Around the Area: Band sells salsa to raise money for album, Separatysts play their first and only show, Movie Tavern in Denton plays classics non-stop and the Apocalypse returns to Dan’s

(It’s kind of hard to cover every little thing that goes on in the area, so once a week we’re gonna use this spot to highlight some of the things we rather enjoyed in the last week/things coming up that we’re excited for.)

Wednesday Night with Western Giants

by Judson Valdez

I had high expectations going into the Western Giants’ set Wednesday night at Dan’s. It was their first show back from a long summer break, they were in the middle of recording their first full-length, they had a new bass player (Keaton Thomas) and they were debuting their own homemade brand of salsa. All of these things contributed to the impressive crowd at the show.

I have followed Western Giants since the first time I saw them back in April, and have seen a slow progression of the band ever since, but Wednesday’s show proved to be a larger step forward for the band than I have seen to date. Of the seven-song set list they played, five of the songs were new, and they all debuted to a great reception.

One of the new songs, “Liars and Leavers”, was a great display of a bigger and more powerful sound from the band and really added a more versatile dynamic to the set that I feel they’ve needed for a while. A couple of songs later, a new version of “Lampshade”, off of their first EP, brought the song to a darker and richer depth.

My personal favorite of the night was a yet-to-be-titled song featuring Kennan Talley’s always amazing guitar playing. The characteristic lead/rhythm guitar line mixed with Talley’s calm voice led the song most of the way through then flowed into last portion of the song built by the whole band using an interesting chord progression to finish strong.

Their set really got me excited for the album to come, as I’m sure it did for anyone in the room that night, and I can’t wait to hear the recorded versions of these songs. It seems that the break for Western Giants was a very productive one. Oh, and yes, I tried the salsa, and it was good.

Seperatysts play first/last show

Simply put, the Separatysts’ set on Saturday night was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’d had at City Tavern. it’s a shame it was their only show. (Though a few members of an SMU frat that had a stranglehold on the bottom bar would disagree. They wandered up for the show and were not enthused by the dancing.)

Movie Tavern brings the goods

Seems all summer long the Movie Tavern in Denton has been not only doing midnight movie screenings of classic films, but doing early mid-week screenings of the films as well. It feels like not one day this summer has passed without one of my friends hassling me to drive up and catch a movie with them, and at some point I will. This week’s screening is Joe Pantoliano’s star-making vehicle The Goonies.

Next Week Denton’s Pub Quiz Apocalypse returns to Dan’s

Next Saturday, Denton Pub Quiz Apocalypse, “the only cash prize” trivia game in Denton, makes its long-awaited return to Dan’s Silverleaf. Masters of useless knowledge, be prepared to feel dumb.

Rundown: 8/18

Western Giants/Dignan/The Young Maths/Babar @ Dan’s

Summer’s almost over. How many more times can you go out on a Wednesday night without worrying about having a hangover during class? This show would probably be worth it anyway, but I’m just sayin’ …

P.S. Western Giants will be playing new tunes and offering up jars of its very own salsa at the merch table!

Track of the Day: Western Giants- Salt City

So our good friends the Western Giants have been rolling out videos for the past few weeks, documenting everything from the long drives on tour to how a band spends its down time. Today is the first time they’ve debuted a song with one of the blogs, as the band plans to use their “Shed Sessions” as a means to put out new material. We’re quite proud to debut their track “Salt City”

Verdict: The stripped-down track gives us everything we love about the Giants–introspective lyrics, ambient organ, and just enough drum to push the song along. Kudos to the band for trying to do something unique with their material by doing these videos. Having them just furthers our anticipation for their next album.

I really enjoyed this the other night

 

 

Snap Shot: Western Giants

(ed. All this week we’re doing band “Snap Shots” of the groups we have performing on Saturday, the 5th. This is one of those.)

We’ve done more shows with Western Giants then any other band we’ve worked with, you could go out on a limb, and say I’m a rather large fan. Yesterday I asked band leader Kennon Talley some questions via email, he was gracious enough to answer them, and as always it was an insightful experience.

Rundown:7/20 to 7/26

I can’t believe they’re letting Martellus Bennett host the DOMAs, it’s a slightly worse idea then CGI Guinea Pigs who fight terrorist. Really anyone who has paid attention to this guys exploits on the net over the last year knows that this is a disaster waiting to happen. In fact let’s set some odds for what he might end up doing

Forget he’s only getting to do this because he get’s paid to play a kids game: 1-2

Mispronounce one of the band names:even

Say something incredulous that shows he’s sort of oblivious to the sacrifices of his forebears: 3-1

Unknowingly insult the guy who’s checks allow him to act like an over sized 12 year old with a brand new copy of “The Complete Chappelle’s Show”: 5-1

Insist he be allowed to perform a freestyle/skit: 5-1

Mispronounce two of the band names: 8-1

Rhyme “Romo” with “Homo”…again: 12-1

Have a clue who any of the performers are: 50-1

I know I sound like an ass for this, but as someone of a similar age, and back ground I feel I can say youth is no excuse for ignorance.

Anyway, time to talk music. It’s abit of a calm week, other then the DOMA’s & our show on Tuesday, and the rather awesome show at the Handsome Kitten on Friday.

Picking a poster is aways a bit of a bitch

So, our Art Director Blaire, mocked up a bunch of posters for the showcase next week, and I have no idea which one to use, so I’m opening up a poll to you people, so we can have a democratic decision, but first a word on the bands.

First Poster for the July 3&4 Showcase

I was sure we weren’t going to be the only ones doing posters for our July 3&4 showcases, but I’m not gonna lie this is fucking creative. I assume this was either a Manned Missiles job, or Touch Tongues.

Though Blaire, and I are aiming to do something a bit more patriotic (I still have Obama fever) this is definitely one of the more interesting posters we’ve been apart of. Thanks to whoever did it.

Tonight at The Moon in Ft. Worth: Ringo Deathstarr, This Old House, Western Giants and Manned Missiles

I feel as if I haven’t expressed my exuberance for this show in a sufficient manner, so please allow me to say “I’M FUCKING EXCITED ABOUT THIS SHOW.”

Seriously, I love Ringo Deathstarr, their music is what started the whole “Texas Stargaze” genre that I tagged  This Old House with. Both bands’ music is spacious, and low key at the same time, while exploreing sonic territory that is just starting to be touched. Having the two of them on the same bill is a treat.

Western Giants, have been excellent to us, this being our third show with them, and I’ve run out of things to say about Kennon Talley‘s group. Yes they’re excellent, yes their music melds in perfectly with the current crop of Denton groups, but these guys show a potential you don’t normally see in such a young/large group, and it’s a pleasure to be involved with them in this capacity.

Manned Missiles describe themselves as fairly enjoyable, I have a feeling that’s going to turn otu to be an understatement.

So, please if you’re from Ft. Worth, or if you’re not, give this show a chance and come by The Moon for some good music, and a line up I couldn’t be prouder of.

Announcing the third DayBowBow Presents show

On Friday, June 5th at the Moon Bar in Fort Worth we are proud to present Austin’s Ringo Deathstarr. The Austin Chronicle loved, Pitchfork mentioned band heads a line up that features This Old House, Western Giants and Manned Missiles. We’ve been over TOH & WG quite a bit as of late, so I just want to say having Ringo‘s special blend of Noise Pop at the top of this show is a treat for us. We’d also like it if you gave Manned Missiles a listen the band’s straight forward demo on their myspace is said to be just the early taste of what they bring to the stage.

Admission is $6 U.S., maybe euros as well. We’d appreciate it if you guys come out, and have a good time with us. And, as per usual, my find me and get a beer policy is going to be in affect.