Boyz II Men

10 Awesome '90s Boy Bands You Probably Forgot Existed

The '90's produced the best stuff known to man. I mean, who doesn't wax nostalgic over Girbaud jeans, color-blocked windbreakers, and old episodes of Saved By the Bell? That shit was so awesome. You know who else thinks '90's nostalgia is awesome? The boys -- rather, real live men -- from the lat ... More >>

Vladimir Putin's Boyz II Men Sex Plan Is Phenomenal

It seems that Russian president Vladimir Putin has finally figured out what every middle-school boy has known since the '90's: if you play Boyz II Men for your date, it all but guarantees that her clothes are comin' off. In a bid to astronomically increase the Russian birth rate, president Putin ha ... More >>

Upcoming: Grizzly Bear, Bad Religion, NKOTB, R. Kelly, Dillon Francis, Gaslight Anthem, etc.

Adnan Sami: Sat., March 23, 8 p.m., $35.00-$250.00. Arena Theatre, 7326 SW Freeway, Houston. Alejandro Escovedo & the Sensitive Boys: Sat., Feb. 9, 9:30 p.m., $18. Continental Club, 3700 Main, Houston. Bad Religion: With Against Me!, Polar Bear Club., Wed., March 13, 7 p.m., $25-$35. House of Blue ... More >>

The 5 Worst Trends Started By the Class of '99

Chris Gray's write-up of the Brian Setzer Orchestra's "Christmas Rocks" show at the Arena Theatre a couple of weeks ago got me thinking. These days, the swing maestro seems to be comfortably settled into his own little niche in the music industry, playing swingin' Christmas carols to grown folks. Bu ... More >>

10 Reasons to Hate Boyz II Men's "End of the Road"

Twenty years ago this week, a slick R&B ballad appeared at the top of the charts and simply refused to go away. One of the most successful songs of the '90s, Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for 13 weeks, setting a new record. The soundtrack single was a major triumph not ... More >>

Saturday Night: Maze, Patti LaBelle, O'Jays, Babyface, etc. at Toyota Center

"Summer Music Fest" feat. Frankie Beverly & Maze, Patti LaBelle, the O'Jays, Babyface & Tank Toyota Center August 4, 2012 Like a good neighbor, we can always count on soul/funk band Maze and its front man, the eternally white-clad Frankie Beverly, to be here each summer. Cognizant of the fact that ... More >>

Notice: Mariah Carey Still Has More No. 1 Singles Than Elvis

Four years ago this week, Mariah Carey made music history by scoring the 18th No. 1 single of her career. Think about that for a second: If you're reading this, Mariah Carey has recorded more No. 1 singles than women you've had sex with (a lot more). What makes the feat even more incredible is that ... More >>

Ain't Nobody Better: The LL Cool J Valentine's Day Playlist

​ Once upon a time, LL Cool J was merely a Kangol wearing rapper who aimed for the ladies long before urban radio knew of such things from rappers. Now, he's on CBS Tuesdays on an NCIS spinoff and is hosting The Grammys this year. Not bad for someone I thought would shrink into musical obscurity a ... More >>

Distant Early Warning: Cults, VNV Nation, Childish Gambino, King's X, Village People, Etc.

​30 Foot Fall: Sun., Dec. 25. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston. Amplified Heat, Dixie Witch: Sat., Jan. 7. Continental Club, 3700 Main, Houston. Bang Bangz, Hello Chief, New York City Queens: Sat., Feb. 4. Fitzgerald's, 2706 White Oak, Houston. Band Of Heathens: Wed., Feb. 1. Main Stre ... More >>

The X Factor Gets Grateful

Last night's episode of The X Factor was all about gratitude. Contestants dedicated their performances to someone special in their lives, telling heartwarming tales designed to maximize viewer empathy and increase voting by tugging on the ol' heartstrings. And you know what? It worked. The theme res ... More >>

Justin Bieber's Voice Changes Just In Time For Christmas Album

"Say shawty, Merry Christmas, or whatever year-end holiday greeting that makes you happy." ​Children and adults alike are getting their holiday wish granted early this year, and they don't have to wait until Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Festivus or even Christmas morning to receive it. Justin Bieber's v ... More >>

The X Factor: A Host, A Pussycat Doll & A "Creep"

As I settled in to watch The X Factor last night, my husband asked me, "Who is that British guy?" and I said, "Um, that's Simon Cowell, honey. From American Idol? A show we watched for like, five years?" And my husband said, "Um, no, the other British guy - the host." And then I was all, "The host!? ... More >>

Upcoming: Chromeo, Dawes, Kaiser Chiefs, M83, Etc.

​"The 94.5 The Buzz/Bud Light Weenie Roast" With Papa Roach, Buckcherry, Puddle Of Mudd, Crossfade, P.O.D: Sun., Aug. 28. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The Aggrolites: Sat., Sept. 24. Warehouse Live. Better Than Ezra: Thu., Dec. 29. House of Blues. Big D & The Kids Table: Sun., Oct. 16. ... More >>

Idol Beat: Movies Is Magic

​It's time for American Idol, the show that dares ask the question, "What the f*ck is will.i.am still doing here?" Seriously, when do they make him a judge? In case you hadn't heard, Jennifer Lopez was selected World's Most Beautiful Woman by...Cat Fancy or something. This provided a brief re ... More >>

The Stories Behind Five H-Town Rap Anthems

​You know the song as soon as the beat drops. You rap them better than the artists themselves do at concerts. You'll slap your little brother for butchering the lyrics. But do you know the real life stories behind these five H-town rap anthems? Pull up a chair, grab a bag of popcorn, and a co ... More >>

BP: 11 Songs We Found On The Executive iPod

annamatic3000 via Flickr​British Petroleum (BP) officials announced Thursday that they had successfully capped the largest and most devastating oil spill in U.S. history. You know, a mere 85 days, 11 casualties, 184 million gallons and thousands of dead or oil-covered animals later. A tense 4 ... More >>

Five '90s Musical Fads We Remember Well, But Don't Really Miss

​A little over a decade ago, swing music made a strange comeback. You may remember seeing people all over dressing like '40s hipsters, jumping and jiving in Gap commercials and most every club or bar was offering swing lessons. It started with the release of the film Swingers, which still mi ... More >>

Sentury Is Going To "Lose Control" All Over Your Ass

Welcome back to Five Spot. Every Friday, we'll examine a recent bit of music news and, albeit sometimes awkwardly, tie it to a bit of Houston rap. It's five videos and occasional cussing. Send tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. ​ First, a qualifier: When we talk about Mo'Nique, same as when we t ... More >>

Can't Forget The Motor City: Our Favorite Motown Jams, Part 2

​ Rocks Off - sorry, He Said; we're still getting used to this whole identity-shift thing - is sure some of our readers think we do nothing except sit around and listen to the Drive-By Truckers all day. To which we say: Have you heard Bettye LaVette's The Scene of the Crime or Booker T's Potato Ho ... More >>

Old Faithful

Neighborhood bars like Bill Hicks's old haunt Cecil's Tavern never go out of style.

A Third Ward Pawnshop iPod and the Mysterious Fate of Previous Owner "Scooby"

Whoever he is (was?), Scooby's iPod wasn't short on R. Kelly.​So a couple of weeks ago, after three or four years of increasingly faltering service, Rocks Off's 30 GB iPod finally died. Completely. Out of sheer broke-assedness, we had held on to it for longer than most. By the end, its quirks and ... More >>

Eric Benét, Boyz II Men

Bayou Beat: B L A C K I E on Tour, Michael Jackson Tribute at Discovery Green, Ticket Deals and More

Above is some video from B L A C K I E's performance Monday night at New Orleans' Dragon's Den, the first show of his mini-tour. The feedback-loving local rapper visits Baltimore Friday and Brooklyn's Afro!!Punk!!Fest!! Sunday. Rocks Off has heard through the proverbial grapevine that there's a Mic ... More >>

Hello, Houston!

Noise breaks down the months of live music ahead

Five Spot: Smoove Up In Ya

Welcome back to Five Spot. Every Friday, we'll examine a recent bit of music news and list five reasons why it's either brilliant or dumb-assed. Send tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. Michael Keith, formerly one-fourth of R&B man-band 112, has released a solo album. (He's not the guy tha ... More >>

Artist of the Week: Coline

Each Wednesday, Rocks Off arbitrarily appoints one lucky local performer or group "Artist of the Week," bestowing upon them all the fame and grandeur such a lofty title implies. Know a band or artist that isn't awful? Email their particulars to introducingliston@gmail.com. How else to say this tha ... More >>

Raphael Saadiq: The Way I See It

Tech? No!

An imaginary history of electronic music

Where's the Beef? Right here in H-town

T.I. and Lil' Flip rumble in Cloverland, bringing one of the great rap feuds of recent years to a head

Black Gold

A gusher lay beneath the surface, but you had to drill deep

Captive Emotions

Reagan Hamilton goes into Texas jails and tells inmates they better stay in touch with their kids. Her sadly powerful message has sparked some successes. Too bad they don't include her own father.

Superflies

R&B royalty roll out for Budweiser Superfest

That's the Breaks

Houston rap labels and their artists look for that big deal

On Beyond Christian Rock

Dave's World

1998 Houston Press Music Awards Winners

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Child of Fate

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Press Picks

Sound Check

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Press Picks

Bill-bored

At least Tom Jones left the mesh shirt at home

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