Live music events in Dallas-Fort Worth, August 5-8

by Michelle Parsons

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Toadies!

Thursday

Although we couldn’t say enough glowing things about Crowded House and their reunion show at the House of Blues on Thursday, not everyone will be in the mood for the New Wave thoroughfare. The Ontario outfit The Cliks decided to come to Texas and fry like Canadian bacon at the Cavern tonight. The band, whose name comes from a clever combo of ('scuse our language) clits and dicks, are smack dab in the middle of their Guts and Glory tour of the good ol’ U.S. of A. Their pop-rock-meets-indie-meets-glam-punk sound gained them a great deal of notoriety up north with the single “Dirty Kings.” Transgender man and lead singer Lucas Silveira pushes social norms for a ball-busting set that hails the “come one, come all” motto.

Andy’s Basement in Denton is another option, as Dallas’ punk rock mainstay Spector 45 drowns their rockabilly in booze and smart-assery. They play fast and loose and loud, with a snarling attitude that’s just as cheeky as it is a kick in the teeth. With greaser haircuts and boys-will-be-boys charm, take a night off from the 9-to-5 pantsuit and just say f**k it with Spector 45.

Friday

If you’re like us, you can’t get that damn B.o.B. song out of your head no matter how hard you try. Airplanes are not, in fact, like shooting stars, and the only thing we wish is for you to head to Dan’s Silver Leaf for Little Jack Melody, despite the B.o.B. show at House of Blues. Because while he may have the hits on the radio, LJM also has some pretty hefty gumption and maritime theatrics that are just as entertaining. His wondrous kind of scratch-your-head-and-say-hmm ragtime nostalgia makes you want to dress in flapper regalia and flail your limbs, Charleston-style. It’s really not a bad way to start your weekend, with an odd, decidedly Denton, orchestral smorgasbord.

If you’re opting for something a little more poppy and a little less think, mosey over to Trees for Shorelines End. The hometown homeboys just finished up Warped Tour and have come back to the nest to bring their babies some unabashed pop-punk. Angsty kids all over this great state love ‘em and we’re sure your 16-year-old sister already has tickets. So why don’t you break out your Toni and Guy product from the back of your bathroom cabinet (you know, where you left it when you decided it was cooler to grow a beard and wear jorts), and accompany your baby sis to some heart-breakingly catchy rock ballads and shout-alongs? We won’t tell.

Saturday

The Toadies have a new album, and they’re playing the Palladium tonight with two other DFW darlings – House Harkonnen and The Burning Hotels. Feeler, the album that Interscope shelved 12 years ago because they thought it wasn’t good enough, will be released this summer on Kirtland Records. Expect a live-wire of a show tonight, and expect to hear their new, er, old tunes that will probably ring of the classic Toadies we’ve all welcomed into our ‘90s rock-laden hearts. And as if that wasn’t enough, hard rock hommes the House Harkonnen and Fort Worth’s post-punkers The Burning Hotels will heat things up with a heaping helping of – ah, to hell with it – just go already!

But if for some reason you’ve decided to go against your grunge-lovin’ grain, try the City Tavern for The Marfalites and their fun rockabilly country. It’s kind of rootsy, it’s kind of Elvis, it’s kind of dirty – and that’s why this band is perfect for a Saturday night romp. They’ve got old school attitude and new school style, so even if you’ve cursed nu-country for good, you’ll welcome these boys into your iPod (or in this case, your eyes and ears) with open arms.

Sunday

Denton darlings Spooky Folk are playing tonight at Hailey’s with Dark Dark Dark. It’s exactly what you think it might be – the buttery voice of Kaleo Kaualoku singing over a chamber-pop folkestra of about five other band members. The effect of this ambient acoustical arrangement is calming, an excellent choice for relaxation at the end of the weekend. Listen for the sing-along songs like “Rare Bird” and “Bible Belt” off their new self-titled album on I Love Math records.

So what do you get when you mix three scary-looking’ punk rockers, an upright bass, banjo, and a wreck-everything-in-sight mentality? Well, The Goddamn Gallows, that’s what. This prickly bunch from up north by way of LA have a gutter-filth charm that gives their Americana psychobilly that extra something special. The quartet just started a month-long tour that gives Texas some extra TLC. And why not? With their twang-punk sound and fisticuffs cowboy ‘tude, it’s a wonder they don’t already inhabit our Lone Star State.

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