2 Chainz Bayou Music Center, March 14
How do we miss the days that 2 Chainz went by Tity Boi. Whether rapping as one-half of Atlanta duo Playaz Circle or under his more recent moniker, you probably know who 2 Chainz is, because the man is straight-up everywhere. From appearances on records by Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Kanye West, he has left a discernible mark from the East Coast to the West, and it looks like he's just getting started.
True, half his catalog is a line or two on other rappers' songs, but he's worth seeing live anyway -- if just for the experience of hearing him yell "2 Chainz" into the audience. He's careful to bring a hype man and DJ along for backup, and the onstage chaos they create is part of what makes 2 Chainz such a draw in the first place. With T.R.U. ANGELICA LEICHT
Rozzano Zamorano Memorials Warehouse Live (3 p.m.)/Last Concert Cafe (7 p.m.), March 15
Rozzano Zamorano's sudden death three weeks ago was a crushing blow to Houston's entire music community, but especially to its funk-rock, jazz-fusion and jam-band mini-scenes. Between his gigs with Fondue Monks, Rozz Zamorano Trio and YokoMono, the good-natured 44-year-old bassist was one of the friendliest and most-booked musicians in town, with a set of chops that left both fellow musicians and audiences gaping in awe.
With that in mind, it's not surprising that it takes two separate memorials at two different venues to pay adequate tribute to the man. The surviving members of Fondue Monks and guests aplenty take the early spot at Warehouse Live, and Zamorano's good friends in Austin boogie-rockers Moses Guest headlining Last Concert Cafe's late-night show. CHRIS GRAY
The Dead Rabbits Warehouse Live, March 15
If you've somehow missed seeing Houston's Dead Rabbits in concert, you need to right that wrong as soon as possible -- like perhaps Saturday. These badasses are worth every bit of the madness that will be happening in that venue. The band does our city a solid by throwing in a bit of good old Texas twang with their body-slamming Celtic punk, setting them apart from the Flogging Mollys of the world.
Just make sure to wear some protective gear or stay out of the way, cause the Rabbits' die-hard fans are a rowdy bunch. We warned ya. With Skeleton Dick and Blackmarket Syndicate. ANGELICA LEICHT
Rodney Crowell Firehouse Saloon, March 15
Arguably the finest songwriter to ever hail from Houston (that's right, we said it), Crowell uses a poet's pen to illuminate a host of complicated Southeast Texas characters -- family, friends and strangers alike -- through a vibrant palette of honky-tonk, Dylanesque rock and Southern gospel, among other musical colors.
Further strengthening his Houston connection, he's just jumped to New West and released Tarpaper Sky, another finely wrought album that comes off both autobiographical and universal - in other words, not much different than past efforts like Diamonds & Dirt, The Houston Kid or Sex & Gasoline. Fresh off an Americana Grammy for Emmylou Harris reunion album Big Yellow Moon, Crowell returns to his hometown at a venue that suggests he might want to rock a little. With Amy Black. CHRIS GRAY
More shows on the next page.
