REAL TALK: LAST WEEKEND

Soooo – what a weekend. Haliburton annouced it is moving to Dubai, the guy from Boston died and that movie that was so kind enough as to increase our MySpace photo quota took the top spot at the box office. What else? OH YEAH – NOISE AND SMOKE.

You know, we were going to do a big hefty write up of all the who’s and what’s – all the notes and all the bands and the this and that. But – whether through a combination of laziness and neck-breaking subsequents or just plain old scatterbrainery – we just can’t seem to set aside the post-performance bliss and compose anything that would do the humid memories of it justice (props to Ramon Medina’s write-up of Friday Night on Nonalignment Pact, though). Every draft we’ve penned to describe how Bring Back the Guns and Satin Hooks played the most convincingly aces sets we’ve ever witnessed them do comes across as clichéd cheerleading. Our attempts to explain how Jana Hunter could unintentionally reinvent honky-tonk happenings or theories on why the Ka-Nives don’t even need to play at their shows anymore (showing up is enough - photos) just sound like foolspeak compared to the actual experience.

And so, we hope you were there – we hope you have your own summary to walk away with. And we hope that organizers Joey and Liz, though now both sporting area codes states and counties away, find their way through the frustration and the footwork to do it again. THAT, would be worth writing about. Thanks again to the organizers, the bands and the people that showed up. SMOKED!

N&S - SET TIMES

Can you believe it? It’s already Wednesday afternoon and we haven’t yet done a single post about Noise and Smoke yet?! It’s like our entire staff has a day job or something. But what possible news could there be after weeks of saturation coverage? How about the set times and lineup – BAM:

Friday @ Notsuoh
6:00 Cop Warmth
7:00 Eat Grapes
8:00 Jana Hunter
9:00 Finally Punk
10:00 Bring Back the Guns
11:00 Satin Hooks
12:00 The Ka-nives
1:00 Ume

Saturday @ The Axiom
8:00 Sporatics
9:00 Blades
10:00 The Wiggins
11:00 Skullening
12:00 Something Fierce
1:00 Indian Jewelry

Yes, that is correct, Friday gets kicked off at 6pm sharp, so don't dally during your happy hour. Also, we're not sure that we've ever pointed out that this whole shebang is all ages. N2IT.

PS: The bass player for Blades has had a catastrophe with his bass head and is on the look-out for one to borrow or rent. If you are so inclined, email him.

DRAMA: THE DIMES DISS N&S

The Dimes sent the following email to the rest of the bands on next week’s Noise and Smoke bill, and of course you know we ended up with a copy of it:

Hey,
We wanted to let you know, personally, that we have decided to drop from the Noise and Smoke show.

It is important to us that you know that this is in no way meant to be a sign of disrespect to you or any of the other bands on the bill. And rather than have you speculate as to our reasoning, we feel that you are owed an explanation. That said, we have based our decision on the general mishandling, lack of communication and professionalism surrounding the show.

Since the show's inception we have attempted to remain professional despite the total lack of communication. At no time throughout multiple venue changes has anyone bothered to contact us but instead, information has come from third parties. And despite several offers to play other shows, we felt it was important to remain professional. However, with the recent developments, there is a strong indication
that there has been inadequate preparation and therefore, we no longer feel this show is in our best interest.

Again, we want to make clear that this has nothing to do with personal profiteering and is not meant to be a sign of disrespect. We had high hopes for this show.

Sincerely,

The Dimes

Well, we won’t call foul on the fact that they state in one sentence that they are quitting because the show is no longer in their best interest and then turn around and say the decision has nothing to do with personal profiteering in the next. And because their average age was 10 when N&S organizers starting booking shows, we may even be inclined to give them a pass on their inability to roll with the punches that a horizontally ID’d act would take in stride. Hell, we might even be able to find it kinda funny that they keep referring to professionalism in a letter where they are about to drop off a bill about a week before its lights go on.

However, no other band we spoke too knew anything about ‘multiple venue changes.’ And we are inclined to take the show organizers at their word that they phoned each of the Saturday bands after the necessary venue change was secured but before going public.

This is too bad - The Dimes are a solid band and it’s not entirely clear why they would schlep their gear to Walter’s but not The Axiom (we wrote them for comment, a message that they read but have not yet responded to).

Fortunately, Pasadena punks The Sporatics have taken up the call and are now on the Saturday lineup in The Dime's place.

AXIOM AND ALLIES: Noise & Smoke Changes Venue

The Saturday lineup for March's Noise and Smoke Festival has changed venues and, sadly, changed lineups. The second day of favs will now take place at the Axiom, a venue that organizer Liz Molina is right in pointing out will be far less likely to suffer the slings and arrows of an HPD visit. In announcing the move, N&S broke the news that God's Temple of Family Deliverance won't be able to play due to the state of drummer Chris Ryan's foot (this is the only time we have ever wished he just played lute or dulcimer or something without a kick drum) - get better buddy.

In related Noise and Smoke news, true to their word, though both Joey and Liz are both in the C-Ya Later former Houstonian camp, they're putting together other shows. Recently announced is a bill featuring Clipd Beaks, Church of the Snake and local troublemakers Balaclavas and Wicked Poseur - March 24th @ Notsuoh.

VIDEO: LIZFITS and URKEL JERKS

Ah, the send off of a friend and luminary; were there ever so bittersweet an affair? As Houston sends away a beloved and important friend, a show and festival organizer, a chanteuse, a connector of dots and a real original all in one, we can do so only in the style of a pikey wake. Best of Luck in San Antonio Liz.

Enough with the sentiments, I wanna see some Black Flag and Misfits covers!

Urkel Jerks - Depression



Lizfits - Where Eagles Dare

Cop Warmth says Be Mine

We have recieved the following message from the kids in Cop Warmth, and feel no amount of journalistic rephrasement will ever do it justice:

WE HAVE CDRs FOR FREEE!!(THANKS TO JOHN SEARS!! WE LOVE YOU!) JUST LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT ONE. TAKE ONE...TAKE TWO. FOURTY. FOR YOUR FRIENDS. YOUR ABUELITA. YOUR SANCHA. WHO EVER YOU WANNA GIVE THEM TO. CONSIDER THIS OUR VALENTINES PRESENT FOR YOUR SISTER. SO JUST LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT ONE AND WE WILL EITHER GIVE IT TO YOU PERSONALLY (with a little hallmark song) or we will give you the files through aim or msn. or if you want we can mail it to you. doesnt matter how JUST HAVE OUR SONGS SO THIS VALENTINES...

The message subsequently goes on into some rather specific details as to how it might be helpful to have a copy of their John Sears-recorded album this Valentine's Day (which we shall not print here just in case our parents read this). The kids that care have a few upcoming shows, including the 21st with The Sporatics and an appearance at Noise and Smoke March 9th.

The Talent-Drain Continues with the Departure of Liz Molina

Following in the footsteps of fellow Noise and Smoke organizer Joey Promahoney, Liz Molina has announced that she will be moving to San Antonio on March 11th. Liz, who is now dead to us, is perhaps best known for fronting the tribute bands Lizfits (The Misfits) and Lizifuge (Danzig), as well as the organizing of more than a few shows during her brief but welcome time here in Houston.

As Copy Doctor drives yet another beloved Houstonian away (ATTN Katie Mitchell: Please get a new job somewhere else before it’s too late), we are offered up what has now become a regular series; another consolation prize C-Ya Later Party, this one to take place February 17th at Time Out on Shepherd. Entertainment will include performances by the Urkel Jerks (Black Flag covers done by a band dressed like Urkel) and a final romp in the sheets with The Lizfits.

As for Noise and Smoke, both Liz and Joey have stated that they plan on it being an annual event even despite their not being here, it’s fair to say that it says something both funny and sad about the state of things that they’ll be organizing from other area codes.

PS: Seriously. Liz: congratulations and best wishes

Everyone you Know to play Noise and Smoke Fest

The weekend before you and your mates will be trying to figure out how to foist one another over the wall at Stubbs, Emos and other SXSW venues for which you will not have the proper credentials, the two day Noise and Smoke festival will be underway here in Houston. For an insultingly low $8/day, you’ll spend Friday (at Notsuoh) and Saturday (at Walter’s The Axiom) seeing just about every act in Houston not signed to French Kiss records. From the cryptically entertaining Cop Warmth to the Pitchfork Mix-tape appearing Indian Jewelry to an apparently drummer-only incarnation of God’s Temple of Family Deliverance, the weekend promises to be an all out race to the finish for livers and eardrums alike. Lineup time:

Friday, March 9th – Notsuoh
Ume, The Ka-Nives, Satin Hooks, Bring Back the Guns, Finally Punk, Jana Hunter, Eat Grapes and Cop Warmth

Saturday, March 10th – Walter’s on Washington The Axiom
Indian Jewelry, Something Fierce, Skullening, God’s Temple of Family Deliverance, The Wiggins, Blades and The Dimes The Sporatics.

Update: word now coming from festival co-organizer and recent brain-drain encourager Joey Promahoney that Noise and Smoke will not only be an annual event, larger in size and scope, but that they anticipate it will include other, smaller, events during the year as well.

CTRL+C; CTRL+V: "Future festivals will more likely not be in a bar setting. ex. Outdoors, a larger hall, or possibly in the middle of nowhere. In addition to the festival, Noise and Smoke will be hosting smaller events, for example, we will be announcing a show seperate from the festival very soon"


More Info: Noise and Smoke Festival