DUMB QUESTIONS/SMART ANSWERS: THE SPORATICS

Every now and then (Thursdays), we subject someone in a band that reps the real to some pretty dumb questions and post their responses. This week, we sent off our set of music journalism 101 prompts to Omar Olivares, vocals and guitars for The Sporatics.

What's your favorite record lately?
really havent been listening to albums lately...just kinda put my ipod/itunes on shuffle...but it would prolly have to be Between the Buttons(UK) from the Rolling Stones, Psychocandy by the Jesus and Mary Chain and Bravery Repetition and Noise from the Brian Jonestown Massacre.

Is there a Houston band who you've been digging?
the Wiggins!

What is your day job?
teller for a bank

What websites/blogs/internet foolishness do you read?
the usual: pitchfork , handsuphouston, myspace

What's your secret Houston place?
umm...Tepatitlan on Shaver and Spencer. Its not a secret if ur from Pasadena but if any of you Houston folk are in the neighborhood, they've got some damn good tortas.

Who is skipping Houston on an upcoming tour that bums you out?
im pretty content w/ who is coming this spring but it would prolly have to be the Stoooges, since theyre playin sxsw.

What never leaves your side?
The Stooges' Fun House, newly acquired ipod and cell phone.

Catch the Sporatics opening up the Saturday bill of Noise and Smoke at The Axiom (seriously, only a few more days where it seems like every post mentions this beast).

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.

Week in Review: Other News

A Summary of our Other News postings from last week.

• Miss the Contingency as Fugazi? They're playing that set 2/18 at Rudz
• Free Sporatics CDrs at their Shows this Week
• Hell City Kings: Tonight is our Last Show For a While
• Turkeys/Act of God Show Moved to PJ's
• Houstonist Weekend Mardi Gras Picks
• Handstamp Seeks Reader Rodeo Reviews
• John Nova Lomax and Daniel Mee Talk about Indie Rock
• Milli Vanilli film to be made
• SNEAK PEAK: Rough Mixes of New Tracks by The Kimonos
• YUSS! Beyonce is SI's Swimsuit Issue Cover Model
• Houstonist Announces Light Rail Pub Crawl
• HoustonSoReal Covers the Bun B Style Wars Screening and Afterparty
• The Wiggins/RUA MINX, The Sporatics, others Saturday Night @ Notsuoh
• Boo Goo Doo Boom Offers Helpful Valentine's Day Mix
• Mourge City and The Contingency Wish You a Very Jugend Valentines
• Red Star of the Solar Federation Discuss Desire to Become More Radio Friendly
• Hosuton Press Unveils Mixtape Series that Includes no Houston Bands
• Houston Punk Archives Review Spikefest
• Sharks and Sailors/My Education/Red Sparrows 2/21 @ Walters

Last Week in Other News

Repost of our "other news" links from the past week, archived for your eternal pleasure.

• 14K to Perform at Rockbox on Thursday
• Something Fierce Demo Tracks now Available for Download
• Houstonian Robyn Troup Helps Push the Grammys Even Further from Relevancy
• Stereogum's Live Blog of the Grammies
• Jana Hunter Signs with Gnomonsong Records
• Pitchfork Disses on Paul Wall
• Mutant Hardcore setlist- 2/8
• Olivia Flores Alvarez Dumbs it Up at a DJ Sun Gig
• Monocles/Sporatics/Cop Warmth Feb 21st @ The Mink
• Anna Nicole Smith Dies!
• R. Kelly has emergency appendectomy!
• MV & EE, Jana Hunter, Graustark @ Rudz this Saturday
• SXSW Band List FINALLY Up
• The Juan Mclean DJ set at next MFAH Mixed Media Event
• Austin's Sound Team Playing the Proletariat Saturday
• Chron.com Hometown Showdown Announced
• Flowers to Hide Post New Recordings
• SXSW Confirmed List Swells to Over 500

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.