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May 2008
Radiohead “Creep”ed out by Prince
Long known as a complete control freak and a bit of a paranoid, Prince is making news again for trying to control his image. The rock legend shocked and awed fans with his cover of Radiohead’s “Creep” at Coachella in April. Soon after, the clip made it to YouTube, of course. That did not please the Purple One, who soon had the clip taken down.
In a recent interview, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke talks about his bemusement regarding the clip and says he thinks that his band, which owns the copyright to the song in question, should be the ones who decide whether the clip is online or not.
From the AP story:
“Really? He’s blocked it?” asked Yorke, who figured it was their song to block or not.
“Surely we should block it. Hang on a moment.”
Yorke added: “Well, tell him to unblock it. It’s our (expletive) song.”
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Photo of the day: Conodoleezza Rice and KISS
I don’t even know where to begin with this one. Apparently KISS and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice both ended up in Sweden at the same time, leading to this most bizarre of photo opps. What in the hell is going on with Paul Stanley in this picture? Yo, Paul, Madame Tussauds called. In the words of Christian from ‘Project Runway,’ he looks like a hot tranny mess. I can’t decide who is more ridiculous, the original KISS or MINI KISS.
This photo provided by the State Department shows Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, center, posing the hard rocker group Kiss, Thursday, May 29, 2008, in Stockholm, Sweden. From left are, Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Secretary Rice, Gene Simmons and Eric Singer.
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Your A-List: Best Doughnuts
While religion may be the opiate of the masses, it seems in the greater Austin area that Round Rock Donuts are the sugary narcotic of the masses. With 48 percent of the vote, the sweet baked bread products from the Lone Star Bakery won the Your A-List poll for Best Doughnuts.
IKEA may be the most recent attraction in Austin’s northern suburb of Round Rock, but the Round Rock doughnuts from the Lone Star Bakery are arguably the most notable of the city’s claims to fame. The yellow — or are they orange? — treats have 85 years of history and are revered in these parts with the type of fervor usually reserved for the breakfast taco.
What makes these doughnuts stand out from their pastry brethren? Maybe it’s the old oven in which they are cooked or their denser consistency. Maybe it is tradition or ritual. Whatever the case may be, people are boffo for them. And fortunately for those living outside of Round Rock, the doughnuts can be found at gas stations closer into town. Now they may not be as fresh as the ones that come straight from the oven at the original store. But sometimes we must make sacrifices for our vices.
Others receiving votes
- Mrs. Johnson’s Bakery, 20 percent
- Ken’s Doughnuts, 9 percent
- Donut Palace, 6 percent
- Kenny’s Coffee Co., 4 percent
- KC Donut Store, 3 percent
- Howdy Donuts, 3 percent
- The Kolache Shoppe, 2 percent
- River City Donut & Coffee House, 2 percent
- River City Donuts, 2 percent
- Lone Star Kolaches, 1 percent
Write-ins: The Donut Hole, Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Shipley and the “friendly neighborhood corner coffee and Round Rock doughnut shop at Westminster and Briarcliff”
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Your A-List: Best Summer Camp
I remember as a kid seeing friends (and strangers) wearing their crisp white T-shirts with a cartoonish orange longhorn logo and the words ‘Camp Longhorn’ printed across the front and thinking, ‘Man, that place looks cool.’ Something about the retro-looking logo or color scheme just made it seem like a sweet place to spend your summer. Apparently it is, as, with 20 percent of the vote, it is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Summer Camp.
The co-ed camp (maybe that also was part of what made it seem cool, in contrast to my all-boys summer camp, Stewart) was founded by Tex and Pat Robertson. It sits about an hour northwest of Austin on Inks Lake, with summer activities ranging from archery to a host of water sports for kids 8-16.
Of course, considering the amenities and the camp’s clientele, you would probably assume that sending your kiddo to Camp Longhorn doesn’t come cheap. And you’d be right. Camp runs around $3,000 for three weeks. That’s a spicy meatball.
Honorable mention goes out to write-in candidate Vista Camps, which staged a nice campaign, coming up just a few percentage points shy of the venerable Longhorn.
Others receiving votes
- Vista Camps (write-in), 16 percent
- The Art School at Laguna Gloria, 15 percent
- Austin YMCA Summer Day Camps, 11 percent
- Camp Mystic, 6 percent
- Mo-Ranch, 6 percent
- Camp Champions, 5 percent
- Paul Green School of Rock Music, 4 percent
- T Bar M Camps, 4 percent
- Austin Children’s Theatre Camp, 2 percent
- Austin School of Film, 2 percent
- Aquatic Sciences Adventure Camp, 1 percent
- Heart O’ the Hills, 1 percent
- Camp Arrowhead, 1 percent
- Camp Stewart, 1 percent
- First Tee of Greater Austin, 1 percent
- Camp Bluebonnet, < 1 percent
- Lonestar Premier Soccer Camp, < 1 percent
- Outdoor Texas Camp, < 1 percent
- Camp Texas Ski, < 1 percent
- Camp Lonehollow, < 1 percent
Write-ins: Austin Nature Center summer camp, Austin School of Music’s Rock Camp, Boy Scout summer camp at Lost Pines, Camp Buckner, Camp Doublecreek, Champions Academy Gymnastics Camp, Cub Scout day camp, Echo Hill Ranch, GameCamp, MasterSchool, Natural Ear Music Rock Camp, Sports Country, Wet and Wild Adventure Camp
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Your A-List: Best Outdoor Music Venue
Ah, the good old days. The picture above comes via a Google-image search of the once-rural setting of the Backayrd, with 32 percent of the vote, winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Outdoor Music Venue.
How times change. Now, in place of trees and footpaths leading from the wooded parking lots to the tree-canopied venue, you will find all manner of national chain stores. Tired after a long night of grooving to Widespread Panic? Stop by the Mattress Firm and pick up a pillowtop on your way home. Some girl wearing the same top as you to a Shins concert? Well, head on over to Old Navy.
You get the picture. The great engines of change and commerce have steamrolled over the once-bucolic setting, a development that has led to the imminent closing of the venue, which Direct Events head Tim O’Connor says he plans to reopen somewhere else in Bee Caves, on a on 37 acres protected from infringing developments. Take that Bed, Bath and Beyond. But we come here to praise the Backyard, not to mourn it, or the tragic changes to the face of its neighborhood in the form of the monstrosity that is the Hill Country Galleria.
For over a decade, the 5,000-seat venue located near the intersection of Texas 71 and RM 620 has played host to world-class musicians, from David Bowie to Widespread Panic, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett and many, many more. Sure, the venue may have been a short drive out toward the country, but that was the beauty of it — a short drive toward the hills rewarded with a blissful night of music in one of the best settings in the state. As the 16th and final season at the Backyard stumbles toward the finish line (311 and Snoop Dogg, anyone?), we can only hope that the future venue will be half as cool as its predecessor, and judging by O’Connor’s statements, it seems we all have reason for hope.
Photos of the Backayrd through the years.
Statesman critic Michael Corcoran shares his favorite moment at the Backyard.
Others receiving votes
- Stubb’s, 29 percent
- Zilker Park, 10 percent
- Auditorium Shores, 7 percent
- Cedar Street Courtyard, 4 percent
- The Mohawk, 3 percent
- The Glenn at The Backyard, 3 percent
- Emo’s, 2 percent
- The Belmont, 2 percent
- Scoot Inn, 2 percent
- Club de Ville, 2 percent
- Freddie’s Place, 1 percent
- Austin City Hall, <1 percent
- Creekside Lounge, <1 percent
- Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, <1 percent
- Light Bar, <1 percent
Write-in: Threadgill’s
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Your A-List: Best Album by a Local Band
Their lead singer may have moved to the Great Northwest, but Austin still proudly claims Spoon as hometown heroes. With 18 percent of the vote, Spoon’s 2007 release ‘GaGaGaGaGa’ is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Album by a Local Band (in the past year). The lo-fi rockers narrowly edged out a hard write-in charge by fans of Spin Alley’ album ‘Endless Threat.’
After selling close to 200,000 copies of the 2005 hit ‘Gimme Fiction,’ the pressure was on for Spoon to deliver with its latest album in 2007, and the boys delivered, with ‘GaGaGaGaGa,’ an album that’s odd title was confusing as it was intriguing, a Dadaist-sounding term, in lead singer Britt Daniel’s words. As with most of Spoon’s catalog, the tunes are crisp, stripped-down and rollicking, but unlike previous efforts, there are new sounds to be appreciated here, such as horns playing a predominant role, a touch that may at first have seemed out of place but soon after listening came to seem as if they fit in the band all along. In the words of Daniel, the album features three kinds of songs: “the emotional ones, the vaguely political ones and the colorful ones.”
‘GaGaGaGaGa’ saw Spoon make a slight deviation from the norm without losing any of the band’s hallmark sound, and as evidenced by album sales, a jam-packed secret show at The Mohawk last year and appearances on national television shows, the band not only satiated old fans but found a way to expand its base with rock tunes that are catchy but not derivative.
For more lowdown on the making of ‘GaGaGaGaGa,’ check out Joe Gross’s profile of the album last year, with Daniel breaking down each of the songs. (Feature includes audio samples)
Photos of Spoon in action in Austin
Others receiving votes
- Spin Alley’s ‘Endless Threat’ (write-in), 14 percent
- Ghostland Observatory’s ‘Robotique Majestique,’ 10 percent
- James McMurtry’s ‘Just Us Kids,’ 10 percent
- The Sword’s ‘Gods of the Earth,’ 9 percent
- Iron and Wine’s ‘The Shepherd’s Dog,’ 8 percent
- Brownout’s ‘Homanaje,’ 7 percent
- Okkervil River’s ‘The Stage Names,’ 4 percent
- Carolyn Wonderland’s ‘Miss Understood,’ 4 percent
- Marcia Ball’s ‘Peace, Love and BBQ,’ 4 percent
- South Austin Jug Band’s ‘Strange Invitation,’ 3 percent
- Pinetop Perkins’ ‘Last of the Great Mississippi Delta Bluesmen: Live in Dallas,’ 3 percent
- Vallejo’s ‘Thicker Than Water,’ 3 percent
- White Denim’s ‘Workout Holiday,’ 3 percent
- Maneja Beto’s untitled EP, 1 percent
- Boombox ATX’s ‘Feel the Boombox,’ < 1 percent
Write-ins: Band of Heathens’ “Band of Heathens,” Ruthie Foster’s “The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster,” The Gougers’ “Long Day for the Weathervane,” Warren Hood’s “Warren Hood,” Linton Mancilla’s “Cry It Out,” Mike and Ike’s mix album, Woode Wood’s “Cheap Cars & Acoustic Guitars”
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Your A-List: Best Ethnic Eatery*
Sure, Austin may be known as a barbecue, Tex-Mex and burger town, but we do have our share of ethnic food. The winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Ethnic Eatery (excluding Chinese, Italian, Mexican, Thai or Vietnamese), with 24 percent of the vote, is the popular Clay Pit.
The contemporary Indian restaurant, opened by a couple who moved here from Seattle to open the establishment with their cousins, is housed in one of the oldest commercial buildings in downtown Austin and offers an understated elegance. Despite the warm and somewhat luxurious setting, the vibe of the place is anything but pretentious, as the restaurant is usually packed during the evening with a boisterous and eclectic clientele.
Statesman food critic Dale Rice wrote the following about the restaurant in a prior review: “As part of its contemporary Indian cuisine, strong flavors come to the fore in items such as yogurt-marinated lamb and badami korma, beef cooked in a slightly sweetened curry sauce with a creamy base of puréed nuts.”
With friendly service, a nice variety of dishes for both vegetarians and meat lovers, and an energetic (if a bit loud) dining room, the Clay Pit is the perfect spot for those looking for quality contemporary Indian food, whether they be out on a date, dining casually, hosting visitors or celebrating with friends.
Clay Pit [site]
1601 Guadalupe St.
322.5131
Others receiving votes
- Fogo de Chão, 17 percent
- Habana, 9 percent
- Doña Emilia’s, 9 percent
- Sao Paulo’s, 8 percent
- Phoenecia, 7 percent
- Aster’s Ethiopian, 5 percent
- Buenos Aires, 5 percent
- El Greco, 4 percent
- Sarah’s Mediterranean Grill, 3 percent
- Sarovar, 3 percent
- Jerusalem Cafe, 2 percent
- Madras Pavillion, 2 percent
- Swad, 2 percent
Write-ins: Casa Colombia, Kenobi, Marakesh, Tino’s
*That’s not Italian, Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese or Thai
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Mind officially blown
Check out photos of this show here.
Although I grew up in Houston, it takes a pretty monumental event to get me back to Space City. In the six years since I moved back to Texas, those events have been almost exclusively limited to a death in the family, the World Series, and the opportunity to meet a presidential candidate. Adding Radiohead to that list was an easy call. Having not seen the band in almost 10 years, and only having heard the new album “In Rainbows” a half dozen times or so, I was not sure what to expect. What I got was a super-sensory experience from a band at the height of its powers that left me thirsty for more.
Although I unfortunately had seats on the lawn, the visual elements and sound were still wildly impressive. A screen behind the band, composed of LED lights showed each of the five band members at play, while tendrils hanging in the foreground offered a technicolor veil for the images behind it. The tight shot of the musicians offered a touch of reality and humanity to a band whose music often seems in this world but not of it.
The sound Saturday night in Houston, despite our less-than-perfect vantage point, was flawless. For those not familiar with the band’s live sound, you might assume that the layered, dynamic sound perfected by Radiohead in the studio could not make a flawless transition to the stage. Such assumptions would be erroneous. The production was seamless, with every beat, distortion, chaos pad manipulation, harmony, guitar riff and cymbal crash coming across perfectly. Yorke’s falsetto, grating to some, held its ground, never breaking or giving off the sense that his hallmark sound is anything approaching an affectation. Backed by the searing, and at times psychedelic guitar of Johnny Greenwood and a rhythm section that sounds like the machinations propelling a dark musical beast, one sent not to lay waste to the land with its fiery breath but to throw audiences on its back and transport it. At once kicking you in the chest and massaging your weary temples, the physical gateway of our post-modern ennui, the band epitomizes the sound of the beauty and ache of the world (“Everything all of the time,” as York sings). Radiohead’s music is both tempestuous and tranquil, rising from the storming sea, then settling gracefully in the eye of the hurricane, before raging back to life. Considering the disparate styles the band has perfected and toyed with over the years, it is sublime to see them produce so flawlessly songs ranging from a 13-year stretch of recordings.
For their second encore, the boys offered up a beautiful and aching “You and Whose Army?” before blowing the night out with the pulsating “Idioteque,” a song that made it clear that if there is a rave at the end of the world, Radiohead will be headlining. With the animated lead singer and overworked crowd coming back down to Earth in a blissfully cathartic state following the two hour show, I trudged up the hill and out to my car, hidden in the concrete monument to capitalism that is the Woodlands (an irony that must slightly turn the stomach of the politically charged Yorke), I found myself wondering how far it was to Dallas (for the next show). Now that’s really saying something.
I cannot stand the amount of LED screens that litter the sea of people in front of the stage at shows these days, but if it were not for those folks, I guess I wouldn’t be able to link YouTube footage. Here is a small sampling of pieces of the show that have popped up online since the show.
“There There”
“Climbing Up the Walls”
“Everything In Its Right Place”
Radiohead at the Woodlands, 5.17.08
- 1. “15 Step” (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 2. “Bodysnatchers” (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 3. “Lucky” (“OK COMPUTER”)
- 4. “Morning Bell” (“AMNESIAC”)
- 5. “Nude” (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 6. “Pyramid Song” (“AMNESIAC”)
- 7. “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 8. “The Gloaming (“HAIL TO THE THIEF”)
- 9. “National Anthem” (“KID A”)
- 10. “Faust Arp” (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 11. “Videotape” (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 12. “Optimistic” (“KID A”)
- 13. “Where I End and You Begin” (“HAIL TO THE THIEF”)
- 14. “Reckoner (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 15. “Everything In Its Right Place” (“KID A”)
- 16. “All I Need” (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 17. “There, There” (“HAIL TO THE THIEF”)
First Encore
- 18. “Jigsaw Falling Into Place” (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 19. “House of Cards” (“IN RAINBOWS”)
- 20. “Climbing Up the Walls” (“OK COMPUTER”)
- 21. “Planet Telex” (“THE BENDS”)
- 22. “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” (“THE BENDS”)
Second Encore
- 23. “You And Whose Army?” (“AMNESIAC”)
- 24. “Idioteque” (“KID A”)
All still images courtesy Mr. Front Row, Sunjay Arya.
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Your A-List: Best Dance/Electronica Group
A note of disclosure: I am friends with this week’s winners.
In a town known for its roots and rock ‘n roll, Ghostland Observatory has forged a national reputation for its electronic dance/rock sound that has had bodies moving in Austin and beyond since 2004. The dynamic duo is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Dance Electronic Group, with an overwhleming 73 percent of the vote.
Since its first show in tiny Liberty Hill on July 4, 2004, the band has gone from club darlings to national festival sensations, backed by the beats of the caped Thomas Turner and fronted by the writhing and electric Aaron Behrens. With a super-sensory light show, the band wowed audiences at last year’s ACL Fest, graced the stages at festivals around the country and played to sold out crowds in England. In addition to a few club gigs, the band is currently preparing for a spate of summer festival shows to promote its new album, ‘Robotique Majestique,’ an album that was initially celebrated with a sold-out show at the Austin Music Hall in February.
Ghostland links:
- Story: Ghostland earns band of the year
- Story: Ghostland Observatory awes fans at ACL taping
- Photos: Ghostland Observatory on stage | A-List photos from Emo’s, 6.20.07
- Video: Interview with Ghostland from ACL 2006
- Audio: Listen to Ghostland on Soundcheck360
Others receiving votes
- D:Fuse, 7 percent
- DJ Manny, 5 percent
- Whatamelon, 3 percent
- J.A.M.O.N., 3 percent
- Charanga Cakewalk, 2 percent
- Trey Lopez, 2 percent
- Learning Secrets, 2 percent
- Bird Peterson, 1 percent
- John Gomi, 1 percent
- Ohn, 1 percent
- Zom Zoms, 1 percent
Write-in: Govinda
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Your A-List: Best Sports Bar
Slightly off the beaten path (at least for bars) but still close to downtown, Third Base has quickly gained a solid reputation as one of the best places in town to watch sports. With 51 percent of the vote, Third Base is the winner of the Your A-List poll for Best Sports Bar.
The location on West Sixth Street near MoPac Boulevard (Loop 1) makes the bar the perfect stop for downtown workers heading home, as well as a home-away-from home for those in the neighborhood who may prefer watching multiple games on more than two dozen flat-screen TVs.
The bar has gained a loyal following in its brief time on the scene, part of which may be because co-owners of the bar have also been principals in other Austin bars, including Firehouse and Molotov.
Older sports bars, with their faded pool tables and video games, seem like relics compared to modern sports bars, with their wood paneling and high-definition televisions. And with menu items such as the portabella burger, nobody will confuse Third Base with their father’s sports bar. The bar shows all sporting events, from the NBA League Pass to every college football game, as well as nonmajor sports such as boxing. Additionally, the bar also hosts poker tournaments and other events, a trend that seems ubiquitous in bars of Third Base’s ilk.
With nightly drink specials, a patio that features a host of large TVs and an expansive menu (of rather average food — it is, after all, still a sports bar), it is no surprise to learn that the bar is building on the success of the original location and will soon open a new bar in Round Rock.
Third Base [site]
1717 W. Sixth St.
476.BASE
Hours
11 a.m.-12 a.m., Sunday-Friday
11a.m.-1 a.m., Saturday
Others receiving votes
- Pluckers, 21 percent
- Bikini’s, 17 percent
- The Tavern, 4 percent
- Doc’s, 3 percent
- Fado, 1 percent
- Champions, less than 1 percent
- Aussie’s, less than 1 percent
- Legends, less than 1 percent
- Mulligan’s, less than 1 percent
Write-ins: Buffalo Wings and Rings, Joe’s Bar, Lavaca Street Bar
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Review: Wilco at Stubb’s
Deborah Cannon AMERICAN-STATESMAN
As the sun sets on Sundays, folks are often lulled into a peacfeul rest on the comfort of their couch, winding down from the weekend and preparing for the long week ahead. Early in the Wilco set at Stubb’s Sunday night, it seemed lead singer Jeff Tweedy would have been more happy on said piece of leisure furniture than on stage, the band sputtering to find its rhythm and a unified energy in the first quarter of the set. Considering the band has played roughly two dozen shows in Austin over the past 13 years, maybe Tweedy just felt so at home that he was not compelled to rush things.
Dressed in a green blazer, and backed by his five bandmates who were dressed in various shades of blue and black, Tweedy began the set with the haunting beauty of ‘Sunken Treasure,’ his tender voice buttressed by the whispering slide guitar of Nels Cline and the percsussive rumblings of drummer Glenn Kotche.
Following the dark romanticism of ‘Sunken Treasure,’ the band eased into ‘You Are My Face,’ from its most recent album. The song shifted from lush harmonies to guitar-driven rock, carried by the sharp, edgy guitar lines from Cline and onto the tasteful churchlike organ phrasings of Mikael Jorgensen, before returning back to the soft melodies and crooning of Tweedy, the song a perfect example of the soft to raucous and back-to-soft transitions for which the band is legend.
Unwilling to build on the momentum of the second tune, the band chose to return to the feel established by the opening tune with the subdued and poetic ‘Remember the Mountain Bed’ from the band’s joint with Billy Bragg, ‘Mermaid Avenue Vol. 2.’ Although Tweedy treated fans to the tune at his solo show in Austin in 2006, it was the first time the full band had played the song for an Austin audience. Following the relatively obscure ‘Mountain Bed’ with ‘Company in My Back,’ in which Cline had a chance to provide the show with some much-needed energy, Tweedy finally addressed the audience, wishing the crowd a happy Mother’s Day (the ‘best day of the year,’ according to the songsmith). The first song offering opportunity for a group sing-along, ‘Handshake Drugs,’ gave me the impression the band was about ready to turn the page on its languid start, the crowd, with help from Cline’s dramatic flair on guitar, seemingly trying to will energy into the set.
After brushing off ‘Pick Up The Change,’ the first time they’ve played the song in Austin since 2001, the band began to engage the crowd with a little more animated playing on the bouncy and sweeping ‘Hummingbird.’ But, as they had for the first third of the set, the band refused to ride the momentum of the previous song, instead playing a gentle version of ‘On and On and On.’
With the following ‘Pot Kettle Black’ and ‘Shot in the Arm,’ the band finally seemed to find its stride, exciting the crowd with some more familiar tunes, with Tweedy coming to life with more banter and mussing his hair to humorous effect. By the time they trotted out crowd favorite ‘Jesus, Etc.,’ the night finally seemed to have taken form after an organic, if disconnected start. Near the close of the set, the band took the opportunity to reintroduce fans to some old songs that had not seen the light of an Austin day in ages. The band used a five-night run of shows in Chicago in February, in which they played every song from their extensive catalogue, to dust off some of the cobwebs from early recordings. That bit of nostalgia led to the reappearance Sunday of two songs that last surfaced in Austin when high-rise condos were as foreign here as French-style cooking, ‘It’s Just That Simple’ and ‘That’s Not the Issue,’ two Wilco classics the band had not performed in Austin since 1995 and 1997, respectively. For many fans, I’m sure it was a first for them to even see bass player John Stirratt sing lead, with Tweedy on bass, on the Stirratt-penned ‘It’s Just that Simple.’
The band closed the set with a rollicking version of ‘Walken,’ a jam that worked the crowd into fevered dance mode before closing the set with fan sing-along-favorite ‘I’m the Man Who Loves You.’ After popping off stage for the briefest of intermissions, the band reappareared for its first encore, a coda of sorts that began with patient and heartfelt renditions of ‘Misunderstood,’ ‘Poor Places,’ and ‘Reservations’ before making the dissonant leap to rocker ‘Spiders (Kidsmoke),’ a song that’s wild guitar, driving bass, tasty perscussive fills and dramatic changes epitomize Wilco at its highest rock form.
After a night that moved, clumsily at times, from soft ballads to uptempo rock songs, the band’s second encore kept the foot on the gas, pleasing the crowd with ‘I Hate it Here,’ ‘Heavy Metal Drummer,’ ‘Casino Queen’ (which may or may not have been a nod to the dude yelling for the song from behind the soundboard the entire night), the rare ‘Hoodoo Voodoo’ and finally ‘Outtasite (Outta Mind).’
Sometimes patience is a virtue, and such was certainly the case at Stubb’s Sunday night. Whether Tweedy and Co. were disinterested or simply taking time to find the night’s pulse early in the show, by the end of the night, Wilco’s legion of faithful fans were rewarded, as the show organically grew to reflect all that is great about the band — raw, honest lyrics, flawless musicianship and a lead singer who knows how, when he wants to, give the crowd exactly what it wants. And, just as the crowd obviously appreciated the 135-minute set that was packed full of songs from all eight of the band’s studio albums, Tweedy was equally appreciative. While he admitted the band usually lied and told every city that they were the best, before the night ended, Tweedy confessed, ‘You really are the best, Austin.’ Whether his tongue was planted in his cheek or not is not certain. And, that is the beauty of Wilco’s enigmatic frontman, sometimes you just don’t know quite what he’s getting at. But, as with any old friend, you’re happy to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Setlist
- 1. Sunken Treasure
- 2. You Are My Face
- 3. Remember The Mountain Bed
- 4. Company In My Back
- 5. Handshake Drugs
- 6. Pick Up The Change
- 7. Hummingbird
- 8. On And On And On
- 9. Pot Kettle Black
- 10. A Shot In The Arm
- 11. Summer Teeth
- 12. Jesus, Etc.
- 13. Impossible Germany
- 14. It’s Just That Simple
- 15. That’s Not The Issue
- 16. Walken
- 17. I’m The Man Who Loves You
Encore 1:
- 18. Misunderstood
- 19. Poor Places
- 20. Reservations
- 21. Spiders (Kidsmoke)
Encore 2:
- 22. Hate It Here
- 23. Heavy Metal Drummer
- 24. Casino Queen
- 25. Hoodoo Voodoo
- 26. Outtasite (Outta Mind)
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Jason Marsalis to serve up tasty jazz at Central Market
Frank Stallone. Ashlee Simpson. Eric Roberts. All are B-List talents living in the shadow (and on the gravy train) of their more famous and accomplished celebrity relatives.
Jason Marsalis should be confused with none of these. While the son of Ellis and brother of Wynton and Branford may not have the national recognition as his musician relatives, Jason is a giant in his own right.
Find out for yourself next Sunday, May 18, as the amazing percussionist visits Central Market for a free springtime musical treat of the highest order. The talented composer and musician, as well as New Orleans music scene staple, who has collaborated with internationally recognized jazz performers such as Joe Henderson and Lionel Hampton, will be playing tunes from his recently released album, “An Open Letter to Thelonious.”
Marsalis will play from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. and you can count me as one of the many who will be making the early drive back from the Radiohead show in Houston to catch this set by one of jazz’s finest.
Jason Marsalis [official site]
Central Market [site]
4001 North Lamar
206.1000
Free
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Interview: Ralphie May
Southern-fried stand-up comic and equal-opportunity offender Ralphie May brings his scathing social critique to the Paramount Theatre on Saturday night to tape a two-hour special for Comedy Central. The other day, I sat down with the comic who came to fame on ‘Last Comic Standing’ to talk about his humble beginnings, Sam Kinison, Finland and more.
On his speaking style and jargon …
On meeting Sam Kinison for the first time …
On his early comedy career …
On his experience on ‘Last Comic Standing’ …
On what fans can expect at his upcoming show and a pitch of his buddy-movie concept co-starring Dave Chappelle …
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Your A-List: Best Waitstaff
Good service when dining is just as important as good food. It often is what separates good restaurants from great restaurants. The servers at Ruth’s Chris in downtown Austin top the list in Your A-List poll for Best Waitstaff, more than doubling the votes for the staffs at Vespaio and Guero’s, the second- and third-place finishers, respectively.
With a robust knowledge of cuts, preparation and presentation (warning, this plate is 10,000 degrees), the waitstaff is also sharp when it comes to the extensive wine menu and knows its customers. For instance, some customers can be treated a little more casually, while others demand to be treated with absolute deference and have their egos stroked. Knowing how to balance friendliness with class is a hallmark of the staff at, what I consider, the best steakhouse in town.
Ruth’s Chris [site]
Congress Avenue at Sixth Street
477.7884
Others receiving votes
- Vespaio, 15 percent
- Guero’s, 12 percent
- Hyde Park Grill, 12 percent
- Wink, 8 percent
- Mother’s, 5 percent
- El Borrego del Oro, 3 percent
- Clay Pit, 3 percent
- La Traviata, 3 percent
- Musashino, 3 percent
- Sazon, 3 percent
- Salvation Pizza, 2 percent
- Cibo, 1 percent
Write-ins: European Bistro, Habana, Habana Calle 6, Jeffrey’s, Mansion at Judges’ Hill, Rio Grande Tex-Mex, Roy’s, Sullivan’s, Trio, Vin Bistro
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Your A-List: Best Place to Skate
“All right, boys and girls, everyone on the floor, it’s all skate …”
The voice over the PA still rings in my ears from lo those many years ago when every birthday party seemed mandidated by law to take place at a skating rink.
When faced with the Your A-List poll choice of Best Place to Skate, the people spoke and the modern Veloway narrowly edged out Playland Skate Center, with the outdoor skating area taking the prize over the more old-school indoor rink by a nose - two votes to be precise.
From the Veloway Web site: “The Veloway is Southwest Austin’s first trail exclusively for bicycles and rollerblading. Located on more than 100 acres in the Slaughter Creek Metropolitan Park, the Veloway is a 3.1-mile paved asphalt loop 23 feet wide. It is totally free of motorized traffic. The trail is open from dawn to dusk.”
While some Austinites like to get their roll on under big Central Texas skies, others prefer the tried-and-true hardwoods of Playland Skate Center, Austin’s largest indoor skating rink. From the Playland site: “Playland offers the finest in skating entertainment with an impressive light show, fog machine and state of the art sound system playing a wide variety of music. Playland Skate Center has been in business for over 20 years offering children and adults a safe, fun, clean and entertaining roller skating experience.”
Now, everyone on the floor (trail), it’s all skate.
Others receiving votes
- Whole Foods plaza during the holidays, 14 percent
- Chapparal Ice, 12 percent
- Skate Park of Austin, 9 percent
- Skate World, 8 percent
- Mabel Davis Park, 3 percent
- Austin Recreation Center, 2 percent
- Intellect Rollers Realm, 2 percent
- Millenium Youth Entertainment Complex, 1 percent
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Hey, hey, hey … Bill Cosby cancels Austin shows
This post is simply to serve as an announcement that Bill Cosby has canceled his shows in Austin that were scheduled for June 3 6 at the Austin Music Hall. I was somewhat personally disappointed to hear the news, as I was hoping to interview the legend about his comedy, his upcoming ‘unflinching’ hip-hop album, and his personal opinions on the state of American culture and all that implies.
Publicists tell us that the cancellation was due to a scheduling issue. No word on whether The Coz plans on rescheduling for our fair burg.
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