The Weekend Cometh

With all the excitement this week caused by the launch of the very awesome KXT 91.7-FM another cool local radio launch is being somewhat overlooked. Starting at 3:30PM today and then every Friday after John Iskander of Parade of Flesh fame will be getting his own show on IndieVerse. He'll be playing material from the bands he is booking as well as mixing a few of his current favorites. I'm sure you'll hear plenty of Chinese Stars on today's show as they are playing The Cavern tonight.

To celebrate the opening of the new Lucky Strikes Lane in downtown Houston, they are holding (what I believe is the 11th?) Lebowski Bash. Festivities include a Lebowski character costume contest, a Lebowski trivia contest, human bowling, live music, and of course a screening of The Big Lebowski. Yes, you read that right – HUMAN BOWLING! Event begins at 7:30 pm, movie at 10 pm.

And of course you know where we'll be tomorrow night, Rhett Miller, The O's, and Shibboleth are playing The Granada to benefit the Breathe Easy Foundation and raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. It'll be good times and will benefit a good cause.

MP3: Chinese Stars - Rabbit Face

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The Guestlist w/ Madison King

Well, boys and ghouls, we are in week three and still running strong with our newest feature here at SubEx. Many thanks to Danny Balis and Taylor Young for contributing so far. Together, we are bringing the world closer together one list at a time! Umm... Did someone say "world peace"? That's right. You heard it here first, world.

This week's Guestlist comes from Dallas' own singer/songwriter Madison King. An eccentric, like myself... or Professor Dumbledore, per say... King can light up even the darkest part of the universe with a voice and personality as vibrant and raw as a Texas sunset. It's hard not to smile when Madison King is in the room, and anyone that has seen her perform around town can vouch for that.

What she lacks in commentary she makes up with multiple lists. That's one of the best parts of these little Guestlist posts; the artists have free reign.

"My Guestlists" by Madison King

My 5 Favorite Local Bands

1. Airline
2. David Ramirez
3. Here, in Arms
4. RTB2
5. Slider Pines

My Top 5 All-Time Favorite Albums

1. Figure 8 - Elliott Smith
2. Glass Houses - Billy Joel
3. Youth and Young Manhood - Kings of Leon
4. Blonde on Blonde - Bob Dylan
5. Pet Sounds - the Beach Boys

My 5 Most Listened To Songs

1. I Am the Man Who Loves You - Wilco
2. Leopard Skin Pill Box Hat - Bob Dylan
3. The Seed 2.0 - The Roots
4. Shakedown on 9th Street - Ryan Adams
5. Broken Tree Lines - RTB2


-Cory Coleman [c]

Lest We Forget: Mark Kozelek Has A Point

The world changes you like the leaves in the bitter fall, and we are these leaves; all part of a grand tree ever-growing. Memories of our childhood float slowly through our minds and are gone again like a summer shadow. Pain. Joy. Hate. Love. Frowning. Smiling. Music. Silence… These elements of life mold us, shape us, color us and break us. And we forget…

“Have You Forgotten” by Red House Painters is my inspiration this morning. It is a soothing acoustic ballad of life’s memories; a mental montage song for your life, if you will. Sung by the magical voice of Mark Kozelek, he paints a picture of things like the memory of the smell of the grass in the spring, the cold air of October and good thoughts of an old friend.

Remember getting so mad at how high your sister could swing on the swing set? Or remember when your good puppy dog had her litter under the porch that summer? Your first kiss? How easy things used to be? This song brings all of these kinds of near-forgotten memories to mind. The line “Have you forgotten how to love yourself” repeats over and over as a mellow steel guitar recalls holidays, family, friends and the lovely times in life. You can’t help but remember.

Fall is here. It is a very intimate and somber time. The death of nature is a sorrowful yet beautiful and colorful thing, and it takes our minds to a place that can only come from the falling leaves. Seeing the steam of our breath on cold nights reminds us that we are still alive and reminds us that we can still remember.

Take the time today to remember where you have come from and where you are. The changing leaves are beautiful and lovely… Remember how to love yourself.

MP3: Red House Painters - Have You Forgotten

-Cory Coleman [c]

What's Made Him Act So Good?

Considering the last time I heard from Adam Green he was issuing the advice that there is in fact not a wrong way to have intercourse with a girl who has no legs, his latest endeavor is a bit presents a bit of pleasant shock. Those who listen to his newest single "What Makes Him Act So Bad" waiting for the misogyny or punchlines will be sorely disappointed. Instead, what is somewhat shocking is just how good of a singer/songwriter Green can be when he really puts his mind to it.

While previous Adam Green solo efforts were perhaps flawed by his emotional unavailability, "Minor Love" appears to have the singer tapping into his tender side, resulting in the most personal, relevant songs of his career. The album, which is due out Jan. 8th, also features plenty of guest performers, among which SubEx fav Rodrigo Amarante from Little Joy is the one that has me the most stoked.

MP3: Adam Green - What Makes Him Act So Bad

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What Is Metallagher?

The equation is simple: the music of Metallica + the comedy of Gallagher = Metallagher. And fun times are had by all.

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Giveaway: Tix to See Rhett Miller at Granada Theater

I fully intended to write a fancy piece about Rhett Miller's big CF Charity fund-raising event that is being held at the Granada this Sat. but really the video above pretty much says it all --straight from the horses' mouths no less. The only other thing I could add would be to mention an auction featuring signed Rhett Miller items and prints by Jason Janik (who shot Miller's album cover as well as just about every Quick cover) among other things.

What could possibly make the evening better? How about attending it for free. The kind folks over at The Granada have donated 2 pairs of tickets for us to pass along to our readers. Want em? All you have to do is email me (subservientexperiment[at]gmail[dot]com) your favorite lyric or the title of your favorite Rhett Miller or Old 97's song and I'll select 2 winners at random.

And hey, if you win it will be just that much extra cash in your pocket that you can use to bid on auction items or donate to the excellent cause.

Good luck as usual!

*EDIT: Congrats to Toni and Erica. On a side note, it's surprising how many of you had the same favorite lyric; "Every one of us has a secret rhythm beating like a drum. All of us have a albatross and this is my one."

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Never A Frown With Golden Brown

I recently discovered what I believed to be the latest ivy-league, Vampire Weekend, semi-baroque pop clone The Stranglers. Upon first hearing their single "Golden Brown," with its barely dreary, Smiths-like vocal delivery juxtaposed over jauntily syncopated harpsichords, I said to myself 'this song is going to be huge'. The Brubeck-inspired timing (3 measures of 3/4 followed by 1 measure of 4/4) adds a little extra tension and keeps the track driving. Little did I know the song is nearly 30 years old, released on the Stranglers' 1981 album "La Folie". The effing thing is older than I am. It even appeared in the film Snatch from what I've been told. As duped as I feel this morning, I'm still glad I've found this little gem. Heck, I think it might even be my new favorite song about heroin --suck it Mr. Brownstone.

MP3: The Stranglers - Golden Brown

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