The Group Sound // Secret Goilfriend

In 1966 The Beatles made their first trip to Japan and almost immediately began influencing the types of new bands being formed in that area. And much like everywhere else in the world the Fab Four forever influenced all subsequent modern rock music from that region as well. (For further listening see: The Tigers, The Carnabeats, and The Spiders).

"Lock music is very popular...Like Rady Jane and Yerrow Submaline... But Japanese people cannot pronounce Lock n Lorr, so we call it, 'Group Sounds.'"

— Rolling Stone, March 1, 1969

In these the aughts Matthew Israelson of Brazilian Money has traded his drum kit for a six-string and began putting his own spin on the genre. His band, appropriately enough just called The Group Sound, manufacture an infectious brand of jangle-pop of their own, incorporating boy/girl vocals, '60s garage, '50s doo wop, and reverb-drenched surf guitars.



MP3: The Group Sound - Secret Goilfriend

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Brenna Manzare & The Proper Husbands to Make Live Debut Thursday at Dada

This Thursday, Dec. 1st marks the next event in our SubEx Presents series with RTB+Last Joke, A.M. Ramblers, Brenna Manzare & The Proper Husbands. While Ryan Thomas Becker's semi new-ish local super group Last Joke and Denton's A.M. Ramblers are both somewhat known local commodities, the opening act is one we are equally, if not more so, excited about.

This show will mark the first ever Dallas performance of Brenna Manzare & The Proper Husbands, another super group of sorts, that contains former members of Oso Closo, and The Rocket Summer helping breathe life into Manzare's exceedingly enchanting folk tunes. Part gypsy, part Tom Waits, part singer-songwriter, and all charm, Ms. Manzare has a unique ability to win over audiences. We are especially honored to be a part of her first Dallas performance, because although Manzare's is a name most people will be hearing for the first time, it is also one that won't be quickly forgotten.

When: Dec 1st
Where: Club Dada
Cost: $7
Doors: 8PM

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The England Ramaband // All I Do

It's equal parts interesting and disheartening when one starts reading the dozen or so music-related blogs and websites in the area for extended stretches of time only to discover that for the most part everyone seems to cover the same bands and shows at the same times. One of the benefits of the diverse body of voices from this dedicated body of hobbyists and in some cases professionals is the supposed wide array of viewpoints and unique musical discoveries. Maybe we all read one another's work too often or take each other too seriously?

Whatever the case may be, one of the biggest shames is whenever an artist seems to have slipped through the cracks of online local awareness. For instance, a performer like Kevin England whom we've seen dozens of times over the last several years splitting time with a handful of different projects. Whether it be his semi-tongue-in-cheek experimental sex-obsessed electro funk trio Wonderboom, his power pop duo The Up and Ups, his electronic loop-based solo material, or any of the various brands of dance, glam, electro, and rock he's parceled together under any of the England Ramaband incarnations he's never failed to present a final product that is both interesting/fresh in approach, and wildly entertaining.

The England Ramaband and Wonderboom both perform at this Saturday's 6th annual Novemberfest at The Porch in Romney, TX. (Just hit us up here if you need a map)

MP3: The England Ramaband - All I Do

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Tonight: Darstar Album Release Show at La Grange

Do folks in Dallas no longer find celebrating a band's album release reason enough to come out to a show? Tonight when Darstar unveil their crisp debut full-length at La Grange they've promised everyone in attendance free koozies, not to mention everyone who buys Tiny Darkness will be entered in a raffle to win one of their "rock 'n roll-defending owls". It is awesome, sure, but is it really necessary? Are we DFW folk really to the point where we ask "what's in it for me?" and when the answer is just "kick ass live local music" it just isn't enough? Hopefully this isn't the case.

Rocketarm and Here Holy Spain also perform.

About the disc:

Darstar produces an easily digestible electro-grunge sound via low-end distortion, out-of-this-galaxy synth effects, and hard-hitting drums. Lisa Hardaway’s sweet-sounding larynx conflicts with this heavy grunge noise in creating a cacophony of musical elements whose final product ends up being somewhat of an anomaly: Dark Pop-Rock.

Darstar's debut album Tiny Darkness, was co-produced by John Dufilho (Apples in Stereo, Deathray Davies) and Casey Diiorio (Bowling For Soup, Midlake, The Crash That Took Me). Casey Di iorio recorded, engineered, and mixed the album at Valve Studios in Dallas, TX. The album was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music studio in New Windsor, New York.

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Darstar // The Mayor

A few years back at the then-called NX35 there was a panel discussion in which participants debated whether or not bloggers were, in fact, journalists. The overwhelming consensus was that we unschooled blogger-types could never be labeled real journalists because we didn't go to school for it, and, in many cases we are kind of dumb.

We couldn't agree with them more.

But in a lot of ways this non-journalist status is one we wholeheartedly embrace. For one thing it means we can be biased as hell and only write about whatever music we really love --even when it was made by our best friends. We can use all sorts of slang and foul language. We don't have a corporate overlord to answer to about why we didn't have certain types of posts this week or enough posts in general. And really overall we just get to do whatever the hell we feel like all the time. We like it this way.

Today we are so looking forward to tomorrow night's Darstar CD release show at LaGrange that we recorded a parody cover version of their tune "The Mayor". For no journalistic reason whatsoever. Below are both versions for your enjoyment, Darstar's crisp alt-rock original, and our super campy, over-the-top gay disco remake.

Our only hopes are that it not only makes you giggle as much listening to it as we did making it, but that it also somehow convinces you to join us in Deep Ellum tomorrow for the release show.





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Video: Michaelmatician // Slug-Tuned

We could attempt to explain Michaelmatician's new video for the sound unit "Slug-Tuned," but the time-traveling sonic-unit creator does a pretty good job of that in the above clip --and without all the unnecessary rehashing of his complex back story that we, no doubt, would have thrown in. Enjoy these, the most revealing and extensive looks at the reclusive performer yet to be released in video form. And as always remember to be diligent and never forget Michael returns 2.342.



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Announcing: Novemberfest 6

Announcing the lineup for the 6th annual Novemberfest. In what, on our experience, is one of the most special days of DFWd music of the year, hoards of folks gather outside of the typical club environment to commune without all the pretension. Oddly enough it happens 2.5 hours southwest of the Metroplex in the tiny town of Romney*.

For just $10 attendees will have admission to a chilli cookoff, an indie film fest, an art show/raffle, and most importantly sets by 14 local bands. The event is BYOB, and organizers have passed along the tip that there aren't any liquor stores near Romney. Hotels are available in nearby Cisco, but camping is greatly encouraged.

Lineup:
1:00 - DOORS

3:30 - AARON NEW (stage two)

4:00 - VOLCANIC PANIC (stage one)

4:30 - JOEY KENDALL (stage two)

5:00 - STAR COMMANDER (stage one)

5:30 - FAMILY PHOTO ON THE FRONT PORCH, SUNSET, INTERMISSION

6:00 - THE COUNTY LINES (stage two)

6:30 - SOVIET (stage one)

7:00 - DS YANCEY (stage two)

7:30 - WONDERBOOM (stage one)

8:00 - DANIELLE DEFRANCE (stage two)

8:30 - THE ENGLAND RAMABAND (stage one)

9:00 - TIGER OF BENGAL (stage two)

9:30 - RYAN AND THE HARLOTS (stage one)

10:00 - RUSTY AND THE BUMPER (stage two)

10:30 - SEALION (stage one)

11:00 - DJ'S MICKEY KELLY AND JASON TALKINGTON (stage two)


*For specific directions to the venue get in touch with any of the above bands, or just shoot us an email.

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About Last Night: The Sounds at The Granada Theater

There are some great things that come out of Sweden; IKEA, the invention of dynamite and The Sounds who made there way to Dallas Thursday night. The indie-dance-rock band played to an intimate crowd at The Granada with opening acts Natalia Kills, The Limousines, and Kids at the Bar.

Lead singer Maja Ivarsson put on quite a show in more ways than one, donning an American flag shirt, leather hot pants and high heels. She did not hesitate on the antics which included moments of punting a beer can into the crowd, spitting onstage, and making the microphone into something phallic. With all that aside, Maja was genuine to the crowd, high-fiving fans and signing posters during the set.

The band was energetic throughout the performance, playing songs off their latest CD, Something to Die For, but also the more famous tracks off their past albums which included "Painted by Numbers," "Living in America," and an acoustic version of "Night After Night."

It was surprising how small the attendance was given the The Sounds have been featured on commercials, opened for No Doubt and have had several strong albums. The crowd was a mixed bag of people--a lot less of them hipsters than I expected--but for those that did attended, they did not hold back, dancing like nobody was watching.

-Laura Sliva

Ronnie Fauss // Any Lovin' Way But Wrong

If you like the idea of country music but haven't quite made the leap to be a full-fledged cowboy, Ronnie Fauss new EP "Any Lovin' Way But Wrong" might give you a taste of what you might come across.

Fauss attributes John Prine, Kris Kristofferson, Todd Snider, and Blaze Foley as his strongest influences in this 4 track EP which includes the collective sound of the pedal steel, banjo, harmonica and guitar.

Although not entirely polished vocals, Fauss is someone to look out for in potential future success. Fauss's first full-length album is set to be released in 2012.



-Laura Sliva

Old Snack // Everything Is Happening So Fast

About 18 months ago we wrote a kind of snarky post about local punk outfit Old Snack, making jabs about their band's name and comparing them to garbage gimmick acts of the '80s that chose to name themselves, their album, and their only hit after the same thing. (See: The Weather Girls, Talk Talk, Big Country, B. Bumble and the Stingers). Of course Wilco (The Band) can't be totally overlooked for "Wilco (The Song)" released on Wilco (The Album), but in their defense they had amassed a career's worth of solid tunes beforehand.

And while these fears weren't completely unwarranted -- a third of the tracks on their finally released full-length Everything is Happening So Fast do contain the word 'snack' in their titles -- we'll be the first to admit that they are much more than schlocky one hit wonders. Really much more. The Harlem/Iggy/Clash blend of janglepop throughout the course of the album's 9 cuts is really about as solid as anything we've heard all year, and might just the favorite thing we've heard this side of Sealion's stellar debut EP.

Our initial impressions of the disc are that it is just as danceable too. Of course only after checking them out live will we know for sure, but we could definitely envision tossing back a few rounds of prairie fires and gettin' rowdy to this.


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Tomorrow Night: David Liebe Hart at Bryan St Tavern

Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim , creators and stars of the bizarre surrealistic sketch comedy program Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! have a penchant for browsing through head shots on Craig’s List, hiring not-ready-for-prime-time actors, and then skillfully getting audiences to appreciate the awkwardness unfolding before them without ever crossing that line of laughing at their subjects rather than with them.

Such is the case with musician/ventriloquist David Liebe Hart, star of the Los Angeles public access television program The Junior Christian Science Bible Lesson Program, and an Awesome Show regular who often uses his assortment of semi-dilapidated puppets to help him sing his original compositions. Teaming up with TJCSBLP contributor Adam Papagan the pair have recently begun touring the country, mostly performing songs about aliens and religion, as well as an abnormally high ratio of tunes regarding Liebe Hart’s adulterous ex-wife.

With locals Man Factory and Browningham also on the bill it should make for a night of eclectic, quirky, and at times downright odd musical humor.

David Liebe Hart performs Tuesday November 8, at Bryan St Tavern

MP3: David Liebe Hart - Bitch and Complain

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SubEx Presents: RTB & Last Joke, A.M. Ramblers, Brenna Manzare & The Proper Husbands

Come hang out with us at Dada on Dec. 1st to celebrate the beginning of winter or the end of 2011 or that we're now the 5th best blog in DFW, or just the fact that our town is home to such badass local musicians.


Ryan Thomas Becker & Last Joke
Ryan Thomas Becker is hardly a new entity, having long been a cherished North Texas product thanks to his solo efforts and his work with Grady Don Sandlin in the revered RTB2. And all this is saying noth...ing of his other collaborations with such acts as Eaton Lake Tonics, The Slow Burners, Hares on a Mountain and in Madison King’s backing band. Thus, in many ways, his most recent outfit, Ryan Thomas Becker & Last Joke, featuring Becker and Sandlin alongside Eaton Lake Tonics’ Tony Ferraro and Oso Closo’s Andy Rogers, is simply a continuation of the artist’s prolific, collaborative ways.

--Dallas Observer


A.M. Ramblers
Andy Cox and Brandyn Littleton front this rather homely collective, and it's quickly apparent on such numbers as "Santa Ana" and "Seven Shots of Tequila" that these guys have talent, both as composers and instrumentalists. Check out the shouts of "I live life" on the propulsive latter cut for some genuine rural enthusiasm.

--Dallas Observer


Brenna Manzare & The Proper Husbands

One of the newest acts to emerge from DFW's already rich folk/roots scene, it doesn't take Manzare long to win over audiences with a healthy mix of humble charm and enchanting charisma. The fact that The Proper Husbands features former members of Oso Closo and The Rocket Summer only makes it more certain that just because this is the first time you're hearing their name, it sure as hell won't be the last.

$7

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Free Show: Thee Oh Sees at The Prophet Bar

Go ahead and jump on this free Sailor Jerry-presented bill over at Prophet Bar for a chance to see the now 5-piece incarnation of Thee Oh Sees for zero dollars this weekend. I imagine as a sponsored event there will probably be some sort of free liquor as well.

The band also has a new disc, Carrion Crawler / The Dream set for a Nov. 15 release. Comparing it to their last effort mastermind John Dywer says, “As I’m sure most would agree, Castlemania was more of a vocal tirade. This one’s meant to pummel and throb.”

The band recently previewed the pair of title tracks over at P4K, which you can also find below.

MP3: Thee Oh Sees - Carrion Crawler
MP3: Thee Oh Sees - The Dream

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Cloud Nothings // No Future No Past

The conclusion we came to after our rant a couple of days ago was that cool music does still happen some places but that it is becoming increasingly hard to locate. It sounds counter intuitive but the ease with which shitty musicians can disseminate their materials via the internet rivals that of tenured bands leading to a glut in the marketplace and making it all the more difficult to -- as our friend Emmitt Smith would say-- see the diamonds in the poo-poo.

Some quick hints for those who don't listen to music and write about it for a living and may not have hours to spend looking for credible new tunes to enjoy, there are a few fail safe shortcuts to aid in this process.

For one, keep an eye on bands Parade of Flesh brings to town. In many cases John Iskander has done this hours-of-work part for you and only brings in top notch acts. The truest thing we've ever read about PoF is that they have "...a way of bringing buzzworthy indie acts to town -- and, in many cases, [they] even book them before they're buzzworthy."

Similarly keep an eye venues like the Canton Co-Op and the Phoenix Project and who they let play there. More often than not they are more concerned with promoting good art and fellowship than in lining their pockets, and as we discussed previously, the less likely your mom is to show up at a venue typically the more likely that venue is to host good music.

And lastly find a few labels (like Carpark or Burger Records) that you trust or producers like Steve "Don't Call Me a Producer" Albini or John Congleton, who as a general rule have good taste, and check out bands that they work with.

Had you done any of those things lately you'd know about Cloud Nothing's upcoming Steve Albini-recorded EP, Attack on Memory, coming out Jan. 24th via Carpark Records. Or at least about their PoF-booked show tommorow night at Canton Co-Cop with our BFFs Sealion and Soviet. See what we did there?

MP3: Cloud Nothings - No Future No Past

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