By Jason Cohen
Texas Music News--Mid-June
They say you aren't supposed to release too many records in the summer, because, y'know, "the kids" would rather spend their money on beer, or beach passes, or tickets to the H.O.R.D.E. Festival. In Texas, however, someone must have forgotten this little music biz truism, because all these new releases have finally hit the stores:
Fastball
"Make Your Mama Proud" (Hollywood)is a 14-track display of short, spikey harmonic pop from the Austin trio of guitarist Miles Zuniga (ex-Big Car), bassist Joey Scalzo and drummer Tony Shuffield (ex-Big Car and Wild Seeds).
Kris McKay
Kris McKay was also in the Wild Seeds. "Things That Show," onShanachie Records, is the interpretive singer's second solo effort, and her first since the shortlived stint withArista that produced 1990's "What Love Endures." In addition to McKay's own compositions the record includes songs by Matthew Sweet, Jay Farrar of Son Volt, Joan Armatrading, the English Beat,Jo Carol Pierce and former Austinite (and Wild Seed) Michael Hall.
Craig Ross
Craig Ross was the six-string foil to dulcet-voiced Malford Milligan in both Stickpeople and Storyville, but the rhythmic, lingering soul-pop of those outfits doesn't really prepare one for Ross's surprising solo debut onMCA. Recorded in Ross's bedroom and garage, with nearly all of the instruments played by Ross, "Dead Spy Report" is a gently lacerating exercise in psychedelic pop songwriting and otherworldly noisemaking. A gem.Bedhead
The Metroplex's kings of cerebral space-rock are back with their second full-length album forTrance Syndicate, "Beheaded." The 11 tracks were actually recorded in 1994, before the band's various members split to various parts of the country, but it sounds plenty up-to-date, offering a woozy, tightly-stretched canvas of Velvetsy fuzz and atmospheric dynamics. The band has since regrouped to Texas, with its national tour kicking off in Houston June 20 (with dates in Austin on the 21 and Dallas on the 22).
Antone's Gets Discovered
Antone's Records, which has already released two Toni Price efforts with the Warner Bros.-owned labelDiscovery, is making the arrangement permanent. This will give the Austin label massive distribution potential as well as helpful infusions of cash. The first Antone's/Discovery releases, due at the end of July, will be bySue Foley, along with re-releases of the Guy Forsyth Band's "Needle Gun" and the "Antone's 20th Anniversary" record. Discs by Teddy Morgan, Steve James and Candye Kane will follow in August.
Lollapalooza Goes North
There will be noMetallica in Aggieland this summer--the 6th Lollapalooza Festival, originally scheduled for the Bryan/College Station area, has moved the site of its only Texas date to Old Fort Dallas. The show is still July 25, with Metallica,Soundgarden, Rancid, the Ramones and and about a dozen other bands on three different stages. Tickets were scheduled to go on sale June 22.
Pushmonkey Get Kissed
Austin rockers Pushmonkey have landed the opening slot at the three Texas dates of Kiss's full-makeup-and-effects summer reunion tour. The gigs are July 5 in Dallas, July 6 in Houston and July 7 in San Antonio. Pushmonkey will also release a self-titled five song EP in time for the shows. The disc will include its current radio hit "Caught My Mind" as well as two new songs, a live track and a cut from the band's last album "Maize."
Anarchy Comes to Tejas
Meanwhile, theSex Pistols, whose 1977 performance in San Antonio is still the stuff of legend, return to Texas this summer as part of their "Filthy Lucre" reunion tour. Johnny Rotten, Glen Matlock, Steve Jones and Paul Cook will hit the Lone Star State immediately after beginning their U.S. tour in Denver, with shows August 2 in Dallas and August 3 in Houston.
Freedom Gets Busy
Austin'sFreedom Records has three new releases hitting the stores in July, including "Redemption Day" by Kevin Carroll & the Sleestacks (which has already been released in Europe), an acoustic CD from Loose Diamonds and a guest star-laden effort from roots belter Libi Bosworth.
Toadies Eat Crow
The Toadies have a new song, "Paper Dress," in the movie "The Crow: City of Angels." The soundtrack from the sequel to the doomed Brandon Lee vehicle (he's been replaced by Gallic hearthrob Vincent Perez) also features Hole's first new track since its "Live Through This" album. The Toadies' cut was produced by Butthole Surfers' guitarist Paul Leary, and, not coincidentally, those two bands are on tour together right now.
