Dallas always surprises me. Show time means snow time in Texas lately, apparently. At any rate, I won’t use my corny analogies to how the bands kept the club warm with their rockin’, but you get the picture… Thursday, February 1st Thursday night was cracked open by the majestic sounds of Twenty3Fifty9. Epic metal, as I call it, was a great way to start, with powerful melodic vocals and one of the most intense rhythm sections around. Theirs was a story of history and lore, and Twenty3Fifty9 rocked it. The Last II Fall heated things up next with the strong, acrid smell of sulfuric metal. Overwhelming guitar and bass and intricate drumming slid underneath the vocals like hot lava under a house full of virgins. Yeah, that fuckin’ metal. Our third band was Dismist, bringing an alternative rock sound that also fused with dance at times while maintaining its rock roots. The crowd at Liquid Lounge was enthusiastic, and Dismist shook the shack. The Hillary Early Love Explosion (hope you brought your plastic smocks) took the stage next, flipping the place over with their music. Y’alltenative or alternative folk, whatever the going term is, these guys did a great job. I loved the original take on “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley. Their own stuff was untouchable, and the funky, sassy, jazzy folk rock they gave the Liquid Lounge really set it off. And then things got really sweet with the sounds of Quiver. The violin sang sweetly over the upright bass and acoustic guitar, and Jes’ vocals were a perfect fit. Their ultra-creative sound set them apart, and the crowd thought so, too. Songs about the apocalypse; we must be back on the metal side of life… yessir. Undead Massacre melted faces and left none unscarred, and did so with drums, one guitar and raw vocals. Ballsy move, and they pulled it off! Demons nearly shat themselves as the guitar ripped open the gates of Hell and the band took flight. C2C hit the stage with the funky smoothed-out R&B flava (yeah, I’m gangsta), and got the crowd at Liquid Lounge jumpin’. The soulful vocals and sweet MCs spit outstanding vocals over big, nasty beats, and did it Dallas style. Friday, February 2nd Friday night’s first band… I laughed, I cried, I pogo’ed. Hell, there was a chick skankin’ in heels, and that takes talent. Just like Grasshopper’s Dying Words. They fired off with big horns, smooth keys and organ, and great backline. The vocals went from a nearly They Might Be Giants to a sideswipe with Frank Zappa. The lyrics and arrangements were fresh and tasty! The second band, A Moment of Clarity, set off a sound in the vein of new alternative rock, and it was sweet. The vocals grabbed you by the throat and hung on for dear life, while guitars and bass and drums laid out stellar hooks and riveting solos. Ephesus’ blend of acoustic and electric rock defined their sound and gave the crowd at Liquid Lounge a treat. They possess a very original sound and did a great job! Despite their drummer running late, Four Dollar Fuss’ set was solid and rocked the house! The intensity in the vocals was unmatched tonight and they songs were powerful. Last Day Living took the stage and the crowd by storm, belting out beefy vocals and laying down big-ass rock riffs, driving the crowd at Liquid Lounge into a frenzy! Our final band of the night Nu Breed put a smile on every face and a groove in every heart. They brought a mix of rock, funk and sexiness to the stage that Liquid didn’t see tonight, and brought the house down! Saturday, February 3rd Saturday saw our first taste of sunlight, and it reflected well upon the bands. We started the night with Wake, Paradise our first of two veterans of season one in Dallas. The everlasting debate over whether singing in falsetto was manly or gay was addressed, and the decision<