1.) The Moz is in town. ’Nuff said. Among underground pop-rock legends, ones who never really cracked the mainstream, Morrissey has to be right up there with the greats (Lou Reed, Paul Westerberg, Alex Chilton). Are there singers with better voices? Sure. Morrissey’s stuffed-up-nose timbre makes it seem as if he’s straining, which, in turn, may make you, the listener, unconsciously and nervously start to strain. But is there a wittier, funnier, more literary, more self-effacing lyricist on the planet? Not even close.
And with The Smiths, Morrissey crafted some of the best, most era-defining music of all time. Huge, ringing guitars, catchy vocal lines, and crackling, occasionally thunderous drums with popping basslines coalesce into a sound that’s decidedly of the ’80s but also ultimately transcendent.
The Moz has a new album out, World Peace Is None of Your Business, and he’ll roll into Dallas tonight (Thursday) to play the Majestic Theatre (1925 Elm St., 800-745-3000). Tickets are $39.50-99.50.
2.) Have any of these bands put out any new music since the 1980s? Who knows. Who cares! Journey, Steve Miller Band, and Tower of Power are legacy acts, which, to me, means they’ve put out so much great music for so many years that you owe them the privilege of seeing them perform. And perform they will on Sunday at Gexa Energy Pavilion (1818 1st St., Dallas, 214-421-1111).
3.) Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society is definitely hard rocking, but there’s a lot to love about the L.A. quartet’s catchy grooves and rich, hyper-melodic vocal passages, situating the former Ozzy guitarist’s 15-year-old project somewhere between true heaviness (Pantera, Anthrax) and Alice in Chains-like pop-grunge. And, yes, Wylde will tear shit up on guitar –– his soloing is full of arpeggiated runs, and he pretty much invented the harmonic-laden riff. Black Label Society is touring in support of its new album, Catacombs of the Black Vatican, and will hit Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie (1001 Performance Pl., 972-854-5111) on Friday with Down, Devil You Know, and Butcher Babies.
4.) The loud and doom-y Saint Vitus calls L.A. home, but drummer Henry Vasquez is from the Fort. Come welcome him home from a long-ass tour when he and Saint Vitus play Sunday at Three Links (2704 Elm St., Dallas) with Sons of Huns and Vasquez’ old local project, the hard-charging and semi-psychedelic stoner-rock outfit Blood of the Sun.
5.) Local shows! I’m cheating here, but let’s not keep score, ’K?
5A.) All day Saturday through Monday at Buffalo Bros. (3015 S. University St., TCU-land, 817-386-9601) is Wingstock, a big ol’ annual outdoor party replete with wing-eating contests and, of course, live music, mostly of the local variety. Headliners include a handful of killer Fort Worth acts: The Hanna Barbarians, The Longshots, Un Chien, Poo Live Crew, and Sally Majestic. Admission is free.
5B.) Hey, lookie here. Another out-of-town band with a Fort Worth drummer and one that also hasn’t done anything since the 1980s. (Haha! Just kidding!) (But not really.) Featuring Fort Worth stickman Quincy Holloway, who’s basically like another soloist, Dallas/Denton’s Dove Hunter is just one of those bands you want to grab by the lapels and shout, “Make another G.D. record!!! Your last one is five years old!!!” Anyway, it’s nice to know the Southern gothic rock quartet is at least still breathing, playing Saturday, June 7, with Woodeye (!!!) and Foxtrot Uniform at Lola’s Saloon and Friday with two outstanding and equally dark Fort Worth acts –– The Cush and Missing Sibling –– at Shipping & Receiving (201 S. Calhoun St., 817-343-6393). Cover is only $5.
5C.) You may have seen Holy Moly before but probably never at a ballpark. The Fort Worth punk-country rockers will perform after the last out at the Cats game on Saturday at LaGrave Field (NE 7th St., 817-332-2287) and beforehand will sing the National Anthem.
