A few weeks ago, I wrote about the cluster of amazement that is South By Southwest in Austin. One of the biggest problems with the festival is fans are forced to scurry around downtown to try to see all the bands they intend to, yet time just doesn't allow for this.
Because of that, I was unable to see what many of my friends told me was one of the greatest shows of South By Southwest 2007: Hella.
I was distraught for a bit, but then I realized I can actualize my hopes of having Zach Hill destroy my eardrums with overtly complicated time signatures and have Spencer Seim's hands disjoin from his wrist, slap me, punch me in the gut, then reattach without missing a single note. And you, the reader, can experience the same thing.
Hella will perform Monday at Jake's Back Room, and the cost will be $8. Doors open at 9 p.m., and the show is an all-ages event. This will be the second time the band has demolished our fair city, but Monday's performance will bring a different experience since the band has added three new members, one of which is a singer.
The band's new album, "There's no 666 in Ourterspace," has been tagged as "accessible" and "Mars Volta-esque," yet I believe I can sum up the experience of the new album as a stellar step from their previous releases. This is not to say their previous releases like the "Homeboy" EP aren't chaotic and a murderous tour de force - that couldn't be farther from the truth. But with their new album, they have honed their creation into a driving bullet headed straight to your eardrums.
If you are among those individuals who praise Steve Albini and curse the day the Butthole Surfers signed to Capital Records, you can find solace in the continuity of Hella's songs. I use the term "song" loosely.
The members of Hella will bring with them the opening band Who's Your Favorite Son, God? The bands will be hitting the Hub City after visiting Chicago. Now, Lubbock, are we going to let Hella be disappointed after what will most likely be a sellout show in Chicago? I would hope not, and here is why: Many of you who read this or listen to KTXT-FM or just enjoy music and new shows are fans of a town favorite, John Vanderslice. Well, guess where Hella heard about the great reputation of Lubbock's crowds and vibrant and engaging music scene. Take a minute, I'll Google Map where you live … yes, that's right, it was from Mr. Vanderslice.
What many patrons of shows don't understand is a city's reputation follows the band on tour. If a someone has a fantastic showing, great audience members and is engrossed by his or her entire visit, you can expect to hear from booking agents in the future. If a band had a bad turn out or an unresponsive audience or any other factors that patrons control, that hovers over a city and deteriorates years of hard work.
Think of Lubbock as the inside of someone's nose. One bad show is like snorting a pixie stick. A string of bad shows is like trying coke for the first time. A continuation of bands not having an enjoyable experience when they stop through will make the city's reputation as nonexistent as the cartilage in Paris Hilton's septum.
So, now that I have your attention, I will repeat this: Hella, 9 p.m., Monday, Jake's Backroom, $8. It will be the perfect after party to your zombie-day celebration.
Be the first to comment on this article!