Last Night: Katy Perry and Robyn at the Verizon Theater

Katy Perry, Robyn Verizon Theater in Grand Praire July 28, 2011 Better than: the petroleum aftertaste of cherry chapstick. A lingering cotton candy scent filled the Verizon Theater last night as four displays beamed the beginning of the Wizard of Oz-inspired story that would thematically tie together Katy Perry’s California Dreams Tour…

Last Night: Moonface, Flow Child, Nervous Curtains at Dada

Moonface, Flow Child, Nervous Curtains Dada Wednesday, July 27, 2011 Better than: the Rangers’ performance that night, by a moonshot. Moonface is essentially Spencer Krug’s solo project, the purest distillation of the twisted melodies and lyrical longing we’re likely to hear any time soon from the yelpier of Wolf Parade’s…

Over The Weekend: Gorilla Vs. Bear Festival at the Granada Theater

Gorilla Vs. Bear FestivalGranada TheaterJuly 23, 2011Better than: being in a confined space where an actual gorilla and an actual bear are fighting. On Saturday night at the Granada Theater, the Dallas-based taste-making heavyweight blog Gorilla Vs. Bear held its first ever festival, and, aside from a few train-wreck moments,…

Last Night: Eels and Submarines at Granada Theater

Eels, SubmarinesGranada TheaterJuly 21, 2011Better than: being mistaken for a terrorist at an airport. From frontman Mark Oliver Everett’s dramatic entrance after his band had already begun their opening number, to his exit before they had finished their last one it was clear every moment of Eels’ performance last night…

Last Night: Sundress and Final Club at DC9’s Locals Only!

Better than: whatever you were doing on a Thursday night. These bands were way cooler than those CSI reruns.  Last night’s Locals Only! show at Jack Daniel’s Saloon, put on by, well, us, showcased a couple of up-and-coming Denton bands that managed to put on an impressive show in spite…

Last Night: Dolly Parton at Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie

Dolly PartonVerizon Theatre in Grand PrairieTuesday, July 19, 2011Better than: Reality. Dolly Parton inhabits her stardom as fully as she fills out her glittering outfits. “I buy ’em two sizes too small and take ’em in,” she joked. She owned the stage last night at the Verizon Theatre, and filled…

Picture Show: Hayes Carll at House of Blues

Last time we ran into singer Hayes Carll, he put on a special little two-stepping show at the Double Wide in the midst of a small-club tour throughout Texas. On Saturday at House of Blues, photographer Roger Caldwell caught Hayes armed with new songs from KMAG YOYO (Kiss My Ass…

Last Night: Iceage, Midnight Society at Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios

Iceage, Midnight SocietyRubber Gloves Rehearsal StudiosSunday, July 17, 2011Better than: Seeing punk poseurs that don’t deliver. Jesus fucking Christ! Last night the crowd at Denton’s Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios was treated to one of the most amazing personality transformations I’ve ever witnessed. The members of Iceage, and most particularly Elias…

Over the Weekend: The Coathangers at Bryan Street Tavern

The Coathangers, Leg Sweeper, Catching Chloe and Chicken & Whiskey Bryan Street Tavern Friday, July 15, 2011 Better than: Staying home and getting yelled at by my wife A hot and bothered collection of punks and other assorted riff raff made their way down to old East Dallas Friday night…

Over The Weekend: C.J. Ramone at Trees

C.J.Ramone, HoodratTreesJuly, 15, 2011Better than: most tribute acts in which a member of the original band performs that band’s songs with a new backing band (we’re looking at you, Axl) What is it that makes an artist keep performing their band’s music, year after year, long after the original band…

Last Night: Fair to Midland and The House Harkonnen at Curtain Club

Fair to Midland, The House HarkonnenCurtain ClubJuly 12, 2011Better than: your average Curtain Club show. Lest anyone was concerned that Deep Ellum has softened in recent years, that it has turned its back on its hard rock- and metal-intensive past or that the neighborhood’s heavier genres had fallen by the…