A Very Busy And Musical Year Behind Me

“Music can change the world because it can change people.”~ Bono

As I sit here counting pennies for two upcoming shows in 2015 that I wish to attend, I found myself thinking back on the year about what all I have seen, done, and accomplished as far as the music world is concerned. Both as a fan and the first time ever jumping seriously into its industry. I had become the SUPER UBER FAN of many bands this year.

After years of brutal nagging and moaning from family and other colleagues about how I needed to get out of the house and away from the computer and do something with my life, once I was introduced to the band Casket of Cassandra on the 1st of January and I got to see them perform in February, I started to embark on a musical journey that would both get me out of the house and have me doing something that I liked which ultimately led to having my sorrows and worries slip away if only for a few hours at a time.

More than 30 times this year did I see live music. And that did include a number of new bands that I discovered during 2014 SXSW Music Festival.

And I did make ONE surprise trip to Houston in January to be there at a baby shower for Dr. & Mrs. Froth, in which was a very big success to be a surprise. However I am not counting it as there was no show, no band playing, no concert. I sure surprised the hell out of them though.

After Casket of Cassandra came along Beautiful Disturbance and  Wellborn Road in early March. Just days before 2014 SXSW Music Festival began. I would see Beautiful Disturbance again two more times during SXSW, but it would come to pass that Beautiful Disturbance would dissolve and be re-born as “Queen of Kings” and swiftly after that they packed up everything and moved on out to Los Angeles. But because of Beautiful Disturbance and SXSW, I would be introduced to other bands that I ended up liking a whole lot. Such is the cases of Resisting Vegas and very heavy octane and in your freaking face band of Fear Control. Of which I would see Fear Control a grand total of NINE times throughout 2014.

Then Poc Nation would lead to me discovering Nancy Silva Project. I would see Nancy Silva Project three times this year, four if you count the time I went out in the rain and NSP decided not to play but I got to hang out with Nancy Silva for much of the night. You tell me. Does it count as a fourth time???

Poc Nation I would see only once during SXSW. Beautiful Disturbance three times this year before they left for California.

Other bands that I would see only once that caught attention were Black Feratu and Jesus Wears Armani. These bands I saw while waiting for Beautiful Disturbance to hit the stage. These bands would be the band on stage before Beautiful Disturbance. I would also be turned on to a go-go dance troup called Hell Katz as a few of their members were there. I would see Hell Katz dancing in April and then again in October.

So as you can see how this was working. And I have a lot of people/bands to be thankful for, for without them, I wouldn’t know the others.

As the months passed, I started going to the Dirty Dog Bar a lot more frequently. Many of the bands that I got to know at SXSW were playing there in the months after.

Hell Katz led to the fascination of Jitterbug Vipers, particularly their drummer. I would attempt to go see them play again in August, but would be thwarted with buildings that were not wheelchair accessible and without a second option to get me in, resulting in me hanging my head and going back home.

I would also run into Downfall 2012, that I would see twice. March and July. My apartment manager’s current band S.L.U.R.R. I would enjoy twice as well during the same summer.

Also in August was VITERA opening for Metalachi.

Resisting Vegas I would catch one more time before the end of the year. But only after the band drama flared up after Maranda Vegas was no longer a part of the band. And the connections I would have would be torn in two until there was nothing at all.

Nancy Silva Project would lead me to One-Eyed Doll and an overnight stay with the band until almost 8:00 AM the following morning when I finally arrived home.

September would be the last time I would see Casket of Cassandra for the year. Seeing them a total of four times.

After the autumn, things began to slow down. And my wallet was seemingly looking like it was on a diet. But I would catch SIX MINUTE CENTURY in October, for the third time this year.

And then the most memorable moment of my outings in 2014 when at last after more than a decade of communicating via the Internet, I met Red Vamp in the flesh while at a CD release party for the band, Iris. It took place in mid-November.

December I saw Wellborn Road for the second time and one last effort to see Fear Control.

So then it breaks down like this:

Fear Control – 9 times.
Casket of Cassandra- 4 times.
Nancy Silva Project- 3 or 4 times.
Beautiful Disturbance- 3 times.
SIX MINUTE CENTURY- 3 times.
Hell Katz- 3 times.
Downfall 2012- 2 times.
S.L.U.R.R.- 2 times.
Resisting Vegas- 2 times.
Vicious Cycle- 2 times.
Masqued-1 time.
Echo Temple- 1 time.
Jesus Wears Armani- 1 time.
Black Feratu- 1 time.
Poc Nation- 1 time.
Iris- 1 time.
Jitterbug Vipers- 1 time.

Those are the names of bands that I cared about enough to see play live in 2014 as much as possible.

I also participated in the Gathered In Darkness project with Dr. Froth and Robert Lowe. The first time ever I was in a recording studio and I know that some of my parts will be on the record for sure as my lines were of importance to the story. That is IF I am not replaced by someone else. But I don’t think that will happen.

I’ve also ventured into a new territory for the first time in my life… joining a band.

Since Independence Day of this year, I’ve been in and out of so many different cover bands and only two original bands this year. I found out the hard way that its easy to get replaced and fired from these kinds of projects. But currently I am slipping quietly out of one, and still in the other. We’ll see what happens. I’ll keep you informed. And for those surprised by this wondering what I do. I sing. I’m a bass/baritone voice range. It works.

So for those of you who were complaining about how I never get off of the Internet…. you have no idea!! If need be, go back and read everything over again. I invite you to click on everything that is linked. Most of them to my previous blog posts and a few band websites. But if you don’t, that is okay too.

Its been a busy year as we approach Christmas Eve & Day. I am sure that if you look back in December posts of this blog that you will find amusing and informative posts about Christmases past in my life. You’re more than welcome to hunt them down and read them.

If something spectacular arrives during this Christmas holiday period, I’ll be back to inform you.

But for now, that was quite a bit of reflection. I don’t regret a thing from my experiences written in this blog post.

SXSW Festival 2014: Final Words

Happy International Happiness Day, one and all!!

Well, I’ve started my brand new wardrobe, thanks to the bright idea of going to SXSW Festival this year.

I’m shocked and surprised that even spending well under $100 that I have what I have.

Not to mention the good times and the really freakin’ weird times and there’s no regrets. Only that it ended.

My original plan and intent was to watch five bands. But when you get there too early or when bands are running late, you get that opportunity of hearing other bands that you may find yourself liking.

Such was the case with Jesus Wears Armani, Fear Control, and NANCY SILVA PROJECT.

I’m still on the fence about Eliquate as I don’t normally follow that style and genre of music. And there was nothing that they had in the way of merchandise that I could listen to later at home. All I know is that they are super serious about it all. I saw them at Shiner’s Saloon right before BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE and then I saw them performing at the southwest corner in the street of 6th & Neches. The singer saw me listening and nodding my head to the beat and he just up and popped me a high five. I guess I’ll have to find their music online. They are from Santa Cruz, California.

But I’ve seen musical groups from locally here in town to Seattle, Washington to Lafayette, Louisiana to NYC to Venezuela, Mexico, Austria. And met people from Germany, France, Russia, and Australia.

The local bands however are finding out the long and hard way that its beneficial that I am a fan of their music. I become the loudest mouth piece on the planet and scream their glory. And that’s what bands are really wanting. They want those kinds of fans that will talk to other people and spread their message… whatever that message may be.

And I think that’s also how I come to find myself swimming in mostly free swag and merchandise. I took several photographs of what I have but not all of it because it was starting to become a burden to set up everything that I had for photographs.

Just know that this is probably about 1/5 of all that I have. As far as music and miscellaneous …. that’s what I have, but the t-shirts? Not even close. Some are in the dirty laundry. One I am wearing right now. And others are hanging in the closet that I couldn’t find the first sweep through.

I will always get behind the idea that during a show that you get there early. Even if the band that you want to see is playing later. Because you never know if you are going to like something. And it seems like it is always happening to me that I hear something new and I love it. Then I get into it, and then start screaming and waving their banner.

Enjoy your day, everybody!!

https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulDisturbanceMusic

https://www.facebook.com/pocnation

https://www.facebook.com/FearControl

https://www.facebook.com/ResistingVegasOfficial

https://www.facebook.com/JesusWearsArmani

https://www.facebook.com/casketofcassandra

https://www.facebook.com/nancysilvansp

https://www.facebook.com/eliquate

16 March 2014: Blood Must Be Shed With Fear Control @ Dirty Dog Bar

“Never stop yearning. Never stop learning. Never stop fighting. Never stop trying.”~ Kash Sarkaria of Fear Control

Minutes after CASKET OF CASSANDRA and immediately after Echoes In Oblivion came a band that I was able to see the Friday before for the first time at the HoT Rock Fest stages. 

These guys totally captured my attention. 

And this is the exact reason why I say that there’s no harm or foul in going to these kinds of shows where many bands are playing and to check them out instead of just seeing who you want to see and then leave. 

Supporting the music industry is what it is all about. 

So on Friday the 14th of March here was this local band called Fear Control. They were hard. They were fast. And most importantly they were completely brutal. 

Damn. Who are these redheads that you draw to your stage? And the rest of the party animals too???

I had never heard this kind of metal before. At least not live.  Fear Control got up there and everything was passion-fueled and full throttle, balls to the wall heavy metal music. 

People who had been out there for hours and probably most of them drunk or drinking lost their minds and just went into their own little worlds and enjoyed the crap out of the show. 

Several times for my own safety, I had to roll far away to the left of the stage because impromptu mosh pits kept popping up and I didn’t want to get hit by anyone. Especially if they were drunk or drinking. 

Nonetheless the music alone captured my attention and I was hooked and reeled in. And yes, the eye candy was pretty good!! 

Kudos to Fear Control on that one. And my apologies if I am offending anyone’s girlfriend/wife. 

For a good half hour was hardcore and thrashing music. Something that I hadn’t heard all day long. And knowing that I was going for a band that wasn’t that hard… it was different to my ears but it was a GOOD different. 

After the show I just felt so compelled to talk to them. Or at least to the lead singer. I threw the horns up at the bass player and then the head nod and then the thumbs up. He reciprocated. 

Ladies and gentlemen: That right there is a full conversation from beginning to end, in the heavy metal world. 

The weather started to suck but Fear Control made it through. Their headbanging style was incredible. Their musical abilities and talents were beyond what I had even thought possible. I really was liking this friggin’ band. And I was still going to be around for a while. 

So I had my five minutes in the sun with Kash Sarkaria and I felt like a childish dork with words stumbling out of my mouth. Thankfully he probably realized that I was still in awe of the band’s music and was relishing every moment of it and he gave me a break. Kash is a rather nice man. Funny as shit too!

At the end of our conversation he gave me a t-shirt, for FREE. His only rule was that I wore it. Well when I found out that they were going to be playing along with CASKET OF CASSANDRA two days later, that was a no brainer. 

These two bands together at one show? How fortunate could I have been??? 

Frankie Rodriguez (left) and Kash Sarkaria (center) of Fear Control playing at Dirty Dog Bar.

I really have enjoyed Fear Control’s music live though. I rolled on throughout the rest of the week and I remember passing by Kash and he asked if I had even left the stage area.. and I jokingly told him that I had slept on stage overnight. You know, because that would be so metal. 

Sunday the 16th at the Dirty Dog Bar it took a couple of passes by Kash for him to realize that I was there. The rest of his band mates noticed me and said hello as well. It was like a funky groovy family reunion that had only been separated by 48 hours. But that was okay. 

It was more of the same goodness that I had heard on Friday. 

The exception was that I was again front and center on the stage. I remember giving Franke and Kash both the horns and they flared them back at me. It was so awesome. I love it when I am able to interact with people on stage one way or another. It just shows that they are seeing and caring about those who have come out to hear them. 

I sat there with my new Fear Control t-shirt and just soaked it all in. Until they got to the end of their set and then Kash was giving lyrics for singing instructions for their final song called “Off With His Head.” 

However someone struck a guitar chord during the explanation of the lyrics and I could not hear what they were so I could not really sing along. 

Off with his head …
……… something. 

Whomever played that chord? Step into my office, ‘cuz you’re fuckin’ fired!! 

I jest. As well as digress. I asked after the show what the lyrics were. But by then it was too late to sing along. 

I looked over and saw members of CASKET OF CASSANDRA screaming and headbanging and raising their beers into the air off to the left of me and I thought about how that was cool of the band members to come over and support this new (to me) band. 

Kash gave me their EP, and I could’ve just hugged the man. But hey, keeping it metal…. 

Now I’m addicted to the song “Off With His Head” and I haven’t stopped playing it today. 

I cannot wait until they know when their next show is going to be. Apparently they play at the Dirty Dog a lot. And since I kinda know the place it won’t be that difficult to manage. Just sucks having to take that long 30+ minute bus ride each way. 

But Fear Control was a band that I picked up during the SXSW Festival this year. I think that they’re going to stick just like POC NATION did. 

Rock on and always UP THE HORNS!!!!!! 

Fear Control’s Facebook Fan Page

 

16 March 2014: Casket Of Cassandra @ Austin Metal Showcase- Dirty Dog Bar SXSW 2014

“I will fucking kill you!” ~ ‘The Egotist’ by CASKET OF CASSANDRA

At long last the ending of SXSW 2014 was upon us.

The barricades disappeared as well as the crowds, trash was everywhere. It looked like a building full of comic books and graphic novels had exploded its contents all over the streets and sidewalks.

But my back and forth travels were not done. Not by a long shot. It was time to finish six consecutive days of travel for last but definitely not least, CASKET OF CASSANDRA.

Operation: Solitaria Redemption.

After chatting with drummer Chris Campagna, as well as vocalist Amanda Maddera, I was given to understand that this coming show would in fact play “Solitaria.”  So if I wanted to hear my favorite song from them played live then I had no choice but to strap on a pair through my fatigue and once more head out to the downtown area and back inside the Dirty Dog Bar for their show.

A 2:00 PM show was hardly anyone’s idea of fun. Especially those who went to SXSW at any time during the week especially the last couple of days, let alone six consecutive days.

I soldiered on.

I was warmly greeted by the entire band and was able to hang out just for a moment with them and engage in conversations about their music and how excited I was to be there. Most of them giving me their personal guarantee that “Solitaria” was going to be played that very day.

I was filled to the brim with excellence and excitement.

For those of you who just read the word “excrement” go to your room!!

CASKET OF CASSANDRA was first on the bill to hit the stage. It is always fun to watch Maddera do a microphone check because for those people in the venue who don’t know her or do not know what the band is all about gets a surprise drizzling down their leg when she does the sound check.

I literally heard behind me “… da fuck was that?!?” to someone who was not anticipating her style of vocals. Is it wrong of me to have laughed at that point?

So as they were preparing for the start the show, they gathered in unity as a band for a gimmick of wearing fake mustaches of various bright and florescent colors. That cracked me up.

I turned to Campagna and said “Casket Of Gimmicks!” and he turned to the rest of the band and related that message to them. A good laugh was had.

The show started and I was melting like hot butter on popcorn because CASKET OF CASSANDRA started with “Solitaria.”

YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! I just wanted to hug someone. Anyone. Yep. Big ass hug for someone, anyone… right here, right now. 

Anyone? No?? Damn. Oh well.

I got into the song and started singing along, doing whatever and again didn’t care what the people behind me thought they saw me do. That is the whole point of getting into the music like I do…. is to reach that escape into pure enjoyment where the bullshit of the world disappears from my mind and I do not have to deal with it. 

First song and it was finished. I applauded so hard that my hands were going to break apart. Or so I thought.

Then Amanda Maddera turned her back to the crowd setting up for song number two.

She turned back towards the crowd and screamed: “I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!” and the band jumped in. I had never been so scared in my entire life. I was sitting there front and center of the stage. I could hear both the air from her vocal chords coming from her throat as well as the sounds from her larynx as well as it being amplified through the microphone.

It was a song that I inquired about later called “The Egotist.” I know that they are working on a new album and I was told that would be one of them. Unless I heard wrong? That song just broke me into pieces and I cannot wait to hear it recorded. I will never doubt Amanda on anything ever again. Good grief that was bad ass!!!

Those of you in the California area who have seen them play live know all too well what I am talking about! This stuff is just mind-blowing and amazing.

Not your Coyote Ugly show!!

Eventually the set would go on and again I would be reminded as to why Amanda Maddera uses a wireless microphone.

She jumped off stage and roamed around the bar for a while. The band came closer together on stage and rocked their own socks off as well as those in front.

Meanwhile, I could hear Amanda singing but where the hell was she? I mean seriously. Did she slip inside of a wall somewhere and stay put?

Nope. She was standing on the one of the corners of the bar.

She had been given a cookie by someone and she had it and her microphone in hand. By the time I turned around and got closer to the bar for photographs, she fed a woman standing there a nibble of her cookie.

“Communion of Cassandra” ?? Nahhhh!!!

Amanda Maddera (vocals) and Quinton Rivera (bass). Quinton in mid-flight of a head bang…Amanda in a vocal scream.

It was incredible to watch. Then she came back to the stage and finished off the song with a hellacious headbang.

That girl knows how to headbang for sure. She slams and she swirls. And the members of the band all have enough hair to look decent with headbanging…. with the exception of Campagna. But he’s the time keeper and doesn’t have time to think about it. But I am sure he’s doing it in his heart as he rattles on his drum kit.

This was a different set than what I had seen from the first time I watched this band. Most of it was made up of their new material. Songs that they are getting ready to release on their new album. They are guessing it will be released later in May of this year.

Amanda Maddera crawls over anything and everything to “Bury You.”

It was all worth the sacrifice. Even though a couple of days ago I was sick. After being around hundreds of strange people, who knows what was floating around out there.

At the end, they performed their brand new song called “Bury You” and I’ve been listening to that online since they released it. It available for purchase and you choose the price! The money goes to help them go on tour later this year. Anything and everything I am sure will be appreciated by them.

Amanda crawled all over the monitors at the front of the stage and it scared the crap out of me……again.

She was so close to me, screaming and singing, that I could have reached out and touched her. I just didn’t want her taking that aggressive nature in her music to her advantage to rip my arm clean off my body. 

I’m digging that song to death. So the first and the final song….. I TOTALLY am addicted to!!!  I hope that they get to do their tour and blow more minds and bring more into their musical fold.

I am glad that I’ve been in contact with the different members of the band. I’m slowly and surely becoming friends with them and that’s great. Having conversations with different members of the band both before and after the show was really cool.

Since this was a showcase … other bands were soon to follow.

Members of CASKET OF CASSANDRA were not inside of the club at the time the next band got on their microphones to address the crowds at one point… and if ANY of the members of CASKET OF CASSANDRA are reading this, then please know that Echoes In Oblivion said “Thank you to Casket of Cassandra for melting our fuckin’ faces off with their music. They are so good!”

So there you have it. Not only a fan/friend’s point of view. But from the point of view from another band.

Casket Of Cassandra – “Bury You” SINGLE

Casket Of Cassandra’s Facebook Page

 

Class Act of March 2014 – SXSW Edition

“How beautiful it is to stay silent, when someone expects you to be enraged.”~ Unknown

The world by now already knows what tragic events happened at SXSW Festival. But what many are not hearing are the people who make this world such a great place to be.

There is a band JARED & THE MILL that is from the desert Southwest and they traveled to Austin to play at SXSW this year. They had a show to play that very night when tragedy struck.

Some of the fans of this band were involved and were listed among the injured and hospitalized.

Then JARED & THE MILL decided to go to the hospital with their instruments and enter the hospital room of their fans and play a concert. The very concert these victims had missed because of the idiot actions of a drunk driver. 

I sure as hell applaud this group of people even though I am not familiar with their music at all. This is how it should be in the first place. 

They should be caring and giving enough to know that its the fans that make or break their musical career. Without fans, they have nobody to play for but themselves. And generally musicians aren’t playing with themselves, for themselves.

Musicians play music for you and for me.

So the Class Act Award of March 2014 goes to JARED & THE MILL.

Personal note to them: Thank you for doing what you did for your fans. Truly classy and totally inspirational. Come back to the ATX at any time!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://m.statesman.com/news/news/local/injured-sxsw-fan-gets-private-concert-in-hospital/nfDkL/

12 March 2014: Beautiful Disturbance At Heart of Texas Rock Fest: Austin, TX- SXSW 2014

“It’s a good day to be alive!”~ Brenda Flores 

Another day, another venue, another show. Another way of viewing a set. 

Outdoors and on a pretty nice sized stage. 

It was pretty cool I thought. 

But I would take one hell of a beating for it. And that’s not to say that BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE did me in, but my travels to get back and forth did that to me. 

I think however that I am starting to get the hang of things and how they work around downtown that goes with what I can do, what I cannot do, and what I should and should not do.

For example. I should not go along 8th Street to find the northbound bus back home. That was a miserable, painful journey that had me going up AND DOWN hills that I could not keep total control in my wheelchair. 

Now I didn’t tip out or fall out of it or anything but holy smokes I almost wished I had. Then someone would have seen me on the ground and called for the paramedics. At least I would have had an urgent ride somewhere and it wasn’t on that stupid hill. 

The Heart of Texas Rock Fest however will go for the rest of the week. Its just that BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE had a hand in it this afternoon. 

Come hell or high water, I was going to do it. I was going to go. I didn’t care what the masses were saying. They are all dumb-dumb poo-poo heads. 

Yeah, that’s right. I said it. 

However let’s not take away from the musical mind-blowing that is the reason and purpose of my journey today into the elements. 

I’ve never seen them play outside before. I’m sure they’ve been to an outside venue before. I just haven’t seen them. I think that for SXSW 2013 they were on a rooftop somewhere. That had to be outside.

Seeing them all together again as they walked around like family was a really cool thing. Sometimes they would break up into twos but they were always together with one another.

I am not 100% sure if their set was the same set that the played a few days ago at the Dirty Dog Bar, but it sounded familiar. And I loved it. Even when they got to my favorite song! I didn’t give a crap who was watching and what they were saying because I was enjoying myself and that’s what this is all about. Enjoying music. Enjoying life THROUGH music. 

Its almost a religion because I follow so much music of different kinds. 

Brenda Flores caught me lip synching again. Oops. She drew out her hand and pointed in my direction and so I pointed back. When she finally broke her gaze, then I retracted my arm back. 

Its something that I do like about BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from or what your background is, once they get to know you, they treat you like one of their own. The entire band knows that I love the song “Nearly Forgotten” so whenever its played. Sometimes, the eyes are on me! But they are coming from the stage. 

Auggie was tearing and ripping shit up as usual. I still contend that he’s a beast. He’s got this rocking new guitar that is out of this world. 

Auggie, please remember I said the above sentence when reach 114 years old. Thanks!!!!!! 

And even in the blustery wind, this band got up there on that stage and out of their comfort zone and still brought down the stage in a swirl of musical fire. 

I am glad to hear some new material being played live now as well as a few songs that are not AS new but still unreleased as far as recordings are concerned. 

All in all a great time and a great mix. And I am probably promised just the same in the next couple of days as I was today and the time before that. 

They are about to go on stage again as I write, but I had overdone things today. Especially with going to battle against 8th Street in downtown. Injuries to hands are a pain when you use a wheelchair. I know that I should get gloves. You don’t have to tell me that!! I’m working on a ride to get them. 

Gloves however would not have helped in this case as the street was so friggin’ steep for a wheelchair that it was ridiculous. And thus we have a very exhausted, sore, and hurt Dambreaker… but a happy and content Dambreaker. 

Thanks to BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE. I’ll see you VERY soon. 

11 March 2014: Nancy Silva Project @ The 311 Club- SXSW- Austin, TX

Nancy Silva Project

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!!

11 March 2014: Poc Nation Returns To The 311 Club- SXSW 2014

“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.