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Cinco de Mayo Re-Cap
Sorry for the delay. My internet was momentarily suspended for a few days until my delinquent roommate redeemed himself and had it turned back on.
Monday was, I have to admit, pretty epic. An inauspicious start from a tepid AMERICAN NIGHTMARE and a near no-show from MIKE GRAVES (more on that later) notwithstanding, the other bands brought their A-game and rocked the house.
After a lackluster AN performance, AMERICAN HISTORY PROJECT took the stage ahead of schedule. Their atmospheric blend of surf and post-rock had almost all of the usually chatty Scruff’s crowd transfixed. I’m still trying to pin some identifiable genre markers down and am coming up with stuff like “surfgaze” or “post-surfcore.” Think Dick Dale meets Pelican with a little Radiohead-ish mellotron thrown in for good measure. Easily the stand-out show of the evening.
MG was running an hour late and looked stunned when he finally showed up only to be told his stage time was to be truncated. None of us weren’t.
Armed with an acoustic guitar and a secondary guitarist, the one-time Misfits singer plodded through several Misfits re-hashes before moving on to what I can only assume was his solo material. Generic acoustic chord changes, sensitive-meets-macho lyrics. I overheard somebody compare him rather unfavorably to Scott Stapp. Ouch.
DIGNAN and THE GAZELLES each took their 45 minutes and ran with them, equally providing the kind of sweet (never sappy) indie rock that has urbane 20-somethings swooning in droves. Either of these two bands would do well at Common Grounds. Near the 1 a.m. mark, ETHAN DURELLE brought their patented brand of yearning indie-by-way-of-post-rock hooks and totally slayed in front of a packed house. These hometown heroes were stopping by for a night in between dates touring their latest release, Talks to the Dark.
Later this summer, ED will play on the Anchor Stage at Cornerstone Festival. They deserve the kind of exposure they’re getting.
Alternative Press has this to say about them:
“Mixed metaphorical lyrics alongside guitars that reach back to the true days of punk and crash into the saturations of modern noise, emotionally coupled with anthems that would make friends of pirates and kings.”
Given 4.5 our of 5 stars by AP Magazine and described as “one of the best out-of-left-field rock records of 2007.”
This is what every weekend should be like at Scruffy’s.
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Weekend Roundup/Cinco de Mayo!
Howdy.
Got a chance to see NPR’s set last night at Scruffy’s. Man, do those guys rip. What they lack in technical proficiency they certainly make up for in enthusiasm. Also appearing last night were Dallas’ TRIPLE SIX SHOOTERS (well-played, if slightly generic, horror-punk a la Samhain and the Calabrese) and THE HORRIFICS (who I didn’t get to see.) Kris and the gang at 70Four Promotions are really working hard to bring some fresh, new music to the Waco area and so far, so good. Keep it up.
Caught a bit of WACO YOUTH REVIVAL tonight at Common Grounds. Scruffy, punk/folk — think one foot in Woody Guthrie’s front yard, the other in the Pogues’ gutter. With a little polish, Gabe and his revolving door band could really have something going. Later tonight will be JAMES CALLIHAN and I hope to make it in time to see them.
Tomorrow, however, is a different beast altogether. That’s right, MAY 5/CINCO DE MAYO comes once a year and will see one of the better lineups Scruff’s has hosted in a looong time. Doors are opening early (7 p.m.) for a two show extravaganza. Starting around 7:30 p.m., Waco’s own horror-punks AMERICAN NIGHTMARE will kick off the evening’s celebration. Appearing with them for a special Misfit’s set will be former Misfits singer MIKE GRAVES. That’s right, the Grand Potenate of the Conservative Punk movement will be performing a spoken word/acoustic set after (or maybe before) the AN set. Should be interesting. Later in the evening — around 10, from what I hear — the stage will re-set and host another show. This latter one will feature the return of local surf legends AMERICAN HISTORY PROJECT, Denton’s THE GAZELLES and DIGNAN from the Rio Grande Valley before the mighty behemoth ETHAN DURELLE conquers the stage. ED is on tour right now and will be stopping by Waco for a one-off special show. It’s Jeff’s birthday tomorrow, so come buy your favorite drummer (and noted David Bowie impersonator) a drink. No cover for over 21. $5 for minors. Show is 18 and up.
Grab your best gal (or guy,) strap on your dancin’ shoes and get tore up from the floor up for what surely will be a totally wylde nyte! Cowabunga!
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Upcoming Shows - Weekend of May 2
Real quick:
Sat. May 3rd, The Horrifics, Triple Six Shooters, American Nightmare @ Scruffy Murphy’s / $5 for Under 21 / Show at 10:30 p.m.
Sun. May 4th, JAMES CALLIHAN, Judas Feet, Waco Youth Revival, Tintin @ Common Grounds (1123 S. 8th St., Waco,TX 76710) Doors-7:00pm / $5 / All Ages
Be on the lookout this weekend for a preview of Scruffy’s Cinco de Mayo show. It’s going to be righteous.
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In case you missed it…
… here’s Prince covering Radiohead’s “Creep” at Coachella this past weekend.
Yes. That’s right. You heard me correctly.
Behold.
(link)
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Friday Night Show - 4/25
McLennan Community College (Team Adavantext) & 2020 Visuals are teaming up to present the Lilly Haas Benefit Show, this Friday, April 25, at the VLC (7459 S. I-35.) Doors open at 7 p.m., $5 cover. OUR DESPERATE MEASURES (link), FAITH DIES LAST (link), CUTE AS A BUTTON (link), AMNESTY FALLS and SILENCE THE TEMPEST will be rupturing the eardrums of all in attendance and all for a good cause.
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Weapon of Monday.
Because, more than likely, it’s been too long since you’ve last seen this … (link)
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Late Notice
I just got an e-mail from 70Four Promotions giving me a heads-up on a late notice show TONIGHT at the Jubilee. GARAGE 34 are headlining, JOHNNY’S BODY, AKELDAMA and SILENCE THE TEMPEST are supporting. Sounds like a solid show — too bad I’ll be here at the paper and unable to make it.
It’s up to you, dear reader, to do you part and see some live music.
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Some storm, huh?
Pretty big one last night, from what I hear. Power knocked out, trees down — pretty heavy stuff.
…
I forgot yesterday to include some more upcoming shows this weekend.
Friday, Apr. 11: Art Ambush Presents … Texas Takeover feat. THE LAST STARFIGHTER, BELLE EPOQUE, CUTE AS A BUTTON, A CALL TO ARMS and THE COBRA LEGION at the Victorious Life Church (7459 I-35 in Robinson.) Doors at 6 p.m., tickets are $10 for an all ages show.
and then, on Saturday, Apr. 12: Art Ambush (again) Presents … THE SECRET HANDSHAKE, THE TASTYDACTYLS (who just recently released a brand-new EP — big up to our boys reppin’ the 254,) THE SALUTATION and feat. DJ OJ (aka Justin Horrell, throughout the night) (again) at the VLC. Doors at 7 p.m., tickets are (again) $10 for an all ages show (again.)
Looks like Friday’s the night for headbanging and Saturday’s the night for dancing.
Lots to do this weekend, so get out there and do it.
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Before I forget, Austin’s throwback metal heroes THE SWORD are releasing the video for the new single “Maiden, Mother, Crone” Saturday night on MTV2’s Headbanger’s Ball. THE SWORD have recently released their latest epic Gods of the Earth on Kemado Records. Thanks to our friends at the Headbanger’s Blog, you can catch a preview of it here. (link)
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…and we’re back!
Howdy folks — sorry about the hiatus. It’s been busy over here at the Van Darden Luxury Condos, Salmon Hatchery and Helipad (with apologies to G.P.) Glad to be back and glad to be talking shop, exhorting pithy comments and generally indulging my music geek side.
…
First off — I know I’m a little late, but did anybody make it to the Foghat/Blue Oyster Cult show? How about Brave Combo? Chevelle and FingerEleven?
If you care to, post a comment below and let the WacoLive community know what you think.
Secondly — upcoming shows:
Friday, Apr. 11, JOSH INGRAM and BRAD THOMPSON, both of Fort Worth, will be at Scruffy Murphy’s. Show at 10 p.m. And on Saturday, Apr. 12, local lunatics SCROTUNDO will be offending all in attendance at Scruff’s. Show at 10 p.m. $5 cover for minors on both nights.
As always, e-mail me if you know of any good shows coming up and I’ll be glad to post them here.
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Finally, I just got the 2005 release From Mars to Sirius by French heavy metal maestros GOJIRA. Imagine, if you can, and alternate heavy metal reality where MORBID ANGEL writes and performs songs with NEUROSIS. It’s brutal beyond words yet progressive and melodic in all the weird places. Not for the faint of heart (the two influences cited above should make that clear) but ultimately very satisfying. Here’s a link to their sublimely creepy video for “To Sirius.” (link)
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Why I Think the Internet Is Great
Here is a link to a video showing a sound installation in progress. (link)
From the description:
National Grid is a sub-bass installation sourced either from the ambient VLF field radiated by electricity pylons and mains circuits, or, more recently, directly from the output cables of mains transformers. National Grid offers live physical evidence of environmental electromagnetic pollution, a demonstration of the intrinsic musical properties of alternating current, beat-frequency effects, etc…
Make sure your sound is turned up and your lights are off.
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Mondays are for suckers
Howdy,
It’s been a while.
Missed the CD release party for Tastydactyls. Hope it went well — anybody go? Anybody got any stories? Share them with the WacoLive community by commenting below.
Upcoming shows this week:
Treff’s: the KickAss AssAssins on Wednesday and Rich Betty on Friday.
Also: Kris and the gang at 70Four are throwing a PUNKCOUSTICS bash at the Jubilee this Saturday, March 29. From what I understand it’s a special night featuring some special music played by some special people. On the bill will be Johnny’s Body, Joe Blow (from Dog Company,) Sin Frontera and Uncle Jud, himself. Doors at 6:30 p.m., $7 at the door.
…
And because there might be one or two of you out there who thinks this is as funny as I do, here’s 10 of the most ridiculous Black Metal videos of all time. (link)
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Worth. Every. Penny.
SLIDE SHOW
- gallery: Willie's Waco concert
I managed to forget the whole first chapter of Rookie Mistakes for Music Journalists on the way to see Willie Nelson on Thursday and left my notepad and pen and home.
So these are my re-created memories of the evening.
Let me first say that Willie Nelson was everything that Bob Dylan isn’t. I saw Dylan last summer at Austin City Limits and the event still stands out in my mind as one of the biggest let-downs (and most depressing concerts) I’ve ever seen. Dylan is a shell of his former self: his already-shaky voice was cracked and strained; his guitar playing, passable; his stage presence, nil.
Willie on the other hand, took the stage like the consummate pro his is. His voice was strong and clear and his fret work — oh, can that man play the guitar. With the opening notes of “Whiskey River” ringing through the HOT Coliseum (hats off, by the way, to the sound crews for rightly putting Willie’s voice and guitar at the front of the mix — the Coliseum is essentially a giant metal box and has some of THE WORST acoustics in Waco) Willie and his band launched into a set that tore through all of the favorites with a few surprises in between. Medleys, extended jams, off-the-cuff banter and production — Willie and co. put on a show that should have every musician ANYWHERE taking notes.
It must be hard to play behind Willie; between his syncopated vocal delivery and quirky guitar phrasing, even battle-hardened vets like Paul English (Willie’s long-time drummer and the Paul of “Me and Paul”) looked like they were having a hard time — and a blast — keeping up with Willie’s iconic, truncated expressionism. A true shaman on stage, Willie knows how to lead a band. So when his band let their hair down (so to speak) to jam, Willie let them. He knows when to let a song breathe and when to clip its feathers.
Let me say, here and now, that Willie is about as good as it gets. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT MISS the next concert he throws. Go out of your way. Take the kids (they’ll thank you later, even if they don’t get it now.) Spend the money.
One gripe: BOO to the sheriff’s deputy who kept coming over and shush-ing some of the tipsy, middle-aged women dancing in the aisles. This is a Willie Nelson concert, for crying out loud, not the symphony. I kept wanting to ask the mustachioed hardass if he even knew who was on stage, much less why he was hassling these women instead of WATCHING THE SHOW, but I held my tongue.
I figured it just left more of the greatness for the rest of us.
Southern Drive
Caught Dallas’ Southern Drive again at Scruffy Murphy’s last night. If there’s one thing I can commend these guys for, it’s commitment. I saw them at Scruff’s last year and let me tell you, they put on the same show for 30 people as they did to a packed house. Same Johnny Cash and Robert Earl Keen covers, same Texas country-rock/rhythm & booze attitude. It wasn’t bad and you can tell these kids really like what they do and have fun doing it. You’ve seen this type of stuff around these parts before (hell, Pat Green practically perfected this kind of frat-rock, beer-slammin’, Texas-toastin’ formula) I just wish they’d update their set list.
Their newly recorded Take a Ride was just released and I hope to get a review of it up here soon.
For now, check them out at their Myspace page. (link)
The Day After
Did you do your civic duty yesterday?
Your vote makes a difference.
No really, it does. I’m not being sarcastic.
…
No big shows this weekend (that I know of — side note: if you or anyone you know plays in a band that has upcoming shows, please e-mail me.) Guitarmageddon(!) tonight, Common Ground on Thursday and Towne Adams on Friday at Treff’s. (Second side note: if you or anyone you know works at a bar that features live music and want that live music showcased on this blog, please e-mail me.)
…
Here’s your Wednesday dose of B-Boy goodness, brought to you courtesy of Austin’s Bboy City Productions. (link)
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NPR vs. TAKS
In what may have been THE WORST live music/event pairing in recent history, local punks NPR (link) totally freakin’ slayed at this afternoon’s TAKS rally at the HOT Coliseum.
Seriously, I have never seen so many kids look so bewildered at one time.
To be fair, though, Lil’ JJ is a tough act to follow.
Thank Goodness It’s Friday…
… for serious, it’s been a long week.
…
Let’s get right to it.
Tonight, our good friends over at Art Ambush want you to come to Victorious Life Church (7459 South I-35, Exit 328 in Robinson) TONIGHT to catch Oh, Sleeper (link), A Call to Arms, the Cobra Legion and Our Desperate Measures. Tickets are $12 at the door. Doors opens at 6:30 p.m. Bring your earplugs and prepare for whiplash, it’s going to be excellent.
Tomorrow night, Gabe and co. invites you to come over to Art Ambush (3523 Franklin) to check out Joseph King of Brooklyn’s Deadbeat Darling (link). The show is free and is an all ages event. Show starts at 9:45 p.m. (FYI, King is a San Antonio native.)
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In other news, Gnarls Barkley’s new single “Run” just dropped and I think they’ve managed to follow 2006’s excellent St. Elsewhere quite nicely. Here’s a link to the video. (Note: bonus JT bookend!)
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And, because it is Friday, after all, behold: footage of the inimitable Beardyman. (link)
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Buddy Miles, R.I.P.
Buddy Miles, Jimi Hendrix’s drummer and fellow co-founder of the Band of Gypsys, died Tuesday, Feb. 26, at his home in Austin.
For more information about the influential drummer, check out this article from Billboard.com. (link)
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Flu season
Sorry about the absence.
But then, who hasn’t gotten the flu these days?
Missed out on Shot Daddy’s but did get to catch a few minutes of King Onus (link), a local five-piece who do a pretty good Los Lonely Boys-esque mix of rock, latin and soul. I initially mistook their DJ for a steel drummer, but was otherwise impressed with their delivery. Catch them again at Treff’s on March 23.
For something completely different, I noticed recently that some members of the entertainment industry share the same name, with some unintentionally funny results. For instance, the main man for dance-punk revisionists LCD Soundsystem, James Murphy, shares the same name with the guitarist from trash metal titans, Testament.
Anybody have any others?
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Wednesday night.
Where were you?
I thought we decided to meet at 10 p.m. I know, I was a little late … but that doesn’t mean you can just ditch like that and not show up all together.
For real, you missed one of The Shows of the month. Maybe the year. And all because you had to wash your hair.
Your hair can wait.
Guitarmageddon waits for no one.
…
How about we try again next week?
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Happy Hump Day
Howdy, howdy.
Let’s get right to business.
Waco’s got a national act swinging through this weekend, with some regional and local support thrown in for good measure. Shot Daddy’s (921 Lake Air) is playing host to a four-band rockstravaganza on Saturday night. Garage-rockers The Runaway Sons (link) are coming the farthest, if their bus makes it all the way from Kansas City! Rounding out the night will be Houston’s The Heroine (link) and San Antonio party-mongers, The Bexar County Bastards (link). Local boys Forever Fallen will start the night off at 9 p.m ($5 cover.) I’ll see if I can’t swing by and let you know how it goes, but I should hope to see you there.
You really ought to go, you know.
To get your ears in shape, hop on by Treff’s tonight at 10 p.m. for four hours of face-melting extremity: Waco’s weekly, Wednesday-night GUITARMAGEDDON!
And, as it is the middle of the week, and there’s a chance that one of the three of you might not have already gotten your cute fix in, here is the most adorable thing you’ll see this week (link).
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Guitarmageddon!
Don’t forget to drop by Treff’s on Wednesday nights for Guitarmageddon!.
Jeremy and Caleb (Willis Brownstone) host a revolving door of local musicians including Chris Castaneda (Pride and Joy), Rodney Pyeatt (Stoney LaRue, Mike McClure and others) and Neal Davis (Volition.) With this caliber of musicianship on display — and all on one stage, no less — don’t be surprised to see Charlie Brown park himself in front of the stage and refuse to run sound!
How’s that for a recommendation?
Show starts at 10 p.m. and stops when everybody goes home.
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Latest comments
You do realize there is other cool music going on in Waco other than obscure post-punk/indie rock garage bands etc, right? I mean, I’m all for turning it up to 11 and rocking out here in the big town; but there are some really cool blues, rock, country,
... read the full comment by Brad | Comment on Cinco de Mayo Re-Cap Read Cinco de Mayo Re-Cap
There is a discussion going on on Carol Dugats East Waco blog about a Jazz/Blues/Soul Festival to be held as a block party on MLK or Elm st. I suggested that it be called the “George Spratt Sprattattack Memorial Blues Fest” after the late George
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Van:
What about Brazos Nights? Any impressions?
Where you at?
Your Fans
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Did Van move?
Is he in hiding?
Are the requirements of sporadic posting too much for him?
Someone please assure me that Van is alive and well somewhere.
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