Yr. Weekend, Pt. 1: Literary Greats + Finnegan + Quiet Company + Balaclavas + Jealous Creatures + Wheel Workers + More

First night of a busy, busy weekend, y’all — tonight, Friday, January 13th, is packed full of awesomely cool things to do/hear/see. And yes, I know I’m running late; sorry ’bout that, folks, but that’s what spending a day/evening with an unwell toddler does to you.

Before I get to the listings, a few updates to upcoming shows are in order. As you’ve probably already heard, Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers managed to injure his foot (I think?), and so the band’s had to postpone their planned tour, including the March 8th date over at Toyota Center. They’ll now be playing H-town on October 20th, so if you were psyched about the show, well, you’re in for a bit of a wait… (No word, btw, on whether or not opener Janelle Monae is also being postponed.)

A little further outside the city, the Kool & The Gang show that was supposed to be on March 2nd way, waaaaaay out at Nutty Jerry’s in Winnie has been cancelled. According to the band, they got offered a gig they just couldn’t pass up, and yeah, if it’s been something big and a show in Winnie, well, I’m guessing Winnie loses. Sorry, funk-loving citizens of Winnie.

Then there’s the usual shows-moving-around thing, which in this case means the February 4th {Co-Pilot} show that was originally at Mango’s — it’s now at the new Walter’s, over at 1120 Naylor.

Down in Clear Lake, The Scout Bar has flipped two of their shows, the ones scheduled for January 20th and 21st. The Velcro Pygmies were originally playing on 1/21 but are now on 1/20, and the show with {Dykes On Bykes} and {Skeleton Dick} was 1/20 and is now 1/21.

In the “total confusion” category, there’s at least one, probably two shows going on Tues., March 13th that have me completely mystified. I’ve seen A) a show at Warehouse Live with Mikal Cronin and Pujol, and then a show at Walter’s with {Howler}, {Psychic Palms}, and Mikey & The Drags…but then I’ve also seen the Walter’s show listing Howler and Mikal Cronin.

At this point, I’m guessing those first two shows I mentioned are the ones actually happening, and the original Walter’s listing got split in two, but I keep running across that last listing, even now.

Now, for tonight; here we go:

The Literary Greats/Finnegan/Quiet Company/Poor Pilate @ Fitzgerald’s
Alright, so despite the competition, I’m going to have to declare this one the winner of the evening — it’s the show I’d be at if I weren’t sitting here at home listening for the Little Guy coughing on the baby monitor. I love {The Literary Greats}, in all their roots-pop glory — they’re one of the coolest, smartest bands in this town — {Finnegan} put out one of my top four or so best albums of the year with 2011’s What Happened To Jacqueline?, {Poor Pilate} were awesome when I saw ’em open for Roky Moon & BOLT a while back, and most recently, I’ve been utterly floored by the new album from Austin’s Quiet Company, We Are All Where We Belong; it’s amazing, honest.

Oh, and you can check out reviews of the Finnegan & Quiet Company albums here and here, respectively. Both are freaking great.

Balaclavas (tour kickoff)/Black Congress/Psychic Palms @ Walter’s
Already talked about this one, but I must reiterate just how damn cool it’s going to be. Seriously.

Defend the Night: Benefit for Esmé/Visual Vitriol 2012 Kick-Off, featuring Vivian Pikkles and the Sweethearts Über Alles, The Busy Kids, Biscuit Bombs, Mydolls, Molotov Latte, & Jealous Creatures @ Super Happy Fun Land
This one’s a twofer of sorts; it was originally just the first night of the kickoff for Visual Vitriol, David Ensminger‘s awesome-sounding book on punk-rock flyers as art, but then Austin music scene heroine Esmé Barrera was tragically murdered on New Year’s Day. I didn’t know her, myself, but it’s a horrible, awful tragedy, and it seems appropriate that this show be both for the book and a benefit to help Barrera’s family with their expenses.

It helps, of course, that the bands are pretty great, especially {Jealous Creatures} — who Jason Smith interviewed this week, right over here — {The Busy Kids}, and Vivian Pikkles and the Sweethearts Über Alles…

The Wheel Workers/Art Institute/Tofu Kozo @ Fitzgerald’s
Speaking of Jason’s interviews, a little while back he also interviewed neat folk-pop-etc. outfit {The Wheel Workers}, who I really, truly need to hear more of (and see live, for that matter). And hey, there’s also {Art Institute}, that wild-eyed art-punk trio to whom I seriously, shamefully owe a review. Soon, guys, I swear.

Runners-Up:
Miss Leslie @ Heights Live! ($10)
(theLID, featuring Ayman Harper & Matmos @ DiverseWorks (7:30-9PM)
The American Heist/Blackmarket Syndicate/Jason Bancroft and The Wealthy Beggars/Radio Blackout @ Rudyard’s
Clandestine @ McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
Evolution of Art and Music, featuring Wayword, Danny Watts, Abstract Cannon, Rob Bass, DJ Pharmer, & Jody Lynn @ Watson Gallery
Reckless Kelly/Reverend Horton Heat/Goddamn Gallows @ House of Blues
Lost Bayou Ramblers/Changoman @ The Continental Club
Earl Gilliam Tribute, featuring Jonn Richardson @ The Big Easy
ChicoBrick B-Day Bash, featuring K-Rino, Popason, Mr. I-10 East, Krucial & i10, Syg, Frontline Klicc, Kong/YGN, A-100 Boys, & more @ JJ’s Sports Bar