(Go see the) Live music events in Dallas-Fort Worth April 23-26

by Erin Rice

While a few national acts are peppered in the mix, this weekend's live music is locally grown and dominated. Just like we like it.

Thursday

So-Cal punk legends Pennywise return to Dallas with fellow Californians Pepper for the Jägermeister Music Tour. Says Fletcher Dragge, Pennywise guitarist, "After 15 years of paying for Jägermeister shots, it will be nice to finally get a couple on the house." Should be fun times at the Palladium Ballroom.

Down the street, local singer/songwriter Kristina Morland plays Opening Bell Coffee with Christian Ross. Morland brings a style similar to Joanna Newsom, minus the harp, plus an acoustic guitar, with subtly darker themes. Along with Sarah Jaffe, she's one of the must-hear, female singer/songwriters in DFW.

Friday

A couple of Dallasites are releasing albums on Friday, including The Secret Handshake at Prophet Bar. The one-man musical project of Luis Dubuc, TSH's new album, My Name Up in Lights, is his sophomore release. "This record is really narrowed down. It’s really influenced by Family Matters and Step By Step and the Ninja Turtles and Len and Spacehog and awesome ‘90s radio music," said Dubuc. "I just narrowed all those influences down and put them into a record."

Across town (towns, whatever) at Lola's on Sixth, punkabilly rockers, The Von Ehrics, will be celebrating the release of Loaded. The band promises via MySpace that the new album is "more reflective" than the previous, while being "more unapologetic" at times. Screw apologies, right? The Von Ehrics will be at the Double Wide the following night.

Saturday

If you haven't had occasion to check out the sorta-newly reopened Longhorn Saloon, and you're into country music, then this is the time. The Derailers from Austin come back to DFW, pairing their dancehall rhythms with the much respected, mucho country, Jamie Richards from Oklahoma.

In another part of Fort Worth, Lola's, Peg faves Darth Vato play their last show. Down with them go many stories about broken down vans, which we've cherished over the years. Be sure to wish them adieu.

Called a "mad scientist of sound and vision," Stan Ridgway brings his "Desert of Dreams" tour to the Lakewood Theater, with local non-scientists, with sometimes mad fans, The Theater Fire. Did we mention we love The Theater Fire? Because we do. We really do. Honest. Please don't yell at me again.

Sunday

Sure, you could take it easy on Sunday. Relax. Not bang your head. But what's the fun in that? What you should do is head down to the Palladium (again) and check out one of the best metal lineups of 2009: Lamb of God, As I lay Dying, Children of Bodom and God Forbid. Order that neck brace asap.

Or if more traditional fare is in order, The Best Little Klezmer Band in Texas is playing at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas. For Yiddish quotes of praise galore, check out the band's website, which includes words from Jackie Mason, Marvin Hamlisch, and this from Itzhak Perlman, "...now that's good schlepp! Your new CD's a mamaloschen delight." Don't be a schlemiel and miss this. Schlimazel?

See something we missed? Let us know in the comments. Don't forget to check out the daily Peg Picks for more event suggestions from Pegasus News staffers.