Fine Line: March, 2007

Frank just hipped me to some very cool, almost impossible to find tracks from an album almost as ancient as yours truly, ARE WE TOO LATE FOR THE TREND? – Compilation LP (ESR Records, USA, 1979).

We’s talkin’ some seriously badass songs from such original Dallas/Texas punk bands such as…well, lemme let them tell ya…

More Texas-insanity! Legendary comp with all your heroes of yesterday when they thought they were too late. VOMIT PIGS are okay but PLASTIC IDOLS deliver the first hit, followed by “Solid Ground” from THE TELEFONES which definately has “it”. THE INFANTS, BARRY KOODA, BLINDATE and E=MC2 are good, but hell breaks loose when you flip the disk over.

THE SKUDS do “Dead Dogs” which is the highlight so far and “Nightmare in my Closet” from CONTROL is in the same league – great!! But then, lads and lassies, get ready for Punk’s answer to both Judas Priest and 50′s Sci-Fi soundtracks – “Whips and Midgets” by SMEGMA. THE killer song here, up there in halls of eternal glory!! SUPERMAN’S GIRLFRIEND’s song is amazing too, always makes me laugh. The remaining two, NERVEBREAKERS and SNAKES are very good and there you are – begging for more and indeed, Ryan Richardson released a 7″ comp with additional material on his label “Existential Vacuum” a while back. My advise to you would be to buy them both when you run across ‘em.

If you are interested in some of the original Dallas/Texas-based punk bands – the ones who laid the path, brick-by-brick for you young’un’s – then go here and take a listen. And there’s one below just to whet your punkiness…

PS – 10-bucks says you might be able to find a copy of this compilation at Bill’s Records. Or there’s always Gimarc’s collection.

“So Sorry” by Barry Kooda

A Texas Tale of Treason (T. Tex Edwards)

Patrick and his…sigh…once a month posting, did offer up some interesting news – Click here.

Idol Records is one of my favorite record labels. Head honcho, Erv Karwelis treats the bands on his Idol label like they should be treated. Words like respect, enthusiasm, dedication and trust often come up when label-mates speak of Erv.

Idol has been home to some amazing bands such as [DARYL], Black Tie Dynasty, P.P.T., Mitra, The Fags, Sponge, Flickerstick, Old 97′s, Chomsky, Centro-matic, Deathray Davies, Mazinga Phaser…just to name a few.

It was reported earlier that the great Glen Reynolds recently signed with Idol, as well as P.P.T., so things remain, as always, interesting at Idol-central.

There are a few good shows this weekend if’n you wanna see (and hear) what all my fuss is about…

Saturday, March 31st
The Cavern
Glen Reynolds / The Slack / Salim Nourallah
Doors at 9 PM – $6.00

Saturday, March 31st
Nine Eyes Studio
Mitra

Saturday, March 31st
Granada Theater
Black Tie Dynasty / Radiant* / Comrade / Hendrick
Doors at 7 PM – $12-$16
Purchase Tickets

I keep forgetting to mention that every once in awhile, when listening to…ahem…Kidd Kraddick in the Morning…oh, shutup…I hear a snippet of “Tender” by Black Tie Dynasty. I wonder if Cory and the boys know. I wonder if they get royalty payments everytime it plays? I wonder if it’s legal. I know they’ve reigned supreme numerous times on KDGE 102.1 The Edge which is the same company that owns KISS-FM…so…hmmm….dunno…but I like hearing our BTD boys every once and again on mainstream radio. I’d like it even more to know that they get a few coins for each time it airs…though…

“Tender” by Black Tie Dynasty

Saturday, March 31st
Granada Theater
Black Tie Dynasty / Radiant* / Comrade / Hendrick
Doors at 7 PM – $12-$16
Purchase Tickets

Tonight’s Amercian Idol was so..um…so….um…so…um….well, that Gwen Stefani lady is quite fetching….I think I’d like to be gay now….

See Hal Samples in his new Polyphonic Spree. Then meet us tomorrow night for more somethings spectacular.

Ssssshhhhhh…. no questions, just do as I say….

Ken “The Stash Dauber” Shimamoto has been reviewin’. Where the hell have I been? In case you missed it too, let me introduce you to ILoveFTW.com. It’s like everything artsy/musicy about Cowtown, Panther City, Fort Worth.

Ken just penned a beauty about my beloved P.P.T. and seems to dig those darlings equally as much as I do. Don’t just sit there fool, go read it! Just click here and scroll down a tad.

You gotta check out the Dallas Morning News – Bandwidth 29.2 and the Urban South Freestyle Sessions with our own Pikahsso / Kottonmouth / Mr. Pookie and more.

Check out more pics from the event here and here.

It’s weird how some things work out. Like a gazillion years ago (or at least back in the 80′s afore most of you young’un’s were born), I was obsessed with the band INXS. Like crazy ’bout ‘em. I was a flight attendant for American Airlines at the time, a mere scrub, still living in NYC, on reserve and getting the sh*ttiest trips imaginable.

One of my rich, all 5th-Avenuey type pals wrangled tickets – backstage passes and entrance to the private paaartaay for the INXS show and invited lil’ ol’ me to go with. I was on “reserve” that night (meaning I was on-call and could be sent on a trip with only an hour’s notice), called and asked to be released and they said…uh…hell no. I was crushed.

So the next day scheduling called and assigned me a round-trip to Houston Hobby – working my most hated position in first class. Now who do you think walked in and plopped down all over my first class section? Hint: they was hungover. Why INXS themownselves. I believe I literally squealed. For a good 45 seconds. ‘Twas fate. And frankly a little disheartening to see the guys in such horrendous shape. Still high. Stinkin’ of booze. Not exactly friendly. But it was the 80′s after all, and they was/is rock stars!

Why-o-why do I bore you with these pointless and painful memories gone by? Cuz, Robert Wilonsky had a similar experience this past weekend…click.

Speaking of David Lynch – Bobinsky offers-up this little jewel as well. No really. You gotta love it.

Way back in my early local music days, I hooked up with Chaz Knight to do a series of online radio shows on TexasRadio1.com We did a lot of live webcasting at local venues (Standard and Pours / The Elbow Room / Club Dada / What Bar). It was during that time that I got to know a lot of our local rock and metal bands (The Vanished, The Feds, Greatness in Tragedy, The Mad Mexicans, Edgewater, Frolic, FFTN, A Dozen Furies, Drowning Pool, Mugzu, SouthFM etc.) since they would often drop by for live interviews.

I felt a particular fondness towards indie/rock band Greatness in Tragedy. For one, they were always really nice guys. For two, I, to this day, never tire of this song…

“Slideshow” by Greatness in Tragedy

I’ve been seeing GIT’s lead singer Kirk Baxley’s name here and there lately, and finally decided to see what’s up with Kirk – and I learned that he’s set off on his own…

Kirk Baxley has been blessed and fortunate enough to have been involved in many incredible musical endeavors. At the age of 15, Kirks first band the Moondogs were completely closed minded to playing anything but the Beatles. Kirk believes that this devout devotion to the Beatles instilled in him an ear for what musicians call “The Hook.”

At the age of 16, Kirk joined his second band called Plumbline, in which he played percussion and guitar and sang background vocals. Two members of Plumbline and Kirk decided to branch off and form their very own band entitled Unveiled. This band would be the foundation laid for the musical and spiritual experiences to come. Kirk toured and played many dates with this band until the age of 19 when he felt called into youth ministry in Salado, Tx. For a year and a half, Kirk stayed involved in youth ministry until the calls from youth events, churches, ect., were too overwhelming to ignore and he was truly confirmed to step back into the music world.

The Kirk Baxley Band began to play these events and eventually changed the band name to Sterling, which eventually became Lesermor. Lesermor recorded a three song demo and two live cuts with Pushmonkeys very own Will Hoffman, and in late spring 2000, Lesermor was approached by a large independent label and management company.(Kirk is still currently represented by Rainmaker Artists) They signed with Brando Records and eventually went through another name change to call themselves Greatness in Tragedy. Greatness in Tragedy released a self titled debut album, produced by David Castell, on Brando records. You can still purchase the album through the greatness in tragedy myspace (www.myspace.com/greatnessintragedy7) or www.brandorecords.com.

Currently, Kirk is working on a new project. He is recording his very first solo album that will be released within the next year on Baby Steps Productions/Management. Kirk is excited about this project and his hope is that his heart is shown and made very evident through this music. Kirk has been fortunate enough to have shared the stage with many amazing musicians, bands, ect. including: Blue October, Zyara Alvarez, Flyleaf, Vallejo, Pushmonkey, Gin Blossoms, Soulassylum, the Feds, SouthFm, Bless the Broken, the Vanished, Bowling for Soup, Edgewater, Endochine, Radiant, Burden Brothers, and many more

Kirk’s new project, Kirk Baxley & the Buckshot Jones Band, is very acoustic, very different and provides a gorgeous portfolio of folksy, alt.country, acoustic rock tunes that are sure to please even the snobbiest music aficionado. I’m looking forward to seeing where he’ll go next – and how far. Me thinks it’ll be real far.

“Pinholes” by Kirk Baxley

Thursday, March 29th
The Cavern
Kirk Baxley & the Buckshot Jones Band / Oliver Future / Jonathan Tyler
Doors at 9 PM – $6.00

Friday, March 30th
RBar
Kirk Baxley & the Buckshot Jones Band / Fatty Lumpkin / Egress / Smooth Choppy

Saturday, March 31st
Bum’s Sports Bar (Temple)
Kirk Baxley & the Buckshot Jones Band

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Rock Camp USA is back baby! Just in time for the countdown to summer. If you, like me, have a budding young rock star lookin’ for something really awesome to do this summer, then read on….

Now in its twelfth year, Rock Camp USA features intensive performance-oriented instruction given by some of the finest professional musicians in the country. Each Camp is two weeks long and culminates with the young Rockers giving a live performance in front of hundreds of people in their own Concert.

Dates offered:

SESSION 1: June 4 through June 8 / June 11 through June 15 – Concert June 16

SESSION 2: June 18 through June 22 / June 25 through June 29 – Concert June 30

SESSION 3: July 9 through July 13 / July 16 through July 20 – Concert July 21

SESSION 4: July 23 through July 27 / July 30 through August 3 – Concert August 4

Hours of camp: 1pm-5pm
Registration deadline:
Age requirements: 10-18
Cost per child: $495
Presented by: Fort Worth Academy of Music
Contact name: Lee Allen
Phone number: 817.732.2208 or 512.507.1058
Camp location: Ridglea Theater
Web site for more information: www.rockcampusa.com

Austin much? They’s got a Rock Camp too!

Simon and the Bella Union crew have taken over The Downloader in part 3 of The Downloader’s “Heist” series. Hold on to your seats kiddies, cuz es muy bueno what they’s doin’.

Click here for a drop-dead-gloriously-splendid-divinely-fabulous exclusive remix by Erol Alkan (Beyond The Wizards Sleeve) – “Roscoe” Go on now it’s here for your taking. And I never, ever thought it would be possible to make that song even more beautifull….but they did it.

You’d best hurry along now love, cuz it’s only gonna be available for 24 hours. Keep all eyes here, as there will be more exclusive downloads from other Bella Union Artists (The Kissaway Trail, Robert Gomez) in the coming days.

I absolutely adore this man…

Sweet little show tonight kids:

Monday, March 26th
Club Dada
Gazelles / Comrade / Luvbeat / State Bird
Doors at 7 PM / $5.00

Jonathan Evan Clark of Comrade – Live at CD World – Audio by The Fine Line

Jonny of Comrade Live at CD World – Video by The Fine Line

How in the hell did I miss THIS fercryinoutloud? Crapola man, I woulda been there front-and-center all damn day.

Oh well, I stumbled on it while looking over this year’s Fry Street Fair, slotted to party yo’ ass off beginning early April 14th and on into the night.

Bands performing thus far:
The Drams
Rose County Fair
Record Hop
Knee Pad
Joint Method
Spitfire Tumbleweeds
Congratulations
Shaolin Death Squad
Little Big Horn
White Drugs
Sleezus Fist w/ The Sidecar Girls
Liquid Bounce
Tame…Tame & Quiet
Pinebox Serenade
Mescalero
Khorina Vega
Mad Mexicans
Fatty Poindexter
Blood of the Sun
Current Leaves
jetscreamer
The Demigs
Space Cadet
J. Price
Red Monroe
The Angelus
PPT
Vortexas
The Boondox
Fab Deuce
l.i.g.h.t.
Mookie Peterson
T-Lit
B.O.B winner

Word-up on tickets’n'stuff forthcoming. Meantime, you can do what you do best by supporting Save Fry Street – click darling, click. You can make a donation or do like I just did and purchase a wicked-cool t-shirt ‘er sumthin’.

I’ll stay on top of this concert series though, since they’s sayin’ there will be more in the coming months.

“Giant Babies” by Record Hop

“Streets of Righteousness” by Pinebox Serenade

I guess the clock is ticking down to the time the Gypsy Tea Room closes its doors for good. Haven’t heard much from the E.C. as of late. One thing I’ll miss the most is the artwork on the side of the GTR, painted for many many years by artist extraordinaire, Frank Campagna. I’ve been in awe of Frank’s work for years, but those murals really take the cake. How he does ‘em with such detail and beauty is beyond me.

Rumors abound that Frank’s got some other gigs up his sleeve, more on that later. I do know for sure though that Frank is in a pool of 36 other artists challenging for the win to whip up some DART replacement art in Deep Ellum. I honestly cannot imagine anyone other than Frank landing this gig. They are announcing the 6 finalists tomorrow night. Meantime, there’s lots of cool stuff happ’nin’ at Kettle Art.

Bill’s Records was a’hoppin’ on Saturday with the likes of Darryl Lee Rush, Billy Joe Shaver, Kinky Friedman, Ian Dickson, Brett Dillon, Christen Cross, Clint Coleman, Don Gallia, Mike McShane and more in da hizzy!

Kinky Friedman and Brett Dillon Live at Bill’s Records (Video)

Darryl Lee Rush Live at Bill’s Records (Video)

More Darryl Lee Rush Live at Bill’s Records (Video)

Ian Dickson Live at Bill’s Records (Video)

Brett Intros Darryl Lee Rush – 1st Song (Audio)

The Darryl Lee Rush Experience Live at Bill’s Records (Audio)

Ian Dickson Live at Bill’s Records (Audio)

I’m takin’ the day off to do nuthin’ but watch bad Lifetime movies, play with Speck, think about how great life is, and count the days until I’m livin’ in the Hill Country….well, ‘cept I’m still uploading audio/video from yesterday’s Bill’s Records’ extravaganza…so’s ya know though…

Love & War in Plano – KHYI 95.3 The Range Kicks off Shiner Sundays w/ Two Tons of Steel – 4-6 PM – $10.00

Barley House – Fishboy / Ryan Anderson – 9 PM – No Cover

Sons of Hermann – Boys Named Sue / Southern Culture on the Skids TOP PICK! – 8 PM – $15.00

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Radio Sunday…

The Adventure Club on KDGE 102.1 The Edge with the wicked awesome Josh Venable – starts at 6 PM

The Local Show on KDGE 102.1 The Edge with the always hot ‘n hunky Chris Ryan – Tune in at 9:00 PM

The Front Porch on 99.5 The Wolf with the better ‘n buttah Justin Frazell – 6:00 PM

The Good Show on KTCU – 88.7 FM with my fave 3 stooges Tom U. Tony Diaz & Chris Bellomy starts at 9:00 PM.

90.1 at Night with my mentor Paul Slavens – 8-10 PM

Uncut with DJ Steve Nice – The absolute best in local Rap/Hip-hop/R&B 8 PM.

Darryl Lee Rush and band live at Bill’s Records.

Dedicated to my friend Darryl Smyers…

Yeah, that’s Kinky Friedman. Yeah, that’s Billy Joe Shaver. Yeah, that’s KHYI 95.3 The Range’s bad-boy Brett Dillon. Yeah, I took the blurry picture. You shoulda been at Bill’s Records today fool.

Many and much more photos/audio/video forthcoming – must eat and decide if the trek back from the northern regions of the suburbs to the Double Wide for Hogpig / Dove Hunter / Tre Orsi is in my cards…Reid says he might be there – and I need me some Reid…