Destruction Unit
The public thrills and private strains of the touring circuit pretty much guarantee that bands are committed to their projects. But it’s rare to see a group of musicians as philosophically intact as Destruction Unit, six dudes throwing their bodies and minds at their pure and heavy psych-outs. They’re van rats, on the road any time they’re not working on their material. Their two releases as a full-time operation, 2013’s Void and Deep Trip, are scarred works of wandering noise and gutsick energy. Though their own stuff is out on the excellent Sacred Bones label, Destruction Unit runs a tiny independent called Ascetic House from their homes in Tempe, Ariz., cutting tape and packaging each cassette by hand. On a typewriter-pecked press release on their site, the Ascetic boys promise to “ship any of our titles, free of charge, to any incarcerated person in the United States.” It’s their statement against incarceration inequality that “burden[s] the poor, disenfranchised and the marginalized among us.” Independent media outlet Mondo Nation brings the band to Silkworm Gallery for a PBR-sponsored concert also featuring performances by Burnt Skull, Cannibal Bitch and Fruit Punch. $5, 8pm Monday, Silkworm Studio and Gallery, 1906 S Flores, mondonation.net.
For Matt Stieb's full story on Destruction Unit, click here.
Tue 6/3
Watch OUT
Those who paid attention to last year’s Non-Discrimination Ordinance debate at City Hall, which pitted LGBT rights activists against social conservative opposition, may remember the particularly vocal NDO critic Pastor Charles Flowers. An African American, Flowers took issue with framing LGBT anti-discrimination efforts in the context of the civil rights movement. Political insiders even pointed to conservative black church congregations to explain normally progressive District 2 City Council member Ivy Taylor’s surprising ‘no’ vote on the NDO. To learn more about this cultural schism, and the black LGBT community members caught in the middle, watch Yoruba Richen’s widely lauded documentary The New Black, screening Tuesday in conjunction with the San Antonio Public Library’s observance of Pride Month. Free, 6-8pm Tuesday, Carver Library - Meeting Room, 3350 E Commerce, (210) 207-9180, mysapl.org. —Callie Enlow
Tue 6/3
Contempt
Texas Public Radio’s Cinema Tuesdays series continues with French New Wave wild man Jean-Luc Godard’s subversive foray into commercial filmmaking. Released in 1963, Contempt (Le Mépris) stars Michel Piccoli as a screenwriter torn between the demands of his disillusioned wife Camille (Brigitte Bardot), a proud European director (Fritz Lang) and a crude and arrogant American producer (Jack Palance) as he attempts to doctor the script for a new film version of The Odyssey. $10-$15, 7:30pm Tuesday, Santikos Bijou, 4522 Fredericksburg, (210) 734-4552, tpr.org.
Tue 6/3
Hawks (of Holy Rosary)
Raven Red Photography
If you have frequented local shows over the past several years, you have probably had a “holy shit, who are these cats?” moment while watching San Anto five-piece Hawks (of Holy Rosary). The group’s pop-punk sound is driving, kinetic and as irreverent as they come, with madcap keys, spirited group harmonies and outlandish stage antics contributing to an all-around delirious show. With the folks in Hawks (of Holy Rosary), you’ll never get the sense that they’d rather be somewhere else or that they take themselves too seriously. This carefree aesthetic has paid huge dividends by freeing them from the burden of over-seriousness, allowing them to write some dynamic and truly enjoyable songs. Having recently signed to Texas is Funny Records, the band is prepping a debut EP for a July release and heading out on tour with Pennsylvania-based psychedelic outfit Dr. Dog after Tuesday’s show. Catch them while you can. $5, 9pm Tuesday, Hi-Tones, 621 E Dewey, (210) 573-6220, reverbnation.com/thehawksofholyrosary. —James Courtney
Wed 6/4
Barry Rothbart
In addition to his regular film and TV gigs (Conan, Punk’d, The Wolf of Wall Street, etc.), LA-based comic/actor Barry Rothbart recently co-directed the documentary feature Hungry, about the weird world of competitive eating. $16, 8:30pm Wednesday-Thursday, 8:30pm & 10:30pm Friday-Saturday, 8:30pm Sunday, Rivercenter Comedy Club, 849 E Commerce, (210) 229-1420, rivercentercomedyclub.com.
