We were all set to interview chef Randy Rucker earlier this week when a slight delay occurred that required us to reschedule. That delay? Rucker's brother had killed a 100-pound wild hog and brought it part and parcel to his doorstep that same afternoon. Unable to resist the fresh pork, Rucker descended upon the beast and before he knew it, was "knee deep in pig and just couldn't get away." The result? "Nothing was wasted,"......

Do you share dating stories with your friends as if they were glorious war stories? Have you ever pulled a Lloyd Dobler for your Diane Court? If so, then read on. Native Texan author Lisa Landolt will be at Katy Budget Books this evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for a book signing to promote her newest book, Good Man Hunting. Wine and cheese will be provided for all attendees. And even better than......

Nothing says "rodeo" quite like a manufactured Disney pop star, and the Houston Live Stock and Rodeo's organizers know that. That's why they booked Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus for the March 9th slot in the program. The fact that having Hannah Montana on the bill is a sure-fire recipe for making parents' wallets hemorrhage probably played a role, too. For those of you who have offspring who are clamoring to see the show, but are unwilling......

Tori Amos’ tour is coming to Houston this coming Sunday night, at Jones Hall. Yes, we know that’s almost a week away, but we wanted to give you a good heads up since many of us are going out of town. Tori is currently touring supporting her latest album, American Doll Posse. She received fame with her debut solo album Little Earthquakes (which spawned the very personal "Silent All These Years" and "Crucify,” among others),......

Can you be considered a blues-rocker if you’re a drummer? Yes, if you’re Doyle Bramhall. The veteran Texas singer, musician and songwriter has had his hand in the Texas blues-rock scene for many decades now, and was one of the driving forces behind Stevie Ray Vaughan. Now in his late 50’s, Bramhall is still rocking, celebrating his latest release of original songs, Is It News, to rave reviews. The original Doyle Bramhall (not to be......

Okay, photographers, try to ignore the painfully tight jeans and embarrassingly mop-like 'do for just one moment - '80s arena rocker and power balladeer Billy Squire wrote a song just for you. You got it. Everybody wants you. Oh, you're so used to being in such high demand, aren't you? And who wants you now, pray tell, Houstonist? Well, none other than the United Way of Greater Houston. "But Houstonist," you ask, scratching your head......

So, we teased you with a new video from Spoon last Friday. This week, we're giving you the real thing -- chance to win a pair of tickets to Thursday night's show at Warehouse Live. We're really looking forward to the concert, not just because of Spoon, but also because The New Pornographers are opening. Still haven't been Spoon-fed? (Sorry) Check out the streaming audio for their new album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga. If......

It’s hard to believe that it’s been over 20 years ago when the band The Cult united rockers with club-goers with the single “She Sells Sanctuary.” Other classics followed, including “Fire Woman,” “Love Removal Machine,” and “Rain.” The band faded from the spotlight last decade, but they have a new album out now and plenty of Cult followers to cheer them on. (Check out the first single "Dirty Little Rock Star") The Cult arrives at......

There's absolutely no question in our minds that Houstonist readers have amazing skills when it comes to ye olde shutter box. And although we'd love to hoard your talent under our beds and keep it for ourselves for a rainy day (which will be, um, tomorrow), we know your talent deserves more exposure than that. But you can't blame us for trying. That's why we want to be sure that you know to enter the......

Houstonist loves good pop music. We’re not talking about Britney, or anything else you’d hear on local pop radio for that matter. We’re talking about good indie-pop. Catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and overall sophisticated (yet, fun). Well, that basically describes Chicago-based Office. Office (not to be confused with the popular TV shows) originated in 2001, but Office leader Scott Masson didn’t get serious about it until 2004 – that’s when he left his job waiting......

Houstonist's 'Heart of Gold' is a regular feature that gives a little love to the people that make a difference. Yes, we randomly get that touchy-feely. So sue us. And share your ideas with us too! Because shaving is just so uncharitable, Houston is holding its very first Mustaches For Kids fundraiser event. Didn't think kids needed mustaches did you? Well, think of it like a walkathon where the walking is replaced with facial hair......

Many bands had to change their names to avoid legal problems with existing bands with the same name. Most find new names or add a modifier, like “U.K.” to distinguish themselves from the other similar named band from another country. Chicago’s The Academy Is… (formerly, The Academy) decided to add a verb and ellipsis. After all, they consider themselves an indie/punk/rock band, they must keep you guessing. The Academy Is…, who first received recognition when......

Milla Jovovich returns to the big screen this Friday as Alice, the asskicking hottie, in Resident Evil: Extinction. Extinction is the third installment in the Resident Evil film series which is based on the video game of the same title, but then you already knew that. Betcha didn't know we'd have the hook up. The first two readers who drop us a line will get hooked up with: + A pair of screen passes to......

The Brits are coming! This Friday night, British indie-rockers Bloc Party will hold their festivities at Warehouse Live, with San Francisco’s Deerhoof and Texas’ own J Versus K. We got a pair of tickets just for you. Bloc Party released their debut album just a couple of years ago, and it quickly became a favorite overseas, garnering “Album of the Year” award from the U.K. music publication NME. Their second full-length album, A Weekend in......

A few months ago, we ran a contest to win-them-before-you-can-buy them on tickets to see The Killers. Two lucky winners won a pair of tickets to the show (and they're probably scrambling around their house right now trying to remember where the put those tickets). If you weren't one of those two, we have another chance for you. The Killers are coming to the Reliant Arena this Saturday night, supporting their sophomore album Sam’s Town.......

In the mid 90’s, Matt Sharp, bass player of Weezer, decided to form a little side project called The Rentals. Their debut album scored a minor, and damn catchy, radio hit “Friends of P.” Sharp ended up leaving Weezer in the late 90’s, but only made one other Rentals album. Now, after many years of absence, The Rentals are back with a new EP, The Last Little Life. The Rentals will be hitting Warehouse Live......

Not many musicians in their mid 20’s can say that they’ve been in the music industry for over a decade, but Texas native Ben Kweller can. When he was only 13 years old, he formed a band called Radish, which was hyped-up to be the next Nirvana. But, even after a major push from their record label, Radish’s hype turned out to be rubbish. Ben Kweller has now made a bigger name for himself as......

So the show's not even over and the tour's already planned. Don't cha love FOX? Their hit reality dance contest has had Billy Elliots poppin' up all over the US, er, wasn't Billy Elliot British? Whateva. If you haven't experienced the phenomena that IS "So You Think You Can Dance" then you're missing out on lots of adagios, ciseauxs, and some good old southern Crumping. The show is down to the top 6, with......

This Wednesday alt. rock band Ween will be in town performing at Warehouse live – and we have a pair of tickets, just for you. Ween was founded in 1984 and despite not having major “radio-play” success, Ween has a large and devoted fansbase. Ween recently released The Friends EP, which they describe as: The ultimate party record, filled with good beats and good times. Perfect for your barbecue or doing bong hits or whatever......

For all of your rockers out there, we got a pair of tickets for Sunday night’s Projekt Revolution waiting for you. What is Projekt Revolution you say? Well, it’s a concept that headliner Linkin Park created about 5 years ago, with hopes to bridge the gap between rock and hip-hop. This year’s tour features both genres, along with bands that melt the two genres together in their own music. This year’s line up includes My......

Houstonist and Bob Schneider go back a long way. We remember partying with Bob and The Scabs/Ugly Americans at the Satellite Lounge (among other places) in the 90’s. Bob has been solo for most of this decade, bringing him more national success. He’s touring behind his latest album, The Californian, which was released late last year. Bob is playing two shows this week: an acoustic, more intimate set at the Mucky Duck on Thursday night;......

Several notable musicians/bands have some from Norman, Oklahoma; including The Flaming Lips and (on the other side of the spectrum) Toby Keith. But, there’s another band hailing from that city that hasn’t (yet) received the notoriety of the above mentioned – Starlight Mints. Starlight Mints is pure indie-pop (definitely more in line with The Flaming Lips than Toby Keith, of course). The quintet looks beyond the usual guitar/keyboard/drum mix. They add strings, bells and other......

When we first saw publicity shots of Marc Broussard a few years ago, back when his first full-length CD Carencro was released, we were afraid that he was going to be another teeny-bopper. It only took one listen to figure out that he wasn’t trying to be the next Justin Timberlake – this boy truly has soul. He proved it with “Home.” The Louisianan just released his follow-up to that sleeper-hit album. SOS: Save our......

If you’re bored with the usual guitar, bass, drums, and vocals of your everyday rock band, and are looking to experience something different in a concert – boy, do we have a treat for you. We have a pair of tickets for Monday night’s Polyphonic Spree concert at Warehouse Live. The Polyphonic Spree was developed by former Tripping Daisy’s front man Tim DeLaughter. The Dallas-based band sprung to life in 2000, and was a far......

Californian-turned-Australian musician John Butler and his band are making a return to Houston this Thursday night at Warehouse Live – and we have a pair of tickets, just for you. The John Butler Trio is touring supporting their new album Grand National. Butler uses his music to express his beliefs, whether they are about politics, the environment, or relationships, but this time he does it with his most accessible, consistent record to date. The jams......

Win them before you can buy them! Crap. Everything we come up with sounds like a bad radio line. So, to get to the point: It was announced today that The Killers will be coming to Houston (Reliant Arena) on September 15th. The tickets go on sale this Saturday. However, Houstonist was able to get our hands on a couple of pair of tickets. Being the nice guys and gals we are, we’re going to......

Here’s your chance to see a young Grammy-nominated artist, who just happen to call Houston her hometown, on us. We have two pairs of tickets to giveaway to Tamar Davis’ headlining show this Friday night at Warehouse Live. For those new to Tamar’s music, we’ll give you some background. She used to be one of the lead singers of local band Girl’s Tyme – that band ended up becoming Destiny’s Child after she left. Don’t......

Friday night is upon us and it feels like what Spring feels like in non-Gulf Coast cities; which means low humidity, cool temperatures. And you know, you’ll feel guilty spending the night sitting on your ass in front of the tube again. That’s where your friends at Houstonist come in. We have a pair of tickets to tonight’s Ghostland Observatory concert at Warehouse Live. If you don’t know about this band, shame on you. Coming......

Hay! Just when you thought you'd gotten all the festing you could, what with last weekend's Art Car fun, Houston's got even more to offer! This weekend features two - count 'em - two "country" themed festivals, as well as the Festival of Greece! And with Houstonist's weekend weather forecast predicting perfection, there's no reason to stay inside. Update that resume in June and enjoy some good two-digit temperature while it lasts. - Country Roots......

Houstonian Charlie Robison is coming to Warehouse Live this Thursday night and we’re giving you a chance to win a pair of tickets. Actually, we have two pairs of tickets for the show, so you can urge your friends to enter, too! Robison, who was born in Houston but raised in Bandera, first hit the Texas country music scene over a decade ago. His 1998 album Life of the Party received a lot of regional......