Band Spotlight: Pegasus Now

We're starting to get a little tired of the 1960s mod/garage rock revival that seems to have taken over a number of souls in Dallas. From events like the Smoke and the Lollipop Shoppe to Vespa meet-ups and the "new Garage sounds" of the Strange Boys, the whole movement is becoming trite.

So, thank the heavens for the 1970s revival that's about to sweep Dallas. In a couple of weeks, every local paper and blog will be tripping over their tongues in praise of the new Midlake album, if they haven't already. Expect all your favorite 1970s musical heroes to be attached to the band's latest CD as influences on the band. Whatever, we don't care, as long as we don't have to hear one more mention of the word "mod" or "garage rock," at least for a little while.

Another band that drinks from the same Midlake water is Pegasus Now. We like them. We feel that they create solid foundations within their songs, which gives them room to spin melodies and capture moods, almost in an invisible fashion. There's nothing wrong with three chords and the truth, but there's something much more committed--for the artist and the listener--with a well-crafted song that at first seems so easy, but when broken down one notices how all the different parts work together effortlessly.

Pegasus Now can be squarely placed in 1978 and no one would bat an eye. They could tour with the Eagles, and fans would buy up all their t-shirts. They could be guest stars on "Starsky and Hutch" with Loggins & Messina and viewers wouldn't think anything was wrong with the picture.

But don't peg them as simply a throwback to good times and good sex. They clearly know their musical history, involving tactics inspired from other artists and movements such as Pavement, R&B, and shoegaze pop.

Pegasus Now, best new Dallas band of 2006? Maybe, but we're only halfway done with the year. There's still the hair-band-metal revival to come.

Some Nighttime Activities

Blackheart Society/Cartwright/Pegasus Now at the Cavern...as you can guess, we recommend this as show of the night. It's only $5, and we don't care what the Dallas Observer's Sam M. says, the show actually starts off STRONG with Blackheart Society throwing the first punch--even if they are a little "mod."

The Shondes and The (or is it Tha?) Bracelets at Rubber Gloves in Denton.

Electric Campfire Acoustic Jam at the Sons of Hermann Hall in Dallas. Here's what it's about (from Texas Gigs): "Whether you are an accomplished musician, a front porch picker, or just bought your first instrument and want to see how it's done, come down to the Hall every Thursday. It's not an open mic night, it's just time to share a song and support one another."

Meredith Miller at All Good Cafe in Dallas.