It is intriguing to note that this week Houston will play host to both the re-formed (as opposed to “reformed”) Sex Pistols and the “satanic do-wop band” Twin Temple. What do these two acts have in common? In short, a history of upsetting those people who always have a strand of pearls close by, in case some clutching is deemed necessary.
The greatest rock and roll is not safe. It’s not something for the status quo, the uptight, or the moralistic. Rock and roll is meant to shake things (and people) up. Elvis, the Beatles, the Stones and host of similarly-minded performers set out with the idea of getting under the skin of those in power, and they succeed beyond their wildest expectations.
Do I think that Twin Temple is truly engaged in satanism, Santeria, voodoo or the like? No. Well, not unless they paint an inverted pentagram on the stage and sacrifice a goat. Or maybe a chicken. But, c’mon. It’s rock and roll tweaking the establishment’s nose, just the way it’s supposed to be. If you’re not pissing someone off from time to time, you’re not really doing your job.
Ticket Alert
This just in: Stevie Wonder has announced a brief fall tour, during which he will play every song from his landmark album Songs in the Key of Life, which was released 50 years ago. Now, while there is not a Houston show on the itinerary (yet?), I mention the tour here, because this is probably a show that many folks in town would travel to see. The U.S. leg of the tour includes shows in New York, Chicago, Washington, Detroit and Los Angeles. More information is available at steviewonder.net.
In all the excitement surrounding last week’s announcement that Rush will play Toyota Center on Thursday, October 1, as part of its “Fifty Something” tour, I forgot to mention the risk of sticker shock when it comes to ticket prices. Sure, fans have been clamoring for a reunion damn near since drummer Neil Peart died six years ago, but many were shocked last week when they clicked the “Buy Tickets” button. Sure, “supply and demand,” but jeez!
If you want to see Rush in Houston, you can spend over $1,200 for a seat right down front or opt for a comfy lower-level seat in the $300 range. Still too much? A scant few ultra-nosebleed-section tickets are still floating around for just over $100.
So listen, Ye (formerly Kanye West for those who have not been keeping up), “I’ma” list your upcoming performance at Reliant Stadium on Saturday, October 31, here in the Concert Watch. But also, “I’ma” mention that you have publicly made numerous antisemitic statements. Additionally, “I’ma” bring up the fact that you employed Islamophobe and all-around right-wing nutjob Milo Yiannopoulos as your chief of staff. Finally, “I’ma” point out that you have been accused of, charged with, and sued for several alleged cases of physical violence and sexual assault, most of which were settled out of court.
Ye stated that he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has experienced mental and emotional problems resulting from a head injury sustained in a car crash. For that, he is entitled to sympathy and understanding. However, be that as it may, he has extensive resources which should enable him to receive the best treatment in the world. I hope he gets it.
Ticket Alert
Homeboy Sam Morrow has a new album out called Southern Boogie. While the title is essentially accurate, it is a tad reductive, as Morrow pulls in a gaggle of influences ranging from J.J. Cale to Delaney and Bonnie to Little Feat. Morrow will appear at the Dosey Doe on Thursday, and it promises to be – as always – one hell of a show.
There are two rap shows of note this week. The first is a concert uniting artists who have recorded for the Cash Money and No Limit record labels out of New Orleans. Birdman, Master P and Boosie BadAzz headline the bill for Friday’s concert at Toyota Center. On Saturday, Chance the Rapper will be onstage at the 713 Music Hall, celebrating the 10th anniversary of his album Coloring Book.
The culture surrounding rock and roll has always tolerated and, in fact, rewarded outrageous behavior. Case in point: Motley Crue. When the Crue rose to the top of the Sunset Strip hair metal scene, they were pretty wild, but after a tour opening for Ozzy Osbourne, the band members had earned a grad school degree in degenerate and decadent behavior. You can read all about it in the band’s oral history tome The Dirt. If you do, be sure to check out the Crue’s unique use of a Taco Bell burrito. Their rock and roll circus pulls into town on Friday for a concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion with Tesla (bet they’re regretting that name right about now) and Extreme opening.
It’s kind of a pisser when your opening act is attracting more attention than you are, but sometimes, that’s show biz. And that’s the situation we have at the Bayou Music Center on Saturday. The headliner is Glenn Danzig, who earned his rock and roll / punk bona fides as a founder of the Misfits and as the leader of his self-named band Danzig. However, the opening act, Twin Temple, has been accruing a bit of ink lately after a dust-up with Charley Crockett. Twin Temple bills itself as a “satanic do-wop band,” and reports are that Crockett didn’t cotton to the devil imagery involved in their presentation, subsequently dismissing Twin Temple as his opening act. For more on Twin Temple, see Gladys Fuentes’ Houston Press chat with the band.
The Sex Pistols first penetrated the public consciousness (around 1977) when they released “God Save the Queen” (getting the royal knickers in a twist!) and called the host of a British television show “a fucking rotter,” “a dirty sod” and “a dirty old man” live on the air. Eek! Sure, it seems rather quaint now, but the Pistols were at one time considered a threat to western civilization. Lead singer Johnny Rotten (currently John Lydon) is now fronting Public Image Ltd, but guitarist Steve Jones, bassist Glen Matlock, and drummer Paul Cook – along with new vocalist Frank Carter – have reformed the Pistols and continue to wave the punk rock flag. Grab all the safety pins you can find for the band’s show on Sunday at the House of Blues. For more on the Pistols, check out Jesse Sendejas’ Houston Press interview with Jones from earlier this week.
The rocket known as Samantha Fish continues to climb higher and higher into the stratosphere. Since signing with Rounder Records in 2019, Fish has released a string of killer albums – most recently Paper Doll Live – and racked up a couple of Grammy nominations in the category of Best Contemporary Blues Album. Now, while Fish is generally labeled as a blues artist, don’t think that she can’t rock hard. After all, she has frequently covered the MC5’s “Kick Out the Jams” to open her concerts. Catch her act on Sunday at the Heights Theater.
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