While updating my smart phone, said intelligent device offered to sync my favorite music. Along with obscure dark wave, stoner/doom and The Sound of Music soundtrack, I synced up The Angel Babies’ “Blew My Speakers.” This track from the New Mexico-born, Austin-based band’s debut 7-inch personifies the crunch and hiss of badland garage rock. When the group released their self-titled full-length in 2012, I described the result as ranging from “postmodern corrido-style numbers to fuzzy, electronics-laced rockers to slow-burning and darkly ethereal tunes.” Hang with The Angel Babies’ Frankie Medina and Calida Salazar at Captain America’s ninth Garage & Wax Night at Low Spirits (2823 Second Street NW) on Thursday, Dec. 5. The Klondykes and Ballets open this 21-and-over gig. The concert kicks off at 9pm, but get there early for stellar vinyl curation.
Four Up High Desert Doom
via wikimedia.org
New Mexico is a pretty metal state. From the Rez to downtown Burque, there’s almost always something heavy on the Land of Enchantment’s aural menu. Stretch your neck and break in your earplugs at High Desert Doom Fest on Thursday, Dec. 7. The headliner is unknown quantity Stonerist, which features members of Denver grindcore outfit Cephalic Carnage and local death/grind foursome Vale of Miscreation. Whether old-school or upstarts, these desert-dwelling noisemakers—Black Maria, Black Lamb, Hanta, Prey for Kali, Marsupious, The Horned God and Rezin Tree—crank out glorious low-end bass and vicious riffage for your pleasure. This 21-and-over fest starts at 6:30pm at Launchpad (618 Central SW), and admission is $8.
Four Up Sans Honeybears
Black Joe Lewis
Courtesy of artist
Black Joe Lewis hasn’t gone solo, but he is actively attempting to shed the “& The Honeybears” from his blues/soul sextet’s moniker. Whether Lewis’ attempt at rebranding the band is successful or not, the musicians previously referred to as Honeybears are still backing the talented singer and guitarist. Touring in support of their latest full-length, Electric Slave, this Austin-based group brings the sounds of Red River Street—and beyond—to Low Spirits (2823 Second Street NW) on Sunday, Dec. 8. Missourian punk band Radkey and soulful ATX trio Think No Think open the 21-and-over show. The doors swing wide at 7pm, and tickets are $13.
Four Up Gland Ahoy
Sage and Jared’s Happy Gland Band
Courtesy of artist
Put ukelele-wielding singer/songwriter Sage Harrington and upright-bassist Jared Putnam (Le Chat Lunatique) together, and you’ve got Sage and Jared’s Happy Gland Band. To get a sense of the group’s self-described “whimsy and unbridled glandulosity,” check out their YouTube channel at bit.ly/SJHGBabq. “When I’m With You” and “You Are a Terrible Person” are my personal faves. Harrington and Putnam boast that SJHGB’s music is “as cute and gross as their band name suggests,” and it is. Experience the power duo at Blackbird Buvette (509 Central NW) on Sunday, Dec. 8, when they soundtrack Blackbird brunch. Starting at high noon, eat the music …. and waffles.
