Hank III Photo: Misty Johnson Joan Baez

Hank III - Longhorn Saloon, 2/20/09
Ambitious artist, Hank III, played a double set with The Damn Band and Assjack, took minimal breaks and displayed two shades of music that kept the rowdy country joint jumping throughout this night. He fronted, sang and also played guitar on both projects. An outlaw country piece (The Damn Band) took the stage first and was most fitting for Hank 3 - something his dad and grandpa would be proud of. “Dick in Dixie,” “Long Hauls and Close Calls” and the cover of “Family Tradition” were mascots for this black horse dressed in nontraditional country attire. Hank 3’s message to reinstate his grandpa (Hank Williams Sr.) into the Grand Ole Opry was the precursor for “The Grand Ole Opry (Ain’t So Grand).” By the song’s end, everyone knew that the Opry wasn’t so “Grand” anymore.
Then Hank exchanged cloaks for his punk metal band (Assjack) which transformed him from a twangy country vocalist, fast-picking guitarist into a power chord devil. “Go F#ck You” was the pinnacle of this night and made the evening’s effort to prove that pop country music really does suck! (Misty Johnson)

Dallas’ Metal Shop - Sherlock’s Dallas, 2/22/09
As if you couldn’t guess by the name, Metal Shop is a cover/tribute band of 80’s metal. The band has its act together and pounded out hits from such bands as Poison, Metallica, AC/DC, Van Halen, Guns & Roses and White Snake.
The group features Michael Diamond (lead vocals), Ricky Rachett (guitar), Ginger Roxx (bass guitar) and Chopper (drums). The front of the stage was packed during all three of their sets, and the crowd sang and danced to every song all night.
Metal Shop has lots of talent and personality, which their fans appreciated. If you love 80’s metal, Metal Shop should not to be missed. (Kim “Kimber” Polen)

Joan Baez - Lakewood Theater, 2/24/09
There could not have been a more perfect place to see Joan Baez than the intimate Lakewood Theater - with a group of like-minded people. This incredible legend sang songs spanning her 50 years as a singer/songwriter/activist, with that same rich, powerful voice. Her first album was recorded in 1959, and she’s touring in support of the latest, Day After Tomorrow. The five talented musicians (including son Gabriel Earl Harris) played a variety of instruments - from guitar and standup bass, Mandolin, Ukulele and keyboards to various percussive instruments. Highlights included “There But For Fortune,” “Love is A Four Letter Word” (complete with an hysterical Bob Dylan impression), “Diamonds and Rust” (which she wrote about her relationship with Dylan),”The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “Forever Young” and the moving “Jerusalem” written by Steve Earle. The evening closed with “Amazing Grace,” sung a cappella, with Joan prompting the audience with its words. Absolutely breathtaking! (Linda Hollar)

The Purple Project - Skillman Street Pub, 2/21/09
The Purple Project is a new Deep Purple tribute band that delivers a very powerful and honest performance. It features the operatic vocals of front man Tommy Stewart, the thunder section of Tom White (drums) and Jody England (bass), the crunchy guitar work of James May and the true-to-form grinding organ chunks cranked out by Steve Fenstermacker. In these days of endless tribute bands, it was refreshing to see a real band totally rock out on “Highway Star,” “Woman from Tokyo,” “Perfect Strangers,” “Space Truckin” and, of coarse, “Smoke on the Water” without makeup or wigs and with just the house lights. Their show has a unique energy that only comes from red-hot players with a great song list cranked up loud. (WiL Wesch)

Seven Strings - O’Riley’s, 1/24/09
Founded in 2000, Seven Strings has had different members over the years. Their current line up is Gino Addington (lead vocals/rhythm guitar/songwriter), Travis Fulton (lead guitar), Jay Siegert (bass) and Matt Hopkins (drums). The band performed originals including “Losing My Mind,” “Voices” and “Angel’s Cry,” but also did a cover of Creed’s “Higher” that was dead-on perfect. Seven Strings, loaded with talent, has a style all their own. They had lots of supportive fans that loved the entire set. The band is heading into the studio soon, but keep your eyes open for them when they’re next performing. (Kim “Kimber” Polen)

Rose County Fair - Club Dada, 01/24/09
Headliners Rose County Fair rocked the Ghost of Blind Lemon Showcase at Club Dada on this night. John Pedigo’s screaming vocals and shredding guitar licks combined with Kevin Brown’s vocal harmonies and unique guitar style created a full sound that nearly rattled bricks loose from the club’s walls. Rob Schue’s deep-pounding beat (on a tremendously oversized kick drum) combined with Wade Coffer’s heavy bass lines vibrated the floor. The standout song and crowd favorite was “Getting’ By.” Hear more on myspace.com/rosecountyfair (Scotty Mankoff)

Viet Kong – Andy’s, 2/28/09
Do you remember the last time you had to sit through a shitty band? Well forget that, amigo. Viet Kong provides an in-your-face rock and roll experience that is almost as fun as Hip Hop Karaoke night with coked-up strippers. This CD release party proved the point. It was a fantastic show. Lead singer and potential stand-up comic, Jason Ashley, kept the crowd laughing all night with his charismatic showmanship. These guys play with guts and spirit - yeah, spirit. Viet Kong brings back the spirit of kick ass rock music that is not welcomed by the modern temper of the self-loathing skinny jeans crowd. These guys know their craft well, and it shows. The night ended with an old-school (short) drum solo by Will Jaeger, that was well received by the suspiciously intoxicated audience. Rock? You bet your Black Sabbath-loving ass it rocked. (Shane Epting)

Slipknot Photo: Travis Tutwiler

Blaze of Glory, O’Riley’s, 1/31/09
Why didn’t somebody tell me Bon Jovi was doing the club circuit? Oh, my bad. That’s Trey on lead vocals for Blaze of Glory. These guys really deliver a professional sound. Very clean vocals indeed. “Living On A Prayer” was great, with the crowd doing their best in a very loud sing-a-long. Honestly, I’m not a big Bon Jovi fan, but this band had me singing every word, to every song! (Ray InFante)

From Creation - O’Riley’s, 12/31/08
One of DFW’s newest metal bands, From Creation, made its debut at this New Year’s Eve celebration. Previously seen in local bands Tooth and Nail, Judas Rising and Highway Star, talented members are Travis Wills (vocals), Brian Dixon (vocals/guitar), Tim Aandahl (guitar), Chuck Encinias (drums) and Mike (keyboard). Their set was a mix of both originals and covers from Evergrey, Master Plan and Crimson Glory. I highly recommend you catch the next From Creation show. (Jill Jackson)

Diver Down - O’Riley’s, 1/31/09
A big “hell yea” to John Grady (a.k.a. David Lee Roth) for getting this crowd all fired up. John is a great frontman for any band, and Diver Down really kicked it this Saturday night. It was cool to hear “Women In Love” and my favorite, “Little Dreamer.” As Diamond Dave would say, “Roc-Kon (Cradle will rock).” (Ray InFante)

Mindcrime - FireWater, 1/23/09
If you’re a Queensryche fan, you owe it to yourself to see the incredible Houston-based tribute band, Mindcrime. The band sounds so much like the original that if you closed your eyes, you’d swear it was really QR in front of you. Singer Chris Salinas (Zero Hour) not only sounds exactly like Geoff Tate, he hits notes that Tate hasn’t attempted in years. Guitarists Eric Halpern and Don LaFon (Six Minute Century), Shane Dubose (bass) and Adam Rawlings (keyboards) are also in prog/power metal band Krucible and have a natural chemistry onstage. Together with new drummer Ken McWatters, they played the material flawlessly. Even though AC/DC was also in town, Mindcrime played to a packed house of appreciative fans. Highlights included “Queen of the Ryche,” “Jet City Woman,” “Walk In the Shadows,” “Eyes of a Stranger” and “Take Hold of the Flame.” (Andy Laudano)

Primordius - The Skillman Street Pub, 2/14/09
This band has a dominant presence with a powerful stage show. Primordius features Weston Wylie (lead vocals/guitars), Adam Lottes (guitars/backing vocals), Clinton Wylie (drums) and Reed Cowser (bass). The band has been defined as a death metal/progressive/grindcore hybrid with a strong element of power groove. They’ve bridged the 1990’s technicality and early metal’s focus on riff construction, while applying strong leads with great harmonies — just like their math metal peers without going too far with intricacy. Think of Thor hitting the pipe with dominated armies begging for mercy in the background. The show was a nonstop adrenaline rush that kept fans pulsing with force. Playing songs such as “Justified Violence” and “Last Words,” Primordius proved original metal is still alive in Texas. A show not to miss. (Noelle Nelson)

AC/DC - American Airlines Center, 1/23/09
It’s been eight years since AC/DC toured the US, and the sold-out crowd was ready. The show started with an animated cartoon of the band on a runaway train that crashes into the arena. As the lights came up and a huge train emerged behind the drum kit, the band kicked into “Rock ‘N Roll Train.” They played four other tracks from their new Black Ice CD including the classic-sounding “War Machine.” The crowd got what they really wanted and plenty of it with “T.N.T.,” “Back In Black,” “Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be” and “Hell’s Bells.” The extended version of “Let There Be Rock” featured the typical Angus solo, while the show closure “For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)” sent the crowd home with ears ringing after canons delivered a 21-gun salute. Angus and the boys have still got it. (Travis Tutwiler)