Each year at South By Southwest, one band always sticks out in my mind. 2008's festival was another excellent year -- shows by British Sea Power, Sleepercar, and many more blew me away, but The Duke Spirit is a band I had never seen (and barely heard of) that still has me listening to its music on a regular basis even now... (The Duke Spirit plays Friday, August 21st, at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, along with Incubus.) [more] || [David A. Cobb] || [08/20/09]

On the face of it, the name The Literary Greats seems pretty much spot-on -- the music the band makes is subtle and gorgeous, with perfectly-balanced, country-tinged guitars swinging along beneath lyrics that are honest and clever at the same time, all without trying too hard. Best of all, it all sounds perfectly Texan somehow... (The Literary Greats play Thursday, August 13th, at The Continental Club (3700 Main St.), along with Beetle.) [more] || [Jeremy Hart] || [08/03/09]

The parent company and I went together to Warehouse Live to see each of our top three favorite rappers. Mine, Eyedea and Abilities, and his, Atmosphere. This was my fourth time to see Eyedea and Abilities, although I'm not a rap or hip-hop connoisseur. In fact, most hip-hop is boring to me. I just happened to catch Eyedea and Abilities at SXSW five years ago and was blown away... [more] || [Rock Houston] || [08/21/09]

At first glance, paying $60 to see two bands whose glory days were close to two decades go would seem foolish. To the packed house that stood on their feet and soaked up the musical ambrosia being doled out by Judas Priest and Whitesnake, however, it was well worth the price. The prospect of seeing groups that have been around this long can be a sketchy endeavor... [more] || [Scott Whitt] || [08/21/09]

It was a long week, but I finally got back out to see bands. I arrived at The Meridian to a long line that stretched around the corner. This is the first time I've been on the guest list (told you I wanted some free passes!) at The Meridian, so I didn't know if I should stand in line or walk up to the front. A guy soon came out and told hard ticket holders to skip the line... [more] || [Rock Houston] || [08/03/09]

One of the happiest effects of punk rock on the past three decades has been the rejuvenation of indigenous musics for mainstream audiences. The retooling of Delta blues, Ghanian highlife, and even Bohemian polka by the likes of David Byrne and the Old Crow Medicine Show has shed light on an interesting trade-off between two traditions... (Grandfather Child plays Sunday, August 9th at the Free Press Summerfest in Eleanor Tinsley Park, along with about a million other bands.) [more] || [Thomas McLuhan] || [08/03/09]