Led by Tim DeLaughter, the Dallas-based Tripping Daisy took up residence in my musical consciousness as the mythological precursor to the symphonic/choral collective The Polyphonic Spree. They’re often branded “neo-psychedelic,” but the designation doesn’t do justice to Tripping Daisy’s diversity. Relentlessly positive and notably unpretentious, the band is psychedelic in their textured effects, unconventional production and sincere yet quirky lyrical attack. Crunchy without the angst, humorous without malice, surreal yet grounded and more dreamy than outright psychedelic, they have an impact that arose from their ability to twist the alt/grunge/electronic status quo of the 1990s. Their evolution from grunge-pop weirdness into the more trance-like journeys of their later albums reflects their understated eccentricity. The video for their cheeky “I Got a Girl” became an MTV darling during the channel’s last gasp as a musical gatekeeper. Though the original Tripping Daisy lineup disbanded in 1999, I discovered that the band isn’t nearly as enigmatic and elusive as I presumed, having fully reunited in 2024 after numerous brief reunions and mini tours. Dallas expat Annie Clark, better known as St. Vincent, has named Tripping Daisy as an early influence, particularly the album I Am an Elastic Firecracker, which they will be playing in its entirety on this tour. Houston-based Jumprope opens.
8 p.m. at The Basement East
719 Woodland St.
