sideshow tramps

While Houston isn't exactly known for its musical prowess (yet!), there's still one event that we here at BOT truly look forward to every spring and fall. Our friends over at Free Press Houston have been working diligently over the past few months, putting together a solid lineup of over 100 local and regional acts to perform at the spring 2009 edition of the bi-annual free outdoor event. Spanning the blocks surrounding Taft and Westheimer in the eclectic Montrose neighborhood, this year's festival is stepping it up from previous events by also featuring a multi-venue night portion which is set to include solid acts like Austin's hip-hop extraordinaire Devin the Dude, Dallas-bred indie darling St. Vincent and a return from last fall's headliner HEALTH.

Check out the full line-up after the jump

Friday night was full of music in Houston, something that has happened only rarely over the past few months. We had already attended Cat Power's show at Warehouse Live earlier in the evening, but were by no means finished, as we still had a full night of music ahead of us. Local favorites Sideshow Tramps and current in-town buzz-makers Buxton descended upon the dingy Continental Club to share a few sets with a host of their fans.

Read about the show after the jump

This Friday, October 10, two of our favorite Houston-based bands are teaming up for what promises to be a great night of music at the Continental Club. Swampy bluegrass gypsy punks Sideshow Tramps will be headlining the show and are slated to begin playing at 11pm. Whenever the Tramps play, fun is never far away - their shows always morph into full-on revival-style dance fests, and you're guaranteed to have a great time.

La Porte-bred indie-folk virtuosos Buxton will get things moving starting at 10. This talented young band has been receiving rave reviews since releasing their excellent full-length debut, A Family Light, earlier this year. Responses to their live shows have been no less positive, and they seem to improve even more each time we see them. Tickets are only $10, so strap on your dancing shoes and spend Friday evening gettin' down at the Continental Club.

See the show poster and watch videos of each band after the jump

Geoffrey "Uncle Tick" Muller of Sideshow Tramps

Sergio Trevino, Jason Willis and Chris Wise of Buxton

Saturday, August 9th, brought the triple billing of Craig Kinsey, Ryan Scroggins and the Trenchtown Texans and Clouseaux to the Continental Club for a nice mixture of Houston's local sounds. We walked into the half-full venue just in time to catch the last notes of Ryan Scroggins, who played a fusion of rock, punk, ska, and reggae tones quite similar to one of my old favorites, Operation Ivy. We didn't come to the Continental to see The Trenchtown Texans, however; rather, our intentions were to find out how well the Sideshow Tramps' Craig Kinsey could translate his solo songs to such a large room.

Read the full review after the jump

As promised, here are our videos from the Westheimer Block Party:

skyblue72 - Butterfly

See the rest of the vids after the jump

I can say with no doubt in my mind that Saturday, April 12 was one of the nicest days Houston will see all year. I hope my fellow Houstonians enjoyed the beautiful weather as much as I did - the Westheimer Block Party was the place to be for great music and some serious people watching. Armed with extra allergy medication (anyone else out there feel like kicking spring's ass?), I wandered in and around Numbers, Avant Garden, and Mango's to check out the action.

See pictures from the Block Party and read our highlights after the jump

The latest installment of my Video Omelette includes some new videos from Hot Chip and Bon Iver, a classic cut from two of the greatest songwriters ever, and two of the acts I am most excited to see at this weekend's Westheimer Block Party.

Meander and gander after the jump

This year's Spring edition of the Westheimer Block Party, organized by Free Press Houston, is set to take place on Saturday, April 12, 2008. Eggs and I eagerly anticipate the bi-annual event every April and October, and this Spring's lineup looks to be one of the strongest yet. Music begins at noon and goes late.

More details about the Westheimer Block Party after the jump

We have to admit, we're a little jealous of the lucky folks who are attending Langerado this weekend, but we're consoled by the fact that this is going to be a bombass week musically in Houston. Plus, Toast will be flying down from Lincoln to join the festivities.

Upcoming shows in the Houston area:

Thu Mar 6
They Might Be Giants at the Meridian
Show starts at 9; tickets are $20.

Beach House and Papercuts at Walter's On Washington
Show starts at 9; tickets are $8 in advance/$10 day of show.

Fri Mar 7
Wilco with John Doe at Verizon Wireless Theater
Show starts at 8; tickets are sold out, biatch.

Spoonfed Tribe at Last Concert Cafe
Show starts at 11; tickets are $12.

Sideshow Tramps and Shotgun Whiskey at Dan Electro's
Show starts at 9:30; tickets are $8.

Sat Mar 8
Risky Bizness party at the Thunderdome Warehouse
Featuring The Fluokids, The Factory Party, Spain Colored Orange, and several DJs to keep you movin'.
The event will go from 9pm - 5am; tickets are $10. The Thunderdome Warehouse is located at 3020 Garrow Street; check out Houston Press's event description for more information.

The Black Math Experiment at The Mink/Backroom
Show starts at 9; tickets are $6 21+/$8 under 21.

Ian Moore at Continental Club
Show starts at 11; tickets are probably $10.

Full listing after the jump

Upcoming shows in the Houston area:

Thu Feb 21

G. Love & Special Sauce with Tristan Prettyman at Warehouse Live
Even if you didn't win our ticket giveaway to this show, you should definitely join the party!
Show starts at 9; tickets are $20.

Fri Feb 22

Chris Duarte Group and Eric Sardinas at Meridian
Show starts at 9; tickets are $13 in advance/$15 day of show.

The Mighty Orq with Tody Castillo and James Reese Band at Meridian
Head over to the Meridian to celebrate the CD release of Houston-based Southern rock band The Mighty Orq.
Show starts at 10; tickets are $7 in advance/$10 day of show.

Sat Feb 23

Dertybird with skyblue72 and The Television Skies at Rudyard's
Show starts at 9:30; tickets are reportedly $6 or $10, depending on whose site you're looking at.

Sideshow Tramps (formerly known as Medicine Show), Tyagaraja from Million Year Dance, Piano Vines, and Studemont Project at Super Happy Fun Land
Celebrate the Free Press Houston's 5th anniversary!
Show starts at 8; tickets are $8.

Guy Forsyth at Dan Electro's
Show starts at 10:30; tickets are $10.

Mark Farina at Level Lounge
If you can survive the midtown club set, head to Level to check out Mark Farina's skills on the turntables. Cover is not listed, but, if this is your choice of the evening, you probably don't care.

Mon Feb 25

Brand Nubian, Connie Price & the Keystones, Soup (from Jurassic 5), and a DJ set by Cosmo Baker (of The Rub, BK)
Show starts at 9:30; admission is free, but you must RSVP at Scion Live Metro by 5pm the day of the show.

Joe Lally and Edie Sedgwick at Walter's On Washington
Former Fugazi frontman brings his solo gig to Houston. Doors at 8; Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

Tue Feb 26

NOFX at Warehouse Live
With support from The Flatliners, No Use For A Name, and Latch Key Kids.
Local punk-rocker's The Hates are having an after show in the studio. Show starts at 8; tickets are $22.