Southern California

Johnny Manziel Hits Batting Practice Home Run At Petco Park (w/ VIDEO)

In the game of "Bucket List," Johnny Manziel is officially running up the score on all of us. Over the weekend, the Texas A&M Heisman Trophy winning quarterback capped off a round at Pebble Beach with his parents by knocking in a birdie on 18 to break 80. About the only surprising thing about that ... More >>

Former Lions WR Titus Young Arrested 3 Times in One Week

A couple years ago during the NFL lockout, much was made of the arrest list compiled by NFL people during the league's self-imposed downtime. (I use the word "people" because it wasn't just players. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a coach and a front office person make the list.) When the season was s ... More >>

The Lazy Dog Cafe in Huntington Beach, California Comes to the Rescue of Lazy, Forgetful Sons Everywhere

So you managed to take your mother somewhere halfway nice for Mother's Day this past Sunday. Congratulations. I'm sure she's happy just to spend time with you. But what's this? You've forgotten to pick up a card? All this planning will be for nothing! Except if you were dining at the Lazy Dog Cafe ... More >>

The Astros: Out of Their League?

The Houston Astros take on a new season in a tough division with things all-new — uniforms, owner, manager, team and rules — not to mention a new/old mascot. And road trips to Dallas.

Bad Religion's Brian Baker: "Rage Is a Powerful Tool"

It's not uncommon for punk bands to live by the credo that it's better to burn out than fade away. Naturally, neither option has ever suited Bad Religion. After 16 albums over three decades spent toting the genre's banner across the globe, it doesn't appear as though the ultimate Southern California ... More >>

Sitting Pretty

Houston's 10 Best Patios

Revisiting Robertson Stadium's Forgotten Concert History

After years of dreaming, planning and even a little begging, the University of Houston broke ground on a new on-campus football stadium this month. It's a pretty darn exciting development for the Cougars that marks the beginning of a new era of UH athletics: The program will play its first season in ... More >>

Alejandro Escovedo: "Just to Have a Gig Is Pretty Cool"

Earlier this morning, Alejandro Escovedo talked to Rocks Off about his recent albums Real Animal, Street Songs of Love and Big Station, which have put him in the vanguard of mature rock artists. But those albums are in many ways the culmination of a career that began in San Francisco punk rockers th ... More >>

The Cavern and the Top 10 Iconic Rock Clubs In History

Last week back in 1957, the most famous rock club in England opened in Liverpool. There was absolutely no rock and roll on the bill that night. The Cavern Club was originally opened to mimic the cellar jazz bars that owner Alan Synter visited in Paris. There was a strict jazz-only policy in place ... More >>

Rage Against the Machinima

As YouTube becomes increasingly wealthy, its stars and the networks who contract with them battle for money and creative control.

Team Kerouac

Kristen Stewart and Garrett Hedlund chat about the film version of On the Road.

Dynamo Proud of 2012 Season, Looking Ahead to 2013

When the Houston Dynamo look back at the 2012 calendar year, they look back with their heads held high. Yes, head coach Dominic Kinnear and company are still reeling from the disappointment of falling short a second straight year at MLS Cup. But, as a franchise, they make the argument that it was ... More >>

Philly Poutine

A first look at the new Pappa Geno's in Bellaire.

Gustavo Arellano: Has the Tide Turned Against Tex-Mex Food?

Gustavo Arellano isn't just any Mexican. Over the years, the writer has turned himself into almost the "official" Mexican of America thanks in large part to his syndicated column, "Ask a Mexican!" and books like Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America. This is his most recent book and one in w ... More >>

Christine Ha Talks MasterChef, Masochism, and Multi-tasking with Eating Our Words

If you are like us, you are in a serious post-MasterChef funk of depression right now. Aside from the fact that it's a bummer anytime a great show ends its season run, we had extra incentive to tune in -- and celebrate -- as we watched Houstonian (and former EOW contributor) Christine Ha knock out t ... More >>

Chef Chat, Part 1: Bobby Matos of Ciao Bello, On Whether Culinary School Is Worth It

Bobby Matos Ciao Bello 5161 San Felipe 713-960-0333 ciaobellohouston.com This is the first part of a three-part chef chat series. Look for parts 2 and 3 in this same space Thursday and Friday. Ciao Bello, Tony Vallone's lighter, more casual version of his iconic Tony's in River Oaks, offers some ... More >>

100 Favorite Dishes 2012

No. 1, Korean Braised Goat and Dumplings at Underbelly.

Cambodian Weed

The invasive plant water spinach is banned in some states — and essential to Asian cooking. In a small village outside Houston, relocated Cambodians are growing and selling it across state lines, up North, out West, hoping to get rich.

Getcho Popcorn Ready! Terrell Owens Is Back In Our Lives!

Last October, desperate for work, Terrell Owens held a workout in southern California to attempt to show NFL teams he was fully healed from an ACL injury that he suffered during the 2011 offseason. The only attendees at this spectacle were numerous television stations and cameramen, not a single NFL ... More >>

Illegal Americans and Urban Legends

Who's Behind Helena Brown?

Some say the councilwoman known for her diatribes is influenced by senior adviser William Park, who last year was banned from the investments industry.

Michael Martin Murphey: The Cosmic Cowboy Years

Texas singer-songwriter and real by-god cowboy Michael Martin Murphey has already walked Rocks Off through a healthy bit of the past 100 years of American folk music this morning, as well as a good bit of his own. But dissatisfied with the folk scene he found out in late-'60s Southern California, he ... More >>

Tasting Notes: This Week in Wine Blogs

Eat My Words: This week Texas Monthly wine writer Jessica Dupuy gives a glowing review to new releases by the Duchman Family Winery, the Texas Hill Country winery owned by Houston's own celebrity cardiologist Stan Duchman. "I'll be honest," she writes, "I fell in love with all of these wines, which ... More >>

Gothic Council Gets The Summertime Blues

Well, folks, the last of a most inadequate winter is behind us and now nothing looms ahead for months except endless overexposure of the yellow hurty thing in the sky. It's probably no surprise to you that the average goth has no use for sunlight, even less for hot summer, and living down here in Ho ... More >>

Getting Thumped

The bass line is everything in dubstep, whose core moves like robo-elephants, stomping and booming along.

Frito Pies (or Not) Across America

I suffer under no delusions that Frito pies -- whether Texan in origin or not -- are as popular outside of Texas/Oklahoma/New Mexico as they are in this Frito tied-triangle. I understand that Frito pies are to our region as lutefisk suppers are to Minnesota or lobster rolls are to Maine. However, I ... More >>

Kaylan Goodman: Her Company's Owner, Who Has a Warrant Out for His Arrest, Says 18-Year-Old Girl Is Just Fine!

Photo Courtesy Crime StoppersKevin Davis: The company he works for is totally legit and non-sleazy, so you don't have to worry.​Although an Oklahoma woman who suddenly vanished after joining a traveling magazine sales crew was located in Illinois Wednesday night and was allowed to call family, ... More >>

Tasting Notes: This Week in (Women's) Wine Blogs

Photo by Margaret Shugart, curator of a new blog, The Wine Roads of Texas.​The Wine Roads of Texas: "If you've never seen the communities that run across that vast stretch of road," writes Margaret Shugart, author of a new blog called The Wine Roads of Texas, "you are missing one of the most u ... More >>

Hands-On Experience

Dozens of teenage Explorers have been sexually abused by police officers. Critics say the Boy Scouts, who oversee the program, should share the blame.

Terrell Owens' Downward Spiral (w/ VIDEO of his workout)

Finding fitness, if not a job​"I definitely feel there are some teams out there that are interested." -- Terrell Owens after his workout on Tuesday "Just because they weren't there doesn't mean they weren't interested. I can guarantee that all 32 teams were interested." -- Owens' agent Drew ... More >>

Texas Invaded By SoCal Pimps

Kojuan Miles may not be playing football for a while.​Maybe it's the meltdown of the California economy. Maybe they heard about Rick Perry's alleged Texas miracle. Whatever the reason, the Lone Star State appears to be undergoing a plague of transplanted pimps from Southern California. Must ju ... More >>

Bartender Chat: Jeremy Trujillo of Warren's Inn

Photo by Ginny Braud​ Warren's Inn is, unquestionably, a revered downtown Houston landmark. No stranger to winning Best of Houston® awards, most recently for Best Downtown Bar 2010, Warren's boasts charm, character and cordial, heavy handed bartenders. The space definitely has a vintage vibe, ... More >>

The Modern Age: 10 Facts You May Not Know About The Strokes

Marco TorresThe Strokes' Julian Casablancas at ACL 2010​This week marks 12 years since the Strokes debuted as a live band, at NYC's Spiral on September 14, 1999. The crowd, they recall, was five paying customers and assorted band girlfriends - humble beginnings for a band that would be both ex ... More >>

Four Artists Who Died Before Playing Houston

theindependent.co.uk​When Amy Winehouse died Saturday, almost everyone noted how the troubled British soul singer had joined the "27 Club," the list of legendary musicians who passed away at that age that also includes Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones, ... More >>

Tasting Notes: This Week in Wine Blogs

​Know a Houston-based blog we should be paying particular attention to? Leave the address in the comments section below. The Blend: We're not sure how we missed the photo (above) of Houston's top Italian wine specialist Joseph "Grappa Joe" Kemble, statewide wine buyer at the flagship Spec's. ... More >>

Pet Sounds

Animal psychic Sonya Fitzpatrick hears voices - the dog and cat kind.

Mikey Goes To Hollywood: Stinson Visits Country-Starved L.A.

Photos by Alan Downs​It's no secret that California has long since squandered away a stunning country-music heritage, but for those of us in Los Angeles who give a damn, Mike Stinson represented an almost mystic renewal of the Freddie Hart/Wynn Stewart transplanted-genius equation that damn n ... More >>

Saturday Night: TSOL At Walter's On Washington

Photos by David Ensminger​TSOL Walter's on Washington May 7, 2011 In the dramatic, razor-sharpened lens of TSOL songs, suburbia is far from a sleepy wonderland bedecked with slick malls and coiffeured lawns. Those tracts of same-samey homes are chock-full of demons such as singer Grisham hims ... More >>

Last Night: The Low Anthem At Fitzgerald's

Photos by Jim Bricker​The Low Anthem Fitzgerald's May 2, 2011 In another lifetime, and another location, Fitzgerald's could have been a barn. Every time we see a show upstairs, Aftermath halfway expects an owl to swoop out of the rafters and sink its talons into an errant field mouse. Note t ... More >>

Lingerie-Clad Man High On "Bath Salts" Kills Pygmy Goat (w/ Fantastic Mugshot)

"Almost heaven, West Virginia...."​I understand my responsibility on Hair Balls is to provide sports-related content. But frankly, sometimes a story comes across my desk that is so transcendent in its dysfunction and so detrimental to my faith in mankind that it must be covered in this space, ... More >>

Pete Anderson: Ex-Yoakam Guitarist Evens Things Up

Courtesy of Michael HyattDwight Yoakam, J.D. Foster and Pete Anderson in Santa Monica, Calif., circa 1984​Pete Anderson hasn't worked with Dwight Yoakam since 2002, but his association with Yoakam was so successful and visible he may never shake free of that shadow. "We had such a great run," ... More >>

Betting Their Lives

It's easy for a three-time felon to get $20 million for his investment company, as long as no one asks any questions.

Who Is Edward Sharpe?

Just another messianic porn star trying to save mankind...

Bob's Steak & Chop House

If steak is a sin, then Bob is the devil

The Seoul of Sharpstown

Broaden your horizons at Houston's most eclectic Korean eatery