Live Music in San Antonio This Week: The Lemonheads, Kansas, Vanita Leo

Vanita Leo will perform at the Lighthouse Lounge this weekend. Credit: Courtesy Photo / Vanita Leo

Holiday parties and shopping may be taking up more of our time as we dive headlong into December, but don’t let that distract from the great music coming our way. Let’s take a peek.

Thursday, Dec. 11

ST 37, Hickoids, The Manson Family Band

ST 37 are Texas noise-rock royalty, and the group’s 1987 vintage means it’s been around longer than some of its fans. For the uninitiated, the band’s sound draws on sonically provocative acts ranging from Austin’s Butthole Surfers and 13th Floor Elevators to Krautrock luminaries Can. Indeed, drummer Lisa Cameron played with Roky Erickson before joining ST 37 and is now a preeminent practitioner of improv music. $10, 8 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerosesa.com. — Bill Baird

Kansas

Casual fans know Kansas’ “Carry On Wayward Son” for its continued dominance on classic-rock radio and “Dust In The Wind,” which remains a constant in pop culture thanks to its use in movies such as Old School. But the band forges ahead in creating new sounds, as evidenced by a couple of solid releases over the past decade. $72.59-$224.50, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-5700, majesticempire.com. — Danny Cervantes

Friday, Dec. 12

Vanita Leo, DJ Lucha, DJ LA Pacha

This showcase is a third-anniversary celebration for Homegrown record label Vinilious, which focuses on Latinx and female-fronted musical acts from across the globe. A labor of love by founders Celeste Cadena and Kristen Ibarra, Vinilious has undertaken the arduous task of independent promotion and bringing acts from across the globe to the Alamo City. Cumbia-pop princess Vanita Leo, DJ Lucha (Luz Elena Mendoza from Y La Bamba) and DJ La Pacha will bring the party atmosphere. $10, 7 p.m., Lighthouse Lounge, 1016 Cincinnatti Ave., instagram.com/thelighthouselounge. — BB

Sat, Dec. 13

The Lemonheads, Erin Rae

Evan Dando and the Lemonheads are touring behind the release of Love Chant, their first new album in 19 years. Best known for their catchy cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” and the groovy ballad “Into Your Arms,” the group was a ’90s alt-rock dynamo. Fittingly, the new album features collaborations with peers from the era, including J. Mascis and Juilana Hatfield. $34.79, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — DC

The Point, Combo Cosmico, DJ set by Double Vision

The Point is one of the more astonishing bands active in Austin right now, fusing Turkish psychedelia, Saharan guitar music, cumbia, Thai funk and jam band sensibilities. The act’s new album Maldito Animal further showcases this eclectic synthesis the members call the “universal beat.” Often rocking a militant beret in concert, you could say organist Joe Roddy has music in his blood as the son of Austin rockabilly and roots music mainstay Ted Roddy. Guitarist Jack Montesinos was also brought up in the city’s blues scene. Dubbed “homegrown prodigy rockers” by the Austin Chronicle, Roddy and Montesino met in middle school jazz band class and started jamming after school but didn’t become a trio until they encountered French drummer Nico Leophonte, who introduced elements of Algerian and West African music to the group. Rounding out Saturday’s lineup is Combo Cósmico, a spaced-out San Antonio band that explores cumbia’s African roots. The night is further complimented by eclectic selectors Double Vision on the ones and twos. $14.91, 9 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerosesa.com. — Stephanie Koithan

Subscribe to SA Current newsletters.

Live Music in San Antonio This Week: The Lemonheads, Kansas, Vanita Leo

Tags: