17 January 4 - 10, 2024 dallasobserver.com DALLAS OBSERVER Classified | MusiC | dish | Culture | unfair Park | Contents Josh Abbott Band 10 P.M. FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, JAN. 5 AND 6, BILLY BOB’S TEXAS, 2520 RODEO PLZ. $20+ AT AXS.COM Lubbock’s Josh Abbott Band has been kicking up red dirt country music since 2006 when Abbott was in grad school at Texas Tech. A member of Phi Delta Theta, Abbott asked fraternity brothers Austin Davis, Neel Huey and Andrew Hurt to join the first iteration of the band, and the four began playing around their college town. As the years went on, the band grew in membership and got tighter leading up to the band’s first album, Scapegoat, in 2008. The album didn’t do much in sales, but it did give the band a chance to tour around and grow its following. The band re- leased its sophomore album, She’s Like Texas, in 2010, which fea- tured a duet with Kacey Musgraves almost three years before she would release her first album. Critics compared the band’s gritty soulfulness to Steve Earle, and the band went on to sell out its first show at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. The Josh Abbott Band returns to the venue for two nights this weekend. DAVID FLETCHER Wolves Reign 7 P.M. SATURDAY, JAN. 6, DEEP ELLUM ART CO., 3200 COMMERCE ST. $20+ AT PREKINDLE.COM Dallas progressive rock band Wolves Reign will be celebrating the release of its album Human Nature in Deep Ellum on Satur- day night. The much-anticipated album comes after nearly a de- cade of live shows around North Texas, which saw Wolves Reign open for bands such as Primo Danger, Cassandra’s Curse and Thank You Scientist. Over the years, Wolves Reign has built a small but strong following of supporters taken in with the band’s incredible musicianship and mesmerizing performances. The band’s album release party will see opening sets from bands Wolves Reign has played with in the past, including alternative hip-hop band Chilldren of Indigo, experimental rock band Ether After and progressive indie singer-songwriter Joseph Fisher- Schramm. DF Fugitive 8 P.M. SATURDAY, JAN. 6, TREES, 2709 ELM ST. $20 AT AXS.COM North Texas thrash metal band Fugitive is something of a local super- group, including guitarist Blake Ibanez of Power Trip as well as mem- bers of Creeping Death, Scourge, Impalers and Stymie. Last year, Fugitive dropped a music video for the song “Blast Furnace,” which was recognized by the Observer as the “Best Music Video for Head- banging Into Oblivion.” The single was a follow-up to the band’s 2022 debut EP, Maniac, bringing the band’s recorded output up to seven songs. In those seven songs, Fugitive has shown itself to be a growing part of North Texas metal history. The band’s show on Satur- day should be a sign of great things to come. Also on deck for the evening is Austin blackened thrash metal band Sadistic Force, which released its new album, Midnight Assassin, late last year. Fugitive will have local support from Fort Worth hardcore band Ozone and Dallas death metal band Cleric. DF John Fullbright 8 P.M. SATURDAY, JAN. 6, THE POST AT RIVER EAST, 2925 RACE ST. SOLD OUT. John Fullbright may not be the most recognizable of names in country music, but he should be. This former member of the Turn- pike Troubadours has laid down deeply emotional and introspec- tive songs on country music’s large underground circuit for about 15 years now. Fullbright came out swinging with a debut live al- bum in 2009, but it was his first studio effort, From the Ground Up, that caught the attention of critics outside the country world. With songs such as “Jericho” and “Satan & St. Paul” sending lis- teners soaring through biblical allusions and the search for new meaning, Fullbright showed that Oklahoma farm boys could get emo too. Though 2014’s Songs may have gotten more attention than its predecessor, Fullbright all but disappeared after the tour, popping up for short tours here and there. In 2022, the singer- songwriter released his first album in eight years, The Liar, which showed no letdown in his songwriting. Fullbright will be perform- ing yet another sold-out show in Fort Worth on Saturday. DF Slaughter Beach, Dog 7 P.M. SUNDAY, JAN. 7, TULIPS, 112 ST. LOUIS AVE. $26+ AT SEETICKETS.US Philadelphia rock band Slaughter Beach, Dog began as a side project for Modern Baseball’s Jake Ewald, but it became his full-time project when that band went on hiatus in 2017. Modern Baseball had only just concluded what would be its final tour when Slaughter Beach, Dog’s first LP Welcome hit the shelves, and while Modern Baseball would reunite for a few one-off shows in 2017, Slaughter Beach, Dog has completely taken its place. Since then, the band has released four albums and an EP, including last year’s Crying, Laughing, Waving, Smiling, which was released in September. While the band’s previous releases have all followed a lo-fi, indie-rock aesthetic, the band’s new release draws from blues and folk influences to elevate the band’s moody dreaminess. Slaughter Beach, Dog will have opening support from Austin indie-pop band Sun June. DF | LET’S DO THIS | t Music Mike Brooks Josh Abbott Band performs at Billy Bob’s Texas this weekend. Hottest Latin aduLt CLub in daLLas! Free Menudo all day sunday Happy Hour everyday 11aM-7PM hours: sun-thur 11aM-2aM // Fri-sat 11aM-4aM 11044 Harry Hines boulevard // (214) 206-3820 chicasbonitas.business.site
