Dallas Blog

Parts & Labor (Abrinsky)

Usually when you hear about a free show, the performance unquestionably mirrors the price of admission. But this Sunday The Lounge has a free show that folks should feel guilty for not paying something.

Brooklyn’s experimental/noise quartet Parts & Labor headlines a bill that will also feature Austin's Dallas' own psych/rock mind shifters Dogme 95. Receivers, the latest release from Parts & Labor, is just another impressive collection of odd sounds and rough textures.

The cramped confines of The Lounge should provide an interesting venue for both of these acts to rattle the walls. Perhaps the club should go the Radiohead route and ask customers to pay what they can, or better yet, wait until the end and have folks pay what they thought the show was worth. Of course, seeing that beers go for $3 each, most in attendance might have little left to contribute.

Since the show is free for anyone 21 years and over, but $6 for minors, it might help the bands out if you brought along your little brother or sister. I guarantee that once they hear the music, they will thank you for it. -- Darryl Smyers

The Death Set, doing its live thing. (Justin Kelly)

Hey, check this out: Tonight's show at The Lounge, which features Baltimore's The Death Set as its headliner, is f-r-e-e to attend.

If, that is, you're over 21. If not, this sucker'll cost you 10 bones. But for the over 21 set, yep, that's quite the steal.

The electro-dance band is part of the Baltimore scene that, at the moment, is blossoming thanks in large part to acts like this one and others, like Dan Deacon. Fusing elements of dance, electronica and garage rock into one frenetic, poppy sound, The Death Set, on sound alone, should kinda be expected to put on a great performance. But, in this case, we can back up that sentiment with some actual proof: In 2006, Baltimore City Paper, a fine rag, named the band the town's best live act. So there.

Opening tonight are Dallas' own PVC Street Gang and Sydney Confirm, two acts that also know how to party. And, in between acts on the ones and twos, Dallas' own Tommy Boy. --Pete Freedman

Just a reminder, since Good Friday won't be ready for, oh, another hour or so, and since this show's about to start within the half-hour: Pete Best, the Beatles' original drummer, will be performing a free in-store set at Bill's Records any minute now.

So, y'know, get on it. --Pete Freedman

Sorry for the very, very late notice on this one, but I just found out about what seems like a pretty sweet deal going on tonight. According to this blog, Motown-like crooner Raphael Saadiq is apparently going to be in town tonight and stopping by Glo Lounge to host a free meet-and-greet and listening party for his new disc, The Way I See It, which earns national release tomorrow.

The 42-year-old Oakland-born singer is often associated with the neo soul sound, although, really his style is far more Smokey Robinson than Ne-Yo--or, at least, it is on his new disc, the bulk of which can be heard here.

Now, here's the deal: I said "apparently" earlier on in this post because I haven't seen this appearance listed anywhere but on the blog where I found it. And I just called Glo to check, but seeing how that space doesn't open for business until 8 p.m. each night, there wasn't any answer. Shocking, I know.

Anyway, could be a crapshoot, but maybe one of those high risk, high reward scenarios. That is, assuming there's much risk involved in stopping by a bar on the way home from catching the Cowboys-Eagles game at your favorite sports bar/friend's house. --Pete Freedman

Tonight, the Granada will transform itself into party central as Scion presents one of the most hyped groups of the last year (and one of Rolling Stone's 10 Artists to Watch in 2008): Chicago’s The Cool Kids.

The best part: The show is totally free.

Here's what you need to do to make sure you get in: Go here and sign up for the RSVP list. It's that simple.

After the jump, a few reasons why you should care.

"A loud, shambling cross between Pavement's deconstructed indie-rock (without the cynicism) and The Grateful Dead's communal jam (without the extended solos)" is how Dave Sims described Dallas Observer Music Award-nominated Matthew and the Arrogant Sea's live show way, way back in June -- man, how times flies. And while the Denton-based ensemble ("Folk/Minimalist/Zouk," duh) won't unleash Family Family Family Meets The Magic Christian till October 25 with a release hoedown at Dan’s Silverleaf, the band capable of faithful Dylan covers received a nice and nifty shout-out on one of your better MP3 blogs yesterday. The great Said the Gramophone yesterday posted "The Wizard" accompanied by these kind words: "Okay, yeah, I gotta admit -- this is what the theme-song for a wizard ought to sound like." How come? Read on, then download for listening with your pointy caps on. --Robert Wilonsky

In celebration of Black Music Month (proclaimed by someone who doesn’t care about black people, if you ask Kanye) and Juneteenth, Black Cinematheque presents a free screening of Stephanie Black’s award-winning film Africa Unite on Friday night.

Africa Unite follows family members of the late reggae legend Bob Marley as they travel to Ethiopia for the 2005 Africa Unite concert, which marked what would have been Marley’s 60th birthday. The film examines Marley’s historic impact on music and Rastafarianism, but is primarily a music doc, featuring performances by Angelique Kidjo, Lauryn Hill, Teddy Afro, Bob Andy, Cedella Booker and several Marleys, including Ziggy, Damian, Julian and Rita.

The screening is 7:30 p.m. at the South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 S. Fitzhugh Street in Dallas. --Jesse Hughey

Maryland's The Mishaps are worth your five bucks.

Busted the day after rent was due? Oh, we feel you. Luckily, Wednesday night we can get a fix of rock 'n' roll at Rubber Gloves with The Mishaps for a mere $5. If the five bucks feel steep, keep in mind you're also getting the punk rock stylings of The Exponentials, Be My Doppleganger, The Pumpers and The Uptown Bums. Plus, what else are you doing Wednesday night? Doors open at 9 p.m. -- Chelsea Ide