The Laurie Show

FUNKY: This is the stuff you hear when you find yourself dancing around in the room, no matter what you’re doing; cleaning, pretending to do homework, raiding the fridge, you name it. Tonight, I’m pleased to share the sounds of local hip-hop artist Tee Double for this category. Fantastic! Funky can also mean moving to Ghostland Observatory. And, because of that what’s-it-called Bowl thingy on Sunday, I’m obliged to include music from the man, the myth, the legend formerly-known-as-but-now-known-again-as (unless he changes his mind) Prince. I didn’t believe it when I was told he’s performing at the Super Bowl this year. Hmm. Perhaps I should watch the game, even though I’ve been heard to yell “HOME RUN!” when a touchdown is made. True story.

TWANG: Only I’m talking about the real thing here, folks. I’ve had the pleasure of watching the great Alvin Crow, who’s a performer in tomorrow’s Texas Folklife celebration of cowboy and western tunes, the Electronic Campfire. This reminded me of all the great music Alvin and his crew play at the Broken Spoke on South Lamar from the legends of country. I’ll get some of that out tonight and combine it with local peeps who appreciate and are inspired by those legends. The White Ghost Shivers and crooner Caroline Casey are contenders here, you know.

THE ROCKIN’ VEIN: Sometimes you have to spell it that way, “rocking” without the “g.” This covers quite a bit of ground, doesn’t it? Listen, I’m not narrow about this. It could be anything that rattles the floorboards or compels me to turn the volume up. One direction takes me to the IV Thieves, the Black Angels, Lomita, or Horse + Donkey, or Prayer For Animals, or the Dolly Partners. Another direction leads me to Peel, Faceless Werewolves, the Dirty Hearts. I don’t think it’s too far-fetched to include Sound Team – yes, you heard me – who’ll be playing Thursday night at Beerland with Gulf of Mexico. Then, I move toward sounds that reflect what I grew up listening to. Music from local bands the Riverboat Gamblers and Sons of Hercules tend to put me in that frame of mind.

(Now, I would play Judas Priest or Exploited, but…I was told that wouldn’t be a possibility. Oh well.)

THE FUZZ: No, I don’t mean the law, kids. This refers to that magic pedal some guitarists use for that extra charge. Local peeps Ringo Deathstarr and All In The Golden Afternoon come to mind, two bands I saw at the Beauty Bar last night whose music I’ll include on my program. It can be fast or it can drone mellow, which happens to be the key word for tomorrow night’s Bliss Out at the Mohawk. I’m witness to the fact that one of the bands in this the gig, For Those Who Know, embraces and does not fear the fuzz. Yellow Fever, The Fiction and Skiesfalling are also a part of this great line-up. Check it.

Time to cut this column. I’ve rambled for too long. There are CDs to be gathered! Tune in tonight to hear all the groovy music and my fondness for self-deprecating humor. The time and place: 11 p.m. to 3 a.m., KUT 90.5. And bundle up if you’re out show-hopping tonight. It’s gonna be a chiller.

In the wise words of our pal RoboCop, thank you for your cooperation.