1.) 97.1 The Eagle’s big show Sunday at Gexa Energy Pavilion (1818 1st St., Dallas, 214-421-1111) features a mess of touring metal acts, including Five Finger Death Punch, Steel Panther, Theory of a Deadman, Hellyeah (from Dallas), Killswitch Engage, Pop Evil, Tom Keifer, Nothing More, and The Pretty Reckless. “Isn’t that the band fronted by that preppy chick from Gossip Girl?” Yes. Yes, it is, but if you can get past Taylor Momsen’s former onscreen persona, incredibly distracting appearance, and sexy stage antics, you’ll see her band is pretty legit. Though hard-rocking and lousy with sophomoric lyrics, The Pretty Reckless sound is largely defined by hyper-melodic, even occasionally Beatles-esque vocal lines and lots of changes that still never stray too far from their roots. And Momsen’s voice is syrupy and lean. Overall, The Pretty Reckless is more than pretty decent.
2.) One of the biggest alternative rap acts of the ’90s will be in Fort Worth Friday. From a 2012 tour in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking album Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde, the Angelenos who currently make up The Pharcyde –– co-founders Fatlip and SlimKid3 with co-producers J-Sw!ft and L.A. Jay –– have recently begun working on new material after a long hiatus, now with MC K-Natural and now under the name The Bizarre Ride. Like contemporaries A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul, The Pharcyde blends jazzy and bluesy accents with snappy beats and literary lyrics. The group will be joined at Lola’s Saloon (2736 W. 6th St., 817-877-0666) by Buffalo Black, Mike Relm, -topic, PS the Rebels, Alsace Carcione, and Fab Deuce.
3.) Tonight (Thursday), Three Links (2704 Elm St., Dallas) hosts probably one of the most underrated bands of all time. An early purveyor of post-rock, Maryland’s Trans Am manages to blend seemingly disparate genres, including metal, synthpop, and krautrock, into one delicious whole, with the uncanny ability to appeal to both deep listeners and casual music fans. The ’90s-formed trio also slips into danceable rhythms and minimalist workouts seamlessly. The Three Links bill also includes Dallas’ New Fumes and deep techno stylist Jack Dover.
4.) In a recent documentary, frontman Anthony Vialon of Miami sludge-rockers Floor says no one gave a shit about them until after they broke up. Well, welcome to the wide, wild world of rock ’n’ roll. Originally formed in 1992, Floor disbanded in 2003 but got back together in 2010 and has just put out its fourth album, Oblation. Highly recommended for fans of doomy, gloomy, riff-heavy rock, Floor plays Dallas Friday at Club Dada (2720 Elm St., 214-744-3232) with Dallas’ True Widow and Fort Worth’s Pinkish Black.
5.) Most melodic metalcore sounds the same, but that’s what makes it melodic metalcore. A few bands that are doing it really well will be at Trees (2709 Elm St., Dallas, 214-741-1122) on Saturday, including Slaves, Miss Fortune, Alive Like Me, Set the Sun, Storylines, and Australia’s Hands Like Houses.
