We writers can recommend acts from this weekend’s FPH Westheimer Block Party and then comment on each others posts about how any sane fellow writer could miss such and such band until we wear off the letters on our keyboards but what about the artists themselves? Who would they recommend? Well, we asked few artists and here is what they suggested you add to your itinerary.

Chris Cascio (producer for Joe Mathlete)

The Block Party is %$#@. That said, on Saturday what you want to do is show up at 7 and see Rusted Shut at Mangos and then go across the street to numbers and see Golden Axe. Then, on Sunday, what you want to do is go see Ghost Mountain at 7:30 at Mangos then go next door to see Exterminating Angels. You can pretty much ignore the rest.

Zach Duran (Drums, The Eastern Sea)

Guerilla Foco Clan - Chessley "Chess White" White and company can definitely rap their way out of a paper bag. Artists to keep your eye on in 2010 in Houston for sure.

Fight Pretty - I worked at Guitar Center over the summer with a dude named Halston who plays guitar for this band. He was a good guy, so they gotta be good, right?

100 Flowers - These guys are simply awesome. The time signature switch ups are what makes this pop rock band own.

TSU Jazz Ensembles - Enough said.

News on the March - I can't wait to see what the new lineup sounds like and neither should you. Great people making great country music.

Alpaca - I've only heard one song but it might be the best single to come out this year.

Dead Prez - Holy shit. Of course save the best for last. What's better than bad-ass hip-hop? Bad-ass hip-hop with lyrics that promote a vegan lifestyle, you say? Well, this is your cup of tea.

Chris Wise (of Buxton)

SATURDAY

10th Grade Cutie - The reasons I have to suggest this are not entirely explainable. They scare me in the best way possible. That's because I'm in a girly band though.

Margot - We share a practice space with these guys, and they kill it every time. Check out their drummer, I find broken cymbal pieces every time I go back to the space, he's pretty amazing.

David Lascoe - I've played in different projects with David for a long time, and he's incredibly talented. It's great to see he's finally getting out on his own, it's sure to be impressive.

Leg Sweeper - We played with them at Nacstock, and they were one of the best bands I had seen in a long time. Totally refreshing, and totally tent-worthy goodness.

Muhammad Ali - I had been living under a rock, I left it one night and finally saw Muhammad Ali. I was floored, and again, scared to death.

Ghormeh Sabzi - If I could picked an overlooked band, I would definitely pick Ghormeh Sabzi. Unique indie rock, one of my favorite bands in Houston.

SUNDAY

The Cocker Spaniels-  I remember seeing this guy at a bake sale show in Katy alongside this other ancient band called The Dimes. One of the weirdest guys I've met, puts on such a great show. Hopefully everyone isn't too hung over to check it out early.

Horse - Nous is one of the best songwriters in Houston that not everyone knows about. He's in Giant Princess, so stoked that he's playing on his own.

News on The March - Since the departure of Joe and Gillian, they have since stolen our guitar player (jokes). The new lineup is so solid, its really great to see them back and as good as ever.

The State VS Judd Nelson - This is the funniest, can't-tell-if-it's-serious band playing the block party. I don't know what to expect since it's been years since I saw them, it will be a nice break from everything else you'll see that day.

sIngs - I'm putting out this record early next year, and I'm doing that because I truly believe it's one of the best bands in Houston. This band is so different from whats been coming out in Houston recently, it's so heavy, it makes the hair stand on my neck every time.

Of course I'd suggest you see Wild Moccasins (with their new songs, which are great), Young Mammals, Grandfather Child, I am Mesmer, Ghost Mountain, and listenlisten but you should already know that. If you dont, then you do now...?

Ray Brown (Egg shaker for Paris Falls)

I believe Airon Paul Dugas and the Religion will be popping up sometime on Saturday. Since it's not technically our band I'm plugging it. But since they aren't official I can't say when or where.

Shawn Travis (Singer, A Thousand Cranes)

Thou Shalt Not Kill...Except - Adam Ferguson is an incredible artist who puts on a fascinating stage show.

Domokos (Future Blondes, Rusted Shut )

BOWEL - BRUTTTTTALITY
COP WARMTH - SPASTIC TECHNOLOGIES
BORN LIARS - KICK ASS ROCK N ROLL!
10TH GRADE CUTIE - LIL DOM'S!
THOU SHALL NOT KILL...EXCEPT - NAKED J.J. JESUS WITH A KNIFE !
RUSTED SHUT - WE ARE MONTROSE STREET FEST LENGENDARY VETERANS. WE HAVE PLAYED THE FESTIVAL MORE THAN ANYONE KICKING AND SCREAMING.
FUTURE BLONDES - SOUND SYSTEM AVANGERS.
DEAD ROSES - DESTROYING ALL MONSTERS! RALF ARMIN IS ALSO A FESTIVAL LEGENDARY FORCE.

Lance Higdon, (Mouthbreather, Tambersauro, Lance and the Pants)

-SATURDAY-

Defend The Ghetto: Because i don't know if this is actually going to happen or not. [ed. note - It's not]

Robert Ellis: Any 21-year-old dude who can bring Waylon Jennings and Mike Kinselle to mind in one set--to say nothing of his heckler control one-liners--is worth your time and attention.

Winter Wallace: The voice and songs remind me of Shannon Wright, who reminds me of Medea as portrayed by John Lee Hooker. Quite good.

PLF, Dissent, Battle Rifle: GCHC FTW!

Fucking Thief: A band of nothing but drums and yelling. How would i not like this?

-SUNDAY-

Holy Fiction: They play criminally early, and it'd be a shame to miss a band playing chamber-indie-rock this well.

Satin Hooks: I didn't know they were still a band. They might not be. Don't miss the chance to see them if they won't.

Bowel: Cos that shit is BRUTAL.

TSU Jazz Ensemble: When i was in the UH marching band, i would hear irrepressibly funky music coming from across Scott Street while i tried to play polyrhythmic accompaniment to the soundtrack from Gladiator. If the Jazz Ensemble is anything like this, you'll not be able to contain yourself.

Grandfather Child: Has four of the best musicians i know in it. So good they made me love a soul/gospel/r&b band, and i NEVER thought that would happen.

Niki Sevven (Bassist, Something Fierce) -

-THE FIRST DAY-

Buxton (Numbers 640-710) - their new songs are incredible. I had never been a fan until I saw them at Mangos 2 weeks ago and they just blew me away. I don't know what they're doing differently but they're doing it right.

Muhammad Ali (Mangos 5-530) - my new favorite Houston band. Their songs are guaranteed to get stuck in your head for days on end. Very reminiscent of Nirvana (Bleach era) and at some times My Bloody Valentine and who doesn't want to get down with that. Also, there's a slight chance of nudity which is always fun.

The Energy (Mangos 545 - 615) - it's a damn supergroup. I'm excited to see them play for the first time. I've heard so many great things from talks on Hands Up it's impossible to not be excited.

Born Liars (Mangos 620 - 7) - just don't leave Mangos on Saturday. Born Liars are a Houston staple. Sure you can see them all the time but if you've got nowhere else to be this is where everyone else is at.

-THE SECOND DAY-

 
Wild Moccasins (Numbers 550 - 620) - if for some reason you hate Something Fierce go see them. I'm actually bummed I'll miss it. They're great and they're a Houston band that seems to actually give a damn and try very hard.

Hell City Kings (Numbers 715 - 745) - Josh Wolf is the new singer. 'nuff said.

News on the March (Helios 230 - 3) - Even with the absence of Joe and Gillian, I'm sure they'll be great and they are always so fun on stage.

TSU Jazz Ensembles (Austin Layne 230 - 350) - what the crap is this? I don't know but I'm definitely intrigued.