{"id":99573,"date":"2025-12-24T11:20:05","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T11:20:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/99573\/"},"modified":"2025-12-24T11:20:05","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T11:20:05","slug":"houston-concert-watch-12-24-road-kings-al-staehely-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/99573\/","title":{"rendered":"Houston Concert Watch 12\/24: Road Kings, Al Staehely and More"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to my fellow music scribes at Ultimate Classic Rock, the Melvins played the greatest number of shows of any classic rock band during 2025, notching 117 performances.\u00a0 However, I must register \u2013 if not an actual protest \u2013 a quibble.<\/p>\n

Why?\u00a0 Because I\u2019m a homer.\u00a0 While the perennial road dogs in ZZ Top officially came in second on the UCR list with 107 performances, it was (and should be) pointed out that the Rev. Willie G (aka Billy Gibbons) played 33 gigs, producing a combined total of 140 concerts.\u00a0 Also of note, ZZ Top played more shows this year than last (99 concerts), when they held the top spot on the UCR survey.<\/p>\n

Still, hats off to the Melvins.\u00a0 Much like ZZ Top, the band has remained true to its initial hard rocking ethos, unwavering in the face of the musical trends that have come and gone over the past 40 plus years.\u00a0 And how can you not like an act that recorded the Beach Boys\u2019 \u201cI Get Around\u201d as \u201cI Fuck Around,\u201d <\/a>setting some kind of record for the most F-bombs in a single song?\u00a0 Now that\u2019s rock and roll!<\/p>\n

Ticket Alert<\/p>\n

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Like many bands who came of age during the heady days of early MTV, Flock of Seagulls has gone through a number of lineup changes over the years.\u00a0 But the one constant has been vocalist and synth player Mike Score.\u00a0 Due to a case of advancing age and receding hairline, Score has given up on his signature avian-inspired hairstyle, but he and his mates are still cranking out the hits.\u00a0 Tickets are on sale now for the band\u2019s concert at the House of Blues<\/a> on Saturday, March 28.<\/p>\n

Also coming to the House of Blues are a couple of shows that will set guitar nerds\u2019 hearts all a-twitter.\u00a0 On Friday, April 3, metal meisters Alex Skolnick and Testament<\/a> will roll in with their \u201cThrash of the Titans\u201d tour, followed on Friday, April 24, by six-string virtuoso Eric Johnson<\/a> and his \u201cTexaphonic Tour.\u201d\u00a0 Tickets for both shows are on sale now.<\/p>\n

Snag your seats now for Khalid\u2019s concert on Thursday, June 18, at the 713 Music Hall<\/a>, part of a tour supporting the R&B hitmaker\u2019s latest album, After the Sun Goes Down.\u00a0 \u2018Cause Knowledge is Power: In 2019, Khalid became the first artist to simultaneously occupy the top five positions on theBillboard R&B singles chart.\u00a0 Not too shabby.<\/p>\n

Concerts This Week<\/p>\n

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At the risk of sounding like some sort of Grinch \/ Scrooge \/ antisocial bastard, let me just say that sometimes, after a day\u2019s worth of holiday festivities, some folks have had enough family and need a change of scenery and company.\u00a0 So if you find yourself in that frame of mind tomorrow evening, head over to the Continental Club<\/a> for Molly and the Ringwalds.\u00a0 Hits from the \u201880s, dancing and no cover?\u00a0 What\u2019s not to like here?<\/p>\n

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And speaking of tremendous Houston cover bands, Beetle will perform a Boxing Day concert on Friday at the Big Top<\/a>.\u00a0 Everyone knows what Beetle is all about and what to expect from their show, but \u201cWhat the hell is Boxing Day?\u201d you may ask.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Well, no one really knows for sure.\u00a0 It is a holiday celebrated in the United Kingdom and in Commonwealth nations, i.e. countries that were once part of the British Empire.\u00a0 Boxing Day takes place on December 26, and it is said that the name comes from the tradition of giving \u201cChristmas boxes\u201d to servants and tradespeople on the day following Christmas.\u00a0 These days, it represents a huge shopping day featuring lots of sales, much like Black Friday in the States.\u00a0 Many sporting events are also scheduled on Boxing Day: football, cricket, rugby and, yes, boxing matches.<\/p>\n

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Those who remember the days when Jesse Dayton and the Road Kings were burning up Houston stages with an intense blend of rockabilly and punk have two chances to relive those wild times when the trio presents its Third Annual Holiday Throwdown at the Continental Club<\/a> on Friday and Saturday.\u00a0 As a bonus, J. Isaiah Evans & The Boss Tweed will open both shows.\u00a0 For more on this badass organ trio, check out Bob Ruggiero\u2019s interview with Evans<\/a> in the Houston Press.<\/p>\n

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Who doesn\u2019t want to still be rocking when they turn 80?\u00a0 Certainly not Houston musical \/ legal luminary Al Staehely, who will celebrate his membership in the octogenarian club on Saturday at the Mucky Duck<\/a>.\u00a0 In case you don\u2019t know, Staehely did a stint as lead singer and bassist with the band Spirit in the early \u201870s, later playing with west coast legends Nick Gravenites and John Cipollina.\u00a0 Staehely has also written songs which were recorded by Keith Moon, Bobbie Gentry and Marty Balin (Jefferson Airplane).\u00a0 These days, he is an entertainment attorney, helping artists navigate the treacherous maze that is show biz.<\/p>\n

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Speaking of origin stories, here\u2019s one.\u00a0 Back in the \u201870s, musician Chip Davis was writing jingles for an ad agency in Ohio when he and copywriter William Fries created a campaign for a local bakery which featured the character of truck driver C.W. McCall.\u00a0 When the CB radio craze exploded, Davis and Fries recorded their song \u201cConvoy,\u201d <\/a>which hit number one in 1976, causing many otherwise normal Americans to start using phrases like \u201cTime to put the hammer down!\u201d and \u201cThat\u2019s a big 10-4!\u201d\u00a0 <\/p>\n

Subsequently, Davis created Mannheim Steamroller, an aggregation that sought to seamlessly fuse classical music, prog rock and new age.\u00a0 Record company executives didn\u2019t really think he had achieved this feat, and after being repeatedly rejected by numerous labels, Davis founded the American Gramaphone company to release his creations.\u00a0 Since then, Mannheim Steamroller had sold over 20 million copies of their Christmas albums, which have been on many a holiday playlist since 1984.\u00a0 Davis and the Steamroller gang will perform on Tuesday at the Smart Financial Centre<\/a>, for those who want one more Christmas fix.<\/p>\n

This article appears in Jan 1 \u2013 Dec 31, 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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