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RIP Jeff Hanneman: Slayer at Verizon Theater In September 2010

Ed. Note: Slayer guitarist Jeff Hanneman, a founding member of the band, passed away Thursday in Southern California due to liver failure, according to Rolling Stone. Hanneman, 49, had contracted the flesh-eating disease necrotizing fasciitis, which doctors believed was the result of a spider bite, ... More >>

Brace Yourselves, the End of the World Parties Are Coming

Here in Houston, we shouldn't need an excuse to throw great parties, but I suppose the so-called Mayan Apocalypse is a pretty good reason to get shit-housed and listen to local bands. This Friday almost everyone seems to be throwing an "End of the World" show or mini-fest -- if they aren't putting ... More >>

Ole Henriksen Promises to Give Your Eyes a Lift as the World is Coming to an End

That damn Mayan calendar prophecy was bad enough when it was just the world exploding or being swallowed by a black hole or whatever. But, when Ole Henriksen, maker of fine rejuvenating eye care products (and name for Ikea entertainment centers), among other things, discovered that December 21 was a ... More >>

Upcoming Events: Speakeasies, Hoedowns and Free Yoga Classes

A shuttered business on downtown's Main Street is getting a new tenant -- for the night. 304 Main will be hosting a one-night-only speakeasy on Monday, October 1, from 7 to 10 p.m., sponsored by Knob Creek Rye Whiskey. Local bartenders will be shaking cocktails featuring the rye and chef Jonathan Jo ... More >>

7 Cool & Cheap Weekenders: Soft Metals, Buxton, Grand Old Grizzly, Etc.

Tonight L.A.-via-Portland electro duo Soft Metals (synthy, spooky, dreamy) headline the return of the Musum of Fine Arts, Houston's Mixed Media social-hours from 8 p.m. to midnight. The space will be tricked out by presenting sponsor IKEA, so you know it's going to be modern. Also performing are loc ... More >>

Raining on Their Parade: IKEA Postpones Unveiling of Store's Solar Energy System

IKEA Houston was all set to unveil its solar-powered energy system today. They had a big ceremony planned and everything. The dedication ceremony would include Houston's Sustainability Director (we have one of those?) Laura Spanjian, whose last name sounds vaguely like a sofa I bought at the store a ... More >>

Bottoms Up: 5 Beers From 5 Bands To Give You 5 Hangovers

Whether you're at a show with friends or just putting your feet up while listening to some tunes after a long day at work, for many alcohol is just another part of the rock and roll experience. And when hard liquor gets too expensive and wine seems too highfalutin, there is one drink that's always t ... More >>

Upcoming Events: Midsommar's Night Eating and Free Frescas

It's already scorching hot in Houston, and it's only going to get hotter. So cool off by celebrating the first day of summer on Thursday, June 21, at Pollo Campero. The fresh-Mex joint will be offering patrons a free agua fresca with purchase of any entree all day Thursday, including: Mango: A pu ... More >>

MFAH Mixed Media Designed by IKEA

The Ice at Discovery Green

App of the Week: Let iTranslate Voice Do Your Talking for You

App: iTranslate Voice Platform: iPhone Web site: iTranslate Voice Cost: $0.99 Back in the '90s, there was this cool band from Denton called Ten Hands. They were sort of a weird mix of the Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel and Frank Zappa. They had really quirky material and covered a wide range of style ... More >>

A GAY ISLAND??: The Best & Worst Facebook Responses To Bun B Supporting Gay Marriage

When President Barack Obama said in an interview last week that he supported same-sex marriage, it lit up the Internet with discussion. The dialogue split between those championing the president's words, and his detractors damning him (again) for going against what they saw as biblical and social no ... More >>

April Fools' Day Pranks: Six Suggestions That Will Have You Thinking "Are People Really This Lame?"

Sunday is April Fools' Day, which is a blessing since if it was on a workday we'd have to hear about wacky morning radio hosts bringing the hilarity. But apparently some people take the day seriously, like the folks at the April Fool Zone Web site, which offers "unique and fun April fool's Day pran ... More >>

10 Bizarre (And Surprisingly Expensive) Ways to Hide a Cat Litter Box

What are you looking at, bitch?​I have cats. Yes, I'm a 40-something man with cats. You got a problem? What I have learned over the years is that the biggest pain in the ass when dealing with cats is the litter box. Hair is annoying. Vet bills can be expensive. But the foul ammonia smell of ca ... More >>

It’s a Pleasure

Free for All: Art Without a Price Tag

Friday's your last day to see the "Saddest Love Story Almost Never Told: Based on a True Idea" exhibit by Sketchy Neighbors, a free-wheeling artists collective. The group is known for its unorthodox approach. Members pull ideas for materials and concepts literally out of a hat. One idea for "Love ... More >>

The Rest of the Best: Houston's Top 10 Hot Dogs

Photo by Jeff VogtYou can even get sauerkraut on your $1.50 Costco dog!​For the next 20 weeks, we'll be rounding up the runners-up to our 2011 Best of Houston® winners. In many categories, picking each year's winner is no easy task. We'll be spotlighting 20 of those categories, in which the w ... More >>

WarBeast: Oh Fuck, They Have a Time Machine

It's a well-known fact that most band names are essentially gobbledygook, but here at Rocks Off we're trying hard to find meaning in the oddest monikers. Beth Burton​We try real hard to avoid metal bands here in the old What's in a Name? column. We still haven't forgiven Owl Witch for the abs ... More >>

Eight Businesses We Expect Will Be Getting Custom Texas License Plates Soon

​We recently wrote about a new crop of Texas license plates with a variety of themes, most of them sports related. One of the designs, however, was for the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain that isn't even based in the Lone Star State. We certainly understand the passion of a sports fan, but ... More >>

Oasis in the Desert: Casablanca Brings Moroccan Food to Houston

Photos by Troy FieldsSee more photos from Casablanca in our slideshow.​When it opened late last year, Casablanca Couscous & Grill became only the second Moroccan restaurant in Houston. And the truth is, for a city that prides itself on being such a melting pot of ethnicities and cuisines, ther ... More >>

Crawfish Across the World

Ground crawfish powder, one of the "mother" spices in Nigerian cooking.​Louisianans like to think they've got the world on a string when it comes to crawfish, with small towns like Breaux Bridge laying claim to titles such as "Crawfish Capital of the World." But there are a few people in Niger ... More >>

Upcoming Events

Americas: So long, and thanks for all the dish.​It's been a long time coming, but Americas on Post Oak Boulevard is finally closing after 20 years. And while it will indeed be sad to lose its iconic dining room -- which I've always fondly thought of as "Dr. Seuss on acid" -- the restaurant is ... More >>

Game of Thrones: 7 Observations from a Newbie (and Pop Rocks Pinch-Hitter)

Yeah, he's my brother, so what?​Pete Vonder Haar couldn't file a Pop Rocks today, so it falls to me to do so. Since he is also our chronicler of all things Game of Thrones, I will pick up that mantle too. I'm not much of a fantasy person at all, but I find myself getting into this HBO minise ... More >>

Capsule Stage Reviews: Easter Catechism, The Marriage of Figaro, A Murder Is Announced, The Trip to Bountiful

Valentine's Day: Nine Awful Gift Ideas

We're sure that the procrastinators out there just started sweating reading that headline. Yes, you only have days to get that special whoever something for Valentine's Day, which is closing in on us, coming up on Monday. There are good gifts (all-day sex marathons, beef ribs served in bed, cash) ... More >>

$7 at IKEA

​Hi, I'd like a Boren, a Barnslig, a Fixa, and French toast sticks. Where else on earth, besides IKEA, could you utter a sentence as beautiful as that and not be hauled off to the loony bin?

Lee Harvey Oswald's Coffin For Sale: Christmas Shopping DONE!

Photo courtesy Nate D. Sanders AuctionsOswald's coffin could be under YOUR Christmas tree​Forget trying to fight the crowds at Ikea or Toys R Us. Lee Harvey Oswald's coffin is for sale!! No, don't be so ghoulish -- you don't get the one he's buried in now. This coffin is the utterly unghoulis ... More >>

Musicians: Five Reasons Your Girlfriend Hates You

​For ladies dating dudes in bands, life can get rough. You are either seen as a trophy or a hindrance to his true rock and roll dreams, arm candy and not the actual real live human being you in fact are. Depending on how successful his band is, your man is constantly the focal point of dozens ... More >>

Friday Meal Deals

​Know of more? Please share in the comments. This weekend and next, Einstein Bros. Bagels is offering 50 percent off a bagel bucket with this coupon. So for anyone toting kids around for Saturday morning sports, this might be an option for feeding them. If you're going to IKEA tonight and yo ... More >>

Stuffed Cotton Food From IKEA

An IKEA bestseller. Will plush foods be next?​What's the best way to prevent childhood obesity? Give your kids FAKE FOOD! IKEA, the company responsible for such creepy stuffed toys as the Famnig Hjärta, that bestselling heart pillow with human arms and hands, will expand their popular Duktig ... More >>

Food Fight: Battle Asian Supermarket

Sweet little baby octopus...a summer treat.​Ever since KoMart -- the long-standing Korean grocery store on Gessner -- closed earlier this year, the Asian grocery scene in Spring Branch has been dominated by Super H Mart and the newer 99 Ranch Market. They're both large national chains, and th ... More >>

Ikea's "69" Ad: Too Racy For Houston?

Some Houston TV stations won't go down this road?​Music from bad `70s porn and graphics talking about 69 in the bedroom, in the kitchen, in the office, in the bathroom, and how 69 is "the best date ever" -- why would anyone think something like that is nasty?(Unless the bathroom is in some bachelo ... More >>

Rocks Off's Handy Summerfest Survival Guide

Shelby Hohl​There's a slim chance you may have already heard that our distinguished competition, Free Press Houston, is throwing a little shindig this weekend, which they have for some reason chosen to call Summerfest. We understand it's some kind of outdoor festival and a couple of bands fr ... More >>

Paul Wall's Got Your iPhone Goin' Nuts

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. We'll incorporate the number five in there somewhere. Send tips to introducingliston@gmail.com. ​April 23, 2010. That was to be the most glorious day ... More >>

Top Ten Kitchen Essentials

A while back, Katharine Shilcutt wrote about her top 10 must-haves for her kitchen. Well, not everyone has the same kitchen needs, so here's a little different perspective. We find that a lot of specifics, like mixing/prep bowls, can be overcome by having mismatched dishes, and we are even guilty of ... More >>

The Top 10 Places to Eat on Long Point

There's more to Long Point than just taco trucks...​As more development and activity pushes consumers north of the Katy Freeway -- such as the giant new shopping center and mega H-E-B at Bunker Hill, the push from MetroNational to create a "Memorial City"-branded area around Gessner, the etern ... More >>

Yes, Anastasia, You Too Can Cyber Land a Job in a Recession

​Pardon us, but we're about to impart some useful, seasoned knowledge on you. Don't get too accustomed to it, however. We'll return to our regularly scheduled programming of a wee bit of technology talk with a whole lot of intertwined innuendo in no time.But for today, we educate. Our topic? E ... More >>

Wine of the Week - Phoenicia Specialty Foods

​Last year, Robb Walsh visited Phoenicia Specialty Foods's Bargain Bin section to stock up on some obscure Italian wines at low prices. We are always looking for a good deal, so we decided to pay Phoenicia another visit. Last weekend, we found ourselves wandering around the Ikea-like aisles, f ... More >>

Taking That La-Z-Boy Out for a Drunken Spin? Don't Forget the Tunes!

Where are the cup holders?​As part of our court-appointed public service, we at Rocks Off don't condone driving while intoxicated. But if you must get behind the wheel after having a few, there are far worse things to be driving than a La-Z-Boy. From Yahoo! news this morning: "A Minnesota man has ... More >>

Cafe Zol Gets a Makeover

Photo by J.C. Reid​When Cafe Zol opened in early 2008 in the old Crostini location on Shepherd near Westheimer, the menu was billed as "Scandinavian tapas." Houston food cognoscenti responded with head scratching and mixed reviews, wondering if there really needed to be a challenger to the loc ... More >>

Kevin Nealon's New Film Looks Like Absolute Crap And I Mean Crap!

​Who greenlit Aliens in the Attic? I mean, honestly, who? What film exec got tanked on margaritas at La Casa de Enchiladas and said, yes, let's make this film about aliens and a suburban family with Kevin Nealon as the put-upon Pop?I thought we were in a recession. Shouldn't it take a LOT to get a ... More >>

Pavement: Brighten the Corners: Nicene Creedence Edition

Aftermath: Hungry Villagers at Boondocks

Aftermath thinks the thing he likes the most about new bands is the sheer lack of pretense and ego. We love it when bands do sound check five minutes before they play to two dozen friends upstairs at a bar, with no setlist to be seen. Only armed with the songs they've been fine-tuning for ... More >>

Miss Pop Rocks: The IKEA Catalog Gives Me a Complex

Girls' Night Out

Le Tigre and Electrelane bring an evening of transatlantic feminist mayhem to the Engine Room. Don't worry, boys -- you can come too.

Capsule Reviews

A picture of our opinions on local exhibitions

Party on the Patio

The Core Fellows make themselves at home in the Glassell

College Credit

Shopping spree for your first apartment: $2,500
Spring break in Cabo: $1,000
Avoiding college credit card debt: priceless

Beyond Despair

Tired plotlines pummel Fight Club

Hybrid City