Turkey Trot

In honor of Thanksgiving, the most gastronomically satisfying of U.S. holidays, some of Chatter's favorite musical artists reflect on which 2008 songs they're most grateful for.

Tom Gabel, Against Me!: Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, "More News from Nowhere" — "The closing track off of Cave's Dig Lazarus, Dig!!!, a record which, in my opinion, is the best album of 2008. It's no wonder that Cave did such an incredible job on the movie The Proposition. Instead of using his songs to make soundtracks for movies, you could easily write movies around his songs."

Matt Fazzi, Taking Back Sunday: Gavin Castleton, "Un­par­al-lel Rabbits" — "'Unparallel Rabbits' is incredibly dense, dark and haunting, and I love the way he creates such a vivid picture of these two lovers whose relationship has soured by way of complacency. I'm thankful for his brave approach to songwriting and musicianship, which pushes me to expand how I look at my own ideas and tendencies and boundaries. I'm grateful that there are artists out there like Gavin, who are a slave to their art first and foremost, above all else."

Al Barr, Dropkick Murphys: the Clash, "Career Opportunities" — "From their Live at Shea Stadium album — released this year! It is amazing how this song and this band hold up with music that was recorded well over 20 years ago. This is as important today as it was then — maybe even more. Long live the memory of Joe Strummer!"

Taylor Swift: Kellie Pickler, "Best Days of Your Life" — "I had so much fun writing this with my best friend, Kellie! The song really helped her get past an old relationship, and helped me to get my first cut on another artist's album. It's a really important song for me as a writer."

Butch Walker: T-Pain, "Chopped N Skrewed" — "I'm grateful for the fact that I can write songs, but I will never be as talented yet, at the same time, as ridiculous as [T-Pain]. I wish I could allow myself the ability to just let go of being so serious or clever all the time, and just say something retarded like, 'Shit's so hot, I gotta stick it in the fridge, stick it in the fridge, stick it in the fridge.' Actually, I just patented and trademarked that song as we speak, so don't any of you assholes try tojock it."

NEWS FEED

Radio Birdman front man Dennis Tek will be at Sugar Hill Studios (5626 Brock) next week compiling the Australian surf-punk pioneers' final release Live In Texas, culled from the band's 2007 shows at Meridian and Emo's in Austin...Your five-year-old's soon-to-be favorite band, Heroes Hip Hip Hooray, preview Saturday's 10:30 a.m. CD release show at Cactus Music with an appearance in Thursday's 59th Annual H-E-B Holiday Parade, which starts at 9 a.m. at Minute Maid Park. Fireman Frank, Captain Kim, Police Officer Patty, Ranger Rita, Nurse Nancy and Bernard the Dog will be riding in style on a vintage truck provided by the Houston Fire Museum...Good news out of Galveston, finally: The Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe (413 20th St.) is on its way back, reports owner Wrecks Bell. Fund-raisers and donations have allowed him to replace all the necessary furniture and equipment, he says, and old friend Hayes Carll is scheduled to play the Quarter January 31.

LOCAL MOTION

Top Sellers

Cactus Music
2110 Portsmouth, 713-526-9272

1. Tom Gabel, Heart Burns

2. Johnny Falstaff, Honky Tonkin' Daddy

3. Lucinda Williams, Little Honey

4. Alejandro Escovedo, Live Animal EP

5. AC/DC, Black Ice

6. Rodney Crowell, Sex and Gasoline

7. Mudcrutch, Extended Play Live

8. Drew Smith's Lonely Choir, Drew Smith's Lonely Choir

9. New Order, Power, Corruption and Lies

10. Carolyn Wonderland, Miss Understood

AIRWAVES

Genetic Memory
KTRU (91.7 FM), Mondays 10 p.m.-midnight
Selections from DJ AustinC's November 17 playlist

1. Lustmord, "Headplate"

2. Sickness, "Scavenger"

3. Insect Warfare, "Bullshit Awards"

4. Edward Ka-Spel, "Mirror Soul/Avengelist"

5. Indian Jewelry, "Walking on Water"

6. Laurie Anderson, "Mambo and Bling"

7. Mydolls, "Savage Song"

8. Really Red, "War Sucks"

9. Gang of Four, "To Hell with Poverty"

10. The Mike Gunn, "Scary Black Man"

(lists compiled by Chris Gray)