We're Spilling Our Guts

While we enjoy running this blog, we're not sure how much longer it will last, due partly to family issues (it's cliche to say, but yes, raising a child and working full time is hard work). Mainly though, we're just burned out on how serious all of you take things. There are times to be serious and committed to your work, and there are times when you should step back and look at the big picture and realize that people aren't really nailing you to the cross, they're just playing around with you in good fun.

An example case: DJ Tiger Bee. Yes, we're going to call you out on this, because you got all up in arms about our (tongue-in-cheek) comments about the mod scene. Please read it again. It was nothing but good-natured ribbing. You didn't read it that way, and your feelings got hurt. We apologize. Next time, we'll put a big banner before our sarcastic rants letting you know what to expect. Give us six months, and we'll be just as tired of the 1970s comeback, just as we're tired of 1980s retro bands. Even though we may not quite enjoy the mod sounds as much as you do, that doesn't stop us from attending your functions, Ms. Bee, and respecting your commitment to bringing something unique to Dallas. You may still find us at the Lollipop Shoppe dancing to the songs we like and drinking to the songs we don't.

When we started this blog, we lashed out against We Shot J.R. for appearing too elitist in his music recommendations and in the bands he profiled. Yes, we know it's his blog and he can do whatever the hell he wants to with it. (Still, we don't understand why he would list two bands on a bill and not the third on the same bill, even after he gave that band a 2 1/2-star review of their album). As we said several times, we really enjoy JR, and we think it's a great soapbox for the area. We just don't want it to become a strictly noise/avant/whatever-that's-not-standard-rock site. If the site really wants to promote good bands and artists in the area, then it should include them all, even if they are the standard 3- or 4-piece outfit. That site can really fill in the gap left by the snarky Dallas Observer writing if it wants. Please do. Please don't fall into the same hole that Robert Wilonsky dug when he was the DO music editor (and in which every other music editor has fallen into since him).

That was our point to starting the blog, to fill a void that was getting bigger and bigger on JR. For example, Max Stalling is a great songwriter. He has solid, strong songs and good lyrics. You won't find his shows listed on JR, because he's considered a country artist. Still, that shouldn't stop people from knowing about his shows, and maybe just one of you will step out of your safe circle and listen to something different. It just may help you with your own musical creations. (On a side note, maybe JR should get Taunto to write more, since Taunto appears to like the warm sounds of rock, e.g., his article about Rose County Fair and his recent review of the new Midlake album).

Currently, in Dallas we have Texas Gigs that lists everything under the sun every night; Cindy's Fine Line that talks about local music news, upcoming shows, etc.; JR, which covers mainly on-the-fringe bands; and the Dallas Observer, which only covers local pop/rock and rap. There are a few other sites that cover bluegrass and country and noise rock and other types of styles, so maybe this site isn't needed (we can see most of you nodding your heads yes).

Still, we enjoy conducting the interviews, and profiling bands and artists. Maybe that's what we'll keep doing, regularly or irregularly.

We've lived in this area a long time; we've been up and down the street more than once. We've seen a lot of bands come and go, and we've seen and heard a lot of people expressing their opinions like they're God. It's nothing new, and it won't ever stop. So, in the end, please stop taking yourselves so seriously. If someone doesn't like your function or your band or you in particular, move on. There will be someone out there that likes it. There will be someone out there that likes you. Remember, you're reading this on a blog. It's not the end of the world. Don't let someone else control your emotions.

Bobby Ewing Recommended Nighttime Activities

Clock Hand Strangle, Carey Wolff, and Glove box are all performing at the Metrognome Collective in Fort Worth. It's all ages and costs $5.

My Education, Wanz Dover, and Emil Rapstine play at the Cavern in Dallas. Cost is $5. My Education is expansive, classical, and atmospheric. You'll probably want to have a cocktail instead of a beer while you listen to them.