Oysters Out of Season
Oyster season doesn’t open until November, and the half shell oysters don’t get really sweet until Christmas. But grilled oysters are good to eat all year long. Especially when they are made with oysters that were frozen on the half shell back in the middle of the winter when the…
Oysters Out of Season
Oyster season doesn’t open until November, and the half shell oysters don’t get really sweet until Christmas. But grilled oysters are good to eat all year long. Especially when they are made with oysters that were frozen on the half shell back in the middle of the winter when the…
2007 NFL Preview, Take Two
Well, I guess that since Jason has given his thoughts on the upcoming NFL season, I should as well. My NFL picks won’t be as original as his, though. So no U2. No Britney. Just some boring predictions. (But I’ll leave a note with my editor and ask him to…
Welcome Back from Iraq. How’s That Boner?
Never mind the mentally ill soldiers enjoying their second and third tours in the sandbox, the astute doctors at the DeBakey VA Medical Center are tackling the most malignant crisis veterans have to deal with: whether they want to talk to a boy doctor or a girl doctor about their…
Caught Between Ashley Judd and Nicole Kidman. And the Astros, Although They’re Not Really in the Same League.
Before I get on with the Astros, I have a confession to make. Ashley, I’m sorry, but I was Nicole Kidman’s secret fiancé. I would’ve told you sooner, but Nicole really wanted to keep the whole thing a secret. Ultimately, that’s why the whole thing fell apart. I wanted to…
Drenched In Blog: Jack FM
It seems that Houston has lost yet another radio station. On Friday morning, at the stroke of 10:37 a.m, we entered the world of Jack FM 103.7… KIOL, the station that attempted to replicate the “outlaw” spirit of the departed and re-formatted 101.1 KLOL, is no more. In its place…
Larry Craig’s Bathroom Sex Might’ve Screwed Farmers
Disgraced former Idaho senator Larry Craig didn’t just hurt his family and career by trolling for sex in an airport bathroom. He also hurt farmers. According to yesterday’s New York Times, Craig was a chief sponsor of a guest-worker plan designed to give farmers a stable work force while they…
High School Photo Contest: Food, Glorious Food
We’ve loaded up the latest batch of photos from our contest for Houston-area high school students. You can check out the gallery here. Be sure to come back and vote in the comments section of this post. Winners get bookstore gift certificates and become eligible for a $1,000 college scholarship…
High School Photo Contest: Food, Glorious Food
We’ve loaded up the latest batch of photos from our contest for Houston-area high school students. You can check out the gallery here. Be sure to come back and vote in the comments section of this post. Winners get bookstore gift certificates and become eligible for a $1,000 college scholarship…
Slideshow: Good for the Soul
Friday’s Super Stars of Soul show at the Continental killed it. The place was packed to the sweaty brim with an eclectic crowd, all going wild for Barbara Lynn, Archie Bell, Barbara Mason and Roy Head. Click here for a slideshow. Mark C. Austin I especially loved Barbara Lynn -…
Drenched In Blog: What Happens at Half Price Books….
Alcohol takes the human body on many a journey. Some of us may find ourselves inebriated and calling old lovers, with hilariously low-brow results. Others may find walking too daunting of a task and end up crawling on all fours like the great apes that spawned us. This weekend in…
College Football Roundup
If you’re a University of Texas football fan, about the best thing that can be said about Saturday’s game is that you’re not a Michigan fan (hey, Michigan, why hasn’t Lloyd Carr been fired yet?). But really, there’s no excuse for winning only 21-13. Did you see what Oklahoma did…
This Week in Cafe: Reef
I had never heard of the Gulf fish called tripletail before Bryan Caswell started serving it at Reef. It turns out to be a really weird fish. It has fat squat body and looks something like a miniature grouper. And it likes to float on top of the water lying…
This Week in Cafe: Reef
I had never heard of the Gulf fish called tripletail before Bryan Caswell started serving it at Reef. It turns out to be a really weird fish. It has fat squat body and looks something like a miniature grouper. And it likes to float on top of the water lying…
We Bet Charles Schulz Was Totally High When He Drew That, Man…
Did anybody else notice this? It appeared in the Classic Peanuts strip in Sunday’s Chronicle. The context: Linus is fretting to Lucy that his seeming ability to make the rain stop may make him a demon fit for public execution. Taken out of context, it’s a small, lovely gift to…
From Britney to U2: The 2007 NFL Preview
Hallelujah, football season is here. No more pretending to care about the Astros, Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens’s annual appearance as the lead character in everyone’s favorite off-Broadway hit, “A Midsummer Night’s Attention Whore.” For the next five glorious months, we can instead focus our attention on sport’s holy trinity:…
Last Night: Scott H. Biram at the Continental Club
Scott H. Biram Continental Club September 1, 2007 Better Than: Sniffing the gasoline fumes on your fingers for 10 minutes following the last time you filled up. Download: “Dirty Old One Man Band,” to prepare yourself for the live experience; one of his three non Bloodshot releases if you’re more…
Miss Pop Rocks: Public Restroom Shenanigans, or Am I the Only One with Questions for the Cops Who Caught Larry Craig?
If you’ve been in a coma and didn’t know, disgraced Senator Larry Craig has resigned after a big old mess that he got himself into in a public airport bathroom in Minneapolis. The mess? He allegedly tried to pick up a male undercover cop for some guy-on-guy action. If his…
Cecil Cooper Might Be Here to Stay, But He Needs to Remember Craig Biggio Is Going Away
Richard Justice has made up his mind about Cecil Cooper. So have I. And unlike Justice who thinks he should be hired as the manager for next season, I’ve decided that the guy doesn’t deserve the job. And it’s just not that he refuses to play his best lineup, as…
Get Lit: Kathy Reichs
Not many women live lives that become a series of bestselling books and a television series. Dr. Kathy Reichs does. She started off as a university professor and forensic scientist. That led to her training agents at Quantico and becoming a leading expert witness. Somewhere along the way, she added…
Speaking of Umbrellas…It’s Bumbershoot Time
Roky’s representin’… Our friends and fellow Village Voice worker bees at the Seattle Weekly have a busy weekend in front of them, walking themselves silly covering Bumbershoot, the Emerald City’s annual music/arts Labor Day weekend smorgasbord. Headliners this year include New Mexicans made good the Shins, emo thespians Panic! at…
I Can’t Stand the Rain…
What’s with all the umbrellas? It’s like being in the middle of Times Square during a downpour; everywhere I turn, someone is trying to sell me one. First Marié Digby made a dent in the music world with a softer version of Rihanna’s megahit, then Mandy Moore – who plays…
Required Reading: HISD Police Officer’s Ebonics Dictionary
You’ve probably heard by now of the Ebonics dictionary put out by an HISD police officer last May. The school district wasn’t exactly lightning-quick in moving to take any action, but now they’re saying all the proper things, how this will not be tolerated, wrongdoers will be published, blah, blah,…
Rotation: Ringo Starr, Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo
Confession: I don’t really like the Beatles. Exception: Ringo Starr. Why, you ask? With three other brilliant Beatles, why Ringo? Why, indeed. The answer is complicated, and does not lie in the songs of Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo. In the history of the earth, only four people have…
Jenni’s Noodle House Opens New Location, Montrose Hipsters Rejoice
If you’ve never had the “gingery” tofu vermicelli at Jenni’s Noodle House, then it’s unlikely life holds much meaning for ya. This is a dish I regularly crave and regularly purchase from cute-as-hell Jenni and her equally cute hubby. There’s something about the combo of ginger, jalapeño, peanuts, fried tofu,…
Jenni’s Noodle House Opens New Location, Montrose Hipsters Rejoice
If you’ve never had the “gingery” tofu vermicelli at Jenni’s Noodle House, then it’s unlikely life holds much meaning for ya. This is a dish I regularly crave and regularly purchase from cute-as-hell Jenni and her equally cute hubby. There’s something about the combo of ginger, jalapeño, peanuts, fried tofu,…
$13 at Potbelly Sandwich Works
Where: Potbelly Sandwich Works, 3800 Southwest Freeway, 832-675-0500 What $13 gets you: A filling lunch for two. Standing in line at Potbelly, waiting to place an order, you may find yourself toe-tapping to what appears to be a good, high-quality bootleg of some crooning cover singer doing everything from Petty…
$13 at Potbelly Sandwich Works
Where: Potbelly Sandwich Works, 3800 Southwest Freeway, 832-675-0500 What $13 gets you: A filling lunch for two. Standing in line at Potbelly, waiting to place an order, you may find yourself toe-tapping to what appears to be a good, high-quality bootleg of some crooning cover singer doing everything from Petty…
Don’t Forget the Coogs, the Owls, the Tigers and the Panthers
Just a reminder that while I’m sure you will be inundated with info and stats regarding the thrilling and compelling weekend matchups of UT vs. Arkansas State and A&M vs. Montana State, I thought you might like to know there are some colleges located in the city of Houston that…
Last Minute Plans: Houstonist Pub Crawl
It’s time again to fraternize with our enemies. Okay, so maybe the folks at Houstonist.com aren’t arch rivals – in fact they’re more like people who just also do what we do and try to capture the same readers we do – but it’s not like we’re competing or anything,…
Drenched in Blog: Kekkou desu, Mr. Roboto!
At this point, after years of blistering irony and sarcastic hipster gushing, are Def Leppard, Styx and Foreigner really all that different from each other? Seriously, guys, wake up and smell the sweat-stained spandex. Most of these bands are sporting less than half their original members, plus they want us…
Comparing Drayton McLane to George Steinbrenner Is Completely Unfair. To Steinbrenner.
Well, what can I say? The Astros are in the midst of an actual winning streak. Sure, it’s only a two-game winning streak. But it’s a winning streak nonetheless. Led by a solid Matt Albers pitching appearance, the Astros defeated the St. Louis Cardinals yesterday by a score of 2-1…
Miss Pop Rocks: Do You Know Who I Hate? The Olly Girls.
This post is going to be very simple and to the point. Do you know who I hate? The Olly Girls. I HATE THEM. In case you are living a blissful existence and don’t know about these two terrors, let me enlighten you. They are resident dunces on E!’s latest…
Get Lit: ESPN Gameday Gourmet, by Pableaux Johnson
“Under no circumstances will you be required to open a can of Cream of Mushroom soup.” – Pableaux Johnson Pableaux Johnson clearly is having fun in this cookbook as a sample of some of his recipe titles –“Keg of Nails Beer Batter Bread,” “Goal-Line Mash-Up Guacamole” and “Laura’s old Mountain…
Get Lit: ESPN Gameday Gourmet, by Pableaux Johnson
“Under no circumstances will you be required to open a can of Cream of Mushroom soup.” – Pableaux Johnson Pableaux Johnson clearly is having fun in this cookbook as a sample of some of his recipe titles –“Keg of Nails Beer Batter Bread,” “Goal-Line Mash-Up Guacamole” and “Laura’s old Mountain…
Drenched In Blog: El DeBarge Arrested? Somebody Notify Steve Guttenberg
In this country of ours, we have a thing called justice. We have a God-given right of freedom. This was what our forefathers fought for. And I will be damned if one of His own most beautiful creations sits in jail, being denied these inalienable rights. Languishing like a common…
We Swear We Weren’t Trying to Trick You…
You all are no doubt working hard on the Texans crossword puzzle included in this week’s Hair Balls column, so a mistake must be corrected. There should be a “34 Down” clue in the lower-right corner of the column. It’s two letters. The clue: “Sinecure for aging or clumsy baseball…
Our Man at Burning Man
Charlie Evans You can check out ongoing coverage of Burning Man here. As you can see from the first post by Randall Roberts, this year promises fire, fire and, if there’s time, probably a little fire. — Keith Plocek…
Richard Justice — So Close, Yet So Far Away
I was reading the dead-tree version of the Chron yesterday, and I began to get very excited. Richard Justice had written this column about Tony La Russa, and about the miracle job La Russa is performing this season, and I thought, wow, someone else finally gets it. Someone else is…
$13 at Ocean Palace
Where: Ocean Palace, 11215 Bellaire Blvd, 281-988-8898 What $13 gets you: A feast of chicken feet in a Vegas-like atmosphere Part of the beauty of dim sum is picking and choosing from the constant flow of metal carts by your table. It’s nice to see your food before you eat…
$13 at Ocean Palace
Where: Ocean Palace, 11215 Bellaire Blvd, 281-988-8898 What $13 gets you: A feast of chicken feet in a Vegas-like atmosphere Part of the beauty of dim sum is picking and choosing from the constant flow of metal carts by your table. It’s nice to see your food before you eat…
“Gráficos Políticos”
Twentieth-century Mexican muralists are considered to be among the best in the world, but they weren’t the only practitioners of “the people’s art.” Printmakers, too, used art to comment on the social and political conditions gripping their country. “Gráficos Políticos: Mexican Prints, 1900-1950” is a collection of some of the…
Maná
Rock band Maná is often described as Mexico’s U2, for the instantly recognizable sound they’ve crafted throughout a career spanning two decades. They produce powerful rock ballads with solid melodies and captivating lyrics, sung by the unique voice of lead singer Fher. The original foursome from Guadalajara, Mexico has managed…
Birth, The Play
“The hardest stories to hear, by far, were the ones of women who had been physically violated,” says playwright Karen Brody. “The hardest stories to write in the play were the ones where women were verbally violated.” The women who inspired the stories in Brody’s play weren’t victims of domestic…
House Painting
Erin Curtis is in the house to put you in one. For her installation House Painting, the artist has turned Lawndale Art Center’s Mezzanine Gallery into a labyrinth leading to hidden spaces. Curtis uses cardboard walls covered with wallpaper to divide up the gallery, creating rooms filled with furniture and…
Breejock’s Multimedia Event (Chapter 1)
Breejock’s Multimedia Event (Chapter 1) is an overload for your eyes and ears. The event will feature art, body art demonstrations, music and a fashion show. Local designer 45 Flowers will showcase her line of fall dresses. “[She] is influenced by the art of Egon Schiele, Sigmar Polke and Julian…
“007: The Music of James Bond”
The Houston Symphony is ready to bond – James Bond. Fans can musically trace the spy legacy from Sean Connery to Daniel Craig in “007: The Music of James Bond,” which includes favorites “Goldfinger,” “You Only Live Twice” and “Diamonds Are Forever.” The program will also tap into other spy…
“Baroque & Roll”
In today’s concert “Baroque & Roll,” there are no electric guitars — only violins and cellos. And in the expert hands of the Mercury Baroque ensemble, you can be sure these centuries-old instruments will be used to their best. Just in case you’re not a baroque-era music expert (shame on…
Summer 2007 Public Art Projects
“How often does somebody give you a house and say, ‘Go crazy?’” laughs Amelia Reiff Hill, a participant in the Summer 2007 Public Arts Projects exhibition at Project Row Houses. Hill, a student at Rice University, and other college students from across the city spent the last six weeks with…
“Homage to Antonioni”
Kill, kill, kill — literally. Filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni’s I Vinti (“The Defeated”) is a trio of murder stories. The first episode, set in Italy, chronicles a university student who gets into trouble after smuggling cigarettes. The second, shot in France, follows a group of high school students who kill a…
Poornam
Total, complete, whole. That’s the translation of “Poornam,” the Sanskrit word chosen by choreographer Rathna Kumar as the title for the dance performance today at the Jewish Community Center. The show explores themes of triumph in the face of physical adversity. Kumar is the founder and director of the Anjali…
“Cinco”
Bering & James Gallery asks its stable of 25 represented artists to create five works specifically for its annual summer show, hence the show’s name, “CINCO.” “There are two things behind the concept,” says artist and gallery co-owner Austin James. “One, to get everybody together and have fun at the…
From Mumbai, with Drums
If you’re near Hermann Park today, don’t be surprised to hear the distant pounding of drums. It’s just the second installment of Bollywood Blast, a music-dance-film bonanza. Presented by Samskriti, the local society for Indian performing arts, and featuring actor and radio personality Sunil Thakkar as host and Bhangra drummer…
Kathy Reichs
Not many women live lives fit for a bestselling series of books and a television series. Dr. Kathy Reichs does. She started off as a university professor and forensic scientist. That led to her training agents at Quantico and becoming a leading expert witness. Somewhere along the way, she added…
“Strong Family, Strong Community”
The Houston Area Urban League teamed with S.H.A.P.E. Community Center and handed out cameras to ten kids in the Third Ward area. They threw in lessons from former Houston Chron photog Ben De Soto and the simple instructions “Take snapshots of people who make a difference.” The resulting photographs make…
Chris Rose
New Orleans writer Chris Rose is stopping off in Houston to discuss his latest book, 1 Dead in Attic: After Katrina, just days after the second anniversary of the deadly hurricane. A crime reporter and columnist for the Times-Picayune, Rose covered politics, pop culture and NOLA nightlife. On August 29,…
“Consequences of Love”
Don’t call her self-taught just because she didn’t go to art school. Linda Simien Kelly says she’s got “God-given talent.” Clearly, that’s the case — she’s only been painting with oils for two years, and she’s already opening her second show, “Consequences of Love.” More than just an art show,…
Bugged
Insects are creepy, so giant insects would have to be really, really creepy. This simple concept has propelled horror movies as far back as Them! and the original The Fly. It lived on in Bugged from Troma Films, the low-budget distributor that’s always liked simple concepts. The 1997 horror film,…
23rd Annual Labor Day Classic
Labor Day Weekend marks the start of college football season. Today sees Reliant Stadium hosting the 23rd Annual Labor Day Classic game between Texas Southern University and Prairie View A&M. The annual TSU/Prairie View game is the best of what college football has to offer. It’s two teams who really,…
Jackie Flynn
“A lot of things annoy me,” comedian and curmudgeon Jackie Flynn says in a thick Boston accent. So it’s no surprise that the bulk of his stand-up material deals with all the things that piss him off. His many annoyances include e-mail (“If phones were invented after computers, nobody would…
Au Revoir, Simone
Three ladies, three keyboards and one drum machine: This is the recipe for Brooklyn’s Au Revoir Simone. Add a few spoonfuls of tight vocal harmonies and the group is ready to serve up its ambient lullabies. Think of an electrified version of The Ditty Bops. Speaking of ditties, a few…
“Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia”
She’s world-famous, but nobody knows her real name. She’s 3.2 million years old, but she just came to light 33 years ago. And she’s in Houston, in “Lucy’s Legacy: The Hidden Treasures of Ethiopia.” The oldest and most complete adult human ancestor fully retrieved from Africa, Lucy is the show’s…
Steve Trevino
Stand-up comedian Steve Trevino claims his nickname is “Sexy Mexy” (sure it is, Steve). He’s a frequent cohort of Carlos Mencia, but don’t let that discourage you from seeing him at the Improv today. Yes, the “I’m-Latino-and-want-to-yell-about-it” shtick became risqué, cool and then boring really quickly, but the Portland, Texas-born…
“Jazz: A Tribute to the Big Band Era”
Today a local legend, bandleader Conrad Johnson (a.k.a. “Prof”), celebrates National Jazz Month with “Jazz: A Tribute to the Big Band Era.” The show features the talents of Brother 2 Brother, the Texas Rockin’ Blues Band, guitarist Joe Carmouche, singers Joan Hubert, Jason Oby and Carolyn Blanchard and, of course,…
Labor Day Show at Proletariat
If you’re a rock fan, you know there’s not a lot going on this weekend. But Dignan will likely satisfy all your needs at The Proletariat’s Labor Day Show. The McAllen sextet combines the tranquility of Brit rockers such as Ed Harcourt with the heavier sound of post-hardcore groups like…
Doubt: A Parable
“What do you do when you’re not sure?” That question is at the heart of the Alley Theatre’s new production, Doubt: A Parable. Set in a Catholic school, Doubt chronicles the struggle of a nun who suspects a priest of impropriety with a student. The key is the word “suspects.”…
Smoked Out
“What are you going to do, charge me with smoking?” — Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone), Basic Instinct How does that old saying go? When cigarette smoking is outlawed, only outlaws will smoke cigarettes? If so, Houston’s outlaw ranks may be about to swell in numbers not seen since the glory days of…
Our top DVD picks scheduled for release this week
Bob Saget: That Aint Right (HBO) The Boris Karloff Collection (St. Clair) Broken English (Magnolia) Carlito’s Way: Crime Saga Collection (Universal) Dark Shadows: The Beginning (MPI) The Essential Ozzie & Harriet Collection (Mill Creek) Friday Night Lights: The First Season (Universal) Gideon’s Trumpet (Acorn) Heaven & Hell: Live From Radio…
Slayer, Marilyn Manson, Bleeding Through
God may hate us all, but He’s got a soft spot for Slayer. Just don’t tell them that. Blessed with longevity, intelligence and fortitude, the quartet from Huntington Beach, California continue cranking out uncompromising thrash on albums like last year’s Christ Illusion — recently reissued with a companion DVD —…
Art Capsule Reviews
“China Under Construction: Contemporary Art from the People’s Republic” Curated by Beijing-based curator Maya Kóvskaya, this exhibition is intended to explore literal and figurative ideas of “construction.” Wu Gaozhong’s large photographs depict mold coating small ceramic objects. A pagoda, a bridge and an archway are all covered with layers of…
Mandy Moore
Even considering seeing Mandy Moore in concert might make some people schedule a root canal. Her late-’90s bubblegum entries were outright painful — they couldn’t even keep her on par with the likes of bad-girl Britney or buxom-blond Jessica. Since then, though, she’s ditched the desperate-sounding, overly breathy strain of…
Closet Case
For more than a year, I have been waiting for R. Kelly to take a break from (allegedly) peeing on young girls so there would be more Trapped in the Closet in my life. Unfortunately, the reunion on IFC.com — which began posting new chapters of his long-form music video/soap…
I’m Just a Juggalo
One way to try to find out which of your buddies are true friends is to ask them to come to Battle of the Wicked 2, a gathering of the Juggalos — the fan club of notorious, face-painted Detroit horrorcore rap crew/wrestling impresarios Insane Clown Posse. Some dismiss the group’s…
Genji Japanese Restaurant and Karaoke Bar
While eating takoyaki (fried octopus balls) in new Chinatown with my faithful food companion Liz, I ask our waitress where a good karaoke bar would be. She tells us about Genji Japanese Restaurant and Karaoke Bar, mentioning first that “white people” never eat takoyaki, and second, that “Westerners” sometimes go…
They Killed the Dog
Year of the Dog (Paramount Vantage) It’s just about the First Commandment of Hollywood: Don’t kill the dog. So it’s a testament to the clout of writer-director Mike White (School of Rock) that killing off the dog is the first of many rules broken in this weird-ass movie. Folks fooled…
Fonda Doña Maria
The huarache de steak ($3.95) at Fonda Doña Maria (120 Tidwell, 713-695-5540) could be the original “sole food,” since “huarache” means “sandal” in Spanish and perfectly describes the shape of the thick piece of hand-thrown masa that forms the bottom layer of this dish. The masa is thick enough to…
The 11th Hour
Leonardo DiCaprio wants you to know that we are in serious trouble. No amount of artful chin stubble, it seems, will reverse the depletion of fossil fuels or help to slow population growth. Not even three Oscar nominations will save you — without an actual statuette, there’s nothing to wedge…
The Kelvin Arms
I hear singing, and turn my head in time to see a woman bust a lame dance move around an askew barstool. She crashes into my group like a shitfaced, premenopausal Scud missile. We’ve come to Kelvin Arms (2424 Dunstan) on the back end of a midweek pub crawl. I’m…
Persona Grata
The next-gen consoles are sexy as hell, but it’s not all bad being the reigning last-gen champ either. With more than 100 million PlayStation 2 consoles sold, software companies can afford to be a little adventurous — after all, even if their game appeals to only 1 percent of that…
TUMBLEWEED TEXAS
Sometimes I’m amazed at how stupid I can be. My first trip to Texas is a perfect example — I fully expected to see cacti and cowboys after stepping out of Hobby. I also thought that most Houston bars would be like the Tumbleweed Texas (13101 Kuykendahl Rd., 281-872-7829), catering…
Houston Texans
Once again, as the end of August finally nears, a sense of impending doom hangs over Houston football fans. Because no matter how futile it might seem, the Houston Texans are seemingly about to make another attempt at having a winning season. This season is completely different, we’re told —…
Local Motion
Sound Exchange 1846 Richmond, 713-666-5555 1. Okkervil River, The Stage Names 2. Betty Davis, They Say I’m Different 3. Dekapitator, The Storm Before the Calm 4. Nile, Ithyphallic 5. Final Solutions, Songs by Solutions 6. Pixies, Surfer Rosa 7. 13th Floor Elevators, Easter Everywhere 8. Wingtip Sloat, Add This to…
Mail Call
Fair on ferrets: I just had to tell you how much I enjoyed your story [“Ferret Love,” by Richard Connelly, August 23]. Thank you for being fair and entertaining. Bonnie Tormohlen Exec. Director, CA Domestic Ferret Educational Alliance, Inc. Visalia, CA Wow: Thank you for writing a most excellent ferret…
Stage Capsule Reviews
Forever Hold Your Peace The singing Fertle Family is back with a story nothing short of hilarious. As the eve of Gwenda and Uncle Al’s wedding approaches, guests are frantically trying to get to the wedding. Meanwhile, menopausal Justicena, who can’t seem to understand her husband Pete’s love, kicks him…
Mexican-American Culture
Dear Mexican, Do you agree with immigration rights activists calling Elvira Arellano, who is an illegal immigrant AND a criminal, I might add, the Mexican Rosa Parks? The very idea that these people refer to her as such is deeply disturbing. Rosa Parks was a legal resident of this country,…
HouStoned Faces Don’t Lie
The Press’s music blog (blogs.houstonpress.com/rocks) keeps heating up the long, hot summer even further. Last week we said happy 29th anniversary to Numbers, pondered the possible Houston origins of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and unearthed possibly the worst band in the entire state of Texas. Intrepid gonzo correspondent Drenched in Blog took…
Joe “King” Carrasco
For more than 25 years, Dumas native Joe Teusch has lived his life as Joe “King” Carrasco, the perpetual center of a good-time Mexican-rock party. As a proud West Texan, he combines the best elements of garage and surf rock and followed directly in the wake of Sam the Sham…
Feature Photo
Waiting for Johnny Depp to come by and get “Winona Forever” tattooed again on his arm? It’s going to be a long wait, dude. Simon E. Leggett, Thomas A. Storck and Cory Rogers bide their time in vain on the stoop at Hot Rod Tattoos on Westheimer. To view image…
Roy Head, Archie Bell, Barbara Lynn, Barbara Mason
Those names may not be familiar to anyone younger than 40, but any classic soul lover will testify they’re among the genre’s greatest singers ever. With “Treat Her Right,” Humble resident Roy Head showed being white was no hindrance to making some of the baddest blue-eyed soul one man could…
Telemarketing Offers
With one phone call, the head guy moves the money from a U.S. post office box to Montreal. The money fuels the phones in the boiler rooms, where the worker bees sell the stories that bring the checks. You have just won the lottery. You’ve been approved for this credit…
Aimee Bobruk, Hilary York
Aimee Bobruk, originally from Huntsville, is another in what seems like an endless assembly line of femme folksingers struggling around Austin these days. Her smoky, earnest voice is more Jesse Sykes than Judy Collins, with an interesting sense of melody. With her debut due later this year, Bobruk won last…
Balls of Fury
1. Balls of Fury is a movie about: a. A former table tennis prodigy (Dan Fogler as Randy Daytona) enlisted by the FBI to infiltrate the underground ping-pong tournament of a legendary Chinese criminal (Christopher Walken). b. Suppository jokes. c. Little worth discussing and even less worth seeing. d. All…
The Black Crowes
Since their early 2005 re-formation — the official tour opened in Houston — the Black Crowes have been on the road almost constantly. This time through, fans might get an early listen to some of the songs on next spring’s studio album, none of which have reportedly been played live…
No End in Sight
Masterfully edited and cumulatively walloping, Charles Ferguson’s No End in Sight turns the well-known details of our monstrously bungled Iraq war into an enraging, apocalyptic litany of fuckups. One may have already heard some or all of the absurd, shameful, appalling details that Ferguson collects — the well-connected American kid…
Notes on a Scandal
There was a time in American pop culture when the audience believed what they saw on TV, especially the “game shows” — The $64,000 Question, Dotto, Twenty-One — that flickered live during the mid-’50s and entertained millions with their battles of wits. Literally, truth was in black and white. What…
Who Played Ya?
Erròn Jay, a 27-year-old aspiring actor originally from Kansas City, has one film credit to his name: the 2005 Sci-Fi Channel horror flick Larva. “I was the police deputy,” he recalls. “The only black person in the movie. You can’t miss me.” Jay knows his race does not bode well…
Scare Tactics
No one can accuse Scary Kids Scaring Kids of lacking ambition. The suburban Phoenix sextet’s self-titled second album is an epic song cycle characterized by opening anthem “Degenerates,” which — judging from all the clicks of pistol safeties and ominous helicopter hovering — casts us into a jackbooted future. The…