Alden's Ventures at 1919 Hemphill (A Guide to DIY Touring Artists)

[Aldentron]

As a volunteer at Fort Worth's world renowned DIY venue, 1919 Hemphill, I often see 3 concerts a week. Doing this pretty much sums up everything I live for: working together as a community to bring enjoyment to the community, and I would like to further my involvement by extending my reach onto these forums.

Here's the skinny, after a show, I will post the flyer for the show (there is one for every show) and give links, a description/review of each band, and post future touring dates so that you all could possibly catch them and show some love. 1919 Hemphill is not genre specific, so all kinds of artists play there (but the most common genre is some form of punk, whether it be folk punk, pop punk, hardcore punk, or anything in between.)

I encourage discussion and would also like to note that if you are in a touring band, artist, or know somebody who is, you have a friend in north Texas who would be glad to book your show

[Aldentron]

January 6, 2011
(no flyer)
Tags: Indie, Pop Punk, Psychadelic, Blues, Emo, Sing-Along-While-Drunk
Artists: The Please and Thank Yous/Those Damn Kids/Chalk Talk/Warren Franklin/Star Commander/The Breakfast Machine

The Please and Thank Yous
http://www.myspace.com/tpaty
The Please and Thank Yous hail from Chicago, Illinois, and are upon meeting them are some delightful gentlemen. They play a blend of indie and pop punk with heartfelt lyrics that are great for sing-alongs.
Future Tour Dates:
Jan 7th @ San Antonio, TX
Jan 8th @ Austin, TX
Jan 9th @ Houston, TX
Jan 10th @ Lawrence, KS
Mar 18th @ Milwaukee, WI
Mar 19th @ Madison, WI
Mar 20th @ TBA, WI

Warren Franklin
http://www.myspace.com/warrenfranklin
This is a one-man act that sounds like the singer of Taking Back Sunday, except his lyrics are a little more punk. They're still cute in a teenage angst sort of way, though, ladies. This guy is tagging along with The Please and Thank Yous, so see their tour dates and he will be there are well.

Those Damn Kids
http://www.myspace.com/tdkallday
Those Damn Kids are a pop-punk threesome that have been around for a little while, however, having an accurate band name, they are some Damn Kids and still in high school, so don't expect a tour for another year or two. But feel free to show them some appreciation if you dig the jams. In the meantime, enjoy the WO-O-O-OAHs and sing along to some catchy jams.

Chalk Talk
http://www.myspace.com/chalktalk69
If I had to chose which act I liked the most, it would be without a doubt Chalk Talk. These are the ultimate sing along songs, know why? All 3 group members sing the lyrics at the same time, and so should you! Their lyrics describe the hardships of being punk, being addicted to porn, and other humorous philosophy. On top of playing songs to ride waves and party to, they are seriously cool dudes. I ate lunch and dinner with them (where as the other bands I just had dinner with.)
Future Tour Dates:
Jan 7 @ TX
Jan 8 @ TX
Jan 9 @ TX
Jan 10 @ LA
Jan 11 @ AL
Jan 12 @ GA
Jan 13 @ Richmond, VA OR NC
Jan 14 @ Philadelphia, PA
Jan 15 @ NYC, NY

Star Commander
http://starcommander.bandcamp.com/
This is a band from Arlington, TX that has developed quite a following. Their bass player is one of the best I've seen live ever, and their lyrics tug at your heartstrings. This band sounds like Surf Rock meets Indie, who then introduced him to her husband, Pop Punk. They are not currently on tour.

The Breakfast Machine
http://www.myspace.com/thebreakfastmachine
First of all, this band is all high school kids (I think, I didn't ask.) Second of all, they have a sitar and tabla player. Third of all, their singer has a heavenly voice. Fourth of all, their drumset has a light show like it was donated by the Blue Man Group. Fifth of all, I was amazed by their live performance. Not on tour though.

[Aldentron]

January 7, 2011
(no flyer)
Tags: circle pit, rage, blast beat, female vocalist
Mindless/High Anxieties/Special Guest/End Times/Releaser/Raging Boner

Mindless
http://www.myspace.com/mindlesstexas
You ever follow a band and then get taken-back when you find out that the vocalist is a female? It's an awesome feeling. Some females like to thrash and rage, too, you know. This band is heavy as hell, having songs that vary from 15 second bursts to 2 minute long beat downs. Austin, TX is a city known for it's music scene, but I have never heard a band like this from Austin. If you like to headbang, you'll love Mindless.
They just finished touring and are nice and cozy at home now.

High Anxieties
http://www.myspace.com/negaduckhardcore
This is a band local to the DFW metroplex, but they're getting pretty big. It's hard to find good old punk like this everyone can enjoy. The vocalist gets just as crazy as the crowd does, so much that I got ensnared in his microphone cable. A very fun band to see, if you get the chance.

Special Guest
No website? Oh well I know them personally.
Special Guest are a pop-punk duo from Fort Worth that have been binded together in (un)holy matrimony. Isn't that cute? Al plays guitar and sings while Lacey plays the drums. It's adorable.

End Times
http://www.myspace.com/musicfortheendtimes
It's hard to describe this band. They're basically what metalcore would be if metalcore were punk. They have breakdowns. That's about it.

Releaser
No website?
I missed this band because I had a late dinner. But let it be known that they exist! Somewhere...

Raging Boner
http://www.myspace.com/ragingbonertx
I was so sure this band had broken up until I saw them for the first time tonight. They truly do shred. Just listen to the bass riffs. This is the type of punk rock that inspired bands like Slayer, Metallica, and Anthrax. Awesome to see that dudes in their late 20s-middle 30s still like to rock like it's 1995.

[cedolad]

I'm keeping you in mind when my band starts touring next summer

[Aldentron]

Next summer? As in 2011 or 2012?
I didn't go to the show at 1919 tonight, supposedly it was supposed to be some sort of freak show. One of the guests was on America's Got Talent, he would put his testicles over a bucket and light M80s to throw in said bucket. Also, one band's drummer was supposed to play his drums as they were on fire. Kinda mad I missed it

[EqualFckBranch]

Hey my name is Jacob from Equal **** Branch, we're booking a tour for the summer right now and we want to play in the Forth Worth area!

You seem like the person to talk to so here I am asking you for your help.

Anyways you can check us out at:

http://www.myspace.com/equalfckbranch

or

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Equal-...3614593?v=wall

or

www.equal****branch.com

Now that's out of the way...

We plan on coming through your area on the 5th or 6th of July.

Thanks in advance for all your help

[Aldentron]

Sounds awesome, I added on myspace and facebook so we can keep in touch on there, and I already got started setting it up.

Now, for Friday's review.

January 21, 2011

Tags: one-man-bands, experimental, indie, dudes-that-sing-like-chicks
A Smile Full of Ale/Lougow/Ramona Cordova/Two Knights

A Smile Full of Ale
www.myspace.com/asmilefullofale
This band is progressive and dark, a lot like Godspeed You! Black Emperor at times and a lot like something else at other times. It's pretty good stuff, but the real fascination with this band is that it is just one man. Drumstick in one hand, guitar fret board in the other. I've seen him play twice and both times my jaw was dropped, by far my favorite live act out there. Not on tour.

Lougow
http://lougow.bandcamp.com/
This guy also plays the drums and guitar at the same time, although he just uses a kick drum. It really reminds me of No Age, except the vocals are really high pitched. To be completely honest, it's a little hard to get into at first, but when can start picking up on the lyrics you can better enjoy it. On tour with Ramona Cordova, check dates at the end of post.

Ramona Cordova
http://ramonacordova.wordpress.com/
This was just a man and a guitar, but his songs were nice and poppy, and you could imagine the beat of drums alongside. He sings in a falsetto voice and his lyrics are really easy to follow along. Touring with Lougow, check dates at bottom of post.

Two Knights
http://www.facebook.com/twoknights
This duo from Arlington, TX, plays music like Maps & Atlases. A lot of fingerpicking and jazz drums.

Future Dates in Lougow/Ramona Cordova Tour!
January:
23 houston tx at super happy fun land
24 denton texas at jj’s pizza
w/ The Lindales and Two Knights
25 memphis tn at Court House Co Op (1577 court ave Memphis TN)
early show — 7pm
26 St. Louis MO at Lemp Arts Center w/ Rbt Fisthbone
27 Bloomington IN — at Rachel’s Cafe
28 nashville tn — tba w/trophy wife
29 charleston sc– at 378 race st.
30 athens? / open to ideas
31 little rock AR –The A.C.A.C. (Arkansas Community Arts Co-Op 608 Main St.) 9pm

February:
1 Fayetteville, AR at Maxine’s (107 North Block Avenue)
2norman OK? / open to ideas
3 Santa Fe at Little Wing Music and Art Space (851 St. Michaels Drive)
4 Boulder CO at Astro Land
5 Denver COat rhinoiceropolis
6 driving day
7th reno? / open to ideas
8th portland at the Backspace (115 Northwest 5th ) all ages $6 w/ Angelo Spencer and Fabi