Just when I thought I was done writing blog entries about concerts and shows that I have recently attended, I became eyewitness to the weirdest thing I have seen on stage.
I know that there are some bands out there that have done stranger things, but this was something I personally saw.
September Mourning was the touring headliner. But local band, Resisting Vegas, was the winner of the night.
Costumes and props are the standard, but this will take it to the next level.
Rico Kallirgos of Resisting Vegas
Resisting Vegas was in the middle of a lengthy guitar solo, and lead singer Rico Kallirgos stepped off stage briefly and when he emerged again, he was struggling to lift a very large bag of what looked like to be pet food of some sort.
It was dry cat food.
He knelt down and began to tear into the bag to open it. When he got it open, his fist plunged down deep inside of the bag. The audience was intrigued and some where terrified as they did not know what was going to happen next.
Fistfuls of cat food were then placed into a plastic container.
Then he stood up with the container in hand and he reached for a large wooden spoon, and proceeded to eat it until the end of the guitar solo.
He ate so much of it that when it was that final moment to say thank you to crowd, he still had cat food in his mouth.
One band stole the entire show.
After it was over, many people said that they were scared that he was going to throw the cat food. But none of them had expected him to actually eat it.
He admitted that he never told the rest of the band of what he was going to do. Some of them not really knowing what was going on when it was happening.
“Keep Austin Weird” they say.
Well done, Resisting Vegas. Mission accomplished in keeping that city tradition proud. The bar has been raised.
To the other local bands out there: It’s your move!
With an entire day of different acts at The 311 Club, the next band that was on stage after Poc Nation was NANCY SILVA PROJECT.
I kept seeing the name but didn’t know what or who to expect.
As I researched the band over the Internet, my curiosity was well-piqued.
Knowing that the set would be finished in plenty of time for me to get home at a decent hour, and that the bands were finishing pretty close to on time, I stuck around for this band.
Much like the rest of them, NSP was there before they were to be on stage. I kept staring at her… wondering if that was in fact the Nancy Silva that I kept reading about and hearing on the Internet.
Finally I just went over and talked to her. Duh!! Sometimes simple is best.
It was a pleasant conversation. I think she was kind of surprised to hear the words that were coming out of my mouth. But she was happy to hear that in a short amount of time that I had come to like her music.
Yay me!!! This would come out to work to my advantage in spades almost.
I would talk and talk and talk with her until there was nothing more to talk about, and even while other bands before Poc Nation were playing, being in close quarters with her was kinda cool. She had barely met me and when we parted ways so that she could go prepare, I got a hug. How freakin’ cool is that?!?!???
So I picked up her CD and a t-shirt. I was a merchandise buying mofo… I tell you what!!
Now you KNOW I am not going to pass THIS up!!
Then NSP would hit the stage after Poc Nation and I pretty much did not wander far from the stage and I kept to myself in my spot through both sets. Only to find out how rockin’ NSP really was when playing live!!
I found myself just going with the flow of it all. People around me dancing like fools. Others drunk as hell trying to get into it and keep their balance at the same time. I guess you could say that a good time was had by all.
I enjoyed it at least.
I was most impressed with a song called “Yesterday” I just really got into it.
For my first time out for NSP, I cannot complain.
She will be performing on the BIG stage this evening. I believe it is the same stage that BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE will be playing on this afternoon.
I plan on going for both bands. I just will have a few hours in between and probably back and forth for both shows.
And to think, NSP was playing at the Dirty Dog Bar really late Sunday night and I didn’t go. All of those possibilities lost!Oh well. I’ve made an impact it seems with Nancy Silva. And of course she’s just so darn pretty. Or so I say!
I don’t know how all of this is going to play out today because the weather took a turn and now there’s so much wind that I feel like I am back in southwestern Kansas again.
Nothing I am not used to, just not used to it happening HERE.
I’ll follow NSP for as long as I can. They are a band from San Antonio, but I don’t drive. So, we’ll see what happens.
I was happy that I stuck around for NSP. It was a great decision as it was entertaining.
Then when after the show, I bought two more t-shirts and got a bit of a break on the prices. Thank you, Nancy!!
After that, she was gone. I thought that I would get a few more photographs with her and probably a few more hugs as she was very open to that. But she vanished. Poc Nation and her entourage was gone as well from the club. And it was getting late, so I busted out of there and took off for the designated bus stop to return home.
Only to arrive at that corner to see the exact bus that I needed to get home was right there parked.
The ramp to get on to the bus was in a weird place and I was in need of assistance, so I called aloud “Can someone please help me??” and I was surprised and both disgusted that NOBODY did a thing. Nobody moved. Finally someone jumped up and pushed me onto the ramp from the weird angle that I was in and I boarded the bus and got home by midnight.
What is wrong with people??
So now I wait around now for me to leave to go back to see BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE. I just kinda wished it was NOW. But patience must be had.
Expect more posts about all of these experiences soon!!
Hard to believe that it had been one exact month since I went there to see CASKET OF CASSANDRA. But it honestly is.
And within another week, SXSW Festival will begin their live music portion and I’ll be back for that one too.
But for the 3rd of March was to see BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE.
I’ve lost count how many times I’ve seen them play live. All I know is that I love it and I keep going back for more. Whether its locally or out of town (when applicable.) It is what I dream about and what I live for. Almost like a religion.
But before people start twisting their panties in a bunch, I will move on with the rest of the night and provide as best I can a look inside of what it was like to get to the Dirty Dog and sum up what its like to see BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE live.
I must first mention the fact that there are music fans and there are die hard people who will go through anything to be able to hear the kind of music that they wanna hear.
Last night’s weather was deplorable with the threat of freezing weather which has caused the shut down of … everything in town this morning. A lot of people thought I was insane for wanting to go out into the elements when it was 38°F/3°C and the sun going down, which would drop it to 34°F/1°C by the time I left to return home. The difference was that there was a thunderstorm going on, complete with lightning and due to the cold air … it was rain but more so sleet.
And yes, I went out in it. A neighbor asked me why I was planning on doing it. I told them “I love my family.”
BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE refers to their fans and people who enjoy and support their music as their FAMILY. And I feel like now I am apart of that.
But what was even better last night was that when I saw the band setting up and what not, they actually for the first time (in my face) referred to me as “friend” rather than “fan.”
I remember this happening before in Houston by other bands. Its always a proud moment for me.
BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE mentioned that they had a whole new set list to try out. And it was going to include my favorite song, “Nearly Forgotten” which thrilled me to the bone. They started the night out and I did what I had to do in order to enjoy myself, not caring what the scores of people behind me were thinking.
This is rock and roll, and yes I like it. Anyone who don’t understand can leave the room.
Belle, their bass player, continues to hold up to her reputation as being one of the top bass players in the country. This comment and opinion coming by OTHER bass players. And Auggie Del Ray’s passion is always seen whenever he steps foot on stage. Its like a switch gets turned on inside of his head and he turns into a rock and roll giant beast. Completely unstoppable.
The first song that they played was a new tune called “Runaway.” I thought that my face was going to melt off of my skull and my skin just break up into pieces. Where did this come from???
And their last song “My Heroine” really dug down deep to where I wanna hear it again and again.
BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE at the Dirty Dog Bar
I couldn’t help but get goosebumps throughout the entire song!!!I would later find out that the song was written only one week ago. And that just blew my mind! These people are musical entities with a passion never before known and in my opinion, nobody can hold a flame to. I figured if I loved the first song so much that I was really in for a high voltage, pure octane show.
I was right. I just didn’t realize how much.
Just when a person thinks that there are no more surprises left to be had… a whole new level of “WOW! DID YOU SEE THAT?!?!?!?!?” comes up.
I am probably going to die a painful death for this one, but ….
When they got to my favorite song, lead singer Brenda Flores knew exactly where I was and from the stage landed me a high five. She also gave me a high five as they walked from the front of the venue to get on stage. So, high ten??
I always figured Brenda as a high-five-turned-into-a-fist-embrace kind of woman. But I guess I was wrong.
The one thing that I truly enjoy about their music is I am not afraid of jumping in front of the crowds and getting as close to the stage as possible. This allows me to hear Brenda’s voice both through the microphone and at the same time as it comes from her mouth.
It is one of those things you just have to experience. But I have always loved Brenda’s voice. I’m crazy over Auggie Del Ray’s stage performances. And Belle… what is not to love about her?
I’ll probably get into trouble for saying this but these two women I adore greatly without end. Both as professional musicians and as people. I’m so grateful to have them in my life and so grateful that I can use the term “amiga” to describe them.
BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE has a new drummer. I was glad to see that he came to me and talked and socialized with me with a genuine interest. It wasn’t that stereotypical musician comes to you, says hello, talks about the weather and your health, gives you a handshake, and then leaves. Nope. This guy is cool. I gotta learn what his name is soon.
The thing that I just get annoyed about is that both times I’ve visited the Dirty Dog, bands are only given about 30 minutes for their time on stage.
Maybe I am spoiled from other experiences in other places. But thirty minutes of BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE just is not going to be enough. Not for me at least.
But as good things come to an end always, there was more show to be had.
There was another band from Waco that came on next. And then I couldn’t hear very well at that point, but a lot of people thought that they heard that the third band said something about Israel?
And then the next band was called Resisting Vegas. I was on the other side of the venue hanging out when I heard more female vocals.
I HAD to go check it out. Because if I didn’t, then I wouldn’t be me.
I love the fact that the lead singer engaged with eye contact during their set. I’ve always found it pleasing if the lead singer looked at me.
With the exception of my first ever show in Houston where the lead singer of DECIMATION THEORY gazed at me and pierced into my soul with his screaming vocals that terrified me so much I crapped in my pants.
But Resisting Vegas, there was no threat of soul consumption. Maybe a little fluttering but no consumption. I’m a new fan of theirs.
Is anyone else starting to see a pattern here???
So as the night continued to creep upon us, so did the inclement weather and BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE was going to have to drive back home to Waco in this nasty weather. By then it had dropped to just above freezing at 34°F and the awe and wonder of lightning and thunder filled the nighttime sky.
I got my hugs from the band, took a photograph with the entire band… of which my camera just refuses to work when I want it to. Its humiliating. And apparently it loves being dropped on the cement floor of the Dirty Dog as it has happened twice now in both visits. Stinking technology.
After all of that, I took off for home in a taxi. I fell down because I was expected to freaking walk to the cab because the driver parked too far away from the curb. I was expected to rise out of my wheelchair and walk inside of the cab.
Umm really?? Idiots….. OF COURSE I AM GOING TO FALL DOWN!!
Brenda Flores and Auggie Del Ray of BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE
I’m hurting. But I’m going to live. Lucky for them.
Back safe and home before 11 PM was a good thing though. Now we’re gonna to find out how stupid the city has become because of all of the ice. I can just see it now. All of the accidents on the roads and highways.
But I am most thankful for BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE and their continuing mission for excellence in music and giving it all that they have with each live performance. I love that about them.
It was like a warm up to the SXSW Festival which is less than two weeks away. More so like a week and a half.
And BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE is guaranteed to be there.
As long as I can handle the point A to B, I shall be too.
And I encourage everyone to listen to their music and give them a shot.
BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE both on stage and off is nothing like you’ve ever known before.
Dambreaker 