May 2nd, 2012
The Wall Live returned to the U.S. last night with a first stop in Houston.
The performance, for it is perhaps better termed theater rather than concert, lives up to the hype in many ways. It is a remarkable production that, perhaps intentionally, overwhelms and can subdue as easily as it enthralls. As a result, the floor audience often seemed unsure whether to sit or stand, as if attending the in-laws religious service on Christmas Eve and wanting badly not to offend.
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
April 30th, 2012
Based on the number of tour vehicles, one might have guessed a double, double bill — the stripped-down staging indicated otherwise. For rock’s reigning duo, The Black Keys, seem capable of supporting their show out of a panel van, but bring a fleet of vehicles to ensure that their range of musical influences and interests could just as readily be brought out for display.
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
March 18th, 2012
Corned beef: That beautiful intersection of Jewish and Irish-American cultures. Good tasting and bad for you. I started corning beef soon after I received a copy of Michael Ruhlman’s Ratio, and I discovered that smoking a brisket to Texan perfection is a bit trickier than it looks. However, given the 10-15 days of corning (brining) and my au courant impetuosity, there are days that out-sourcing said melding of beef, fat, salt, and pickling spices are a must. Plus it’s a great hangover cure. The commercially prepared briskets at the grocery store are painfully salty and devoid of real flavor, so where should you go?
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
March 15th, 2012
Nearly 12% of Americans claim Irish heritage. However, every March that number spikes as American’s take the opportunity to celebrate Ireland’s second bishop and most famous saint’s death.
Green beer, shamrock headgear/glasses, the one day you acknowledge male gingers — all indicators that make professional drinkers declare the 17th to be “amateur night”, an evening (and most of the day) that many will use as justification to exceed the worst New Year’s Day hangover.
Photo of the Week 3.19.10 by Pixeltopia
As a PSA you are likely to see tweeted again and again: drinking and driving is risky and dangerous. It’s particularly stupid during high profile events such as this. Expect the day/weekend to be declared a no refusal weekend by the police. Cabs or friends on tetracycline (b/c of that out-patient procedure, absolutely NOT related to that hot mess you hooked up with three weeks ago) who cannot drink are your go-to’s.
St. Patty’s is to bartenders what St. Valentine’s is to wait staff—a hellacious evening in which the money will not make up for the crush and inevitable clientele drama (and in the bartenders’ case, the likelihood of needing a mop at some point in the evening). While we cannot endorse green colored beer for the mere fact that it is likely to be domestic swill, this is not an evening to expect a perfectly poured Guinness, and ordering a Black and Tan deserves a major tip. Better yet, just don’t be that guy today.
So where does one go, if not Boston? Here’s a quick rundown of some popular Inner Loop haunts:
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
February 16th, 2012
Walking out of the bar, I run into two gents rifling through their CSA allotment, “Fennel, Spinach, and these mustard greens!” The insecure move would be to mock them, but they notice me and offer samples. Keep in mind, the last time I tried weeds from a stranger, I ended up with a Def Leppard tattoo and a brief stay in a soothing facility, but their enthusiasm was hard to resist. Besides, it was Hay Merchant’s first, official day of business, and I’d spent the past few hours surrounded by people who were just as enthusiastic about food and beer.
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
February 16th, 2012
The Loop Scoop continues its tenuous Reality Bites references with Evan Dando’s latest incarnation of The Lemonheads making an appearance at Fitzgerald’s last Friday to a near-sellout, enthusiastic, relatively mature (for Fitz) crowd. Maintaining our reputation for loud conversations during quiet songs, didn’t appear to affect the reputationally-prickly Dando, who in fact was clearly enjoying the performance.
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
January 17th, 2012
By all accounts, Chris Gray Day was a fantastic success on Saturday, both in supporting the cause and in support for the local music scene. Hayes Carll was one of the last, major acts to be signed on to the bill before concert day came, so we thought we would jump in with some double duty in posting photos from his New Year’s Eve Eve show at House of Blues.
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
November 11th, 2011
Having successfully managed two grade school student council campaigns, I thought I might share some thoughts on how to manage a sex scandal with Herman Cain’s presidential election committee. I appreciate that early whispers of a scandal had little to no impact on Cain’s polling numbers; however, some awkward denials , followed by recollections by Herman now warrant that a little more thought be put into the response than simply refusing to speak about the topic. My open letter follows.
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
November 4th, 2011
We acknowledge that The Voodoo Music Experience is a little bit outside the loop. But with Soundgarden, Blink 182, Snoop Dogg, The Raconteurs, Mastodon, Boots Electric, Cheap Trick and more how can we resist sharing some of the photos with you. Alexander was scanning from the pit and snapped these beauts. Thank him at @AlexanderF.
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
October 19th, 2011
Devil horns, air guitars, drumstick theatrics, metal-studded leather, lasers and pyrotechnics – trying to capture the fervor of Judas Priest’s performance at The Woodlands Pavilion threatens to be a cliché-ridden, mindless piece, until one recognizes that 40+ years of recording and performing means that JP helped establish the rituals of metal-dom. Billed as their last “major world tour,” Epitaph promises at least one track from every album in a 2:20 set. Priest faithful apparently understood the message that while their beloved icons will tour again, the realities of age and the economics of touring meant that this tour represents the last rites of spectacles.
Read the full Scoop »
— Alexander
