Houstonist plunked down some cash for a general admission ticket to see Kings of Leon Tuesday night in Houston. We braved event security, throngs of people and downtown parking to bring you these photos from last night's show! Leave us a comment and let us know if you'd like to see more concert shots on Houstonist.......

Every March, Houstonist takes a little pilgrimage up to Austin to check out our favorite music conference: SXSW. With over a thousands artists playing in about a hundred venues, we know we can’t catch them all. So, we decided to dedicate this month’s Houstonist iMix to those acts that we’re looking forward to seeing this year (since we limited our iMix to 16 songs, we’re only including 1% of the artists performing). Again, their music......

He can make you burn, make you rock, or teach you about triangles. Houstonist recently caught up with Trevi "Big Daddy" Biles, local hot sauce maker/ Whorehound band member/ geometry teacher. Here's what Big Daddy Trevi had to say about Big Daddy's Ass Burn "Hell Goin' In Hell Goin' Out" Hot Sauce: What made you want to create a hot sauce? Was the stuff in the stores not hot enough? Actually the whole thing started......

We're having a good Christmas so far, but between Aunt Peggy's constant nagging ("When are you going to settle down and get married?") and our new nephew's constant crying and screaming, we need a break. After dinner, we should be able to get away from the family for a bit. Most places are closed, but there are a few options: seeing a movie is the obvious one, but the crowds won't help us relax. Now,......

Last year, when 80's rock band Twisted Sister decided to do a Christmas album, no one was expecting the music critics to applaud. And, they didn't. However, Dee Snyder and gang did pull it off well with their rendition of the traditional classic "O Come All Ye Faithful," by performing it in the same style as their hit "We're Not Gonna Take It." Sure, it''s regurgitation, but it's funny. It may not be the......

It was weird. Sunday rolled around, and there wasn't a Texans game to watch. So we just chilled and ignored the TV for a change; what else were we going to do? Watch the Cowboys' game? What are we, Jessica Simpson? Between the Astros trades, the Texans resurgence, and the Mitchell Report, there was a lot to blog about this week. Everyone grab your number 2 pencil for the review: - The Miguel Tejada trade......

San Antonio rock band Girl in a Coma is set to play a show with The Cliks tomorrow night at Fitzgerald’s. The young band [pictured] has had a pretty charmed life thus far; legendary rocker Joan Jett signed the Girl(s) to her Blackheart Record Label, and the ladies have been tapped to go on tour early next year with their idol, Morrissey. It’s easy to see the reason for the band’s good fortunes. Lead singer......

Indie/hip-hop fans will enjoy tonight's line up at Warehouse Live, headlined by Aesop Rock. Tomorrow night, check out local rock band Days Drive at Rudyard's. Originally from New Orleans, but transplanted to Houston after Hurricane Katrina, the Rebirth Brass Band always puts on a horn-filled funk show - catch them at the Meridian Friday night. Songwriter/guitarist Anne McCue lands at Dan Electro's Guitar Bar Saturday night. The alt/rock band Brand New is playing two......

New Orleans' alt-rock band Mute Math may have been named a finalist in Spin.com's 2007 Artist of the Year Award, and yeah, they might have recorded that theme song you heard in the new Transformers movie last summer, but that's not what we think makes this band cool. No, we give a spirited high-five to Mute Math's singer Paul Meany for rocking the keytar! Meany's voice sounds a lot like Sting, but when you add......

Oni-Con is Houston's original anime convention and it's held once a year. If you are not familiar with anime, please allow us to bring you up to speed. Anime is a drawing and animation style that originated in Japan and has been popular in America for quite some time with shows such as Pokemon, Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball Z. Maybe you've seen these animated shows on Cartoon Network late at night while channel......

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......

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......

It is a very diverse week for music in Houston. Arizona alt-rock band Scary Kids Scaring Kids hit the Meridian tonight. If you prefer down-home Americana, check out the trio Kane Welch Kaplin as they celebrate their new CD at the Mucky Duck Thursday night. Austin's Latin-fusion band Del Castillo play at Warehouse Live on Friday night. Saturday, singer/songwriter Mat Kearney will play his hit "Nothing Left to Lose" and more at the Meridian.......

For once, this week's music calendar is light on local acts, heavy on touring acts. Tonight, catch classic crooner Tony Bennett (who turns 80 this year) at Jones Hall. Tomorrow night, we recommend California indie rock band Rocco Deluca & the Burden at Warehouse Live. Mix things up a little bit Wednesday night and catch Austin's Belleville Outfit at the Duck, combining jazz, swing and Americana. Houston's own R&B legend Archie Bell will "tighten......

Monday Moive Nights @ Domy Books We're loving this monday night movie series at Domy. It gives us an excuse to get out of the house on a Monday night, and a reason to watch cheesy cult classics. All the more reason to love Domy Books. Monday, August 6: "Forbidden Zone" A chaotic musical fantasy. The story revolves around a family who unwittingly stumble into a gateway to the sixth dimension, wherein the denizens are......

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......

A couple of concerts original scheduled this week were either canceled or postponed. The "Smooth Groove Tour," featuring Cameo, Morris Day and others has been postponed. If you have tickets, check the Reliant Arena website soon for the new date. If you had tickets to see American Idol Taylor Hicks, you can get a refund, but you won't get a chance to see the premature gray-haired Idol. His show was canceled due to bad......

This week ended with the launch of the seventh and final Harry Potter installation. But while the world was consumed with Pottermania, it's important to remember that there were more serious things going on in the world, too - two of them in -Ist cities. Sampaist was shocked when a passenger jet crashed into the center of Sao Paulo, killing at least 200 people. The airplane, an Airbus A320, skidded off the runway at the......

The Music of Led Zeppelin: A Rock Symphony Now this one's personal. We can almost rememeer every detail of the day our visionary parents placed in our hands 4 cassettes. Standing in the kitchen, near the old antique dresser that held their supply of 8 tracks, albums, and cassettes; The place where we first laid eyes on the cover of Blind Faith's Blind Faith and knew we were looking in a drawer we shouldn't be;......

Tonight, rock fans will enjoy the Godsmack show at Verizon Wireless, but if you want something different, check out the eclectic Moodafaruka at the Mucky Duck. Tomorrow night, we highly recommend indie-pop/rock band The Format at The Meridian. The Proletariat is hosting a happy hour show with Get Him Eat Him. Saturday night gives you many Texas country/folk choices – Roger Creager after the horse races, Ray Wylie Hubbard at the Mucky Duck, and......

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......

Back in January, B.B. King had to cancel two shows at the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston at the last minute while he was rushed to UTMB for flu symptoms. We're glad to have him back: his make-up shows are this Thursday and Friday night in Galveston. John Mayer and Ben Folds play a double bill in The Woodlands on Saturday. Australian rock band Wolfmother hits Warehouse Live on Sunday. The best bet......

In the late 80's and early 90's, Massachusetts alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr. made head waves in college radio, then finally to mainstream rock radio with this song from 1994, "Feel the Pain." Their music has been sighted by many, including Nirvana, to be one of the inspirations for the grunge movement. With lots of distortion (which you won't find on this particular song) and J Mascis' vocals, it's easy to see how they......

The first day of June, which means summer is upon us. It also means that it's time for another Houstonist iMix! Here's a collection of what Houstonist is currently listening to. We're ready for summer to begin (minus the extreme heat, humidity, and hurricane potentials), so we started the mix out with a few party songs: a new one from L.A. Latin/rock band Ozomatli; a classic summer song from Jimmy Buffett; a catchy hip-hop song......

Some good acts are in town this week. We have free tickets for one in particular -- Charlie Robison. You must send us an e-mail with your name, e-mail address and phone number to contest (at) gmail (dot) com by noon tomorrow to win. There's so many good shows Saturday night, it's hard to decide which one to hit. Kings of Leon will probably win out. The Tennessee indie rock band plays Warehouse Live......

Yes, Fair to Midland is a rock band. Yes, they have a banjo and violin in some of their songs. No, they do not sound like Dave Matthews Band. They’re more along the lines of Blue October or Mars Volta. Oh, and yes … we’re giving a pair of tickets to see them play at Warehouse Live tonight, where they are playing with Flyleaf, skillet, and Houston’s Paris Green. Fair to Midland comes from Dallas,......

Tuesday We’ve given you a lot of Halloween ideas, including costumes to wear, places to go, and haunted places. Want one more? How about Halloween from Hell III? Since My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult is headlining, you know Lucifer will be there. 8 p.m. at The Engine Room | tickets and info Wednesday Yesterday, we recommended the Ben Folds and Houston Symphony concert for tonight, and we still do. There’s good local......

Tuesday A good night for the acoustic-minded. The San Francisco Bay Guardian claims that if you were to combine Iron and Wine with Elliott Smith, you’d get Meric Long / Dodo Bird. Throw in some Wilco-styled vocals in there, and whammo – you have a great band. 8 p.m. at The Proletariat | tickets and info Like any serious, country-leaning singer/songwriter, Robbie Fulks has a bone to pick with Nashville, but it doesn’t consume......

Wednesday Clarence Greenwood is the leader of the band Citizen Cope, but he might as well be a solo artist. He is the songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, keyboardist, and producer of the band. Over the past few years, his popularity has grown with critics and music fans, and he’s now touring for his new CD Every Waking Moment. 8 p.m. at the Scout Bar | tickets and info Thursday The Californian quartet Sugarcult increased their......

Every week we let you know what concerts we recommend, and we thank you for reading and your feedback. We know what you’re saying; ‘you’re all talk and no action!’ OK … How about free concert tickets? Thought you’d like that. We’re giving away a pair of tickets to see JET at Warehouse Live this Friday (9/22) night. The Australian rock band is about to release Shine On, their follow-up to 2004’s awesome Get......