14 Brand-New Houston Bands You Should Know About

By Chris Gray Fri., Oct. 19 2012 at 3:30 PM

Thursday night in New York City, Houston promoter The Convoy Group and several other companies (including Brooklyn Vegan's Austin bureau) co-sponsored "The Texas Takeover," an evening of all-Lone Star music at Chelsea drinkery Rebel NYC, part of the famous emerging-talent festival CMJ. On the bill were Houston's Tontons, New York City Queens and Josiah Hall, Austin's Wild Child and Shakey Graves, and then Robert Ellis, who probably belongs to both towns at this point.

Speaking of the Tontons, when the band headed off to play another up-and-comer fest, PopMontreal in early September, it dawned on Rocks Off that the local bands we generally thought of as "new" really weren't that "new" anymore. Folks we had grown accustomed to thinking of as "baby bands" (Fat Tony, Ellis, Buxton, the Tontons, Wild Moccasins, Grandfather Child, etc.) have instead been steadily recording and touring for several years now. Even the Wheel Workers/Second Lovers/Poor Pilate/Featherface generation, groups that more or less date back to late 2010 and early 2011, isn't that new anymore.

Shockingly, it didn't take very long after that for us to think, "Well... who is?" We really do try to keep track, but it is a constant struggle; seriously, there is a lot of music out there, Houston.

We asked three promoters who handle what we'll call (no disrespect) entry-level local bands -- Jason Petzold of Pegstar (Fitzgerald's), Treaty Oak Collective's Brandon Lemons (Mango's, Walters) and Phil Peterson of Dean's and Notsuoh -- which bands they first started noticing in the past year or so. Rocks Off added a couple whose names keep coming up in various club listings and whatnot.

You'll have to trust us all on the math, but meet your 2012 freshman music class, Houston. (List is alphabetical.)

A SEA ES

Sound/History: Mmmmm... Grizzly Bear? Psych-ish, eccentric pop, anyway. A Sea Es is local musician Austin Smith, who has expanded the roster to accommodate his live calendar.
Output So Far: Releasing self-titled first album next Friday at Fitzgerald's with Candy Coated Mothership, Poor Pilate, Mystery Flavor and a $500 costume contest.
Upcoming Shows: See above.

BLACK COFFEE

Sound/History: Angry, angry hardcore with former members of the Burden and Fight Pretty. Space City Rock likened them to Barkmarket, which is definitely a compliment.
Output So Far: Six-song cassette recorded live at this year's Free Press Summer Fest.

CHARITY ANN

Sound/History: Female singer-songwriter.
Promoter Says: "Incredible voice and nerve-searing lyrics -- vast array of styles/songs," says Peterson. "Not shabby on guitar either."

EMPTY SHELLS

Promoters Say: Mentioned by both Phil Peterson and Jason Petzold, who described them as "some pretty cool shoegaze stuff."

Tags:

A Sea Es, Black Coffee, Charity Ann, Empty Shells, Forced Fem, Hoofprints, Houston music, Jason Petzold, Legion, Life as Lions, Midnight Norma Lane, Night Drive, Phil Peterson, Showers, Sleuth, Sydnee-Jane, Trial By Bourbon

We Recommend

eudemonist

Texxxas puts down some serious grindcore--if you like it heavy, these guys (and gal) are definitely worth a spin.

carlos_m47

Love it

sketch22

I saw Brothers Grymn in Austin opening for One-Eyed Doll. They slew!

shasta13

1 Like

I saw a band recently at Deans and have been following them fairly closely ever since. The band is Brothers Grymn. I'm not quite sure how to describe the music. It is rap, thats for sure. But the sound and delivery leaves the mind wandering for a comparison that never fully materializes. The lyrics are quite positive upon close inspection. The music is heavy, but far from ominous with traces of electronic and dub. I found myself bobbing my head uncontrollably during their performance, and whenever I listen to their tracks which by the way are available for free download. I've reached out to the members to offer my praise and they have been very appreciative. Through my contact, I've discovered that the group is composed of veterans of the Houston 90's music scene. Instantly I felt a connection, as those are days I reflect upon with a huge sense of nostalgia. I'm not quite sure why Brothers Grymn isnt on HP's radar, but I feel we've only seen the beginning from these guys ( and girl).

johnatrisk

I really like this post and anything that promotes new Houston music, but can we just reach out to the bands and link to something they play rather than rehash Auto-Spin Music-CriticArama speak to describe them? For instance, helpful and not self-indulgent: "darkwave and synth-pop" or "thrashmetal featuring..." Not helpful and cloying: "Mazzy Star if they realy ROCKED" or "Radiohead skipping every 6th note" or "Aladdin Sane-era Bowie meets 7 year old Beethoven in a parking lot with a Gideon Bible steeped in blood stained hymns." If they're good, go get me their EP and post it. If not, don't tell me they're fucking Sonic Youth. I'm not interested in your creativity, just the bands'.

JohnSeabornGray

@johnatrisk This is the weirdest comment I've ever seen. "Yes, tell me about new bands, but don't you DARE be creative, colorful, or entertaining as you do so!" O...kay?

jenkinshouse55

Sunrise and Ammunition are a young trio still relatively new and under the radar who are about to release an album which combines pop rock and prog. So far they get my vote for best new band at next year's HPMA's. Recovery Room are probably still new enough to consider for this. They are exciting to watch with Buckley-esque vocals from a singing drummer. And then there's Knights of the Fire Kingdom who are The Foo Fighters if Roky Moon & Bolt were Nirvana. In other words Jeoaf from Bolt steps up from behind the drums to sing and play guitar. There's three newish Houston bands for you.