Edgefest 17 - Pizza Hut Park, 3/27/08
As most know, Pizza Hut Park is a soccer field, and Edgefest is a good ol’ “Texxas Jam” (sort of) - except with three stages and 20,000 enthusiastic fans.
The main stage line up, which included Miser, Filter, Finger 11, Chevelle, Puddle of Mudd, Seether, Blue October, MCR and 3 Doors Down, was less exciting than the secondary stage lineups. There was plenty o’ rockin’ on the second and third stages, with the best shows being Atreyu (L.A.), Sick Puppies (from Australia), Fair to Midland (Sulphur Springs) and Story Of The Year (St. Louis).
Atreyu’s Marc McKnight (bass) always puts on a great show, and his band mate Dan Jacobs (guitar) gave up the best photo of the day amid their kick-ass performance.
Fair To Midland’s Darroh Sudderth sported a shirt that said, “If this is the edge, I’m jumping.” No kidding… definitely the kid from your old neighborhood who used to regularly jump off of the roof. (Randy Bookout)

Deep Ellum Arts Fest - 4/3-5/08
This annual event is geared towards adults but offers something for families and singles alike. Though DEAF has gotten smaller over the years, the arts and crafts that remain are top-notch. There’s lots of jewelry, paintings, photography and metal works, all forged with great detail and imagination.
There were also lots of vendors offering the usual fare - potato ribbons, gyros, roasted corn, fajitas and a variety of beverages, although there seemed to be fewer “adult” options this year. As usual it was all over priced but, what the heck, it’s once a year. Live a little.
Four stages with music going all weekend gave some local talent a chance to showcase themselves before a festive audience. Included were bluegrass, rock, Calypso and a group of guys offering their rendition of The Beastie Boys’ “Paul Revere.” It wasn’t metal but it was a great way to spend several hours. Rock on Deep Ellum! (John Flores)

Mokah Music Summit & Showcase - Deep Ellum, 4/20/08
The Mokah Music Summit & Showcase (M2S2) was originally scheduled for April 19, but was moved so fans wouldn’t have to choose between it and the “National Record Store Day” celebration over at Good Records on Lower Greenville. After all, the whole point of M2S2 (which was co-sponsored by Life in Deep Ellum and The Carter Albrecht Music Foundation), is to support and promote the local music scene.
M2S2 took place at the Life in Deep Ellum facility in Deep Ellum. Bands were on the main stage and in the Mokah Coffee Bar, which takes up a corner of the building. The afternoon included performances by Flat People, Airline, Jayson Bales, Miles from Nowhere and Salim Nourallah & The Noise. Each put on a great show but Flat People, in particular, provided a fresh and energetic set. I’ll be purchasing a CD of theirs in the very near future. (John Flores)

The Scott McCurry Band - Lakewood Bar & Grill, 4/11/08
Scott McCurry is a guitar-wielding, harmonica-blowing, lead-singing, great time. Clear Channel named him an “Artist to Watch.”
The Scott McCurry Band is comprised of so much genre-bending talent, it’s a feast for the ears. Drew North is a musical mad scientist who plays synthesizer, keys, organ and guitar. Valenti keeps knocking out the audience on drums, while “Q” grooves hard and funky, as he thumps the bass. Keisha sings along as the talented back up vocalist with a deep, rich voice filled with soul. The band headlines the Granada Theater this month. (Scott Mankoff)

Ghosthustler - The Cavern, 4/04/08
Thanks to plenty of media attention for the band’s “Parking Lot Lights” video, Denton’s Ghosthustler filled The Cavern’s intimate space way beyond capacity. Even wedged together, fans still enjoyed every song. Though the late-night set was plagued with technical difficulties and awkward pauses, things were absolutely rocking when the retro-cool tunes were blasting. The trio cranked out song after song, mixing disco and new wave sounds into a dirty, sexy, decadent aural explosion.
Fans pushed their way to the stage to catch a glimpse of Alan Palomo’s magnetic dancing. The rest of the visual show was a bit too technical, as Gray Gideon and Noah Jackson hunched over their stacks of electronic gadgets perfecting the bouncing beats. Hopefully they’ll work on connecting with the crowd more at future shows.
Highlights included “Only Me To Trust” and “Parking Lot Nights,” though every song was a total blast. Really, every note that came from the Denton trio seemed to be golden. (Jason Janik)

Less Is More - Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studio, 4/12/08
Pop punk - the most overwhelmed genre of music - sucks unless the band makes it original. Less Is More has created a unique niche for themselves, and they manage not only to avoid sucking, but they totally rock with a style easily identifiable as their own. Plus, they have more punch than Chuck Norris in Delta Force 2. These Dentonites always have an ass-spanking good set, and their CD release party was no exception. They whipped out mostly new material, but they played a few older songs also. Their interesting cover of Jacko’s “Billie Jean,” always proves to be a fantastic feature at their shows. Rock? You bet your horned-rimmed-glasses-wearing converse-all-stars-sportin’-messenger-bag-toting-ass they rock. (Shane Epting)

Muchos Backflips - Head Hunters, Austin 4/10/08
Muchos Backflips are aptly named, because that’s what you’ll do when you hear them. It is also what the band does, especially Winston Bee (vocalist/guitarist) and Brendon Vlas (bass), who both put on animated performances. There was a packed crowd at Head Hunters in Austin on this night (and the next night at Dallas’ Bar of Soap). Vlas and Bee were standing and jamming madly just inches from the crowd. Guitarist Kris Lindahl put down his axe and picked up a sax to create a two-horn section with trumpet player Margaret Whitt, while Eric Brown kept the beat going all through the night. This is a band you want to see live for true musical performance art. (Scott Mankoff)

Linus/TrebucheT - Andy’s, 4/25/08
This show was the first since lead singer Jason Allen’s return from his voyage of self-discovery, and it was shit-house crazy. Linus cranked out several new songs from their upcoming CD, and they satisfied fans with their classics. It’s always impressive to see people singing along to a local act. The level of intensity peaked when an old school mosh pit broke out, but the lesser-drunk concertgoers (with Allen’s help), ended it.
TrebucheT closed out the night with their distinct brand of experimental performance art rock. These cats don’t do anything normal. Vocalists Justin Hawkins intensified the show, when he joined the crowd to watch the band engage in an extended instrumental. Rock indeed. (Shane Epting)

Bark Hard - Red Blood Club
Rockin’ band, Bark Hard, jumped and BIT the audience during this show. Todd Prince’s voice was sharp and flew from the PA system speakers like knives, killing the crowd with his lyrics. Guitarists Lea Leal and John Handcock wailed with amazing speed. John’s guitar named “Ductcaster” is one of the coolest around. It is, as the name implies, covered with DUCT tape, and John plays it with lots of creativity and style. Drummer Scott Campbell was so fast, his alias is “Drum God.” Bark Hard is an amazing example of pure originality. See them and get bit. (Scott Mankoff)

Murry Hammond - I Don’t Know Where I’m Going But I’m On My Way, Hummingbird Records
As one quarter of the Old 97’s, Murry Hammond’s solo disc was bound to have a Texas flair. But fans expecting another 97’s style pop album with country leanings have another thing coming. This disc is pure old school country, straight from the history books.
Sounding like a lost 78-rpm record, Murry explores the classic sounds of country music. The 17 songs are reminiscent of the 1920’s, with folkie tunes about locomotives, wide-open spaces and finding Jesus. Drifters, riding in rumbling boxcars eighty years ago, could’ve played the ballads.
Each track is so soft and spacious, the entire disc flows like a babbling brook on a summer day. “Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down” is the standout, though all these melancholy songs are truly beautiful. This look back at country music’s dusty, rambling roots is a breathe of fresh air. (Jason Janik)