“If it’s illegal to rock and roll, throw my ass in jail!”~ Kurt Cobain 
And so it begins. A week of live music thanks in part to the SXSW Festival.
After a few days of rest from Wellborn Road which “technically” was not a SXSW show… I finally went to one that WAS.
And first up was my beautiful, beautiful friends from Mexico City who for the last several months has been stomping all over and around the New Jersey/New York area. Probably since around Christmas or even before that.
Thankfully they came back here.
It was to be at the very same venue and club that I had first laid my eyes and ears upon them.
I thought it was a little fitting to return to The 311 Club and then find Poc Nation there.
It wasn’t how I remembered it though. And that’s just fine by me.
I showed up several hours earlier so that I was there at the club before the sun went down. And that worked in my favor to be there that early. I also came along bearing gifts. Gifts that I was not sure would be accepted. But I had to at least try!
It was also good to see Auggie Del Ray and Brenda Flores of BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE walk in, even though they were not playing there.
I found it very amusing that the bar had two different types of classic movies going on at the same time. One was an old version of Sinbad and the other showing Terror of MechaGodzilla.
Yeah… no brainer. Go for giant lizard!!
A man wearing NOTHING but a diaper and a broken smile, using a cane attempted to come into the club but he was denied. It was both funny and terrifying. NOTHING BUT A DIAPER FOR A GROWN MAN!!!!!!!!!
Suddenly members of Poc Nation began to show up. And almost right away they recognized me. Probably because I WAS in fact wearing a Poc t-shirt! That was most likely the dead giveaway. Until Poc herself showed up.
I squealed so bad to myself it was stupid and embarrassing.
I began to speak in Spanish with her. And it was a surprise to her that my Spanish was so good. She assumed that I was using some kind of translation website to talk to her via Facebook.
There were NEW merchandise from Poc Nation and I wanted it. I wanted it ALL!!! But I ended up with only a $30 t-shirt. But you know what? Its of Poc flipping the double bird. 
You just don’t see that every day on any t-shirt!!
My gift to her was one dozen long stemmed red roses. I couldn’t tell if she was flattered or what. The only thing that she could do was stand there with her jaw on the floor, then say my name over and over and over again.
Yep… it was a hit! And a damned good one at that. Stroke of genius I may add.
By the time Poc Nation got on stage to play it felt like I had been hanging out with Poc for an eternity. And I’m fine with that.
I jumped right up front and didn’t bother to move. I didn’t care. People can just go around me one way or the other.
And they did. At least those who were attempting to take photographs closer to the stage.
The thing is that I am not use to these very very short sets that I’ve been experiencing. I know that The 311 Club has had bands playing all day long and had more to go, but the sets were just so short that honestly by the time any one that was there listening got settled in….. it was all over.
What the hell, man???
They were amazing and even better than I remembered from last September. They pulled some people into the club that originally weren’t there and everybody was having a great time. Myself included. It was great. Those are the kinds of shows you love to be at.
As they were breaking down their equipment, I shouted at Poc (and then to their guitar player) if I could take the set list. And both were agreeable to it. How I would have loved to have that thing autographed. Because I am an autograph hound.
Poc Nation will have two more shows for SXSW but sadly I will not be able to make them. And I think that sucks.
It was six months since the last time I saw Poc Nation. And then six months before that. I hope that Poc Nation makes more stops here along the way because I simply just cannot make it to San Antonio… no matter how many times she invites me to events there.
Poc did sign my CD though. Then when I was safe and sound at home, I realized she spelled my first name wrong. Oops!!
After Poc Nation was Nancy Silva Project that I was curious about and I stayed for that. And I have adventurous tales of my experiences with that band as well from the night. But one band at a time.
For much of the rest of the week will be performances by BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE. One more by Nancy Silva Project. Another from Resisting Vegas (if I can remember what time/day they told me) and then hanging it all up with CASKET OF CASSANDRA.
Next post: Nancy Silva Project.
Dambreaker 