The 5 Best Shows In Houston This Week: October 29-November 1

By Rocks Off Mon., Oct. 29 2012 at 6:00 AM

Categories: Only In Houston, Playbill

Continued from page 1

Photo by Groovehouse

Valient Thorr at Free Press Summer Fest 2012

Valient Thorr, Venomous Maximus, Texxxas
Rudyard's, October 31
Get your Halloween on with Valient Thorr on the actual holiday, while all your friends are still nursing hangovers from the weekend and handing out candy to the little monsters in their apartment complex. The band's annual Houston stops at Rudz are the stuff of hazy legends, and sometimes if we are lucky, they come twice in one year. Also on the bill are locals Venomous Maximus, who just released their new disc Beg Upon The Light, and stoner trio Texxxas, who have lately been snagging some choice slots opening for national beardo acts. CRAIG HLAVATY

Tomahawk
Fitzgerald's, November 1
You could perhaps be forgiven for thinking of Tomahawk, comprised of former members of Faith No More, the Jesus Lizard, Helmet, Battles, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas and more, as some sort of '90s noise-rock all-star team. Take a listen to Mike Patton, Duane Denison, John Stanier and new member Trevor "Field Mouse" Dunn's first album in five years, the aptly named Oddfellows, and you'd be right. Patton and friends usher listeners in to a cryptic hard-rock funhouse that is by turns foreboding, harrowing, cathartic and menacing. Considering Oddfellows won't be released until January -- and especially because Tomahawk hasn't toured since 2003 -- Day of the Dead is as good a time as any to get a sneak preview. CHRIS GRAY

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