6 December 2014: Wellborn Road Tears Down Dirty Dog Bar

“To me, rock music was never meant to be safe. I think there needs to be an element of intrigue, mystery, subversiveness. Your parents should hate it.”~ Trent Reznor

A little change of pace but with the same good music all wrapped up into one charity event that in the end would put smiles on many unfortunate children.

Yep. Its time for Toys For Tots. And what better time than to do it on Saint Nicholas Day….. which is celebrated predominately in Europe and awareness spread throughout Wisconsin.

But as always there is a method to the madness.

Wellborn Road was coming to town and I had not seen them play since March. I could have had a baby by now since the last time I saw them at the Red Eyed Fly, just days before the insanity of the 2014 SXSW Music Festival. And nearly a month since I last had been to Dirty Dog Bar.

But to bring a new toy and get indoors is an awesome act of charity.

When I had reached Sixth Street, I ran over to a different shop to grab batteries for my camera as I did not want to be left stranded taking a ton of photographs and then not being able to finish the night because of dead batteries.

I noticed on the wall some really kick ass “toys” for sale. I picked up a Dr. Who figure and flipped the package over and then swiftly put it away.

Then I found a Godzilla figure and did the same thing. These figures were running almost $30 a piece!!!

My childhood… ruined by inflation and time!

I am sure that some child would absolutely love these toys. But damn. My wallet would have something to say about it in protest.

So I zipped over to the Dirty Dog and turned in the toy that I had purchased into the collection boxes that were set up. I was horrified to find in the mix of action figures, stuffed animals, and Lego boxes, was a sex toy.

I could not believe it.

This is TOYS FOR TOTS. Not TOYS FOR TARTS!!

Who the hell put that in there?

Wait on second thought, I don’t want to know. Oh well. Moving on!!

Then I was swiftly greeted by members of Wellborn Road. I took advantage of the opportunity and took some photographs with the guys. But always missing the drummer. Why is it always the drummer?? Nonetheless, the guys were there. I was there. And it was time to get it going.

First up was just music for one song. I went to the stage area to figure out what was going on. Suddenly I looked up and I saw two strippers dressed as either reindeer or Santa Claus just squirming all over the stage. You would have thought they were earthworms high on crack.

My question is: Who hired the strippers?

Next was INCH OF DARK.

I’ll admit. The first two band I had never heard of. The last two bands I have. But I sat there watching and listening and thought that the lead singer and guitarist looked similar to someone but I just could not put my finger on it. But the most I sat there and listened, the better and better and better it got. So I was impressed. Only today did I find out that they were a local band. Bonus points for me.

Their bass guitarist screaming at the top of his lungs at the crowd to keep them going. He didn’t even need a microphone. I thought that was really impressive as well. To outdo a microphone!

Then was TEN FOOT BEAST.

I do not know what the situation or story is behind this band, but it ended up being just two people. A drummer and a guitarist. No vocals whatsoever. Due to conversations I participated in, I didn’t take a lot of time to listen to them unfortunately.

Wellborn Road was next, and I felt a jolt of adrenaline just shoot through my body. I knew that they were going to play my favorite song of all-time “The Mirror” and it was early in the set. How funny though to watch them write up four copies of a set list just moments before getting on stage. That’s rock and roll for you!!! 

Kicking things off with “New Found Life” from their latest album PAIN HATE REDEMPTION, there were a few people that really started to get warmed up.

There’s always something about Wellborn Road crowds that just make them cut loose.

One fan was front and center and was everywhere. He was moving to the music, headbanging, swinging on things, and overall enjoying himself. All the while attempting to hang on to a beer.

During the middle of the set, he got so into it that another man came up to him and walked him to the side up against the wall and gave him a cup of water.

Lead singer Scott Emanis probably covered every last inch of that stage either walking, marching, or jumping all over it. His stage jumping is definitely a sight worth paying for! I tried so hard to get photographs of him in mid-jump that he was in the air. But my efforts sadly were in vain. Maybe one of these days in the future. Maybe.

Tyler Tracy

A tribute was done in honor of Dimebag Darrell. A medley of Pantera songs were performed and that probably had to be one of the coolest things I had ever personally been an eyewitness to. Very humbling too!

A few moments later was the icing on the cake for the night. At least for me. Tyler Tracy switched guitars and pulled out his custom made American flag guitar. Watching him play that was a big thrill. Considering I had been harassing him on social media to bring it with him the next time that he was in town.

Damned near broke my camera taking so many photographs of him with that guitar. Trying to get as many close up shots and shots from the floor which now I am calling TOE CAM.

Tyler Tracy is a remarkable musician. A fire fighter by trade. And an all-around, all-star bad ass. This is the guy you want in your pocket for sure!!

My first memory of him was that he stuck his guitar behind his head and then played a rocking version of “The Star Spangled Banner.” at the House of Blues in Houston, Texas. And even before that rocking out at Acadia Bar & Grill during R.N.I. Fest some years ago. So I have seen them in Houston, I have seen them in Austin. Hot damn!!!

But to be sincere, the entire band is very down to earth and very humble and proud of their growing audience and fans that they nickname the “Brew Crew.” They know that without them, they wouldn’t be who they are today.

Then Tyler totally took it to another level and allowed me to take a photograph with his American flag guitar. I damned near shit myself when he asked if I wanted to do so.

So yeah, that totally happened. The photograph- not the shit. I am however forever thankful for that opportunity.

And through all of that Scott Emanis was actually ill with a cold. But he got all those screams out and I did ask various members of the crowd if they could tell if he was sick, and they all but one said “No.”

Even Critical Assembly who played after Wellborn Road threw some respect out there stating that they destroyed the place.

I honestly hope that I get to see Wellborn Road play again and again and again and again. As much as I can. Whether I am here or there or wherever. Being the #1 fan in this area and a member of the Brew Crew, I have that flag flying at all times.

7 March 2014: Wellborn Road At Red Eyed Fly

“Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds!”~ Bob Marley

After nearly having a breakdown over something so small and stupid, the evening was just what the doctor had ordered.

Being that the 7th of March was the beginning of the SXSW Festival it was about to be one hell of a night. Question would remain: what side of hell would I be on when the night was over?

Sufficed to say that I am still alive and small and stupid went away and I conquered the insecurity with the medicinal aid of nothing other than music. LIVE music.

I saw Wellborn Road once before in Houston last year and I remember feeling that blast of energy and I remembered them being high voltage music. And that’s what I want. That’s what I need. Especially last night.

Music so good that it makes you forget that your boyfriend is humping both your mom and sister on the side. But I’ll digress.

Taking that long bus trip has becoming less of an ordeal now that I have made that trip at least a dozen times in the last twelve months. It is long, it just doesn’t seem so long any more.

Trying to figure out where to get off the bus is the biggest issue.

I made it to Red Eye Fly but only after seeing a number of “celebrities” such as Kevin Bacon and Matthew McConaughey. If you remember what happened with McConaughey from an earlier post… you’ll understand my being nervous when I simply strolled right by him.

I had bigger fish to fry. And I was several blocks away from it. So I kept moving.

One thing that I keep forgetting about SXSW is it brings out the weird in a lot of women. And what I mean by that, is women dressing in tight tight tight tight clothing and oozing out of their clothes slowly.

So I got to the Red Eyed Fly as was instructed by the flyer that was made and posted on Facebook. But only to find out that the damned place was closed.

Show was at 8. Doors at 7.

It was 7:25 … why? What the hell, Jack?? I bugged two people about it and thought about going home. Until I realized that they may have changed things around a little.

Turns out everything was pushed up an hour. They just didn’t tell the general public. Idiots.

VICIOUS CYCLE

So I get in there finally and I hooked myself up with another Thirsty Goat. After two sips, I knew that this was going to be a mistake. And we still had almost an hour before the show even got started. OOPS!!

Pace yourself, man!! Pace yourself.

I noticed that VICIOUS CYCLE was on the bill. They sounded familiar. And rightfully so as they played the birthday show this year for SIX MINUTE CENTURY guitarist Don LaFon at BFE Rock Club in Houston.

Members of VICIOUS CYCLE were actually beginning to stare at me.

Finally,  I spoke with their vocalist and revealed my secret.

They have seen me in Houston so many times that they  thought that I lived there and just went to another city to see them play.  Ummm…. no. But I do travel. Its just to Houston that I go.

I’m really starting to dig their song called “Shallow” and I don’t know if its just speaking to my soul musically or if its relating to me lyrically or if its both. I just know that I like it. It was a good start to the evening.

And by this time I had one drink and wouldn’t you know it more drinks were being bought for me. Whatever happened to pacing myself? Dang.

Then already it was time for Wellborn Road to hit the stage.

Again, going by what I learned on Facebook I thought that they were third on the list and then BROKEN TEETH was to finish off the night.

Not the case.

Okay fine. That’s why I am here. Well, that and to finally get a chance to meet Jason McMasters, lead singer to BROKEN TEETH and heavy metal favorites of the 1980’s and 1990’s, DANGEROUS TOYS.  But 99% for Wellborn Road.

WELLBORN ROAD – L to R Dale Kahil (bass) Scott Emanis (vocals) Tyler Tracy (guitar)

So here we go. Beers in hand, Devil’s Horns on the other hand and up in the air and time for some good Texas music.

This is what I came for. This is what I had planned for at the last minute, after defeating myself mentally that I couldn’t do it.

From the beginning to the end it was nothing but non-stop entertainment. The world could have blown up and I would have still sat there with a smile on my face and joy in my heart.

Across the state, their fan base is called THE BREW CREW. Well I guess the only thing to say about that is “Cheers!”

It is going to be difficult since I don’t normally drink.

They played my favorite song and that was pretty much the highlight for me. Anything else on the night was just extra sauce. 

Lone Star Demons was next on the night and then it was BROKEN TEETH.

By this time Jason McMasters was unloading from his vehicle and when I saw him, I instantly turned back to the times of being younger listening to their cassette and damaging the rewind button for wanting to listen to DT’s “Feels Like A Hammer” and “Queen of the Nile” ohhhhh … those memories.

Chilling with that  guy was so cool. And I was so proud of myself that I was able to keep it that way.

At the end of the night I went to say farewell to the members of Wellborn Road. And suddenly it went from fan to buddy. From BREW CREW to family. How freaking cool is that?? I got a huge send off with hugs from Scott Emanis.

What was even better is that the wife of Rusty Conner, found of Lone Star Metal magazine, mentioned that if they could that they would assist in getting me home any time that they are in town for a show. Which helps immensely because its always difficult (or expensive) to get BACK home. Going to the venue is the easy part. So I am grateful for that offer.

I even got to meet face to face a woman named Angela. I had known her from a friend request but she never said anything to me on Facebook, so I let her go. She didn’t realize who I was. Oh well. But it was cool to finally see her face to face. She’s so pretty!

So I’ll leave you with the music video of my favorite song of Wellborn Road. Find them on Facebook if you like it. And tell them Dambreaker sent you!