This Week's Best Concerts

You would think that, after all this time, we would realize that it pays to be careful and get that URL exactly right. A case in point occurred just recently, when Mattel released an action figure connected with the mega-hyped movie version of Broadway’s Wicked. It seems that, if an intrepid fan were to go to the web address printed on the box, he or she would end up at a site that had nothing to do with the forthcoming release. In fact, it is a site touting the products available from a porn company inviting visitors to “watch over 25 years of award-winning porn movies and parody porn films in 4k HD and check out videos directed by Stormy Daniels!”

I learned this important marketing lesson during the early years of the internet, when the radio station where I worked was engaged in a promotion with the Houston Polo Club. As it turned out, the web address that we gave out in the on-air announcements led to a site offering housecleaning services. Housecleaning, that is, done by women in scanty outfits of the customer’s choosing. I got several calls from pearl-clutchers right after the spot went on the air, and they were all properly offended. But I also received an email from a gentleman who wrote, “If you could make more of those mistakes in the future, I wouldn’t be upset!”

Ticket Alert

You may remember Kerry King for his portrayal of the recording engineer who gets mega-electrocuted and turns into a crispy critter in the Foo Fighters’ horror film Studio 666. Or you might recall that he played guitar in the legendary metal band Slayer. Oh, and King is also the guy who played the guitar parts on The Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right to Party” and “No Sleep till Brooklyn.” Whatever your frame of reference, King will play at the House of Blues on Thursday, February 13, and tickets are on sale now.

Papa Roach has sold a bunch of records and garnered massive radio airplay by combining rock, metal, punk and rap into a catchy amalgamation that achieves the magical goal of captivating kids and annoying parents. The band will be on the road next spring with its “Rise of the Roach” tour, stopping at Toyota Center on Thursday, March 20. Presales are up right now, with the general sale set for Friday.

DJ’s / producers / electronic musicians LSDREAM and Clozee will perform for two nights, Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17, at the Bayou Music Center under the banner of LSZEE. Presales are active now, and the general ticket sale is set for Friday. Dress for comfort, stay hydrated and don’t forget the glow sticks!

No specifics yet, but the word is that AC/DC will tour the U.S. next year. Watch this space for more information.

Concerts This Week

Guitarist Sue Foley will perform a solo acoustic show on Thursday at the Mucky Duck featuring material from her latest album One Woman Guitar. This show will be something of a celebration, as Foley has just received a Grammy nomination for the record, in the category of Best Traditional Blues Album.

Mike Zito established himself as a renowned blues guitarist while based in St. Louis, but several years ago, he moved to Nederland, TX and established the Gulf Coast Records label, signing many of the best blues artists in the country and, in the process, becoming quite the impresario. Zito’s incredible chops will be on display Saturday at the Dosey Doe.

T Bone (no hyphen) Burnett is one of those behind-the-scenes kind of guys, with a lengthy resume that includes producing the twisted novelty record “Paralyzed” by the Legendary Stardust Cowboy, Los Lobos’ debut album, the collaborations between Robert Plant and Alison Krauss and records by Bob Dylan, Gregg Allman and Elvis Costello. However, Burnett will be out front on Saturday at the Heights Theater, on the road in support of his latest album, The Other Side. Don’t miss out, as this guy doesn’t tour often.

Some venues are known for booking a certain type of music, e.g. The Big Easy giving a home to the blues in Houston. Then there are the places where anything goes and everyone plays, like Toyota Center, where a trio of totally different artists will perform over the next week. To wit:

Yeah, girls just want to have fun, but after 40 riotous years on the scene, Cyndi Lauper is ready to hang it up, hence her current “Farewell” tour, which hits Toyota Center on Saturday. Jelly Roll will be onstage on Sunday with his unique mix of country, rap and God knows what. Then on Tuesday, Mariah Carey and her “Christmas Time” extravaganza will kick off the jingle bell season a couple of weeks prior to Thanksgiving.

Tinsley Ellis has been playing some serious electric blues guitar for some time now, but a few months ago he decided to go all-acoustic (at least for a while), releasing the album Naked Truth. As you might imagine, Ellis is a mofo whether he’s plugged in or not. Check him out on Tuesday at Main Street Crossing.

And for those who might be interested in seeing something with a little more – oh, I don’t know – pizzaz, I will mention that GWAR is performing at Warehouse Live Midtown on Sunday, with Squid Pisser and Dark Funeral opening. The band is touring to commemorate the 36th anniversary of the album Hell-O, which is now available on blood-splattered vinyl. That should be enough information for you to make an informed decision re: attending the show.