theneener.net

42 days ’til you make your move.

The Neener — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:02:51 +0000

So, who hasn’t been to Paschall Bar yet? If you can appreciate a high quality cocktail and a well-fitted establishment, you absolutely must stop by Denton’s worst kept secret. I mean, I may be doing myself a disservice by telling you to stop by because the bar is small and is often at capacity. But, I want people to know there is more to Denton than the Fry St. Bars and that yes, there are people who still appreciate the art of a drink and some of them are in Denton (even if some of them smoke!) If you’re making a special trip to Denton for 35 Denton, this is a stop you must make in between all that delicious music you’ll be intaking.

The O’s

Yesterday, I wrote about a duo that sounds like a full band. The O’s are the duo that sounds like a duo and that’s completely fine. They need no fancy effect pedals or fretless basses; they do just fine with some banjo pickin’, bass drums and tambourines, and sweet, hand-holdin’ music. And Dallas agrees as The O’s have been nominated for the Dallas Observer Music Awards three years in a row, having formed in 2008. That’s a pretty good batting record. Be sure to check out these straight shooters in March. And bring someone you want to hold hands with. What better place to make your move than at a music festival, right?

Notable tunes to check out: “You’ve Got Your Heart”, “We’ll Go Walkin’” / Facebook / Twitter / Official

43 days ’til you meet a few wizards.

The Neener — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 04:16:00 +0000

I know we’ve had a mild winter but I’m ready for the spring. I’m ready for taking Noodles to the dog park. I’m ready to start a running program, only to quit halfway because I’d rather have a brew on Dan Silverleaf‘s patio. I’m ready to feel the sun on my arm as I wave it outside my car window. And, of course, I’m ready for outdoor concerts and music festivals. I’ve already purchased wristbands for two music fests this year, including 35 Denton. That’s how ready I am. How are you getting ready?

El Ten Eleven

The first time I heard El Ten Eleven, I had my earphones on, listening to my Explosions in the Sky Pandora station. I’m not exactly sure what I was working on at the time but anytime I’m listening to that Pandora station, I’ve got my focus goggles on and I’m getting shit done. Sometimes you just need music with no words, sometimes you just need clean and gentle melodies – sometimes simple, sometimes intricate, never too fast, never too slow. When I heard “My Only Swerving,” I hit that little thumbs up and made a mental note to check them out.

El Ten Eleven is a duo of skilled wizards, masters of the craft of looping and pedaling. If you had listened to them before reading this, you probably wouldn’t have guessed they were a duo, right? IT’S BECAUSE THEY ARE WIZARDS. Have you ever played with a loop machine? If you’re off even a fraction of a beat, your creation is ruined and those with skilled ears will wince every time that loop comes back around and your mistake is repeated, time and time again until you stop playing. El Ten Eleven takes that chance, adding layers upon layers of loops for minutes on end to create their large sound, an adventurous journey. And you know what they say about big risks, right? Be a part of that big reward and catch them live at 35 Denton in March.

Notable tunes to check out: “My Only Swerving”, “Indian Winter” / Facebook / Twitter / Official

44 days ’til you’re in the dirty South.

The Neener — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:37:08 +0000

Is this rainy weather making anyone else tired and sleepy and useless? Tell me I’m not alone. This may be the laziest update ever but man, oh man,

Bun B

Three things you need to know:

1) Bun B was 50% of UGK who you might know from time-honored classics such as Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin’” and Three 6 Mafia’s ”Sippin’ on Some Syrup.” (RIP Pimp C.)

2) He’s going to be at 35 Denton.

Notable tunes to check out: “Trillionaire”, “That’s Gangsta” / Facebook / Twitter / Official

45 days ’til you get a lil’ sweaty.

The Neener — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:41:44 +0000

Are you sitting at your desk at work, wishing the day would end? Are you stuck in a job with a one-way ticket to Nowheresville? Or perhaps you’re in class or at Jupiter House, trying to be a studious student but already sick of the spring semester? Whatever the case may be, this is the chance to spice up your life, friends. 35 Denton is now taking applications for volunteers which might be one of the most exotic and exciting times one could ever have in Denton, MFTX. Who knows? You will if you vow to dedicate your time, sweat and energy into a music festival that is busy busting its ass for you. It could be the most magical time of your life but you won’t know until you try so do it to it. Or, just buy a wristband, ya lazy bum. Just be here in 45 days.

Bad Sports

As 35 Denton is a four-day music fest, you may find yourself tired, hungry and confused. It’s okay. That means you’re doing it right. If you want to fix all of that, be sure to check out Denton and Austin’s sweaty, energetic love child, Bad Sports. On a punk rock scale, they rank closer to The Ramones than My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy or whatever the kids are listening to now, so don’t be scared; they’re legit. And as with any legit punk show, your body will be subject to fuzzy, delicious guitar riffs, perhaps a bit of shenanigans from the crowd, and definitely spittle-covered microphones as Bad Sports covers such important topics such as girls and life and Denton. When all is said and done, you may leave even more tired, hungry and confused as you came in but in that good, satisfying, I-just-survived-a-punk-show way.

Fun fact: If you were at 35 Conferette last year and watched the High Tension Wires show, you might spot a familiar face or two.

Notable tunes to check out: “Can’t Remember Your Name”, “Days of Denton” / Facebook

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46 days ’til a wristband unlocks all the music.

The Neener — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 23:21:19 +0000

For those of you that haven’t noticed, I have started the 35 Denton lineup table some of you have come to love and know. And by my count, they’ve got 155 bands set to take the stages in March. By my math, if you’re crazy enough to try, that means your wristband will grant you access to see all the bands for only 38 cents each. That’s some sick deal, right? Of course, I’m sure you’d rather soak up your favorite bands slowly like a fine wine but still, that’s a flippin’ good deal. Have you bought your wristband yet?

High Places

If you want to hear some electronic-fueled music live and watch some dude push a button and bob his head around then I’m afraid High Places would disappoint you. Well, first, they are a boy-girl duo but most importantly, they are devoted to creating an experience at their shows, molding their beats live as they simultaneously mesmerize you visually with projected video and aurally with Mary Pearson’s smooth and silky vocals. If pleasant dreams could speak, they’d sound like High Places.

And, to break my unspoken rule of strictly posting live video for this countdown, I have posted High Places’ “Sonora” video instead. I couldn’t find a live recording that captured their sound without distortion but mostly because Mary Pearson knows how to rock a crazy arm and look like a bloody badass and you need to see that.

Notable tunes to check out: “From Stardust to Sentience”, “Year Off” / Facebook / Twitter / Official

47 days ’til rock and candy and rock candy.

The Neener — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 22:15:23 +0000

Here’s a Denton pro tip: Go to Atomic Candy. It’s right on the Square next to the comic book store, just a few yards away from a perfect spot near the courthouse to lay out your blanket for some cloud or people watching. At the candy shop, there are robots, novelty candies and the largest variety of specialty sodas within walking distance. You can grab a bag and fill it with all your favorite sweets, or you can play it safe and stick with a prepackaged variety of jelly beans. It’s one of my favorite new spots on the Square (the other being Paschall Bar) and is a must-see while you’re at the Square for 35 Denton.

Trebuchet

For those that complain about Denton’s softer side, there is much more to the Denton music scene than its acoustic storytellers and experimental noise-makers. Trebuchet will show you a good ol’ rock n’ roll n’ metal ass kickin’ good time in Denton. I’d like to think Trebuchet is what was birthed out of the alt days of the ’90s with their crunchy riffs, straight, no-frills beats, and frontman Justin Hawkins like the second-coming of Toadies’ Todd Lewis. They will be releasing a new album sometime before the end of the Mayan calendar but until then, you should check out Bear and the Moon, their impressive double-disc debut album that will certainly whet your appetite until you can see them at 35 Denton in March.

Notable tunes to check out: “Collision”, “Waffles and Pancakes” / Facebook / Twitter

48 days ’til even more sunny weather!

The Neener — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:37:27 +0000

Happy Friday, kiddies! It’s a beautiful 73°F here in Denton, MFTX with a high of 77°F today. Winter in Texas means you never have to say goodbye to your favorite pair of shorts and flip flops. In fact, people in Denton may just be wearing the same outfit today as they will be sporting in 48 days at 35 Denton. Just sayin’.

Before we proceed with the countdown, please take a few minutes to watch this Etta James video. The intro. The voice. The world has lost one honest-to-god musician.

Cowboy Indian Bear

“@bearmusic‘s gonna kick yer ears’ asses” is what Jeremy Buller tweeted to me in response to my excitement that Cowboy Indian Bear will be playing at 35 Denton. If that’s not reason enough to get excited, here are others:

Cowboy Indian Bear has a Daytrotter session. That’s sexy.
Speaking of sexy, they’ve recorded a cover of The Outfield’s “Your Love” and it is mad sexy.
They might have dressed up as Harry Potter at a show once. That might be sexy if you’re into that.

And last, but not least, you’ll want to see them at 35 Denton because this. Just look at this. Watch that drummer just flail his arms, making mad beats beautifully. Look at those swaying dreads. Close your eyes and let Cowboy Indian Bear’s smooth voices, keys and dreamy guitar sounds take you away into a land where it is joyfully the weekend forever and ever, amen.

Notable tunes to check out: “Oh, Madison!”, “Mathematicians/Colour” / Facebook / Twitter /Official

49 Days ’til The Fest Formerly Known As “The Fest Formerly Known As”

The Neener — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:10:22 +0000

What once was NX35 became 35 Conferette. What once was 35 Conferette is now 35 Denton. I’ve written a countdown for the past two festivals and I’m writing one yet again. Now that I’ve brought you up to speed, let’s begin, shall we?

The Mountain Goats

I had typed up some words and then my computer decided to eat them so instead, I will just tell you The Mountain Goats is probably my favorite out of the national acts announced so far for 35 Denton. Please use the rest of this time to memorize these lyrics because it’s gonna be a g.d. singalong in 49 days, y’all.

The Best Ever Death Metal Band Out of Denton

the best ever death metal band out of denton
were a couple of guys, who’d been friends since grade school.
one was named cyrus, and the other was jeff.
and they practiced twice a week in jeff’s bedroom.

the best ever death metal band out of denton
never settled on a name.
but the top three contenders, after weeks of debate,
were satan’s fingers, and the killers, and the hospital bombers.

jeff and cyrus believed in their hearts they were headed
for stage lights and leer jets, and fortune and fame.
so in script that made prominent use of a pentagram,
they stenciled their drumheads and guitars with their names.

this was how cyrus got sent to the school
where they told him he’d never be famous.
and this was why jeff,
in the letters he’d write to his friend,
helped develop a plan to get even.
when you punish a person for dreaming his dream,
don’t expect him to thank or forgive you.
the best ever death metal band out of denton
will in time both outpace and outlive you.
hail satan!
hail satan tonight!
hail satan!
hail hail!

Notable tunes to check out: “This Year”, “No Children” / Facebook / Twitter / Official

*Apologies for not starting yesterday for an even 50 days of countdown. There were more important matters at hand like signing this petition against SOPA and PIPA, participating in the blackout, and creating ¡Viva SOPA PIPA!

Warm-up.

The Neener — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:14:26 +0000

Before running a race, one must first warm up, right?

Next week, I will begin the marathon that is the 35 Denton countdown. I will listen to hours upon hours of music, attempt to tell you why you should listen to some of it, and tell you how much I love this music festival and why you should go. It is a labor of love much like the festival itself.

So, I’m stretching. I’ve already listened to the 45 bands and artists listed on 35 Denton’s website. I’ve made a Spotify playlist. I’m still wearing wristbands from the two festivals prior. I already have a wristband reserved for this year. You should do a little stretching, too. And, we’ll celebrate the finish line together on March 8 and party for four days straight. Sound like a plan? Yes? Let’s do it.

Also, fun fact: busiest day of my blog last year? The first day of the music festival. Thanks, you guys.

Delicious Denton

The Neener — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 04:03:23 +0000

Sorry, my blog was down yesterday. I’ve taken a few more precautions so hopefully, I won’t be hacked so much because I really don’t want my web host to kick me out. mediaserve.com has been such a reliable host and Troy has always helped me sort things out. It’s a terrible state of affairs when an ex-computer tech’s blog is infected but it happens. So, bear with me and this default theme with the flowers.

As my penance for missing out on NaBloPoMo yesterday, I ended up creating a new blog today. It’s actually a Tumblr blog, Tumblog, or whatever the hell the kids are calling it these days. It was inspired by a few tweets about tacos and a trip to Taco Lady where a friend and I discussed the deliciousness of foods in Austin, Texas. We may not be Austin but Denton does have some tasty treasures and we’re going to show off every tasty bite.

So, hit up Delicious Denton at deliciousdenton.tumblr.com. We’ll let the food do the talking there.