Blog: Houstoned Rocks

It appears that last year, local underground rap's most impressive in a handful of terms, was not an anomaly. Six weeks into the last year of human existence (goddamn you, Mayans) and Houston's b... Continue reading "Your iPod Is Interesting Again: 10 New Local Rap Releases Worth Noting" >

The best joke in the music business right now is, according to Cactus Music's Quinn Bishop, something frequently heard recently at his cash register: "Dude, you're getting Adele." Even I bought ... Continue reading ""Dude, You're Getting Adele." Better Late Than Never..." >

David Bowie's space-hippie, proto-punk, peace freak, interstellar rock 'n roll ambassador Ziggy Stardust character debuted 40 years ago today in London at a gig at the Toby Jug pub. The rail-thin... Continue reading "Screwed Up Eyes And Screwed Down Hairdo: David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust Turns Forty" >

To strike someone with the "underrated greatness" term always carries a bit of weight behind it. You know, the quick snap question of "do they deserve it" comes to mind. Sorry, in the class of u... Continue reading "Killin' Them Softly: Celebrating 75 Years Of Roberta Flack" >

I'm not a linguist but I'll confess that I'm fascinated by jargon. Ever heard the phrase the 11 O'Clock Number? It's theatrical shorthand for the big show stopping musical number late in act tw... Continue reading "The End Is Near: 11 Great Second-To-Last Songs" >

Most rock bands don't last 34 days, let alone 34 years. But that's exactly how long Canadian heavy metal trio Anvil has spent recording and touring -- mostly in complete obscurity. Despite amp... Continue reading "Last Night: Anvil at Warehouse Live" >

It gives Rocks Off great pleasure to announce that effective immediately, we will be sponsoring selected in-stores at Cactus Music, no fewer than two a month. Our first in-store is 3 p.m. Satu... Continue reading "Rocks Off Now Sponsoring Some Cactus Music In-Stores" >

Today would have marked the 50th birthday of a bass guitarist named Clifford Lee Burton who played for a band called Metallica. You may have heard of them. Unfortunately, Cliff passed away in 198... Continue reading "Gone But Never Forgotten: Happy 50th Birthday Cliff Burton" >

The best thing about the annual Grammy nominations and awards shows is the clamor of anger that rises up when the mere mention of the event even comes up. Immediately people begin calling it a t... Continue reading "We Tell You Who Will Win Grammys So You Don't Have To Watch Them " >

Houstonians are more than likely familiar with Mario Rodriguez for his work with Tax the Wolf. The experimental powerhouse has been winning awards and critical acclaim for his experimental and cu... Continue reading "Bang Bangz: Tax the Wolf Offshoot Sets A Pretty High Bar" >

Today would have been country legend and pioneer Ernest Tubb's 98th birthday. Born in 1914 in Crisp, Texas near Dallas, his hometown is now designated as ghost town. For forty years, Tubb was a m... Continue reading "Thanks A Lot: An Introduction To The Late Great Ernest Tubb" >

Lonesome, Onry and Mean didn't get in much trouble in school. So his parents were a little disturbed to find the eighth grader in the principal's office on the afternoon of February 10, 1964. H... Continue reading "Introducing...The Beatles: Celebrating Their First Ed Sullivan Performance" >

Carole King is a woman who has played a major part in creating numerous classic hit songs. She has helped to shape popular music since she and then-husband Gerry Goffin (they divorced in 1968) wr... Continue reading "Top 10 Carole King Songs Written for Other Artists" >

I was living in Holland in 1977 when my younger brother, who had attended Wayland Baptist University on a track scholarship until booze and girls were discovered in his dorm room, came for a vis... Continue reading "Happy Birthday Joe Ely: The Lubbock Flash Turns 65" >

It's been reported that last weekend, a group of people was turned away from Washington Avenue's Roosevelt Lounge for, according to the aggrieved, having "too many black people." Reports of exact... Continue reading "Clearing Up What Happened At Roosevelt Lounge" >

Madonna is one of those artists that does it all: she sings, dances, acts, and occasionally writes. The main thing that keeps her fans begging for more is that she always seeks to reinvent hers... Continue reading "Express Yourself: The 10 Best Deep Tracks of Madonna's Career" >

Rocks Off was setting our house in order after our long absence, when at some point we realized that while we were away, we had barely heard anything about this year's Free Press Summer Fest at ... Continue reading "Summer Fest Promises 2012 Lineup "Soon"" >

Nearly 12 years after the release of Voodoo, Michael Eugene Archer, better known for his stage name, D'Angelo, has emerged out of his self-imposed exile. After doing battle with drugs and alcohol... Continue reading "Smooth: 10 Definitive Neo-Soul Tracks " >

Being loud is an art. Strike that, being artfully loud is an art, being regular loud only requires some amperage. The key seems to be finding a way to harness the sound of collision, to ride on ... Continue reading "Female Demand: Outside the Universe is Really, REALLY Outside" >

Each Wednesday, Rocks Off arbitrarily appoints one lucky local performer or group "Artist of the Week," bestowing upon them all the fame and grandeur such a lofty title implies. Know a band or ar... Continue reading "And Here's Glass The Sky, Indie-Rock Group/Clarinet Enthusiasts" >

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