As 2025 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on the past year through a journey down memory lane, revisiting my photo albums. My photography skills leave much to be desired, but I capture these moments primarily to jog my memory, which has become as forgetful as a lazy dog. Here are highlights from the year, framed through the lens of local music, featuring my thoughts on a dozen shows I attended throughout the year.
In January, I visited The Place, a DIY venue that opened in late 2024, established by Matt Van Cura of Randy Adams Tattoo. This space, formerly known as the Ozzie Rabbit Lounge, hosted punk markets and events organized by local promoters like Core 4 Core, which specializes in all-ages punk shows. Attending these events reignited my nostalgia for the days when I eagerly anticipated a pit forming. Over the ensuing months, The Place offered both local and touring bands a platform for performance, but, like all good things, its run was short-lived, culminating in its permanent closure announced on September 13. I hope those who shared memories there cherish them fondly.
February brought Epic Ruins to The Cicada. For those unaware, Epic Ruins is a progressive hard-rock band I co-founded in 2009, featuring Sam Anderson on vocals and guitar, Jordan Richardson on vocals, drums, and guitar, and Jeff Dazey on saxophone, with various guitarists and keyboardists rotating in. Despite the anxiety that our performances often induce, playing our sole nine-song album live always reminds me why I fell in love with music — it’s a wonderful way to create lasting memories with friends.
March showcased Lauren “LG” Gilbert, the frontwoman of Nashville-based Southern-rock band Thelma & The Sleaze, who delivered a raw, stripped-down set at the Boiled Owl Tavern alongside Fort Worth singer-songwriter Katie Grace Robertson. This last-minute show, organized close to SXSW, was memorable, especially the hand-drawn flyer designed by LG herself, which added a personal touch to the event.
April 5 marked a delightful evening at the East Fort Worth Community Jazz Band’s Big Band Dance event. This ensemble is a local gem that deserves more recognition. Their concerts, typically held at Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, offer wholesome entertainment that appeals to a wide audience. I always enjoy watching local band teachers and lifelong musicians revel in the joy of performing classic tunes from the Great American Songbook.
May was a quieter month; I didn’t attend any shows but enjoyed a lovely afternoon at Balqees Coffee in Mansfield on May 12. The ambience, filled with a mix of lo-fi beats and soulful oud melodies, made for a serene hour spent sipping coffee that I often reminisce about.
June was highlighted by the Save The Cicada benefit, a crucial event for the Near Southside venue that faced financial difficulties. Witnessing the community come together to support the venue and the bands involved was heartwarming. Now, six months later, The Cicada is still standing, but it’s vital to continue showing up for local shows and supporting the venue with your presence.
In July, I attended a show at Growl Records in Arlington featuring The Dangits and the Me-Thinks. The team behind Growl has played an essential role in nurturing the local heavy music scene. The lineup and the crowd took me back to Fort Worth’s hard-rock scene from about 15 years ago, and I left with my tinnitus fully activated for the drive home.
August allowed me the chance to see my friend Chago perform with Earthwurm, an instrumental stoner-rock band now on indefinite hiatus. It was a joy to witness him doing what he was born to do: deliver mesmerizing psychedelic guitar riffs.
In September, my friend Kerry attended a Brotherhood show in Granbury and shared a memorable photo of the drummer setting up. The image resonated with me for various reasons, particularly the band’s playful spelling of their name in an amusing shape. Brotherhood, made up of brothers who have played together since middle school, exemplifies the importance of not taking oneself too seriously.
October’s highlight was Arts Goggle. As the bassist for Son of Stan, I performed on the big stage in the Chat Room’s parking lot. While setting up, I accidentally knocked over a beer placed on my guitarist’s amplifier, spilling it onto the equipment. Thankfully, we contained the situation before any damage occurred, but I still replay that moment of embarrassment in my mind.
In November, I finally had the opportunity to see the Budos Band, and they lived up to my expectations. Watching bassist Daniel “Grover” Fodor play his vintage ’67 Gibson EB0 was a particular highlight of that groovy night.
Finally, December featured the Marked Men at Rubber Gloves, an unforgettable show that remains vivid in my mind even without a photo to remind me. Sometimes, the mental images we hold are far more impactful than any captured on our phones.
