A Second Chance for Hardcore Legends Integrity
Though oft overlooked among their contemporaries in the ’90s hardcore scene, Cleveland’s Integrity have carefully crafted one of the greatest lasting legacies of any band to come out of the genre. If you’re part of the modern hardcore movement, name-drop Integrity as an influence and you’ll earn some major street…
This Week in Houston Food Events: Open Season for King Cakes
Tuesday, January 5 Central Market Quick Kitchen Class This cooking class at Central Market, 3815 Westheimer, will give you tips on how to put meals on the table quickly. You’ll learn how to make crisp chicken with sherry vinegar sauce, broccoli with hot bacon dressing and more. The class begins…
Doctor Who: LEGO Tardis vs Character Building Tardis
For Christmas my wife got me the brand new LEGO Tardis set. Rumors of a deal between LEGO and Doctor Who have been rampant for years, and it finally came to fruition in late 2015. However, for several years you could get a very similar experience through the Character Building…
Openings and Closings in Houston: Eight Row Flint Ready With a Lesson in Whiskey
Chef Kris Jakob has left his namesake restaurant at the Culinary Institute LeNôtre, Kris Bistro, in order to strike out on his own with partner Sky Lyn Gibbons. They have already begun work on their new concept, Brasserie 1895, a restaurant that will focus on dishes cooked in a wood-burning…
Pfaff Pfaffenberg Makes Live Techno Exciting
Unlike sausage, it is better to witness techno’s creation in person. To casual listeners, the thundering bass rumbles and electronic bleeps happen because of the machine. The machine does all of the work; the user does nothing more than submits his or her will to machine’s demands. When Kraftwerk first…
Huts for Mutts Shines Light on Dogs Chained Up Their Whole Lives
For over a month, contractor and animal lover Aliesha Medley has built free dog houses for assholes who keep their dogs chained up for most of their lives. We commend her, and at the same time, we hope that city officials can do something to enforce the state tethering law…
5 Times “Star Wars” Fans Got Shafted
“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” seems to be getting mostly rave reviews from most fans and critics alike, which is great news for fans of the long running film franchise. To die-hard fans, the Star Wars movies have become a major part of their lives, and the universe those films…
The 10 Biggest Food Stories of 2015 in Houston and Beyond
This past year seemed to be a more controversial than usual, both on a national and local level. Some of the news was bad. Some was good. Two topics in particular will continue to be the subjects of heated debate and discussion well into next year. An overarching theme: 2015…
Which Private Businesses Have Opted Out Of Open Carry?
With the state’s new open carry law set to go into effect January 1, private institutions need to choose whether or not they will allow people to openly carry licensed handguns on their property. The law says most government-owned properties cannot prohibit open carry (although which government properties have to…
B-52’s & the Tontons Hope Houston Is Ready to Party
Houston will see many parties in Houston for New Year’s Eve, but none bigger than the one thrown by the City of Houston in the theater district. From fireworks to stand-up comedy and Broadway singalongs, this family-friendly event will offer something for everyone — even the little ones, who can…
Bengals Disappoint Texans Fans Yet Again, Lose to Kubiak’s Broncos
Back in 2009, the Houston Texans had recovered from a midseason swoon that left them at 5-7 with four wins in a row to close out the season. A Week 17 win against the New England Patriots (yes, there was a time when the Texans could actually beat the Patriots)…
Another Day, Another Idiotic Ken Paxton Motion
You’ve gotta hand it to embattled Texas Attorney General Ken “Have I Got a Deal for You” Paxton, indicted on three counts of securities fraud: the guy will do anything he can to create a distraction from the actual charges, which look really bad on paper. Really bad. His latest…
Bring on the Truffles: 20 Top Houston Chefs to Compete in the Second Annual Houston Truffle Chef Charity Challenge
If you love fresh truffles and want to experience what it’s like to have 20 chefs duking it out in competition for the most supreme dish featuring fresh, imported winter black truffle, it’s time to mark your calendars. On Monday, January 11, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Second…
This Week in Houston Food Blogs: Cola Cupcakes and Crown Roast
The food bloggers have been blogging away in spite of the holiday rush, and we’re going to share some of the best and brightest of their posts with you. This week’s highlights include some truly decadent recipes, party tips and reviews of two hot and new restaurants. Dalida of Brunch…
Texas Fights for Dirtier Air, Sues EPA (Again)
In recent years, as the feds eyed tighter ground-level ozone standards aimed at reducing air pollution in smog-choked cities like Houston, the state of Texas turned to its own environmental regulators to help argue for dirtier air. In fact, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s own chief toxicologist, Michael Honeycutt,…
Our 2015 Game of the Year: Life Is Strange
2015 has seen some really fantastic video games getting released. Undertale was an independent, genre-subversive masterpiece that questions some of the most basic assumptions of RPGs. Assassin’s Creed Syndicate was easily the high point in the series. However, the game that stood out to me the most was Life is…
Ordering at Black & White Is like Spinning a Roulette Wheel
There’s an incredibly generous portion of meat on the duck magret at Black & White. The thick duck breast comes from the Moulard, a breed reared for foie gras. That’s a particularly well-fed type of poultry, so the resulting meat is dark and succulent. Even though the entrée was decidedly…
Focusing on Gun Control for the Mentally Ill Is a Terrible Idea
Whenever America gets another installment in our daily soap opera All My Children (Will be in a Mass Shooting) there’s a familiar, almost comfortable way the national conversation will go. The president will say this can’t go on because pattern recognition is apparently not his strong suit; the stocks in…
Upcoming: Boz Boorer, Dick Dale, Il Divo, Lita Ford, Pat Benatar, Tech N9NE, The Tontons, Wanda Jackson, etc.
NOTE: Events in bold reflect highly recommended shows. 404 Not Found: With Illicit Relationship. Tue., January 5, 8 p.m., TBA. Notsuoh, 314 Main, Houston, 713-409-4750. 6400 Reunion Party 2016: Sat., February 27, 9 p.m., $10. Numbers, 300 Westheimer, Houston, 713-526-6551. AR*V presents Worst Nightmare: With Heavy,the Bluebird, Theory, Sid &…
Ted Cruz Courts West Texas Evangelicals
Once upon a time, only a few years ago, Sen. Ted Cruz was an unknown wanna-be senator from Houston who seemed more likely to jump over the moon than to be elected to the U.S. Senate. But then in 2012 Cruz became the junior senator from Texas, mostly based on…
The 10 Best Dishes in Houston 2015 (UPDATED)
Over the course of 2015, I’ve been counting down my 100 Favorite Dishes in Houston on the Houston Press website. Along the way, readers have frequently asked two questions: “How did you come up with your list?” and “Did you come up with them all at the same time, or…
The 13 Most Anticipated Metal Albums of 2016
2015 saw some great metal album releases, some that we’ve already recounted throughout the year: Slayer’s Repentless, Ghost’s Meliora, Soulfly’s Archangel, Lamb of God’s Strum und Drang, Huntress’ Static, Thy Art Is Murder’s Holy War, Danzig’s Skeletons, Black Dahlia Murder’s Abysmal, and Butcher Babies’ Take It Like a Man among others. Although we certainly could write another listicle…
Houston Remembers Lemmy With Grief, Profanity and Love
Headbangers around the world are mourning the death of a true metal icon after Motörhead singer/bassist Lemmy Kilmister passed away Monday evening at age 70. According to a message on the band’s Facebook page, his death came following “a short battle with extremely aggressive cancer.” He had learnt of the…
Toadies Power Past Typically Rude Houston Crowd at House of Blues
The Toadies, We Were Wolves, PVC Street Gang House of Blues December 27, 2015 There are shows at the House of Blues, and then there are shows that make you question humanity at the House of Blues. Sunday night was no exception. What looked during the opening band like a…
The Cougars Set for Prime Time (Bowl-Wise) on Thursday Morning
The Houston Cougars are in Atlanta doing that whole bowl week thing, going to the tourist sights, chatting with the media, being treated like celebrities. That’s to be expected, and it’s to be celebrated because this season has been kind of special for the Cougars. But the Cougars (12-1) do…
Bullets Over Broadway Needs More Firepower
The set-up: Multiple Tony-winning director/choreographer Susan Stroman (The Producers, Show Boat, Crazy For You) should be awarded a Nobel Prize. What she does for Woody Allen’s feeble jukebox musical Bullets Over Broadway (2014) is nothing short of miraculous. Granted, she can’t save it, but the corpse looks beautiful. It’s almost…
100 Favorite Houston Dishes 2015, No. 11: Black Pepper Spaghetti at Coltivare
Phaedra Cook is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes of 2015. It’s a collection of personal favorites that is also indicative of Houston dining. It’s a scene where a vast range of dishes coexist: highbrow and lowbrow; local and international; cheap and expensive; modern…
With Texans on Cusp of Division Title, Crazy Tie Breaker Math Still in Play
In the grand scheme of things, it’s probably proper football karma that the Texans should have to wait until Week 17 to clinch the AFC South on their own, which would then require them to play their full complement of players against the Jags. Honestly, there’s something a little unsavory…
Doctor Who: Say Good-bye to River Song
The Doctor Who Christmas specials are almost always some of the show’s better television. Even ones that are inarguably silly like “The Next Doctor” usually manage moments of sincere emotion. I credit “Last Christmas” with being the episode where I finally warmed to Peter Capaldi’s Doctor. So “The Husbands of…
NFL Week 16: Texans 34, Titans 6 — 4 Winners, 4 Losers
There was a time when a game between the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans would invoke vitriol on both sides, when the game mattered deeply for both teams on some level, when punches would actually, literally be thrown (what up, Cortland?) regardless of record. Some of that was good ol’…
Rap-Inflected Single Caps James McMurtry’s ‘Complicated’ Year
It’s hard to believe it’s been 26 years since the where-did-this-come-from release of James McMurtry’s Columbia Records debut Too Long in the Wasteland , produced by John Mellencamp. His latest effort and the twelfth of his career, Complicated Game, made a ton of 2015 year-end best lists, but I could almost…
The Year in Stupidity: Music’s Biggest Lowlights of 2015
If the world at large seems to be regressing in terms of intelligence or just plain old common sense, then it stands to reason that the music world will be a microcosm of such brainlessness. So, yes, the stupidity that continues to destabilize our perches atop the food chain was…
100 Favorite Houston Dishes 2015, No. 12: Blue Crab Soup at Caracol
Phaedra Cook is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes of 2015. It’s a collection of personal favorites that is also indicative of Houston dining. It’s a scene where a vast range of dishes coexist: highbrow and lowbrow; local and international; cheap and expensive; modern…
100 Favorite Houston Dishes 2015, No. 13: Machi Cure at Uchi
Phaedra Cook is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes of 2015. It’s a collection of personal favorites that is also indicative of Houston dining. It’s a scene where a vast range of dishes coexist: highbrow and lowbrow; local and international; cheap and expensive; modern…
100 Favorite Houston Dishes 2015, No. 14: Rabbit Loin at BCN Taste & Tradition
Phaedra Cook is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes of 2015. It’s a collection of personal favorites that is also indicative of Houston dining. It’s a scene where a vast range of dishes coexist: highbrow and lowbrow; local and international; cheap and expensive; modern…
Will the Real Corporate Dough Please Stand Up?
The sun is about to set when I receive a phone call. “Hey Marco, I’ve got Corporate Dough here….Wanna talk to him?” I had been trying to get in contact with this kid ever since he jumped on stage with Kendrick Lamar and free-styled last Sunday evening during the L.A…
Willie D: What Christmas Means to Me
Good evening. As another Christmas Day dawns upon us, I find myself in deep thought reflecting on all that Christmas means to me. Some of us choose to celebrate or not celebrate Christmas for personal and religious reasons. Whatever your position is, it is not my responsibility to judge you…
100 Favorite Houston Dishes 2015, No. 15: Smoked Fried Chicken at Prohibition Supperclub & Bar
Phaedra Cook is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes of 2015. It’s a collection of personal favorites that is also indicative of Houston dining. It’s a scene where a vast range of dishes coexist: highbrow and lowbrow; local and international; cheap and expensive; modern…
100 Favorite Houston Dishes 2015, No. 16: Bone-In Pork Belly at Killen’s Barbecue
Phaedra Cook is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes of 2015. It’s a collection of personal favorites that is also indicative of Houston dining. It’s a scene where a vast range of dishes coexist: highbrow and lowbrow; local and international; cheap and expensive; modern…
100 Favorite Houston Dishes 2015, No. 17: Hangover Burger at Hubcap Grill
Phaedra Cook is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes of 2015. It’s a collection of personal favorites that is also indicative of Houston dining. It’s a scene where a vast range of dishes coexist: highbrow and lowbrow; local and international; cheap and expensive; modern…
100 Favorite Houston Dishes 2015, No.18: Kanpaccio at KUU
Phaedra Cook is eating her way through Houston and counting down her 100 favorite dishes of 2015. It’s a collection of personal favorites that is also indicative of Houston dining. It’s a scene where a vast range of dishes coexist: highbrow and lowbrow; local and international; cheap and expensive; modern…
Wonderful and Terrible Holiday Food Traditions
As my husband and I were doing our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day grocery shopping, I apologized to him. “I’m sorry. I just have to do this.” Into the cart went a big package of “little smokies.” In the wild, these tiny, meaty, nitrate bombs are often found hiding in…
Kyle Hubbard’s Holiday Jam Explores an Abandoned Arkansas Hotel
Typically, you don’t see a lot of old, abandoned hotels in rap videos — and if you do, there’s probably somebody twerking in there. But local MC Kyle Hubbard found inspiration in the ruins of a long-defunct getaway thousands of miles away. He named his new album after it. And…
My Ex Wants to Hook Up. Help!
MY EX WANTS TO HOOK UP Dear Willie D: My issue isn’t as bad as some of the others you respond to, but I was wondering if you could help me out anyway. My ex broke up with me about three months ago for no reason and started dating some…
The U.S. is Exporting Oil Again After 40 Years (So What?)
It’s official: The first crude oil to ship out from the Gulf Coast since the 40-year U.S. oil export ban was lifted last week will go out from the Houston Ship Channel. On Wednesday Enterprise Products Partners announced that it has secured its first contract to tote about 600,000 barrels…
