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Craig Kinsey, Emily Bell, and John Evans Tonight at Fitzgerald’s
For Food’s Sake: Haute Wheels Houston 3rd Annual Food Truck Festival
The Weekend In Rock
A Fine Time For The Wheel Workers
Halloween on the Hill
Days of the Dead
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Craig Kinsey, Emily Bell, and John Evans Tonight at Fitzgerald’s
Stop what you’re doing:
There’s a show at Fitzgerald’s tonight that might wreck your plans. Craig Kinsey just got back from a quick tour around the south and brought some friends back! Craig and friends will be in rocking form, John Evans will croon like only he can, and Emily Bell . . . . well, she speaks for herself.
Tonight then? As you were.
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For Food’s Sake: Haute Wheels Houston 3rd Annual Food Truck Festival
With the weather warming up and springtime muscling in, it’s getting to be festival time. It seems like new traditions are springing up all over town, and each passing year yields bigger and better turnouts. Thankfully music is being infused in every event that’s bringing us together . . . I know that’s what gets me up and out. You know what else gets me out? Food. A ton of it . . . especially having several different kinds, from several different places, all around me. The smells drifting from place to place as I walk through trying to pick my next target . . . oh man. Drop a beer garden in the middle, and I’m done for.
It may sound like a dream my winter-weary friends, but I assure you this is real. The third installment of the Haute Wheels Houston Food Truck Festival is alive and well, and it’s headed straight for us.
Go ahead and clear your weekend of March 23rd and 24th, as you won’t be getting much done (at least I won’t). Meandering among 35 of Houston’s best food trucks can be a daunting task. I have a habit of heading straight for chicken and waffles, then seeing pizza and wanting that. Then usually coming across anything from a wok at the same time as tacos . . . it’s a shame that hunger should be so finite.
Let us not forget the many trips to the beer garden; it will be home to several local and national breweries, vineyards, and the like (Karbach will be on hand, so the forecast on Hopadillo is looking good, folks). You’ll be able to while away the hours near the libations if you prefer, but the call of the stage is difficult to resist. Saturday’s heady lineup begins with Southern Backtones at 12:30, Craig Kinsey at 2:00, and The Wheel Workers at 3:30. Sunday’s no slouch, as the legendary Johnny Falstaff kicks things off at 12:30, followed by the brash folk style of Folk Family Revival at 2:00, and the irresistible grooves of Electric Attitude at 3:30. This year is going out with booty’s shaking.
Save the date and your appetite for everything Houston! On March 23rd and 24th, there’s only one place you need to be: 5601 West Loop South Freeway on the HCC Southwest Campus for the 3rd annual Haute Wheels Houston Food Truck Festival. See you there!
Wheel Workers Space City Rock Review
With Past to Present, The Wheel Workers attempt a truly delicate balancing act, one that’s impressive to witness. See, the album takes a big, big risk, in that it’s essentially two things at the same time: a pitch-perfect orchestral pop-rock album and a strident, intensely political call to arms. There are bands that can do those things, to be sure, but very few can do both at the same time and succeed.
And yet, against the odds, The Wheel Workers pull it off. They’ve managed to craft a dozen tracks that are thoughtful, warm, friendly, melodic, and addictive as all hell (it’s seriously impossible to not sing along to “Chemicals,” for one)…and are married to singer/guitarist Steven Higginbotham’s often-cautionary, sometimes-grim, activism-minded lyrics.
The Weekend In Rock
Another week has come and gone, another weekend looming. Most times, weekends are here before you know it . . . before you’re ready for it. We never know what we’re doing . . . . the week doesn’t often afford much time for figuring out what’s going on in real life (not work life). Then there’s that dangerous gray area where you’re not really sure what’s going on, but you’re really tired. And there are a few things in the Netflix cue you’ve been wanting to get to. And oh yeah you DVR’d that episode from last week so you can finally get caught up on your stories and maybe you should just order some take-out.
No. Stop it. Just . . . stop. There’s awesome stuff going on. Let us help.
For one thing, there’s this show going on at MKT Bar (1001 Austin St, Downtown). It’s Pete and James starting at 5p, followed by Craig Kinsey at 8p. If you haven’t been yet, MKT Bar is an intimate, low key setting with great selections of craft beer and wine. There’s a menu too, should you find yourself a little peckish.
Out on the coast, Hank Schyma will be enthralling the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston. The last time we were there, the Old Quarter seemed to pull everyone in for square blocks. It’s the kind of downtown building with a story to tell, and everyone you meet has one to share. Plus there were dogs, the big cuddly kind that introduce themselves to you.
If you’re going to need to get down a little harder than that, we’ve got some friends called Knights of the Fire Kingdom that will be found mounting up at Rudyard’s a little later on tonight. We haven’t seen them yet ourselves, but we know how those guys roll.
Tomorrow night will be the real spectacle, as The Wheel Workers have a new record coming out and they’ve prepared quite an experience they’d like you to be a part of. You may recall us having a few words to say about it . . . . you will want to be at that show. Well, you will certainly not want to have missed it.
That’s just a small slice of the music that’s waiting out there for you to go devour. So stay off the couch tonight . . . . save the laying around and doing nothing for Sunday like the decent folk.
A Fine Time For The Wheel Workers
Houston seems thick with talent top to bottom these days; gone are the days of artists contemplating trying to be noticed in the shadow of the live music capital to the west. Here are the days of local artists making strides, reaching more potential, and catching all kinds of attention as they grow. The Wheel Workers seem bent on defining this principle by example.
Never ones to lay in waiting, the tirelessly working band are set to release their second album “Past to Present” on March 2 at Fitzgerald’s. They’ve labored over their craft for over a year and a half on this one, leaving no stone unturned in the quest to find the sounds coming out of lead singer Steven Higginbotham’s head. Taking such a meticulous approach and working with producer Dan Workman at the illustrious Sugarhill Recording Studios can yield a learning experience at every turn. The lesson this time, beyond learning how french pressed coffee can be your best friend, is to trust your initial instinct. Among the tracks fine tuned to perfection, you also hear takes that were improvisations from the writing phase . . . undeniable magic that could not be left behind. Sounds like these guys have been doing it right.
Just can’t wait to get a copy in your hand? They’ve already released it on iTunes and Amazon. If you’re just looking to massage those eardrums, scoot on over to their bandcamp and have a listen (don’t forget: downloading from bandcamp gets you the best options on highest quality filetypes).
Are they content to just play a few songs for those in attendance? Not likely. The band will reportedly be unveiling several new songs as well as tracks from the new album. If that weren’t enough, an entirely new visual element of their set will be revealed including reels of found footage, an accompanying light show . . . . I don’t want o give too much away! With all they’re pouring into this release, it’s no surprise the whole thing will be filmed for an upcoming live concert film. Take your place at the front of the stage and you’ll know where to find your face when it comes out!
Visit the Wheel Worker’s website for more information, and join the Facebook event to stay up to date on the release party. These guys have a knack for sounding immaculate live . . . you should definitely be there if you know what’s good for you (and your ears).
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Halloween on the Hill
The night is here, boys and girls . . take to the streets and revel how you will.
Have you seen it? There’s a story the Southern Backtones would like to share with you. Go and see for yourself and let them know what you think . . .
Have a Happy Halloween, everyone. And keep your eyes open out there.
Days of the Dead
Tis the season for everything ghoulish and ghastly . . . . . just ask Hank and the Southern Backtones.
Hank’s been a busy boy as of late . . . . he’s come off of a pretty hectic storm season (if you haven’t seen his exploits, familiarize yourself HERE), thrown himself into filming his latest full length feature, and somehow found the time to get some pretty appropriate music videos done.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Southern Backtones proudly present their take on Muddy Waters’ “Diamonds at Her Feet,” in which the illustrious Madame Leveau demonstrates an undertaking of achieving eternal youth. Click here to see it for yourself.
Enjoy friends, and be careful what you wish for. You’ll get more than you bargain for, I assure you.
Burning Down the House
Lookout folks . . . . they’re at it again!
This Friday 19th at Fitzgerald’s will be one of those nights where a song comes on and you think to yourself, “What is that? I know this . . . . ”
“No way . . . that can’t be what I think it is . . . . these guys would never play that . . . ?”
WRONG. They would definitely play that, especially at Burned Out III! Craig Kinsey will once again be in attendance to bring you back to the good old days when these songs used to make you dance, not just change the station. Electric Attitude will bring a groove so pure, you might be shakin’ them hips too hard to notice what they’re playing. Throw in The Soapbox Revolution and you’ve got the rock-out icing on top of the get-down cake. If you will.
Seriously . . . where else are you going to hear Green Day, Queen, The Jackson 5, Rolling Stones, Sublime, and MGMT all in one night at the same place? Nowhere, that’s where (although it would be funny to go into Cactus Music and start making those requests . . . . I’m sure they’re burned out, too).
Put aside your burned out feelings for one night and come act a fool with us . . . there’s always singing and dancing to be had! Besides, the drinks aren’t half bad, and everyone could use a little closure in good company when you put tunes like these to bed.
One more thing . . . do you like pizza? What about incredible, delectable, other-worldly pizza? Get out and find the Pi Pizza Truck, get yourself a killer slice, and save the receipt. Have it with you when you amble up to Fitz on Saturday, and get yourself 50% off your ticket. That’s half off, you guys . . . you know what to do.
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Friday Night Rites
Weekend time, you guys. If you’re like me, you’re probably still revved up from a crazy week of taking on the world and making things happen. You’re probably also going to want to take in some cool music this weekend, check out some cool places, and hang with some generally cool people. Asking too much?
Nope. Get the early start by showing up at Heights Vinyl Friday 12th for a 5:30p in-store performance by Eyes Lips Eyes, a silky smooth experience out of LA. It’ll be an intimate encounter with the bright and ballsy boys of rock . . . ask them about their commitment to healthy thigh exercise.
If you’re not out of your work week by then, you’ve got options . . . those same Eyes Lips Eyes will be joined by Winter Wallace and The Wheel Workers at Walter’s on Naylor. This place is on the rise . . . a new bar, huge new bathrooms, a killer sound system, one of the best guys behind the board the city has to offer . . . . this is your next favorite place to see a show.
Make it out to that show and you might not need to do anything else the rest of the weekend. That is, unless your hunger just cannot be stopped . . . . I hear there might be some fun to be had on Saturday night at House of Creeps . . . .
See you on the other side.
This is a Call
As the seasons come and go, the climate changes with the wind and it’s difficult to tell what may happen from one moment to the next. First you’re getting down in the tight space of Avante Garden, your whiskey/coke precariously raised above your head while the Tramps celebrate their form of praise and worship onstage. Next thing you know, the Reverend Craig Kinsey is leading a ragtag group of mixed ruffians through a chorus of overplayed tunes at another installment of Burned Out! at Fitzgerald’s. Then just when you were wondering why you hadn’t heard from the boys in awhile, you find out the ol’ Craig Kinsey’s got a new solo record on the way with an accompanying novel and a few more surprises to boot. Wait . . . .what?
That’s right folks . . . The Reverend is gearing up to don The Burdener once again and lead us all through a few important lessons on life (only this ain’t no Sunday School, kids).
American Roots and Blood will give us all a glimpse into a new world penned by Kinsey himself, full of wonder and observation rooted in the American heritage we all share. The wide-ranging album will span genres, tastes, if not time itself . . . . its thematic cousin will be available in paperback at some point in the future. How has Kinsey given birth to these creations? How long until they are lain at our feet? How can we take part in the manifestation of all of these wonders while we wait eagerly for a glimpse into the mind of Kinsey?
Your opportunity is here. Craig Kinsey has just launched his Kickstarter Page to give everyone an open invitation to back the outcome of this lovely project. In typical fashion, there are many tiers to the rewards you’ll receive based on the level of Backer you’re to become . . . head on over to the Kickstarter site to see what your options are. I’m a Backer . . . you should be too! This is your chance to be a part of bringing lasting artistic creation into Houston’s cultural landscape . . . . don’t blow it!