Ex-Optimists * Empty Shells * Tupilo Jones and The Circus of Misery

Rudyard’s presents Ex-Optimists * Empty Shells * Tupilo Jones and The Circus of Misery.

The Ex-Optimists (College Station, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/theexoptimists

“I’m honestly kicking myself now for not listening to this sooner. College Station band The Ex-Optimists have been on repeat in my headphones for a while now, drowning me in a turbulent squall of Sonic Youth guitars, driving ’90s indie-drone-rock melodies, and hazy, softspoken vocals, and I’m enjoying the hell out of it.

On “Nitemare City,” the guitars are watery and sharp-edged in equal measure, drifting around you like psychically-controlled knives that periodically dart in to gouge out a chunk of your flesh. In the meantime, frontman Kelly Minnis serenely murmurs and croons like he’s already lost in the swirling murk; that is, until the whole damn thing explodes in a ball of fury partway through before coalescing back into its more stable previous state. The closest thing I can come up with is Houston’s own Muhammad Ali, except that this quartet sounds like they’re fueled less by beer and more by green, leafy substances.

Then there’s B-side “February,” which dives sideways into nearly Dinosaur Jr., quick-stepping along through an insanely-catchy melody while the overfuzzed guitars set fire to the scenery. Occasionally feels like I’m listening to a rougher-edged Silversun Pickups — there’s definitely a hazy, shoegaze quality to it, beneath the out-and-out noise. “- Space City Rock

Empty Shells (Houston, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/emptyshellsband

Formed in 2013 by Guitarist/Singer Jonathan Espeche and Bassist Michael San Luis from the ashes of their former group, longtime Houston post-punk/psych-rock stalwarts Flowers to Hide.

Empty Shells are currently finishing up their debut EP set for release in the first half of 2015.

Tupilo Jones and The Circus of Misery (Richmond Rosenburg, TX)
https://www.facebook.com/Tupilo-Jones-And-The-Circus-Of-Misery-687742481327845/

Sounds like next door bar, Rudz, and that corner store with the really nice smelling food and great deals on cigarettes! Oh and BADVICE