Introduction
Over the past few years, it's sometimes felt like every issue of SCR we put out, whether print or online, was somewhat of a small miracle. With this issue (#7, for those keeping track), we're hoping to finally turn the corner. We've made some changes lately, both aimed at making this e-zine more profitable (see our new advertising page) and more organized. We're also working on revamping and updating our Houston Music section, which should be welcome news to those who read through the band listings and such with any regularity... [more]

Heavy Sounds: Exploring the incredible, unlikely stages of The Polyphonic Spree
"What are they, a cult or something?" My wife pointed up at the screen, warily eyeing the small herd of people dancing around in white robes and singing together or playing a huge array of instruments, and I had to wonder myself. The Polyphonic Spree's first album, The Beginning Stages Of..., didn't get into specifics, but the band was supposedly this giant crowd of people, all of whom seemed to spend most of their time smiling. Call me cynical, but people who smile all the time make me nervous... [more]

The Line Continues: An Interview with Jonah Matranga of Onelinedrawing
Jonah Matranga is having a banner year, it seems. The Volunteers, the sophomore full-length from his solo act, Onelinedrawing, was released in the spring to much critical acclaim and lots of indie-fanboy fawning (myself included). On the eve of the album's release, Onelinedrawing played a transcendent show at the SXSW music festival Jade Tree showcase that left the audience stunned. Water and Solutions, the final (and greatest) album from Jonah's previous band Far, arguably one of the defining moments of emo-core rockery, has been recently reissued by Sony in a CD+DVD package with some concert footage and other goodies... [more]

Robots Making Cakes: A glimpse into the strange world of The Curtains
The Curtains are a little different than any other group you've heard before. Constantly inventive and unfailingly intriguing, they couldn't be run-of-the-mill if they tried. Featuring members of Deerhoof and Natural Dreamers, among other groups, their latest album, Flybys, is out now on Thin Wrist Records, and a new record's already on the way. I spoke with guitarist, Los Angeles resident, and lead Curtain Chris Cohen through the miracle of the Internet... [more]

Hella: Back to the Real Rock & Roll?
Take the Double-Zeros. The Aughts, if you prefer. Replace the fledgling battle for gay rights against thrice-divorced Southern Baptists and child-abusing priests with a fledgling battle for black civil rights against bigoted Dixiecrats. Replace an escalating guerilla war in the desert with an escalating guerilla war in the jungle. Replace George Walker Bush with Richard Milhouse Nixon. Replace the over-hyped Strokes with the over-hyped MC5. It's beginning to look a lot like the Sixties... [more]

Why Instruction is "So F**king Great"
If you've been reading SCR for a while, you might remember that one of our earliest interviews was with Arty Shepherd from Errortype:11 -- a band who was doing pretty well for themselves, mainly due to their "Quicksand-goes-pop" vibe (I'm oversimplifying here, but go with me). Fast forward to three years later -- Errortype is no more, but three of the members (Shepherd, bassist Adam Marino, and drummer Ti Kreck) have joined forces with none other than Quicksand axeman Tom Capone. And if that wasn't enough rock to punch you in the gut, they then added a third guitarist -- Joe Grillo from Garrison. The resulting amalgam? Instruction. Instruction rocks. Big time... [more]

Butter for Guns?: Houston Rock Stalwarts Groceries Head in a New Direction
Bands in Houston don't tend to last. Something about this city burns through the best and brightest, the most ambitious and talented musicians in town, tossing them aside when they're disillusioned and embittered. Maybe that's true of any city's music scene, true, but it sure feels like things here are more ruthless, somehow. It's hard being a music fan here sometimes -- put any effort into actually liking a band, and they could be gone a week from now... [more]

Live -- The Darkness/The Wildhearts
If you were one of the unlucky people who missed The Darkness at the Verizon Wireless Theater on April 11, 2004, well, you missed an incredible show. The Darkness, armed with one U.S.-released album, Permission to Land, and one U.S.-released video, the campy, B-movie-ish "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," put on an over-the-top '80s glam metal throwback performance that turned out to be the best concert I'd seen in years... [more]

Live -- A review of 4 bands, 1 play and a bar
A while back, I went to Helios to see an act. Instead, I saw five great shows. Five shows for five bucks. I mean, can you beat that? I think not. Upstairs, early, was a play. Yes, a play, and one hell of a good time play, too. Well-acted, very entertaining. Theater in a bar is so cool -- bravo for the fearless cast. The play is quite a hoot, and there are more than a few surprises. This is Gorilla Theater, and you will love it if you get a chance to see it. Think minimal stage, sets, and props, and maximal great acting. The play alone was worth the trip out... [more]