Tuesday, December 07, 2010

WESHOTJR IS DEAD PARTY PICS


Hey Kids,

Photos from the last WeShotJR party at Rubber Gloves are finally up. Sorry it took so long, but I hope you enjoy them.

Miss ya'll.

Love,

Sally

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Defensive Listening To Write For D Magazine's Front Row Blog

To those of you that continue to look at this site,

I just wanted to let you know that I will be writing It Lists and Weekenders for D Magazine's Front Row Blog, which covers the arts in the DFW area. I will also be working on reviews and interviews, so stay in touch. Thanks very much, I miss you all.

Defensive Listening

Monday, November 22, 2010

Monday, November 01, 2010

Farewell

Saturday's WSJR funeral was easily one of the best times I've ever had doing anything involving this website. First of all, every band I saw was great. Like, "I actually want to listen to this shit at my house sometimes" great, you know? And a lot of people came out to see them, way more than I expected, which was a welcome and pleasant surprise that made the whole experience substantially better. I talked with old friends, met a few new ones, and had a really good time at a concert I was honored to be a small part of.

At some point during the night, I reflected back to a few weeks ago when a friend of mine asked me if I thought I had "accomplished" anything with WeShot JR after almost five years. Am I "proud" of it? Would I recommend that others give something similar a try themselves? Is Dallas worth fighting for, and didn't moving to Chicago pretty much already answer that question? After first wondering why my friend was being kind of a dick, I realized that I really didn't know how to answer his inquiries. And then I realized that it didn't matter.

This site was started in January 2006 mostly out of boredom, with an aim to have as much fun in Dallas as I possibly could while I was stuck living there for school and work. As the site launched and I looked around the internet, I realized that there really wasn't anyone else in town doing what I was trying to do, which seemed strange but not all together surprising. You see, up to that point, I had spent several years in Dallas going to a lot of mediocre shows and reading countless articles on boring 90's holdovers like Deathray Davies, Old 97s and others, wondering what, exactly, was wrong with the local music media and why Dallas hadn't caught up with the rest of the world. Was it shitty writers? Shitty bands? A shitty music scene? I really wanted to find out. It seemed that Dallas was stuck in a certain era of its own history, and I figured there were a lot of people out there like me who wanted to experience good music in the city but had no idea how to find it, or if it even existed at all. I wasn't a part of any "music scene," I had no inside scoops into anything going on, and truly lacked any kind of real insight into what Dallas music was all about, other than whatever knowledge I already possessed regarding music in general.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this site had a very humble aim when it started, and not only did it more than accomplish my initial goals, it eventually became much more than I ever thought it could be. If someone had told me that I would work on it almost every day for five years, I would have laughed at them, just as I would have if they had told me I'd get to interview everyone from Robert Pollard to Sonic Boom to Silver Apples, or get to put on concerts, or start a record label, or host parties at SXSW or a showcase at Melodica Festival. I have no idea what we did or didn't accomplish with this site, or if we changed anything, or how many people will even remember us a few years down the road. But I do know that we, as in the writers and readers of WeShotJR, made some noise in this town, and I loved almost every second of it.

As silly as it might sound, working on this website has been one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done, and I'd like to truly thank everyone for reading, even those who hated us. Especially those who hated us. Because in a place like Dallas, if your opinions don't piss people off, you're doing something wrong.

I'd like to give special thanks to:
Sam Machkovech
Sanctuary Studios
Zac Crain
Wanz Dover
John Freeman
The Shapes
The Party-- Nature, Sober and Select
James Watkins
The Chat Room
1919 Hemphill
Seth Sherman
715 Panhandle
East Plano
Muscle Beach
Art Prostitute
Daniel Francis Doyle
Orange Coax
Fight Bite
Nevada Hill
the Undoing of David Wright
The Strange Boys
8th Continent
Fra House
Wisconsin
Majestic Dwelling of Doom
all current and former WeshotJr writers
Sally Glass
Fred Holston
Anyone who has performed at any of our shows
Bill Holston
Prince William
House of Tinnitus
Paul Slocum
Cliff Notes
Josh Baish and everyone at Rubber Gloves
TPH
DL
and anyone else who deserves it

Saturday, October 30, 2010

WEEKENDER

Stoned Ranger really regrets not doing this final Weekender as originally planned, so instead you're stuck with me, DL. However, he will have a special note for you this weekend, so make sure and sign the Guest Book sometime soon.

One last note: We will keep our Twitter and Facebook page around for any sort of last word, or post We Shot JR news, and to keep you abreast of any other writing projects we may be involved in, as there has been some "talk," but only time will tell. Perhaps there will be somewhere else that we are welcome to occasionally share our take with you, who knows? I encourage those of you that are so inclined to please continue writing about music on your own websites. I don't think writing about music is stupid. It's difficult, and people simply want to trash things that are difficult as pointless. It requires a lot of meticulous research and requires a certain lifestyle in some ways. You can't always stay in on weeknights.

If it wasn't for cranky and well informed music writing from decades past, I would have overlooked a lot of challenging or nondescript or seemingly unappealing music that would eventually become some of my most treasured moments or ideas or items in my life.

I want to thank the following people, places, and things:
El Tocadiscos
Cliff Notes
Sally Glass
Richardson Heights
Nevada Hill
Zac Crain
Dust Congress House: Nick Foreman
David Ireland at AEG Live.
Art Prostitute/Public Trust: Brian G.
Muscle Beach
Holly Jefferson
Groove Net Records
Secret Headquarters: Scott, Kerm, and Cody
Fra House: Josh, Ed, Chuck.
Marietta/Paperstain: Justin Lemons and David Sailor and Meredith.
Thanks so many times to Justin "JC" Collins for various favors and help.
Matt Barnhart, Rubber Gloves, Shep.
House of Tinnitus: Rob & Amelia.
Mark Church at Good Records.
Paul Slocum
K.O.L.D: Julie, Sasha, and Evan.
Joshaa
715 Panhandle, NPNR
Travis Smith
1919 Hemphill: Rick, Al, and various volunteers.
8th Continent: Lars, Heather, and Shane
The Chat Room: Dave and Ben.
Wisconsin: Chris, Brad, Garrick.
Majestic Dwelling Of Doom
Layla Blackshear
Preston Jones
Hunter Hauk
Sam M.
All the people that have written us nice letters.
To countless bands, artists, and fearless people that I have found inspiring even when I didn't feel up to doing this. Thanks very much to all of you.

-Defensive Listening


FRIDAY

Bad Brains/Spector 45/Here Holy Spain (Granada): Is there anything better than those first Bad Brains recordings, including the Black Dots demo collection? You really wouldn't expect reggae, punk, and thrash to actually work as well as it does, and perhaps it never really did again. In other words, I hope this set consists of early material only, but that's every fan's dilemma.

Rocket For Ethiopia/Legsweeper/Geistheistler/Kampfgrounds (Houseton located at 2311 Houston in Denton)

Doctor Troy/Blixaboy (Fallout Lounge): This show shouldn't be overlooked, as it features Doctor Troy who runs the great West Coast reissue label, Medical Records, which certainly contributed to a 200 plus dollar record buying binge I went on during a recent visit to Amoeba in LA. In fact, I wound up buying two copies of the same Robotnik record they put out, just because I knew I wouldn't see any in these parts. Dr. Troy is apparently an actual doctor, and originally hails from Texas, but most importantly he was mining the dust settled corners of the prog synth, minimal wave, space disco and similar 80's genres far before it became hip to do so, and his reissues and mixes are testament to that.

Wanz "Blixaboy" Dover has received a growing number of accolades for his work of late, from XLR8R, RCRD LBL, Fader and all the places you'd want a new record in this style to be mentioned. That sort of brings things full circle on this website. You see, Wanz was the subject of much debate early on, due to his intensely opinionated view of the local underground scene's evolution as well as his part in it, and I remember spending time on here both agreeing and disagreeing with him from time to time as an anonymous commenter before I took on the nom de plume of Defensive Listening. His Melodica fest in 2008 still stands as a favorite memory of many a music fan I know, and I'm talking people who actually listen to records and go to shows that aren't driven by modern bloggo publicist BS. Melodica was by far the best local festival of the past five years, no contest. When he was pointlessly attacked for his efforts, it helped bring an entire group of people together that might not have been unified otherwise, and of course now that he's getting national attention, well, hey it's fashionable and politically easy to cover his music. But that should have always been easy, and free of agenda and forced narratives. Instead, like so often happens in music and art, personal politics cloud the judgment of hack writers everywhere. You see it time and time again; some tiny band or artist goes largely ignored, someone with taste takes the time to shed some light on them, and then all of your former critics come running to your side, pretending as though they'd been there all along. That's okay. I've come to accept and expect that in the world. When it's work out that way, it's really best for the artists themselves to get that sort of recognition and justice, no matter how many fools they confused along the way.

I'm glad to see Wanz do well, and again, I'm glad the record is called "Kliks & Politiks." Full circle indeed. Event is free.

Costumed Critical Mass: Starts in Fort Worth, right?

SATURDAY

We Shot JR is Dead (Rubber Gloves): Yeah, so one more time: This event starts at six and is hosted by Fred Holston. There may be some "surprises." There might not be anything surprising at all. But I hope you join us, as I do vouch for almost all of the acts here. A lot of them represent everything we get attacked for, and I find that comforting. Yes, I know 99 percent of the lineup is awesome. You're welcome. My only regret is that it couldn't be just a few hours longer to incorporate the other handful of bands we like around here. I hope someone brings candy.

Darktown Strutters/Damaged Goods/Yeah Def (Hailey's)

SUNDAY

Pinkish Black/Transistor Tramps/Vaults of Zin (Chat Room)

Helmet/Intronaut/Descender (Loft)

Danzig (Palladium): I have never been into Danzig or Samhain and I think the Misfits are by far the most overrated punk band of all time, but he was pretty good at Fun Fun Fun Fest last year. If you're going this year, I'm sorry that Devo canceled. Total drag.

Commando/Heavy Cream/Uptown Bums/Video (Rubber Gloves): I like Video but if anyone ever calls them "No Wave" again, I'm going to vomit blood. No Wave is perhaps the only sacred genre of music in my world. You get knighted in that realm, and hopefully never erroneously.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

It List: Thursday


Wow my last It List. As Coach Taylor said in last night's Friday Night Lights episode while watching his college bound daughter Julie fuss with her mother over something trivial just moments before their familial unit is forever altered by the sands of time, "I'm gonna miss this". Remember you can still catch Monday Morning Rock over at my new movie themed blog Phosphate on Film (launching late next week) or you can always gchat with me via frankphosphate@gmail.com if you ever get lonely late at night, I'm usually around. Wish there was a show tonight that I felt like writing about but... yeah take a look. I don't have the negative energy to spare right now. See you Saturday.


Ra Ra Riot (Granada)

Tim Kasher | Minus the Bear (House of Blues)

And You Will Know us By the Trail of the Dead (Loft)

Ryan Thomas Becker | Jason Bonner (J&J's)

80's Night w/DJ G (Amsterdam)

Seryn | Volt Revolt | Stomach | Baruch the Scribe (Rubber Gloves)

Art List

THURSDAY, October 28, 2010

Magical, Mystical, Masterful (Jill Skupin Burkholder)
Sun to Moon Gallery
1515 Levee Street, Dallas, TX 75207
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

FRIDAY, October 29, 2010

Dallas Portfolio Exchange #9 (large group show)
Magnolia Gallery
3629 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Indig-Nation: Agency and the Hegemonic State (smallish group show)
Visual Arts Building at University Of Texas at Dallas
800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75083
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

SATURDAY, October 30, 2010

Easl Art Heist 2010 Fundraiser & Party (more info)
Lofty Spaces
816 Montgomery Street, Dallas, TX 75215
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM

The Language of Myth (Brent Kollock)
Watercolors (Michael Roque Collins)
Norwood Flynn Gallery
3318 Shorecrest Drive, Dallas, TX 75235
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Thanks, dudes. It was fun.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

It List: Wednesday



The Numerators/Sunn Talk/Kiwi Sisters (The Cavern): Always a great time with the Numerators. And I'd never heard of Garland's Kiwi Sisters until today-- kind of interesting, at times decent loner bedroom synth pop, and sort of shitty in parts too. I really don't know what to think, but its worth checking out to see what you think.

Bone Thugs n Harmony/Johnny Ringo (House of Blues): Goddamn, I love Bone Thugs. I also love Cleveland, where they're from. I don't know what it is, exactly, but Bone's best singles just fucking kill it every single time. I rocked em in 10th grade, and I like them as much or possibly even more now. Of course, the irony of a bunch of suburban kids singing along about "the first of the month" isn't lost on me, but that's kind of part of the fun, isn't it?

Interpol/White Rabbits (Palladium): What happens to someone like Carlos D when first they're cool, then everyone makes fun of them, then they become unworthy of even mockery? Now that hipsters are more or less a thing of the past, I can't imagine what this guy will possibly do with the rest of his life. I mean, he was more of a professional hipster than anyone I can think of. And if you haven't read the article linked in the previous sentence, I would highly recommend checking it out-- a good look back at the counterculture decade that never was. I'd be curious to see what any of you have to say about that.

We Shot Jr is Dead

Here's the new schedule for the show, and we hope to see you guys on Saturday at Rubber Gloves for our last day on earth:


Geistheistler 6:00pm (stage)
Cuckoo Byrds 6:30 (floor)
Fungi Girls 7:30(f)
Lychgate 8:00(s)
Eat Avery's Bones 8:35 (f)
Dharma 9:00(s)
White Drugs 9:35(f)
Cygnus 10:05(s)
Orange Coax 10:40(f)
Early Lines 11:10 (s)
Vulgar Fashion 12:05 (f)
One Baptist General 12:30 (s)

with DJG and Ben White spinning records