Month: December 2014

https://youtu.be/DgDbiygHMwQ

Giant Kitty (Houston, TX)
https://www.giantkitty.com/

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.

“That’s how this all female three piece rolls, they’re loud and in your face. It’s brash, unapologetic, and fierce rock that whips your neck back and forth with its intensity.” - David Garrick of Free Press Houston

“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.” - FHP.com

“I expect you guys to kick ass out there, otherwise this world is truly f*cked up… You Kittens rock and that’s all there is to it” Mark White - Spin Doctors

Only Beast (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/OnlyBeast

Sometimes people say things about Only Beast. Here are some of those things:

“An explosive mix of stripped-down, no nonsense punk, melodic rock, and blues. Their live performances are sure to melt your face off, make your ears bleed, and give your musical soul the nitrous-oxide high it was looking for.”- Nathan Hudgins

“Anti-matter in leprous hands. They will summon demons and use them as coffee tables to prop their feet on.”- Stephan B. Wyatt

Dead Roses (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dead-Roses/232683603420051

“We’re not just a band…..we’re a fucking tragedy” – with these immortal words, they launched into their debut set on Valentine’s Day of 2004, and H-town’s infamous DEAD ROSES were born. Since then, they have played shows with notable acts such as the DEMOLITION DOLLRODS, GLASS CANDY, DEAD MOON, BOBBY CONN, LOST SOUNDS, LES GEORGES LENINGRAD, FATAL FLYING GUILLOTINES, MEAT PUPPETS, and DIRT BOMBS. Heart broken, sleep deprived, glam damage is this group’s forte. Their formidable line-up includes former members of the LEPERS, INTROVERTS, CULTURCIDE, PAIN TEENS, TRUTH DECAY, VULGARIANS, NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE, THE HAUNTING ALLURE OF ELKE PALLENBERG’S VOID, SWARM OF ANGELS, HIGH ALMOND CONTENT, NTX PISTOLS, DISCOMFORTRON, BALACLAVAS, FUTURE BLONDES, DIAMONDS AND PEARLS, AFTER PARTY, UNGARISCHE DEUTSCHE FREUNDSCHAFT, DOTS, MYSTERY FLAVOR, and BRIDE OF PINBOT to name a few. DEAD ROSES have recorded and re-recorded their epic first release nine times, but refuse to put it out until it absolutely meets their impossibly high standards of excellence. Other activities/interests include socializing with international superstars, needlepoint, speaking with fake foreign accents, experimenting with eyeliner, and getting kicked out of ALICE COOPER concerts.

Killer Hearts
(Sorry, No information available at this time)

Silver Blueberry (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/silverblueberryhouston

A brand new band located in Houston, TX formed by twin brothers Tyson and Shaun. Growing up enriched in music from past decades, shines through in their modern garage sound. Before Silver Blueberry was formed the brothers were playing in various musical acts. After some odd years of gigging around Houston they decided to team up and form one outstanding band. After being joined by drummer Philipp and Jasmine on bass, a saga is about to start.

The Freakouts (Houston, TX)
https://thefreakouts.info/

“quintet from Houston, TX sure has a visual style that grabs you right from the start with two women who won’t take your shit and will kick you in the nuts if you try to give them any of your it. “…”This two song single has punk, power pop, and early new wave styled songs that are hook-laden and get you dancing and singing along with them after the first listen. The sharp edges mixed with the poppier playing combine to make this one fun-filled ride that you want to keep going longer than two songs. They have a mix of THE RUNAWAYS, AND THE DONNAS, plus their own touches that create a sound that gets a smile on your face and a bounce in your step as soon as you first listen to them.” Rick Ecker – Altered Frequencies

The Businessmen (Houston, TX)
https://thebusinessmenband.com/

With an unusual blend of rock, punk, and dance music, The Businessmen are difficult to categorize.”
Karen Waserman, Houston Public News Magazine

“These are really great guys to work with! Even though their style is hard-core rock, they are fun & danceable. You just gotta’ see this show!”
Promoter Steve Gladsen, Bread & Butter Productions

“I’d rather play Led Zeppelin at 4,000 decibels… Many people in the audience liked the band!”
Phil Pain, Houston’s Wild Dog Magazine

“I love booking these guys! All I have to do is tell the client that each guy dresses up as a doctor, lawyer, or professor; then they step on stage in their business suits and patent-leather shoes and rock their brains out!”
Promoter - Don Gomez, Paramount Talent

“Many thanks to The Businessmen for performing the Atlanta Talent Expo at Fox Theatre. These guys did a great job! I got my very first shout out, and the roses were a very nice touch!”
Lithornia Harper - The Talent Store

Project Grimm (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Project-Grimm/121509194528707

A decidedly less experimental group than its most direct predecessor, the Mike Gunn, Project Grimm was formed in 1995 by Gunn frontman and guitarist John Cramer to satisfy his urges to be a bit more straightforward in his approach to guitar rock. Interested in looking to build a band around this new direction, Cramer called local drummer Rick Costello (…of Houston band Bleachbath) who volunteered his services straight away. Drew Calhoun joined on bass, and former Schlong Weasel (University of Houston “branch”) member Jim Otterson rounded out the lineup as second guitarist. Their first show, on July 3, 1995 was followed by recording sessions that would result in their first album, Lying Down out on Linus Pauling Quartet’s Ramon Medina (also a former Schlong Weasel-er) Worship Guitars label in 1996. The pace of recording and releasing would slow down considerably for the band, which wouldn’t quite get around to releasing the follow-up until 2003. In the meantime, Bo Morris would take over on drums for the kicked out Rick Costello, and Cramer would work with former Mike Gunn colleague Scott Grimm on his Dunlavy project. July 2003 would see the release of Project Grimm’s second album, Huge Beings (released on Camera Obscura’s Australian sister label Camera Lucida), but it would also see the band split — on the very day of the album’s release. Leader John Cramer would later appear as a solo artist working under the name the Powers of Light & Darkness, and played sporadic shows around Houston. – Chris M. True via allmusic.com

Slow Future [formerly Strange Weapons] (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/slowfuture

Joel Hoyle, Phil Jackson, Koree Smith, Mike Starbuck

(partly) Clouded (Houston, TX)

most of the members of Clouded with a member of Grimm and possibly Slow Future)
“Yeesh. I really got behind on updating these damn things… I wish I could say that I know what happened to one-time local indie-rock heroes Clouded, but I’m afraid that I’m in the dark — all I can tell for sure is that they’re definitely not playing any shows anymore, which is a shame. I’m a stubborn bastard — meaning that I hate recanting my previous opinions. I do like to think I’m not entirely unchangeable, though, so here goes: Clouded were pretty damn cool. I wasdisappointed by some of their live shows, but they also had some really good ones, too, and their self-titled CD was verygood. Anyway, theyed play catchy, anthemic, full-of-melodies, alternative-type rock, with a lot of ’70s arena-rock influences alongside (a la the Smashing Pumpkins, as an example). They sometimes engaged in a bit of guitar wankery, but they were pretty solid overall, with some interesting songs. They put out a tape, the Jessica EP (which I’ve never heard), and the aforementioned CD on 76.2% Records (now Ojet Records), and like I said, it kicks ass (keep listening after the last song listed, by the way). I’d heard that they were going into the studio to record a new EP for 76.2% at some point, but nothing ever materialized, as far as I know.” – Space City Rock 5/2/2003