GREERING UP FOR BIG THINGS

We freely admit that sometimes we miss out on the good stuff, especially the good transitions. Like whenever it was in the Transformers story arc that it was explained why Bumblebee went from having his Volkswagon disguise kit altered into one that looked a helluva lot like a Chevy. We totally missed that. We're sure that this level of meddling with our distinct childhood recollections of that fact must have been an excellent subplot that played out on the small screen, or perhaps in a Dark Horse graphic novel. Surely this isn't the sort of transition that was undertaken in, say, a corporate boardroom.

Regardless, when you do miss out on the transitions, sometimes it can be TCBY chill to be met with that next level product. Like Elaine Greer. Last time we checked in with her, she was a cute as buttons folksie, writing catchy little acoustic strummers like "Everything Again" (still one of our favorites, though sadly no longer on her MySpace). No more. Though we've run into her for weeks at the woefully underrated Saturday Secret Shows, we hadn't actually seen her play, but that all came to a cold, roof-leaking end this past week as she took to the stage (er, corner) of the Shady Tavern's back room.

Left in the car was her acoustic, replaced with the most rock of guitars - a P-90 sporting SG Classic (classic!). Standing aside and behind her, a three piece band, whose amplified sound was almost big enough to keep up with her now seriously catalyic-coverterless voice; you simply cannot believe that a sound that big and full can come from a body that small (and there is really no way to write that phrase without it sounding creepy. Apologies). Though the twee-folk is gone, don't think that she's fallen off the cliff into some sort of too-tuff n' snarly Runaways style rebellion - she sings with a smile and made a noticeably 'oh no' face as she realized she was about to say a lyric with a bad word in front of her grandmother (who was in the audience). The band's slightly twangy pop fits well in the collection of anyone who counts Rilo Kiley or The Lemonheads as must-hears, and certainly has a place in ours.

Whats so great is how young this band is, and though that statement makes us sound old and farty (which we are), it is true that they do some of those rather charming things that young bands/musicians do: for example, later in the night, when we went to see them at the Proletariat (yes, after seeing them play for free we went and paid six bucks to hear them again - they're that good) not quite being able to roll with the pretty standard sound challenges that the venue likes to throw at you. BUT - that is not meant to take away from them, just to say we are canned like ham on whats to come from this quartet. Elaine tells us that they'd like to record, and we hope they find the means to do it soon.

Stream: Elaine Greer - Various Tracks
Photo by Grant Hickey

GLITTERATI: SCENE ON THE TOWN

Oh beautiful Houston scene, you are so captured better in image than word. Scope who online made our A list this week:


Elaine Greer (Elaine and the Boys) flashing her trademark “I’m younger and funner than you” smile during the hootenanny-filled country records throw down at Leon’s Lounge earlier this month. Is that a vest? LOVE IT. (from a chron.com Scenester gallery shot by Jordan Graber).



At Danseparc’s 5th Anniversary party, DJ’s Shoe and Stacey show up the young Mrs. Greer with a duo of vests. And Michael, what is that pattern? Fun flirty summer sun. We love it, don’t just keep it for the night time. (from Danseparc’s gallery of the nights beautiful and sweaty goings on).



Lauren of Ume, who has traded in her straight locks for something with a bit more body, showing all the ladies (and gents) that the best accessory for a summer dress is still a Stratocaster (from Jvan’s flickr collection of the Ume/Those Peabodies/Che Arthur Show).



By The End of Tonight’s Jeff Wilson (who saddens us with his impending departure from the band), shows of this season’s hottest footwear. But darling, please, save the shorts for the gardening won’t you? (from John Sear’s flickr).



Roy Mata: a man for every season with a plaid for every day. You’ve got it, and it works baby. Don’t change for noithin. (from Carrie Murphy’s flickr of the recent Fatal Flying Guilloteens show in Austin)

Want to get your photos of the beautiful fashionistas you catch out on the town up here? Be sure you flickr tag them theskylinenetwork. Love it baby, love it.

YOUNG FOLKS: ELAINE GREER

We first met Elaine Greer at the Westheimer Block Party a few weeks ago, and before even hearing her music we were pretty stoked to hear she once had serious enough contemplation of performing under the name “The Duck Duck Goose Band” to swipe the MySpace extension. Well, sadly enough for anyone that though said moniker would make for an ACES split 7” with The Red Rovers, The Tetherballs, The Heads Up Seven Ups or any of the numerous grade-school game-invoking bands that by any right should be out there (we have no clue if any of these actually exist, btw. Steal these names), she no longer uses it. Instead you can sometimes catch her as Elaine Greer and the Ever After, or, as she is described on the flyer for her show at Super Happy Fun Land tonight, Elaine Greer and The Boys.

The Boys are a recent addition to what Elaine has been up to, and fill out her occasionally campfire, occasionally twee, often walks-in-the-woodsy elven-folk. (But hey, seriously, Elaine – put ‘Everything Again’ back up for people to download – that jam is the catchy marmalade!). Her songs are blushy and have a breeze behind them, and you will prolly get annoyed if people talk while she is playing. So, like we said, consider checking out Elaine and the Boys tonight at Super Happy Fun Land with Ayn, Alle Norton and Kelly Shay Hicks.