Man, you go out of town for two weeks and it takes you six weeks to get back on track. Seriously. So, now maybe I can get my priorities back intact and start talking at you about local music the way I should. So while everyone is reviewing Elaine Greer’s release (which I’m sure is great, I’ve loved her since back in the Holly Hall, but I unfortunately have not heard note one of) I’m going to tell you about another release going on this weekend, Electric Attitude’s Laser Laser Laser Beams. And after that, this weekend’s line-up! When it ... Read More »

Elaine Greer vs. Bubbles by Jim Dillon Elaine Greer is someone readers of this newspaper and blog should be quite familiar with (See our profile of her from March 2008). She’s one of Houston’s best singer songwriters – packing a sharp gift for melody in one holster and strong and distinctive voice in the other. If anyone’s work in Houston has been long overdue a proper CD release, it’s Elaine Greer’s! Thankfully on Thursday at Mango’s Elaine is finally letting the hen out and releasing her first proper CD – a six-song EP “Making Plans and Going Places.” The songs ... Read More »

Sorry I was so negative last week. There has been a lot of good news since last week, so I’m definitely in a better mood. And as a first order of business HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAMON! Alright, now onto an early warning. Ten years ago there was a concert series called Hot Pop City organized by Left of the Dial mag’s David Ensminger. To mark the anniversary he is planning Hot Punk City. Two nights of awesomeness and one special event that has definitely eased my return to Houston: LONDON GIRL 10 YEAR REUNION. Whoa. WHAT? STOKED…and yes, I was in ... Read More »

Well, I’m back from tour. I contemplated doing a post about how great my tour was and all the wonderful things that I learned and experienced. But then I got home and remembered that this is Houston and misery loves company. So here, just read this list of shows and maybe you’ll go to one of them, probably not, but I did what I could to spread the word. (If this were a myspace blog post I would have my mood set to “disillusioned”.) WEDNESDAY MAY 6, 2009 Well, I can assume that were anyone to go out tonight it ... Read More »

By Omar Afra Robert Ellis is one of those rare confluences of amazing songwriting coupled with masterful musicianship. I know, I am already blowing smoke up this kids ass. But deservedly so. Ellis writes songs you remember, melodies that make the hair on the back of your neck stand up, and does it all with shred-tastic guitar playing. His new album Rearranger is littered with Americana love songs and haunting odes to Houston. More importantly, he is the sexiest local musician in town. With long flowing hair, bedroom eyes, and chiseled jaw, Ellis is a heartbreaker. If I only had ... Read More »

Piss on some vinyl, cassettes are the new frontier for the fickle minded hipsters that are seeking something to love and subsequently hate 6 weeks later. Does your band have a cassette? Split cassette with another band? Get on the bandwagon now so you can trash the idea by end of summer. Read More »