26 May 2016: The Reverent Few @ El Mercado: Austin, Texas

“Comeback is a good word, man. “~ Mickey Rourke

Just when I thought that I was done writing about show reviews… I got blown away by something different. Something fresh. Something friggin’ AMAZING!!!

This was something unforeseen and unexpected.

Not to say that since I have not been doing show reviews in a while. Because I have.

I rolled into new and strange territory a few weeks ago along the Red River area to a place called THE MOHAWK to follow some singers that I had stumbled upon at this year’s Texas Rock Fest.

The Reverent Few rocks out at THE MOHAWK

The band that was “newest” to me was called THE REVERENT FEW.

Rooted deeply in the Blues and cranks out the rock and roll in its purest form. Just like it used to be.

I sat there listening and for me, it was fresh, it was new. And a very distant thing from the particular genre of music that I have been accustomed to for such a long time. And I don’t think that there’s anything wrong with that. However for myself, I must cleans the palate once in a while and spend time venturing out of that “comfort zone” and experience something different. And that’s what I did.

I found myself in a mystic world of heartfelt, soulful mix of anything and everything under the sun. Only BETTER!

Paige DeChausse on vocals and Nick Boettcher on guitar, these two rev it up and then blast off to the moon!! It has been a very long time since I have seen that kind of dedication and passion towards music while on stage.

But by the end of the night, I had tears in my eyes at least once and goosebumps the whole way! Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while know that once that happens I have to get in some more. And I won’t rest until I do. 

And then the resident gig at EL MERCADO.

After a long flight back home from Los Angeles, a short rest, and a long bus ride to the other side of the city, I arrived at El Mercado Restaurant. Not to mention I was attempting to beat the weather to the gig, hoping to not get rained on.

Arriving a tad early, but in time to catch a sound check. .

However when the show officially started, that’s when total awe, magic, and pure rock and roll began. The entire world and its problems disappeared completely if only for a short evening.

It didn’t take long for about 30-50 people to arrive. Friends, family, fans alike. All joined together as one with a rocking common bond.

So let me begin this review as this build up is probably killing you. (Okay, maybe not. But let’s do this.)

Is Ladiest First okay? Good.

The Reverent Few at El Mercado

Paige DeChausse obviously has the kind of voice to grab my attention. Otherwise this blog post wouldn’t be written. To try and describe Paige’s voice is like a mixture of Janis Joplin, Donna Summers, Alanis Morrisette (in some ways), Billie Holliday, and quite possibly a little bit of Adele. All strong, all vibrant, all powerful, and all influencing.

As I stated, the tears and the goosebumps came and I couldn’t stop them!

Nick Boettcher has one helluva stage presence with his guitar and backing vocals. Almost to the point where I wished I could sing like that. If you want a sound like B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Billy Gibbons then Nick is your go-to-guy. If there’s ever an event that I am aware that needs a guitarist, I am asking him first.

Stage chemistry between the two of them is out of sight. And you’re stuck in this blissful confusion in trying to figure out which of them is causing you to move around.

I am given to understand that “home” to the two of them is actually near the Chicago, Illinois area and now they are here.

I for one, danced the ENTIRE night with The Reverent Few. But only from where I was sitting which was dark. So I doubt I have to worry about humiliating videos surfacing online of me “gettin’ down.”

By the end of the evening, there were surprise musicians from Ireland who sat in for a while, and they were just as lovely. They have a CD release party on the 1st of June at the Continental.

Yet half the room approached the stage and began dancing. I do hope that my camera flash didn’t bother any body. It is always a great idea to capture these kinds of moments.

I was met up by Nick’s mother who offered a dance and promised me that she would make it happen. She was dead serious. And I believed her. So funny!!

I had just one trick up my sleeve before everything came to a close.

If you actually research Paige DeChausse online, you’ll find something rather interesting about her musical career. I won’t say what it is, but now (at least in my eyes) she’s a celebrity, and she just happens to be local. I insisted for an autograph, she smiled kindly and obliged the request.

That’s all I am going to say about that.

When I said my farewells and departed I noticed that it was raining and raining hard. “Beat The Rain” may have lost in the first round but there was no way I was going to win on the return trip.

The restaurant staff caught me staring at the windows and doors at the rain. They asked if I had enjoyed myself with the show. And I had. Then I mentioned to all of them a comment about how hard it was raining.

I departed with these words: “At least I can say that the band got me all wet.”

Everyone who heard it was on their knees laughing as I popped open the front door and exited into the wet and stormy night.

As I waited in the storm, I was STILL dancing around, reminiscing the awesome tunes that I had just finished hearing.

It can’t be helped though. If you love to dance, THIS IS IT!!!

The Reverent Few caught me by surprise. And I cannot say that I will complain.

I’m stuck. I’m sold. They win. They have pulled me back in. Game Over. I’m going to do my best to follow their gigs and shows as much as I can. And if you love music and near the area, I encourage you to do the same.

 

https://www.facebook.com/paigeandthereverentfew/

Disturbed By A Text Message

“Point me out the happy man and I will point you out either egotism, selfishness, evil – or else an absolute ignorance.”~ Graham Greene

I was sitting there one evening in the passenger seat of someone’s vehicle, very frequently looking down at my cell phone and responding to text messages that were coming in faster than I could respond, based on the fact that an event was unfolding before me as I sat there in the darkness looking out at a back door of a club. My only goal was to “watch the car” as they had put it. The doors were all locked, the keys were in the ignition still and I was jamming out to music of my choice while I waited.

Very long moments had gone by before I was startled by a pounding on the window from the driver to let them back inside of the vehicle.

From that moment on until the end of the evening, I was chewed out that I “was not doing what I was told to do.” Instead my nose was uncharacteristically buried in my cell phone.

I explained I was getting frequent updates on a situation that they knew about. And that I kept looking up from time to time and saw nothing to be alarmed over. Nothing “bad” ever happened to the vehicle. I was able to “watch the car” without having to put eyeballs on it 100% of the time.

Then there’s this piece of nuggetry:

http://loudwire.com/disturbed-david-draiman-texting-audience-member-dallas/

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/disturbed-frontman-calls-out-fan-for-texting-during-concert-are-we-that-boring/

I’ll give you a minute.

Before I go on, I will say this: the law of averages is most likely on Draiman’s side. What he said was in fact true. It is rude. However, for those of us who weren’t there… those of us who aren’t this person that he so heroically called out, we honestly don’t know what exactly was going on. All we know is what we get from Draiman’s side of things that is muddled in frustration.

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been in conversation with someone and at some point during that conversation, their attention went immediately and straight to their phone. And yes, that is rude.

But this woman, whomever she is that Draiman bawled out, was asked (more or less) what she was doing that was more important. The problem is, is that in these situations, audience members are NEVER allowed the chance to respond in order to defend themselves and/or their actions. By the time the obvious rhetorical question came out of his mouth, the entire audience reacted against her and therefore she was unable to answer or respond back.

This woman either had her own emergency happening at the exact time she was there to enjoy the show. Or perhaps she was giving directions for more fans to arrive. It could have been any number of things that was going on.

My mother and my grandmother both taught me when I was young that if someone is doing something that you don’t like – don’t look at them. Maybe Draiman should’ve heeded those words as there were certainly other people to concentrate upon rather than one woman who had her face buried into a cell phone.

One CAN enjoy music without using their eyes. However a concert is supposed to be both audibly and visually stimulating. At least in my experiences, they are.

Like I said, the averages are on Draiman’s side. This woman could have simply been rude as he proclaimed. But we don’t know that for sure. We don’t know what she was doing. And the sad thing is, is that we will never know! Not unless this woman comes out publicly to defend herself. And I have doubts that she will.

And these things (no matter how rude we find them) are going to happen.

So dear David Draiman,

Welcome to the age of the Internet!

Get used to it.

18 February 2015: Metalachi at Stubb’s

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”~ Bob Marley

After The Tequila Rock Revolution left the stage, I was both sad and yet thrilled to the bone. One half of this was over. But the other half, I knew was going to be just as amazing and entertaining.

Metalachi. Los Vatos Locos were back in town for the first time in six months.  And this was more than likely why the venue was so packed with people that I had to remove my foot rests from the wheelchair to make frickin’ room for my legs before they were crushed against the side of the stage at the knees.

Stage set up took a bit of time, but it was all well worth it. As long as those flashing lights didn’t burn out my eyes like they almost did at The Belmont the last time. Thankfully, there was nothing to worry about it THIS time.

Then their MC came on to the stage and I knew who he was. He had “de chair of luv” with him and he put it away elsewhere on the stage. I laughed to myself, wondering who would be the unlucky/lucky lady to sit in that chair when the time came.

Suddenly the show came alive. Their MC hyped the band so much that the roof nearly caught on fire! If audience screams and yells were flammable… we’d all be goners. Because it stayed loud by way of the reaction of the audience the rest of the night.

I want that MC’s job. I bet I could do that. Warren…. I’m comin’ for ya!

The band got settled on stage and after everything and everyone was set…. the stage exploded. The crowded exploded. Stubb’s BBQ exploded. And there was no pyro necessary! I’ve not seen that since I snuck into a Metallica show back in the 1990’s.

I think though from what I witnessed in the crowd, that Metalachi should re-consider calling this the “Flying Chichis Tour.” To my left there were breasts exposed. To my right there were breasts. Directly behind me even more breasts. Boob Fest 2015.

Metalachi’s set was so much fun. They played their greatest and latest hits. All the way from “Epic” by Faith No More to “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne and everything in between. Even “Raining Blood” from Slayer.

I had heard that they played “Cemetary Gates” by Pantera for sound check that afternoon. I would have loved to have heard that. But no luck.

Soon enough, El Cucuy was in his rare form again, cracking up the audience with his totally messed up stories about La Llorona and teachers and even child support. Orale!

Metalachi meets Amanda in De Chair of Luv

The inevitable struck. De Chair of Luv.

My one of a kind, awesome, angel-fallen-to-the-earth, absolutely-frickin-gorgeous friend of mine brought with her a friend who had never seen Metalachi play live before and she shouted to lead singer Vega De La Rockha that there was “fresh meat” in the crowd. A first-timer. Metlachi did not hesitate.

They sat her down and ….. well …….. did what they had to do.

Probably the funniest thing was that someone shouted into a microphone “Go to your happy place!” over and over again. I don’t remember if that was El Cucuy or Vega De La Rockha or their MC. But it was pretty funny.

It was all in fun.

The MC returned a little while later and introduced the band members. Of which I recall hasn’t changed. At least not since I saw them play the last time. So the big surprise was not so much the big surprise. But the introductions are funny.

And the show kept going and going and going. It was kind of a surprise for me that the show lasted as long as it did. Not that I dare complain, it is just that the show is so much fun, especially if you know all the songs that they are covering and playing in a mariachi style.

My night was really over the moon when I heard Maximilian Sanchez started the pizzicato of his violin. There was no other song that would begin like that that they would play other than what probably is becoming my most favorite of them, next to “Raining Blood”……. their mariachi version of “Sweet Child O’Mine.” 

I frickin’ lost it!! Vega De La Rockha was standing directly in front of me. Heard me. And smiled big.

I didn’t get to hear them play it live at The Belmont. But they played it at Stubb’s. And I am forever grateful. I will say that Metalachi’s version of the song is far better than the original. You can go ahead and disagree with me on that, but that’s what I think, cabrones.

Needless the rest of the night was gravy. Or so I thought. It wasn’t over!

Metalachi is rather kind enough to be the type of band that stays afterwards for photographs, autographs, and general conversation. They meet with their fans still. They aren’t like most “A-List celebs” that perform then disappear. I spoke to each member of the band, with the exception of Nacho Picante, who was swarmed by the ladies every time I looked around. It was funny that when I spoke to Maximilian Sanchez, it was short, sweet, and in Spanish. PERFECT Spanish I might add.

At last I was getting brave enough to just shout at the entire band to gather so I could take a group photograph. And it happened, minus one. There’s ALWAYS minus one!

And then I heard the band tell the one of a kind, awesome, angel-fallen-to-the-earth, absolutely-frickin-gorgeous friend of mine to come sit on my lap and take a photograph with me. She hesitated, but after being badgered a little by the band.. she succumbed. But I showed her that my lap isn’t her enemy but her ally. A photograph was taken and the guys laughed and laughed.

Soon I backed away from Metalachi because I knew that other people were wanting their chance to meet with them. So this ends the tale of Metalachi of the night, but it did not end MY night.

I realized that I hadn’t really spent any time or attention towards members of The Tequila Rock Revolution. I mean, they did come all the way from San Antonio! So I made my way over.

And from that, was absolute fun conversations to the point that I finally looked up after a while and realized …. there was nobody else there but staff, bands, and I.

Whoa.

There I am talking with The Tequila Rock Revolution members, and other members of Metalachi who came in and out after ridding themselves of their stage garb. But I’m not telling. To find myself there in that space and time… kind of gave me a sense and feeling of VIP. Not even the staff members of Stubb’s bothered me to tell me to leave or whatever.

As I was talking with Mariachi Doll, guitarist Stacey Mazuca came by and I suggest that she should sing for me, because I have been so supportive. Before I knew it, they were assuming that I was talking about my birthday that had passed weeks before.

Mariachi Doll and Stacey Mazuca began to sing a Spanish birthday song. And I noticed that both of them were looking right at me. It was difficult to figure out which one to look back at since they were in different spots and not necessarily standing next to each other. They sang this song A Capella and there was harmony and melody. A few lines into it was the icing on the cake for the entire night for me.

Haydn Vitera joined the two girls in singing with his own part of harmony.

Everything in my body and soul began to shiver and tingle. My spine was just shaking and tingling to my brain from the glorious music that was being performed before me in such an angelic and pure form. It wasn’t a quick tune as our “Happy Birthday To You” is. It was a full song. And by the end of it, my body was shaking from within and I had tears in my eyes. And I kept hoping that they never saw that. Even though in writing, I am admitting it.

I wished I knew the name of the song though. It just really touched my heart and soul. That every time I think about it, I get the shivers. And especially that very night when I thought about it, tears would form in my eyes. And I softly would cry to sleep that night.

I know that Mariachi Las Coronelas plays a lot in San Antonio. I just don’t have the transportation to reach them. I’ll have to wait for them to return here again, I guess. I’m still trying to figure out the local transportation to be able to see VITERA. If I can ever fix the problem, I’ll never miss another local show again.

Metalachi, I will always make room for. When I first hear news that they are going to be here… tickets will be bought and the calendar fricking cleared.

Metalachi is heading west now back towards California on tour. They are done burning Texas to the ground and leaving no prisoners. However, on Facebook, they posted that they had a bit of a traffic accident with their trailer somewhere inside the Texas panhandle on the way to their next show in Albuquerque. (Yes, I spelled that right. No, I didn’t look it up first.) The fans are hoping and praying that everything is okay. The band is reporting to be all in good health. Its just their equipment trailer that bit the dust.

If Metalachi is going to be in your area. Or even your state, it would behoove you to get your chichis up and going and getting to the show. It will be worth the money, time, and effort. And you will reap such rewards. JUST GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for me, I cannot wait for any of these bands to be playing again. I’m feeling the twitch already and its only been a few days ago.

VATOS LOCOS FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

18 February 2015: The Tequila Rock Revolution at Stubb’s BBQ: Austin, TX

“I feel very proud to be an ambassador of Mexican music. Wherever I go, I will always bring my mariachi. It’s what I grew up with. It’s what I love the most.” Alejandro Fernandez

Finally. After my debut of seeing these bands play the same night and stage together, it was six months before it happened again.

The only difference is that VITERA and Mariachi Las Coronelas came and fused together to make The Tequila Rock Revolution. Combining Mariachi music with pure steady rock and roll.

They were playing at the all famous and infamous Stubb’s BBQ. A venue who has hosted such musical acts such as Blue October, Billy Idol, and They Might Be Giants. It a true Austin landmark. One that many people who are from out of town know about and make any excuse to visit to be able to scratch it off their bucket lists and boast that they’ve been there.

Well, now I have too.

However over the past six months, I’ve learned more about these bands and its members on a personal level through some sort of communication via social media. So I guess it was more personal for me to be there rather than fanatical. People would have known me when I stepped in.

As the time drew closer and closer, I was getting more and more amped up to get there. And then I realized that while I was getting ready that I could not find my camera. I’m notorious for having it. I’ve been told so.

In a small and brief few moments of pure frustration, I tore apart my apartment pretty damned good in order to find it. It’s still in disarray even though I did clear the path to the front door so I can get in and out. OOPS!!!

When the camera was found, I tucked it away and bolted out the door to go wait on the bus. But now bus rides are twenty-five cents more since mid-January. And they’ve become more interesting as I have been starting to “get used to” being terminated and kicked off the bus. Same bus line, same destinations, everything. Different drivers. However, I will leave that for another time and another post if you want to hear all about that.

I cautiously boarded the bus and realized that I was missing a dime when I should have had exact change. Buses only take exact change. I got fortunate that the bus driver had changed for a dollar for me to replace that missing dime. I was in his debt in a sense. Not a good start to a potentially awkward situation if I was going to be kicked off the bus for a third time in a row.

But we took off and we hadn’t gone a mile and a half down the road and the bus driver was cracking me up so hard that I couldn’t stop sweating. Everything out of his mouth was pure comedy fricking gold and his impressions were stellar.

Thankfully he would not be the only stellar thing that happened.

I had a feeling that I didn’t even need to bring along my earphones to keep me occupied and entertained for the long journey. And I was right. The bus driver and I kept going back and forth and back and forth. Probably there were six other people on board at the very max at one given time. It wasn’t crowded or anything and I just kept talking and listening to him.

The next thing I knew, we were passing by the hospital and that was my cue to start paying attention to make sure that I notify the driver exactly where I needed to get off the bus.

The bus driver busted me up again when he said: “Oh I’m sorry that I kept you from your nap. Shit!”

The guy started to like me, and I him. He encouraged me to take the Night Owl bus lines on the trip home, because there was a 50/50 chance I’d be picked up by him again.

I got off the bus and I just hauled ass towards Stubb’s BBQ. And as expected I showed up just a bit too early. Doors weren’t open and there was a huge fricking line waiting to get inside that wrapped all the way up north around the block. I just knew that I was screwed.

It would come to be known later that the show was SOLD OUT.

I totally forgot to take a photograph of the marquis sign outside. It was looking nice.

But I slowly made my way closer to the front door and with reticence approached the line, trying to figure out which end was which. Then some “guy with a clipboard” came roaring outside, wristbands in the other hand. He was checking people in line who already had tickets. Hoping to make things smoother when they opened up the doors to separate those who had tickets purchased in advance versus people looking to buy them at the door.

I flashed my printed off receipt and showed it to the gentleman. He checked it and then asked if I wanted to be upstairs or downstairs. I said that I wanted to be next to the stage and without missing a beat he turned around and told me to follow him and he led me inside of Stubb’s BBQ. I heard the awful and very profane snarls and grunts of discontentment of those left outside standing in line.

I don’t normally do this, but I turned quickly back around and shouted “I’m with the damned band!” And then ran like hell to get inside. I did get away with it. But I probably won’t every time I do it. So it would definitely behoove me to stop while I’m ahead.

I was lead through a path that was twisting and turning at every corner. Then an elevator of old school proportions lowered me to the the lower level and I found myself in the room that was holding all the merchandise tables for both musical acts.

Right away, I was recognized by members of The Tequila Rock Revolution… by name!

I must have made a mark with them or something.

After that, I went and I stood my ground and picked out a spot where I was going to be for the duration of the entire show. By the looks of the line that I totally passed by outside, it was definitely going to be crowded with tons of people and if I moved away like I did during One-Eyed Doll, I knew that I would lose my spot. So I clamped down and refused to budge.. regardless of how many careless people bumped into me or spilled their drinks down my back.

I was then reunited with a person that I met at the first show six months prior. She looked amazing. She had a different friend with her and we kind of stuck together during the show.

Adding VITERA to members of Mariachi Las Coronelas was an stroke of musical excellence. There was an added trumpet player as well. With him and Vanessa Del Fierro aka Mariachi Doll, and Stacey Mazuca from Mariachi Las Coronelas, the entire set was rocking and getting on board the crazy train before the end of the first song.

Haydn Vitera & Vanessa Del Fierro

I heard someone behind me screaming “Hang on for dear life!” and I looked to see what was going on and if I needed to be concerned about it. They were simply talking about the show. The crowd was deafening with its applause. And again, after ONE song.

I often get lost and forget about all of Haydn Vitera’s huge musical talents. I know he plays guitar and he has that magical invention of the electric violin that everyone gasps in awe for. But sitting just about directly before his feet I could hear his voice carry from his mouth as it carried into the microphone. But for me, I didn’t really need the microphone to help hear him. I could hear him clear as day.

Haydn Vitera has the kind of vocal quality and clarity that I would almost kill to have. And I often forget about that. Every time he stepped back up to the microphone, he nailed everything that came out of him.

Dan “DMFC” Corona shredding guitar and a supreme job on bass with Nacio Malo. Everything came together like it was made to be.

Naturally the incredibly beautiful and extreme talents of Stacey Mazuca on guitar and Mariachi Doll on violin. They both helped out one another, playing each other’s songs on stage. Mariachi Doll is currently in the studio. And from what I heard, I’m going to be rushing and running over people who are in my way to go buy the album.

I cannot count how many times that it got so loud and noisy without the crowd even being prompted. Especially during applause at the end of a song.

I honestly hope and believe in these people. I truly want for them to be able to reach out and touch the universe. One person at a time.

From south to north and west to east and back again. Across the oceans and time, The Tequila Rock Revolution is a sound that you have NEVER heard before. I guarantee it. And once you do…. you’ll be left to hear so much, much more.

Can you handle both talent AND beauty?? If you think you can, reach out to find The Tequila Rock Revolution today!!!!!!!!!!!

 

https://www.facebook.com/tequilarockrevolution

20 September 2014 – Living The Warrior Life With Fear Control

“Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood.”~ George S. Patton

I don’t know what’s going on with this composition as it won’t indent for paragraphs so screw it.

Well I made it. My third visit to the Dirty Dog Bar in all of seven days.

FEAR CONTROL was on the bill and I had already paid for my ticket inside, but the day would prove a challenge to get there.

The whole of downtown was completely shut down and I had no idea as to why.

What was going on? I started to get subtle hints by the various people climbing on board the bus that I was riding on to get to the Dirty Dog Bar.

It apparently was something big. But I wasn’t 100% sure. I would find out for sure in the most humorous of ways.

I got to the venue and I had notified half the band that I may not make it due to problems earlier in the day. But there I was strong as ever.

LIVING THE WARRIOR LIFE.

When FEAR CONTROL  got on stage, I was literally shaking with excitement. And I would not be let down. FEAR CONTROL is known for taking chances, adapting, and moving forward to find what is right for them and their audience. Whatever it was that they did, they did it hard, fast, and correct!!

“Toe Cam”

There was this feeling of never wanting to drop down The Horns. You always wanted to have them up in the air. Or a fist or whatever. And if they asked to see something in the air, everyone willingly obliged.

It was fantastic to watch. There hadn’t been this much energy at a FEAR CONTROL in a while. It was a sigh of relief to know that it was there again.

After CASKET OF  CASSANDRA burned down the place on Wednesday night, FEAR CONTROL took hold of the reins and destroyed everything else that was still standing until it was nothing but smoldering ash.

My younger brother once said that FEAR CONTROL sounds like the band Death Angel and that they needed to contact Death Angel about maybe doing some shows together. And I finally see what he was talking about.

The best moment coming from when guitarist and vocalist Kash Sarkaria got up on his (what I call light box) and I had positioned my camera by his feet. He kept his pose while playing guitar until the flash went off.

“OFF WITH HIS HEAD”

I have never heard a crowd go so insane for FEAR CONTROL like that before. It was intense and the energy flowed throughout everyone. Both band and audience.

But I wasn’t feeling well. FEAR CONTROL exploded everything when they played my favorite song of theirs, “OFF WITH HIS HEAD” and before I knew it, I was blowing out my own voice to sing the chorus OFF WITH HIS HEAD, BLOOD MUST BE SHED.

Its kind of a way of communicating with guitarist Frankie Rodriguez. I will say the first part when I first see him and he’ll reply back to me with the second part. I love it.  Now if I can only get the new nickname that I came up for Kash to actually stick!!

After their set, I left feeling miserable and in pain. So I took off. I took photographs with most of the band and then I was gone.  What caused such misery will coming up soon in a future blog post.

Many thanks to these guys for putting up with my whining last night about how I might not make it. Thanks for them for being such a elite group of badasses. Until the next time!!!

LIVE THE WARRIOR LIFE

13 September 2014: Infamy Remembered By OED With Nancy Silva Project

“Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live.”~ Charles Bukowski

Let me just start off with a couple of things.

#1- The idea of giving myself a break before posting this blog post was probably not a good idea as I am beginning to forget a number of things that happened during the event and I don’t want to feel bad or let others down. So I am going to do the best that I can with what I can remember as I compose. And if that means I have to come back and edit even days later, then so be it.

#2- With scattered memories come scattered story telling so I am going to break up the evening’s activities in parts and pieces so this will take up a small number of posts. Stay tuned and keep reading!

After a week of drama of breaking my eye glasses and having to pay so much for it, and then saving my sister’s posterior and having given her money, I was on the edge because I knew that I had a choice for the evening. I could either LEAVE the venue after watching NANCY SILVA PROJECT perform and miss out on my first experience at a One-Eyed Doll show. And if I left, just how late would I stay because I would want to be able to spend time talking with Nancy Silva and hang out a bit.

The other option was to stay and watch One-Eyed Doll and then take a taxi home which would take $20 that I was not sure that I would have.

On the 12th, I was able to accomplish two things: Get a haircut and buy roses for Nancy Silva. A tradition that seems to have been lost along the years but long lost traditions will be a post for another time, if the readers want it.  I wasn’t quite sure if I should buy roses for Kimberly Freeman of One-Eyed Doll since I did not know her and she did not know me. I didn’t want to send the wrong message.

Nonetheless, I would pull an audible and buy roses for Kimberly Freeman as well… keeping in mind the old time traditions of presenting performers with flowers after their show.

Then as I returned home, I had a personal message waiting for me from Nancy Silva herself. She wanted to know if it was okay if her group would come to my home to get ready for the show and relax and hang out.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT??????????????????????????

I do not usually say this but OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG! OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG!!!

The one brilliant, musically talented, and beautiful woman that I adore coming from San Antonio to do a show. Someone I have not seen face to face in six months plus one day was asking me if she could come to my home.

I thought to myself, “Dear Lord, these are the things that only dreams are made of. And its slowly showing signs of becoming true!”

After a few hours of bantering back and forth I agreed to the arrangement. And as I was doing so… I was scrambling to get everything in my home straightened up and clean and everything at least in the condition to be acceptable for having company over.

My apartment manager defines a clean apartment (for me at least) as “If you would be embarrassed to bring a girl back to your home… then you need to clean it.” And at this point, there was this great possibility of a girl coming over. So I made sure that the apartment was up to those standards. Then I sat back and waited. Noticing that the request to obtain my address had not been given. The longer it went on, the more I thought that this would not happen or that something was going to defeat me.

So on the 13th the day of the show as I was watching my favorite college football team beat the crap out of their opponent, I received word that it was not going to happen. And this was the official decision. It had been raining too and that was  getting annoying. Would I be going out in the rain again?

As deflated as I became I knew that in a few hours I would be there at the Dirty Dog Bar and that I would see NANCY SILVA PROJECT play.

There was just a few details that life hadn’t given to me in the memo.

Doors were supposed to open at 7:00 PM. They were not.
There was a LINE to get indoors. What the hell is up with that?
Staff who normally are warm and friendly were nothing but hulking statues of not giving a rat’s ass.

Everyone in line ahead of me and everyone in line behind me had some kind of memorabilia for One-Eyed Doll. I was the only person there with a NANCY SILVA PROJECT. Damnit, I am gonna wave this flag!!!

And some how when I got inside, there was already so many people inside. Why are THEY inside and I am not? I figured it was a lost cause and dropped it.

One-Eyed Doll Nation was everywhere. This place was totally packed and there were scores of people already lined up along the edges of the stage from the front and wrapped around to the one side.

But I would find Rai de la Cruz, the guitarist for NANCY SILVA PROJECT. I had never in my life conversed with him before and now it was like we had been friends forever and had connected again.

His continuous plaguing me of John Malkovich stood throughout the entire night. But I never fought it and that probably threw him off.

He’s now threatening to make an unannounced visit to my home… now that the band has my address. And again, I responded with “BRING IT ON.” If it was a fear tactic to pick on me, it wasn’t working. I would LOVE to have NANCY SILVA PROJECT in my home. Of course I’d have to take a photograph or two to have proof of it actually happened. But I got along with Rai pretty well. And Raj Arenas, the drummer. These two guys clearly remember me from SXSW Festival six months prior.

And then at long last, I saw Nancy Silva but she moved into the restroom and I lost her there.

And as I was digging out the roses to give to her she sprung out of the restroom and spotted me there. She hugged me, I gave her a kiss on the cheek and then gave her the roses.

There was this really bizarre color on one of the bouquets of roses that I couldn’t pass up, so I gave Nancy Silva BOTH.

Then a well known local photographer took our photograph together. Then I let her go, knowing that she was busy with preparations of her set on stage coming soon. Six months plus one day I had waited and the patience was paying off in spades.

So then I learned something about these events:

Rule #1 & 2 in attending a One-Eyed Doll show: If you are there for them or even some other band that is playing the same venue, get there early and grab your spot and DO NOT MOVE THE REST OF THE NIGHT.

Geez. I had to fight to get a place near the stage where I would be able to see. And still to that point I had not made up my mind as to how long I was staying.

Some gentleman saw me and then sacrificed his standing position that was right up against the edge of the stage and said that even if I was in front of him, that he could still see because I was so low.

I had thanked him and found myself next to a cute redhead who was even shorter than I was sitting down in a wheelchair with X’s on her hands.  Wow. Just when you think that they cannot make women any smaller you get proven wrong.

But I sat there and waited for NANCY SILVA PROJECT to set up.

I saw someone who I had just made friends with that was there who also is in a wheelchair. He and I together were calling ourselves “ROLLING THUNDER.”

So this conversation happened in the crowd between my newest colleague, the guy who gave me his spot, and myself about whether or not I was going to the VIP after show party.

Umm no. I could not afford that.

Then the guy who sacrificed his spot became my personal hero for the day. He had bought two and he just gave me the other one and didn’t ask me for anything for it. I couldn’t believe it.

Then my newest colleague promised to give me a ride to the party and then drop me off at home.

Honestly, could this have become any better???

Nancy Silva Project- Photo by Maurice Eagle

The VIP passes were $100 a piece. $150 for two. Before I could turn into a thankful blubbering mess the set started and NANCY SILVA PROJECT was rocking it from right out of the gate!!

The One-Eyed Doll crowd was blown away.

I started keeping track of the set by writing down the song titles on my hand with a permanent marker, knowing that this blog post was going to happen but because I waited, its nothing but a blurry mess that looks like a tattoo on my hand from far away.

They had nine songs on the set list but had to cut it short. Two songs were clipped. And when I heard the sound guy say “one more” I began to panic because my favorite NANCY SILVA PROJECT had not been performed.

What if they didn’t perform it? Would I feel cheated? Would I be angry? What the hell?

But all of that would not be necessary as they finished their set with “Lift Me Up” … my favorite song that has taken me through quite the huge emotional roller coaster ride over the past half year from tears to goosebumps to feelings of love and pride to support. And everything in between. No other musical performer has been able to do that to me or has had that much or that kind of impact on me. And so I love Nancy Silva and NANCY SILVA PROJECT so much because of it.

And then I made the costliest mistake of the night. When NSP was off of the stage, I moved away from my spot by the stage. It was time for me to hang out. Although it didn’t really work out as well as I had wanted.

There was two bands in between NSP and One-Eyed Doll and honestly, I could have cared less. I mean, the opening band “Force Of Rage” sounded okay but of course in my singleness my mind was focused more on the two female led bands ahead. I cannot even tell you the two names of the bands without looking it up.

Those wrist bands that bars give up, I finally found a way to not hate and loathe them as much any more. I presented Nancy Silva with a number of odd items and handed her my permanent marker, asking for her to sign it.

First was my bus pass. And since I had a return ride home, and I was not going anywhere the following day, it was useless for travel. So I had her sign it as a piece of memorabilia to remember that I had to take the bus and ride it for nearly an hour before I got to the venue.

Then I stuck my hand out wanting her to sign the wrist band. I turned my head and she started writing on my hand. I had to clear up the confusion. She signed the wrist band and then I told her that since she already started writing her name on my hand to finish it. Otherwise it would look odd with “NA” on my hand the rest of the night. Comical errors are very comical.

After a while, Nancy Silva discovered that the band’s equipment was going on unprotected. Nobody was around to kind of keep an eye on it and this look of frustration crawled across her face. I volunteered to watch it with no argument and then just kinda sat around near the stage area where bands stash their stuff. I wondered if that was a mistake because I felt tethered to it all. But in the end, it was fine.

I was so happy. The world could have blown up that night and I would have gone out happy and feeling like the king of kings.

I take Rai’s words seriously. I think that if he could get away with driving up from San Antonio to crash my place, that he would do it. Nancy Silva seems to be supportive of the idea. The band suffered 20/20 hindsight wishing that they all would have come by. And all I could do was shrug.

I told Rai that I did NOT want to wait six months to see them again. Six months from now will bring us back around to SXSW 2015. Rai claims that they will stop at my place for SXSW, and they’ll do it over and over and over again as long as they are in town and in the area.  BRING IT ON, RAI!!!! LET’S DO IT!!!!!!

Now I wait and pray to see them all sooner than six months.

The next blog post: One-Eyed Doll’s performance at the Dirty Dog Bar. And then the VIP party. 

6 August 2014: La Musica with Vitera/Metalachi- The Belmont

 

“Singing is like a celebration of oxygen.”~ Bjork 

At last, another night out for me. And vindication from the SNAFU that happened with a show a few months ago.

All I can really say about the history leading up to last night’s performance is thank you to POC NATION for bringing Metalachi to my attention, and thankfully Metalachi would come back to town after I missed the first time.

Even though it would be the band Vitera instead of POC NATION, I was totally stoked to finally see Metalachi.

Yet Vitera was something of a surprise as I did not know a single thing about them before they got on stage. I must say that I was blown away from their sound, their energy, and their stage presence. I felt like I was literally at giant fiesta. Even though the crowds were kind of small. The Belmont had this all set up outside so it was my first outdoors show in I don’t know how long, if not the first time ever.

Vitera came over everyone like a hurricane. To watch these guys and see the expression on their faces being so passionate and serious about the music they were playing, it was a bit of a relief.

By the third song they performed, they brought out a FEMALE Mariachi band by the name of Mariachi Las Coronelas.

Talented and gorgeous!! Four beautiful latin women. Two violins, a guitar, and a trumpet. And they rocked just as hard as Vitera!!!!!

It took quite some time to realize that Vitera had been singing in Spanish all this time.

Just because the lead vocalist was shouting in both English and Spanish didn’t mean the songs were in both languages. 

But that was never really a big factor in excitement and fun that Vitera brought to the crowds.

I kept making eye contact with the guitarist and I threw the horns at him and he acknowledged me by pointing at me or sticking out his tongue or raising the neck of his guitar and getting into it while front and center on stage. One time he pointed right at me and screamed. I thought that was cool.

But the beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Mariachi band remained on stage for the forty minutes that Vitera had played.

I found myself drawing closer and closer and closer to the edge of the stage before they finished their set. By that time, everyone was dancing, having a great time…… some of them were singing, and a few other women (who had been drinking) had hung on to me for dear life before kissing and nipping at my cheek, chin, or forehead.

So I think that it was good that Vitera did have their own following there. There were sooooooooo many good looking women there though. I hadn’t been in that situation since probably the 1990’s.

And as the night progressed and the skies began to get darker and the moon was coming overhead and I kept getting closer to the stage, I found myself surrounded by very beautiful and attractive women. It was nearly intimidating but after the ice was broken, everything was fine… just fine.

All of that aside as I begin to get off track, Vitera just really captured my attention. I wished I would have been able to buy some of their merchandise. I would have really loved to have their CD’s…. that’s for sure!!

Towards the end of the set, I was totally blown away as both Vitera and Mariachi Las Coronelas jumped in together and began to play the intro part to “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin. 

Haydn Vitera and his dazzling electric violin.

By the time they finished, I felt like I was in some kind of fantasy land that was just floating along. And oddly enough had made some “new friends” before the headlining band even stepped outside. Kind of like a high, but without the drugs. Sometimes I think its a great feeling.

I’m going to attempt to see them again since Vitera is a local band. Mariachi Las Coronelas is a group from San Antonio and from what I understand has ten absolutely gorgeous band members in total.

Mariachi Las Coronelas does not have much in the way of social media, which is a complete bummer, but I can definitely follow Vitera and see when they will be playing again in the area. I cannot wait. I simply cannot wait. Spanish, English– doesn’t matter. Music comes from places far deeper than the layers of our skin. It comes from the core of our very soul. And that’s what should matter!!!

Sad Discriminating Prices For Handicapped

“You should create a work that is so valuable it might eventually sell at a high price, but you’ve got to concentrate on how you create that artwork.”~ Yayoi Kusama

I’ve recently made the discovery that two very well known bands are coming to town here this weekend.

KISS and Def Leppard are touring together and they WILL be here this coming Saturday.

Now granted that I have no idea what the accessibility issue is going to be like at this venue, I went ahead and checked to see what ticket prices were running. After all this was KISS and Def Leppard. 

There were wheelchair accessible seating available at the venue. Some of these seats set aside SPECIFICALLY for it. But well over $112 for tickets!!!

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!!!!!!

It is the law to have accessible seating for people with disabilities. That’s just going to be available at any venue you go to. If not, someone’s going to be in big trouble. But this was no different. There were seats. And tickets were flying as high as well over $200 a piece. And I do not know a single soul who would spend that much money on tickets.

I nearly spent $187.50 on a ticket in Boston, Massachusetts but it wouldn’t come to be. To this day, I blame my ex on that. So I have to ask myself if I feel that KISS and Def Leppard are worth $200.

Answer: No.

I’m not going to spend that much money on tickets to see those two particular bands. I am not even willing to spend $112 on “accessible seating” at a venue where I know I am going to be dealing with people who are standing 100% of the time during the entire show from beginning to end, thus causing the chance of me missing out on everything and not seeing anything. 

Yes, some of these places have large screens. But its not the same as watching something happening with your own eyes on stage. I always try to watch the real thing instead of the large screens. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

But it annoys the crap out of me because I do not think that whomever builds these venues KNOW that the ADA is there for me… so they HAVE to make an exception. But they don’t bother with the quality of their selection. I could be in the far back for all they care, as long as it was a space for a wheelchair… then they obeying the law. They could care less what I see or don’t see.

Even those who do make the exception for the people who are in wheelchairs or have a disability… they rack up the prices just like every other ticket in the section or group or whatever. What makes them think that all disabled people have the same finances?

Hell, if I had the same finances as some this blog probably would have turned into a music blog a very long time ago and it would be nothing but. But the finances are not the same. And I receive far less than people realize or what you would like to think that I get.

I’m tired of feeling abused like this. (But unlike the person in the last blog post, I am not going to sue for ten million dollars.) I’m really burned out at the fact that prices are getting ridiculous for tickets. And to be honest I would really love to know what it is that makes these bands so special that I am paying $125 or more for a ticket!!!!

Get real people. I don’t care who is paying what for whatever. Throwing the disabled community into the fire because of overpriced tickets is ridiculous. And don’t give me that crap about how everything else is expensive.

So screw that, I’m going to see Fear Control play again for the whatever-eth time. I’ve lost count by now.

 

Independence Day 2014: Part II- Casket Of Cassandra @ Red 7- Austin, TX

“If it’s illegal to rock and roll, throw my ass in jail!”~ Kurt Cobain

Ever run around in the middle of the night in a city of just over million people in the downtown area just to catch a band play a show?

I rolled my happy butt from the Dirty Dog Bar to a venue that I had never been before. A venue which apparently had two stages. Inside and outside.

Now I have seen that before with Acadia Bar & Grill in Houston, Texas. As well as Red Eyed Fly which also has indoor & outdoor. That wasn’t new. But Red 7 was new.

But I had left Downfall 2012 to go see CASKET OF CASSANDRA play once more before they hit the road this summer as they go up and down the Midwest.

It was dark. HOLY CRAP was it dark!!!!!!!!! I am totally surprised that any of my photographs actually came out. Or actually happy that the flash on the camera is so damned bright that its blinding!!

However, CASKET OF CASSANDRA was playing pretty late in the evening. I was amused and surprised to see how many people actually outside walking in the streets.

Nonetheless the band was going to be playing. And I was there in plenty of time. 

There was someone there, I think by the name of Alex. He sure did like getting his photograph taken. I am not sure just how drunk he was. But he was having a good time and for once I met a person who had been drinking but was not causing problems or being a danger to anyone. It was refreshing to find that.

Right away, I was thrilled to the core when I heard them open with “Solitaria” ohhhhhhh how I was excited!!!

My own biased opinion is that with each and every show that I see them play, they get better. They sound better. Everything about their set is better.

At least better from the last time that I saw them play. I’m going to have to go back and count how many times I have seen them play. I know I’ve missed a few, especially their CD release party.. and that sucked for me but there wasn’t much I could have done. But I’ve seen them a lot. I guess it helps that they are “a local band.”

With their stage presence, Amanda Maddera came off of the stage and into the crowd and wandered around the bar. She’s done this many times (if not every time) before. And I got one hell of a photograph of her headbanging while doing her thing as she was off of the main stage at Red 7.

To be honest with you all, I have never seen that before. Where a lead singer comes off of the stage and hangs out in the crowd for a moment and then perches themselves somewhere for the duration of the song and then get back on stage by the ending notes.

Its fun. I could see it being a security problem if there were tens of thousands of people, but the band wasn’t performing in front of that many.

I can see how each and every one of the members are improving in their skill and craft. It is pretty awesome to watch this band grow and develop into a face melting, power gripping metal band. I really hope that they get all the success that they are striving for. It really is a unique experience to watch this band play live. Plus, when their new album comes out and I’m too scared to listen to it? You know there’s something going on.

When I told that to guitarist Riles Olacsi, he grinned the most evil of looks… knowing that all the evil and scary was the point.

So later this summer, see if they are coming into your area. If so, I definitely recommend you at least check it out. That’s all I am suggesting.

Independence Day 2014: Part I – Downfall 2012 @ Dirty Dog Bar

“The holidays stress people out so much. I suggest you keep it simple and try to have as much fun as you can.”~ Giada De Laurentiis

This could be put into three parts, but the first part is actually one entire blog post by itself, so we’ll only deal with two parts, which are actually the better parts, or the more positive parts.

Independence Day in the United States of America. The great holiday of The Fourth of July. And lucky to the American citizens, it landed on a Firday which gave everyone in the work force an extended weekend.

One would think everyone would be refreshed from such a long holiday. That remains to be seen.

But allow me to come back to business and give you the scoop on this year’s holiday activities.

Downfall 2012 came to town. Driving up from the Houston area. I remembered them from last May when they were here last, they played with Filter but also RESISTING VEGAS. And that’s where I met them.

Needless to say that I was excited. But this was going to go down on the Fourth of July.

Usually, I am sitting at home in the dark and hoping that no stray bullets that were fired by some idiot come crashing through my windows or some stray firework that exploded come down and start a fire. Simply put: Fireworks are illegal here. But it doesn’t stop these idiots here in the hood.

So this gave me another option to spend the holiday. With music and entertainment.

It was a little different from what I was used to because Downfall 2012 would be the one and only band playing. So they had the entire place to themselves.

I could not imagine the time that they were going to have to fill.

I asked the lead singer, Daniel Gil, ahead of time what was what. And he basically said that they would play until they didn’t want them to play any more. 

It was very different to be traveling on a bus on a holiday, without really knowing what to expect or curious about how many people would be out or riding the bus or whatever there may be.

Probably the funniest thing that happened that day was that I had two single stemmed roses (one red, one yellow) in my back pack and when I crossed the street to get to the city bus stop… I lost them in the middle of the street. These flowers were demolished and destroyed. And after a police cruiser ran them both over, there was nothing left.

I have no idea who I would have given them to in the first place and that is probably why I didn’t really care about trying to run into the middle of the street to save them. But I did lose $8 on them.

OOPS!!

The bus ride seemed to take very little time to get downtown. And of course that works on the plus side. But there was a showdown going on between me and the sun. A race against time. Would I reach my destination before the sun would set or would I be traveling around on the sidewalks of downtown in the dark?? 

I won that race by a narrow margin. And Downfall 2012 was already there and setting up. They got started early, but that was just fine by me.

I got some “happy fun time” photographs of the band before they hit the stage and then it was smooth sailing with great entertainment from there on.

In my own opinion, Downfall 2012 is far better than what I remembered them to be last May. Obviously, there was something from within that had me go to their show on the Fourth of July and as I sat there listening to their music and their lyrics, I would be reminded of that.

Downfall 2012 is clean cut as far as musical tastes are concerned. And what I mean is that you either love Downfall 2012 and their music OR you don’t.

Simple as that.

I on the other hand was happy and content with the decision to make it down to the Dirty Dog Bar for their show. However the joy would be short lived as there was something else going on one block north and one block east from where I was over on 7th Street. It would be Part II.

I was hoping to catch them playing the cover of “Baby Got Back” but I left too soon for that, even thought I knew it was on their set list for the night.

Downfall 2012 had made the best of their weekend by traveling up here from Houston and staying at a camp site and had all kinds of activities of leisure planned ahead of them. I guess if you’re going to be playing on the Fourth of July weekend and have to drive three or more hours to get there, knowing that you have to drive that much time back to get home, that you might as well make a trip out of it. I hope they had fun.

I personally hope that they come back again soon. For whatever reason, I kept thinking that it had been many many many months since the first time that I saw them. But it was only since last May. Weird how time does that to your brain.

These guys are fun. I’d love to hang out with them just once because I think that they would be a blast.