A Smoke-Free Weekend Update

Now that I've gotten the smoking ban story out of the way, let me help you find a show that you can't smoke at.

FRIDAY:
Jonathan Tyler & Northern Lights/The Orbans (House of Blues Pontiac Garage)
This band has been touring like crazy lately. This summer won't be much better, as they'll be doing shows with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Kid Rock. Yeah, I'm still stratching my head about that one too. Either way, it's good exposure at least. Tonight, they'll be playing with The Orbans, who were good as Lifters, and word has it they're even tighter as The Orbans. And yes, JT&NL still put on a great live show. I don't see that ever changing.
Nicholas Altobelli (Buon Giorno)
If Mr. Altobelli is playing a show, you can just about guarantee it'll wind up on the weekend list of shows. He's just that good. I've never made it out to Buon Giorno, but he raves about the place. It's out in Grapevine so I'm sure it's a bit of a drive for most people, but Nicholas' music is worth the gas mileage.
Ella Minnow/A Modern Sidewalk/Dead Beat Poetry/On After Dark/You and Me (O'Riley's)
O'Riley's is better known for booking metal band, hair metal cover bands, metal cover bands, and other types of music that I don't like. So imagine my surprise when I saw that Ella Minnow, a band whose music I like, is headlining a show there. Perhaps this could be the beginning of a positive trend. Heaven knows that North Dallas desperately needs a good music venue (other than Dunn Brothers Coffee in Addison).

SATURDAY:
The Nervebreakers/Spector 45/Sparrowbox (Club Dada)
I don't know who is responsible for the wikipedia article on The Nervebreakers, but take a quick break from reading my blog and click here to find out about the history of this classic punk band from Dallas. But here's my biggest question: will Nervebreakers lead singer Barry Kooda jump on stage with Spector 45 to sing "My Girlfriend's in Iraq", a rewriting of their song "My Girlfriend is a Rock"? The only way to find out the answer is to go to Dada. If you miss this show, well, who knows when or if Nervebreakers will ever do a show again.
The Drams/Homespun Remedies (Barley House)
Between the Slobberbone reunion and Keith and Chad playing in King Bucks, there just have not been near as many Drams shows as there used to be. Catch them this Saturday with Homespun Remedies, a band I'm surprised hasn't made more of a name for itself. Perhaps this opening slot will help them get the exposure they need.

Wow... is that all that's happening this weekend? Surely I must be forgetting something. Let me know if I have.