Monica Fuentes

Keep the Chain

Make the Cut: We Have a Winner!

Dueling Critics: Rod Stewart

The Triumphant Return of the High School Photo Contest

Change We Can't Believe In

Ike's Wake -- The Video

This week's feature story by John Nova Lomax looks at the struggles on Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula in the wake of Ike. Photographer Dan Kramer filmed a video to accompany it, and art director Monica Fuentes edited it. We were going to hire Varnaline to write a new song to go with it, bu ... More >>

Rubber Chickens and Ping Pong Balls: The Best of the Art Car Parade

Yesterday's 22nd annual Art Car Parade was crowded and sweltering, but at least there were giant roaches on wheels. Check out our video from the parade to see our choices for Best Animal Art Cars, Best Musical Arts Cars and Best WTF? Cars. Which art car was your favorite this year? Leave your c ... More >>

ACL Aftermath, Part 1: Spearhead's "Electric Mudslide" and the Whole "Dillo Dirt" Situation

Mark C. Austin​ Night fell on the Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park this past Sunday under a full moon and over a sea of mud. (It wasn't strictly mud, but more on that in a bit.) Many in the crowd, especially those in the proximity of the Dell stage, responded the only logical way p ... More >>

The Red Nation Manifesto, Honored Mostly In The Breach

Photos by Monica Fuentes​The Houston Rockets hosted a party last night at Hotel Icon to celebrate the team's new Red Nation marketing campaign. Other than "alternative jerseys" for this year, the team -- as part of the campaign -- has developed a Bill of Red, "a document passed down from high and ... More >>

Metro-Related Havoc Wreaked At Bagby And Elgin

Photos by Monica Fuentes​Just in time for the early-afternoon rush, an accident is mucking up the intersection of Bagby & Elgin, near the on-ramp for the Southwest Freeway. No major injuries are reported in the collision between a Metro bus and a car, although at least one person was treated ... More >>

Who Are We Taking To Jimmy Buffett Tonight?

Graphic by Monica Fuentes; Text by Craig Hlavaty​ Today is the day the Chronicle's Ken Hoffman and the rest of Parrothead Nation's Southeast Texas chapter have been waiting for - Jimmy Buffett sails into the Houston area for the first time since April 2007. If you've never seen the son of a son of ... More >>

How About Some More HPMA Nominee MP3s?

Monica Fuentes​Rocks Off would like to thank this year's music award nominees who sent us a couple of MP3s like we asked you to a couple of days ago. By our count, about 11 nominees have now sent us some music, which leaves... well, a lot. We're still a little afraid to count. Please help us ... More >>

Some More HPMA Nominee MP3s And A Little Showcase Info

Monica Fuentes​One week from tomorrow, the 2010 Houston Press Music Awards ballot goes live online, so hello this year's nominees, you're running out of time to send us your MP3s so we can post them and show the city (and the rest of the Interwebs) what you sound like. Please send them to chri ... More >>

Music Awards Voting Now Open; Trae Added To Showcase

Monica Fuentes​So get to it right here, y'all. Also, late Wednesday, recent cover star Trae the Truth confirmed as the "Special Guest" on the Bud Light Outdoor Stage at the HPMA showcase on Washington Avenue Saturday, August 7. Trae and whoever else he wants to bring with him are scheduled to ... More >>

Michael Buble: Why Are We Going Tonight?

Text by Craig Hlavaty; Graphic by Monica FuentesClick here to enlarge​Canadian neo-jazz crooner Michael Buble plays Toyota Center tonight, touring behind his latest album, last October's Crazy Love. For the most part Buble is beloved among women. The dude has a massive voice, and ladies love t ... More >>

Rocks Off Invites You To The HPMA Showcase

Monica Fuentes​Rocks Off and the Houston Press are having a little party on Washington Avenue tomorrow afternoon called the Houston Press Music Awards showcase. We may have mentioned it before. If you'd like to come, we'd love to have you. Click here to vote in this year's awards and showcase ... More >>

Eight Halloween Ideas For Today's Hottest Pop Stars

Photo Illustrations by Monica FuentesJohn Mayer as Justin Bieber​Halloween is only a little over a week away, and the spirit of the season is in the air. Rocks Off knows everyone has already picked out their costumes: Girls are starving themselves to fit into that slutty nurse or cop uniform, ... More >>

The Social Network, Now Starring Lady Gaga, Drake, ZZ Top...

​The Social Network was finally toppled at the box office this past weekend by the new Jackass 3-D, but that doesn't mean Rocks Off is done with the story chronicling the beginnings of Facebook and the rise of founder Mark Zuckerberg. You remember our film-score blog, right? When it was rele ... More >>

Frickin' Lasers: Six Artists Who Could Really Use Them

Photo illustration by Monica FuentesNow that's more like it.​If you don't have tickets for tonight's Ghostland Observatory show at Warehouse Live, you are shit out of luck. Sorry to say, but the show is sold out, and when things sell out at that venue, they mean it. Seriously, you may have to ... More >>

15 Things You Should Know About Thanksgiving

Think you know everything there is to know about that most American of holidays, Thanksgiving? There's more to Turkey Day than just school plays with buckle-shoed and buckle-hatted kids, pilgrim. Check out our list of 15 things that everyone should know about Thanksgiving (but don't try to serve you ... More >>

Graphic: Top Five Rejected Girl Talk Mash-Ups

​Tonight is the big, wildly anticipated Girl Talk show at Verizon Wireless Theater. The show was originally slated for the House of Blues, but ticket sales and space dictated the gig move a few blocks away to capture the magic. Girl Talk, aka Gregg Gillis, is notorious for his inventive mash ... More >>

The United States of Murder: A Map

Illustration by Monica FuentesClick here for larger version and more info​Serial killers and famous murderers have existed almost as long as mankind, we're sure. But as in so many things, the United States may just have perfected the thing. Each state has its own infamous episode, some very w ... More >>

Obama Mural Defaced; Political Statement or the Work of a Hipster Wannabe?

Photo by Monica FuentesSplash town: A statement of artistic or political principles?​Since 2008, commuters coming off the Southwest Freeway have been met by a large mural version of Shepard Fairey's "Hope" poster of Barack Obama. It adorns a shop, across the street from the Breakfast Klub, th ... More >>

Charlie Sheen's New Drug Ad

It's all been a crazy marketing scheme!! Expect to see this ad in upcoming issues of Newsweek, AARP Magazine, Reader's Digest and High Times.

Why Are We Going To Selena Gomez Sunday?

Text by Craig Hlavaty; graphic by Monica Fuentesclick here to enlarge​This Sunday afternoon Reliant Stadium will be buzzing with pre-teens and their parents coming to see pop-sensation Selena Gomez perform at RodeoHouston. The uncomfortably attractive Dallas-area native is currently dating the ... More >>

The United States Of Music

Monica FuentesFull-size image below​Rocks Off's sister blog Hair Balls did it with murderers and serial killers. Food blog Eating Our Words, riled the beer snobs with one about the best beers from each state in the union, and a teetotaling follow-up chronicling the best soda pops. For the pas ... More >>

The Eating Our Words Burger Bracket: The Sweet 16

Illustration by Doug Mac​Now that our four teams of judges have been chosen and the space has been reserved for the Final Four party at Lucky's Pub on April 4, only one thing remains to be revealed: the 16 burger finalists themselves. The competing burgers you'll see on our bracket below were ... More >>

Two Stoners, One Race: Lessons from Last Weekend's Warrior Dash

Photo by Monica FuentesMmmm...muddy.​Two stoners, two very different results at this weekend's Warrior Dash near Conroe. (View the Warrior Dash slideshow) The event, a three-mile obstacle course/run that Red Frog stages across the country, encourages participants to unleash a kind of inner ... More >>

The United States Of Women In Music

​Rocks Off is no He-Man Woman Hater's Club. We like women quite a bit, actually, especially those women brave enough to wade through the rivers of bullshit in the male-dominated music business. If you'll page back a few weeks, you'll remember the discussion of our favorite female artists from ... More >>

Street Art: An Interactive Map of Houston's Best

​Local documentarian Alex "Pr!mo" Luster is the subject of this week's cover story. We covered his outstanding new film Stick 'Em Up!, his bicultural upbringing, a near-death experience on the mean streets of Southwest Houston, and his early career as a 14-year-old TV news pro in detail here ... More >>

Aggies More Financially Successful Than Longhorns, Cougars, According to Study

​Looks like the tea sippers need to work a little harder and/or become a bit more driven to best the Aggies. PayScale recently published a study that breaks down earned income for college graduates. The 2010-11 survey, which is supported by 2010 United States Census data, is broken into two ... More >>

This Week in Deliciousness

Photo illustration by Monica FuentesBWAHAHAHAHA! Hell yes.​Welcome back to the weekly roundup here at Eating Our Words, where we've been trying to get Opie and Anthony to re-tweet scandalous pictures of our manscaped junk all day, but so far, no dice. Come on, guys. Help a loyal listener with ... More >>

Happy Father's Day: Country Songs For Country Daddies

Monica Fuentes​In country music, fathers are either saints with strong hands capable of spinning wonder and magic, or grim drunks who want nothing more than to beat their wives and children and induce general misery. After spending a lifetime listening to some of these songs, some bringing tea ... More >>

Mary's Mural Restored in Time for Pride Parade

Photos by Monica Fuentes​A group of local artists have succeeded in their quest to get the famed Mary's mural back in its rightful place before Saturday's Pride Parade. The building, long home to the city's most famous gay bar, has been sold and much of the property will be a parking lot for ... More >>

Seven Creepy (Or Beautiful) Pictures of the Downtown YMCA's Demolition

Photos by Monica FuentesComing down piece by piece.​Demolition is continuing on the charming old Downtown YMCA building, which is nestled among modern skyscrapers. The insides are being exposed now -- empty rooms, wall signs, even the scoreboard for the basketball court. It can all get prett ... More >>

Magazine Covers Beyonce Hasn't Been On... Yet

Beyonce: She's got issues.​If a butterfly flutters its wings in a Sony Music executive's stomach, does it cause an earthquake at the cash register? Beyonce's label certainly hopes so, because advance word about the singer's new album 4, due Tuesday, has been lackluster enough that according to ... More >>

Five Staples of the Soccer Mom Cabinet

Photo illustration by Monica Fuentes​Believe it or not, I can remember a time when "soccer mom" wasn't necessarily a pejorative term. My theory: certain real/desperate housewives' reality dramas and sitcoms have significantly reinforced the negative associations surrounding this figure. But f& ... More >>

Houston's Sports Teams: 21st Century Suckage, In Interactive Chart Form

Monica Fuentes​Click here for a larger, interactive version of the chart. Everyone's very, very excited about the Houston Texans. Beating a Peyton-less Colts team has the town assured of a division title and the playoffs. But this is Houston, people. For us, in the 21st Century, sports has b ... More >>

MetroRail Suspending Service This Weekend: BestFest Plan Bs

Monica FuentesThe Superblock: No (train) cars go.​As a frequent and mostly satisfied mass-transit commuter ourselves, Rocks Off has been recommending those of you headed to our Best of Houston® BestFest this weekend take the MetroRail to the McGowen stop. It would have been nice, but we just ... More >>

Houston Press Best of Houston® BestFest: Now With Less Wristband Tampering!!

Monica FuentesThe stage is taking shape​A dilemma has been solved. You wanted to go to the Houston Press Best of Houston® BestFest on Saturday but not Sunday? Maybe a schedule conflict or irrational Toadies hatred? Problem solved. Now you can buy single-day tickets to the event.

Pics From The BestFest Buildout: Looking Good

Photos by Monica Fuentes​Houston Press Art Director Monica Fuentes took these photos of the Best of Houston® BestFest construction going on down at the Midtown superblock earlier this morning. Rocks Off is impressed. Here's some more. A lot more.

Music Awards Nomination Ballot Now Online

Graphic by Monica Fuentes​Get your mouses ready (mice?), because the 2011 Houston Press Music Awards nomination ballot is live, online, and waiting for you fans to fill in your choices. Right now. Before you get started, a few program notes. The final tally of categories is down one this year ... More >>

Five Staples of the Old Fogie Cabinet

Photo illustration by Monica Fuentes​And, yes, I do mean "old fogie" and not "senior citizen." I consider "senior citizen" a neutral term for someone who happens to be advanced in years. She may not "act her age" like this gal. An "Old Fogie," however, is someone who has the traits of a stereo ... More >>

Rock the Vote: Nominations for Houston Press Music Awards End at 5 p.m. Today

Graphic by Monica Fuentes​Just a reminder that nominations for the 2011 Houston Press Music Awards close today at 5 p.m.. If you are convinced that your favorite band is going to get snubbed, well then hustle on over to the ballot and get those fingers typing because today is the last day to ... More >>

Houston Press Music Awards Nomination Balloting Closed

Graphic by Monica Fuentes​As of 5 p.m. today, the nominations ballot for the 2011 Houston Press Awards has closed. We greatly appreciate everyone who voted. Our minons are gathered behind the scenes, tied to their desks with Slayer blasting over loudspeakers counting every ballot and punching ... More >>

Houston Press Music Awards Ballot Now Online

Graphic by Monica Fuentes​Rocks Off is glad to see our 2011 Houston Press Music Awards ballot has been making some waves on Facebook and the Twitter since we posted it Tuesday evening. Now it's time for you to weigh in. The ballot is now online at our HPMA poll page. One vote per category, an ... More >>

Giant Duck Threatens To Bring ExxonMobil To Its Knees (w/Video)

Photos and video by Monica FuentesDon't get this duck angry​If ExxonMobil collapses by the end of the day into bankruptcy, with company executives begging for forgiveness for their polluting ways, all the credit should go to a giant inflatable duck. The duck is being displayed across the stre ... More >>

More Drought Victims: The Trees of T.C. Jester (w/Photos)

Photos by Monica Fuentes​It smelled like Pine-Sol near the intersection of 43rd and T.C. Jester this morning, but for a depressing reason: A major culling of the beloved trees in the area. The drought is to blame, most likely; the city has been taking down trees that have died of thirst and h ... More >>

No Wiki, No Worries: Our Wikipedia Entries For The Osteens, Astros, Michael Brown & Tom DeLay

As you might have noticed to your consternation, wikipedia is down today to protest SOPA and attempts to curb internet privacy. Fear not. We have available for use some Houston-related wiki entries, produced by us with all the care that goes into some of the online encyclopedia's offerings. Graphi ... More >>