Steve Jansen

Cover Story: A Brief History of Joe Sample and the Crusaders

What a badass. As chronicled in this week's cover story, there's a reason why Joe Sample is Texas Southern University's artist-in-residence at the school's jazz studies program -- and why he may be able to reinvent TSU's disgraced reputation. Cover Story: The New Crusaders Joe Sample Attempts to ... More >>

The New Crusaders

TSU restarts its jazz program, tapping into the talents of the fabled Joe Sample and kids looking for a place to play.

Car and Light Rail Collide at Jefferson and Main (PHOTOS)...Again

Sometime after 2:30 p.m., a Dodge Charger tried to take on a Metro light-rail train. The light rail won.

KTSU DJ Arrested for Suspected Credit Card Fraud

According to a tweet from Fox 26 reporter Isiah Carey late this afternoon, KTSU radio volunteer Michael Whitfield was arrested earlier Wednesday and could face up to 300 counts of credit card fraud for stealing radio-station donors' pledge sheets and opening credit cards in their names. Earlier thi ... More >>

Cops Suspect Up to 300 Counts of Fraud In KTSU DJ Case

Note: This article was written by William Michael Smith and Houston Press staff writer Steve Jansen. A TSU DJ has been arrested in an alleged pledge-drive scam, a local TV watchdog reporter said late Wednesday. According to a tweet from Fox 26 reporter Isiah Carey late this afternoon, KTSU radio v ... More >>

2012 Turkeys of the Year

Puffed up, plucked and ready for roasting, here's this year's best of the worst.

Houston, Circa 1981

Noise Ordinance Bombs

Why Big Companies Hide Contact Information on Their Web Sites

A few years ago, I was getting ready to sell a house. My existing mortgage company had been purchased by another company and my account had been transferred. However, when it was transferred, the permissions that allow customer service representatives to do basic, but important, tasks like provide a ... More >>

Pleasure Pier

Galveston's newest attraction

Radio Blues

Aftermath: Our Favorite Shows of 2011

Photo By Craig HlavatyRex's War Face: The crowd's at June's Free Press Summer Fest were feral and friendly. ​This week we asked our pool of Rocks Off writers what their favorite shows of 2011 were, the ones that brought joy to their hearts to attend and helped them make magic with a keyboard h ... More >>

Head On

Readers comment on "Knocked Out."

35 Bands You Should Never, Ever Search On Google Images

dedica.laOnce unprintable in "family" newspapers, today the Butthole Surfers barely even rate on our list. You'll see why.​Here at Rocks Off, we take our blog ideas where we can get them - even from mistakes. Allow us to explain. About a month ago, we went to Rihanna at Toyota Center, and aft ... More >>

Rice Scrimmage Recap: The Owls Out to Kick The Longhorns' @%#

Steve JansenDavid Bailiff addresses his team following Saturday's scrimmage. ​"What are you dreaming about? What are you dreaming about? You should be dreaming about whuppin' Texas' ass." That's Rice head football coach David Bailiff, who is gathered in front of his entire team at midfield of ... More >>

UH Scrimmage Recap: The Return of Case Keenum to Patrick Edwards

Steve JansenThere are high hopes in Cougarland, thanks to Case Keenum​(Note: The University of Houston athletic staff, citing potential game-planning advantages by opponents, did not allow photography during the scrimmage.) The Houston Cougars' scrimmage on Saturday afternoon at Robertson Sta ... More >>

Valley Divided

Both sides weigh in on Glenbrook Valley vote

Spanish Testimony

Readers on Senator's command to "speak English."

Historic Preservation Protesters Claim "Bait-And-Switch" Tactics Against Mayor Annise Parker

Steve JansenYesterday's scene in front of Houston City Hall.​There are a bunch of folks in Heights South, Woodland Heights and Glenbrook Valley seriously P.O.'d about what they're calling a classic "bait-and-switch" technique pulled by the City of Houston. Today about 50 of them (which dwindl ... More >>

Happy Birthday Stevie Wonder: The Cliff's Notes Version

​Today pop legend Stevie Wonder turns 61 years old, and to this day he continues to thrill audiences around the world with his pop prowess and ear for a hook. And damn, 61 is pretty young, but consider he's been in music since he was all of 12, back when he released The Jazz Soul of Little Ste ... More >>

Detroit Leanin': Who Is The Best Motor City Artist Ever?

detroitrockcity.altervista.org​Some places breed music. Due to sheer size, any big city will produce its fair share of talented musicians, and some - Memphis, New Orleans, Chicago - seem to have music in the water supply. But none, arguably, more than Detroit: John Lee Hooker, the Motown dias ... More >>

Last Shot Of Whiskey Wednesday Is Powerful Stuff

Steve Jansen​Rocks Off doesn't know where you went to school, but Robert Ellis & the Boys' final Whiskey Wednesday at Fitzgerald's last night felt a lot like the prom/graduation party we always wanted to have. With maybe just a little more beer. 'Tis the season. As the ceiling sagged from th ... More >>

John Kinsel, Imprisoned For A Crime His Accuser Says She Made Up, Hangs Out At Angola Prison Rodeo

Mandy OaklanderJohn Kinsel sells his wares at the Angola Prison Rodeo.​Dooney & Bourke knockoff purses and stainless steel crosses line a long row of picnic tables at the Angola Prison Rodeo craft sale. The artisans wait close behind in a parallel craggy row, separated from their wares by a ch ... More >>

Angola Prison Rodeo Recap and Sweet Access to Cover-Story Subject John Kinsel

Steve JansenA poor sap about to get stomped upon (middle, underneath the bull) during Saturday's Angola Prison Rodeo.​Hair Balls attended this past weekend's Angola Prison Rodeo and all we got to say is that the event is super weird. The longest continuous prison rodeo, which began in 1964 at ... More >>