1.) Dallas Observer Music Awards showcase is Saturday. Taking place at multiple venues in Deep Ellum, it features dozens of acts, including some Fort Worthians –– Son of Stan will headline Club Dada (2720 Elm St., 214-744-3232) and will be preceded there by War Party, Pinkish Black, and In Memory of Man, among others, and Quaker City Night Hawks will play Trees (2709 Elm St., 214-741-1122) while Bad Mountain and Jacob Furr hold down The Green Room (2715 Elm St., 214-748-ROOM).
Admission is $7.50-50. For more info, call 214-757-9000.
2.) If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times: Fuck Andy Garcia. No, wait. That’s not where I was going with this. What I meant to say is that not enough bands in this town are doing Faces/Steve Earle-inspired rock. One band that is is also tapping into a little Drive-By Truckers, a little Social D, and a little of what I imagine a mythical band fronted by John Fogerty’s no-account mechanic would sound like. Featuring ex-members of The Gideons, Ghostcar, and some other blasts from the past, Caliche Burnout churns out a lot of greasy riffage, banging beats, and twang-filled fury.
Along with SMOGG (playing the music of FOGG) and American Salvage (built from parts of Black Draught Almanac), Caliche Burnout plays Tuesday at The Boiled Owl Tavern (909 W. Magnolia Av., 817-920-9616). Cover is … there is no cover. It’s free!
3.) To help generate some Christmas presents and ka-ching for needy children, a diverse bill has been put together for Saturday night at Lola’s Saloon (2736 W. 6th St., 817-877-0666). On tap are Dansworth Junction, Bomb Atomic, Doug Funnie, Doom Ghost, Tripp Mathis & The Traitors, the aforementioned American Salvage, and this guy, Romio No E.
Cover is $10 or a new, unwrapped gift.
4.) Gosh, is Lee Allen still doing Impulse of Will? His improv/cover band featuring a rotating cast of local heavies but anchored by him, drummer Lucas White, bassist John Shook Jr., and guitarist Ron Geida started out at The Wreck Room –– we’re talking circa 2004-05. It’s not like the guys have to rehearse or anything. They just get up and jam. Still, I’m happy they’re still at it. Other than the random Stoogeaphilia reunion gig, there’s no other place in town other than an IOW show where you’ll hear the likes of “Maggot Brain.”
Impulse of Will’s next show is Monday at The Grotto (517 University Dr., 817-882-9331). No word on cover.
5.) And right now –– like, this very minute on this very Thursday –– Fort Worth soulman Luke Wade is performing with Grady Spencer at The Live Oak Music Hall & Lounge (1311 Lipscomb St., 817-926-0986) to celebrate his fantastic run on NBC’s The Voice.
Welcome back, Luke. We’re all very proud of ya, homey. No cover at The Live Oak.
