SXSW 2020 Cancelled: My Thoughts

“Those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it.” ~ Anonymous

In the first time of its 34 year history, SXSW Festival is cancelled due to concerns about COVID-19.

The news came today from Mayor Steve Adler.

When asked about the ramifications of this historic decision, Adler said that “the ramifications are secondary to ensure we are safe as a community.”

In recent days, there was a petition signed by thousands of people who wanted the city of Austin to cancel it to begin with. However the following day the local newspaper would report that the city of Austin would press forward with plans of keeping SXSW active.

Looks like they bowed to the will of the public hysteria and changed their minds.

Yet I cannot help but wonder if the city of Austin is actually thinking about the long term ramifications that are going to come because of this decision.

Hotels get booked a year in advance for this event. The moment it ends one year, is when they start booking rooms for the following year. You cannot find a hotel anywhere to stay in throughout the city of Austin. It just does not happen!

Another thing that I have thought about are the local venues who were expecting a rise in sales and business.

I have read on social media that the UN-official SXSW events, some are going on as planned. But again, sales will probably not be as they were if the OFFICIAL SXSW event was going on as they are.

I’ve been told that the city of Austin has really done a number on many venues and businesses that are located in the downtown area.

For one example, a venue along infamous Sixth Street recently has been hit with a drastic rent increase. One that I have discussed in past blog posts as I have attended live music shows there.

When rent goes from $10,000 a month up to $25,000 a month, how does the city expect any business to thrive??

The cancellation of SXSW 2020 will definitely be felt by those businesses and venues who are experiencing these ridiculous rent increases.

Downtown Austin in the long run will be going through some changes.

Local people are pretty upset right now. And rightfully so. And if some how the city of Austin pushes against the UN-official events, then I suspect that all hell will break loose.

But I have to personally take a step back from all of this. 

All year long, I have been waiting for certain local bands to post their SXSW events. Whether official or unofficial. And nobody that I know of said anything. Not a word!!

So therefore, I am not planning on attending ANY events at all. Even before this cancellation was announced. In addition to that, I’m still healing from several surgeries that I went through last November. And I would not be in very good shape to attend to begin with.

So what’s the good in all of this?

I had to stop and think really hard to answer that question.

First and foremost, the traffic. I am sure that traffic will be bad enough during that time. And I am sure that people who had planned to come will be defiant and come any way. But the traffic will be far less than usual.

I wondered about the parking. Commonly on any given weekend (or any given night for that matter) parking can be anywhere from $20-30. But during SXSW Festival, parking goes $40-50 and way up!! Will the city of Austin keep things as usual or will they still continue to bleed people dry?

I personally have not heard of any cases of COVID-19 in the city of Austin. So as it stands right now, the hysteria continues to win over the minds of people. I believe that most people are smart and know how to take care of themselves and not get sick. Just like during the flu season.

There will come a day when these “secondary ramifications” will eventually down the road become “primary” and the city of Austin will be in a giant world of hurt.

22 March 2015: One-Eyed Doll VIP Party

“If I go to a concert or sporting event I usually go in a VIP entrance. And leave the same way.”~ Fran Drescher

The after show meet and greets ran a bit too long with fans. The hour was getting late and “Junior” had to steal away Kimberly Freeman from the fans so that she could prepare for the VIP Party. Change clothes, get comfortable, etc.

The VIP Access on this tour has been limited to only ten people in each city during the tour.

I thought that for sure it would be sold out before I even had an opportunity to save up the money for it. But I would be proven wrong and then very wrong about it.

Weeks before the tour even began, One-Eyed Doll was holding this contest giveaway on their Facebook page. Take a photograph of yourself with your show ticket and win a chance to get a FREE t-shirt.

Well, there was a problem with that. Amusing and curious as it was. Heart of Texas Rockfest … is FREE!! There are no tickets.

So when I inquired, Junior said to show your VIP pass instead of your ticket. So I jumped on board, bought one, and waited. The thing damn near came too late as the contest would be over when the tour started. I took a photograph of me with the VIP pass. And that was about it.

Good one, Junior! You got me there!! Come back over here, I wanna show you this stick I found.

I digress, and I kid.

Kimberly Freeman sat on the back of the stage behind where all the action happened. She then turned around and leaned over the edge, telling me that she was going to crowd surf over to me. And she did.

She’s become very comfortable with me. And I am glad of that.

Also, she has maintained her quirky sense of humor. It is great.

I mentioned again that I was impressed that she remembered my name. I also mentioned that I had been a fan of One-Eyed Doll for only the past nine months, and this was my second show and second VIP in six months. I then rhetorically asked her “Where’s my One-Eyed Doll baby? It should be born by now.”

Kimberly mentioned that it was born in the shape of Mexican food and it had since umm… passed. I then leaned down and kissed her on the general waist and stomach area, as if a father was kissing his unborn child in the womb. And then I was reminded of the lyrics to their song “Brief Candle”

War story, thing of the past
Innocence was not made to last
All that remains of him 
Is a child inside of me 

Did I bring this up though jokingly? No……. what an idiot. I had an opening and didn’t take it.

Freeman took it all in stride even without the humorous reference to the “Brief Candle” song. I figured I’d be clobbered for giving her general lower belly area a smooch. Yet again, proven wrong was I.

However we kept getting chased all over the place. The VIP was not going to leave the parking lot in which Heart of Texas Rockfest was held all week. But we kept going from one side of the parking lot to the other, just trying to get away from usual traffic noises and the pestering sounds of other patrons walking around. 

I cannot say exactly what happened next. That’s is just something you are going to have to experience for yourself as One-Eyed Doll tours the rest of the country through May. If you get the VIP pass, you’ll find out for sure on just how it was that I came to be a part of their new and upcoming record. And if you get the VIP pass, you just might be on the new record too.

It reminded me of the time I went to Houston to record some parts for the GATHERED IN DARKNESS album, by Dr. Froth. So that makes two records in just under a year.

Then things were interrupted yet again and it pretty much broke the mood of the gathering. Personally, it irritated the hell out of me. We could have gone on and on for much longer until that last interruption. But what can you do?!??

So then One-Eyed Doll offered to take photographs with the attendees of the VIP in front of an artist mural that was painted on a wall for Heart of Texas Rockfest last year. It was a nice fit.

Then Kimberly asked if I was going to be okay getting home, and I attempted my best to reassure her that I would be more than fine.

I took a photograph with Junior. But when I got home, I realized that Kimberly and another fan totally photobombed the moment. The look on Kimberly’s face and the expression in her eyes however, is totally scary and creepy.

Then I took several photographs with Kimberly.

I said to her “Please have a seat.”

Kimberly then proceeded to gently sit down upon my lap and then grabbed a hold of me with all the tightness and love that she could give. And I held on to her so she didn’t fall on the ground and bust her ass. The last thing you need is a rock star with a busted ass on tour!!!

It was not as late in the hour of the day to return home as it had been the first time, but it was late enough.

After all of that I had been awake for 20 hours, been sitting in my wheelchair unmoved for 18 hours. I was hurting pretty bad.

I left to return home…. reluctantly.

18 March 2015: Fear Control- Heart of Texas Rockfest/SXSW 2015

“Goodness is about character – integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.”~ Dennis Prager

So I decided to wait until all of the SXSW Festival was finished. It ended last night, being with One-Eyed Doll headlining the last and final concert for Heart of Texas Rockfest 2015. Other venues ending the music with their concerts all over the entire city.

But for me, it ended somewhere between 2:30 and 3:00 AM.

Days before though, was the beginning experience for me under the “official flag” for the music portion of the festival.

FEAR CONTROL played an evening show on one of the big stages of HoTRockfest. After hearing some good tunes, seeing some pretty people, and running into the odd and freaky, FEAR CONTROL was that constant that I was able to safely fall back upon to know that what was coming was good.

The band right now is in the middle of recording, and for the most part their short time on stage was mostly of newer material. Their latest two songs that they have finished in the studio was played back to back live. And I could hear people behind me losing their minds.

After hearing simple rock and roll, jazzy rock, and even some folk rock, that particular crowd on that Wednesday night was actually willing, ready, and able to hear some good ole heavy metal. 

The energy was high and rocking, explosive octane as a pit got started EARLY!!

It was the release that many SXSW music fans were looking for all day long. What I am saying is that FEAR CONTROL took the night and became king of the hill for Wednesday the 18th.

As for myself, and many others who actually made the decision to get there early and check out other bands… they would not go away unfulfilled.

I was really impressed with the fact that FEAR CONTROL was really able to duplicate their sound from the Saturday before to that setting. So you know that the band is for real. Every ounce of it that comes pouring from their blood, sweat, and tears.

This is why I’ve gone to see them play live as much as I could in the past year. Keep in mind that SXSW is where I found FEAR CONTROL. And now its been more than a year, and I’ve been to so many live shows and concerts that its hard to keep count.

Find them in the Blogroll. And enjoy having your face melted in one clean drop.

14 March 2015: Metal Monsters of Texas – Casket Of Cassandra/SXSW 2015 @ Dirty Dog Bar: Austin, TX

“One of my favorite traditions is that my sisters and I, we all wear the same pajamas. I’ve even still got some from when I was 6. Also, I’ll always remember cooking together in the kitchen and that no matter how busy our schedules are, we are all together for Christmas.”~ Bailee Madison

I think that I got supremely lucky to have the opportunity to have two out of ten bands in my pocket performing all on the same stage.

But I did have to wait several hours in between the two performances.

Although during my wait I was able to get me some merchandise. The count has already begun. Some free, some paid for. But that’s for another post after this craziness is all over.

The excitement level went through the roof as I was about to see CASKET OF CASSANDRA on stage again. To be able to watch them play and then kind of look over the crowd for their reaction is always fun.

I would find that this was no usual performance from them. Band members were jumping on stage and doing their sound check …. in their pajamas.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over??

Some of them had super hero themes, others did not. But it was all bedtime sleepwear. 

The only thing that I could think about was that it was similar to Slipknot with their track suits. But each member of CASKET OF CASSANDRA had their own thing going on. Individuality doth rocketh!!

The thing with CASKET OF CASSANDRA is that there’s this strange, personal attraction to the band’s music that both entertains and scares the shit out of me. And there is no even balance between the two. Either I am totally floored with impression or I wanna run out of the building and go to my happy place.

How they do that, I will probably never know!!

CASKET OF CASSANDRA is constantly evolving, constantly growing, and continues to be impressive.

It is always great to be sitting right up against the stage when they are playing. To be able to hear Amanda Maddera’s vocals as it pours from her mouth even before it reaches the microphone is a cool experience. To be that close to…. well … uncertain death (so to speak) can give quite the thrill. Or scare.

Amanda Maddera

But I am not mocking them in the least. All of them are supremely talented. Its just that the band as whole with their music, lyrics, and stage presence can be quite intimidating.

To this day, Maddera is blowing minds that she has the vocal capability to perform as she does. I heard so many people afterwards totally tripping out about her vocal talents and abilities. I kept thinking to myself “Welcome to the world of the Casket.”

Considering that most of the members came from California and implanted themselves for their career in Texas says a lot about their passion and dedication for their specific craft.

However on this day, it was like watching a brand new band.

The pajamas, the music, the stage presence, the ending… was all new to me.

inches away

At the very end of their set, they played my favorite song, “Solitaria.”

I also love “Bury You” and “The Kraken’s Reign” so I had three options of favorite songs that they could have played. They played my most favorite of theirs.

And I kept thinking as Maddera got closer and closer and closer, coming off the stage and standing on these very unstable bar tables and just inches from me. I knew something was going to happen. I just hoped that she wasn’t going to crash in the process.

I abandoned my digital camera and attempted in vain to stabilize the tables that Maddera was standing upon.

Then it suddenly dawned on me about what she was about to do.

Maddera shouted to the crowd without her monster vocal tone and then went into a crucifixion pose.  She stepped to her right and one step away from being directly in front of me. And then she dropped while finishing off the song.

An official (or unofficial, whichever) CASKET OF CASSANDRA stage dive. Something I had never personally experience from them. It was pretty bad ass though.

So I don’t know when I will be seeing them again. I hope its soon. I don’t know if they will abandon the pajamas. But I think it worked with great entertainment value. So kudos to CASKET OF CASSANDRA.

Check them out!!

14 March 2015: Metal Monsters Of Texas- Fear Control/SXSW 2015 @ Dirty Dog Bar: Austin, TX

“To fans in a festival setting it’s like a picnic. You want to have a good time with your friends in that crowd. And in the background you hear the band play, ‘Oh, that’s my favorite song!’ everyone is there to enjoy the afternoon and that’s about it.”~ Tom Araya

Oh my… it is that time of year again for SXSW Festival.

More than a week of “celebrities” and musicians of all kinds showcasing their new album or new film or whatever they need to do in order to get their infamy.

Hell, even Grumpy Cat was back this year!! Last year, I got to sit next to the cat and pet it while idiot photo journalists went wild with their cameras once the feline let out a meow. They acted as if they never saw or heard a cat make a noise. But I digress. That was last year. 

But before the so-called “official” part of the festival devoted to the music, there’s been an influx of people and bands that have been playing all along Historic Sixth Street for free. No wristbands, no cover. Just an ID to show you are or are not 21+ and you’re in.

Let’s jump into this now. Metal Monsters of Texas. This full day of music featured ten heavy metal bands from Texas. Not all of them were from Austin. But all of them from the state of Texas.

Naturally, I got myself down there because of two reasons: FEAR CONTROL & CASKET OF CASSANDRA. The two biggest bands that made the largest impression on me from SXSW Festival of LAST year. And I’ve been following them ever since.

FEAR CONTROL went on stage first and it worked to the venue’s advantage that their music was heard outside and it drew people inside. I hadn’t seen FEAR CONTROL play since the big birthday weekend I celebrated last January.

The band is currently working out a schedule for them to be in the studio to record. So far as I know, they have finished two tracks. And now they are playing them live on stage. 

And they are both awesome!!!

FEAR CONTROL actually never disappoints when performing live on stage. The newer material that they are playing now is catchy in a sense that it grabs you and throws you against the wall a few times before slamming you back down on the ground and into the pit. I think the band is getting harder, heavier, and producing a lot more of an edgy sound. And it is actually thrilling. It definitely sets a tone and a mood. And I think that is what I like about music that I listen to.

Certain bands set certain moods. FEAR CONTROL sets a mood to keep the night alive and well. It is nearly a party atmosphere.

The most surprising was the return of “Off With His Head” to the setlist. With the band jumping into a new recording session, they obviously are going to leave their older stuff behind. But they brought it back and I hadn’t heard it in so long that I don’t remember the last time. They all know its my favorite song of theirs.

Then my new friend, Lisa was standing behind me. She knows too. So as I was enjoying the crap out of it, she was patting me and rubbing my head and just making sure that I knew she was there and she knew. Such friends I have with this band.

FEAR CONTROL plays The Heart of Texas Fest (which is where I found them last year) on Wednesday, the so-called “official day” of music opening to SXSW Festival. You can find it on 7th & Neches Streets. And its free. Come by, say hello, and enjoy some balls-to-the-wall heavy metal music.

And this is the first of MANY blog posts of SXSW Festival 2015 that is soon to be come here. Hang on!!!

15 March 2014: SXSW Heart of Texas Fest- Surrender To Resisting Vegas

Resisting Vegas – SXSW 2014

“The resistance that you fight physically in the gym and the resistance that you fight in life can only build a strong character.”~ Arnold Schwarzenegger

I fought through impatience.
I fought through adversity.
I fought through counting the days and hours.
I fought through a high temperature of 101.7°.
I fought through a bladder infection.
I fought through bad weather of rain and drizzle.

Why?

Two words: RESISTING VEGAS.

The 15th of March, yes the actual Ides of March or  Idus Martii or Idus Martiae whichever you prefer.

The ending times of SXSW 2014 and it was bad news/good news.

The bad news was that the band that I keep following was out of my reach that I couldn’t travel to where they were to hear them play one final time. The good news was that RESISTING VEGAS was playing at the same HoT Fest stage that I have been to the last few consecutive days.

But I’ve been wanting to see them again live since I saw them for the first time on the 3rd of March with Tantric and BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE.

I was a man on a mission:

#1- Merchandise. Get some.
#2- Get photographs/autographs with the band.
#3- Ask for/receive a hug from lead singer, Maranda.
#4- Get to another RESISTING VEGAS show to enjoy.

When I left my home the weather just plain sucked. The night before my fever was still a bit high. I told myself that when I woke up that if I had a temperature that I would just stay home.. write a note to the band explaining my absences and wish them all well for a good show.

Thankfully the worst thing that I had to deal with was a few drops of rain that quickly passed on.

Well, that and the other thing was that things were so delayed that RESISTING VEGAS almost played a full hour later than what they were scheduled for.

But it was all good. And I’m starting to get into this vibe of getting to these shows super early so I can listen to some other bands and see what I can see. Had I not done that, I wouldn’t have been able to get score me about a half a dozen FREE t-shirts and a handful of free CD’s.

One of which was thrown at me from the stage that was blocked off, leaving about three feet to separate the stage from the crowd and the stage was maybe six feet tall? The guy just threw it at me like a frisbee and miraculously it came right at me and I caught it. Now that’s how you score free stuff!

I also had some more opportunities to take photographs with some lovely ladies as well. As I have been doing throughout the week because everyone’s having a good time and what not and … sure, what the hell?

I saw lead singer Maranda walking by a few times but I didn’t bug her. Then I saw lead guitarist Cameron Stewart and then he saw me, so he came up to me and greeted me and confirmed that things were lagging a little behind but they were soon to be on stage.

I found out which stage they were going to be on… rolled on over there. PUT THE BRAKES ON… and stood ground at the top of the mountain daring anyone to move me.

Maranda Vegas

Finally got Maranda’s attention as she was getting ready. And that smile of hers just lit up like a Christmas tree. I love it.

Up close and personal? Maranda is very very pretty. She’s going to make some rock and roll fan very happy one day!!

They got it started and their faithful followers were all standing behind me.

I could hear them screaming and whistling and making noise.

Maranda’s voice just took me back to the 3rd where I found her the first time.

I honestly at this point in time could not describe it other than one of the best female vocals that I have heard in a very very very long time. It just makes me melt like butter. Goosebumps and all!!!

Then one of their songs, “Monsters” and it was just full of bad ass. I didn’t think there was much room left in the tank. How wrong I was!! 

Then they blended it with a little “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor, before going back to talk about Monsters again. I thought that was really cool. And it shows to musicians worldwide that you can do anything you want. Music has no rules.

Towards the end of their set they did play the one song of theirs that I am totally addicted to called “Limbo.”

Maranda looked down at me from the stage, saw me singing, and smiled yet again at me. Who knows what she was thinking?

So after that, I scrambled and ran over everybody and anybody to get to that merchandise table. I signed up on a mailing list. And also had some photographs taken with Cameron. But where the heck was Maranda? Finally after getting her to stop in one place to get a photograph with her. The photography side of my mission was over. Getting anything and everything from their merchandise table was also accomplished. Out of the four details of my mission the only thing that eluded was the availability to ask Maranda for a hug. But she might not be the hugging type.

But as long as this band exists, I will do my best to check them out wherever they are in town.

I love how their bass player has a HELLO KITTY sticker on his guitar strap. He knows its there and he just don’t care.

That’s definite testicular fortitude.

Fighting through all that I did, the sacrifice had some rewarding pay-offs.

This would be my last and final show to watch for SXSW 2014. Tomorrow will be CASKET OF CASSANDRA back at the Dirty Dog Bar. As well as another band that I was introduced to this week FEAR CONTROL…. both bands on the same date. Ohhhhh yesssss!!!

 

Try To Mind Your Own Business

“Don’t spend so much time analyzing me and my life. Worry about your own, that is obviously where the real issues lie.”~ Brittany Marcum

So now here’s a listen for all of you boys and girls out there.

On my back home from SXSW Festival today, we were traveling through the area of the University of Texas and I spotted this jogging female seen here in this photograph.

She was pretty much hauling ass! I mean she was really going. And I couldn’t help but note how very little she was wearing. Being that in the area of town that she was in and the time of day and all of these factors where these safety people tell you NOT to do, she’s breaking down each and every rule. The only one she didn’t break was don’t jog after dark.

Without a thing on her body in the clothing department of life, I took this photograph to share with someone that I was conversing with via text messages.

A different bus passenger noticed that I took the photograph and immediately began to harp and shout and call me names… telling me that I was dirty, perverted, and a pig.

Well, I could see how she could come up with that mistake. But that’s exactly what she made- a mistake.

It was because of that fact that I originally ignored her.

I slipped on my earphones and blasted SIX MINUTE CENTURY’s newest album into my ears. But the woman on the bus continued on and kept calling me names. It got to the point where she would get up from her seat just to tap me on the body to get my attention. And it was the tapping that pushed me over the edge.

Her insults and vulgarity continued. And I just attempted to stay in the conversation that I was having via text message because you know, I’m funny…. and this woman would keep telling me to “STOP IT! STOP IT!” because she assumed that I took the photograph of the female jogger and was sending it to my guy buddies to oggle her body.

And that was wrong of her too.

Finally when she went through her streams of yelling “STOP IT!” the bus driver looked up to observe the situation as to why one of his passengers was getting unruly and loud. He then continued to drive.

And at long last I opened my mouth when she kept yelling “STOP IT!” and I went in the for the kill by insulting her and her grandparents.

Everyone and anyone and their dog can go after someone’s momma. But nobody really thinks about doing it with shaming the grandparents.

I nailed her grandpa first and she sat there with her jaw hitting the floor. Then I attacked her grandma and that’s when she stood up to do something about it.

Yeah, you don’t need to tell me that what I had said was wrong. I got that part. It was intended to piss her off and it worked. Game over for  Dambreaker.

She stood up in the aisle and the bus driver noticed it again and about the same time the bus driver applied the brakes to slow down, this woman took a swing at me to punch me. But the bus losing steam and momentum caused her to trip, stumble, fall, and lose her entire balance to where she swung at me but missed. Then her body went with the flow and landed on someone who was sitting there peacefully and taking a cat nap.

The bus driver had seen enough.

He told the woman to get off the bus and of course she had to argue her case that she didn’t do anything. But these bus drivers, especially now that they are dealing with patrons from all over the world here for SXSW Festival… they are taking no crap from any one.

He removed her and I learned how to get rid of annoying people who are bugging you on the bus.

People need to re-learn how to mind their own business.

Tragedy At SXSW

The scene last night as it unfolded at SXSW.

Tragedy

Let’s get this out of the way. I know that it is still on the minds of everyone and I know that it caused a lot of people to contact me asking if I was okay or not when I woke up this morning.

SXSW Festival still plays on even though last night an alleged drunk driver was trying to evade police, smashed through a barricade that was separating traffic from hundreds of music lovers and other festival goers and ultimately this driver killed two people, injured more than twenty others before blasting into a taxi and then being tasered by officers as he tried to flee the scene.

Details are still all over the place as now I have heard three different versions in the past 12 hours of what exactly happened. I’ll leave that up for police to decide.

I am personally safe and sound. And I didn’t even know that this had happened until I woke up this morning. I had no clue that this tragic event took place.

Yes I have been visiting downtown Austin to see live music. Mainly to watch BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE, Poc Nation, Nancy Silva Project… and the rest of this week into the weekend I still plan on seeing BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE one final time Friday evening, Resisting Vegas on Saturday and CASKET OF CASSANDRA Sunday afternoon. I’ve been busy since Tuesday.

And the party don’t stop!!

Last night was when I went to the Heart of Texas Rock Fest to see Nancy Silva Project at the “big stage” off of 7th Street and Neches. I was going to write more about my battle with the evil and wicked 8th Street and I had more to talk about with other performances by BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE. But that’s going to have to wait until I am able to get this one posted. 

And what is really pulling at my heart this day is the fact that this took place at a venue called Mohawk located on Red River. And it is not that far from where hundreds of people are standing at Heart of Texas Rock Fest. 

Let me give you an idea of how close this is and how this high speed chase could have been a lot more dangerous had it reached Heart of Texas Rock Fest areas.

Point A is the parking lot that right now holds the big stage.

Point B is the location of Mohawk.

It started at Mohawk and actually ended around 9th Street.

I was there before it got dark. And left promptly after Nancy Silva Project got off stage and I had photos taken with Nancy Silva.

I was actually off this map to the south and to the west on 4th Street and I boarded a city bus to return home sometime around 10:30 PM. This accident happened two hours later. Interstate 35 that runs through can be seen by the large orange line on the right side of the map.

So I am in fact safe. And I went out to Shiner’s Saloon this afternoon to watch BEAUTIFUL DISTURBANCE again. I am damned glad that I did too.

My prayers go to everyone hurt and/or involved in this tragedy that should have NEVER happened. A lot of emotions are still running high.

A band even sang a song today about a car crash and then deeply regretted it at Shiner’s Saloon.

But to think about all of this and put it into perspective, its scary to know that I was that close to tragedy and pain. And even death.

I did however needed to take the time to write this blog post and let those people who don’t know what is going on that I am okay and safe.

Thank you to everyone. And on a personal and different note, I am about to reach 120,000 total views on this blog. Thank you again to all!!!!

The show must go on.

Now on to my reviews and my crazy life.

 

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.