FRIDAY

Tang Lung/Slack Beat/The Angelus/Spelling Bee (1919 Hemphill): Though I received it an embarrassingly long time ago, I finally spent some real time with Slack Beat’s odd little 7 inch release, and I’m glad I did. The most striking thing about it is that you can’t tell when it was made; it has a timelessness to it that is so unattainable in most recordings, especially for local acts. The guitar-focused work is quite different from the previous looseness of their live performances, which have changed dramatically over the years with the addition of new members. It’s dissonant without ever becoming lost. I look forward to seeing them again.

As we told you earlier in the week, The Angelus is somewhere in the closing stages of releasing their new full-length and made this very ambitious medley-based preview for the record. So be on the lookout for a twelve part miniseries when it’s actually out.

I read some online mutterings of this show being under-promoted. But that’s just untrue. Tang Lung even made a very innovative video-flier. Look out, Angelus.

Two Knights/Sons of Linden/Cat on a Rope/Spelling Bee/Innards (J&J’s Pizza)

Slut Dungeon/Filth/Mind Hunter/Vaginal Reconstructive Surgery (Phoenix Project):

Mabus 40/Person Unknown/Botanical Dabbler (The Crown and Harp): Botanical Dabbler is the solo project of Geoffrey Spungin, an under-the-radar yet talented guitarist and composer that has played in various local acts of the years. He is probably best known for his work in Teenage Symphony, but even so it was sometimes hard to pick Spungin out since it was a large ensemble. So it will be a privilege to hear what Spungin does when left to his own devices, if his solo recordings are any indication.

Mabus 40 includes at least one member of once popular Dallas-act, OHNO.

DJ Sista Whitenoise (Fallout Lounge)

Nervous Curtains/Broadcast Sea (Bryan St. Tavern): Here you have two dramatically different takes on all that is dark and, well, dramatic. Neither of these acts is much for light-heartedness and will surely standout in the all-good-times atmosphere of Bryan St on a Friday night. But Nervous Curtains display much “truth-in-advertising” sensibility with their relentless strategy of using focused anxiety as a weapon.

Broadcast Sea bothers little with any evidence of self-doubt, instead beating the audience over the head with volume and masculinity. But as you are probably familiar, a lot of people are into that.

Devin The Dude/Coughee Brothaz (Granada): I read somewhere that Devin The Dude has apparently sold out his last two dates here, and it’s for good reason. He’s simply one of the best rappers to ever come out of the state, with a perceived laziness being his greatest strength. There is really nobody that can sell a tale of intoxicated indulgence with more truthfulness or style, and I try to never miss a record.

Oh, and I just read from D’s very own events editor, Liz Johnstone, that Devin is over 40 now! That just stung a little. I hope his deliberate pace keeps him rapping forever.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr./Generationalists (Club Dada)

Woot Fridays with Big J/Genova/CJ DeMarx (Vietnam Restaurant): At the risk of jinxing this event, which runs from 10 pm to 3 am, it always sounds like the kind of party that shouldn’t be taking place. Which is why I really need to make a point of attending. Special guest tonight is Nicholas Beard.

Ryan Thomas Becker and Last Joke/Bad Design/Soviet/Paper Robot (Rubber Gloves)

SATURDAY

La Meme Gallery presents the work of Keith Spinn. With Kiwi Sisters/Kashioboy/Florene (Rubber Gloves): Excellent chance to catch Kiwi Sisters in Denton, an act we interviewed earlier this week.

Sealion/Blackstone Rangers/Burgess Meredith/Spookeasy (City Tavern)

Fifth Annual Pubfest (Dan’s Silver Leaf): Doors open at 1:oo pm. Schedule is as followed:

2:30 – Ashley Cromeens
3:00 – Katey Margolis
3:30 – Scott Porter
4:00 – Glen Farris
4:30 – Ryan Cornelius
5:00 – Harlin Anderson
5:30 – Gigi Foster
6:00 – Chris Welch
6:30 – Darin Bradley
7:00 – Jason Ashbaugh
7:30 – Dim Locator

Gruff Rhys/Y Niwl (Club Dada)

Whiskey Folk Ramblers/Sorta (Kessler Theater)

Xander Harris/Diamond Age/Eyes, Wings, & Many Other Things (Pastime Tavern)

Midnite Society/Dharma/Tiger Hatchery/Marriage Material (Phoenix Project): [Ed note. Mr. Mosley is performing in this show tonight. He doesn't like the idea of promoting his own stuff, which is respectable. I, however, am not above that kind of thing. So go support -- or spit at -- him.]

However, I should mention that Chicago’s Tiger Hatchery was a late addition to the show and features Denton expats Mike Forbes and Andrew Scott Young.

SUNDAY

Ishi/The Gorehounds (Double Wide): You probably don’t follow me on Twitter, which is a shame because you’re missing some high comedy and unreleased material on the weekends. For instance, when I caught Ishi’s set at Homegrown a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that the band was entering dangerous territory, wardrobe-wise. You know, music isn’t just about “how you sound,” so tread lightly when you want to go wild with the costumes. Though there are nothing but unspoken and undefined rules to dressing up, it’s an uncomfortable show when the attempted visual flair is less-than-stellar. If you remind the audience of a cross between a 90′s Candy Raver and a member of Complete, you might be guilty of breaking one of those evasive but crucial rules. Next time.

Image: Devin the Dude promo shot.