From 60’s classic rock to jazz/trap to 2000’s emo/pop, DFW based bands get travel through the decades at Rubber Gloves in Denton.
Denton locals and music lovers from all over gather for the two venues, three stages and sixteen band bill hosted by Burn Your Friends Productions. Although being at two venues and three stages is impossible, the outside stage at Rubber Gloves did not disappoint with acts from Pet Taxi, The Malibu Saints, Fixed Altitude and local favorites Torched and Laredo Two.
Denton born and raised alternative group The Malibu Saints quietly takes the stage. A calm but intriguing presence overcomes the crowd preparing for what could come next as the slow beat from the drums can be felt throughout. Drummer Zakkery Gilmore increasingly plays louder and louder as vocalist Zane Story paces back and forth across the stage. Opening up with “I.L.A” their influence is evident immediately with bits of jazz mixed with trap/pop, almost a Modest Mouse vibe. Hard to believe something so unique is hidden within Denton. Some songs make you want to dance, most make you want to scream but the majority of the crowd was doing both. So much so, Story handed the mic over to the crowd and made them scream in it. And yes I was a victim to this.
Eccentric influential band, Pet Taxi turns heads as they walk across the stage. Bassist Jake Bateman catches eyes in his all black leather jacket and jeans with his ghastly white eyes looking out into the audience and skeleton makeup contrasting against his colorful American traditional tattoos on his hands. Panning over to the right side of the stage stands guitarist James Wilson juxtapositioning Bateman as if he walked right out of a time machine from Woodstock 69’. Making things even more interesting, vocalist Alex Owens could easily be mistaken for Julian Casablancas from The Strokes. The young version of course. As Pet Taxi travels through the decades, it’s safe to say they are keeping Rock N’ Roll alive with a twist. Their sound ranges from 60’s classic rock all the way up to 2000’s emo/pop punk making it close to impossible to not like their wide range of sound. Near the end of their set, one of Pet Taxi’s unofficial members, a skeleton, was thrown into the audience and crowd surfed until all his merch was flying off. With an EP on the way, Pet Taxi continues to keep their unique sound alive.
New up and coming NuMetalcore band from Dallas, Fixed Altitude hits the stage for the second time ever in their music career and is at a loss of words for their turnout. The word spread quickly that Fixed Altitude was next in the inside stage of Rubber Gloves and people rushed in to make their set. With a packed audience, Vocalist Marko Alvarado grows nervous but is left in disbelief watching the crowd scream along with him. Their unreleased song “9 to Life” was trending in the scene since releasing a sneak peek on Instagram which had people dying to hear it live. Suddenly sponges with googly eyes are being thrown into the crowd and the well known song begins to play from each member. Looking around, the majority of the room knew every word verbatim which shocked the members of the band. “Definitely a big jump from our first show,” Alvarado said. “[I] Went in and gave my 100% and [it] paid off.”
Laredo Two and Torched have been covered a few times and have been popular names within the local scene and have been racing to the top together with new releases like single “Grip” by Torched and Laredo Twos new album “Broken From The Start”. This success had caught some peoples eyes and in result they have both been invited to play at Haltom Theatre, April 20th for Battle Of The Bands! But this prize isn’t just a few bucks and a gift card, the band with the most attendance wins and gets to play at “So What?!” in June with bands such as Underoath, Switchfoot, The Amity Affliction and tons more. At Burn Your Friends fest, Laredo Two sold exclusive CD’s containing a free ticket to Battle Of The Bands. This CD contains covers, demo’s and even a few originals that can only be heard by purchasing the CD.
At Burn Your Friends, Torched and Laredo Two played up to expectations and did not fail to gain more fans. The vocalist from headliner Waiting 4 April, Colton Ray was seen taking off his shirt and putting on a Laredo Two shirt for his own set after seeing them live.
The music scene in Denton is something special and like no other. On every lamp post and window, there are upcoming show posters collaging over one another. A band that is just starting out that is playing their first show in the parking lot of a vape shop quickly turns into a full venue with people from the start bringing their friends and supporting. It’s such a welcoming community and everyone leaves with at least one new favorite band.
I am a Dallas-based photographer. I am social media manager and photographer for indie-rock band Laredo Two as well as writer and photographer for Prosper's online newspaper, Eagle Nation Online. I have always had a passion for anything music from playing shows myself (I play bass and guitar) to music photography. When I am not taking pictures or at a concert, I run a small jewelry business and work at a local guitar shop!
