When local postmodernist Bradford Thomas Erickson and artist Jackie Riccio collaboratively took the reins of Small Engine Gallery (1413 Fourth Street SW) it was with the community-wide hope that they would keep the motor well-oiled and humming as the 21st century continued to advance, even as founder Raven Chacon moved on to other art- and music-related missions. Erickson and Riccio both have done a fan-fucking-tasic job. On Thursday, Jan. 21, together they bring the power of local music to the joint in conjunction with Townie Productions. The resulting supersonic melee will feature a collection of Burque’s best and brightest. Holy Glories , a hard-edged psych outfit that features rattling percussion and guitars headlines the gig. Performances by Marty Crandall— he of the Shins and perpetually intense solo work, doom-inflected shoe-gazers Lilith and the terrifying and trance-inducing Lisausky/Martinez/Olson Trio practically guarantee the event’s rocanrol relevance. Donations at the door will gladly be accepted at this all-ages acidic actualization ritual that begins at 8pm.
Show Up!: One Way To Rock
Sammy Hagar
Matt Becker/Wikimedia Commons
According to Sammy Hagar, there’s only one way to rock. Supposedly this methodology involves cranking up the bass and, to a lesser extent, a Les Paul in one’s face. In conjunction with the brash certainty reflected in Hagar’s lyrics, the Red Rocker—as he is sometimes known to music aficionados world-wide—has had a varied career as a solo artist and sideman; hell, he was even part of Van Halen for a while. Hagar brings his frontline experience to the Legends Theater at Route 66 Casino (14500 Central SW) on Friday, Jan. 22. He’ll be appearing with his band The Circle as part of a tour dubbed “A Journey Through the History of Rock.” The trio backing Hagar includes drummer Jason Bonham (his dad played in, like, some band that came after the Yardbirds), bassist Michael Anthony (I think he was in Van Halen before Wolfie came onboard) and the guy from Chickenfoot (they’re a band too), guitarist Vic Johnson. Tickets range from $50-$120, all ages may attend. Concert time is 8pm.
Show Up!: Winter Means Metal
1349
Brandi 666/Wikimedia Commons
If topics like rock and roll music, the plague and frigidly faraway places like Norway contain cultural linkages that you find chaotically compelling, then by all means check out 1349 at Launchpad (618 Central SW) on Saturday, Jan. 23. Committed members of the second wave of extreme metal that oozed out of Northern Europe in the last decade of the 20th century, 1349 were significantly influenced by Celtic Frost and are the party responsible for tuneage that includes classics of the dark metal genre like “I am Abomination,” “Serpentine Sibilance,” and “Godslayer.” They also do a decent cover of Floyd’s “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun.” These naughty Norwegians will be joined on stage by Brooklyn experimental metal heads Tombs and east coast grindcore greats Full of Hell . Local porn-metal maniacs Bathhouse open. It’ll cost you $15 to realize your darkest fears on the evening in question; the 13+ cavalcade of souls starts at 8:30pm.
Show Up!: Tell Tha Truth
Trae tha Truth
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Frazier Othel Thompson, also known as Trae tha Truth , is a member of the Houston-based underground hip-hop culture notorious for the screwed and chopped sound that continues to influence much of the genre’s experimental wing. Trae will play The Co-Op (415 Central NW) on Monday, Jan. 25. The progenitor of a style that embraces the slowed-down, screwed-up aesthetic while adding gravel-voiced street narratives, persistently tricky percussive effects and seamless production values to his output, work such as 2015’s “Tricken Every Car I Get” and “What the Fuck Is You On” slay with a mastery of form and rhythm. Trae is also known as an activist in H Town, serving as a spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity and founding a children’s emergency shelter in between trips to the recording studio. Ironically some intense violence has been associated with his performances; shootings followed sets by Trae in 2009 and again in 2012. Despite this, the rapper continues to be sought out as a healing influence. $20 gets one in to see the man; recall the Co-Op is an all-ages, drug- and alcohol-free venue where violence is not tolerated. Trae takes the stage at 7pm.
