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Life & Arts

Houston hosts three Texan bands

Austin's Young Heart Attack headlines Rudyard's performance

By Jason Gagnon
The Daily Cougar

Something great is happening in the world of Texas rock 'n' roll -- it's finally getting recognition on a national scale.

The Ends have become critical darlings all over the underground press, the Riverboat Gamblers are getting scouted by major labels and Austin's Young Heart Attack are poised to bust into the mainstream spotlight -- and all three are coming to town.

Of course, having a couple of well-received singles in the United Kingdom and touring with Slade and T. Rex rip-offs, the Darkness probably helped out a little. Tonight at Rudyard's (2010 Waugh Drive), they headline a solid bill of Texas bands that are worthy of your attention.

Fans of AC/DC and Rose Tattoo will no doubt enjoy Young Heart Attack's high-voltage, no-frills rock that includes alternating gruff male and sultry female vocals coupled with an exciting live show. This band goes all out and plays hard, but though they are at the top of bill, the highlight of the show will be locals The Urgencies.

Though they are a relatively new band, the four guys who comprise the group are all long-time veterans of the Texas music scene. Bassist/singer Mike McWilliams and guitarist/singer Jarrett Gardner earned a wealth of rock 'n' roll experience touring with Motorhead, backing Kelly Osbourne at an MTV awards show and even received accolades from Rolling Stone magazine while in local legends Pure Rubbish.

Formerly known as Desolation Row, The Urgencies' sound is a mixture of early punk, old-fashioned power pop and 1970s rock with a little bit of darkness thrown in. Imagine a combination of DGeneration and the Lords of the New Church and you will get a good idea of what the guys have in store for you. Their shows are bursting with passion and energy that lets audiences know the band is the real deal. They live and breathe rock 'n' roll, a rarity these days, making the Urgencies one of the better Houston bands out there.

Local favorites The John Sparrow will also perform their revamped sound that sounds sort of like Rocket From The Crypt gone mad. So get your dancing shoes on and get ready to rock at this stellar show. 
 

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