Here they are, folks. You nominated 'em, we mulled 'em over and sorted out the stuffers, and now the 2009 Houston Press Music Awards ballot is set. Normally Rocks Off would say something cute like read 'em and weep, but since we've been listening to almost nothing but '80s hard rock and new bands that totally sound like '80s hard rock (Low Man's Joe, The Answer, Charm City Devils) for the past couple of days, we'll just say this: Eat 'em and smile.
Just kidding. We know this is serious stuff, an
Here they are, folks. You nominated 'em, we mulled 'em over and sorted out the stuffers, and now the 2009 Houston Press Music Awards ballot is set. Normally Rocks Off would say something cute like read 'em and weep, but since we've been listening to almost nothing but '80s hard rock and new bands that totally sound like '80s hard rock (Low Man's Joe, The Answer, Charm City Devils) for the past couple of days, we'll just say this: Eat 'em and smile.
Just kidding. We know this is serious stuff, a
Photos by Brandon K. Hernsberger​
A good way to kick off the HPMAs is to see a musician who makes you daydream about cheese grits on a holiday, preferably one that takes place in wintertime. Or reminds you of riding a horse at sunrise alongside your best friend John Denver. Glenna Bell, you made it happen. This longtime local favorite earned her due at Dean's, the paltry to not-so-paltry audience basking in the folky goo of a hootenanny. The folksters hummed and swayed with straight teeth and
Photos by Mark C. Austin​Elaine Greer played a nice set of harmless poppy folk songs at Red Cat, and it was quickly apparent she isn't quite ready for HPMA - her guitar playing is extremely basic and she has occasional rhythm issues. It didn't help that she played this set as a duo; drums and bass fill a lot of holes. The attitude is there, maybe the lyrics are there (very hard to hear her vocals clearly) and Greer seems like a nice, earnest artist who might eventually become the next Ma
