With a heavy heart, HearSay reports the demise of math/art/punk rockers Benway. One of the toughest, most engaging bands in the Metroplex, Benway -- alongside Yeti and Garuda -- has proudly waved the flag of heavy, complex rock, the kind that takes years to master, muscle to execute, and brains to appreciate. Said frontman Brian Alen: "No turmoil or anything negative led to the break-up. We just all feel that we've taken Benway as far as it's going to go. On to different things." Catch Benway's last show, Saturday, July 31, with Baboon and Skeleton Key, at the Wreck Room. ... Though not as interested in time signature changes as in variations of mood, the Mockingbird Cartel has been around for years, just never as steadily as in the last few months. The brainchild of Cadillac Fraf and Linc Campbell, the Cartel now holds a regular gig at Pedro's Trailer Park and is gathering money to record. There's no dearth of Neil Youngian alt-rockers, but ones as pristine and shadow-drenched as the Mockingbird Cartel should be embraced. "It's good music, and we have fun," said frontman Fraf. "We like to share that with people." They play Friday at the Black Dog Tavern and Wednesday at Pedro's. ... Speaking of the Dog, we've all seen barback Shaggy in drag and may have even convinced some of our incredibly hammered friends of the existence of "Shaggy's 'hot' sister," but we've never seen a "female illusionist" show like the one happening this Saturday at lovable curmudgeon Tad Gaither's Throckmorton Street hole in the wall. Starring Ms. Britney Valentine, the event -- which also features a "hot boy" contest (girls, bring your male significant others) and New York-style "joke-off" -- kicks off early, so get there soon as you can and get a good, a-hem, seat. ... The boys in Flickerstick were in a vehicular accident last week on the East Coast that left their equipment in pieces, which led to the cancellation of a show. None of the band members were injured. Here's to hoping for a speedy return to the road. ... 'Member a couple-a weeks ago, we were talking about great mainstream songs that local bands should cover? HearSay has a few more, like Goodwin doing Cheap Trick's "Surrender." Or Def Leppard's "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" done by Flickerstick. Or Woodeye on Freedy Johnston's "On the Way Out." Whaddaya think? Share with HearSay some of your suggestions and we might chat about 'em in print. If you think I'm gay, then you can write me and tell me that, too. ... Lastly, we fondly bid adieu to Eric Hermeyer, resident Wednesday night funk/R&B DJ at The Wreck Room. Catch his two remaining shows, tonight and next Wednesday (July 28), where he'll be spinning long-forgotten Fort Worth-Dallas vinyl from the likes of Van Dykes, Pic and Bill, The Men From Macon, Soul Seven, and Timothy McNealy.