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Mayyrh Records Goes Forth w/New Releases

Friday, November 20th, 2009 by Anthony Mariani

Relatively recent Weekly feature subject Mayyrh Records –– like its weird Seattle/Fort Worth brethren, Indian Casino Records –– is forging ahead with new releases, soul-destroying bottom lines and days and nights of Top Ramen be damned. The label run by Zanzibar Snails’ Nevada Hill and Michael Chamy has just released three handmade limited edition CDs/DVDrs –– all three feature screen-printed designs by noted graphic designer/artist Hill and are packaged in vellum sleeves. One of the releases is Age of Disinformation, 45 minutes of live experimental improv by a one-time North Texas supergroup of vocalist Aaron Gonzalez (Yells at Eels, Akkolyte), analog patch synthist Jon Teague (drummer for The Great Tyrant, and the defunct yet still vital Yeti), guitarist Kenny Withrow (Tidbits, Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians), and several other participants. Another release is D & N 2, the full-length, wool-packaged (no kidding) debut from Hill and occasional Snail David Lee Price. The third Mayyrh release is the Snails’ Journey Into Amazing Caves, a CD/DVD double featuring visuals by Price and the kind of aural mind-blowery that not long ago caught the attention of the estimable U.K. magazine Wire and allowed for the Snails to sit in with Black Flag’s Greg Ginn. Copies are available locally at Good Records in Dallas, Recycled Books in Denton, and, if you’re in Austin, End of an Ear; online via Mayyrh’s website.

Zanzibar Snails next recording will be out soon on New York’s Tape Drift Records.

33

Weekender (Fri., Nov. 20, 2009)

Friday, November 20th, 2009 by Anthony Mariani

It's a beautiful day in the NeighborHOOF if you're Ryan Thomas Becker

It's a beautiful day in the NeighborHOOF if you're Ryan Thomas Becker

Though he’s not technically a Fort Worthian, RTB2 –– the nom de rock of Dentonite singer-songwriter Ryan Thomas Becker –– plays the 817 enough and has worked with enough 817 artists (Eaton Lake Tonics, The Missile Men) to earn the much sought-after distinction of Honorary Cowtowner and Occasional Subject of Steely, Poetic Fort Worth Weekly Critics’ Pens. RTB2 has a new album coming out –– via perhaps Dallas’ most experimental, progressive manufacturers and distributors of fine indie rock, Gutterth –– and based on a couple of tracks streamed here, Neighborhoof stands to go down as an incontestable contemporary of such regional gems as Dove Hunter’s The Southern Unknown, Centro-matic’s Fort Recovery, and Telegraph Canyon’s The Tide and The Current. Though the fickle mainstream consciousness has yet to render a verdict on Telegraph’s latest –– the album just came out –– Dove Hunter’s and Centro’s burned bright for a few minutes before vanishing in poofs of unintelligible metaphors, obscure references, and four-and-a-half stars. (Has there been any quantitative assessment of commercial response to the positive review of The Theater Fire’s most recent album in Pitchfork, that tastemaking media outlet to best all other tastemakers? Just curious.)

An equally ominous fate is hot on Neighborhoof’s, uh, heels –– there just might not be enough of a critical mass of Dentonites and other art history majors in North Texas to propel the LP out of the region, into the ears of national power brokers, and onto the iPods of hipsters in Brooklyn, Berkeley, and Seattle. Let’s hope I’m dead wrong. The blocky, fuzzed-out but jangly, Nirvana-esque riff that intros “Seek Fire, Anime Kids” tumbles out of an amp whose head no doubt has been punctured by a screwdriver or some other stabby implement. All angry riffage, splashy/stomping drums, treble, and Becker’s bullet-mic’d voice, “Seek Fire” is a ditty but a grungy, catchy one. Don’t ask me what it’s about. The creepily titled “Where Your Father Didn’t Go” is a swaying, “Earth Angel”-ic, 1950s-style let’s-not-dance-too-close-in-the-gym ballad erected upon plink-plink-plinking piano, rim shots, and moaning violin that alternates between accompanying the 88s in unison and responding to Becker’s plaintive calls. I don’t want to know what the song is about. Then there’s the trés Beck-ian “Praying Matas”: lots of squealing and wheezing synths, dainty Casio beats, and a chorus of oooh-OOOH-oooh. Sample some RTB2 on Sunday at Hailey’s (122 Mulberry St, Denton, 940-323-1160), when he with some backing musos shares a bill with Generationals and the F-Dub’s Burning Hotels.

Other immediate gigs of note:

Browningham, Red Pyramid, LaME, Murder FM, Waking Alice, Menkena, Wild Wonderful, Caterpillars, Michael Miller tonight (Friday) at The Prophet Bar (2548 Elm St, Dallas, 214-939-4321).

Rivercrest Yacht Club, Sally Majestic, and Goodwin on Saturday at Lola’s Saloon-Sixth (2736 W 6th St, in the W 7th Street corridor, 817-877-0666).

Brad Hines and Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros tonight (Friday) at Love Shack So7 (813 Matisse St, W 7th corridor, 817-348-9655).

33

This Tune is Made of Gold

Friday, November 20th, 2009 by Jimmy Fowler

I can’t get a certain song off my mind – a tune from the just-released CD “Balm in Gilead” by the extraordinary and oddball Rickie Lee Jones, a totally original singer-songwriter-instrumentalist who’s been discovered, lost, and rediscovered several times (by critics, not us devotees) during her three decade career.

The new-ish song I’m luvin is ”The Moon is Made of Gold”. Jones’ signature vocal combination of whispers, mumbles, and wails comes together beautifully in this buoyant tune written by her late father Richard, a hard-drinking itinerant musician whose dreams of success didn’t include his family. His lyrics for “Moon” are cotton-candy, space-case greatness, though.

Jones has been singing “The Moon is Made of Gold” off and on in her live shows for many years now. Here’s an arguably superior live version from back in the early ‘90s.

Hip Tips (Thu., Dec. 19, ‘09)

Thursday, November 19th, 2009 by Anthony Mariani

MUST-SEE TV

He’s buff, has orange skin, and wears tight-fitting or little clothing. (“Sun’s out, guns out, bro!”) He pouts for the cameras, has spiked hair, and likes to pump his fist to techno music at clubs. (“Totally killing it!”) He is a de facto member of perhaps the most loathed subculture in the United States. But is there more to the average Guido than utter ridiculousness? MTV will try to provide some answers. On Thu., Dec 3, at 9 p.m., the pop-culture lifestyle channel will premiere Jersey Shore, a docu-soap about eight young adults, all Guidos and Guidettes, living in a summer share in Seaside Heights, N.J., a popular hot spot. MTV follows them as they “juggle work, love, nightlife, friendship, and the drama that ensues.” In the end, MTV says, “viewers see that there is more to these tan and buff individuals than hair gel.”

One thing about Guidos that everyone seems to love making fun of is their unconscious homoeroticism. I’m sure that I’m not the only person who notices the suggestive hand gesture at :15 in the trailer below.

COOL NEW(-ISH) SONGS

“Olympic Airways,” Foals: twee indie-rock from Oxford, England.

“A-Punk,” Vampire Weekend: twee indie-rock from Brooklyn, New York.

“Mountain Man,” Crash Kings: painistic, slightly douchebaggy rock from L.A.

33

Indian Casino Reprises HellDamnCrap

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 by Anthony Mariani

Indian Casino Records is forging ahead with new releases, even though the Seattle-based label with strong Fort Worth ties has been punched in the gut by the depressed, borderline angry economy. “Still swimmin’ in the red but looking ahead,” said Casino honcho, sole employee, and Seattlean-via-Haltom City John Frum, whose label was the subject of a Weekly cover story several months ago. On tap for February is The Return of HellDamnCrap, a compilation CD referencing another Fort Worth indie label but one that’s long defunct. More than a dozen bands –– most from the 817 –– are contributing tracks, including Drug Mountain; PFFFFT!; The Me-Thinks; Eyes, Wings, and Many Other Things; Rapid Chair; One-Fingered Fist; Andy Gassaway (a.k.a. Jimmy Andrews); Transient Songs; Shotgun Messenger; Gordo’s Birthday; Napoleon Complex; Vorvon; and Mr. Houston’s Project. There’s room for two more tracks, Frum says. If you’re in a band and are interested in contributing, contact Frum at jack@indiancasinorecords.com.

Here’s the video for Eyes, Wings, and Many Other Things’ “Sled Dogs’ Annual Revenge” off the Fort Worth band’s 2008 album Tonsils, Toes, and Everyone Knows on Indian Casino.

33

Hurry Home Telegraph Canyon

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 by Jeff Prince

Releasing The Tide and The Current this summer and then hitting the road on a long tour means we haven’t seen much of Fort Worth’s Telegraph Canyon lately.

The good news is they’ve lined up a couple gigs in North Texas next month, performing at Hailey’s in Denton on Dec. 5 and at Art Conspiracy in Dallas on Dec. 12.

The bad news is they don’t have a gig in the Fort yet. Surely Lola’s or somebody will book ‘em soon (hint, hint).

In the meantime, here’s “Shake Your Fist” from a September gig in Colorado Springs:



Automorrow’s Guitars Stolen

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 by Anthony Mariani
If you've seen the depicted guitar anywhere other than on Automorrow frontman Ben Napier's body, let the band know.

If you've seen the depicted guitar anywhere other than on Automorrow frontman Ben Napier's body, let the band know.

On Sat., Nov. 14, two guitars belonging to the local band Automorrow were stolen outside The Grotto on University Drive by the West 7th Street corridor. One is a cream-colored Washburn electric with a single cutaway body and black pick-guard in a rectangular case. The other is an Epiphone acoustic with a Seymour-Duncan pickup mounted to the body in a black hard case. If returned, the band says, no questions will be asked. Contact the band via its MySpace page.

33

DISH Mayor Willing To Talk

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 by Peter Gorman

Calvin Tillman, mayor of DISH, TX, has recently made an offer to speak anywhere around the country to discuss the air study he commissioned in DISH–a little town with several gas compressor stations on its perimeter–which indicated very high levels of several very toxic chemicals.

Here’s his note: “I have been asked on several occasions, by folks around the country to come and talk about the air study here in DISH. It seems a bit odd to me, but it appears that tiny DISH, TX has been the only municipality to perform a study such as this. I will happily share our story here in DISH with anyone who would like to hear about. I firmly believe that the only way to change the current situation is stand together. I further believe that helping you, where ever you may be, will also help us hear in DISH. Therefore, if you are interested in hearing about our story please contact me directly to discuss the possibilities. I will not accept funding for any travel expenses, but also need to know that my presentation would make a difference. Please give me a call or email for details.”

For those seriously interested, here’s his email. I’m editing out his phone number to save him the heartache of 100 calls.
tillman4council@aol.com

Weekender for Fri., Nov. 13, 2009

Friday, November 13th, 2009 by Anthony Mariani

As first reported on Blotch, the Oscar-winning Coen brothers (No Country For Old Men; O Brother, Where Art Thou?; Fargo; The Big Lebowski) will be holding open auditions tomorrow (Saturday) at Billy Bob’s (2520 Rodeo Plaza in the Stockyards, 817-624-7117) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a white girl between the ages of 12 and 16 for the lead role in the brothers’ forthcoming remake of John Wayne’s 1969 Western True Grit. The plot revolves around Mattie, a tough, hardscrabble girl who hires two U.S. marshals to avenge her father’s death. For the audition, no acting experience is required. Each auditioner is encouraged to bring a current photo and only one family member. Filming will begin in spring 2010. Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, and Jeff Bridges are already onboard.

One of HearSay’s favorite new(-ish) 817 bands, The Noble Chocolatiers, have effected something of a local coup. Though they don’t play much and really don’t ingratiate themselves with the local scene and/or scenesters, ’dem chocolate-manufacturing noblemen will be opening for hot-shit Brooklynites Bishop Allen and brand-Nubian Darwin Deez at Lola’s Saloon-Sixth (2736 W 6th St, in the W 7th St corridor, 817-877-0666) on Saturday. Tix are $10.

Also on Saturday, catch two outré Fort Worth acts at Lola’s Saloon-Stockyards (105 W Exchange Av, 817-386-5008): Stooges tribute act Stoogeaphilia and cowpunks –– and Fort Worth Weekly Music Awards winners for best new act –– The Dangits.

Tonight (Friday) in the Stockyards, at White Elephant Saloon (106 E Exchange Av, 817-624-9712), it’s Fort Worth Texas Music purveyor extraordinaire Stephen Pointer and his band.

On Sunday, one of Fort Worth’s most traditional C&W bands, 100 Damned Guns, opens for Wichita’s Split Lip Rayfield and Dallas’ The O’s at Granada Theater (3524 Greenville Av, Dallas, 214-826-1885).

So Rufus Wainwright is playing Bass Hall (555 Commerce St, Sundance Square, 817-212-4280) on Saturday. When his eponymous debut came out in 1998, I thought, “Holy shit. This is the best, most lush, most awesome orchestral pop music I’ve ever heard,” closely edging out select tracks from Bjork’s Debut. Then all the sudden, Rufus shelved his piano for a guitar and traded in his penchant for epic Broadway-ish melodies for simple, repetitive choruses, and, though I’ve tried, I can’t get back on the Rufus Bus. As of now, he’ll go down in my book as one of the biggest disappointments of the past 20 years. What a shame. Anyway, tix are $21-75.

In Dallas on Saturday, you’ve got another supremely promising outfit, Sweden’s Peter Bjorn and John*, with El Perro del Mar at House of Blues (2200 N Lamar St, 214-373-8000). Tix are $18-40.

*Not only is the PJ&J video below cool as hell and unlike anything you’ve probably ever seen before, the song is awesome –– totally catchy and danceable –– and unlike anything you’ve probably ever heard before. It’s all arty and hip but not pretentious. The sequencing of the footage of the Japanese greasers’ dance moves occasionally matches the song’s tempo, heightening the overall surreality quotient –– not only are Japanese greasers dancing in the street, your brain says to itself, but they’re dancing to a giddily plodding song anchored by a chorus sung by what sounds like a children’s choir. Pretty badass stuff. I wish more artists flipped wigs as effectively and often as PB&J.

“Do this thing, this type of thing / Put a little money in this type of thing / I got nothing to worry about / I got nothing to worry about.”

33

Face It, Regina Spektor Wows Nokia Crowd

Friday, November 13th, 2009 by Jeff Prince

Waiting for Regina Spektor to begin last night’s concert at Nokia Theatre made me feel like a 5-year-old kid waiting for Christmas morning. (Okay, an extremely grizzled and hard-drinking 5-year-old kid with a prostate the size of an Idaho potato, to borrow a line from “Last Tango In Paris”).

Spektor has fascinated me for a couple of years. She first sneaked into my consciousness while I was sleeping on my couch one night. I literally thought an angel was serenading me in a dream, with lyrics like “I hear in my mind, all of these voices, I hear in my mind all of these words….”

Then I woke up and found Spektor singing “Fidelity” on some late night TV show. I’d never heard of her, but I bought her c.d. Begin To Hope a few days later and dug it.

Since then I’ve seen Spektor perform on late night talk shows several times and she never fails to blow my socks off. Her vocal range is amazing. She’s a mean pianist. Most of all, her compositions are quirky and fun, even the sad songs. She’s a total nutjob in a good way.

But one thing was missing from last night’s show, and I hadn’t realized how important this thing is to her overall impact.

It’s her face.

I was sitting back a ways from the stage and I couldn’t see that strangely open, ghost-white, big-lipped, Russian seductress face.

Don’t get me wrong, Nokia is probably my favorite place to see a live show these days. The seats are comfortable, the auditorium is a cozy size, and the sound system is cooking. I’ve seen tons of great shows there (Van Morrison, Heart, Leonard Cohen, Los Lonely Boys, etc).

But last night I wanted to be on the front row. I’m not usually a fan of big-screen TVs at concerts. Last night I wanted one.

Spektor’s visage is a big part of her magic, at least for me. I was in the minority. Most of the fans seemed rabidly embracing of her no matter how far back they were sitting.

“You’re breaking my heart!” one girl screamed from the back section about midway through the concert.

The Moscow-born, New York-raised Spektor was her usual self – gracious but guarded, girly and sweet but profane as well. I could have lived without the opening band, Jupiter One, but they weren’t bad. I was just anxious to see Spektor. Problem was, I couldn’t see her.

Here’s Spektor singing the song that pulled me from a dream and made me an instant fan:


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