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December 2010
“Casual Victim Pile II” due Feb. 22
Matador Records co-owner Gerard Cosloy is reviving his label 12XU to release “Casual Victim Pile II,’ an 18-band, all-Austin compilation due out on limited edition, 180-gram white vinyl on Feb. 22.
It is the sequel to “Casual Victim Pile,” the Austin- and Denton-based band compilation released on Matador in 2010.
Seventeen of the 18 songs are previously unreleased and participants include the following ;
OBN III’s
Cruddy
Rayon Beach
Women In Prison
Naw Dude
Simple Circuit
Hatchet Wound
Crisis Hotlines
Literature
Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves
A Giant Dog
The Dead Space
Serious Tracers
The French Inhales
The Zoltars
Coma In Algiers
Expensive (Expletive)
Six of the above feature one or more band members from acts on Casual Victim Pile. Several have either released new records in the past few months (Cruddy, Simple Circuit, Hatchet Wound, Crisis Hotlines, Literature, A Giant Dog, The Dead Space, Serious Tracers, The Zoltars) or have something for early 2011 (OBN III’s, Rayon Beach, Women In Prison, A Giant Dog).
Fourteen of the 18 are playing at least once during Free Week (exceptions being Literature, Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves, Simple Circuit and the French Inhales —- all of whom have local shows between now and mid-February).
Much like last year, Beerland will be hosting a three night series of shows for “CVP II” featuring most, if not all of the above bands, March 3, 4 and 5.
Cosloy says there are no plans for subsequent releases via 12XU. Here is the Statesman’s story from 2010 on the first “Casual Victim Pile.”
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Willie to play Backyard during SXSW
The Backyard is no doubt happy that 2010 is almost gone and things look to get off to a great start in 2011. Willie Nelson and Family will play the venue March 19 according to a just-released tour schedule. It’s not expected that the show will be part of SXSW. Daughter Paula Nelson opens.
Meanwhile, Willie’s son Lukas and his blues/ rock band Promise of the Real will appear on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” on Friday January 7. POTR just released their debut, self-titled CD Dec. 21 and are down to play Antone’s on Feb. 11. (Wonder where the kid got his high, nasal voice?)
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Weekend picks
Friday
Diamond Smugglers at the Continental Club. 2010 started badly for me — stomach flu, followed by Artie Lange’s exit from the Howard Stern Show and then the Longhorns BCS title game loss to Alabama — all in week one. I want this miserable year to end with a big, hearty guffaw. This Neil Diamond cover band (with Steve McCarthy as El Pretentioso) is always a great time, as tight as they are juvenile. As much as we love to goof on Mr. D, his songs are a wonderland. With Pong. 10 p.m. 1315 S. Congress Ave. www.continentalclub.com. — Michael Corcoran
Also recommended:
- The Sword at the Mohawk
- Gourds at Ruta Maya
- Cake at Austin Music Hall
- Black Joe Lewis and Grupo Fantasma at La Zona Rosa
- Bob Schneider at the Paramount Theatre
- Foot Patrol at ND at 501 Studios
- Bright Light Social Hour at the Parish
- Rick Trevino, Dale Watson at North Austin Events Center
- Adolescents at Red 7
Saturday
Mike Flanigin Trio with Jimmie Vaughan at the Continental Club Gallery. Let’s not kid yourself: You’ll probably be nursing a hangover on Saturday. And if any music could cure a hangover, it’d be jazz, so race on over to this humble listening room and catch one of Austin’s premier jazz talents, joined by Jimmie Vaughan slinging guitar. You couldn’t ask for a better way to ease into 2011. 9 p.m. $15. 1315 S. Congress Ave. www.continentalclub.com. — P.C.
Also recommended:
- Bus Stop Stallions at Momo’s
- Bob Schneider and Love at War at Antone’s
- Red Young at the Elephant Room
- Regulars at the Saxon Pub
Sunday
Amplified Heat at the Mohawk.Bless you, Graham Williams, for thinking up Free Week at a time when club biz would otherwise be in the toilet. Free Free Free Fest takes place all up and down Red River Street, but no show will rock harder than this one, which also features the Hi-Tones, the Boxing Lesson and Black Forest Fire. 9 p.m. 912 Red River St. www.mohawkaustin.com. — M.C.
Also recommended:
- White Rhino at Red 7
- Soul Kitchen at Lucky Lounge
- Lilies at Beerland
- Set Aflame at Emo’s
- Blind Pets, Jesus Christ Superfly at Emo’s
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Musicians pitch in to help Ann Wolfe’s Pack
Willie Nelson’s ex-wife Connie has been looking for ways to help Ann Wolfe, the former boxing champion who is helping turn young lives around, ever since she was introduced to Wolfe by Tim O’Connor at the Backyard a couple years ago. With Ann’s Wolfe Pack, as she calls her boxers in training, soon to be without a gym, Connie Nelson figured that Austin musicians might like to help raise money for a new rental property.
“You talk to Ann for two minutes and you know she’s 100% dedicated,” says Nelson. “She’s real. If she says she’s going to do something, you know she’s going to do it. Ann would run the gym out of her own house if she had to, but I thought, ‘let’s raise money with a concert and make things a little easier.’”
Of course, Connie and Willie’s daughter Paula Nelson was a natural, but then some of the top musicians in town raised their hands. W.C. Clark, Dale Watson, Randy Weeks, Waylon Payne, Ramsay Midwood, David Holt, Tommy Shannon and Matt Hubbard will also perform Sunday Jan. 9 at Antone’s. Cover charge is $20.
Although Wolfe, known as the hardest puncher in the history of women’s boxing, retired from fighting to be a trainer, a few years ago, she’ll return to the ring, Nelson said, for a Feb. 11 fight in Louisiana.
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Mean Gene Kelton dies in car accident
Texas blues guitar great Mean Gene Kelton died Tuesday after a head on collision with a school bus in Crosby, near Houston.
Baytown native Kelton, whose hard-driving boogie blues made him a favorite at biker rallies, formed his band the Die Hards in 1992. Last month Kelton released his first book “Gigs From Hell: Over 25 Years of Hell In The Music Business. And Its All True.”
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‘It wasn’t a robbery,’ friend says of Maddox shooting
Updated at 12:55 p.m. with information from sheriff’s department, details on intruder.
Keith Landers, who performs oldies under the name Johnny Dee, lives behind the house on Rockway Drive where drummer Bill Maddox, his best friend since elementary school in Abilene, was fatally shot Monday morning. Landers said he talked with Bill’s wife, Rhonda Maddox, on Monday and disputed that burglary was the motive for the shooting as authorities have said.
“It wasn’t a robbery,” Landers said. “It was a paranoid schizophrenic off his medicine who believed that he was trying to get into his safe house.”
Police identified the intruder as John Debrecht, 63, who lived half a mile away. Debrecht also was shot during the struggle and was in critical condition at University Medical Center Brackenridge.
Family and friends continued to express shock today that Debrecht was identified as an intruder in the case. One San Antonio relative of the family, Rita Wright, described Debrecht as a “kind and gentle” man who may have been confused during Monday’s incident. But she doubted that he was at the Maddox home to rob the couple.
“Maybe he was confused and thought that was his home,” Wright said. “We was very religious. He would not have robbed anyone; he would not have killed anyone. He would have gone out of his way to help someone.”
Wright, whose son is married to one of Debrecht’s children, said Debrecht suffered from an illness and had struggled taking medications recently.
Authorities continued to investigate the Monday shooting today, saying that much of the details surrounding the case will be withheld until the probe is completed, said Travis County sheriff’s office spokesman Roger Wade.
Wade said it could be weeks until the probe is completed, as detectives await results on a medical examiner reporter and witness interviews.
Wade said it’s not yet clear that any charges will be filed in the case, but it remains a possibility. Detectives will eventually present their findings to a grand jury, Wade said.
Initially, the case began as an investigation into a burglary in progress, but that may change as the probe continues, Wade said.
“The original call was burglary in progress and that’s where the investigation started,” Wade said. “Where it will end up, I don’t know.”
Rhonda Maddox called 911 at around 7:30 a.m. Monday, reporting a burglary in progress. According to a source who saw a transcript of the 911 call, the dispatcher said “the woman was saying, ‘They’re in the house. I’m gonna have to shoot ‘em.’ “
“Basically Bill died protecting his wife,” Landers said. “He’s not a violent person, but he fought that guy tooth and nail. He’s a huge hero.”
Landers said he’s still in shock that such an end could come to a man who “was such a beautiful, beautiful person.”
Landers said Maddox moved to the Scenic Brook community near Oak Hill after visiting Landers’ house several years ago. “He thought it was so peaceful,” Landers said. Maddox first owned a smaller house but, after cashing in his Dell stock, built a mansion with a lavish home studio and a large space to hold his collection of more than 100 vintage Fender guitars.
According to Joe Priesnitz, who manages Eric Johnson, who played in bands with Maddox since 1974, Maddox was an early employee of Dell, “working for Michael even before it was Dell.”
Landers and Maddox met each other through their parents, who were close friends, when Landers was about 9 and Maddox 6. Bill Maddox’s father was a dentist.
“We played in all kinds of bands together,” said Landers. The pair, along with keyboardist Stephen Barber, moved to Austin in the early ’70s with their band Cadillac. But then they went separate ways musically, with Landers forming still-popular party band Johnny Dee and the Rocket 88s.
In 1973, Maddox, Barber and fellow Abilene native Kyle Brock former Electromagnets, a jazz/rock fusion band that played the Armadillo World Headquarters on several occasions. Guitar prodigy Eric Johnson joined the group the next year. After the ‘Magnets broke up in 1977, Maddox and Brock formed the Eric Johnson Group with the guitarist who was blowing minds with his virtuosity.
After his time becoming a “Dellionaire,” Maddox quit that job and went back in to music full time. To play a SIMS Foundation benefit at Steamboat, Johnson reunited with Maddox and called the new band Alien Love Child, with a more bluesy, rocking style. The chemistry was so good, the band released an album in 2000 and toured for almost two years.
“Bill was really the glue of that group,” said Alien Love Child bassist Chris Maresh.
Funeral arrangments are pending.
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Cirque du Soleil to hold auditions in Austin
Heads up, musicians looking for a (very unusual) paying gig and/or an excuse to wear lots of makeup: traveling performance troupe Cirque du Soleil are looking for singers and musicians, and will be holding two days of auditions in Austin in March.
The Cirque du Soleil team is looking for “professional musicians and singers with strong technique, stage presence and versatility,” in all voice types, instruments and styles. If you think you may fit the bill, hit up their jobs page for more information — members of the Minor Mishap Marching Band, I’m looking in your direction.
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Bill Maddox, former Eric Johnson drummer, shot to death
Eric Johnson’s manager Joe Priesnitz said he’s confirmed through the guitarist that Bill Maddox, who played in three bands with Johnson since 1974, was the man shot and killed in a burglary in Oak Hill this morning.
Here’s the story published earlier today on statesman.com.
“He was an incredible person,” said Priesnitz, who added that he’s thankful Maddox’s wife Rhonda was unhurt.
A law enforcement source who wished to remain anonymous because he’s unauthorized to talk to reporters said a woman believed to be Rhonda Maddox called 911 at 7:27 a.m. and reported a burglary in progress at the couple’s home. “They’re in the house,” she told the 911 operator, “I’m gonna have to shoot them.” The phone was put down, then the operator heard a single shot, followed after a pause, by several more.
Police are reporting that the intruder was 63-year-old neighbor John Debrecht, a top area long distance runner in the 60-64 age group. The father of four was shot and airlifted to University Medical Center Brackenridge.
“I think Eric will release a statement today, but right now he’s devastated,” said Priesnitz.
A native of Abilene, Maddox formed jazz-rock band the Electromagnets with childhood friend, keyboard player Stephen Barber, in Austin to 1973. The next year, guitar whiz Johnson was added to the group. Maddox also played in the Eric Johnson Group, Alien Love Child and in Omar and the Howlers.
Maddox replaced Chris Layton in Grady in 2006, but had to drop out a year later due to a heart condition. He built a home recording studio and had finished a solo project just before his death.
“There are a lot of very good drummers out there, but when you see a great one, you know it,” said Musicmakers owner David Baldry, who grew up in Abilene with a tightknit group that included Barber, Johnson bassist Kyle Brock, vintage rocker Johnny Dee and Austin City Limits Live general manager Tim Neece. “Bill Maddox was a great drummer.”
Chris Maresh played bass with Maddox in Alien Love Child, Johnson’s bluesy side-project. “He brought so much energy to the band,” Maresh recalled. “He was like Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Maddox also played guitar and was a passionate collector of vintage Fender guitars, an expensive hobby he could afford because he worked for Dell Computers when the company started.
“At first I think he worked on the loading dock,” Maresh said, “but it ended up being quite lucrative because Billy bought every stock option he could.”
Priesnitz said Maddox struggled with drugs and alcohol earlier in his career, but was committed to sobriety for several years and helped many others get sober.
.
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Austin Music People (AMP) wants you
The monthly First Friday Frolic shindig at Club de Ville on January 7th will serve as a coming out party for [Austin Music People](http://www.austin360.com/music/nonprofit-hits-a-new-note-business-lobbying-956124.html), a new non-profit group formed to lobby city leaders on issues affecting the Austin music community.
AMP is looking to sign up members at the event, which will feature free pizza from Home Slice.
[Go here](http://austinmusicpeople.org) for more info. Momo’s owner Paul Oveisi, who formerly headed the city’s live music task force, in the AMP director.
The schedule for Jan. 7 Frolic is:
* 6pm: BK & Mr E.
* 7pm: Eagle Eye Williamson
* 8pm: Erin Ivey
* 9pm: Monarchs
* 10pm: STEREO IS A LIE
* 11pm: One Hundred Flowers
* 12am: DJ I Wanna Ber Her
* 1am: DJ uLOVEi
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DVR alert: music on talk shows this week
All the major talk shows are in rerun mode this week, but there’s a lot of great live music to catch up on if you missed it first time around.
Tonight
David Letterman: Ra Ra Riot
Jay Leno: Johnny Lang (with Chris Layton on drums)
Jimmy Kimmel: Temper Trap
Jimmy Fallon: Bette Midler, Pegi Young
Conan O’Brien: Soundgarden
Tuesday
Leno: Keri Hilson
Kimmel: Diddy
Fallon: Annie Lennox
Conan: Jon Dore
Wednesday
Letterman: Florence and the Machine
Leno: Robyn
Kimmel: Little Big Town
Fallon: Nick Cannon
Conan: Reggie Watts
Thursday
Letterman: John Mellencamp
Leno: Michael Buble
Kimmel: Crystal Castles
Fallon: Toots & the Maytals
Conan: the 88
Friday
Letterman: Jay-Z, Rihanna
Leno: Josh Turner
Fallon: Maroon 5
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Booker Cotton brings live music to West Campus
One of the premiere club bookers in town, David Cotton (Saxon Pub, Threadgill’s, Momo’s) has added Jax Neighborhood Cafe at 2828 Rio Grande St. to his client list. “It’s a full service restaurant and the owner is fully committed to bringing live music back to 29th Street,” says Cotton, who’s been around long enough to remember when the Texas French Bread location on 29th was the Rome Inn, made famous by Stevie Ray Vaughan, then punk club Studio 29.
On New Year’s Eve, Jax will host 83-year-old blues great Miss Lavelle White, with former Vaughan keyboardist and songwriter Mike Kindred (“Cold Shot”). Cover is $20 at the door. The ghosts of El Carnivore, Austin’s most debauched Tex-Mex joint which once occupied the lot, will be howling.
Cotton said owner Jack Malinowski will have a media event soon to officially announce the newest arrival to the live music scene.
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Denberg’s back on the air- at KUT
With his one-year non-compete clause with KGSR ending Dec. 7, local radio icon Jody Denberg has signed on to work parttime at KUT. He’ll be back on the air Wednesday and Thursday from noon to 3 p.m., filling in for vacationing Jay Trachtenberg, and also Friday Dec. 31 from 9 a.m. to noon.
“I called Scott Gillmore (head honcho at KGSR) Monday and he was very gracious and wished me the best,” said Denberg, who cited burnout last year when he left KGSR, a station he helped start in 1990.
“I’ll just be doing fill-in work (at KUT), but I’m also going to meet with Hawk (KUT general manager Mendenhall) and Matt Munoz (of the Cactus Cafe) to talk about ways to use the Cactus for on air programming.” He will also occasionally host live shows from Studio !A and contribute to Texas Music Matters.
Denberg first met with Mendenhall after KUT took over management of the Cactus Cafe in August. “They didn’t offer me the job (to manage and book the Cactus), but they wanted to hear what I thought about it,” Denberg recalled, “and I said that what I really wanted to do was to get on KUT after my no-compete was over.” Denberg said he did not want to go back to a station with a playlist.
Although there were no jobs available, KUT offered a parttime position, which Denberg said “will hopefully evolve into new opportunities for me.” KUT will move into its new facility, just north of the current studios, in about 18 months.
“I’ve got my foot in the door and I’m back on the radio,” said Denberg.
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Gurf does Blaze on new CD
Gurf Morlix has wanted to record an album of Blaze Foley songs since his former running buddy was shot to death in 1989 on West Mary Street. The wish comes true Feb. 1, the anniversary of Foley’s death, with a 15 song CD entitled “Blaze Foley’s 113th Wet Dream.” The CD will be released in conjunction with the great documentary “Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah,” which Kevin Triplett has spent 12 years making. It’s truly a fascinating film about a songwriter who was greatly misunderstood in his lifetime and you have to admire Triplett’s restraint in not titling the documentary “If I Could Only Fly” after Foley’s greatest song.
A native of Buffalo, NY, Morlix moved to Austin in 1976, right out of high school, and one of the first folks he met was Foley, with whom he soon formed a duo.
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MTV’s “Skins” taps Austin musician for theme song
When MTV’s adaptation of the acclaimed British teen drama “Skins” — an ensemble series that tackled drugs, sex, mental illness and divorce; think a grittier-if-just-as-absurd “Degrassi” — debuts on Jan. 17, it’s Austin musician Daniel Chavez Wright who will first usher American audiences into the program’s world.
Wright, who moved to Austin from San Antonio six months ago and performs under the moniker 3D Friends, beat out about 2400 applicants to have his song, “Lina Magic,” selected as the series’ opening theme. MTV started gathering submissions for the opening theme to “Skins” back in October via the music social networking platform OurStage. The choice to seek an unknown independent musician was, says MTV communications director Kurt Patat, inspired by the show’s ground-level style — like the British original, “Skins” will feature both young writers and amateur actors playing characters that correspond closely to their actual ages.
MTV flew Wright out to New York to record the theme in a studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn last month.
“It was my first time in New York, and it was actually the first time I’d been on a plane since I was a really young kid. It was a really overwhelming experience,” says Wright, 21. “I’d heard about some pretty popular acts had recorded albums there in the past and it was really cool to say that I was in the studio where Animal Collective or the All-American Rejects or the Yeah Yeah Yeahs recorded.”
OurStage has the song streaming on 3D Friends’ profile.
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Sahara Smith goes caroling at UMC Brackenridge
Sahara Smith plays for patient Evelia Albarran at the University Medical Center Brackenridge.
All props to Sahara Smith — there are probably not a lot of rising young musicians who play “The Late Show with David Letterman” and then turn right around and perform holiday carols for patients at a hometown hospital, but that’s precisely what Smith spent this afternoon doing.
The 22-year-old Smith, who’s coming off a banner year following the release of the T-Bone Burnett-championed debut album “Myth of the Heart,” went holiday caroling with just herself and an acoustic guitar this afternoon at the University Medical Center Brackenridge — and it’s the folks at UMC Brackenridge, it’s worth noting, that sent us the picture and tipped us off, and not Smith’s label or management. That’s some serious Christmas cheer-spreading right there.
Smith’s next local gig is February 12 at the Cactus Cafe.
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SXSW swag goes digital for 2011
Interesting news out of the South by Southwest Conferences and Festivals camp: in an effort to go green that recalls the Austin City Limits Music Festival’s abandonment of plastic bottles in favor of paper cartons, SXSW is ditching the traditional bag of tangible goodies given to registrants in favor of digital swag.
The new initiative, dubbed SXswag, will offer free or discounted goods and services to registered SXSW attendees through the website’s social networking platform, SXsocial. The feature will go live in January.
Though it will be easy to miss the annual ritual of digging through the swag bags, this is probably a good idea — in addition to being an Earth-conscious sign of the times, an all-digital swag bag seems appropriate for a festival with a large interactive component that’s long promoted a forward-thinking tech-friendly mindset. And those swag bags were, it must be said, pretty killer on your back.
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Weekend picks
Friday
Warren Hood and the Goods at the Saxon Pub.It’s a testament to the vivacity of Austin’s music scene that even on one of the quietest days of the year, you can still hit up this awesome show. Multitalented Americana prodigy Warren Hood heads up a special band that includes Austin’s first lady of blues piano, Marcia Ball, and soul belter Nakia. 9 p.m. $10. 1320 S. Lamar Blvd. www.thesaxonpub.com. — Patrick Caldwell
Also recommended:
- Metal DJs at Beerland
- Coveters at Momo’s
- DJ Mel at Malverde
- Texana Dames at Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Saturday
Dale Watson’s annual Christmas extravaganza at the Continental Club.This has been a holiday tradition for years, and for a special treat, head upstairs at the Continental Gallery for a taste of the Mike Flanigin Trio with Frosty on drums. Let’s all thank the Continental Club for realizing that sometimes folks need live music more than ever on Christmas night. 10:30 p.m. 1315 S. Congress Ave. www.continentalclub.com. — M.C.
Also recommended:
Sunday
James McMurtry at the Continental Club Gallery.This intimate space doesn’t get enough credit for its low-key charm — you’d be hard-pressed to find a better listening room in town, perennial favorite the Cactus Cafe excepted. You couldn’t find a better place to see a solo acoustic set from clever Austin troubadour James McMurtry. 8:30 p.m. $10. 1315 S. Congress Ave. www.continentalclub.com. — P.C.
Also recommended:
- Dale Watson at Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon
- Resentments at the Saxon Pub
- Green Door eclectic record party at Rio Rita
- Black Red Black at the Elephant Room
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Blind Willie Johnson gets a grave marker
Former University of Texas students Shane Ford and Anna Obek can be commended for raising money for this centograph honoring the great slide-playing gospel pioneer Blind Willie Johnson at Beaumont’s Blanchette Cemetary.
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Rodney Crowell book tour comes to Austin Jan. 28
Rodney Crowell’s first book “Chinaberry Sidewalks” is coming out on Knopf on January 18 and the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter will be at Bookpeople ten days later to sign copies of the memoir.
If you can’t wait, a limited number of signed hardcover copies are now available for purchase exclusively at RodneyCrowell.com and will ship to fans on or before January 18.
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Another Backyard lawsuit filed
Another subcontractor at the new Backyard at Bee Cave has filed a breach of contract lawsuit claiming it is owed money for work done. Moore Supply Company filed papers last week in Travis County against Spicewood Plumbing, Inc.; Direct Events, Inc.; PEM-JTOC, LLC; The Dejoria John Paul Family Trust; RPM, LLC and Reese Commercial Properties, Ltd.
Direct Events owns the venue, while the John Paul DeJoria Family Trust owns the land.
Moore Supply, a sub-contractor of Spicewood Plumbing, seeks foreclosure of its lien, compensatory damages, interest and court costs.
After the Backyard reopened at the new location in Bee Cave in April, several lawsuits and liens were filed.
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Old Settler’s single day tix on sale today
Single-day wristbands went on sale for an earlybird price of $50 today at the fest’s web site. The 24th annual festival, which still focuses somewhat on bluegrass, though there’s been an expansion of styles in recent years, will be held April 14- 17 at Salt Lick Pavillion and Camp Ben McCulloch.
Friday is sure to be the hottest single day sales, as the Avett Brothers will bring out a lot of Old Settler virgins.
Other acts on the bill include Sam Bush, Tim O’Brien, Jake Shimabukuro, Langhorne Slim, Green Mountain Grass, Elliott Brood and the Emmitt-Nershi Band.
Single day tickets will be $60 at the gate.
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SXSW keynote possibilities: Patti, Paul, Marianne?
Usually, South by Southwest announces its keynote speaker around the first week in December, but here it is the 21st and still no announcement. Perhaps, for its all-important 25th season, the fest wants to hold out for the biggest name possible. And the bigger the name, the more negotiations can drag on.
While waiting, let’s prognosticate.
The top choices are probably Bruce Springsteen, Bono and Eddie Vedder - all eloquent speakers with much to say. But scratch Vedder, who will be in Australia during SXSW, and Bono seems unlikely because he’s probably never heard of SXSW.
Springsteen is now easier to reach because he shares management with SXSW poster boy Alejandro Escovedo. (Wouldn’t that be a switch- the Boss coming in on Alejandro’s coattails?)
Here are a coupla great possibilities, plus a few names on the “fallback” list::
Patti Smith. The recent National Book Award winner (“Just Kids”) is finishing up a new album and may be ready to promote it in three months. With integrity for miles, she’d be the perfect keynote because no other artist better embodies what the festival aims to honor and advance.
Paul Simon . This would be a major “get” for SXSW. Simon’s first new album in five years- “So Beautiful, So What”- is coming out April 12, so the timing is just about right for a big splash. But Art Garfunkel’s better half is also somewhat shy (though he can be hilarious in his self-effacing manner). I’d put his odds at about 5-1.
Michael Stipe of REM. The Georgia band’s “Collapse Into Now,” which features Vedder, Patti Smith and other big names, is set for March release. Don’t know if the introspective Stipe can pull off a speech in a big room full of industry insiders, but the “keynote interview” format with his friend Michael Azerrad might work.
Don Was . His album with Lucinda Williams (“Blessed”) is out in March and he could regale us with “Exile On Main Street” stories for hours. But he doesn’t quite have the star power for a 25th anniversary.
Marianne Faithful . New record and even better Stones stories, though Ms. Faithful would most definitely be a Plan B or C.
6. David Johanssen. Gotta be ready if Marianne says ‘no.’ The New York Dolls have an album of new material coming in March, so expect them to perform, at least.
OK, there are our predictions. Now watch it be Gladys Knight.
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N.A.S.A. headlines dance party at Seaholm
N.A.S.A. (an acronym for North America/South America) brings its Brazilian funk sound to Seaholm Power Plant New Year’s Eve for a party that also includes a DJ set from Reuben Wu of Ladytron and other techno acts.
Promoters the Electric Company are keeping capacity to 1,200. Tickets start at $75, but can go as high as $250 for entrance to the VIP Skybox Lounge.
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No more Troy Kimmel weather updates on KASE, KVET
The changes keep on coming at country radio siblings KASE and KVET, where meteorologist Troy Kimmel is off the air after a run of more than 13 years.
A victim of budget cuts, his departure comes just weeks after Tom Allen ended his “Country Gold” hosting duties at KVET. Operations manager/program director Mac Daniels also exited the Clear Channel-owned stations recently.
In addition to forecasting the weather on air and online, Kimmel was a regular on KVET’s “Bucky and Bob: the Talk of Austin,” featuring hosts Bucky Godbolt and Bob Cole.
“I’m going to miss all the people there, especially Bucky and Bob,” Kimmel said. “They’re my buds and pals.”
Kimmel remains chief meteorologist at KEYE, Austin’s CBS affiliate, where he can be seen weeknights at 4, 6 and 10 p.m. He’s also a senior lecturer and manages the Weather and Climate Resource Center at the University of Texas. And he runs KimCo Meteorological Services. With so much else on his plate, the well-known weatherman says he’s not actively looking for a new radio gig.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have 13 — almost 14 — years on the radio with Clear Channel,” Kimmel said. “They’re a good company.”
On the web: Listen to Troy Kimmel’s forecasts at troykimmelweather.com.
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SXSW announces third round of bands
Consider it an early Christmas present — the South by Southwest Music Festival announced its third round of performing artists this morning, adding 100 more acts to the extensive list of showcasing acts we already knew about.
The full list is after the jump and at the link, but the greatest hits include Beats Antique, Corrosion of Conformity, Das Racist, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Sondre Lerche, Menomena and Scala and Kolacny Brothers (known for their cover of Radiohead’s “Creep,” which scored the trailer for “The Social Network”). Austin’s Balmorhea, Brownout, Grupo Fantasma, Symphonic Kinky, God-Des and She, Experimental Aircraft and Sahara Smith will also be showcasing.
Balmorhea (Austin TX)
The Baseball Project (Portland OR)
The Bears of Blue River (Chicago IL)
Beats Antique (San Francisco CA)
James Blake (London UK-ENGLAND)
Bliss N Eso (Albert Park AUSTRALIA)
British India (Melbourne AUSTRALIA)
Murphy Brown (Santa Cruz CA)
Brownout (Austin TX)
Canteca de Macao (Madrid SPAIN)
Chateau Marmont (Paris FRANCE)
The Chevelles (North Fremantle WA)
Shawn Chrystopher (Inglewood CA)
Constantina (Belo Horizonte BRAZIL)
Corrosion of Conformity (Raleigh NC)
Cousins (Halifax CANADA)
Graham Coxon (London UK-ENGLAND)
DAM (Lyd PALESTINIAN TERRITORY, OCCUPIED)
Daniel Lioneye (Helsinki FINLAND)
Das Racist (Brooklyn NY)
Taelor Deatcher / Felix Cartal (Vancouver CANADA)
De Juepuchas (Bogota COLOMBIA)
Delhi 2 Dublin (Vancouver CANADA)
Kiko Dinucci (Guarulhos BRAZIL)
Dreaming in Stereo (Miami Beach FL)
Duzheknew (Halifax CANADA)
Echoes (Caracas VENEZUELA)
Egyptrixx (Toronto CANADA)
Elephant Stone (Montreal CANADA)
EMMURE (Queens NY)
Experimental Aircraft (Austin TX)
FAT PIMP (Houston TX)
Forro in the Dark (New York NY)
Glambilly (San Antonio TX)
Gobble Gobble (Edmonton CANADA)
Go Chic (Taipei TAIWAN)
God-Des & She (Austin TX)
Grieves with Budo (Seattle WA)
Grupo Fantasma (Austin TX)
DARREN HANLON (Sydney AUSTRALIA)
Herencia de Timbiqui (Cali COLOMBIA)
Hey Rosetta! (St John’s CANADA)
Homeboy Sandman (Queens NY)
Imaginary Cities (Winnipeg CANADA)
Intimate Stranger (Santiago CHILE)
Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit (Muscle Shoals AL)
The Jefferson (Sydney AUSTRALIA)
The Joy Formidable (Mold UK-WALES)
juice (London UK-ENGLAND)
Takashi Kamide (Nara JAPAN)
Kill It Kid (Bath UK-ENGLAND)
Las Robertas (San Jose COSTA RICA)
Lazaro Valiente (Ascidvwlig MEXICO)
Sondre Lerche (Bergen NORWAY)
Les Jupes (Winnipeg CANADA)
Les Shelleys (Los Angeles CA)
Long Long Long (Halifax Upper Harbour CANADA)
Los Lonely Boys (San Angelo TX)
Menomena (Portland OR)
Fernando Milagros (Santiago CHILE)
MONARETA (Bogota COLOMBIA)
Mustard Pimp (Melun FRANCE)
Natccu (Tokyo JAPAN)
Naurea (Aracaju BRAZIL)
Nexcyx (Bridgetown BARBADOS)
Novembers Doom (Chicago IL)
Nubla (Barcelona SPAIN)
Oh Susanna (Toronto CANADA)
Operator Please (Gold Coast AUSTRALIA)
Overflow (Koprivnica CROATIA)
Norman Palm (Berlin GERMANY)
Polock (Valencia SPAIN)
Profetas (Bogota COLOMBIA)
Gabriel Prokofiev (London UK-ENGLAND)
Protistas (Santiago CHILE)
Random Recipe (Montreal CANADA)
Resplandor (Lima PERU)
REVOLVER (Paris FRANCE)
Nana Rizinni (Sao Paulo BRAZIL)
Royal Canoe (Winnipeg CANADA)
Rupa & the April Fishes (San Francisco CA)
Russian Red (Madrid SPAIN)
Said The Whale (Vancouver CANADA)
Scala & Kolacny Brothers (Aarschot BELGIUM)
Shelley Short (Portland OR)
69 Nombres (Bogotá COLOMBIA)
Smiler (London UK-ENGLAND)
Sahara Smith (Wimberly TX)
Leeroy Stagger (Lethbridge CANADA)
STICK TO YOUR GUNS (Orange County CA)
Symphonic Kinky (Austin TX)
TELEPHUNKEN (Madrid SPAIN)
THE BOXER REBELLION (London UK-ENGLAND)
TURZI Electronic Experience (Paris FRANCE)
VALLEYS (Montreal CANADA)
Violens (New York NY)
WEINLAND (Portland OR)
Paris Wells (Melbourne CANADA)
Gary Wilson (San Diego CA)
Woodenbox with a Fistful of Fivers (Glasgow UK-SCOTLAND)
Yearbook Committee (Terre Haute IN)
Za! (Barcelona SPAIN)
Zion I & The Grouch (Oakland CA)
ZOOBOMBS (Tokyo JAPAN)
Zoroaster (Atlanta GA)
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Bo Bice added to Reckless Kelly Softball Jam
“American Idol” runner-up Bo Bice will join Hayes Carll, Dale Watson, Micky & the Motorcars, Cody Canada, Charlie Robison and hosts Reckless Kelly in the 3rd annual Celebrity Softball Jam May 1 at the Dell Diamond in Round Rock. The softball game will be followed by a concert from two stages in the outfield.
Tickets are on sale at the Dell Diamond box office and here.
The first 500 tickets will be sold for $5 each, then the price rises to $10 through the end of December. . After the first 500, fans will pay $10 for tickets through the end of December. Tickets will be $20 at the gate. As always, proceeds will go to five local youth baseball groups.
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Go country on New Year’s Eve
Rick Trevino, Dale Watson and the Derailers- three country acts with newish albums- will ring in the new year at the North Austin Events Center at 10601 North Lamar. Tickets are $40 general admission or $50 reserved seating in advance and include a food buffet. They’ve available at www.frontgatetickets.com.
Music starts at 8 p.m. For more info go here.
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Jimmie Vaughan to play “Conan” Dec. 22
Jimmie Vaughan’s month of awesome — his “Plays Blues, Ballads and Favorites” also picked up a Grammy nomination for best traditional blues album — will continue on Wednesday, December 22, when the beloved blues guitarist and icon of Austin cool will play on “Conan,” according to a news release from label Shout! Factory.
It won’t be the first time Vaughan has teamed up with Conan O’Brien — he was the surprise musical guest at the Dallas stop on O’Brien’s “Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television” comedy tour in the spring.
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Lampl has ample respect for ACL backdrop
“No pressure at all,” Ellen Lampl says, joking, when asked what’s it’s like to be hired to design and oversee building of the new backdrop for “Austin City Limits,” the longest-running music show in the history of television. “As a fan, I always thought the show was filmed outdoors,” says the native of Shawnee, Oklahoma, who moved to Austin in 1995 when her husband Craig Denham got a job at the GSD&M advertising agency. “We’re looking to convey the same sense of being outside” with the new faux skyline, she says.
Although the Austin horizon has changed dramatically since the “ACL” backdrop was built in 1981, based on a photo taken down Congress Avenue from the St. Edward’s main building, producer Terry Lickona says “artistic license was put into use” so that the University of Texas Tower and the State Capitol aren’t dwarfed by the new high rises in the new show visual.
“We’re honoring the past, while also making it current,” says Lampl, who was recommended to Lickona by mutual aquaintances in the film community. Although she came up in advertising, Lampl says “film work found me” after she was hired to work designing sets for “The Life of David Gale,” which was directed in Austin in 2003 by Alan Parker. Lampl’s subsequent credits as graphic designer include “The School of Rock,” “Friday Night Lights” (movie and TV series), “Sex In the City” and the upcoming “True Grit” and “Tree of Life.” She was a member of the team that was nominated for the Art Director Guild Award for 2009’s “Up in the Air,” starring George Clooney.
But the work on the “ACL” set is especially dear to her, she says, because “the show is such a big part of the Austin community.” Indeed, the backdrop of “ACL” is perhaps the most iconic image of the city to worldwide audiences.
So don’t blow it, Team Lampl. (They won’t).
The new backdrop for “Austin City Limits” will be unveiled Feb. 24 at the KLRU gala starring Steve Miller and Carolyn Wonderland. Tickets, priced at $150, are still available for that fundraiser.
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Weekend picks: Addictive riffs, grandiose gutter punk and the Dixie Dude
Friday
Charlie Robison at Antone’s. The brash, former football stud and Dixie Dude is an easy guy to dismiss as a forced outlaw. But his talent is unmistakable onstage, where he leads the party, and on record, when he reflects alone. “Beautiful Day,” aka the divorce album, was unjustly overlooked except for a couple radio hits. Just when you think you’ve gotten over Bruce’s big bro, he’ll slay you with his songs and the way they run through him. With Jason Eady and Stonehoney. 9 p.m. $15 213 W. Fifth St. www.antones.net. — Michael Corcoran
Also recommended:
- This Will Destroy You at the Mohawk
- Ume, Ringo Deathstarr at Emo’s
- Two Tons of Steel at Broken Spoke
- Turbo Fruits at Red 7
- Air Review at the Parish
- Roscoe Beck & Anton Fig at the Saxon
- Doug Moreland at the Continental
Saturday
The Murdocks at the Ghost Room.Try not to crack a smile at a Murdocks show. I dare you. The Austin trio fuse punk rock riffs with pop hooks for some seriously addictive music — particularly on this year’s long-awaited sophomore release, the rock-solid “Distortionist.” All that sunny-sounding music often features frontman Franklin Morris lashing out at divorce and unemployment, making it all the more endearing still. With Through the Trees, Excited States and Antic Romantics. 8:30 p.m. $5. 304 W. Fifth St. ghostroom.com. — Patrick Caldwell
Also recommended:
- The Zoltars and How I Quit Crack at Beerland
- DJ Chorizo Funk and Maneja Beto at the Beauty Bar
- Eyes Burn Electric and Zeale at the Parish
- the Mother Truckers and Cowboy and Indian at Antone’s
- the Dan Dyer Band at Momo’s
- W.C. Clark at the Saxon Pub
- Monte Montgomery at Saxon Pub
- Junior Brown at Continental (early)
- Heybale! at Continental (late)
- James McMurtry at Continental Gallery
“Snap Judgment” with Glynn Washington moves to 9 p.m. Thursdays, replacing reruns of “The Moth Radio Hour” and “RadioLab.”
“The Sound of Young America” with Jesse Thorne relocates to 9 p.m. Fridays, followed by a fifth night of CBC’s “Q” at 10 p.m.
New times for Saturday shows include “Travel with Rick Steves” at 10 a.m.; environmental news mag “Living on Earth,” 1 p.m.; “The State We’re In,” a look at human rights around the world, 2 p.m.; KUT’s indie radio sampler “O’Dark 30,” 4 p.m.; “Bookworm,” 9 p.m.; and “The Treatment” with film critic Elvis Mitchell, 9:30 p.m.
Sundays, “The Tavis Smiley Show” settles into its new home at 5 p.m.; KUT2 newcomer “This American Life,” 9 p.m.; and Jonathan Goldstein’s “Wiretap,” 10 p.m.
- What Made Milwaukee Famous, White White Lights and Frank Smith at Antone’s
- KVRX holiday show at the United States Art Authority
- Minor Mishap Marching Band at the Scoot Inn
- Slaid Cleaves and BettySoo at the Cactus Cafe
- Joe Ely at the Saxon Pub
- Miranda Dodson at Stubb’s
- Riverboat Gamblers at Red 7
- SIMS Benefit at Austin Music Hall
- Dr. Octogon and the Black Elvis at the Mohawk
- El Tule at Flamingo Cantina
- Storyville at Antone’s
- Joe Ely, Uncle Lucious at Saxon Pub
- White Denim at Emo’s (inside)
- Toubab Krewe, Cas Haley at Stubb’s
- Opposite Day at Hole in the Wall
- Gary P. Nunn at Swiss Alp
- Eyehategod at Red 7
- One F at the Beauty Bar
- Epica at Emo’s
- Junior Brown and Tanya Rae at the Continental Club
- Kat Edmonson at the One World Theatre
- Octopus Project presents ‘Hexadecagon’ at East Side Drive-In
- Darkest Hour at Emo’s
- Vonnegutt at Republic Live
- High Watt Crucifixers at Mohawk
- Neil Young hoot night at the Parish
- Los Lobos at One World Theater
- Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five at Beerland
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Erwin Center
- Combo Mahalo at the Elephant Room
- Jimmy LaFave at the Cactus
- Will Johnson and Some Say Leland at the Cactus Cafe
- Justin Townes Earle at the Parish
- the Subdudes at Antone’s
- Monahans at Salvage Vanguard Theater
- Heybale! at Continental Club
- Mike Flanigin B3 Trio with James McMurtry at the Continental Gallery
- Soul Kitchen at Lucky Lounge
Sunday
Mind Spiders at Beerland. A side project for Mark Ryan, who leads Fort Worth’s Marked Men, this band just released a four-song 7” single that owes as much to New Order’s new wave cascades as the garage-punk it’s lumped in with. There’s something grand in this gutter. With Flesh Lights, OBN III’s and Wild America. Not bad for a Sunday. 10 p.m. $5. 711 Red River St. www.beerlandtexas.com. — M.C.
Also recommended:
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Armadillo Christmas Bazaar musical lineup
I go to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar every year, but I hardly ever buy anything (where are the throwback jerseys?) I go for the music, which seems even better than ever this year. The admission at the Palmer Events Center is $7 evenings and weekends and $4 before 7 p.m. on weeknights.
Best bet is early Saturday, where you can get an autographed copy of Terri Hendrix’s terrific new book “Cry Till You Laugh- The Part That Ain’t Art,” which is equal parts spiritual and practical. I’ll have a proper review after I finish it, but currently resting at page 93, I can say it’s honest, funny, useful, revelatory and moving so far. Well worth the wait.
Here’s the lineup from here on out.
Thursday, Dec. 16
Uncle Lucius - 12:00 to 2:30PM
Kalu James - 3:30 to 6:00PM
The Gourds - 8:00 to 11:00PM
Friday, December 17
The Marshall Ford Swing Band - 12:00 to 2:30PM
Hank & Shaidri Alrich with Doug Harman - 3:30 to 6:00PM
Cody Canada - 8:00 to 11:00PM
Saturday, December 18
Terri Hendrix - 12:00 to 2:30PM
Eliza Gilkyson - 3:30 to 6:00PM
Ian McLagan and the Bump Band - 8:00 to 11:00PM
Sunday, December 19
Ray Wylie Hubbard - 12:00 to 2:30PM
The Derailers - 3:30 to 6:00PM
The Band of Heathens - 8:00 to 11:00PM
Monday, December 20
Biscuit Brothers - 12:00 to 2:30PM
Mary Hattersley’s Blazing Bows - 2:30 to 3:00PM
Sara Hickman’s Family Time Rocks - 3:30 to 6:00PM
The Eggmen - 8:00 to 11:00PM
Tuesday, December 21
Patricia Vonne - 12:00 to 2:30PM
Suzanna Choffel - 3:30 to 6:00PM
Marcia Ball & Ruthie Foster - 8:00 to 11:00PM
Wednesday, December 22
Deadman - 12:00 to 2:30PM
Albert & Gage - 3:30 to 6:00PM
Asleep At the Wheel Quartet - 8:00 to 11:00PM
Thursday, December 23
Hot Club of Cowtown - 12:00 to 2:30PM
The Trishas - 3:30 to 6:00PM
Carolyn Wonderland & Shelley King - 8:00 to 11:00PM
Friday, December 24
Warren Hood - 12:00 to 2:30PM
Slim Richey - 3:30 to 6:00PM
Texana Dames - 8:00 to 11:00PM
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Local Natives, Gayngs added to Denton pre-SXSW fest
Fans have until midnight tonight to purchase four-day tickets for $70 each to the 35 Conferette in Denton, which takes place March 10-13 in the little music town just north of Dallas.
Recent additions to the lineup include Local Natives, Gayngs and How To Dress Well, joining such previously announced acts as Mavis Staples, Japanther, Reggie Watts, Jessica Lea Mayfield, White Denim and Dr. Dog.
It’s not known how many of the Gayngs collective will show up, but they should have at least ten people onstage (including their tour bus driver, chained to the bass amp.)
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Schedule changes coming to KUT2
KUT, Austin’s NPR station, is doing some schedule shuffling on its all-news HD subchannel.
The changes to KUT2 start this week, and include:
Don’t have an HD radio? You can listen to KUT, KUT2 and jazz-heavy KUT3 at kut.org, where you’ll also find full schedules.
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‘Lemmy’ is coming back to Austin
The side-splitting, hilarious documentary on iconic Motorhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister returns to Austin on Jan. 14, when it begins a one-week run at (where else, really?) the Alamo Drafthouse. The movie received a warm reception at this year’s South by Southwest, where it was a highlight of the screened documentaries.
“Lemmy: 49% (Expletive) and 51% Son of a (Expletive)” (I know, I know; I’m sorry) is out on DVD on Feb. 15, with theatrical runs also currently scheduled in New York City, Portland, Seattle and Atlanta.
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Sinead O’Connor sings on new Monahans track
To commemorate the close of a series of free monthly song downloads that began back in March, panoramic Austin rockers Monahans have brought out an unlikely big gun: Sinead O’Connor.
The Irish singer-songwriter recorded a vocal for “Seabirds” in Dublin while working on takes for her own upcoming record. Monahans frontman Greg Vanderpool says the band first started discussing a contribution from O’Connor over the summer — previous Monahans albums have featured guest appearances from Cowboy Junkies’ Margo Timmins and Centro-Matic’s Will Johnson.
“We were just sort of throwing out the idea of having a harmony vocal on it, and almost as a joking pie-in-the-sky, ‘Who would we most want to do a vocal?’ kind of thing Sinead O’Connor’s name was the first that popped up,” says Monahans frontman Greg Vanderpool. “It wasn’t even something we were taking seriously. But within a few days of that, the more I thought about it the more I thought she was perfect for the song.”
Vanderpool reached out to O’Connor’s manager, who passed the track along. You can listen to “Seabirds” below, and download it for free from Monahans’ website — at least, until the end of December, after which all of the free downloads will be removed from the site in advance of a planned album release.
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This has got to be a first
A hip-hop tune inspired by a story in the Austin American Statesman.
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Checking in on Free Week, part 2: Transmission announces its lineup
Straight from the e-mail of Transmission Entertainment co-founder, Fun Fun Fun Fest head honcho and Free Week inventor Graham Williams — who sent out the blast at 2:10 a.m. today, in true Graham Williams style — we now have a Free Week lineup for Transmission anchor venues the Mohawk and Red 7.
Although specific schedules for the respective venues aren’t up yet, it’s a pretty gnarly lineup of primarily local talent, including soul revivalists T-Bird and the Breaks, rising young orchestral pop masters Mother Falcon, mashup maven Car Stereo Wars, Austin’s best rock band that still hasn’t released an LP (that would be Ume), the White White White Lights, the Hi-Tones, One Hundred Flowers, Motel Aviv, the Gary, Royal Forest … heck, let’s just make it simple and say “pretty much every good local Red River band you’ve seen in the last year.”
There’s also a handful of out-of-town artists, including Houston’s Indian Jewelry and two spin-offs featuring Mastodon’s Brent Hinds. The full lineup, in one big massive text block, is after the jump.
T Bird and the Breaks, Indian Jewelry, Mother Falcon, Car Stereo Wars, Krum Bums, Maneja Beto, Missions, The Laughing, Yuppie Pricks, UME, Big Mess (Devo Tribute), Butcher Bear & Charlie, Til We’re Blue or Destroy, The Roller, Danny Malone, Transmography, Eagle Claw, Crew 54, The White White Lights, Woodgrain, The Boxing Lesson, Shitty Carwash, Golden Boys, West End Motel (Brent Hinds from Mastodon), Fiend without a Face (Brent Hinds from Mastodon), Watch Out For Rockets, A Giant Dog, Lean Hounds, Hundred Visions, Amplified Heat, The Hi-Tones, Black Forest Fire, Hatred Surge, Night Siege, Naw Dude, One Hundred Flowers, Invisible Inks, Burgess Meredith, Golden Beach, Marmalakes, Little Lo, Dark Water Hymnal, East Cameron Folkcore, Guns of Navarone, Bridge Farmers, Money Chicha (members of Grupo/Brownout!), Jacob Jones, MoTel Aviv, Attak (in)Formation, Zorch, Look Mexico, Royal Forest, My Golden Calf, My Empty Phantom, Milk Thistle, Obsolete Machines, .44, Mike and the Moonpies, Joshua Bain, Parking, Gobi, Castle Nova, The Distant Seconds, Mistress Stephanie and Her Melodic Cat, Jesus Christ Superfly, Blowhole, Gods Are Ghosts, White Rhino, Lights Go Out, Blowhole, Sheer Kahn, Bike Problems, Distance Runner, Riders Against the Storm, Kill City, The Means, The Gary, The Artificial Heart, The Midgetmen, Beautiful Supermachines, Blue Kabuki, DJ Richard Henry, The Bulemics, Black Irish, Born to Lose, Post Society, Betarhythm, Pink Sugar, The Dead Space, Air Traffic Controllers, Power Trip, Rat King, Black Congress, Tow the Line, Venomous Maximus, Thieves, The Stampede, Fingers Crossed, A New Hope, Garuda, Burials, Fuck Work, Western Ghost House, Aaron Sinclair (Frank Smith), Country Willie, Town Hall Devils, Ginsu Wives, BearUps Austin Gay Party
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Austin albums top American airplay chart
Here’s something of an annual tradition for you: just as with last year, albums by Austin-area artists dominated the Americana radio airplay chart in 2010, according to figures from the Americana Music Association. The trade association represents the reported airplay of its member stations, which include terrestrial radio, nationally syndicated shows, satellite radio and Internet stations.
This year, the most-played album is the “Crazy Heart” original soundtrack, featuring former Austinite Ryan Bingham. Other local top-10 finishers include Ray Wylie Hubbard, Robert Earl Keen, the Band of Heathens, Patty Griffin and Reckless Kelly. Also in the charts are Alejandro Escovedo, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Carrie Rodriguez, Stone River Boys and Matt the Electrician, among others. You can view the full list here (link opens an Excel file).
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Good reading: Double Trouble bassist Tommy Shannon meets his son
For any of our readers who tend to stick to this side of the Statesman/Austin360 coin, I wanted to flag up an item you may not have noticed: Statesman columnist John Kelso’s very entertaining story of the meeting between 63-year-old Arc Angels and Stevie Ray Vaughan bassist Tommy Shannon and the son he until recently didn’t know he had, 40-year-old Karl Pearson.
Pearson, a San Diego drummer and finish carpenter, came to Austin last week to meet Shannon. The two reconnected on Facebook with the help of Pearson’s half-brother and a private detective. Shannon says he fathered Pearson while on tour with Johnny Winter but confesses that his memory is a little murky on the details. It’s a surprisingly heart-warming story, so check it out if you haven’t yet.
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A Day To Remember to play ACL Live
Theatrical metal/ emo band A Day To Remember brings a taste of the Vans Warped Tour to the new Austin City Limits Live at Moody Theater April 12, according to Pollstar. Also on the bill of bands with short songs and long names are Bring Me the Horizon, We Came As Romans and Pierce the Veil.
Also added to the schedule at the 2,700-capacity venue, which opens in February, are George Thorogood with Jonny Lang April 21 and the Moody Blues April 28. Ticket details are coming.
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Watch Shearwater’s Jonathan Meiburg cover Randy Newman
The Onion A.V. Club’s Undercover series ran over the spring and summer this year and featured an array of artists tackling unlikely covers in a peculiar round room in the pop-culture website’s Chicago office.
They’re reprising the series this holiday season, inviting artists into the same space to cover a holiday song of their choosing. Today they posted what’s easily the highlight so far - an appropriately moody take on Randy Newman’s “God’s Song (That’s Why I Love Mankind)” by Shearwater frontman Jonathan Meiburg. The whole video is worth watching simply for the indelible image of watching an A.V. Club staffer wrap Meiburg up in Christmas lights. Surf on over and check it out.
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Broken Social Scene to play La Zona Rosa Feb. 18
In the steady deluge of year-end best-of lists, Broken Social Scene’s “Forgiveness Rock Record” so far hasn’t really gotten its due — it’s a diverse, fantastically entertaining hour of rock that’s at least as compelling as this year’s offering from that other expansive Canadian indie band.
It’s also full of songs that play brilliantly live, which you’ll be able to see for yourself when Kevin Drew and company come to La Zona Rosa Feb. 18, for one of a handful of recently added U.S. dates. Tickets go on sale Friday. Dec. 17.
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Sophomore Black Joe Lewis LP out March 15
While old-school soul shouters Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears’ Lost Highway debut “Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is!” continues to rack up sales at Waterloo Records more than a year and a half after its release — it was at number 28 in the top 50 for the week ending December 4, for those keeping score — the local outfit is due to release its second album, “Scandalous,” on March 15, according to a release from Lost Highway. That’s just in time for a good old-fashioned SXSW-timed publicity push.
The band’s been touring seemingly non-stop since the release of “Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is!” playing Craig Ferguson’s show, opening for the Dave Matthews Band and even getting stranded in Europe by this spring’s Icelandic volcano. Like “Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is!” Black Joe Lewis’ “Scandalous” is produced by Spoon’s Jim Eno and cut at his Tarrytown recording facility, Public Hi-Fi. The album includes 11 songs, with one track featuring a guest appearance from Dallas gospel-funk legends the Relatives.
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Live review: the Wu-Tang Clan at Emo’s
You’d have to search far and wide to find an audience more stoked to be an audience than the crowd that assembled at Emo’s Saturday night for a surprisingly intimate, extremely sold-out show from the greatest hip-hop group of all time.
Dig if you will, a picture: an ethnically diverse set of bouncy, buzzing rap fans ranging from kids with Xs on their hands - who were probably all of two years old when “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” debuted in 1993 - to grizzled old-timers on what was probably their 15th lifetime Wu-Tang Clan show. Many were clad in (licensed and unlicensed) Wu-Tang apparel, and to judge by their energy, not to mention the 200 or so fans waiting outside the club looking for an opportunity to get in, they were seriously psyched. I’ve been to a lot of Emo’s shows, and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more excited, less cynical crowd. Good vibes abounded, and every last patron seemed eager to relive the Wu-Tang’s 1990s glory days.
Fortunately for everybody there who dropped $40 a ticket - which has got to be very close to an all-time high for Emo’s - the Wu-Tang Clan was happy to oblige, taking to the stage at 12:20 a.m. and ripping through a straight hour-and-a-half of high-energy hip-hop focused largely on the collective’s aforementioned debut. To call the set “celebratory” would sell it short; hearing hundreds of rap fans belt out “Bring Da Ruckus” so loud that you could barely hear the actual MCs bordered on a religious experience. Emo’s rickety metal roof clattered with the thumping bass of a show that boasted favorites “Clan In Da Front,” a blistering performance of “Method Man” (who might have proven the MVMC during the show, but that’s a matter of personal preference) and a joyous, only mildly ironic cover of the O’Jays’ “Family Reunion.”
And there was a bit of love shown for those regrettably absent, including a shout-out to recently departed rap legend Guru and an appearance from ODB’s son Boy Jones - call him YDB - for a performance of his dad’s classic “Shimmy Shimmy Ya.” In short, it was an evening full of love - love that, to go by Method Man’s grin as the audience hoisted him into the club’s rafters for the evening’s sign-off, was felt equally by both band and adoring crowd.
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Philly sculptor tapped for Willie statue
The essential Willie Nelson fan site still is still moving has an early photo of the Willie Nelson statue which will be placed near the entrance of the new Austin City Limits Live venue.
Nelson, who co-owns the venue, will perform there on Feb. 13 & 14, so expect an unveiling then.
The Capital Area Statues Inc., the non-profit which gave the city Philosopher’s Rock at Barton Springs Pool, has commissioned Philadelphia sculptor Clete Shields, known in these parts for his work with Austin film director Robert Rodriguez.
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Chieftains to perform at Riverbend Feb. 25
Traditional Irish band the Chieftains are touring the U.S. in early 2011 for the first time since the release of “San Patricio,” the brilliant collaboration with Mexican-American musicians inspired by the Irish Catholic soldiers who fought on the side of Mexico during the Mexican-American War. Led by John Reilly, the “San Patricio” (St. Patrick) crew deserted the U.S. Army in protest for the way civilian Mexican Catholics and their places of worship were being treated.
The tour, which features several guest musicians, comes to Austin’s Riverbend Centre Feb. 25.
In other concert news, the Moody Blues will ride their seesaw at the Austin City Limits Live venue April 25.
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Kat Edmonson to make “Tonight Show” debut
The new official video for “Lucky”
The exquisite and adorable Kat Edmonson is scheduled to appear on “The Tonight Show” with Lyle Lovett on Dec. 17. The pair toured together during the summer and have been known to duet on “Baby It’s Cold Outside.”
In Austin, Le Kat has a couple of big appearances this weekend. First, she’ll perform three songs with David Garza and the SIMS Sextet at the SIMS Foundation 15th anniversary bash Saturday at the Austin Music Hall. The show also features such local luminaries as Sahara Smith, Eliza Gilkyson, Ian McLagan, Brownout and on and on.
Sunday, Edmonson plays two shows- 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. at the One World Theater with her band, which consists of Danton Boller on bass, John Ellis on sax, Frank LoCrasto on keyboards, Brian Wolfe on drums and Chris Lovejoy on percussion.
“I’m so excited about my new band,” Edmonson says. “It’s a stellar group of guys giving me a new energy and inspiring me as we’re working through a lot of new, original material.” Edmonson continues to kittenize the standards as well.
Called “the most promising American jazz singer to come along since Cassandra Wilson,” by The Boston Globe, Edmonson splits her time between Austin and New York City.
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Checking in on Free Week
With Saturday’s Wu-Tang Clan show looking like the last gasp for great touring acts before the music scene quiets down for a bit during the holiday season, now is as good a time as any to turn our eyes to Free Week, the annual no-budget celebration of local music that takes over Red River Street for the first week of January. Free Week listings have been gradually going up over the last couple of weeks, so let’s take a look at what’s on offer in 2011.
Last year’s expansion of the tradition of free shows to a greater swath of venues than ever before seems to have worked out well — because as with last year, participants will include Free Week progenitor Emo’s, Transmission Entertainment venues the Mohawk, Club De Ville and Red 7 (Transmission co-founder and principal Graham Williams dreamed up Free Week while working as a booker at Emo’s), Stubb’s, the Parish and Beerland. Most of the Emo’s shows are already up, according to booker Kevin Hoskins, with a few more announcements pending, as are the Parish’s, Beerland’s and Stubbs’. We’re still waiting on the Transmission venues, but Johnny Sarkis, office manager for Red 7, was able to confirm an impressive slate including the Golden Boys, the Gary, Riders Against the Storm and A Giant Dog, amongst many others.
Some early highlights: the Frontier Brothers/the Lemurs/Marmalakes/the Eastern Sea at the Parish Friday Jan. 7, the Austin Vida showcase with the Young Maths at Stubb’s Saturday Jan. 8, Wild America at Emo’s Jan. 3 (the last show from the “Casual Victim Pile” alums), and pretty much all the outdoor shows at Emo’s from Jan. 5-8, which include Quiet Company, Ringo Deathstarr, the Carrots, What Made Milwaukee Famous and the Crack Pipes. It should be a typically exhausting/exhilarating kick-off to 2011.
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Oh No Oh My wants to help you with your problems
Full credit to local indie pop quartet Oh No Oh My — bands looking to market themselves in the age of Twitter, Facebook and all the other social media on this wacky series of tubes we call the Internet have to work particularly hard to come up with an interesting angle. But the band’s crafted a unique promotion for their upcoming sophomore LP “People Problems,” which is out January 18 on Koenig Records. The band’s launched a companion website featuring videos of people talking about their problems (including members of up-and-coming recent Austin performers the Pomegranates).
But more interestingly, they’ve also launched a hot line, 512-481-2143, that fans can call — and which will ring on all four band members’ cell phones, meaning if you’ve got a problem and think Oh No Oh My might be able to help you hash it out, you’re in luck. (In the event that nobody picks up you can leave a voice message, which could get posted on the website).
Criticism of such an (admittedly clever) marketing gimmick practically writes itself, but I’m happy to report that I’ve had a copy of “People Problems” on my desk for over a month now, and it’s probably the band’s best work so far — tuneful and heartfelt pop that synthesizes all of Oh No Oh My”s biggest strengths. So, at least in this case, the shtick is backed up by actual good music, which is always nice to see.
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Too Smooth to release debut LP (37 years after forming)
Austin’s ’70s hard rock kingpins Too Smooth, featured in our “Secret History of Austin Music” series in September is finally going to release an album. The band played only originals, not once playing a cover, but those songs have been relegated to fourth generation cassettes or grainy YouTube videos.
But on Jan. 21 and 22, at venues to be named later, the quartet will reunite for record release shows to celebrate a double disc CD containing re-mastered studio recordings made as far back as 37 years ago.
Since the band was popular all over Texas (especially Beeville, where fans will be making a beeline to Austin), the band wants to get the word out so fans can make travel arrangements.
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SXSW announces third round of panels
A treasure trove of fascinating discussions often overshadowed by the evening showcases and the booze-soaked day parties, the panels of the South by Southwest Music Festival may be the event’s most overlooked opportunity to, you know, actually get some learning done. The festival announced another round of panels today, with 16 discussions added to the dozens of panels we already knew about. This round of panels, unlike the last two, was drawn up by festival organizers and not the online PanelPicker system.
Highlights include discussions on booking, fan analytics and government funding. But — who are we kidding? — the real attraction is guaranteed to be “The Importance of the Bounce Movement,” moderated by Big Freedia. It will likely be the only time in history when Big Freedia actually puts butts in seats.
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Weekend picks: Blues masters, rich Americana and hip-hop classics
Friday
Doyle Bramhall and Patricia Vonne at the Continental Club.Son Doyle Bramhall II gets around these days, playing alongside Eric Clapton and Sheryl Crow, but appearances from his multitalented father, a blues master who co-wrote some of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s best songs, are rare treats. Fiery rock songstress Patricia Vonne opens. 10 p.m. $12. 1315 S. Congress Ave. continentalclub.com. — Patrick Caldwell Also recommended:
Saturday Wu-Tang Clan at Emo’s. (Technically sold out)The gang’s almost all here — GZA, Meth, Raekwon, Ghostface, Deck, U-God, Masta Killa (RIP ODB) — so the $40 advance ticket ($45 at the door) is what it is. Named after a Hong Kong martial arts film, this ragtag collective brought structured chaos to hip hop and made of the genre’s greatest classics with “Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)” in 1993. Transport us back there, gang. With Phranchyze, MC Overlord, RAS. And Wu-Tang mentor Biz Markie’s in town, so you nevah know. (More, page 9.) 10 p.m. 603 Red River St. emosaustin.com. — Michael Corcoran
Also recommended:
Sunday Patty Griffin and Shawn Colvin at the Paramount Theatre.The rich Americana stir of Griffin’s voice’s has made few local appearances after the release of her affecting, Grammy-nominated “Downtown Church” — mainly because Griffin’s been on tour with Robert Plant’s Band of Joy (the nerve!) But she’s finally back, with accomplished fellow sing-songwriter Shawn Colvin in tow, for a benefit for Martahon Kids, which serves 80,000 Austin-area children with its running/walking, nutrition and gardening programs. 6:30 p.m. $40-$155. 713 Congress Ave. www.austintheatre.org. — P.C.
Also recommended:
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Rolling Stone on digital storage
Rolling Stone has a good article on an issue producers (well, some of them, probably not enough of them) have been thinking about for more than a decade — the gradual deterioration of digital storage media, especially the digital-only master tapes for certain albums.
T-Bone Burnette is quoted, saying, “Digital is a feeble storage medium.” Indeed.
Here is a post from producer Steve Albini, a long-time advocate of analog tape for long-term storage. This is a topic that comes up a lot on this BBS, which is associated with Albini’s Electrical Audio studio, so poke around if it’s something that interests you.
The takeaway for bands? It’s not a bad idea, if at all possible, to have some sort of analog safety master of a digital session. Yes, this is a pain. Yes, it might be expensive and/or time-consuming. But when digital information is gone, it’s GONE.
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Austin’s Schmillion advances to finals in nationwide battle of the bands
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you may recall that rising all-girl Austin rock quintet Schmillion made it to the semifinals in SchoolJam USA, a nationwide battle of teen bands, back in November.
Well, good news: SchoolJam announced on Dec. 5 that Schmillion made it to the finals, based on online voting. They’ll join nine other bands in Anaheim on January 15 to compete for the grand prize (which includes playing at the SchoolJam world finals in January and $5000 for their school music programs) in a live battle of the bands. Austin’s Electric Society also made it to the semifinals but sadly didn’t make the cut for the finals. As finalists, the girls have already won money for new gear and their school music programs; the members of Schmillion attend the McCallum Fine Arts Academy, the Liberal Arts and Science Academy and the Griffin School.
Their next gig is a rock-solid local bill at Emo’s on Dec. 17 that also features Follow That Bird, Ume and Ringo Deathstarr — it’s a veritable showcase for Austin women that rock, like, really hard — so congratulate them in person.
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Austin Psychfest 4 coming to East Side Drive In
The Black Angels and Reverberation Appreciation Society will host Austin Psychfest 4 at the East Side Drive In from April 29- May 1 it was announced today.
The initial lineup release includes Spectrum (Rugby, UK), Black Moth Super Rainbow (Chicago, IL), Atlas Sound (Atlanta, GA), Prefuse 73 (Atlanta, GA), Crystal Stilts (Brooklyn, NY), Sleepy Sun (San Francisco, CA), Crocodiles (San Diego, CA), Black Ryder - (Sydney, Australia), Tobacco - (Chicago, IL) and several more.
The Black Angels will also play, of course. More acts will be announced Jan. 13, when discounted, early bird tix will go on sale.
A DVD of Psychfest 3 is now available here, with shipping starting Dec. 13. Bands in the film, directed by Oswald James, include The Raveonettes, The Black Angels, Silver Apples, Warpaint, Spindrift, The Warlocks, Pink Mountaintops, Headdress, Ringo Deathstarr and more.
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New tracks from Carrie Rodriguez, Hot Club of Cowtown and Candi and the Strangers
If you’re in need of a Hump Day pick-me-up, hopefully this will do.
This afternoon we’ve got opportunities to preview three tracks off three separate upcoming local releases, which might provide you with that last bit of pep you need to chug through tomorrow and Friday.
First up is “Fire Alarm,” off “We Still Love Our Country,” the forthcoming collaborative album between Austin’s Carrie Rodriguez and Americana kindred spirit Ben Kyle, who hails from Minneapolis. The album melds originals with covers ranging from Townes Van Zandt to John Prine; it’s due out February 1 on Ninth Street Opus.
Next up is Hot Club of Cowtown's "The Devil Ain't Lazy," off the trio's "What Makes Bob Holler," also due out on February 1, on Proper American. As the title suggest, the album is a 14-song tribute to the King of Western Swing, Bob Wills.
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Austin treasure Ernie Mae Miller dies
Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Blues/ pop piano great Ernie Mae Miller, the granddaughter of Anderson High namesake L.C. Anderson, passed away at home at 2:47 a.m. Wednesday, surrounded by family and friends, after a long illness. She was 83.
During World War II, the East Austin native played saxophone in the Prairie View Co-eds, the black, all-girl swing band that toured nationally and played Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater.
After attending Huston- Tillotson College in the late ’40s, Miller switched to piano and started playing the old Dinty Moore restaurant/ bar on West Sixth Street. It was at the New Orleans club at 11th and Red River Streets in the ’50s that Miller established herself as perhaps the premiere East Austin musician. She recorded a live album “At the New Orleans,” which displayed a range from Billie Holiday-styled vocals to swinging Dixieland. One of the songs from that album, “”Little Girl Blue.” was later covered by Janis Joplin, who lived in Austin during Miller’s heyday.
Long before Joplin sang at Threadgill’s, Austin’s reputation as a music town was forged by the L.C. Anderson High School marching band, where Miller learned her musical chops from legendary band leader B.L. Joyce. Under Joyce’s directorship, the Yellow Jacket band won the black high school state championship seven times from 1940-1953. Miller played tenor sax for the first three championship bands.
“If we got second place it was a big disappointment,” Miller told the American-Statesman in 2004. “We just sounded better than the other bands. When they called our name as the winner, we were like, ‘Of course!’ “
Miller stayed busy through the years, playing many of Austin’s finer hotel lounges and restaurants. Her latest gig was playing at T.G.I. Fridays at the Radisson Hotel, which she gave up at age 80. But her residencies at such long-gone clubs as the Flamingo Lounge, the Jade Room and the Commodore Perry Hotel reserve for her an important place in Austin music history.
Miller is survived by five sons. Funeral details at King Tears Mortuary are pending.
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Food for thought: Berklee’s salaries for music careers
The Berklee College of Music, the Hogwarts of independent contemporary music schools, has released a study detailing the salary range for a number of careers within the music industry, ranging from performance to business to audio technology gigs. The careers covered represent a fairly wide swath of jobs in the music industry, from Broadway pit musician to record label A&R representative to concert booking agent. You can view the nine-page study in its entirety here (warning: the link is a PDF).
Whether you’ve got a fondness for numbers, a desire to hop into the music business or (for those already in the business) an opportunity to keep score, it’s some pretty fascinating reading. Admittedly, salary ranges can be frustratingly (but probably realistically) vague, with the study estimating a choir director at $15,000-$275,000 a year, and Berklee’s base in Boston means most of its salaries and gig numbers are drawn from either the Boston area or the 800-pound gorilla of music cities that is New York. And estimates for the salary of a given music career of course come with the caveat that those numbers presume you can find a job in the first place, which is never something you can take for granted. Still, it’s an intriguing read that gives you at least a starting point, so check it out.
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Watch the video for Neon Indian’s ‘Mind, Drips’
Okay, so I’m late to the party on this one, but if you haven’t seen it yet, here’s yet another opportunity to check out the excellent video to “Mind, Drips,” a gauzy single from Brooklyn-via-Austin synthpop favorite Neon Indian (and it’s worth noting that the band’s press release seems to have made a conscious choice to omit the word “chillwave;” that much-derided genre portmanteau may be on its last breath).
Directed by Austin’s Lars Larsen, it’s the first use of the LZX Visionary — a visualizer developed by Larsen and Edward Leckie that “manipulates and creates images in the same way a musical synthesizer does for sound” — for a music video. Neon Indian’s next area date is in Dallas, where he’ll open for the Flaming Lips February 3 at the Palladium Ballroom.
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RSVP for the Octopus Project’s Celluloid Salon night
Myopenbar and Drambuie, the whiskey-based golden liqueur with the mildly confusing advertising campaign, throw the latest in their Celluloid Salon series of events at the ND at 501 Studios Thursday night, with the Octopus Project along for the ride. The series pairs obscure silent film shorts with live DJ soundtracks; Thursday night’s program features the beloved local indietronica quartet taking on four different silent shorts fresh off the success of Friday’s “Hexadecagon” show at the East Side Drive In. The concept may sound familiar to Octopus Project fans; in 2009 the band provided a live score for several obscure animated short films for two sold-out shows at the Alamo Drafthouse Ritz.
You can RSVP for the event online here. Naturally it’s for a 21-and-over crowd only.
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Catch Shearwater’s “The Island Arc” on Jan. 15
When Shearwater released “The Golden Archipelago” back in February, they completed a trilogy of records that also included 2006’s “Palo Santo” and 2008’s “Rook” - three dense, thematically linked slices of literate rock full of allusions to islands, seas and bird life. On January 15 you’ll get the chance to appreciate all the links between the last three records in greater depth than ever before, with the band performing all three albums in a single performance at the Central Presbyterian Church. The Matador Records blog has the news, as well as rare MP3s from the band available for download.
The performance will include some songs, says Shearwater frontman Jonathan Meiburg, that the band’s never played live at all, and all at one of Austin’s most meditative places to see a show. Should be a powerful evening. Tickets, $15, are available from Front Gate now. Shearwater heads back into the studio in early 2011; Meiburg promises a new direction for future recordings.
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Live review: Big Boi at East Side Drive-In
Alberto Martinez AMERICAN-STATESMAN
“How’s this going to work?”
Variants of that question were on the lips of more than a few concertgoers at the East Side Drive-In on Saturday night as they arrived to see Big Boi, who helped create some of the last decade’s most enduring pop music as one half of OutKast but is still something of an unknown commodity as a live solo artist.
All those question marks were floating around chasing after the idea of how OutKast megahits like “B.O.B.” and “Ms. Jackson” would work with one of their authors (Andre 3000) absent for half their verses, or how Big Boi (born Antwan Patton) would fill an hour or so on stage if he relied purely on material from his still relatively new solo album. To do either wrong would’ve left a sizable crowd flat and unsatisfied, so pulling off a demanding but not impossible balancing act was what Patton had in front of him as he bounded onto the stage, barely more than five feet in height but with a smile and sunglasses that seemed as wide as he was tall.
One key to getting it right; Patton seemed to know he had to treat the show like a prize fight and start strong to soften up the possibly uneasy crowd and earn its favor. Rolling out a hit parade of “ATLiens,” “Skew It on The Bar-B,” “Rosa Parks” and “So Fresh, So Clean” to kick things off accomplished that, with the small sea of people in front of Patton, DJ Swiff and hype man Blackowned C-Bone chanting and clapping with little prompting.
As to those early songs themselves, Patton took a couple different approaches to make up for or disguise his main creative partner’s absence. In most cases and especially early on the songs were trimmed down medley style to their intros and Patton’s one or two verses before DJ Swiff cut and scratched into the next barrage of beats. In others like “Rosa Parks” the songs were slightly remixed or moved along to their outros, a tactic that thankfully kept the complexly composed “B.O.B.” from stopping abruptly and killing the show’s momentum along with it.
Little worry needed to be paid to Patton’s new material from “Sir Luscious Left Foot… The Son of Chico Dusty,” an album that ranks as one of 2010’s most fun from start to finish and is full of songs Patton obviously bleeds enthusiasm for. Just as with his OutKast material, Patton shifted gears from speed rapping to lover man crooning to boastful shouts, playfully dancing in unison with C-Bone on the party funk of “Shutterbug” or vibing with the members of opening act Vonnegutt when they returned with their instruments for the flat-out rocking “Follow Us.”
Some words need to be spent on East Side Drive-In, an occasional and experimental venue promoters Transmission Entertainment have created out of a rocky, bi-level grass parcel on east 6th Street. Whether by happy accident or design the makeshift nature of the place gives it the feeling of a word of mouth party spot, especially after dark, adding an air of outlaw tension to the night even if it’d be pretty impossible for the fuzz to not notice a couple thousand people going berserk once the rave-speed drum track of “Ghetto Musick” hit them like a five iron.
And the legality hanging over the proceedings was evident just around an hour into Patton’s set as a 10 o’clock noise curfew kicked in as he was finishing up a triumphant closing stretch of “Shutterbug,” “Kryptonite” and “You Ain’t No DJ.” Not yet satisfied despite the witching hour’s arrival, Patton uttered a few unprintable words about the time limit before the primal drums of “Tangerine” boomed out and the stage flooded with enough dancing women to double as a rap video audition call.
The crowd clinging to every beat, Patton and company attacked the verses but still offered Lothario smiles as they called for the assemblage behind them to “shake it like a tambourine,” a directive that both on stage and off was followed pretty much en masse.
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It’s Neil Young night at the Parish
Whether you think he’s a great Canadian musician or the greatest Canadian musician, most of us can agree on the many merits of famed mercurial singer-songwriter Neil Young.
Certainly that’s true in Austin’s music community, a scene rich with Young fans, many of whom will be flying their Neil nerd flags tonight (Friday) at the Parish, as 11 of Austin’s best bands plumb the depths of Young’s catalog for a tribute night.
“A few years ago they did a Neil Young tribute night at Stubb’s, and I was like, ‘Why doesn’t this happen every year?’ ” says Marc Perlman, bassist and vocalist for Austin rock quartet the Midgetmen, who organized the hoot night. “Fifty percent of the bands in Austin either want to cover Neil Young or are influenced by Neil Young.”
The bill is loaded with less-than-obvious bands drawn from a wide swath of Austin indie rock, including the rickety-yet-tuneful La Snacks, the airtight rock ’n’ roll bluster of the Gary and the perfect pop sheen of the Sour Notes. Perlman shared his insights into the ever-malleable Young.
American-Statesman: What’s your favorite Neil Young record?
Marc Perlman: “Sleeps with Angels.” Which is the weirdest Crazy Horse album. I think that’s why I like it. It came out in 1994, which is right around the time I discovered Neil Young. The title track is a response to Kurt Cobain killing himself, since Kurt made a Neil Young reference in his suicide note. It’s definitely a dark, odd album, and it’s definitely the album that, when you go into Cheapo Records or any used record store, there has to be more copies of than any other Neil Young album.
What’s your favorite Neil Young song?
Probably “I’m the Ocean,” which is on “Mirror Ball.” Pearl Jam backs him on that. It’s just a great song lyrically. There’s this line, “People my age, they don’t do the things I do.” The fact that that song was written when he was 50, and now he’s 65, and it applies to him just as much, is amazing. I also think it’s the best song Pearl Jam has ever played on.
Do you have any particularly embarrassing Neil Young stories to share?
(Midgetmen guitarist and vocalist) Alex (Victoria) and I drove out to see the “Greendale” tour in 2003 and had second-row seats. So he comes out onstage — and we drank a case of beer sitting by ourselves in the corner of the parking lot, which was kind of odd and embarrassing — and we’re thinking, “Who cares that he’s playing all of ‘Greendale’ straight through? We’re 15 feet from Neil Young!” And we’re standing up because it’s the start of the show. And at some point I turn around and the entire amphitheater is sitting down. Not one person is standing up. And there must have been 50 people yelling at me to sit the (expletive) down and giving me the finger.
What’s the most underrated Neil Young gem?
I think “Broken Arrow” is pretty underrated. It was his last album with Crazy Horse, came out in 1996. If you read the reviews of it, everybody’s like “Oh, middle-of-the-road, three-star, nothing-special album.” But I think it’s got a lot of great songs on it. It’s typical Crazy Horse fare — eight-minute songs with tons of guitar solos and plodding bass lines. I guess if you already own 30 Neil Young albums, you don’t need number 31, but it’s got a bunch of good songs.
Conversely, what’s the most overrated Neil Young album?
“Harvest Moon.” It was critically acclaimed and people loved it, but a lot of that acoustic (stuff) he just phones in. He can write a cheesy love song to his wife or loved ones or whatever and people will buy it and KGSR will play it on the radio, especially when people are like, “It’s a comeback! It’s a return to ‘Harvest!’ ” But he probably wrote all of those songs in, like, 30 seconds. It’s easy-listening music.
What’s your favorite cover of a Neil Young song?
Definitely “Winterlong” by the Pixies. That’s a no-brainer. I regret that I’ve seen the Pixies three times now and they’ve not played it. And of course when they played a two-night stand here in Austin, they played it on the night I didn’t go to. I’m 0 for 3 on that one.
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Weekend picks: Spellbinding songwriting, road-tested rock and Sir Lucious Leftfoot
Friday
Los Lobos at One World Theatre.Thirty-seven years after forming, the members of Los Lobos went back to where it began, a no-frills studio in East Los Angeles, to make ‘Tin Can Trust,’ which may not be the band’s best album, but it’s certainly the most organic. A true group effort from five guys who know each other inside out. Live, they’ve got an incredible catalog to draw from. Two shows 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. 7701 Bee Cave Road. www.oneworldtheatre.org. — Michael Corcoran
Also recommended:
Saturday
Big Boi and Peligrosa All-Stars at East Side Drive-In.The music press is essentially all-Kanye-West-all-the-time at the moment, but while ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’ deserves plenty of praise, there’s another album in the running for the best hip-pop release of 2010: ‘Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty,’ the debut album from Outkast’s Big Boi. A varied, kaleidoscopic, gleefully unfocused hour-long trip through Big Boi’s creative mind, it should play beautifully amidst the low-key outdoor charm of the East Side Drive-In. With Peligrosa and Table Manners Crew. 7 p.m. $25. 1001 E. Sixth St. eastsidedrivein.com. — P.C.
Also recommended:
Sunday
Fran Healy at the Parish. The Travis frontman has canceled his show at the Parish.
Also recommended:
Updated: To reflect the Fran Healy cancellation.
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Mellencamp, in Austin in April, talks music history and more
First, Mellencamp reveals his ultimate dream for Austin’s favorite son. “Willie Nelson is the backbone of Farm Aid,” he says. “I’ve suggested numerous times that the Nobel Peace Prize (committee) should (consider) what he’s done for the American farmer.”
American-Statesman: Sounds like these new songs came together quickly.
John Mellencamp: Well, I had written a song called “Save Some Time to Dream,” and I was playing it live on tour with (Bob) Dylan. I thought, “Man, I’d like to be able to record this song.” I sat down when I had a few days and wrote what I thought were companion pieces. I let the songs write themselves.
How did ‘Right Behind Me’ take shape?
I knew I was going to be recording where (legendary bluesman) Robert Johnson had recorded. In the most clichéd way, I thought, “I’ve got to write a song about the devil!”
What led you to (San Antonio’s) Gunter Hotel (where Johnson recorded in 1936)?
We tried to get into the Brunswick building in Dallas, which is also where Johnson recorded, but they wouldn’t let us. It’s condemned. There’s no electricity. They said it’s in the most dangerous part of Dallas. We said we’d take our chances, but they said no. The Gunter Hotel was our other choice if we wanted to be where Johnson had been.
What was the atmosphere like in (the hotel’s room 414)?
We knew exactly how everything was supposed to be set up. If you research it, they have drawings and floor plans where Johnson sat and where recording equipment was set up. It had been modernized, but we walked in the room, and the floor plan was exactly the same. Hadn’t changed one iota. So, we walked in and said, “Oh, that’s where it goes.”
What did you learn by using the Ampex (reel-to-reel tape recorder)?
Originally when you recorded music, it was to capture a song in a moment. Technology has slowly led us away from that. You record the drums and put the bass on and construct a song today the way you would construct a house. Nobody captures a moment anymore.
How different was the sound it produced?
There’s a tremendous difference, 180 degrees away from the way records are made today. The quality of digital recording is so inferior to even the Ampex sound. Stuff you buy on iTunes is really garbage. Calling something the future doesn’t make it better. The atomic bomb was a new invention.
What did (producer) T-Bone (Burnett) bring to the project?
I’ve known T-Bone for a long time. When I started making records with him, he said, “Look, John, you had the misfortune of being a rock star. Let’s stop being that and get back to making music. What you’re doing now is appeasing record companies. That’s not music.”
Songwriters always talk about his broad knowledge of music history.
T-Bone Burnett knows more about music from 1930 to 1955 than anybody I know, (but) I referenced “Itchycoo Park” to him one day, and he looked at me and said, “What is that?” I’m like, “You don’t know ‘Itchycoo Park’? By the Small Faces?” “No. Never heard of it.” (He laughs.) But then he’s introducing me to Big Mama whoever from 1939.
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Patty Griffin, Willie Nelson and Grupo Fantasma get Grammy nods
The nominations for the 53rd annual Grammy Awards were announced tonight, and as with every year there’s a healthy dash of local flavor among the nominees.
Willie Nelson makes his usual Grammy appearance with a nomination for best Americana album for “Country Music”. Patty Griffin gets a nod with a nomination for best traditional gospel album for this year’s “Downtown Church” — and a nomination-by-proxy with Robert Plant’s “Band of Joy,” on which Griffin played a prominent role, also up for best Americana album. The duo of Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith and Jimmie Vaughan collected nominations for best traditional blues album, for “Joined at the Hip” and “Plays Blues, Ballads & Favorites,” respectively. James Cotton collected a nomination in the same category, for “Giant.”
Former Austinite Ryan Bingham, meanwhile, looks likely to continue his awards show streak, with “The Weary Kind” from “Crazy Heart” nominated for best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media, and the “Crazy Heart” original soundtrack nominated for best compilation soundtrack.
Austin’s Latin scene also gets props, with Grupo Fantasma receiving their second Grammy nomination for best Latin rock, alternative or urban album for “El Existential.” Tortilla Factory also garner a nomination, with “Cookin’” up for best Tejano album.
And Will Sheff finally gets some larger recognition for his prose writing prowess — he’s received a nomination for best liner notes, for his work on “True Love Cast Out All Evil,” this year’s smashing Okkervil River/Roky Erickson collaborative album. An equally unexpected nomination goes to Austin DJ Wolfgang Gartner, for best remixed recording non-classical, for his remix edit of “Funk Nasty.”
The winner will be announced February 13, with the major awards appearing on the CBS telecast at 7 p.m. Check out the full list of nominees here.
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No HD radio? Now you, too, can hear Mega’s mix of dance music
Austin’s hottest dance party is happening right now in your car. Or your house. Or wherever you’ve got a radio handy.
Mega, which airs on BOB-FM’s HD2 signal, can now also be heard by folks without an HD radio. Tune to 102.7 FM for a mix of dance tracks, electronica, instrumentals and pop remixes from familiar artists such as Enrique Iglesias, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and more.
Not near a radio? Listen online at megahd2.com.
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