Here in Houston, we shouldn't need an excuse to throw great parties, but I suppose the so-called Mayan Apocalypse is a pretty good reason to get shit-housed and listen to local bands.
This Friday almost everyone seems to be throwing an "End of the World" show or mini-fest -- if they aren't putting on a holiday show, which are legion unto themselves.
I'm going to see Dwight Yoakam Friday at the Arena Theatre. It isn't really billed as a EOW show, though I wouldn't mind spending my last hours on Earth in front of Dwight.
Fitzgerald's has a huge "Fitz Navidad" show Thursday night, with an all-star cast of bands playing their favorite Christmas songs. (Yes, favorites do exist.) Watch for Rocks Off's Jef With One F talking to some of these artists later on today.
Locals thelastplaceyoulook are having their third annual holiday party and EP release event at Warehouse Live on Friday night too, though they are concentrating on the merry, Yuletide side of the season, and not the "Earth shattering into millions of pieces and humanity rendered into space dust" part.
I don't really know what you wear to an Apocalypse party. Do you dress like a Mayan king, a zombie Santa, a survivalist? Who knows -- just come ready to jam.
AvantGarden gets the ball rolling Friday night with a huge EOW throwdown with Shotgun Funeral, Easy Credit Dance Theater, Chase Hamblin, and Days N Daze. Next door, Mango's has a party hosted by El Battalon, a group of Houston Dynamo supporters. Amplified Heat looks to be playing this event, which is awesome.
If you want to drive down south for the evening, Scout Bar in Clear Lake is hosting a bash with EraseTheVirus, Luminosity and Downfall 2012. That show starts at 10 p.m. but doors open at 8 p.m. for pre-partying.
If you need and want metal to be your final musical meal, Friday night at Fitz will be more than nourishing. SPIN metal darlings Pallbearer are headlining a bill with Power Trip, Venomous Maximus, Mammoth Grinder, (deep breath) Warmaster, Eagle Claw, Omotai, Oceans of Slumber, Transmaniacon MC, and Peasent.
Come see all the bands you have only read Nathan Smith and myself raving about, including Venomous Maximus, whose Beg Upon The Light was one of my favorite releases of 2012. This show is free, unless you are under 21. That means they are expecting the crowd to drink them out of whiskey and Lone Star (and you all will).
Southside Espresso, behind sushi giants Uchi on Westheimer, is utilizing its fantastic roof space with DJ Dion Seasar and door prizes. Come dressed as a Mayan or a zombie for special prizes.
MFAH and IKEA want you to party on Friday night like there is no tomorrow (maybe?) so they are hosting the TonTons, BOAN, and DJs Jessica Lozano and Ceeplus Bad Knives. These are always fun, arty, drunk-ass affairs, so come out. It is the last one of this year after all. Plenty of Stella Artois to go around.
