Featured Shows; Week of 10/27/13

Hello all my fellow Texas music goers! This week in DFW, there is plenty of live music to sufice your spooky Halloween party appetite. Without further ado, your weekly Live Music DFW featured shows:

Monday 10/28
Let's start off this week with a little Reggae Monday! Head on down to the Sundown at Granada to catch the David Willingham Project, a local act who has a residency at Sundown this month. Check them out, more show info here.



Tuesday 10/29
Tuesday marks a night of Jazz with 508 Park Ave at the Absinthe Lounge. Based here in Dallas, they are a crossover band that combines a unique sounds of Jazz, Funk, Rock and Soul. Show info here.



Wednesday 10/30
Smile Empty Soul, a band from California leads a Hard Rock-filled night at Trees. On Wednesday. Together since 1998, they've put out 6 studio albums, and 2 EPs. More show info can be found here.



Thursday 10/31
A night of spooky good fun, as we celebrate Halloween here in DFW at the House of Blues. Their event The Rocking Dead Halloween Extravaganza, will have musical acts on all stages throughout the night, as well as headliners Graceland Ninjas (Elvis Impersonator-fronted party band), and Here Come the Mummies, a Funk/R&B group out of Tennesee, that performs in full Mummy costumes. The whole night of music costs $15, additional show info can be found here.


Friday 11/1 A Live One, Phish tribute form Austin brings their famed Halloween show (Emulating Phish's Annual Costume Musical Set) to Dallas with 3 sets of music on the outdoor Stage. The costume album has not been disclosed yet, but previous years of A Live One's Halloween have been Prince's Purple Rain and the Blues Brothers Soundtrack. Friday at the Green Elephant, more show infor here.

Saturday 11/2
Granada is a funky good time with Galactic & Dirty Dozen on Saturday. Both hailing from New Orleans, this promises to be a night of Funk, ROck and Jazz. Together for their Halloween 3 night run, Galactic and Dirty Dozen will pack the house Saturday at 9pm. More show info here.


That's it for this week of live music in DFW! Thanks all for continuing to read, and please, we always love to recieve feed back so leave a comment or post on our FB page. Thanks everybody and keep jammin' my friends!
-SW

Short Interview with Tyler Grant of Grant Farm

 So, last Friday, a buddy of mine and I went to Sundown at Granada looking for some free music. Not ever having heard of either band (that's right, this particular night was a double performance at Sundown.) we decided to take a chance.

While the act down on the main stage was very talented musically, I couldn't help but feel that JD and the Straight Shot was just an excuse for "lead singer" Jim Dolan (Owner of NY Knicks) to get up and sing karaoke to impress potential business contact. That being said, he did surround himself with many very talented musicians, and never missed a lyric (partially because he had a screen with lyrics on it).

The second group, who performed on the rooftop patio this evening, was Grant Farm, a Bluegrass Jam Band with ties to some major touring acts. These were the guys to see that night, and we knew it.

Former members of Leftover Salmon, The Drew Emmitt Band, Emmitt-Nershi Band, came together to form Grant Farm; a 4-piece group from Boulder Colorado which have featured in their performances members of The String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Infamous Stringdusters, The Motet, Head For The Hills, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Tim O’Brien, Dumpstaphunk, Tony Rice, Larry Keel, Keller Williams, Jon Oates, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Disco Biscuits, Abigail Washburn and Peter Rowan. With the help of Thorn and stellar bassist Keith Moseley of The String Cheese Incident, the electric Grant Farm started rehearsing in early 2011. Performing locally lead to a hefty festival run including Yarmonygrass, Four Corners Folk Festival, NedFest, Fort Collins Bark n’ Bluegrass, Riverfront, and Harvestival.

 

At set break, I was able to get a short interview with the man behind the band; Tyler Grant.

Scott Wayne - How long have you all been playing together?
Tyler Grant - "We've been around for about three years, we started off as a Bluegrass group. Andy Thorn from Leftover Salmon and myself, we were in the Emmitt-Nershi Band and we started this as our side project. It then evolved into this sort of Rock 'n Roll/Rootsy group that it is now."

SW - So this is your first time playing in Dallas?
TG - "... in Texas, we're playing SXSW (South By Southwest); we're part of a group called Spokesbuzz that's based in Fort Collins, and they do a band exchange program with several different cities, Lafayette LA, Nashville, Asheville, and Fort Collins. But they also all of their groups from Colorado to SXSW for a showcase. We'll be part of the Spokesbuzz Showcase at SXSW this March. And this weekend we've got Poodie’s tomorrow night (10/12 outside of Austin), we've got the Saxon Pub in Austin on Sunday."

SW - So you are doing a little Texas Run then?
TG - "Yeah, and then we are opening three shows for Greensky Bluegrass in Baton Rouge, Mobile, and Memphis. And this whole tour is routing to Mulberry Mountain for The Yonder Mountain Harvest Fest. (10/17-19) It's a great festival, the same place they do Wakarusa."

SW - What do you enjoy most about playing with Grant Farm?

TG - "It's a fruition of all the efforts I want to put out and into the scene right now. I feel like we are giving it something that the scene needs, getting back to a little bit, kind of Rootsy, and Rock n' Roll, and Country...Of course Bluegrass influence because I am a Bluegrass guy. We're just putting it out there and trying to write the best songs we can, and really it's just happening; it's hard to explain. It's just happening and we're on the bus, love it!"

Seeing as there was a noise complaint, we never did get a second set, so when the official interview ended my buddy and I chilled with the guys in the band. I am now the official authority on Grant Farm's return to DFW, as they said I'll be the first to know! Next time we will blow them away with an excellent turn out, and we'll show 'em just how much we like Jam-Grass down here in Texas!

SW

Tyler Grant - Guitar/Vocal
Adrian Engfer - Bass/Vocal
Sean Macaulay - Drums/Vocal
Stephen Thurston - Keyboards/Vocal

Sell your beats online at ReverbNation.com

Featured Shows; Week of 10/13/13

Hello readers, and welcome to another week of Live Music DFW's featured shows. This week there are some real treats, so many in fact that I could not feature them all here. So please, if nothing here appeals to you, please visit our event calendar linked to our Facebook page and the top of this blogspot. I hope ya'll enjoy the great music DFW has to offer this week, and now here is just a small taste of what you can find locally.

Monday 10/14
Ukulele music like you've never heard before. Jake Shimabukuro, alone and acoustic, brings all sorts of music to life with his lively Ukulele playing. He performs at the Granada Monday night, more info here.



Tuesday 10/15
Some Fort Worth Rock with Sally Majestic on Tuesday at Lola's Saloon. Openers include Thicker than Thieves, Lazy Summer, and our friends, The Effinays. More show info here.



Wednesday 10/16
Famed- Jazz Trumpeter and member of the "Fist Family of Jazz", Wynton Marsalis is to play at the Lincoln Center Orchestra in Bruton Theater. He, along with his whole family, are a house hold name in American Jazz. More info on that show is here.



Thursday 10/17
Folk superstars, Elephant Revival bring that Roots/Americana music to the Live Oak in Fort Worth Thursday. Currently on tour, Elephant Revival is a band on the festival circuit, and will be playing Yonder Mountain String Band's Harvest Festival this upcoming weekend. More show info here.



Friday 10/18
Swampy, Soulful Blues from JJ Grey & Mofro comes to the Granada on Friday night. These guys put on a funky, good show. Make sure to catch the afterparty next door with Gravity Feed at Sundown. Show info here.

 

Saturday 10/19
Starting on Friday, The Index Fest begins with Live Music DFW fan-favorites Larry G(ee) and Sister Sparrow (read Live Music DFW interview here). As for Saturday, headliners include Warpaint, Ishi, J. Roddy Walston, Glassjaw, and Marijuana Deathsquads. 2-day tickets will run $59, and a 1-day is $39. More info on the festival that takes over Deep Ellum can be found here.

 

That is it. I hope everyone enjoys their week of music, discovers something new (I know I did, post coming this week), and keep jammin' my friends.

SW

Featured Shows; Week of 9/29/13

Sunday 9/29

Starting out this week in music, we have Austin-Based Soul band, Mingo Fishtrap playing at Levitt Pavilion Arlington on Sunday. These guys met at UNT in Denton back in the 90's and have since gone on to become a nationally touring, festival circuit band. Check 'em out, and did I mention it was Free? Show info here.



Monday 9/30
Impulse of Will plays the Magnolia Motor Lounge on Monday. Self-describing their music as Black Sabbath meets Weather Report, these guys put on a hell of a show. More info can be found here.



Tuesday 10/1
Bryan Joyner is at Adair's Saloon on Tuesday for a little Alt/Country music. Whether playing alone and acoustic, or playing with the band Hard country, there should be something for every country loving cowboy. Adair's is always Free, show info here.



Wednesday 10/2
A night of Ska at the Grotto in Ft. Worth with Rude King, Stop The Presses, The Holophonics. Check it out, and bring those dancing shoes! Show info located here.



Thursday 10/3
Two very talented Drummers/Percussionists, Mike Dillion & Earl Harvin play at the Kessler on Thursday. Dillion, who beats the hell out of a vibraphone and fronts an exquisitely trippy ATX party act, has collaborated with fellow virtuosos Les Claypool and Stanton Moore. Harvin, a top-shelf Dallas percussionist known for both jazz and rock chops, boasts credits with Seal and Jeff Beck. Show info here.



Friday 10/4
MilkDrive is at Dan's Silverleaf in Denton on Friday for a night of Jazz-grass. They bring their Folk/Bluegrass/Jazz music to Denton from their hometown of Austin TX. More info here.



Saturday 10/5
And Saturday is the Canned Fest in Denton with musical acts: Menomena, The Helio Sequence, Joe Pug, Pageantry, Hares on a Mountain, AM Ramblers.

That is all for this week, thank you for reading. Go out and support some live, local music, and report back to us! We would love to hear from you; what you like, what you don't like, if there is a band we should feature. You name it. Have a great week everybody and keep jammin' my friends!
SW

Featured Shows; Week of 9/16/13

Sorry guys, been a hectic couple of weeks. I'm getting a late start on this, but it is important to get the music out there. So, may I present to you, Live Music DFW's featured shows for the week of 9/16/13.

Monday 9/16 Starting out the week with a little bit of The Funky Knuckles at The Free Man Cajun Cafe in Deep Ellum. We've featured them before, a true talent. They have just returned from a tour, and pick up their Freeman residency Monday at 10pm. Their sound is Funk/Jazz, more info here.



Tuesday 9/17
Soul sister, Ms. ZZ Ward comes to the House of Blues, for an unfortunately sold out show. If you are lucky enough to be a ticket holder, you will thouroughly enjoy yourself. More infor here.



Wednesday 9/18
Made up of Heavy Rockers from Chicago, SOIL rides the success of their new album "Whole" to Trees in Deep Ellum. Together since 1997, and about to embark on a UK tour, these guys are the real deal when it comes to Heavy Rock. More details here.



Thursday 9/19
Indie Rock from Seattle Thursday night at the Granada, when Minus the Bear performs. Formed in 2001, they boast 5 albums and 4 EP releases. More info located here.



Friday 9/20 Blues guitarist Tab Benoit, from Louisiana who got his start on a Texas label, plays Granada for a second time this year. The last one was so popular, it sold out. Definitely get a ticket while you still can. Details are here.



Saturday 9/21

Saturday boasts a big show for Jazz and funk lovers; Snarky Puppy will be playing at Trees. Born out of the University of North Texas Jazz program in Denton, Snarky Puppy is now an internationally recognized name in instrumental jazz music. That being said, their 2013 albums AMKENI and Family Dinner Volume 1, feature them as a backing band for a medley of different vocalists and songwriters. Below is a video off of Family Dinner. Show info is located here.



Another week, another round of great shows. If you guys are reading this, it means you are die hard. If you ever see us at a show, feel like we can work together, want to contribute, or just say hi, please feel free; we encourage this as a community. We are the Live Music community of DFW! Have a great week and keep jammin' my friends.

SW

Nevermind the Darkness Show Recap

In early September, Dallas-local hard Rock act Nevermind the Darkness played the head-liner spot at the Boiler Room in Deep Ellum. Not personally being one for the harder Rock shows, I ventured into unknown territory hoping I'd like what I found.

I had never been to the Boiler Room, and I was surprised at two things; how small the venue actually was, and the quality of their house lighting and sound systems. All of their systems were excellent, the lights especially working hard to create a great show. Now, the nature of the acts that play at this venue tends to be loud, and this night was no different. It was indeed loud, but it was suiting.

I got a chance to chat with this petite lady at the merch table, that just so happened to be Trica Weaver lead singer of the band I was there to see. She was very sweet, and fun, cracking jokes and having a good time. When it was time for NtD to take the stage, that fun-loving girl's demeanour changed; it was time to rock!

Made up of 4 members reigning from Dallas, and formed in 2010, Nevermind The Darkness is comprised of vocalist/keys Trica Weaver, guitarist Gene Grinolds, bassist Benjamin Bachman and Eric Sipe on drums. Drawing on a sound of hard, heavy Rock, with vocals resembling that of Heart, NtD has created a loyal following in the DFW area. On several songs, members of the audience even joined in on the vocals as if they were hardcore fans that knew the music.

Upon speaking with he band, I found that these 4 individuals did not know each other before starting this musical endeavour three years ago. Their band is a product of one of the Bandmate finder sites. Needless to say, they had a distinct sound, and have a strong fan-base here in their hometown of Dallas. If you are interested in finding out about this band check out their facebook page and their reverbnation page.



SW

Fort Worth Rock Assembly II Recap

Fort Worth Rock Assembly II 

J&J’s Blues Bar

Sept 6, 7 & 8^th

This past weekend, September 6^th-8^th,  a slew of Fort Worth music scene-sters got together to put on an EPIC show with 23 bands covering various iconic bands from 1965-1985.  The result- one of the best weekends in Fort Worth Music for 2013.  Music played for 8 hours, three days in a row at J&J’s Blues Bar complete with food trucks, and great memories.  There were plenty of sponsors, including Coors Light.  There were two stages, one outside with a huge Red Bull tent and beer bar, and the one inside J&J’s. 

Saturday 9/7

I arrived a bit early on Saturday, catching Sun City covering Velvet Underground.  There weren’t that many people in attendance at this point in the evening to enjoy this band.  They did a commendable job, and really conveyed the essence of Velvet Underground.  The female lead has a clear, precise voice and it resounded outside as she sang “Sweet Nothing”, by far the best song of their set. 

Back inside, Igneous Grimm covered King Crimson.  The first song, “I talked to the Wind” was by far my favorite.  I will definitely get in the know on both King Crimson AND their local tribute counterpart, Igneous Grimm.  More people had arrived and definitely enjoyed this performance.

Outside,  Siberian Traps started their R.E.M. set and they did an amazing job.  Tony Diaz, conceiver of the Fort Worth Rock Assembly event, bragged that Siberian Traps are Fort Worth’s best kept secret.  They definitely did R.E.M. justice.  One of the guitar/vocalists, Parker, confessed he didn’t know about R.E.M. before taking on this project.   Replicating someone else’s work, and learning a whole set of songs to perform, is definitely not an easy task!  One of the many reasons this idea is genius. 

I had to leave and go to work at this point, thankful the next day I would catch all 8 hours! 

Sunday 9/8

Sunday I arrived at J&J’s super early.  A couple of bands had dropped out, so they pushed the start time from 3pm to 5pm.  Probably best because no one really showed up until then anyways.

The Vatican Press started the day outside embodying The Clash.  Not only did Vatican Press cover great hits like “I Fought the Law”, but they did a few of their own songs toward the end which I thought were awesome.  I’ve never heard this band before, but they did play an original and I dug it!  They’re an old school punk band so it made sense why The Clash was their choice to cover.  Good to see diverse genres in the Indie Rock scene. 

Inside, The Frisky Disco was covering Creedence Clearwater Revival.  Hayden not only is lead vocalist, but he plays guitar and keyboard as well.  He is such a talented performer, very animated with a voice of a Rock God.  They covered songs like “Good Golly Miss Molly” where at one point both Tyler and Hayden got down on the guitar.  One lady in the crowd asked me after that song “They’re over 21, right?”  When I asked Tyler how old he is, he responded “22”.  She goes on to tell him how talented he is, goes on and on with me how she’s seen guys in their 60’s who have half the talent of these guys.  Frisky Disco, you got yourself a new fan that night.  One of the best was “I Put a Spell on You”; a great cover of a great song by a spectacular band!  Always fun to watch and at the end, they performed one of their rocking originals with Hayden on the keyboard, belting out “You can take away my home, but you can’t take away my heart.”  Such talent. 

Kevin Aldridge & the Appraisers played The Cars outside. Hearing them brings flashbacks to the late 70’s early 80’s, right?  They replicated the music of The Cars near flawlessly.  Top three were “My Best Friends Girl”, “You Might Think”, and of course, “Drive”.  Such a great set choice and Kevin & the Appraisers did The Cars justice. 

Next was Secret Ghost Champion inside covering The Beatles.  John Lennon came down from Heaven and took over the stage this night.  The microphone had that eerie echo to it that made it feel like Lennon was actually there in the room.  They covered “Strawberries Fields Forever”, “She Said, She Said”, “Hey Bulldog”, and “Dear Prudence.”  The crowd was getting thick at this point, and everyone was hypnotized by Secret Ghost Champions performance.  I’m sure watching the Beatles in their day was similar to the experience this night. 

The next act I caught was Panic Volcanic’s version of Deep Purple.  Panic Volcanic has an interesting set up with Ansley “The Destroyer” on vocals, Zach on bass and Chris on drums.  You read right, no lead guitar.  But with Zach’s skills on the bass, you’d never know it.  Besides, how can you get past Ansley’s voice to even CARE about the guitar!  This girl has a set of pipes like Janis Joplin, sharp like a knife and full of soul that comes from deep within.  Witnessing a Panic Volcanic performance is a treat in itself, but watching them cover a band like Deep Purple and pull off a song like “Space Truckin’” with such enthusiasm and pizazz is one of those moments you tell your grandkids about.  Zach announces that “It wouldn’t be Rock n Roll without breaking some rules,” so they played Jimi Hendrix’s “Fire”.  The crowd applauded and screamed after every song, packed up against the stage.  Everyone was digging their performance.  .

Last band of the night, The Hanna Barbarians, took the stage inside and covered Rod Stewart.  Any performance of Rod Stewart wouldn’t be complete without a mullet wig and tights, which is what the lead singer sported.  The rest of the band donned wigs and printed tights as well.  There were so many good performances, but two of the most notable were “Hot Legs” and “Maggie”.  By this time the place was so packed and full of life, people were dancing, enjoying the Hannah Barbarian’s antics.  They put on a great show, as they are known to do. 

Rock Assembly brought everyone out for the pure love of Rock n Roll.  I discovered some new acts I hadn’t seen before. Every band put a great effort into learning the style of the band they covered but definitely gave it their own Fort Worth Indie Rock flair.  It was a good weekend for the Fort Worth music scene and I'm always grateful to be a part of it.  

-CD

Video and pictures on my Facebook Fan Page

Fort Worth Rock Assembly Facebook Page

Full line up with bands covered:

Friday Sept 6th
5pm - Big City Folk as TOWNES VAN ZANDT
6pm - The Diabolical Machines as THE BEACH BOYS
7pm - The Neptune Locals as THE POLICE

8pm - The Dangits as JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS
9pm - The Apapche 5 as ELVIS COSTELLO & THE ATTRACTIONS
10pm - We The Sea Lions as THE CURE
11pm - The Longshots as ELVIS PRESLEY
12am - Pablo & The Hemphill 7 as PINK FLOYD

Saturday Sept 7th
2pm - Ronnie Heart & Friends as E.L.O.
3pm - Sun City as THE VELVET UNDERGROUND
4pm - Igneous Grimm as KING CRIMSON
5pm - Siberian Traps as R.E.M.
6pm - We'rewolves as CREAM
7pm - Whiskey Folk as THE VIOLENT FEMMES
8pm - War Party as THE KINKS
9pm - Lindby as DAVID BOWIE
10pm - Goodwin as THE WHO
11pm - Un Chien as JOY DIVISION
12am - Son of Stan w/ Nathan Brown as GENESIS

Sunday Sept 8th
5pm - The Vatican Press as THE CLASH
6pm - The Frisky Disco as CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
7pm - Kevin Aldridge and The Appraisers as THE CARS
8pm - Secret Ghost Champion as THE BEATLES
9pm - The Me-Thinks as CHEAP TRICK

10pm - Panic Volcanic as DEEP PURPLE
11pm - RTB2 as BIG STAR
12am - The Hanna Barbarians as ROD STEWART