—————————————————— Notable Musical Happenings Around Houston, October 25-31, 2017 | Houston Press

Bayou City

Love U Better: The Best of the Week

In case you've forgotten, this is what the Afghan Whigs look like.
In case you've forgotten, this is what the Afghan Whigs look like. Photo by Chris Coffaro
Now that the weather is becoming a little more reasonable and we can shake off some of the stifling heat of the past many months, there are plenty of options for what to do around town. Over the next seven days, touring acts like the Afghan Whigs, Lil Wayne, and Flying Lotus will all come through while locals like those at "Halloweening 666: Walters's Goes to Heck," and many more, will fill in the gaps.

On Wednesday, get started at Wired Up for the chill rock of L.A.'s Ferbus. This four-piece has dropped some pretty likable singles this year, most notably the intriguing "So Much to Do.". Oklahoma's Weak Knees will be on as direct support, after Houston's Get A Life bring their "I don't care" attitudinal indie-rock. Stephen Wells of Birthday Club will open the all-ages show with a DJ set. Doors at 6 p.m.; $5 cover.

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Locals Cool Moon open for Public Access T.V. tonight at White Oak Music Hall.
Photo by Jay Littleton
If that's not your thing, head upstairs at White Oak Music Hall for the infectious indie-pop jams of New York's Public Access T.V. The quartet's catchy songs do a pretty good job of making friends; their latest release, last year's Never Enough, should make you an immediate fan. However, the driving indie-rock of Houston's Cool Moon might blow them off the stage beforehand, Will Breeding will kick off the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; $12 cover.

On Thursday, get your pop fix in Warehouse Live's Ballroom with Brooklyn's Bebe Rexha adds her singing and songwriting talents to those of Marc E Bassy. Rexha has had hits like Nicki Minaj and Rihanna; her latest, All Your Fault Pt. 2 proves she's legit. Bassy's new release, Gossip Columns, is also kind of hard to deny; the two should make for a fun, engaging all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $26.50 to $235.25.

Over at House of Blues, New York's Post Malone will return to help everyone get down to his brand of different hip-hop (though maybe not everyone). While he's made a ton of headlines due to his Youtube vid rocketing him to stardom, the North Texas native's debut album from last year, Stoney, is worth checking out. Smokepurpp will open the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $30.

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In case you've forgotten, this is what the Afghan Whigs look like.
Photo by Chris Coffaro
The Afghan Whigs will return to Houston, finally, over at The Heights Theater, supporting this year's In Spades. It feels like it's been a good while since these soulful Cincinnati rockers have made their way this far South, though it should be noted that it may have been worth the wait.. This should be an interesting show in the small theater, especially with the raucous soul-pop of opener Har Mar Superstar on hand to bring his catalog of jams to life as only he can. The all-ages show has doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $28 to $56.

Walter's Downtown will have The Ghost of Paul Revere over to twang things up. The Maine-based pop-bluegrass trio makes what they call "holler folk"; if that's what it's called, it's definitely catchy. Their last full-length, 2015's Field Notes Vol. 1, mixes old-timey sounds with pop overtones. Houston-based country-rockers Ruckus will open the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $10.

Ray Benson and Texas institutions Asleep at the Wheel get Houston's World Series weekend started off right Friday at the Redneck Country Club.
Photo: Courtesy of Paradigm Agency
On Friday, your World Series weekend can officially get started at The Redneck Country Club with the first-class Western swing of Asleep at the Wheel. The Stafford venue will definitely be jumping when these Texas musical legends take the stage for some tunes from their latest album, 2015 Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys tribute Still the King. The always-impressive hardcore honky-tonker Dale Watson will gets things started. Doors at 6 p.m.; tickets $17.50 to $624.

Of course, many of you will probably be heading to Walter's for their Halloween party, "The Halloweening 666: Walters Goes to Heck." Featuring sets from some of Houston's finest acts playing dress-up as other bands, the show should be one for the ages. Headlined by a set from Giant Kitty and MIEARS teaming up as Devo, plus Rose Ette as Vevet Underground, a Minor Threat cover band, and many more. The all-ages show has doors at 7 p.m.; cover is $10.

Or, you can get some laughs at The Secret Group when Idaho's Emma Arnold rolls through to perform. Arnold is a seriously hilarious comic as well as a mom to six kids, her latest album Shut Up, Calvin will leave you in stitches. Detroit's Mike Stanley will be on beforehand, while everyone's favorite Houston host, Gabe Bravo, gets the 18 and up show started. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $5 to $12.

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Friday is a great day to Float down to Slow Magic at White Oak Music Hall.
Photo by Luca Venter
Downstairs at White Oak Music Hall, the electronic jams of Slow Magic will get your feet moving. Compared to Deadmau5 because he too dons a mask, Slow Magic stands apart due to his use of live drums; his latest release, Float, will proves he brings heat. Sweden's Kasbo will be on beforehand, while opener Qrion brings more electro jams. The all-ages show has doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $15 to $20.

At Rudyard's, Scotland-based four-piece The Trashcan Sinatras will be on hand for a night filled with acoustic versions of all their tunes. It's been a while since these guys have been in our city, and their last album Wild Pendulum, proved they aren't letting up anytime soon. No word of openers for this all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $20 to $25.

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Houston's Funeral Horse gets heavy for Skatestock V at the Jamail Skatepark on Saturday.
Photo by Jordan Asinas
Saturday, a good place to start would be Skatestock V at the Jamail Skatepark. The benefit show will offer up free helmets to skaters in need, while some of the biggest skateboarding legends going carve up the park. Tony Alva, John "Tex" Gibson, Craig Johnson, Ken Fillion, Steve Olson and many, many more will be there. Music comes courtesy of Funeral Horse, Giant Kitty, Khobretti, and more will be perform at the free, all-ages event. Things get going around 1 p.m.

Later on over at Walter's, it's the emo-tinged pop-punk of Chicago's Knuckle Puck. These guys have gained a pretty rabid fan base in a pretty short time thanks to their energetic live shows. Their latest release, Shapeshifter, is definitely catchy and worth checking out. California's Movements will be on as direct support, after Australia's With Confidence. Illinois' Homesafe will open the all-ages show. Doors at 6 p.m.; tickets $17 to $20.

Insomnia Gallery will host the Monster Show XI, featuring a ton of scary art from a ton of artists. Works from Brandon Bowers, Honeybones, Wizard of Barge, Nicky Davis, Michael C. Rodriguez and many, many more will be there alongside gratis adult beverages. It's all ages, gets going around 7 p.m., and it's free.

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Blues Traveler's 30th-anniversary tour hits House of Blues Saturday.
Photo Courtesy of Paradigm Agency
House of Blues rolls out the mat for the 30th-anniversary tour of Blues Traveler. The New Jersey five-piece has been going pretty strong since their start in the late 80s, and there's a good chance you'll get to hear favorites and newer tunes from 2015's Blow Up the Moon. Nashville's Los Colognes will open the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $30 to $55.

White Oak Music Hall downstairs will host the popular husband-and-wife duo of Johnnyswim. These two make soul-pop that's become quite the big deal; their live shows mix heavy fan interaction with songs from their latest release Georgica Pond is worth checking out. Nashville's Striking Matches will open the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $28 to $32.

Satellite Bar has the 10th anniversary show for Houston's Sunrise and Ammunition. Though they're due for a new album, their prog-infused and emo-tinged sounds are hard to deny, and their 2013 release Tesseract is pretty epic. The direct support will be taken by texture: Yellow while Mind Shrine will open the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; free with a costume or $5 without.

Chicano Batman get into that L.A. groove Sunday at Warehouse Live.
Photo Courtesy of Paradigm Agency
Sunday, the show that was to take place in the Ballroom at Warehouse Live, has since been moved to Proof Rooftop Lounge, where they will host the crazed energy of Chicano Batman. Mixing soul, tropicalia, and psych, these L.A. cats are a force to be reckoned with and this year's Freedom Is Free proves it. Houston trio Khruangbin takes the middle while New York's soulful The Shacks open the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $20 to $23.

Monday, downstairs at White Oak Music Hall, get-get down to the alt R&B of Britain's Daley. Known for joints with Gorillaz, Vince Staples and Jill Scott, the UK-born singer-songwriter has been gaining popularity for a good while. His latest, this year's The Spectrum, is a mixture of slow jams and catchy dance tracks. L.A. soul songstress Tiffany Gouche will open the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $25 to $32.

Not just Flying Lotus, but Flying Lotus in 3-D Monday at House of Blues.
Photo Courtesy of Warp Records
Of course, many of you may be en route to House of Blues for Flying Lotus in 3-D. What that means is anyone's guess; just know that this producer is very well-known for his next-level live sets. His latest release, 2014's You're Dead!, still sounds like the future. The dance-y house sounds of Seven Davis Jr will be on after L.A.'s PBDY open the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $27.50 to $45.

Tuesday is Halloween, and there's pretty much only one show that you should consider attending, Jas Prince's birthday featuring Lil Wayne and Travis Scott at Warehouse Live. Wayne will be bringing his latest, Love U Better, and of course Scott is no slouch either onstage, still riding high off last year's Birds In the Trap Sing McKnight. No word of other openers for the 18 and up show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $65 to $150.

That's about it for this week. Please remember that with Halloween, plenty of idiots will be out in droves, so be extra mindful of that.
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David Garrick is a former contributor to the Houston Press. His articles focus primarily on Houston music and Houston music events.