Month: November 2014

Saturday 29 November - Doomsgiving III: Psychotic Supper w/ Project Armagedon * Vanity Crimes * Downer * Giant Kitty (doors 8pm)

Project Armageddon (Houston,TX)
https://www.projectarmageddon.com/

Spawned of Doom Metal, with open minds & experimentation; Hailing from the northern outskirts of Houston, TX-Project Armageddon consists of members: Brandon Johnson – guitar, Raymond Matthews – drums, and Doomstress Alexis – bass and vocals. After recording and touring with their former band, Project Armageddon embarked in a new direction by stripping their sound down to the foundations and beginning with an experimental, open minded attitude as the basis for writing and performing. Within a few months a 3 song demo was released and a full contingent of live material was ready for the stage.

February 2010 saw the release of Project Armageddon’s debut full length cd “Departure”: a self released, 45 minute record that stays true to P.A.’s no holds barred stylistic approach, running the gamit from straight out doom to somber acoustic tracks to full out effects laden psychedelic guitar tracks, dealing with super-genetic beings, nuclear holocaust, natural devastation, and religious intolerances.

Project Armageddon continued on an extensive show schedule from 2010 to mid-2011 both in the local clubs and around Texas. In the summer of 2011, Project Armageddon returned to Dungeon Manor studios to record their 2nd full length record: “Tides of Doom”. This was then sent out to be mixed by Supernatural Sound in Kultland, OH. “Tides of Doom” was released in March of 2012 followed the “Tides of Doom – Texas Tour” to support & promote the record. Demo work resumed after touring the Summer of 2012, and amidst a slew of many local shows supporting the local metal scene and touring acts both national and international. Project Armageddon rocked Austin during the SXSW festival and plans additional shows in Dallas/Ft. Worth and San Antonio. The touring schedule has recently been set taking Project Armageddon around the state and to some new areas as well as supporting more international acts. There has been a recent surge as Project Armageddon has launched into the top 20 Houston metal charts on reverbnation as well as being honored with a segment on the upcoming documentary “Heavier in Houston” the sequel to “Heavy in Houston”, documenting the metal and hard rock scene in and around Houston due for release in Spring of 2014.

 

 

Vanity Crimes (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/VanityCrimes

We are a rock n roll band from Houston, TX! We are the sleeze and glitter that you have been waiting for!
This is a band who loves to rock, and loves obscure music from different eras. This band has potential to make a name as it stands out drastically from the sound of other local bands making Vanity Crimes a name we know you’ll remember.

Vanity Crime is a four piece that lives in an era when the music was big, loud, original, and most of was created by playing actual instruments. Vanity Crimes is trying to bring back the sleezin’ and pleasin’ of the Sunset Strip, where big hair and eyeliner ruled the world. Do not expect us to look like your average band, we are that little bit of glitter that was left over in the gutter from the days that reminds you of freedom and the love of rock n roll.

 

“Downer” (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/DownerOfficial

This band from Houston, Texas has nailed the lost art of 90’s alternative rock and sprinkled it with a littler flavor of classic rock. Ricky Dee brings brings out a noisy tone from his guitar and sings in a mixture of their influences. Noe Kimes has excellent fills pouring out of his bass which many bassists don’t succeed in. Antwon Thrash brings a thrash approach to his drums and he is good at it. On their Soundcloud account there’s a drum solo entitled “Drunk Zolo.” Listen to it to understand how destructive the drummer really is. “Brief Conclusions” has a strong “Velvet Underground” influence especially in the laid back vocal melody sung in the style of Lou Reed. “Wake Up” is a noisy Mudhoney inspired jam. The song is layered completely with a loud fuzzy bass. “Kocaine” starts with a subtle bass line and then it’s thrown into a fast current of a wild river. There’s a solo that might melt your ears. “That Day Long” is a really catchy 80’s punk rock like gem. The vocals are sung in a “Hendrix” manner. The bassist really shines on this track. “Downer” has found a way to pay tribute to their influence and make original music at the same time. They don’t fall pray into sounding like a copycat band. If you feel nostalgic of the rock music of the 90’s this is the band to check out. ~The Musical Junkie~

It is called “Downer” with quotations because life appears to be one big downer, a big drag, a losing game at times, but then again life is like a quote… And you interpret it how you want, you define your own “truth”.

 

 

Giant Kitty
https://www.facebook.com/GiantKitty

Often described as a combination of Bikini Kill, L-7, and the Sex Pistols, Giant Kitty is breaking new ground in the world of all female punk bands. “I’ll tell you that I’m pretty sure Giant Kitty made my ears pop when I saw them play live, and they have this crazy stage presence that doesn’t occur nowadays, as often as it should. If you’re lucky, you catch their truly amazing cover of Devo’s “Gates of Steel.” says David Garrick of Free Press Houston. Giant Kitty lights up the crowd with a high energy stage presence, sense of humor, and hard driving sound. Lead singer and bass player Casey Waldner, and guitarist Cassandra Chiles are both former roller derby players who reunited after they retired from the game, with a shared love for music. Cassandra’s long-time partner Trinity Quirk filled in the role as drummer. “I have so many influences from new wave bands like Devo, to more obscure bands like Japan’s Shonen Knife it’s hard to say what direction we might end up going to in any given song,” according to Cassandra, “that’s what makes the process of creating art with other people so exciting.” “I believe in creating art to inspire art” is the credo of lead woman Casey. “It’s pretty amazing how far we’ve come, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for us,” says Trinity.

So the Giant Kitty Story eh? Three hard living, kick ass chicks from the world of hard knox decided to start an amazing all girl punk band. What isn’t to like? Founded in late 2013, we finally found the right mix of members in early 2014. All three members bring a cool personality and different set of skills to the band while also meshing together sonic vibes and generally amazing powding beats for the fans.

 

 

 

 

Also poster photoshoot & interactive art setup design collaboration between
Doomstress, Robert Goon73 photography & Artist Chuyz Beard
Doors @ 8:00pm
Show @ 9:00pm
21 & up $8.00

Calendar / Music Events

Friday 28 November 2014 - The Punknecks * The Bloodhounds * The Witherees

The Punknecks (Nashville, TN)
https://www.punknecks.com/

“If you replaced Mickey and Mallory Knox’s guns and knives with guitars and microphones you would have Jason and Polly Punkneck. Instead of literally killing people, though, they are slaying fans across the U.S. with their one-of-a-kind Punkneck music” (Chuck B, Prick Magazine). The Punknecks are a “Rock N Roll love story” (Steve Wildsmith, Daily Times). A musical genre where “Punk makes nice with Country” (Democrat & Chronicle).

After setting a record on ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not’ (eps 316), for flesh suspensions in Las Vegas, Jason Punkneck moved to Los Angeles, CA. It was in 2003 he formed ‘Jason and the Punknecks’.

Jason Punkneck is southern bred, born in Kentucky, raised in Texas and Tennessee. When he moved to Hollywood he brought his punk-country music with him. He played his music outside his tattoo shop on Hollywood Blvd, and that is where he met Polly.

Polly Punkneck moved from urban country Kansas to Los Angeles as a teenager. ” Residing somewhere between Dolly Parton and Gwen Stefani” (Democrat & Chronicle). Pursuing her performance passions, their styles came together “as sweet as June Carter and Johnny Cash” (Mark Wedel, Kalamazoo Gazette). They hit the road in May 2005, and started their journey across America.

They live, breath, and sweat the road, making it a permanent home. The Punknecks have independently released 4 albums, a music video, and a worldwide fan base. They have an upcoming album release, “Road To Nowhere” and a feature Rockumentary. “Jason and Polly Punkneck, are a high energy show. They twang to the core, channeling Hank Williams Jr and Dolly Parton more than Sid Vicious and Siouxie Sioux” (Erica K. Landau, New Times Florida).

 

 

The Bloodhounds (Sorry, no information available)

 

 

The Witherees (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/TheWitherees

 

The Witherees is a two piece band from Houston, TX. The band was officially founded in March of 2011 by Michael Castillo and Jimi Cavazos; but ran as a busking outfit by Castillo, for seveal years prior, along the gulf coast. The songs draws influence from daily life in Houston, heartbreak, happiness, old friends, and the like. Musically it’s a diverse act that pulls sounds from folk, singer/songwriter, punk, alternative, country, and pop.

 

Calendar / Music Events

Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - Slim Bloodworth and Sam Demaris w/ music by Howl and Bravo Jazz Funk Band

Slim Bloodworth (Houston, TX)
https://www.slimbloodworth.com/
A comedy natural and a MUST see for those who like their comedy with a subtle dose of reality, Slims sage like humor has a youthful twist that is both brutally honest and seriously funny. Recanting her own true life reality check, Slim boldly takes on subjects that range from cultural and social mishaps to things you wish you would have said, and things you wish you didn’t. A comic who loves being a comedian, Slim’s heart is onstage and seeing her live is an experience! Slim onstage is a ball of freewheeling, good-humored energy that is physical and expressive, and as one audience member put it, “Able to leap entire sentences with a single look!”

The Louisiana born Texas native began her comedy career in Houston, TX at the legendary Laff Stop Comedy Club in 1999. The Houston comedy scene at that time was noted for developing comics who would take on risky subjects that others would desperately avoid, and Slim is no exception.
A prolific writer and performer, Slim rose quickly through the comedy circuit, she became a nationally touring comic in 2001 and was an international headliner by 2004. She was featured in the comedy documentaries “The Circuit” and “Red, White and Bitch”. Slim has toured Korea, Kuwait and Iraq performing for the troops and played venues ranging from comedy clubs and theaters to bars, bowling alleys and everything in between! No matter what your age, gender, or race Slim will make you laugh.

 

Sam Demaris (Houston, TX)
https://www.samdemaris.com/

Sam Demaris was recently named one of “15 of the Funniest Stand-up Comedians You SHOULD Be Following” by Will Ferrell’s Funnyordie.com and once you see him, you’ll know why. He is an amazing storyteller with a universal appeal and when you’re watching him, you never know what to expect. In 2010, he teamed up with three other Houston comedians and joined the infamous Whiskey Brothers. Since then, Sam has gone on to do countless gigs across the United States including the Maxim Magazine Real Men of Comedy tour as well as tours of Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrian, Djibouti, and South Korea to perform for the United States Armed Forces. Yeah. He did that.

One of “15 of the Funniest Stand-Up Comedians You SHOULD Be Following” -Funnyordie.com

As seen on the Maxim Magazine Real Men of Comedy Tour w/ Joe Rogan, Charlie Murphy, and John Heffron!

Winner - Houston’s Funniest Person Contest, 2002

Winner - Funniest Person in South Texas, 2011

 

Doors 8pm,
show 9pm
$8
21+

Calendar / Comedy Events / Music Events

Monday 24 November 2014 – Rudyard’s Open Mic Comedy Night (Free!! doors 7:30pm)

Houston Press Best of 2013 Winner
Best Open-Mike Comedy Night Houston 2013
“With a decent amount of local talent, Houston deserves more stages to feature homegrown comics. Thankfully, Rudz has stepped forward to devote one night a week to nurturing newcomers and showcasing seasoned vets…you can check out a rotating cast of characters, for free — you’d be pretty hard-pressed to find a more fun way to spend a Monday night. Especially if your next Monday night involves going to a funeral. Trust us, this’ll be waaaay funnier.” - Houston Press
Our Free Comedy Open Mic Show Opens At 7:30. Show starts at 8:00

 

Calendar / Comedy Events

Saturday, November 22, 2014 - Playing For No One * Ex-Optimists * Sundae Drive * The Escatones * Brian Zeolla

Playing for No One (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/playingfornoone

Playing for no one was founded in 2013. We have a four song Ep available for streaming and download through reverb nation. we love playing music and always have and always will.

Christopher James: vocals, guitar
John Doe: drums
Arizona Williams: bass

 

 

The Ex-Optimists (College Station, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/theexoptimists

“I’m honestly kicking myself now for not listening to this sooner. College Station band The Ex-Optimists have been on repeat in my headphones for a while now, drowning me in a turbulent squall of Sonic Youth guitars, driving ’90s indie-drone-rock melodies, and hazy, softspoken vocals, and I’m enjoying the hell out of it.

On “Nitemare City,” the guitars are watery and sharp-edged in equal measure, drifting around you like psychically-controlled knives that periodically dart in to gouge out a chunk of your flesh. In the meantime, frontman Kelly Minnis serenely murmurs and croons like he’s already lost in the swirling murk; that is, until the whole damn thing explodes in a ball of fury partway through before coalescing back into its more stable previous state. The closest thing I can come up with is Houston’s own Muhammad Ali, except that this quartet sounds like they’re fueled less by beer and more by green, leafy substances.

Then there’s B-side “February,” which dives sideways into nearly Dinosaur Jr., quick-stepping along through an insanely-catchy melody while the overfuzzed guitars set fire to the scenery. Occasionally feels like I’m listening to a rougher-edged Silversun Pickups — there’s definitely a hazy, shoegaze quality to it, beneath the out-and-out noise. “- Space City Rock

 

 

A Sundae Drive (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/asundaedrivemusic?sk=info#!/asundaedrivemusic

For most of the band’s debut EP, You’re Gonna Get Me, it feels like A Sundae Drive just rolls hazily along, serene smiles across the band members’ faces as the music unwinds itself to whatever its eventual destination’s going to be. They nod and sway like they’ve done it forever, but they’re not dreampop (or shoegaze, or whatever you want to call it), not exactly, but they’ve taken pieces of that sound and made ‘em their own. Take the driving bass at the start of “…And See the World,” for one example — it bumps its way speedily through, Britpop-style, but over the top there’re wavery, watery guitars that bring to mind Teenage Fanclub (or maybe Surfer Blood), as well as some sweetly drifting harmony vocals. On the other end of the spectrum, “I’m a Poster” is right-angled and math-y, with defiant, J. Robbins-like vocals, spiraling guitars, and a jagged, almost stop-start structure. And despite the differences, it all sounds like the same band, which is no mean feat in itself. Then there’s “Buenos Aires, Manny Pacquiao,” a soft-voiced look backwards at childhood that makes me think of Austinites Meryll more than anything else; both bands craft songs that are intensely personal and reference events that happened when the singer was a kid but still feel utterly relevant to the listener, right here in the present. There’s also a resemblance to Copeland’s gently-rocking post-emo pop, both on “Buenos Aires” or on the steadily-building “So Sleep.” What’s really interesting about the EP, though, is that A Sundae Drive sound like a pop band that doesn’t really realize it is a pop band. They’ve got all the indie-rock influences poking out from beneath their sleeves, sure, and it’s obvious they love a lot of sharper-edged stuff — the Pixies-esque guitar drone in the background on “Alone Bad, Friends Good” gives that away, not to mention that nice “walking” melody — but the actual songs they’re writing are warm and fuzzy ’round the edges, nodding in a friendly way when you walk in the door. At the EP’s end, when the band turns down for the up-close, slow-stepping rumble of “I’m Gonna Miss You Like Crazy,” with the droney, half-distorted, Seam-like guitar line and frontman Zeek Garcia’s deliberate, quiet vocals whispering in my ear, it hits me: I really, really like this band. A Sundae Drive don’t need to bash you over the head with how good they are; they’d much rather stand in the corner, plug in, and play until your brain catches up to what your ears already know. – Space City Rock

 

 

The Escatones (Houston,TX)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Escatones/110675738999767

The Escatones are a 3 piece rock and roll band. Formed in the summer of 2010 in Galveston, TX, they play a blend of psychedelic surf garage punk country folk rock and roll. Connor Purcell (Lead Vocals/Guitar/Bass/Keys) meet JT Popiel (Bass/Guitar/Keys) during the winter of 2009 while jamming at a friend’s house. Connor had already had a band going known as the Jimson Jolly Vagrants. After playing a few shows under that name they decided to start fresh with a new name and new material.

The name comes from the word eschatology, which is the study of the end of times. Combine that with tones and you got yourself a 60′s sounding garage/surf name. Influenced by The Butthole Surfers, The Judy’s, 13th Floor Elevators, The Byrds, Dick Dale, The Ventures, The Stooges, The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, Prince, and just about everything else they try to not get stuck in one genre of music. 2011 was a busy year for them. They self released a spilt EP with fellow Houston rockers Darwin’s Finches called Owls in the Headlights of the Sulfur Digging Bulldozer. Released two full length live albums called Live from High Island and The Ghost of High Island, also a live album, on Houston label Homeskool Recordz. Relocating to Oklahoma for half the year after a disaster transport tour they were able to rock 55 shows
throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, and Louisana.

They are looking to end the last year on Earth with a bang. They are getting to release a 7″ under Artificial Head Records and are currently recording their first full length studio album. Oh and they are fat and hairy and when they come to your town you might see more of them then you want to.

 

 


Brian Zeolla (Houston, TX)
https://www.brianzeolla.com/

Brian Zeolla is a stand up comedian and writer, who channels his own inadequacies and fantastically ordinary life through personal anecdotes sprinkled with act outs and some yelling (but not too much). As a stand-up, Brian has performed with Neal Brennan (co-creator/ head writer of the Chapelle Show), Jay Chandresekhar (Broken Lizard, Super Troopers) and David Huntsberger (Professor Blastoff), among many others, as well as been invited to perform on festivals including Free Press Summerfest, Fun Fun Fun Fest and the Trill Comedy Festival. His DIY approach has allowed him to produce and book the monthly stand up series, the Level Up, as well as create and produce the Choke! Comedy Show and the forthcoming Brian Zeolla Needs New Friends. Based on the Myers Briggs scale, Brian Zeolla is an idealist! He enjoys pizzas.

Calendar / Comedy Events / Music Events

Friday 21 November 2014 - Beta Theater presents: Susan Messing and Rachael Mason (7-9pm)

Beta Theater presents Susan Messing and Rachael Mason
(7-9pm, 10$)

 

Susan Messing created and teaches the Level Two curriculum at Chicago’s iO, is a founding member of The Annoyance Theatre, and teaches for The Second City, where she is an alumna of the Chicago Main Stage. She is an adjunct professor for The University of Chicago, DePaul University, and The School at Steppenwolf. She performs with Blaine Swen in Blessing @ the iO, and Messing with a Friend at The Annoyance.

Rachael Mason, is the head of Advanced Improvisation for The Second City. In addition, she created the Scenic Improv and Dramatic Improv programs for The Second City Training Center. She has performed with Baby Wants Candy, The Second City National Touring Company, and is currently in the cast of The Second City Improv All-Stars.

 

More details from Beta coming soon…

 

 

Calendar / Comedy Events

Friday, November 21, 2014 - Raceway * PuraPharm * Empty Shells

 

Raceway (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/racewaysound

Raceway is an ambient instrumental group from Houston, Texas.

We take our time with our songs in order to provide you imagery that is simultaneously melancholy and hopeful. Often centered around brooding bass-lines framed with layers of echoing and radiant guitars.

 

PuraPharm (Houston, TX)
https://www.reverbnation.com/purapharm

 

PuraPharm is a 4 piece psychedelic electronic experimental space rock group based out of Houston, Texas. Our music ranges from ultra mellow space grooves to in your face psychedelic rock n roll with long drawn out endings and plenty of FX pedals. Sax/clarinet and the occasional DJ add to the overall wall of sound. We are constantly looking to play with other bands of similar genres in other cities, and here in Houston.

 

“Holy God in Tifa’s 7th Heaven, have you heard this girl? It’s like Nina Hagen was fronting the Legendary Pink Dots! She’s got a voice like a living orgasm that just pounds right out of a wall of psychedelic rock until you fall on the floor like the heroin just kicked in. No wonder she’s up for a Best Female Vocal award this year. ” – Jef With One F – Houston Press: Rocks Off 100

 

 

 

Empty Shells (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/emptyshellsband

New band of Jonathan Espeche former guitarist/songwriter of legendary Houston psychedelic rock band Flowers to Hide.

Jonathan Espeche – Guitar/Vocals
Michael San Luis – Bass Guitar
Austin Hand – Drums

RIYL: Smashing Pumpkins, Catherine Wheel, Cure, Nirvana, BRMC, Placebo, etc.

 

$8, 21+, doors 9pm

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