SA native Alejandro Escovedo
On “San Antonio Rain,” from Alejandro Escovedo’s 2012 LP Big Station, the Texas rock deity interprets his experience of leaving his childhood in the Alamo City. “My parents said we were going on vacation [to California], and we never really came back to Texas,” Escovedo told the Current in 2013. “‘San Antonio Rain’ is about a guy who comes back to a place where he felt very comfortable, but he feels a little uncomfortable there now.” After a mid-’70s stint with the Nuns, one of San Francisco’s original punk bands, Escovedo holed up in Austin until his ’91 solo stunner Gravity, followed by 13 more albums. “The rain don’t wanna come,” he sings on the hook for “San Antonio Rain.” It appears that Escovedo spent enough time here in the summer to get that vibe right. $20-$60, 9pm, Sam's Burger Joint, 330 E Grayson, (210) 223-2830 —Matt Stieb
Loretta Lynn (Friday, August 8)
Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Loretta Lynn
When country legend Loretta Lynn sings of the trials of the “Coal Miners Daughters,” she ain’t faking it; Lynn was born to a Kentucky coal miner in 1932. From her backwood beginnings, Lynn has risen to extraordinary heights, recording 54 albums, winning four Grammys and earning a Grammy Lifetime Achievement award. In 2013, President Obama crowned the first lady of country music with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor around. $50-$90, 8pm, The Majestic Theatre, 224 E Houston, (210) 226-3333 —Matt Stieb
Move-A-Palooza (Friday, August 8)
SA's Rich Hands, at Move-A-Palooza
Young republicans and youthful democrats can unite to get involved in SA’s political scene and Move-A-Palooza will help join these forces. As a nonprofit, non-partisan cause, MOVE is eye-opening for the young wanting to give a damn and get involved to make a change in their community. Move-A-Palooza features a broad mix of San Anto musical offerings, including Dark Planes, Parallelephants, Feuding Fathers, Antique Sunlight and Rich Hands. $1, 9:30pm, Limelight, 2718 N St. Mary's, (210) 995-7229 —Shannon Sweet
A Tribute to The Cure and The Smiths (Saturday, August 9)
It’s safe to assume that Moz fans and Robert Smith fans exist in an overlapping market share, one that also includes male eyeliner. On Saturday, tribute bands Boys Don’t Cry and the Marr/Moz experience pay homage to two of the most enduring and emotionally distraught bands of the ‘80s.
Ironically, front men Robert Smith and Morrissey had a bitter feud in the ‘80s for the honor of being the rightful “Pope of Mope.” The mudslinging between the two proved to be one the most infamous minor brawls in modern music history.
If the Marr/Moz experience truly wanted to pay homage to their boy Morrissey, they'd cancel the show late this week, citing a vague respiratory illness. $10 (21+), $15 Minors, 6pm, Fitzgerald's Bar & Live Music, 437 McCarty, (210) 629-5141 —Matt Stieb, Shannon Sweet
Future Death, PBLC (Saturday, August 9)
ATX's Future Death, getting in the daily veggies
On their recent self-titled EP, Austin's Future Death write with a layered sonic sense; on "Bodies," it sounds like the band is playing two different tracks simultaneously, switching the gain up on each at different times. Asking to define PBLC would be a challenging task. With a dizzying array of styles and multilayered instrumental soundscapes, PBLC is a far out experience. With Mount Sherpa, Buho and ANTS. 9pm, Limelight, 2718 N St Mary's, (210) 735-7775 —Matt Stieb, Shannon Sweet
Sphynx, Little Science, Last Nighters, Electric Attitude (Saturday, August 9)
Austin synth-pop trio Sphynx
Voted as one of the top indie acts by the Austin Music Awards and named after a breed of hairless cats, Sphynx is rising to the top of ATX pop with funky falsetto, nods to the glam rock days and the meanest synth work this side of the keytar. Under the moniker Little Science, Richelle Trube shares her positive philosophies on life along with catchy beats and layered vocal harmonies to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. With Last Nighters, Electric Attitude. $5, 9pm, 502 Bar, 502 Embassy Oaks, (210) 257-8125 — Shannon Sweet
