THUNDERBOLT! HOW ARE YOU? WE MISS YOU! Yes, we’re three days into a ten day jaunt to Las Vegas to attempt to re-create the time Shawn Adolph got kicked out of the House of Blues during an impassioned Rock Star Karaoke performance of Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up.” So far, the safe money has been with the house. BUT OH LUCKY YOU! Whether you are headed to Fun Fun Fun Fest, are sticking around to create a version of your own, or just doing whatever three-piece suits your fancy, know that you have a mighty satisfying time in store. Bust it.

FRIDAY
Parts and Labor, UME, Black Congress @ Walter’s on Washington
There is so much to love about this show, and not just because more than three inside jokes are sure to arise because of it. If we weren’t wasting our savings away a nickel at a time in front of a SPACE COWS FROM PLANET MOO-LAH slot machine, we would be here.

Los Llamarada, Balaclavas and Future Blondes @ PJ’s Sports Bar
Brent of Dull Knife Records but this show together, so it’s a fairly safe bet that Los Llamarada (who hail from Mexico) are sort of the opposite of eating a Dreamsicle while falling in love to the sounds of a Juliana Hatfield record. It is alleged that a special pre-release version of the forthcoming Indian Jewelry/Future Blondes split will be available in limited qualities at this show. PJ’s is that dirty looking bar next to Cecil’s for the google-maps disinclined.

Vinyl Ranch @ Leon’s Lounge
This month’s outing is called Dollywood, and will be top-heavy on her Backwoods Barbie’s Majesty’s, both in song and in screen. And though it’s (always) free, there will be a shave-off for the Houston Chapter of Mustaches for Kids, an organization that grows mustaches to raise money for children’s charities. Seriously. Get’s started at 9pm. Remember fellahs, Vinyl Ranch was recently awarded Best Place to Meet Single Women by the Houston Press, and we’ve never seen the horror of an applebum in a set of Rocky Mountains once while in attendance. Don’t blow it.

Sensory Overload @ The Drake
Still want to live that giving spirit but with a bit more glam and a bit less Charlie Pride? Then perhaps Sensory Overload is more your thing. We gave this benefit for Make a Wish a nod in a post last week.

ALSO:

  • Cynics, Ugly Beats, Guitars @ Rudyards
  • Pepi Ginsberg, Airon Paul Dugas @ The Mink
  • Groupo Fantasma @ The Continental Club

SATURDAY
Saturday Secret Show One Year Anniversary @ The Shady Tavern
Hard to believe it was only a year ago that this idea got kicked off, and that there has been a show pretty much every week since. This week, things get started a little earlier than usual (1pm) and will run a little later (7pm), but as always the beer will be cold, the setups will be cheap and the admission will be free. There’s even been a partial lineup hint: The McKenzies, Judas Bear, Darwins Finches, Awake, Welfare Mothers, Nosaprise, and others. Party.

ALSO:

  • Minus The Bear, Annuals and 27 @ House of Blues
  • Patt Todd & the Rank Outsiders, Hickoids, Born Liars @ Rudyard’s
  • Jad Fair @ The Mink


SUNDAY
Agent Orange @ The Meridian
REAL TALK: It’s Up to You and Me from the When You Least Expect It EP is possibly our favorite pop-punk jam of all time. Total coup that they’re playing this horrifically under-the-radar show Sunday night – you’d think they’d be part of the Fun Fun Fun BACK IN THE DAY STAGE lineup instead.

ALSO:

  • A Tribute to Johnny Romano, featuring Sugar Shack, Teisco Del Rey, The Neptones, Luxurious Panthers, Uncle Charlie, surf/skate art auction, & more @ The Continental Club/Sig’s Lagoon
  • Iron Bridge as The Smiths and Mechanical Boy as Tears for Fears @ The Mink