AltWeeklies Wire
The Recent History of Live Music in Dallas Gets Another Discouraging Chapternew
After several events are shut down by local law enforcement, promoters are left wondering: Is the city actively trying to kill its music scene?
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
06-08-2009 |
Music
The Guys Behind Spinal Tap Return, Unwigged and Unpluggednew

Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer are launching "Unwigged and Unplugged," in which they perform the Tap's oeuvre -- as well as Folksmen offerings -- acoustically for the first time since the songs were written nearly 30 years ago.
Dallas Observer |
Robert Wilonsky |
05-04-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Slow Roosevelt Joins the Reunion Trendnew
It's been five years now since Slow Roosevelt decided to end its run as Dallas' perennial Next Big Thing that never quite was. But a few months back, like so many other Dallas bands of that same era, Slow Roosevelt decided that it couldn't stay away, that it wanted just one more go-round in the spotlight.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
05-04-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Slow Roosevelt, rock
The Secret Handshake's 'My Name Up in Lights'new
Few acts among the crowded Dallas mall-pop scene are as sonically promising as The Secret Handshake.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
04-27-2009 |
Reviews
Damaged Good$ Arrives Just in Time to Right the Ship of Dallas Hip-Hopnew
It's not exactly a secret that Dallas hip-hop is enjoying a serious high at the moment. But if there's an Achilles heel to this burgeoning superpower, it's in the fact that it lacks a serious self-awareness, a sense of humor about its absurdity.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
03-09-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Fort Worth Metal Scene Remembers Abboud Greig, Joe's Garagenew
In the story of Abboud Greig, the 74-year-old Fort Worth landlord killed early last month during an attempted robbery, a little perspective goes a very long way.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
03-02-2009 |
Music
Stephen Rippy Sets 'Halo Wars' High Scorenew
Just as there's a market for Swedish klezmer-punk or smooth jazz or comedy rock or Josh Groban, there's a market for video-game scores, bootlegs of which sell like, um, action figures at comic and sci-fi conventions. Those who keep tabs on such things sweated Stephen Rippy's score for the Xbox release Halo Wars.
Dallas Observer |
Robert Wilonsky |
03-02-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
The Early Republic Is Dallas' Latest Retreadnew
As the electro-dance pop-rock outfit took to the stage at the House of Blues' Pontiac Garage to celebrate the official release of its new, self-titled LP, it was tough to fully get behind what the band was trying to do. Mostly because it's all been done before.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
02-23-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Dallas, The Early Republic
M83's 'Saturdays=Youth'new
M83 explains its John Hughes love.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
02-02-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Fair To Midland's Still Getting Definednew
Audiences are eating up Fair to Midland's newest material, even as the band remains uncertain about it.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
01-12-2009 |
Profiles & Interviews
Tags: Fair To Midland
Polyphonic Spree's Holiday Extravaganza Haunted by Tripping Daisynew
Even amidst the spectacle of the Polyphonic Spree's annual holiday extravaganza show, reminders of Tripping Daisy abound.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
12-22-2008 |
Music
Black Tie Dynasty Steps Past Its Hatersnew
Even though the band is just now releasing its first follow-up full-length since Movements, it just might be the most polarizing band in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
12-15-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews
Wanna Be MySpace Music's CEO?new

Rupert Murdoch's toy is trying to go legit; mayhem may ensue, and success may not.
Dallas Observer |
Karla Starr |
12-08-2008 |
Music
Dallas Hip-Hop: Swagger Like Usnew
Local artists make waves with D-Town Boogie, but the real test comes in 14 months.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
12-01-2008 |
Music
After a Dramatic Rise, Fight Bite Tries to Stand on its Ownnew
The blogosphere darlings learn on the job as they cope with the immediate praise for their debut release.
Dallas Observer |
Pete Freedman |
11-17-2008 |
Profiles & Interviews