time. Locals Dove Hunter open, and they have a new album of their own on the way. — SY
The Crystal Method at Le Vu
Le Vu presents the Grammy-nominated electronic duo The Crystal Method, along with producer Carmen Rizzo, as part of their 6th annual “Midsummer Night's Dream” series. It'll be a rare opportunity to catch these founding fathers of electronic music in the flesh, so don't miss out. — ZM
Caviar Club Presents: Under the Chandelier at
This one-night-only art show was curated by Caviar Club. Meaning? Show up in your fanciest duds. Then enjoy a night complete with tasty cocktails, new friends, paintings, photography, fashion, sculpture and music by DJs CJ DeMarx and Taylor Effin Cleveland. Twenty percent of tonight's sales go to Charitywater.com in honor of fallen Dallasite Jordyn Ashley Newman. — JP
Sunday
Under the Influence Tour with Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, B.o.B, Trinidad Jame$ at Gexa Energy Pavilion
This lineup is not only stacked, but a pretty solid combination of actually talented vocalists and rappers that are just plain good at getting the crowd intensely hyped. Deck yourself out in all gold everything, round up your bad bitches and roll up to the biggest hip-hop show of the summer. You won't regret it. — ZM
Adam Ant at Granada Theater
Here's some trivia about Adam Ant: He was a member of Bazooka Joe, the band that headlined the show that also featured the Sex Pistols' first-ever live performance. It's no surprise, then, that Ant's most famous project, Adam & The Ants, started as a punk band. Luckily for fans, the band eventually moved away from its mediocre punk material and discovered the New Wave sound it was so instrumental in pioneering. Expect that seminal material to be front and center at this show. — SY
Rock 'n Roll Rummage Sale at Lola's
The worst part about buying merch from bands at shows? Having to carry it around all night. The worst part about buying used music gear from sites like Craigslist? The always sketchy prospect of meeting up with potential skeezeballs you find on the internet. Avoid both situations this afternoon at Lola's, where local vendors will have all kinds of band merch, gear, vinyl and more for sale. —CG
Say Farewell to Zubar
After weathering 18 years of Lowest Greenville's ups and downs, the popular dance club finally shutters its doors after this final hurrah. Closing the place down tonight will be a dozen of Dallas' finest DJs and hip-hop artists, and the bartenders will be serving up half-price drinks all night long. Might as well send 'em out with a bang. — CG
Carnival of Light Musical Fest at The Foundry
For their first ever attempt at throwing a festival-type music event, the 1 million 4 Anna Foundation has recruited Andy Hull and Chris Freeman of Manchester Orchestra, along with Ryan Chollet, Reinventing Jude, Matt Boggs of Prophets and Outlaws, Richard Paul Davis to help them in their fight against Ewing's Sarcoma. Not too shabby. Not at all. — JP
