rudyard's

I'm incredibly behind on posting reviews and photos for the shows I've seen since SXSW. I've been to a lot, and have brought my camera with to almost every one. The first step back into live music after my Austin hangover eventually wore off was a Tuesday night gig by LA-based post-rock and dance duo El Ten Eleven. I had no expectations going into the show, but after witnessing the duo doing what they do, I was immediately sold. Guitarist/bassist/looping extraordinaire Kristian Dunn was all over the stage and his double-neck guitar, regularly stepping on his massive pedal board that featured an array of different switches and looping devices. Drummer Tim Fogarty was one of the more consistent drummers I've run into in my day, never missing a change throughout the set. With one man live-looping, drumming can get a bit tricky, so to see him stick with what Dunn was doing the entire show was nothing short of impressive.

I had a fun time dancing my way through the set, and catching up with my buddy Felix Moreno from Future Rock, but I also had my camera in tow and got some nice shots. Check them out after the jump.

Last month I had the fine privilege to attend not one, but two performances by That 1 Guy. First was a stellar opening set for Keller Williams when we caught him at The Granada in Dallas, and second was when he made it down to Houston for a show at Rudyard's. I only caught the last few songs of the first set, so I made it a priority to get there for the start of his first performance in my hometown in about a year. As I walked in, he was moments into his opening song, and the craziness was abound. Playing his patented "Magic Pipe," along with special guest appearances from his "Magic Boot" and "Magic Saw," That 1 Guy aka Mike Silverman brought along not only his music, but a full show that included comedic interludes and a host of magic tricks as well. While the audience remained seated throughout the set, they were completely sold by Silverman's antics all night. He is a great performer, and if you've never seen him before, I highly recommend it when he inevitably comes to your town. He is unlike any other act going today, and with his odd instruments and signature style he should be a force on the road and at festivals for some time to come.

Check out my photos from the show after the jump!

One of our favorite groups to come out of Austin, The Sour Notes, will be hitting up Houston's Rudyard's Pub for the release of their latest LP, It's Not Gonna Be Pretty, with support from Spain Colored Orange and tour mates Row Zero. They kicked off their tour last night in Austin, and will be traversing the south and east coast for the next week-and-a-half. They've loaded up their new (old) van, Jacque, and have willingly committed to reporting back to BOT while on the road. We plan to feature words and pictures from The Sour Notes over the course of their winter tour, so hopefully some crazy adventures pan out.

The other day, I had the chance to have a bit of a discussion with frontman Jared Boulanger about The Sour Notes' latest album and their impending tour. He had tons to say about it all, so feel free to scope the interview, and a listing of their tour dates after the jump.

Lymbyc Systym, Springfield Riots and Loxsly at Rudyard's
Doors open at 9, show starts at 10
Tickets are $10

Have you ever been a part of something so odd and unexpected that you couldn't do anything but sit and stare with a dumbfounded smile on your face? Well, that's how I found myself, surrounded by about two hundred others in the same boat, when reclusive folk artist Jandek took the stage for a Sunday afternoon matinee at Rudyard's in Houston.

Read all about it after the jump

Swedish folksters Loney, Dear made their way through Houston, where they entertained a mostly seated crowd of about 50 upstairs at Rudyard's. Mixing well-penned lyrics with crafty musicianship, this fivesome proved to be quite entertaining both musically and comedically from start to finish. Frontman Emil Svanängen, for whom the name Loney, Dear serves as a pseudonym, was very talkative over the hour-plus of music he and his bandmates treated us to. Between each song, Svanängen provided the audience with social commentary about subjects ranging from Reality Bites, Warren G's "Regulate," opening cans of whoop ass and most importantly (to them at least) Stockholm football. The short set was chock full of acoustic guitar-laden folk music, enhanced by each member's quality musicianship on auxiliary instrumentation. "Ignorant Boy," "Violent" and especially the semi-solo version of "I Am John" stood out from the rest of their incredibly solid catalog that was on display that particular Tuesday evening. I hope to catch Loney, Dear again in a few weeks at SXSW, especially since Cereal is kicking herself for missing this show.

I took some pictures and videos from the evening, which you can view after the jump.

A few weeks ago, on Friday, February 6, Lawrence, KS-based post-rockers The Appleseed Cast stopped in at Rudyard's in Houston. Eggs and I had only recently begun to explore the band's catalog; for a few months, we had a pseudo-roommate living with us and as an avid fan, he introduced us to their work. In fact, he extended his stay in Houston by a night just to attend this show. At Rudyard's, the band delivered an intense set that highlighted their impassioned songwriting and experimental feel. Local support act Hungry Villagers also offered up a solid selection of songs, capably fulfilling crowd-warming duties.

More snaps and vids after the jump

The Appleseed Cast

The Appleseed Cast at Rudyard's
Doors at 9pm, 21+
Tickets $10