Arts & Entertainment

Odis, Living Legends rock the local stage

By Mason Lerner
The Daily Cougar

If you've been meaning to get better acquainted with the local music scene in Houston, but for some reason you just never get around to it, than this is the weekend to finally get your taste. Not because there is a one concert or venue that particularly stands out, but precisely because there isn't one. With no headliners scheduled to fill Reliant Stadium or the Compaq Center, this weekend is a great time to hear quality music in more down to earth settings.

As usual Fitzgerald's will provide a launching pad for area bands trying to blast off out of the Space City and into the stratosphere of rock stardom. Tonight, local sensation, o.k., maybe not sensation, but definitelty local, funk-rock band Satelite Season will be sharing the up-stairs stage with Mean Peace, Corah, and Derisetic.

On the main stage downstairs the ex members of Sprawl and Given will collaborate and rock on as Marfreles. If you were ever a fan of Sprawl or Given you will not want to miss this. Of course, if you were ever a fan of Sprawl or Given, you might be related to them. Sometimes the truth of being a starving artist hurts more than the hunger itself.

Another hot show tonight is the CD release party of Houston based Reggae band, Dubtex at the Rhythm Room. Dubtex has made a name for itself by opening for such Reggae legends as Eek-A-Mouse and The Wailers. The band is known for bringing a party atmosphere to their shows and for moving crowds with their ragamuffin dub beats.

On Saturday night The Living Legends will perform at the Rhythm Room. Not too much is known about this band, but how many times in your life can you to watch genuine self proclaimed living legends perform and maybe even have a beer with them after the show?

Here is something that is sure to set it off with the college crowd. While The Living Legends cement their place in the pantheon of legends that nobody has ever heard of, sort of like, say, Sly Stallone's brother Frank, Rick Lee will be tugging on his Amish style beard and plucking away on a banjo at The Big Easy on Kirby. His traditional Appalachian and Celtic tunes will make you realize that maybe freshman level algebra really wasn't that boring after all. It is wonderful how art can put things in perspective.

Friday night at the Engine Room is Odis, Extempore, Leisure Class Heroes, A Step Behind and Insurgent. 

Saturday night is Elemental, Letter, Walking 49, Pictures of Storyville, Fallout Boys and Driver

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