Blackie Dammett and Don’t Poke the Bear are two bands that need to be bigger on the Houston radar. This Continental Club gig — right after Beetle’s packed Liverpudlian throwdown — should do the heavy lifting. Anyone who has seen Don’t Poke the Bear live has been mystified by guitarist Russ Willis’s Edge-style pedal theatrics and the band’s decidedly dark passages, courtesy of lead singer Taylor Lee. Blackie Dammett is a power trio that has been bubbling under for a little less than a year, taking their cues from the Jack White catalog, the Flamin’ Groovies and Graham Parker. Come on out and see what’s next.
This article appears in Sep 13-19, 2012.