Music Recommended

Austin Outhouse & Blue Flamingo, Saturday 30

Over the years, the ebb and flow of Austin's club scene has washed away as many famous live music venues as its washed ashore new ones. It's the nature of the business and this city. Still, that doesn't take the chill off the loss of both the Austin Outhouse and the Blue Flamingo on the same weekend. These will be the final shows for both clubs. At the Outhouse look for Herman the German, Eric Blakely, the Laughing Dogs, Aunt Beanie's First Prize Beets and others. At the Blue Flamingo expect a punk rock blowout with Cornpone, Blort, Motards, Gomez, Fuck Emos, Tallboy, and many others. Parting is such sweet sorrow...

C.J. CHENIER

Antone's, Friday 29

Zydeco blood runs strong in the Chenier family. Hell, without this family, zydeco as we know it probably wouldn't even exist. Father Clifton has been dead for going on 10 years now, but son C.J. carries a torch hot and spicy as bayou boudin. Also look for a preview of the O.J. verdict when C.J. does "Not Guilty," just one of the excellent songs from his latest Alligator platter, Too Much Fun. - Chris Gray

JOBIM PROJECT

Waterloo Ice House 6th, Friday 29

With the passing of Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim in the not-too-distant past, a spotlight has been re-focused on romantic Brazilian rhythms. Friday, flute and saxman John Mills and guitarist Russ Scanlon lead a quintet through a rainforest of those rhythms in an all instrumental jazz format. Brazilian transplant Antonio Dionisio opens.

FLAMINGO WEEKEND

Flamingo Cantina, Friday 29 - Sunday 1

As two clubs close, another celebrates an anniversary - not exactly a surprise in this town. The Flamingo Cantina blows body heat through its open-air courtyard all weekend with a good three-day line-up: Friday, it's Austin's Jhongalt, Ant Man Bee, and Lawrence, Kansas' Billygoat; Saturday, it's rasta night with Killer Bees and Raggamassive; and Sunday Austin's Tribal Nation opens for the weekend's head-liner, Jamaican outspokesman Mutabaruka.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERFLY, GOMEZ

Hole in the Wall, Saturday 30

Finally. A new release. After all these years. It was well worth the wait. Texas Toast on Lindsey Kuhn's No Lie Records is a snotty spat of lugey in the face of punk rock from the Christ boys that finds longtime super, fly Rick Carney, and Ron Williams in fine voice, trading song and verse up and down 14 songs. And speaking of albums, I just picked up the CD version of Gomez's debut, to find it had 12 bonus tracks culled from the group's tape and 7-inchers. Two more trophies for the local punk scene. Now, witness it live!

THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Emo's, Tuesday 3

At SXSW '95, Seattle's Presidents were just another unknown band showcasing their wares. But wait, why was former Rolling Stone music editor David Fricke at the front of the Steamboat stage taking notes? Seems this wacky, Primus-like group has been causing a stir since its inception with infectious pogo pop - found on the group's recent debut - kept simple by a total of five guitar strings shared by guitarist and bassist. Don't miss this one, which kicks off early at 8pm sharp, before giving way to British punkers Anti-Nowhere League, Blank '77, and Dead End Cruisers.

HEATHER NOVA, BEN FOLDS FIVE

Electric Lounge, Tuesday 3

Heather Nova sings "I want you to come" in "Walk This World" (from the new Oyster), presently taking the alternative airwaves by storm, though thousands of red-blooded young American males are already there. Even without all the obligatory ejaculation humor, Nova should prove at least as substantive as any of alt-rock's SGWG (Sensitive Girls with Guitars), and hopefully more so. Sensitive guy with a piano is the best way to describe Ben Folds, whose pretty pop songs are currently at the center of a label bidding war - easy to see why on his new Caroline CD. - Chris Gray

MAURA O'CONNELL

Cactus Cafe, Wednesday 4

Irish chanteuse Maura O'Connell has one of those rich, full-bodied voices of firm embrace to soothe the most agitated of souls. She usually does this with the songs of folks like John Hiatt, Shawn Colvin, Tom Waits, and the Beatles, some of which can be found on her new Rykodisc album.

KRIS MCKAY'S TOO MANY GUITARS

Continental Club, Wednesday 4

When asked if it was cool that ex-Talking Head David Byrne showed up at her weekly "Too Many Guitars" showcase at Continental Club not long ago, the sarcasm was thick when she replied, "No, it was terrible." This week, regulars like Damon Bramlett, Will Sexton, and Bill Carter will pull out the acoustics as well as their songwriting wares for this weekly gig that is quickly growing, thanks to McKay, her songwriting prowess, and big voice.

KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD, STEPHEN BRUTON

Antone's, Thursday 5

Story has it that Shreveport's Kenny Wayne Shepherd was 10 or so when SRV lifted him onto the stage at one of his gigs. Ever since, Shepard's wanted to be the new Strat messiah. Will you be a disciple or a doubter? One way to find out... ALSO PLAYING

Friday: John Prine, Subdudes, Backyard; Burning Spear, Liberty Lunch; Percy Sledge, Scholz Garten

Saturday: Innocence Mission, Liberty Lunch

Sunday: Doug Hall Trio, Elephant Room

Monday: Don Walser, Babes

Tuesday: Gilligan Stump, Cafe on the Square

Wednesday: Wayne "The Train" Hancock, Jovita's

Thursday: Michael Fracasso, Shady Grove