Here’s a Denton pro tip: Go to Atomic Candy. It’s right on the Square next to the comic book store, just a few yards away from a perfect spot near the courthouse to lay out your blanket for some cloud or people watching. At the candy shop, there are robots, novelty candies and the largest variety of specialty sodas within walking distance. You can grab a bag and fill it with all your favorite sweets, or you can play it safe and stick with a prepackaged variety of jelly beans. It’s one of my favorite new spots on the Square (the other being Paschall Bar) and is a must-see while you’re at the Square for 35 Denton.

Trebuchet

For those that complain about Denton’s softer side, there is much more to the Denton music scene than its acoustic storytellers and experimental noise-makers. Trebuchet will show you a good ol’ rock n’ roll n’ metal ass kickin’ good time in Denton. I’d like to think Trebuchet is what was birthed out of the alt days of the ’90s with their crunchy riffs, straight, no-frills beats, and frontman Justin Hawkins like the second-coming of Toadies’ Todd Lewis. They will be releasing a new album sometime before the end of the Mayan calendar but until then, you should check out Bear and the Moon, their impressive double-disc debut album that will certainly whet your appetite until you can see them at 35 Denton in March.

Notable tunes to check out: “Collision”, “Waffles and Pancakes” / Facebook / Twitter

Happy Friday, kiddies! It’s a beautiful 73°F here in Denton, MFTX with a high of 77°F today. Winter in Texas means you never have to say goodbye to your favorite pair of shorts and flip flops. In fact, people in Denton may just be wearing the same outfit today as they will be sporting in 48 days at 35 Denton. Just sayin’.

Before we proceed with the countdown, please take a few minutes to watch this Etta James video. The intro. The voice. The world has lost one honest-to-god musician.

Cowboy Indian Bear

“@bearmusic‘s gonna kick yer ears’ asses” is what Jeremy Buller tweeted to me in response to my excitement that Cowboy Indian Bear will be playing at 35 Denton. If that’s not reason enough to get excited, here are others:

• Cowboy Indian Bear has a Daytrotter session. That’s sexy.
• Speaking of sexy, they’ve recorded a cover of The Outfield’s “Your Love” and it is mad sexy.
• They might have dressed up as Harry Potter at a show once. That might be sexy if you’re into that.

• And last, but not least, you’ll want to see them at 35 Denton because this. Just look at this. Watch that drummer just flail his arms, making mad beats beautifully. Look at those swaying dreads. Close your eyes and let Cowboy Indian Bear’s smooth voices, keys and dreamy guitar sounds take you away into a land where it is joyfully the weekend forever and ever, amen.

Notable tunes to check out: “Oh, Madison!”, “Mathematicians/Colour” / Facebook / Twitter /Official

What once was NX35 became 35 Conferette. What once was 35 Conferette is now 35 Denton. I’ve written a countdown for the past two festivals and I’m writing one yet again. Now that I’ve brought you up to speed, let’s begin, shall we?

The Mountain Goats

I had typed up some words and then my computer decided to eat them so instead, I will just tell you The Mountain Goats is probably my favorite out of the national acts announced so far for 35 Denton. Please use the rest of this time to memorize these lyrics because it’s gonna be a g.d. singalong in 49 days, y’all.

 The Best Ever Death Metal Band Out of Denton

the best ever death metal band out of denton
were a couple of guys, who’d been friends since grade school.
one was named cyrus, and the other was jeff.
and they practiced twice a week in jeff’s bedroom.

the best ever death metal band out of denton
never settled on a name.
but the top three contenders, after weeks of debate,
were satan’s fingers, and the killers, and the hospital bombers.

jeff and cyrus believed in their hearts they were headed
for stage lights and leer jets, and fortune and fame.
so in script that made prominent use of a pentagram,
they stenciled their drumheads and guitars with their names.

this was how cyrus got sent to the school
where they told him he’d never be famous.
and this was why jeff,
in the letters he’d write to his friend,
helped develop a plan to get even.
when you punish a person for dreaming his dream,
don’t expect him to thank or forgive you.
the best ever death metal band out of denton
will in time both outpace and outlive you.
hail satan!
hail satan tonight!
hail satan!
hail hail!

Notable tunes to check out: “This Year”, “No Children” / Facebook / Twitter / Official

*Apologies for not starting yesterday for an even 50 days of countdown. There were more important matters at hand like signing this petition against SOPA and PIPA, participating in the blackout, and creating ¡Viva SOPA PIPA!