The SXSW hangover is long gone. And you put in some quality time with the family this Easter weekend. Surely that insatiable itch for live music has returned in full force now. Well, you’re in luck because you can catch five quality acts at Emo’s tonight. The inside stage hosts legendary UK band The Wedding Present along with always impressive locals Ringo Deathstarr (Tix). Spearheaded by David Gledge, The Wedding Present has had a distinguished career albeit with a somewhat revolving personnel, and a seven year break from 1997 to 2004. In 2008, they released their eight full-length El Rey but this evening, the band will perform the brilliant 1989 record Bizarro in its entirety.

Another talented Austin band The Strange Boys gets things going on the outside stage and San Francisco’s The Fresh & Only follow with still more infectious fuzz-pop nuggets. But it is Arish Khan a.k.a. King Khan who will surely reign supreme at Emo’s this evening. A genuine international man of mystery, Khan was born in Canada to Indian parents and lives in Germany now. And boy, does he have the Midas touch at the moment. Besides being an integral member of The King Khan & BBQ Show and The Almighty Defenders, both compelling in their own right, and squeezing in an enticing collaboration with GZA, the prolific Khan leads the irresistible nine-piece known as King Khan & The Shrines. Arguably the most enjoyable of all of his projects, The Shrines’ psychedelic-garage-soul stylings allow Khan to parade around stage in his trademark novel outfits and bestow his considerable persona upon the adoring masses. The music itself is nothing short of inspirational either, a stirring conglomeration of a whole slew of genres that we all love.

Between the mouthwatering lineups on the two stages, Emo’s has once again proved that it is still a force to be reckoned with. Save the memories of the venue’s so-called heyday for later; head down there tonight because the glory days at this redoubtable Red River St. institution are far from over.

Outside:
[King Khan & The Shrines MySpace]
[The Fresh & Onlys MySpace]
[The Strange Boys MySpace]
Inside:
[The Wedding Present MySpace]
[Ringo Deathstarr MySpace]

Filed in Arts & Entertainment and tagged emos, kingkhan&theshrines, music, ringodeathstarr, thefresh&onlys, thestrangeboys, theweddingpresent

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