The Jesus and Mary Chain

And thus this year’s installment of 35 Denton was coming to a close.

I cannot tell a lie, I wasn’t overly bowled over by the lineup this year for 35 Denton. And then scheduling conflicts made things even more difficult. Much like ACL’s 2011 lineup, I recognize that it was a better offering than last year, just not a lot I was interested in seeing this time. For me the main things to see were Scotland’s The Jesus and Mary Chain and San Francisco’s OM.

Last year there was enough room to bounce to and from venues with relative ease, unless you wanted to see a show at Rubber Gloves. It seemed this year the festival had grown enough that several performances were at the “one-in-one-out” capacity early in the night, leaving festival goers to homestead in the clubs where their biggest priority was on from an early point of the night, not daring to venture out into the night for the fear of no entry at another spot. Thursday night was a homesteading night for me from the get-go, staying at Rubber Gloves all night through Denton’s incredible Vaults of Zin to True Widow and fest priority OM. I split from OM a little early in an attempt to catch a little of Mikal Cronin’s set at The Labb, but alas it was not in the cards.

I was unable to make it on Friday due to a little 5 year anniversary for Leah and me. I can tell you with certain accuracy Doug Burr and The Burning Hotels were incredible. Bringing us to the misery that was Saturday. I would like to ask 35 Denton not to order cold rain for next year’s festival. Please. But through the rain I persevered as much as I could, catching some Atlas Sound, Best Coast and walking up to Bun B just as they broke into “Big Pimpin’”. The Do For It Records showcase at Abbey Underground was the only thing on my mind for the remainder of the evening. Only The House Harkonnen was going to fully salvage the day. And after a blistering set by Fort Worth’s The Phuss, it was going to take a bit of work. The Phuss were absolutely great and I implore you to get out and see them. Now. This was followed by a respectable set from The Spectacle (yep, I did that), the only thing in my way was Shaolin Death Squad. Who took forever. And ever. To an almost unfair level. I had talked 6 or so people into seeing The House Harkonnen, who ended up going on 42 minutes late, to no fault of their own. Due to the delay, all of those people left without seeing HK. The 30-ish minutes they got to play were well worth the wait, as they pummeled ears and scorched the earth with their ridiculous brand of metal/punk.

With the announcement of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s postponement, I had a decision to make. I wanted to see a couple of bands on Sunday, but that was in conjunction with the closing set from JAMC. I wish I was able to tell you right now how great The Oh-Sees, The Raincoats, and  The Angelus were on Sunday, but with rising gas prices and another trip to Denton looming on Wednesday, I decided to forego Denton Sunday in order to make it out to the Denton Fairgrounds on Wednesday.

Added to Wednesday’s bill was psychedelic garage rocker Ty Segall in what was an instance of inspired booking. This somewhat made up a little for missing Mikal Cronin on Thursday, as Segall’s band tore through 30 minutes of a set I had no idea I’d get to see. A rather large crowd had gathered for this free show, and it was the right move on 35 Denton’s part for sure. Almost 20 years since I saw them last, The Jesus and Mary Chain emerged, taking the stage. Hitting career high points with “Blues From a Gun”, “Head On”, “Sidewalking”, “Some Candy Talk” and “Just Like Honey”, I was transported back to that Deep Ellum Live show in December of ’92, remembering… there’s just not that much to see. Absent were the ungodly fog machines shrouding the band in backlit wonder, leaving the Scottish post-punk legends naked and without a net. I love this band, and as I told a friend later, it was “brilliance though boredom”. It was one of those types of show where had I missed it I wouldn’t believe people telling me they left out of boredom. The strains of “Reverence” were ringing through the air as we made it to the car, officially ending my 35 Denton 2012 weekend.

This festival is doing many things right each year, and getting better each year. A couple of thoughts though. 1) 2:00 am for 4 straight nights is tough on those commuting each day. 2) I apologize if this is petty and sound like an ingrate, but if you send someone an e-mail, telling them what press credentials they have been allowed, make sure they get that level. I was informed I was to have full Level 2 access via e-mail, only to get Level 1 when I showed up. What reason was I given by the head of press? A very flippant “That was a typo”. No apology, nothing. Last year I was afforded 2 full press passes and busted my hump with 5 articles about the festival, believing that would be some good faith towards this year and years to come, but I guess not. Do not get me wrong. I fully appreciate the chance to attend and review the weekend. Maybe next year.

But I digress. I am looking forward to what 35 Denton pulls out of its hat for 2013. Can’t wait to see you all there!

35 Denton

There are really 2 objectives this year: OM and The Jesus and Mary Chain. Therefore with Thursday being geared towards the clubs, I staked my claim at Rubber Gloves from the get go. There wasn’t to be a chance of missing either OM or True Widow, I made certain of that.

The night began with a nice surprise from Denton’s heavily prog influenced act Vaults of Zin. Reminders of Fort Worth’s much lamented Yeti were abound for sure. I had heard great things about these guys, and they did not disappoint.

I completely missed the next act, Terminator 2 while dealing with a what I now know was a dying phone. Oh the joys of having to unexpectedly buy a new phone, which is what I had to do. Up next was True Widow, who released their stunning sophomore full-length As High As The Highest Heavens… last year. I had been looking forward to seeing them for a while, and whereas they were very good, my anticipation for OM eclipsed their set a bit.

By this point the room is filled and the door had to implement a one-in-one-out policy for entry. I had seen OM a few years back at the Wall of Sound festival in Fort Worth, and was truly blown away by them. Since then, they released the excellent God is Good, replaced drummers, and added keyboards to their live performances. Al Cisneros (Sleep) hypnotic head bob, basslines and chanted vocal style are the stuff of legend, transfixing the capacity crowd to a more peaceful plane.

I mistakenly thought I could slip out of the last few minutes of their set to catch Mikal Cronin’s set across the festival at The Labb, but evidently he tore through his set and left nothing in his wake, as he was finished 15 minutes before his set time was over. This was a great disappointment to me. But alas, it had already been a great night.

I was unable to attend Friday’s shows, but my correspondent Jasun Lee will have a rundown of all the action.

See you all out there Saturday!

Last year the goal was to write more and delve into the aspects of The Synaptic I thought would set it apart from others. “Starter Kits” was to help others discover artists/genres/labels/scenes they might not have been familiar with. Along with this was supposed to be a “Body of Work” section that would review an artist’s entire body of work, noting ebbs and flows in the music, changes for good or bad, from album to album, a cohesive review of an artist’s recorded career. Both of these proved to be massive undertakings, and in time I hope to be able to devote myself to these particular sections of The Synaptic. But until then, they will lay dormant.

There have been a few things that have come down the pike that I would like to expand on under The Synaptic moniker and diversify The Synaptic Empire as I like to call it. I have been afforded some opportunities around D/FW and have been exploring them. The Synaptic blog itself, while not going away by any means, was to be a catalyst to be able to work on other things and get back out into the D/FW/d music community and toil in a medium that I love. Music. I do not kid myself that I am a spectacular journalist or writer, although I think I pull it off alright.

I said last week when I hit 600 fans on Facebook I would make a big announcement, and it came a little quicker than I had planned. So what does 2012 and forward have in store for The Synaptic and those of you who have joined in my musical journey?

1.       Vahrenkamp/Brown Representation (VBR).

Late last year the decision was made to work directly with artists for booking and light management along with my partner and contract lawyer Justin Vahrenkamp. This is in the infancy stage and we have taken on 3 clients already, a very diverse roster with the country rock act Badcreek, instrumental metal quartet The Velia Shrine, and we have just added The Skeeves with their take on early British punk/alternative. I have always been driven to help young artists in any way I can, and believe VBR can help advance some bands that need a helping hand.

2.       The Synaptic Podcast.

I have been approached by CNJ Radio, who produces podcasts such as Wrestling House Show and Rock Strikes Ten to produce a podcast for them. At this point we plan to do two, 30 minute podcasts per month, beginning in March. Audio reviews, show previews, topic discussions and interviews are all being planned for these, I just hope I can fill an hour’s worth of time per month. I hope to have the first one out by mid-March, but we shall see. I do not like talking about things I “plan” to do until they are done, but I’m hoping this keeps me accountable with you guys.

3.       Promoting More Shows.

Also late last year I was given the opportunity through the Fort Worth Music Co-Op to book one Thursday night at Lola’s Saloon per month. Thursdays have definitely been a challenge, I plan to branch out and produce more and more shows in 2012. Having already branched into Dallas last week, it’s looking like you will see more Synaptic produced shows in the not so distant future. Show promotion was my very first foray into music 20 years ago next month, and has been something I have wanted to do all my life. I like going to shows, and I want to put on some shows I think others would like to see too.

4.       More Twitter Action.

The plan is to live tweet as many music awards programs as possible while also using Twitter to the best of its ability. I live tweeted the Grammy’s a couple of weeks back, and I gotta tell ya, staying live on the show while attempting to be witty for 3.5 hours was tough. But I’m up for it if you are.

5. Return to Turntable.FM.

Before things got hectic last year, I was popping into The Synaptic’s Turntable.FM room fairly regularly to play some music with whoever wanted to show up. The plan is to pick a day and time each week for a two hour block of Turntable.FM fun. I will let you all know when that day and time will be. Hopefully was can expose each other to some new stuff since we all have varying tastes.

2011 was supposed to see the launch of The Synaptic Store, but unfortunately those plans feel through. I’ve been wracking my brain to come up with more of a reason to keep my followers engaged that wasn’t just posting a few videos up each morning on the Facebook page. If all of these plans do come through, I will not only be thrilled, but feel like I am contributing something to the music community I so dearly love. With that being said, hold me accountable. Have some questions, suggestions, or constructive criticisms please e-mail me directly at thesynaptic1@gmail.com.

I look forward to the rest of 2012 being busy. Please join me on the ride.

I humbly thank you for indulging me this far.

Randy Brown

Control and confidence.

In allegiance with several great bands currently hailing from Panther City, The Burning Hotels are the most ready. They are, in my mind, the closest heir to the Toadies legacy. Not in similar musical styles, but just with unparalleled drive, confidence and their demeanor of control onstage.

What I witnessed from The Burning Hotels at Lola’s Saloon was an incredibly tight, confident band solely in control of their destiny and their crowd. Playing heavily from last year’s self-titled Synaptic album of the year, The Burning Hotels tore through roughly 75 minutes worth of hits, highlighting the entirety of their recorded output. There’s a reason I go on and on about this band. They outdo themselves every time I see them. Add the minimal laser light show to the mix, this certainly didn’t feel like a small club show, but the intimacy and energy did.

Add to the bill the former Black Tie Dynasty/Daryl supergroup Mon Julien and headliners in their own right Ishi and you had a stacked bill from top to bottom. All three acts headliners on their own, bringing the house down for not just a rock show, but what was also upstart Blackbox Music’s coming out party, it was an extraordinary night all around. If this is how Blackbox Music is coming out swinging, we’re all on notice.

You know when the evening breaks down into an impromptu dance party after all festivities were over it was an undeniable success. A Whitney dance party erupted into God knows what, even a little pole dancing on the bar.

Congrats to everyone involved for a triumphant night of local music!

Click To Buy Tickets

2011 was the year Fort Worth’s The Burning Hotels put everyone on notice. 2010 saw them knocking on the door of greatness with their album Novels and a handful of blistering live shows, yet 2011 saw their self titled third release announce their full arrival – Burning Hotels topped most local “Best Of” lists as they honed their live show into a balanced juggernaut of post-punk/new wave brilliance. 2012 shows no signs of slowing them down either, their triumphant performance at Dallas’ Granada Theater last month proved that.

Packing the power of that show, reportedly 800 in attendance, into one of their home stages at Lola’s Saloon is an almost frightening prospect. With headliners in their own rights, Black Tie Dynasty/Tripping Daisy/Midlake/Daryl supergroup Mon Julien makes their Fort Worth debut along with openers(!) Dallas’s self-described “Folktronic” act Ishi this is indeed a stacked bill.

I truly believe this will be one of those “I was there” types of shows. If you do not have your tickets already get them now as you don’t want to miss this one.

See you there.

1. Burning Hotels – Burning Hotels
2. Wilco – The Whole Love
3. Maleveller – Maleveller
4. My Morning Jacket – Circuital
5. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light
6. Electric Wizard – Black Masses
7. Explosions In The Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
8. Okkervil River – I Am Very Far
9. Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will
10. Black Joe Lewis – Scandalous
11. Quiet Company – We Are All Where We Belong
12. Mastodon – The Hunter
13. Esben & The Witch – Violet Cries
14. And You Will Know us By The Trail of Dead – Tao of the Dead
15. Bjork – Biophilia
16. TV On The Radio – Nine Types Of Light
17. Mr. Gnome – Madness In Miniature
18. Moon Duo – Mazes
19. Bravo, Max! – Dog’s Light
20. Jane’s Addiction – The Great Escape Artist
21. Ryan Adams – Ashes And Fire

Made it out to several local shows this year, and while the majority didn’t make it on this list, know that I had my hair blown back by Pinkish Black, Burning Hotels, The Cush, Maleveller, Badcreek and The Velia Shrine. Also, be on the watch for 2 new Peter Thomas fronted acts, Black Hills and White Elephant.

Here are my favorite shows/sets of 2011.

1. Lyle Lovett – Bass Hall, Fort Worth, TX – 12/20/2011
2. Wilco/Nick Lowe – Fair Park Music Hall, Dallas, TX – 11/29/2011
3. Arcade Fire/Okkervil River – Gexa Energy Pavillion, Dallas, TX – 4/30/2011
4. The Damned – Fun Fun Fun Fest, Auditorium Shores, Austin, TX – 11/5/2011
5. Melvins – Endless Residency, Mohawk, Austin, TX – 5/27-28/2011
6. Down/In Solitude – The Rail Club, Fort Worth, TX – 9/3/2011
7. Slayer – Fun Fun Fun Fest – Auditorium Shores, Austin, TX – 11/6/2011
8. Esben & The Witch – 35 Conferette, Denton, TX – 3/12/2011
9. My Morning Jacket – Austin City Limits Festival, Zilker Park, Austin, TX – 9/17/2011
10. Murder City Devils – Fun Fun Fun Fest, Auditorium Shores, Austin TX – 11/4/2011
11. TV On The Radio – Austin City Limits Festival, Zilker Park, Austin, TX – 9/17/2011
12. mr. Gnome – Lola’s Saloon, Fort Worth, TX – 12/7/2011
13. The Sword – The Granada Theater, Dallas, TX – 2/12/2011
14. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals/Jonathan Tyler and Northern Lights – House of Blues, Dallas, TX – 2/18/2011
15. Soundgarden/Mastodon – Verizon Theater, Grand Prairie, TX – 10/26/2011
16. Cough – Trees, Dallas, TX – 2/9/2011
17. This Will Destroy You/Burning Hotels/The Cush – Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art – 4/16/2011
18. The Bright Light Social Hour – Lola’s Saloon, Fort Worth, TX – 8/12/2011
19. Supersuckers – Lola’s Saloon, Fort Worth, TX – 10/12/2011
20. Motley Crue/Poison/New York Dolls – Gexa Energy Pavilion, Dallas, TX – 6/7/2011

With that, I tell you I look forward to an ear-ringing 2012! See y’all out there!

1. Burning Hotels – Burning Hotels
2. Maleveller – Maleveller
3. The Great Tyrant – There Is A Man In The House
4. Bravo, Max! – Dog’s Light
5. Calhoun – Heavy Sugar
6. The Nighty Nite – Dimples
7. Sarah Jaffe – The Way Sound Leaves A Room
8. True Widow – As High As The Highest Heavens And From the Center Of the Circumference Of The Earth
9. Here Holy Spain – Division
10. Descender – Dark Water

Well D/FW, we had another stellar year of music within our region. We got debut full-length records from Bravo, Max! and Maleveller, and the posthumous album from The Great Tyrant. True Widow made waves on a national stage while Calhoun released their strongest album to date. We were treated to John Congleton’s latest project The Nighty Nite, and Descender and Here Holy Spain lashed out with excellent sophomore releases. Sarah Jaffe whetted appetites with some odds and ends coupled with a tremendous DVD of her show from earlier this year, all the while proving packaging matters.

Bringing us to a second straight year of Burning Hotels dominance. For me, no record was played more than their incredible self-titled album. Chance Morgan and Matt Mooty have raised the bar for everyone. I gushed about this record when I got it, and I still gush about it 200 listens later. Thanks guys.

What does 2012 have in store for us? I would keep an eye on the following: Signals and Alibis, Badcreek, The Velia Shrine, F.T.W., White Elephant, and Transistor Tramps. I believe these are some of the future of our scene.

For over 2 ½ hours Lovett regaled the audience at Bass Hall with favorites, deep cuts and covers. As I had only seen him with His Large Band, this was different, yet not lacking in any way. “She’s No Lady”, “If I Had A Boat”, “That’s Right (You’re Not From Texas)” and “I Will Rise Up” came through without missing anything at all. Lovett’s near comedic performances seamlessly meld awkward, self-deprecating comedic timing with his often humorous, quirky lyrics. With songs about his truck, or comparing food to love, or even sticking it to his wife because she’s not a lady, it’s when Lovett digs in and gets serious that he’s at his best. Pulling two of my favorites from Joshua Judges Ruth, “She’s Already Made Up Her Mind” and “North Dakota” Lovett and his band created atmospheric delights with their sparse arrangements being toyed with and spruced up. The new Christmas song, “The Girl With The Holiday Smile” was possibly the warmest song one has ever heard about a hooker around Christmastime.

Whether all 6 were locking in, or when cellist John Hagen and drummer Russ Kunkel exited the stage for an old timey bluegrass jamboree, it is evident these players love what they do. Gathered around Lovett’s center microphone, fiddler Luke Bulla, bassist Viktor Krauss and multi-instrumentalist, Duncanville’s Keith Sewell treated the audience with harmonies, picking and sheer bluegrass joy, presenting another dimension of their incomparable musical prowess, further stripping down this already bare bones act.

This was only the 5^th time in 18 years I’ve gotten to see Lyle Lovett. And with the frequency he plays Fort Worth it’s a shame. If you ever see Lyle Lovett, do yourself a favor and see him in this atmosphere. Not even the screeching, distractions of Ms. Superfan behind me, making sure to laugh louder and longer than everyone else in the crowd to prove SHE definitely got the jokes could dampen the evening. Even with her husband shushing her and allowing her cell phone to ring during the quietest part of “North Dakota” (yes ma’am, you were very annoying for 2 ½ hours) they could not deter the magnificence of Mr. Lovett.

Thank you Lyle, for a wonderful evening . Bass Hall is honestly your home.

Setlist (Mostly)

Intro (Instrumental)

Babes In The Woods (Walter Hyatt Cover)

The Girl With The Holiday Smile

The Truck Song

Cowboy Man

Private Conversation

She’s No Lady She’s My Wife

Well Alright (Buddy Holly Cover)

I Will Rise Up

Cute As A Bug

My Baby Don’t Tolerate

This Old Porch

She’s Already Made Up Her Mind

If I Were The man You Wanted

LA County

If I Needed You (Townes Van Zandt Cover)

Nothing But A Good Ride

Give Me Back My Heart

More Pretty Girls Than One (Ricky Skaggs Cover)

I’ll Come Knocking (Walter Hyatt Cover)

Keep It in Your Pantry

Up In Indiana

If I Had A Boat

Good Intentions

North Dakota

That’s Right (You’re Not From Texas)

???

Encore

You Can’t Resist It

In the other 3 times I had seen them, I had been deceived. The first was at Trees on Being There in ’97. No frills, no production, just a very young Wilco, playing their songs in earnest. The next two times would be at ACL 2004 and 2007, on A Ghost Is Born and Sky Blue Sky respectively. Neither with any production, again, just Wilco, older versions mind you, playing their songs, the latter even more subdued due to the record they were touring for. Therefore last night’s performance was, pardon the pun, nothing less than a shot in the arm.

As I was witnessing the power of Wilco last night, many things came to mind. The one that stayed with me was that this isn’t the band that made A.M.. That statement is true in many ways and can be evidenced just by listening to every record since. But it was driven home to me as they played the almost out of place “Passenger Side” near the close of the show. Jeff Tweedy has surrounded himself with a bevy of musicians who can take his vision to whatever level the songs dictate, and while on record they are creative, live is where this band shines. Newer tracks from this year’s The Whole Love such as the Kraut-rock journey of “Art of Almost”, “Whole Love” and “Dawned On Me” felt progressive yet right at home with fan favorites “Impossible Germany”, “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”, and “Hummingbird”.

Opening was British legend Nick Lowe, whose solo acoustic performance was very well received, pulling out “Cruel to Be Kind”, bringing to life the Elvis Costello classics such as the Lowe penned “(What’s So Funny About) Peace Love And Understanding” and “Alison”.

In short, there’s really nothing I can tell you about Wilco that someone else hasn’t already said. They are arguably the best band in America right now, continually outclassing all in their way.

I hope they make it back through again. Soon.