Your Reviews


We want to hear what you have to say! Tell us about a show, club or local music release that you've experienced! Shout it loud! Shout it Clear! Let the whole world hear!"

8/7/01: by Caitlynn

West Of Nowhere - Concert Review

I have seen the band West Of Nowhere several times and each time I see them they are always amazing. The band is so high energy. They have excellent harmonies, and the lead singer Kyle Reed has a beautiful voice with quite a range. West Of Nowhere delivers an all around excellent show. You can't help but feel good when you see them because you also know how good of a time they are having. Their website is at www.westofnowhere.com If you like country music, this is a band I would reccomend seeing. I promise you won't be disappointed.


12/21/00: by Chris Higgins

Lee Harvey - CD Review

leeharvy's last cd Notorious was great and like expected they are coming out with one at the beginning of next year that's even better. They are a young and talented band that is going to explode in 2001. They will be headlining at the Galaxy club on January 13th. Come see them in action!!


11/15/00: by Chris Higgins

Lee Harvey - Concert Review

I saw lee harvy at trees this past weekend (11/11/00) and I think that they are a great band. I thinkt that they are going right up the charts. They had a great sound and there is a lot of talent in the band. I would love to see them get some good breaks and be at the top of the charts.


11/8/00: by Dr. Louie Hall, Professor of Music University of Maine

Entity - "Here To Stay" - CD Review

The past few decades in popular music have seen major changes; musicians are more experienced and educated, technology in the sound and recording industries has become mind-boggling, and the American audience has become more selective and demanding. Listeners want good tunes, lyrics with which they can identify, a beat they can dance to, and individual performing quality that has style, skill, and personality. The stage is set for ENTITY. The honesty of Country music comes though the creative style of ENTITY in their new CD aptly name, HERE TO STAY. Nothing speaks to the country music fan like original heart-felt songs covering the real-life range of emotions that the heartland needs to hear. From the mellow and touching "You and I" to the rockin' "As A Matter of Fact", lovers of Country won't find themselves skipping bands on this CD! All original songs by Josh Guthrie, ENTITY also includes the varied and refined skills of Ray Emmons, Dan Matthews, and Mike Heath
create a musical unit as tight, rhythmically clean, and accurate as any recorded group today. You'll hear refreshing use of louds and softs so often ignored by even top artists, and vocals, as in "My Heart is True", that are clear, balanced, and alive with style. Rhythm, keyboard, and guitar work speak for themselves in this smoothly-assembled musical product. There are no weak spots here. Keep an eye on ENTITY!


10/2/00: by Chris Wilmoth

Eric Folkerth - "Songs for the Time Being" - CD Review

Songs for the Time Being, the debut album from singer-songwriter Eric Folkerth, is an exciting combination of freshness, brilliant imagery, catchy melodies and wisdom. The songs range from the poignant to the joyful, the serious to the silly but never lose the wonder and enthusiasm of a first kiss.

It might seem odd that a debut album begins with a goodbye song, but Sequoyah is the perfect introduction to a collection of songs full of vivid images and pithy insights. Sequoyah finds in the autumnal Ozarks foliage a lesson about the beauty of the changes constantly confronting us and the comfort to be found in embracing the people who bring meaning to our lives.

This album is flush with natural images: the birches of Moscow, the east Texas pines, Barton Springs, blue-grey horizons outside Austin, the sun breaking through the clouds. It’s also filled with paths, the quest for purpose and peace of mind. If Folkerth has found any truth within these images, it’s the beauty of the unanswered question.

“Eric’s songs tell stories the way a good movie does,” says another Texas songwriter Bob Ackerman. Take, for example, Mom Went Bungie Jumping, which tells of a woman who finds herself on her own for the first time “with no one she needs to protect.” Central to this song is the image of the free fall coupled with the hope that the cord will ultimately keep her from hurting herself, the notion that “faith is such a thin and fragile cord.” The selected snapshots of her life reflect the sense of compassion that pervades this album.

These Rooms is both a love song to Folkerth’s little girl and an expression of wonder at the fathomless human capacity for discovering new love. The award-winning I Will Sing is the kind of song you find yourself immediately replaying so you can learn the words and sing along. The Birches of Moscow, Folkerth’s epic coup de grace, tells the story of how the myths a baby boomer grew up on melted happily into the peace of friendship and understanding. And My Brontosaurus Threw a Potluck will make you chuckle, raise your eyebrows and wonder, What was that all about?

The richness of the studio version of these songs is also a tribute to the genius of producer Clark Findley. Still, a few good listens and you can guess what Folkerth might have in his personal CD collection. You hear traces of the alternate tunings and terse imagery of David Wilcox, the narrative skill of John Gorka, Darden Smith, and Shawn Colvin, the quirkiness of Christine Lavin and Trout Fishing in America, and the vocal virtuosity of Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, and (according to my mother-in-law) Frank Sinatra. But Songs for the Time Being is no mere paean to the artists Folkerth admires. It is infused with a unique perspective and infectious melodies that will keep it in the CD changer for weeks at a time.

Chris Wilmoth is a former adjunct writing instructor at Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University and Brookhaven College. He has presented papers to the Modern Language Association and the Southeastern Medieval Association. Formerly Communications Director for an international petroleum consulting firm, he is now a student at SMU School of Law.


6/28/00: by Charles Smith

Doris Daze - "It's All Good" - CD Review

Doris Daze has come into their own. With the release of the new CD “It’s All Good” they have melded together a sound that is original and refreshing. It has the energy that captures you. The pounding melodies stay in your head long after you here the music. With the lead vocals of the talented Melissa Collins to front the band the presentation is complete. Melissa has the power voice of Janis Joplin and the soul filled sound of Ma Rainey from Memphis’ Bealle Street gritty blues genre of many years ago. Her presence on this effort is surely felt deep. At once you know that this singer is on track to become one of the next North Texas legends. Melissa writes a lot of the songs on the CD. Her style is down-to-earth and timely yet classic. It fits the talents of the group as an emerging rock band. This band exudes energy to move you to the dance floor. The classic style is very evident in the very blusey track number six “Take Me Home”. The pop filled track one “It Must ! Be Love” is hit material. The melody and vocals are true and convincing. Track seven “Hush Hush” is another hook melody that stays with you long after the last note fades. Here again the harmony that comes from this group is very captivating. The last track on the release “It’s All Good” is a first class effort. It is the one that has firm Texas overtones with the promise of being the band's signature track. The sweet melody will get ya. This track should be on the play list of stations that are into an alt-Texas
sound. The band has the feel of a very put-together act. They are well worth the effort to see live in a Deep Ellum venue or just to listen to while shuffling through traffic. Either way it is a good choice for your Texas Music collection.


8/10/99: by Lily Mills

Nas - I Am... - CD Review

Nas' recent album "I Am..." is the best album I have ever heard, in my opinion. I am an avid music collector and I look for albums which keep me listening to the whole thing, not just the number one single. I bought this album because I really like the song "Hate Me Now", but now I am in love with almost every song on the album, which only lost my attention twice (this is very good by the way). Undying Love is definately my favourite. The only album in my collection which could come close to my opinion of this recording is "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill".


7/27/99: by T. Johnson

Dead Industry & Low Gear - Concert Review

I saw Dead Industry and Low Gear together in concert at the Galaxy Club on March 20. It was an AWESOME show! Both bands put on a very entertaining show! They have so much energy and enthusiasim! I'm looking forward to seeing Low Gear at the Curtain Club this Sunday for the Local Show. I hope DI and Low Gear play together again real soon!


6/3/99: by Chris Ruffing

Grimace - Concert Review

I saw these guys at a battle of the bands at Abracadra's ... they kicked ass the won the thing...the other bands were good, but these guys rocked...only three dudes!!!they got a wall of sound man!!
then I saw them at Sanctuary!!!! they rock!!!!


4/12/99: by Art Morales

Bobby Pizazz - Band Review

This talented songman"s own repertoire of original compositions exceeds 1500 songs, comprised of a wide and varied range of styles - Jazzy, Bluesy, Rocky, Country Swing crossover .. and a style that can only be described as uniquely his own. Bobby"s performances caught the attention of area promoter Jack Cracian, prompting the “All Blues” concert at Cleveland Ohio's Agora Ballroom. Pizazz performed with blues legends Robert Jr. Lockwood, Mary Martin and Jimmy Ley. Pizazz also organized, hosted and performed at a series of concerts called “Sequi Centennial Summer Concerts on the Lake”. He was so well received that the Sunday paper “The Chronicle” featured him in a front page article. His own articles on songwriting often appeared in “The Songwriter”. Pizazz is no stranger to the back stage magic of behind-the-scenes activities. To his credit he has worked with a variety of major recording artists.
Bobby appeared as an extra in several music videos, ABC"s football commercial with Hank Williams Jr., and the movie “Sweet Dreams” with Jessica Lange. Most recently, Robert Pizazz appeared as a guest performer on TNN"s “American Magazine” at the request of producers Don Dishal and Allen Reed. His spontaneous segments of ad-lib, emotional delivery, and distinctive vocal style wins over even the most discerning of audiences.


3/23/99: by Anonymous

Six for Twelve - Band Review

I won't bore you with overused words like eclectic, earthy, palatable, myriad, etc. Just the facts...Six for Twelve is a boot-to-the-head, mature, real, get-ya-in-the-gut, get-ya-thinkin', find-yourself-starin' band!

I won't tell how they got together, you'll learn about that later. I'll just say these four human beings were brought together by Fate (like we all are) and though Fate can be a fickle bitch, she knew what she was doing in this case. I will give you a good piece of advice...go see this band. You'll thank me later.


2/18/99: by Alex Smith

Luis Villegas - CD Review

Review of the CD, Cafe Ole, by Luis Villegas and the United Nations Band, released in 1998 on Domo records.

One might think that this is just another latin dance album but once it kicks off with Baby Elephants it is creamy and surprisingly listenable. As it moves onto the second track, Banana Bay, it is hard and green¾in a few years this will be terrific. Luis and the United Nations band simply have lots of character and breeding. They are not as intense as some but more serious than others. The next few tracks are young and surprisingly light, richer and fruitier than most, but with some seriousness of purpose. Getting to the fifth and sixth tracks bring songs that are aggressive, big, and rough-hewn. Simply big and warming. Luis shows traditional depth in his music, and he is proud to be a bit rough. The United Nations band is obviously comfortable being what it is; uniformly a bit biting, leathery and chewy. This album is a keeper and will stand the test of time. Definitely worth hiding in the closet for a few years. As I listened to the seventh track, inside, I thought of big white rocks reflecting the intense sun. It was good, unpretentious, but well made. It would make you warm on a cold night. The eighth track does not have the guts of some but it is righteous. A well recommended full-bodied album to be enjoyed with any course.


1/5/99: by Paddy

Hollow Point - Concert Review

I first saw HOLLOW POINT at the VAMPIRE LOUNGE on HOLLOWEEN with BIG IRON and they rocked so hard that one guy actually got kocked out in there pitt,they are the best band that I have ever seen and i plan to attend every HP show that I can.HOLLOW POINT is a twizted mix of HATE BREED meets COAL CHAMBER meet the BEASTIE BOYS point blank they are truely the best band that I have seen. I hope you like them as much as I do!! later P-ROCK.


9/28/98: by Anonymous

Venue Review

Deep Ellum Center for the Arts at 2808 Commerce Street is a great place to go and see THE ARTS!!!!! Also, we rented the space for a private function and were delighted with the facilities. Highly recommended. Melissa Savage, the director (214-744-2787), was very helpful! We'd do it again.


8/22/98: by Rick Matthews

Freshwater Concert Review

On August 15, at the curtain club, a new dfw band called Freshwater opened up for Dahveed Garza, and I must say I was thoroughly impressed. the band's diversity of instrumentation was exciting to watch. Drums, violinist, bass, acou. gtr, elec. gtr, percussionist/flutist, concise and cutting vocal harmonies. The two vocalists work very well together. The set list was:
1.holding on.....powerful 3 part harmonies
2. miracles....needs to be a little tighter
3. above me...very cool elec. gtr delay/ U2 feel, very cool
4. fell down the mountain....brought the crowd into the show
5. sun from my skies....excellent elec. gtr work
6. restless...slower than others , but the flute was cool
7. walking down brisbane...pumping..percussion solo kicked a**

Looking very forward to seeing this band again as they develop into a very tight sound...crowd response after each song and whole set was overwhelming I think to the band...these guys are on their way.


8/13/98: by Greg Leonard

Tripping Daisy CD Review

Tripping Daisy's latest full length release "Jesus Hits Like The Atom Bomb" isn't what you expect from a band who gave us great pop hits in the past such as "Blown Away" and "I Gotta Girl."

This album is at first hard to listen to, but after a few listens, you find yourself drawn into the music as vocalist Tim De Laughter sings about love on the ballad "Sonic Bloom" and you get to reminisce a bit with the ultra great pop tunes "Mechanical Breakdown" and "New Plains Medicine."

The addition of an extra guitarist/trumpet player, Phil Karnats, opens up doors not previously know to the one time 4 piece band. New comer Ben Curtis picks up the sticks to pound out some great beats on this record as well.

This album should be, and could be, a big time record in terms of sales and radio play. The first single titled "Waited A Light Year" is a six minute epic that is pure greatness.


6/26/98: by Scene Online
Venue: Wilbert's

Trish Murphy

It can almost make you believe there is no justice in the world when someone as talented Trish Murphy is not signed to a major label and isn't being played on the radio in the rock and roll capital of the world. At least Wilbert's had the good ears and good sense to bring Murphy into town.

Murphy and the impressive three-piece band she fronts offered a two-set show last Friday that was simply wonderful. The Austin-based singer-guitarist is a real entertainer, not one of those showbiz acts who think they're entertaining and aren't. This woman is obviously completely into what she is doing. Great songs got great delivery. She was fun and not phony.

When Murphy performs, she's passionate and genuine. This gal's guitar faces (you know, those grimaces, grins and lip-biting facial expressions that guitarists make as they play) are legit, not choreographed like the game faces of Joan Jett or Chrissie Hynde. Also genuine was her between-song banter. You just can't script an endorsement for the club's chef and his talents in the salad department.

Murphy has a deep appeal. What her voice lacks in textbook perfection, it more than makes up for with expressiveness and emotion. It's not easy to describe, either. She really doesn't have a rasp, and her voice isn't really crystal clear. It's not smoky nor torchy. Whatever you call it, it's a grabber. The easy way out would be to compare her to Sheryl Crow, though Murphy's delivery isn't as forced.

Stylistically, it's obvious that she owes as much to Tom Petty and Neil Young as she does to Crow. The guitar lineshad those same Southern accents. It's not a country sound; it's that undefinable lower-U.S. sound.

With opening act Slaid Cleves a no-show, Murphy was asked to do a split set with a break. Her first set opened withfour as-yet-unrecorded tunes that were powerful enough to make you think that she had better high-tail it into the studio and lay them down A.S.A.P. Of those, "Runaway Freight Train" and "Me Behind The Wheel" were the standouts.

With a couple of exceptions, everything else came from her critically acclaimed CROOKED MILE disc. "ScorpioTequila," the first inclusion from the disc and a song inspired by Murphy's more outgoing sister, was loaded with sass and some great guitar work by Mac McNabb. This guy can put a Stratocaster through its paces, making it sing and cry without being a showboater. Great slide work, too.

Murphy has a new rhythm section that cooks. Bass player Scott Garber was solid. Behind the drum kit was Nina Singh, formerly of the Borrowers, who can whack the skins with the best of them. She's got a nice combination of power and finesse, and she knows when to employ both.

Also from CROOKED MILE was "Running Out Of Tomorrows," a laid-back rocker with a mid-tempo pace that nicely showcased the expressiveness and range of Murphy's voice. The first set was capped with an outstanding cover of Neil Young's "Don't Let It Bring You Down."

The second set started with Murphy solo and acoustic, rendering a sobering and thought-provoking version of "Boiling Water." She's more than talented enough to play alone, but had she done more than the three it would have been just too much.

Murphy's pacing was good. She followed the forlorn, slow and swaying "Wrong Side Of Town" with the energetic "Date With An Angel," a stepping-out-on-my-own tale of a young woman trekking to the bright lights of L.A. Murphy never let the mood get too far in either direction.

The set closed with "Paralyzed," a new song inspired by Murphy being at a loss for words atthe wrong time, followed by CROOKED MILE's jewel, "Concession Stand Song," a catchy collectionof one-liners strung together.

In its recorded version, it has all the makings of a world-class chart-topper, but on this nightMurphy and company took it one step cooler, tucking in a couple lines from Al Green's "Take Me ToThe River" right after the line in the chorus that goes, Tell your babies what you know/Drop 'em in the river and watch 'em go. It was just enough to draw a roomful of grins and applause.

For a critic, it was more than suitably impressive. For a music enthusiast, it must have madenew fans for Murphy. The advice is that if you see Trish Murphy and her band slated to playanywhere near you, go and catch them at once. You're likely to walk out a fan at the end of her set.

Lee Barrish


6/19/98: by Jane

Buck Jones and Fixture play in the Wreck Room

WHAT??!! Did you say something??!! I said "Youth is overrated"..."Duluth finally got raided??". HUH?   Ah....the typical conversation at a heavy metal club.

I dropped by the Wreck Room to see Fixture and Buck Jones  Friday (6/19) and unless you already know  EXACTLY where the Wreck Room is located on West 7th Street  in Fort  Worth...then  I  suggest you bring  along  a  designated watch-out to ride  shotgun so they can scream   "There it is!!"  There it is!"   and point madly at the  unassuming little black building situated amongst wealthy suburbia, downtown  &  lock-yer-doorville.   Parking is scarce  judging by the many "No parking or get towed" signs around the building - so get creative in finding a parking spot.   If it weren't for the clubs' name, the heavy metal bands they book, or the  Texas location -  the Wreck Room is very reminiscent of  a northeastern-type neighborhood bar.  I kept looking out the window to see if it was snowing yet.

The  club  itself is basically  divided into  three  sections.  The first half is the  cozy/homey bar which is  separated by a regulation size pool table (which may not be level anymore after a hyper employee kept jumping on it to adjust a stage light every few minutes).  The  larger middle  section is the  stage section  &  the  smaller back area has another pool table in it.

Good beer selection (bottle & draft) - which  is  sometimes unusual for a smaller club.   Nice  staff  &  service....which reminds me....it's  not everyday one see's a cocktail waitress sporting a dog collar & leopard skin apron.

The dark burgundy walls  of  the  bar section give an air of coziness & along with the dim (mood) lighting,  the glow of the draw poker machine & the TV tuned to the Discovery channel  - they could easily change the name  to  something like "Gus's Place"  & still do just fine. Many patrons seemed liked regulars to the bar too. A lot of "everyone knows
everyone" kind  of  place. The walls display many great original works  of  art  &  many people paused  to admire  the artwork despite the fact a band was playing in the background. Reject chairs  &  well-worn  (but darn comfy)  couches straight from Good Will line the clubs' walls which only  adds  to  the  charm  of  the  place.   Speaking  of  walls, those
leading into the bathrooms are a tribute to graffiti.....lots of  humorous "for a good time call" stuff.

Doesn't sound like a heavy metal club right? That's the visual impression you get though.

For a heavy metal club I was quite surprised  at the overall crowd.  A  tiny handful  of obvious heavy rocker types, but the majority were college types. The Gap  is  doing well  in  clothing sales this season it  would seem.  Even the music selection on the CD jukebox was quite diverse.  Most tunes played before the bands came  on  were heavy rock...but the jukebox had everything  from classic rock  to  mellower alternative tunes.  I  get  theimpression that maybe,  just maybe,  the Wreck Room is not fully committed to being a total heavy metal club forever & are keeping their options open - just in case.

I would suggest that the Wreck Room invest in a few more smoke-eater machines - the cloud of smoke was obviously thick and choking  by  the time the club filled in with patrons - most of which smoke.  If  you  are a non-smoker  or  an ex-smoker trying to stay clean of smoke - this is not the place for you.

Oh yeah the bands. Lest I forget. Fixture opened up around 10:30 PM.  A clean-cut, all-American looking band out of Oklahoma City played a set without obvious mistakes but the feedback problem  got annoying quickly.  The emphasis for this band was heavy on the amp  & volume but very light on style.  They reminded me  of  every other heavy band
that has played  in countless garages across America - one  who's overall "sound"  is   lacking  in originality & whose sound isn't distinctive enough to make them stand out for  long -  let alone warrant seeing them again. The lackluster (and all but absent) applause from the crowd only added to that theory.  No  one stood to watch the band play either... most mulled about trying to carry on their conversations despite the band.

The club got more crowded as the night went on,  but  many didn't seem to  be  there to  hear the bands play.  In fact,  ANY band could have played and that would have been fine by them too - how do I know this...I asked some people.

Buck Jones started their set around midnight  &  had a few fans sporting their  T-shirts  in  the  crowd.  Maybe 30-40 people stood at the stage to watch, but again the crowd was reserved. A few people (myself included) tapped a foot or grooved a bit to the beat of the bass drum - but that seems to happen as a reflexive movement - almost like  blinking. The appeal of Buck Jones has to be the female bassist/vocalist.  I contemplated using the  word  vocalist as the lyrics were inaudible and quite drowned out by the guitar  & drums. Why bother writing lyrics then?   Buck Jones seems to have a small following but not enough to fill a club - maybe over in Dallas but definitely not in Fort Worth - at least not this time, which having only seen them once - that's all I can go by.

Buck Jones had a more distinctive sound than Fixture but yet they still sounded like everyone else in  their league.  I am beginning  to  think this style  of   music  has too many  limitations.  There  is  no room  to  break out of  the crowd without sounding more mainstream or being accused of "giving in to da man".  Creativity is based on how loud you can get the speakers & amps. Same old, same old heavy amp sound.

Overall, the crowd was unresponsive  to  the genre of music being played.  Ouch - not a good thing  for  a  music style that thrives on head-banging  &  enthusiasm. The Wreck Room club itself  has  a  neighborhood bar appeal to  it  &  I hope to see it move in that direction to be quite honest. Fixture neither pumped up the crowd nor has the musical  (& name) appeal to draw patrons into a club. Buck Jones had a solid set but again the music was generic heavy metal & I sure didn't see a local following that's strong enough to bring  in a crowd consistently.  Either way,  I  wish both bands luck in their endeavors.


6/98: by Jane

TOOMuchTV x Two Venues

 Two venues,  same band,  yet apples  &  oranges in differences.   This past week  I caught  just  two live  shows  by Dallas-based band TOOMuchTV.  First, at Fort Worth's Caravan of Dreams (6/11) and again at Dallas' (Deep Ellum) Club Clearview (6/13).

 This review is more about the live shows & less a CD critique (Too Much is Never Enough - Carpe Diem Records, 1997) as that is a whole 'nother review in itself.  However, a standard-issue introduction of the band seems  a  good idea. TOOMuchTV is fronted by local-favorite &  talented lead-vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Broose Dickinson (also
of PopPoppins fame). Equally deserving in credit & recognition is the rest of the band:  MaxwellHartman  -  guitar, Owen Kinser - bass, John Scully - drums,  & (supposedly, but who has seen him recently?)  Brad McLemor - guitar.

 Thursday night (6/11), TMTV performed a free show at Fort Worth's Caravan ofDreams venue. Other than a  very limited beer selection on the theater level & outdoor grotto bar - can that place get any better?  Along with a  great location in hip Sundance Square, C of D has an eclectic mix of performers, open-aired grotto bar, 200+ seat theater, intimate yet spacious concert hall/dance floor, ample (and clean) bathrooms, good food & great staff. Whew! Anyway, TMTV performed live in the 2nd level theater room at Caravan  (unlike the usual concert hall downstairs which was already booked with another band that same night), and they put on one heck of a fun show. Emphasis on fun cannot
be expressed enough!

 Most folks in the audience came over after the free Mayfield/Specials show held in the Chisholm Trail lot across the street.  Some folks came upstairs after  the  band playingdownstairs  in the main concert hall was done.  Band  family members  (parents,  grandparents ??)   &  TMTV  fans   in   general   were  all  in  attendance.   Mostly  a  late  20's, 30-something age crowd.

 Formerly a recording studio, the converted theater at  Caravan is not the best venue for standing up or breaking out into dance due to the  typical theater seating - closelyspaced  & tiered  (but yet quite plush & comfy),  but that didn't stop the band or the crowd from having a great night out.  Actually, the tiered seating gave everyone  a  good view of the whole band &  I thought the acoustics were great.   I could clearly make out the lyrics  &  the crowd was  actually listening to the band & singing along unlike some venues wherethe band seems to be just an earsore as patrons gab amongst themselves - all but oblivious that a band is even playing.

 Broose told the song name before starting most tunes,  which is great if you are unfamiliar with the actual song  titles but are wanting to know the name to your newfavorite song. He also explained that the band had been given a longer than usual set to play - 1 1/2 hours - which was just fine with all of us. Keep on playing!

 Having finished their set early at Caravan, the band took to improvisation & requests from the crowd.  Gotta  love  a band that acknowledges  the  audience!  Guitarist Max  Hartman  wowed not only the  Caravan  crowd but fellow band members when he cut loose on a Nirvana tune semi-requested by some guy wanting to hear "grunge".  Watch out for those innocent looking band members eh! The band chatted a bit about where they all went to high school at & joked around with the audience members about silly stuff - something you just don't see or hear much at most venues where bands seem/act so detached from the audience.

 With a hint of  we-learned-years-ago-to-do-this,  the band tossed in a few obligatorycover songs which  by  no  means discounts the originality & strong presence of  TMTV's own music more than it fills some time  &  lets the band  (and audience) have some fun in the process.   In fact, dressed in matching pin-striped suits a`la early  Beatles,  the bands'
covering of "You're Gonna Loose that Girl" seemed only fitting.

 Both the band  and  the venue were a great match that night.  The crowd  had  a  fun  time,  the band was relaxed  & friendly,  the sound was great,  the playlist was perfect &  thevenue was  (as always)  one of  the best places to see a great band up close and personal. Bravo to both Caravan and TMTV!

 Now, on to the oranges having talked about apples. Club Clearview  (6/13)  was very disappointing  to say  the  least.  Last  word  I  got was  TMTV  would go on around 11pm but instead didn't get on stage  until  well after 1 am.  In the meantime every littleband available took  to  the  stage.   The average  age  of  the  audience  was  roughly early-midtwenties. Did I actually overhear someone there was named Buffy? Say it ain't so.

 Club Clearview  is part of a larger group of clubs housed in the  same  cramped,  gloomy,  un-air/conditioned  building (HELLO! We are in Texas. It is summertime & HOT!). I swore the last time I was there I would never go back  for a multitude of reasons. Where to start. Hmmm.  The tiny, unkempt bathrooms are a microbiologists dream  come  true. My friend Jim said the mens-room  had  a  good  inch deep layer of standing water  (he hoped it was water at least)  to wade  through  -  so guys....don't  wear  sandals!  The ladies-room was dark,  reeked,  & anyone trying to get in would invariable clock someone else with the door, so lots of apologizing goes on in that little room. Atleast half the women leaving the bathroom were unaware  that  they  were  dragging a piece of toilet paper from their shoes  -  that's always attractive.

 The lack of  a/c  was more than many could stand so despite having paid  $6 to get in  -  the  outside  Texas  heat was actually cooler so  they left early even  though  many  had come  to  specifically watch  TMTV.  That's a shame.  Also, women, skip putting on makeup  &  styling your hair because you will be in for a rude awakening.  Within a matter ofminutes upon entering the club/sweltering sauna  -  most makeup was smearing down faces & hair styles were all but non-existent.  And yet...they stay.  Why?  Is it the $6 they paid? The guys stay because the women's clothes are now plastered to them from the heat sothey get  eye-candy views.   Anyway,  I was standing relatively still & like many in the crowd,  we were uncomfortable & drenched in sweat  -  pity the bands having  to endure standing under hot stage lights & having to move about  &  play.   I endured for the sake of seeing TMTV again - but should they play again at Clearview - I'll pass.

 Finally, a little after 1 am,  TMTV  took to the stage.  Only  after  two  songs  the guitarist  was  checking  his  watch. Hmmm. The club closes at  2  so they were hustling  to  cram  in  the usual songs it seemed to us.  Unlike the show at Caravan - the band was only there to play & play quickly.  Had  I  not  seen  TMTV  at another  venue  before  seeing them at Clearview, then I would not have liked the band much....and I think this a great band!

 The sound was poor - loud - but poor. In fact....the Clearview house sound guy charged at a band member that played just prior to TMTV over the lousy sound & they about got into a minor scuffle of sorts. There's some professionalism for you.  Anyway,  it  was quite hard to make out  the  lyrics  clearly unless you knew the words already.  I noticedthat hardly anyone  was singing  along  at  Clearview like they did at  Caravan too.   The  band seemed  rushed,  obviously uncomfortable with the heat, barely chatted freely with the audience,  never quite content with the sound,   and lacked the charm they had at Caravan. It is amazing how a venue can make all the difference.

 A few groupie girls swooned down in front viving for Broose's attention & a few patron's danced. Mostly that kind of dancing folks try to do whilst  holding  a  sloshing  beer,  it  reinforces that  the  laws  of  gravity  are  still  accurate  & applicable.  But hey...it's almost 2 am, got some  groovy music going on & who is gonna remember this anyway?

 Overall, Club Clearview is not the venue of choice for truly appreciating a band. The acoustics are poor, the seating is sparse,  the dance floor is teeny tiny,  the ambiance is all but non-existent.  But yet, the place is always hopping & good bands continue to book shows there. Someone clue me in on how this place remains so popular?

 In regards to  TOOMuchTV...they  are  a  band  to see!  Great  vocals,  lyrics  and  melodies  that  will  send  you  out searching for their CD at record stores & scanning the concert date calendars to see them again.   Do check out their new CD & beat feet to see them live - preferably at Caravan of Dreams to really hear  them  &  get  a better sense of their style.  Not  trying to completely trash  Club  Clearview  -  but truly that venue does no justice for  TMTV  in my opinion. Thanks John, Owen, Broose and Max for your creativity and talents!


5/14/98: by Album Network Magazine

The Plebeians: Self Titled - Formerly know as the Plebeian Monarchs, the Plebeians of Austin, Texas, have not only simplified their name, but have also redirected their sound, now reaching for the roots of the music they love best—rock, country and gospel. Indeed, The Plebeians music is American (read that as Texas all the way). Produced by ex-Bodean Michael Ramos, and aided and abetted by some of the finest players (from Austin and elsewhere), this outfit has clearly learned the fine art of understatement when it comes to arranging and performing. The result is music that’s uplifting and beautifully textured. Suggested Songs: “Mother Mary,” “Strange Tango,” “Half Of It”


5/8/98: by David Sharp

Concealed in "downtown" Arlington, J. Gilligan's has been featuring live music for almost two decades. During the day, Gilligan's is a popular lunch spot for many of the local business and city employees. At night, Gilligan's opens the Draft House, featuring thirty different bottled beers and thirty-five more on tap. The front restaurant becomes a stage for a wide variety of local cover and original bands. Every thursday, check out Andrew & Alan Unplugged. Though they play acoustic guitars, this is not a folk, lounge or even a quiet show. Always willing to play any request (tips usually required and often given) Andrew & Alan cover seemingly every musical base. I've heard Pantera, NIN, Johnny Cash, Beatles, and bands I've never even heard of along with all the current tunes. You have to hear the "midnight" song (not for the conservative). Friday & Saturday, check Gilligan's entertainment line, 795-LIVE for scheduled acts. On Sunday, Gilligan's has a band that can't make up its mind on a name. 4 Dudes with Guitars, The inflatable Party Sheep, The Julia Sumner Millers, are names that have all been given for the same band. A good band, schizophrenic names. J. Gilligan's is at 400 E. Abram, between Collins and Cooper.
No Mapsco? Call 274-8561 and ask for directions.
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2/23/98: by Neal Norwood

I caught Terry Allan Hall's latest performance at Charlie's Cafe in Grapevine,TX.,where he appears once or twice a month.(I had first heard of him at the MayFest last spring,and then re-discovered him on another part of MusicStew's site.) While I usually prefer my music a lot louder,I'm pretty impressed by the way he takes one voice,one acoustic guitar,and a few harmonicas, and creates his own "space". He's a little bit country,a little classic rock,and a bunch "unplugged",and he writes some very compelling songs of his own.My girlfreind even made me buy a copy of his tape "Singer/Songsmith",several songs off of which he sang that night. (The recording, by the way,has a rock rhythm section that allows Hall to display his condiderable (sometimes electonically-flavored) acoustic lead guitar and mandolin skills much more than his solo performances do. "Shadow Soldier" particularily blew me away.) I would highly recommend Terry Allan Hall to anyone who enjoys excellent "folky" music.