Music

2007 Houston Press Music Awards Showcase

Continued from page 6

Blaggards Nominated In: Best World Music/Reggae www.blaggards.com 8 p.m. H-town's heir to the emerald throne of Phil Lynott and Shane MacGowan, the Blaggards have caused many a pint glass to be raised in celebration, and maybe a few tears to be shed remembering the old country as well. But it's hard to get too sentimental when their souped-up guitars are going full blast, Turi Hoiseth is sawing away at her fiddle and drummer "Earthquake" Edwards slaps out a double-time train beat that fits "Irish Rover" as well as "Folsom Prison Blues." The greenest reggae band you've ever heard.

Arthur Yoria Nominated In: Best Pop, Local Musician of the Year, Best Male Vocalist, Songwriter of the Year www.arthuryoria.com 9 p.m. Arthur Yoria may be mellowing with age. His current bandmates "don't seem to have short fuses like some of the previous guys, so I'm having a better time," the multiple HPMA nominee says. "I'm not writing songs about wanting to punch a bandmate in the face anymore." He's also picked up some interesting fans, who in turn tried to pick up other fans. "At the Vortex in Beaumont, a prostitute got up and sang some really cool ethereal vocals for me before getting thrown out for soliciting the patrons," Yoria swears. And if it's all the same, he prefers to do his drinking onstage. "It's usually not crowded up there, and the drinks are always at least discounted, if not free." One more thing: "We're looking for a piano/keyboard player that can sing backup vocals."

St. Pete's

Dancing Marlin 300 Main 713-227-1511

Eyeagainst Nominated In: Best Hardcore www.myspace.com/ea713 4 p.m. Eyeagainst is somewhat emphatic about where they most like to play. "FITZGERALD'S IS OUR HOME TURF!" responds drummer Mike Ibanez. Bad Brains and Studewood (the street) also get all-caps pounds. The Onion Creek regulars met around summer 1997 and debuted at the end of 1998, an interval they used to, well, learn how to play. "We picked up our instruments when we started the band," says Ibanez. Between playing to just the sound man and bartender at Instant Karma, the Family Values main stage and L.A.'s Roxy with hard-core legends Strife later this year, Eyeagainst has taught various headliners not to leave any food lying around. "We pissed off the guys from Insane Clown Posse because we were eating their meal set up by the venue where they were performing," recounts Ibanez. "We didn't even play that show. We were just hanging out."

Chrome 44 Nominated In: Best Metal www.chrome44.com 5 p.m. Chrome 44 is back on the prowl after recently welcoming new (and former) vocalist Sloane Gallegos to the front of the stage. Slugging it out since 2000, they have a burgeoning base of dedicated fans. Constantly touring around Texas, they recently wrapped second CD Into the Red at Houston's Spyder Studios. "Chrome 44 strives to create a sound as unique as it is raw," they claim on their Web site, and it sounds like they have.

SkyBlue 72 Nominated In: Best Pop www.skyblue72.com 6 p.m. Serving up creamy "rock sauce" since 2003, SkyBlue72's origin story sounds almost like a fairy tale. "Davis and Jessica started writing songs together on Jessica's porch," begins Jessica's big brother and bassist Frank Zweback. "Then they started dating. Frank joined and got them off the porch. Jessica and Davis broke up. Drama drama drama. Then they rocked on." Everybody loves a happy ending. But there's more. "Not only are we a rock band," says Frank, "but we love puppies, restoring old houses and reading about video games."

Molly & the Ringwalds Nominated In: Best Cover Band www.theringwalds.com 7 p.m. Forget the Point — everybody knows Molly & the Ringwalds' Friday happy hours at the Continental Club are where Houston really turns for its '80s fix. Otherwise they wouldn't have owned the HPMA's Cover Band category since 2003 — that's right, this year could make it one for the thumb. With a repertoire deeper than the detention-forged bond between the five Breakfast Club members, and no reservations about letting their fans take over lead vocals if they so desire, the Ringwalds could own this category until the original Van Halen re-forms and beyond.

Zydeco Dots Nominated In: Best Zydeco zydecodots.tripod.com 8 p.m. The Zydeco Dots, celebrating their 20th anniversary with a new CD due this month, have won the HPMA Best Zydeco award so many times we've honestly lost count, but at this point it should probably be renamed in their honor. Their calendar remains as full as ever, and their Web site is worth a visit to watch the dancing swamp critters alone.

Sharks and Sailors Nominated In: Best Indie Rock, Best Bassist (Melissa Lonchambon) www.sharksandsailors.com 9 p.m. The four deep-sea fishing enthusiasts (or so they say) of Sharks and Sailors owe their existence to a parking lot. "I met Mike and Phil in the parking lot of Francisco's practice studio, and Al and I had a lot of friends in common but were just acquaintances," says bassist Melissa Lonchambon. "All of our old bands [Voltex, Sjolander, Panic in Detroit] ended up breaking up about the same time." A common sight at Walter's, Rudyard's and the Proletariat since their first gig in May 2005, they're also partial to Richmond inside the Loop. "That's where all the margaritas (and mango-ritas) are," explains Lonchambon. S & S hope their first album, due later this year, is the first step toward landing a tour bus with "sushi, an Xbox 360, widescreen TV that only gets ESPN, 360-degree Mötley Crüe spinning drum kit, caged orangutans and beer kegs on both sides of the stage, and a Santa Claus at every show."

Venue 719 Main 713-236-8150

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