Waco City DJs on AccessWaco
Be sure to check out AccessWaco.com to read my interview with the Waco City DJs. While you’re there, check the other entertainment news items and entertainment blogs run by the WacoTrib staff.
I also wanted to publicly thank commenter Mary for posting the schedule for posting the Zack and Jim’s Hog Creek Icehouse schedule. Thanks for reading, Mary.
If anybody else knows of live, local music playing in your neck of the woods, post it here at WacoLive.
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New U2!
Pitchfork announces that “modestly successful Irish rock’n’roll band U2 have announced that their 12th album, No Line on the Horizon, will be released by Interscope on March 3, 2009 in North America. Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, and Steve Lillywhite contributed production. It appears that will.i.am did not. Guess Kanye was wrong.
Billboard.com reports that the Horizon tracklist is expected to include ‘Moment of Surrender,’ ‘Unknown Caller’ and the title track.
Also, U2 were recently added to the list of contributors to the War Child benefit album Heroes, out in February.”
Classic U2:
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Holze Auction
Got this flyer today:
“Store Liquidation Auction:
Holze Music Company
1210 Lake Air Drive
Waco, TX 76710
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Sell Time: 10 a.m.
Preview: Friday, December 19, 2008
12 to 6 p.m.”
And then a bunch of stuff about the auctioneer and the auction company.
Then this: “No minimum or reserves, 10% buyers auction.”
So. Go getcha some of whatever’s leftover. I’m going to see if I can snag any new drum heads.
Because I missed it last week, here’s your dose of Tuesday Tribute goodness: the indomitable Lez Zeppelin.
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Some News
So Coldplay has again been accused of ripping off someone else’s music.
From the Times Online: “Last week, (Joe) Satriani filed a copyright infringement suit, at Los Angeles federal court, claiming “Viva La Vida” incorporates ‘substantial original portions’ of his 2004 instrumental “If I Could Fly.”
The feted guitarist, who has played alongside Mick Jagger, is seeking a jury trial, damages and ‘any and all profits’ attributable to the alleged copyright infringement.
Despite releasing a string of successful songs since they found fame in 2000, Viva La Vida is Coldplay’s biggest ever hit. It went straight to No 1 on the UK charts when it was released in June.”
You decide.
Disclaimer: I think Coldplay is lame, so I’m with Satch on this one.
And here’s another video of a band, the Creaky Boards, claiming Coldplay ripped them off. This is just getting sad, really.
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Waco City DJs at Legends: 12-11-08
Big news.
It’s official. The WACO CITY DJs will ascend the throne to reign at Legends (618 Franklin) beginning Thursday (Dec. 11) night.
Shay Scantron, DJs Decent and Rocksteady and Lady Lux have been asked to assume residency status on Thursday nights at the newly opened club, manager Jaime Mendoza said.
This is a huge get for both Legends and the WCDJs. Legends could use the established crowds the Waco City kids bring and it’s just a given that DJs can always use extra exposure.
What this really means is that residents of Waco will have two opportunities a week to come dance their butts off. If people start to come out and get in the spirit, I think this will be a step in the right direction to show outsiders that we are capable of supporting live entertainment in this town. Let’s face it: if the Waco citizens who are hungry for a wider and stronger variety of live entertainment are serious about bringing in Big Name Talent to town - from every genre - then they needs to do a better job of supporting the acts already here.
Rant over.
The DJs start at 10 p.m. and will be blasting that Waco City sound until they can’t play no mo’. Expect some big beats, funky house, electro, dance-punk, old-skool breaks, mash-ups and a little 90s pep rally for good measure.
So B-Boys and B-Girls, bring your super-fresh kicks and be ready to jam, ‘cause it’s gonna get ill.
Bring some extra cash for cover. Jaime said its $3 for girls, $5 for guys and $10 for under-21. But before you start screaming highway robbery, remember that this is how these kids get paid. (It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta make you move.)
See you there.
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End of Semester Bash Monday night at Scruff’s
So there were some bands that played at Scruff’s last night. They were real good and everyone had a good time.
Problem: I didn’t see you there. And don’t say it wasn’t ‘cause I didn’t warn you. Because I totally told you about it yesterday. I mean, did you even ask your mom if you could stay out late?
In case you missed it, here’s the rundown.
NPR kicked the night off with their thrashy, pummeling take on old-skool speed punk. Screamer/shredder Devon definitely has a puma (or ocelot) living in his throat and dummer Aaron is a maniac behind the kit. NPR is hammer-down, full-throttle mayhem.
So it comes with great regret to announce that as of last night, NPR is no more.
Devon said NPR has run its course and that its time to start looking in other musical directions. It’s a shame, really, because who else in Waco has the guts to spew forth such brilliant - and controversial - missives as “I Hate the Middle East”?
In typical NPR fashion, the set ended with a cluttered rush of cymbals and feedback and then it was over. And so is NPR.
Taking advantage of the hour-long sets, the AMERICAN HISTORY PROJECT took their time setting up - a necessity in Scruffy’s plywood, concrete and corrugated-steel Hell-box. It’s hard going in there, sound-wise.
I’ve said it here before and I’ll say it again, but AHP is a band whose talent far outstrips its reach.
The five-piece instrumental collective (featuring members of Ethan Durelle, Yay for Squares and the American Culture eXperiments, among others) absolutely steal every show they play.
Live, AHP explores a heady mix of surf rock, experimental noise, Ennio Morricone-flavored spaghetti twang, post-rock (a la Pelican or Explosions in the Sky) and shoegaze atmospherics.
Dynamic, emotional, intense.
Excellent.
Unfortunately, HAND TO MOUTH were unable to play due to a sick member.
Fortunately, JUDAS FEET, having just finished a set over at Common Grounds, trekked over to Scruff’s to fill in the empty spot.
The Read siblings have put together a top-notch act. Tommy, Diana and Hannah rock the kind of close-knit vocal harmonies that only true blood relatives can. Massively talented multi-instrumentalist Paul Mitchell (JAMES CALLIHAN) adds his patented blend of noise and atmosphere, giving JF a unique take on the folk/rock/Americana blend that has made stars out of Nickel Creek and Ryan Adams.
JUDAS FEET’s “Behind the Evening” is available on iTunes.
Rounding out the bill, Groesbeck’s very own JOHNNY’S BODY continued their streak of successful live shows.
J’sB, as I’ve said before, is a band occupying a niche unto itself (at least in the Waco area.)
Call it folk-punk or gypsy-punk or cow-punk - call it whatever you want, just come out and support. These kids are the real deal.
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We Remember…
In my haste to get the Co-Op’s End of Semester info to you yesterday (review of said show forthcoming) I neglected to remind everyone that Monday, Dec. 8 marked the fourth anniversary of the shooting death of metal legend Darrell “Dimebag” Abbott.
Not familiar with one of the most important guitarists … ever?
Read his Wikipedia entry or just see for yourself what the big deal is.
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End of Semester Bash
Here’s the scoop on tonight’s shows.
The Waco Co-Op is sponsoring not one, but two consecutive shows tonight to celebrate the end of the school semester. Co-Op co-organizer Colby Crelia (James Callihan, Lesser Beggars) said this will be the last Co-Op-supported show of the year.
Crelia said the first show will feature some of the softer, folkier bands currently active with the Co-Op. The later show will showcase a few harder-edged bands.
In all, 10 bands are playing tonight so ask your mom if you can stay up past your bedtime and come out and show some love. Because in this time of nation-wide economic uncertainty, love is the cheapest gift you can give.
Here’s the deal:
Common Grounds (1123 S. 8th Street) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
JUDAS FEET (featuring the amazing Read siblings), GOODFELLOW, TINTIN, LESSER BEGGARS, WITHOUT A FACE and the WACO YOUTH REVIVAL. $5 cover.
After that, grab your ear-plugs (wimp) and bring beer money ‘cause the show’s not over.
Scruffy Murphy’s (1226 Speight Ave.) from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
AMERICAN HISTORY PROJECT, NPR, HAND TO MOUTH and JOHNNY’S BODY.
This is going to be supremely supreme.
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Preview for Monday
OK, so I really don’t have a preview for tomorrow. I thought I had one, but details have been sketchy.
I do know this: both Common Grounds and Scruffy Murphy’s will have live music tomorrow night. Don’t know who, don’t know when. Hope to have it for tomorrow afternoon.
In the meantime, don’t forget your WACO CITY DJs tonight at Treff’s Bar (and Grill.)
And, because too much of this is never enough: Click Here.
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It’s the weekend!
Last night we took a friend to see the Crystal Method for his birthday. The Las Vegas-based DJ duo were spinning at the Sky Lounge in Austin, a cavernous nightclub off 6th street. The multi-level club gets its name from the atrium-like sky light that soars four stories above the dance floor.
The Crystal Method are known for attaching rock sensibilites to electronic dance music. They record full-length albums replete with singles, b-sides and guest vocalists. Their live shows are like rock shows, too. DJs Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland thrash and bash banks of keyboards, samplers, sythnthesizers and effects decks; smoke swirls; lights flash and each song has a beginning, middle and end.
When the big beat-pioneers perform a DJ set, however, the production is significantly scaled back. They leave all their equipment at home and play on house decks (Pioneers, in this case) and bring their own music to mix. Being superstar DJs, the Crystal Method can pick and choose choice tracks as they see fit. They get access to the newest songs, know who the hottest DJs are and often get exclusive mixes. As such, they were light-years ahead of the forgettable, cookie-cutter opening DJs.
With such a smaller show, the venue and the music become the focus. Fortunately for us, the cathedral-like Sky Lounge was a spectacular place to catch a pro-DJ mix. In between tomorrow’s club anthems and strangely effective Doors remixes, the Method mixed in a few of their own well-known anthems, including “Keep Hope Alive” and the John Garcia screamer, “Born Too Slow.”
Seen ‘em twice now; haven’t disappointed yet.
Bonus: said friend admitted it may have been his favorite birthday yet.
And though its somewhat late, want to plug a couple of shows tonight.
The Victorious Life Church (7459 Interstate 35) is hosting a whopping 10-band “End of the Semester Fest.” Show’s tonight and will feature EverThorn, Hey Hollywood, A Bird A Sparrow, In Living Memory, Broken Element, Chronic Frailty, Shadow of a Day, Yours Until Dawn, Llymbo and more.
That’s 10 bands for 10 bucks. Nice.
Also, tonight our good friends over at Art Ambush (3523 Franklin) is presenting major-label metallers, Fear Before (formerly Fear Before the March of Flames) and Heavy Heavy Low Low. Cute as a Button and Dr. Manhattan open. Show’s going on as we speak, $12 at the door.
Got more coming for you tomorrow.
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Odetta
From the New York Times:
“Odetta, the singer whose resonant voice wove together the strongest songs of American folk music and the civil rights movement, died on Tuesday in Manhattan. She was 77.
…
In a career of almost 60 years, Odetta sang at coffeehouses and at Carnegie Hall. She became one of the best-known folk-music artists of the 1950s and ’60s. Her recordings of blues and ballads on dozens of albums influenced Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin and many others.
…
Odetta’s voice was an accompaniment to the black-and-white images of the freedom marchers who walked the roads of Alabama and Mississippi and the boulevards of Washington in the quest to end racial discrimination.
Rosa Parks, whose refusal to give up her seat to a white led to the boycott of segregated buses in Montgomery, Ala., was once asked which songs meant the most to her. “All of the songs Odetta sings,” she replied.”
If you want to read the rest of the article, click here.
Here’s Odetta in action:
(link)
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The Monday After
Well hello.
Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I’m still digesting, I think. If that’s TMI and you can’t identify with me, then you didn’t eat enough.
Over the break, I got a chance to check out local people JOHNNY’s BODY. I’ve blogged about them before, but had never gotten to see them. Think Connor Oberst (of Bright Eyes) fronting a half-Devotchka/half-Clash/half-Pogues band. (That’s three halves, I know. It’s like the musical equivalent of ManBearPig.)
But seriously, they are really very good. Acoustic-punk with accordion, trumpet and keys? Female and male vocalists? Former members of Garage34?
Yes, please.
See them at Scruffy’s December 8.
Look for some news this week about some upcoming WACO CITY DJs shows and a preview of some big-name shows at ART AMBUSH.
Stay tuned!
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Modern Day Drifters
Got to check out the Modern Day Drifters last night at Treff’s.
These guys (and gal) are a class act. Kristen Kelly is a phenomenal vocalist, guitarist Derrick Dutton is fleet-fingered yet tasteful and bassist Vincent Bryce, is, well, Vince. You have to know him. (Hint: he’s nearly as funny as he is good at his instrument.)
At times stripped-down — but never lacking — MDD flawlessly ranged through Rolling Stones and Janis Joplin classics to some of their own front-porch-pickin’ material.
Though they are mainly Texas based, Kelly said they would soon extend their touring repertoire to Oklahoma, Louisiana and beyond. Look for them again at Treff’s on December 5.
Do go check them out — truly a Waco gem.
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Tuesday Tribute and more
Howdy howdy,
Not much going on right now in the Waco music scene. The holidays are a hard time for promoters; many of the solvent Waco music lovers are spending their hard-earned (and increasingly rarer) pennies on trivial life necessities like food and gas. Venues don’t book as many shows as people are less likely to a) spend the money and/or b) stay in town. That’s not to say, however, that nobody’s playing. They are. And you should go see them.
That said, I can’t actually recommend any upcoming shows because, frankly, I don’t know about them.
So I’m asking again that anyone with information on upcoming shows please e-mail me directly or leave a comment below. Share the wealth, folks.
THAT said, here’s an interesting tid-bit from Maura at Idolator about China’s official reaction to the new (haha) Guns ‘n Roses record, Chinese Democracy:
The Communist Party Of China’s published tabloid Global Times printed a piece today entitled “American Band Releases Album Viciously Attacking China” that accused Axl Rose of being a pawn of the U.S. government who was helping Washington use the idea of democracy as “one of their game pieces to control the world.” The Wall Street Journal-China is quick to note, however, that this piece technically doesn’t constitute any sort of official smackdown of Axl: “The tabloid format newspaper is published by the Communist Party’s official mouthpiece, the People’s Daily, but isn’t thought to always represent official views, like its parent operation and certain other major media.” And there’s even a site geared toward Chinese audiences that is streaming the whole thing for free, although I’m pretty sure it’s unsanctioned by any Axl or any government entity.
Niiice.
All of that said, here’s your Tuesday Tribute video goodness: the amazing, astonishing all-female AC/DC tribute band, AC/DShe. (link)
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Things that go BOOM in the night
Anybody hear/feel SpaceX’s nine-engine rocket test last night?
Check out the Trib’s front page — both online and Monday’s paper. You can read all about it. Check the byline while you’re at it.
Here’s some more BOOM for ya. (link)
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Check It!
Thanks to Lincoln F., for pointing out that tonight Art Ambush, 3523 Franklin Ave., will host alterna-pop up-and-comers Vedera (Epic Records) at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
Vedera has been featured on MTV’s listless teen melo-drama, the Hills.
Expect openers Hotchellerae (Jive Records), James Callihan and Caleb Lee (former Yay For Squares front.) James Callihan singer Colby Crelia said to look for some familiar faces on guitar and drums; I’ve heard that former Ethan Durelle and My Korean Friends/YFS members will be in tonight’s line-up.
Also, I’ve heard that the Waco City DJs have been asked to hold a Thursday night residency at newly opened Legends bar on Franklin Ave.
DJ BK spun last night to a mixed crowd. Hopefully the Waco City boys can bring a bigger crowd (and some newer mixes.)
BK will be spinning at Basaberu restaurant on 6th street in Waco tonight. Details were sketchy, but he said 21-and-up pay no cover for the event.
Lastly, start your weekend party off right with a little Iggy Pop from 1979. I want to be your dog, indeed. (link)
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Duck and Cover
Ugh.
Idolator reports that “Billy Ray Cyrus, Charlie Daniels, recent government appointee Lee “God Bless the U.S.A.” Greenwood, Michael W. Smith, and, uh, Oliver North are going to embark on a right-wing Lollapalooza next summer, when Sean Hannity’s Freedom Concerts ‘09 take place at various locales around America.”
There’s even a rumor going around that naked-shoulder-baring Miley Cyrus will be added as a late seat-filling addition.
Enough of that nightmare — I’ll be back with better news later.
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Tribute Tuesday
All right — this is what I’m talking about!
Today we have two videos from some amazing tribute bands.
Up first is Purple Reign, “THE Prince Tribute Show.” Note: this video includes a Time tribute as well — not to be missed. (link)
Second, the classic Mini Kiss. If you’ve never seen these guys, check them out here. (link)
Oh yeah.
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Here’s what’s new…
First up, in cool-book news, The Deciblog reports that Peter Beste’s coffee-table hardcover True Norwegian Black Metal is out.
From the blog:
If you’re a black metal fan, the chances are right around 100% that you’re familiar with the work of photographer Peter Beste. Dude’s photos have graced 1349 and Nattefrost album covers and have appeared in just about every metal mag in the history of forever — not to mention XXL, Mass Appeal and Field And Stream. (Okay, maybe those weren’t black metal photos — Beste also enjoys photographing the Houston rap scene, the London grime scene, and the occasional Cuban fishing trip). But the point is that work from his awesome 216-page coffee-table hardcover True Norwegian Black Metal (Vice Books) will be on display at the Zune Gallery in Los Angeles from November 21 to December 18—including an opening night celebration from 7-10pm on the 21st—where you can see his iconic shots of Gaahl, Frost, Abbath, Natte and the like in all their corpsepainted glory. Our man will also be signing books on November 22nd from 4-6pm at the DDR Projects Gallery in Long Beach so, you know, be there or be false.
This one’s also on my list. (Hint, hint.)
Also, if you, like I am, are into reading about music, do yourself yet another favor and check out Cosmo Lee’s Invisible Oranges blog. Lee is a contributing writer for some of my favorite publications, including Decibel, Pitchfork and the AllMusic Guide. Very funny. Very good.
And, finally, if anyone out there cares any more, MTV’s last show to air music videos, TRL, ended its five-year run. Here are the TOP 10 songs from the TRL era (with original air dates:)
1. Britney Spears - Baby One More Time (1/12/99)
2. Eminem - The Real Slim Shady (6/30/00)
3. Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way (6/29/99)
4. N*Sync - Bye Bye Bye (3/14/00)
5. Christina Aguilara - Dirrty (10/15/02)
6. Kid Rock - Bawitdaba (2/15/00)
7. Beyonce feat. Jay-Z - Crazy in Love (6/15/03)
8. Usher feat. Ludacris and Lil Jon - Yeah (10/5/04)
9. Blink-182 - What’s My Age Again (10/17/00)
10. OutKast - Hey Ya! (9/15/03)
And I say Good Riddance.
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Sunday Night / Monday Morning
Howdy — hope everybody had a good weekend.
Kudos to those who braved the cold and made it out to Common Grounds Friday night. The Waco City DJs put on a heck of a show. Beat doctors and wax wizards Scantron, Decent and Rocksteady played in front of a fairly good crowd, considering the weather. New cuts from the Midnight Juggernauts and Hot Chip rubbed elbows with oldies-but-goodies from Afrikaa Bambaataa and Kurtis Blow; mashups and unexpected song pairings were the order of the evening.
Good stuff all around.
Did anybody make it to the Art Ambush shows? Leave a comment below if you did.
And, just because, here’s Faith No More’s classic music video for Epic.
(No goldfish were harmed in the making of this video. Seriously, do your research.)
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Yo!
I just checked out the new Legends Bar at 618 Franklin Ave.
They’re brand new and manager Jaime told me to be on the look out for some recognizable names swinging through. He said he wants to bring in rock and metal bands, periodically interspersed with DJs.
Tonight, alterna-pop punks SQUINT are driving in from Austin.
Jaime said to look for a rippin’ happy hour, decent drink specials and the Crown Royal Lounge, sponsored by the whiskey. Looked pretty fancy.
Don’t forget to come out and support your WACO CITY DJs tomorrow night at Common Grounds.
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He was experienced…
The AP reports that legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell was found dead in a downtown Portland hotel Wednesday.
He was 61.
Mitchell, along with bass players Noel Redding and Billy Cox, backed Hendrix in bands that helped define electric/psychedelic blues.
The Experience played behind Hendrix at Woodstock and the massive Isle of Wight festivals in the late 1960s.
Hendrix died in 1970, Redding died in 2003. Mitchell was with the group from 1966-69. Another famous Hendrix drummer, Buddy Miles, died earlier this year.
As tribute, here’s the iconic Mitchell, himself.
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Latest comments
Local Rock Band Heats Up Waco Winter Meltdown
The 2nd Annual Waco Winter Meltdown will fire up this weekend with a medley of hardcore and punk bands including headlining local Cute As A Button, The Last Starfighter, Hands, Everyone
... read the full comment by Lincoln | Comment on New U2! Read New U2!
The Waco City DJ’s have some serious competition in the near future :)
... read the full comment by DJ | Comment on Waco City DJs at Legends: 12-11-08 Read Waco City DJs at Legends: 12-11-08
I can’t wait.
... read the full comment by Bird | Comment on New U2! Read New U2!
Thanks for the U2 info, Van. As a Lillywhite lover, I’ll check out the new album. Has he also been working w/ Blue October?
... read the full comment by wendy | Comment on New U2! Read New U2!