Live bands kick off weekend of Halloween shenaningans in Dallas-Fort Worth

by Sarah Crisman

Halloween weekend brings out the mischief in all of us -- as such, shows are bound to get a little crazy. We've scoured through the mixed bag of tricks and treats to find you the real goods.

Friday

Paul Slavens and his Texclectic Band will be improvising a live score for The Hunchback of Notre Dame at Grapevine's Palace Theater. It'll be just like his Lola's comedy nights, sans the obtrusively clever lyrics. (Read: expect beautiful music juxtaposed against the backdrop of a Gothic classic.)

If you're wondering what Satan is doing on Friday night, he's probably going to The Boiler Room. No screamo show can hold a candle to the sinister bill featuring Pentagrass (our favorite Satanic Bluegrass band), Circus Della Morte (a freak show not for the faint of heart), and Sol Kitchen (the root of all evil).

If you'd rather a masquerade, might I suggest The Rocky Horror Tribute Band and Oso Closo over at Hailey's? Time Warp with live actors and a live band (not shadow cast), featuring some of Denton’s finest musicians including Buffi Jacobs (Polyphonic Spree), Nick Groesch (Polyphonic Spree, Backside Pick), Rocky Ottley (Backside Pick), and more.

Halloween

Did you know that kids like Halloween, too? Take your goblins down to see They Might Be Giants at House of Blues. This cult-favorite Indie band became a staple among really hip parents and the resulting generation of wicked cool kids growing up on Here Come the ABC's.

What could possibly beat a hard-rock lineup of Shaolin Death Squad, The Killhawks, and The Spectacle? Dress them up and make them cover Mr. Bungle, AC/DC, and Spinal Tap -- it's one louder, see?

Finally, Austin's Ghostland Observatory will be taking over the Palladium with what will surely be a mind-blowing performance. These guys rocked Austin City Limits silly -- fans are still reeling. They return just in time for us to grab our friends who couldn't make it to ACL and hit South Dallas.