Fine Line: October, 2007

I *whew* finally got a job. I started EEEEEAAAARRRRLLLLY on Tuesday morning, and since, really early every morning since. By the time I hit the home stoop, feed the boy-child, nag about homework and why his room is still a mess, walk the dog, get into my comfy clothes…well…I’m pooped. Too pooped for laptops and blogs.

About 10 minutes ago, though, I checked my email for the first time in days and was quite pleased that I was directed to this divine QuickDFW.com/Quick piece with some of my absolutely favorite local rock-stars dressed and audio/video/photographed for a shoot with them all done-dressed-up as their favorite rock-stars.

CHECK IT OUT!

PS: Thank you Rob Clark. You know what I’m talkin’ about.

Best Movie Scene ever.

It’s pretty chilly here in North Big D. I turned off the A/C and opted for some open windows to get a chill going in the house before bedtime, without the residual hefty electric bills. Good thing. While we ain’t exactly ’round the corner from the nearby high school, we are close enough to hear the band practicing. The marching band. Must be an upcoming UIL competition or something for ‘em to be out there at almost 8 PM on this blustery almost winter’s eve.

Man. I luvs me some marching band, most ’specially that drum corp….but you already knew that, didn’tcha?

D.E.E.P. Meeting tomorrow night, Tuesday, October 23rd
Meeting @ Velvet Hookah – 9pm
www.VelvetHookah.com 214.747.6700 2712 Main St Deep Ellum

(Changed from Monkey Bar due to weather.)

Drink specials and hookahs!!
Be a part of the fun!
Want to be part of helping the neighborhood? Just want to hang out with some cool people from the neighborhood? Join our mailing list to find out about events happening every month in the Deep Ellum – Greater Downtown area by joining our mailing list.

Saturday night at the Granada was both sad and melancholy, as well as light and hopeful. Hundreds and hundreds of Carter Albrecht’s fans, friends and family filled the Granada, spilling out on to Lower Greenville. The man was extremely loved, that is for sure.

I arrived to catch the last 2 songs by the newly re-formed Deadman. Steve Collins was, as always, brilliant, and of course anytime I can see Todd Pertll perform makes me happy as a clam. The Slack also gave a noteworthy performance, playing all songs penned by Carter himself. Rahim, Salim and the Amazing Fred were fabby, as were The Drams and Reed Easterwood. One of my favorite performances was a heartfelt set by the lovely Jenn Nabb. I know this whole thing has been particularly hard on her, and she was a major player in putting the memorial show together.

Ken Albrecht, Carter’s dad, is one amazing man. He spoke of Carter, the folks who have come out in droves to do whatever/whenever and the Carter Albrecht Foundation…

“He loved the Dallas music scene, even though he was frustrated by it at times. He had opportunities to leave–but he wanted to make Dallas a place where if you had talent and the ability to work hard and pay your dues, you didn’t have to leave. I can guarantee you that as long as I breathe, we will work to make Dallas a place that we can be proud of, where musicians can make a living and bring great music to our ears.”

I had to call it a night about halfway into The Drams set. It’s an old and tired thing. But I did get to see my boy Doug Burr when I was leaving, and I gushed all over him to the point that he may have had to wash-up.

I haven’t done the whole media thing in awhile, so for some reason the little bit of video I shot is unusable. The photos, as you can see below, are pretty much crap too, but they are there for ya anyway.

My new favorite pal, Mike Daniel was there, and he reports it all much better than I. Rex Curry shot some great photos too.

Also, KatieMac was there too, with camera, and will have loads loaded on her site.

Carter Live at Club Dada – Recorded by The Fine Line

Steven Collins Deadman

Todd Pertll Deadman

Emcee Mike Rhyner (The Ticket)

Ken Albrecht

Two of my favorite humans, J.D. Whittenburg and Kristy Kruger

The Slack

The Amazing Fred

Rahim Quazi – Daniel Hopkins on Drums

Salim Nourallah

Reed Easterwood

Brent Best The Drams

Mike Daniel

This is awesome…

You can purchase tickets today at either CD World in Addison or on Lower Greenville. I’ll see you all tonight.

Carter Albrecht’s death has been the stuff of tragic headlines, but it was his life, and his music, that made the deepest impression. Albrecht was a virtuoso, that rare artist respected even more by the musicians with whom he worked than the fans who adored him. And those fans were legion. He won the Dallas Observer’s Musician of the Year award, but that hardly speaks to his impact. Dallas music wouldn’t be what it is without Carter Albrecht, and his loss will be felt for years to come. His death may have been mysterious and baffling, but his legacy, and his staggering ability, are unquestionable.

The Carter Albrecht Memorial Concert, on October 20, at the Granada Theater, will pay tribute to his profound and continuing influence. Headlined by the Old 97s, the show will also feature performances from the bands who knew and loved him best: The Drams, Salim Nourallah and the Noise, Marcus Striplin and Sarah Jaffe, Stephen Collins and Deadman, Reed Easterwood, The Slack, and, of course, Albrecht’s own band, Sorta, winner of the 2006 Dallas Observer award for Best Act Overall.

Hosted by The Hard Line’s Mike Rhyner, the evening will also feature remarks from Carter’s father, Ken Albrecht.

All proceeds benefit The Carter Albrecht Music Foundation. Donations may be made to: Northern Trust Bank, Attn. Keith Braley 16475 Dallas Parkway, Addison TX 75001

Tickets are available at www.granadatheater.com for $30 a piece.

Pegasus News will be on hand to film the event and will make it available for viewing after the show. A donation will be requested to download the show and again all proceeds will benefit the Carter Albrecht Music Foundation. The show will be posted on www.PegasusNews.com.

“85 Feet and Falling” by Sorta

It’s a perfectly divine day, eh? Whatcha outta do is load up the kiddies and drive down to Bill’s Records for another faboo in-store. Legendary musician/producer Gurf Morlix is performing. ‘Nuff said.

Gurf Morlix has been a professional musician since 1966. He can play just about any instrument he might find lying around.

Gurf has produced, recorded with, or performed with a veritable “Who’s Who” of the music business. The list includes Warren Zevon, Mary Gauthier, Robert Earl Keen, Slaid Cleaves, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Buddy Miller, Julie Miller, Ian McLagan, Lucinda Williams, Tom Russell, Eliza Gilkyson, Hot Club of Cowtown, Blaze Foley, Jimmy LaFave, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock, Mojo Nixon, Jim Lauderdale, Michael Penn, Jerry Lee Lewis, Peter Case, Bob Neuwirth, Don Walser, Jon Langford, Troy Campbell, Bob Schneider, Steve Earle, Harry Dean Stanton, Syd Straw, B.W. Stevenson, Billy Swan, The Plimsouls, Victoria Williams, Dave Alvin and many more.

He worked with Lucinda Williams for eleven years, serving as guitarist, vocalist and bandleader, as well as producing her critically acclaimed albums Lucinda Williams (Rough Trade/Koch) and Sweet Old World (Chameleon/Elektra).

He has released four solo albums: Toad Of Titicaca, Fishin’ In The Muddy, Cut ‘n Shoot, and his latest – coming out February 2007, Diamonds to Dust .

Gurf spends most of his time holed up in his home studio in Austin, Texas, producing albums for many well known artists, but he gets out once in a while to tour on his own or with some of his friends.

Gurf is a member of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, and the Austin Music Awards Hall of Fame.

Sometimes you can get a cold beer, sometimes some free ice cream, sometimes some free vittles. No matter, the music is always magnificent, and it’s always free. You can thank the good folks at 95.3 The Range for sponsoring these shindigs.

Saturday, October 20th
Bill’s Records
2:30pm – Josh Daniels
3:15pm – Gurf Morlix
4:00pm – Casey Thompson
4:45pm – The 508’s

Yeah, so I had some really unexpected even-more-lacking-in-funds-activity today, which made it quite obvious that gas costs to Fort Worth and a $15 gettin’-in fee and gas costs back to North-D…well, I’m home.

Nuthin’ much to watch on the TeeVee, so I opted for “Next Great American Band.” Thank goodness. I don’t remember a time I’ve felt quite so rejuvenated.

This gorgeous trio of brothers take the stage with a mandolin (sigh) an acoustic guitar and a freakin’ (thankyekindly Dougie Burr) Dobro, and knock my socks off!!! The socks I haven’t even worn in years! There are socks from the early 80’s all over this damn room!

The Clark Brothers. Amazing. From “Nashville” according to their MySpace. No need to write this stuff down, they’ll be a household name by tomorrow.

I kinda like this show. Kinda a lot thus far….

‘NUFF SAID: Lordy, oh Lordy I hope those Clark Bros. and more bands (to come) will perform some ORIGINAL music. PLEASE! ORIGINAL MUSIC!!! Over and out…..

UPDATE: Changed my mind about this freakin’ show. Cliff Wagner & The Old #7 took the stage and done stole my heart away from them Clark Brothers, at least for now. However, with a title “Next Great American Band”….and the judges talking, ad nauseum, about what “America” will latch on-to and deem CD/iTunes/et al-worthy”…well…lessee what might happen. CW and the Old #7 made it through. WHEW!

Today’s FineLineLive itinerary:
~First stop, the book-signing.
~Second stop, Funkytown…

Modern ’til Midnight: Declaring Space and Ron Mueck

Friday, October 19, 6 pm-midnight
Admission is $15; FREE for Modern members

This event is presented in conjunction with the special exhibitions Declaring Space and Ron Mueck. Ron Mueck is on view through October 21 and Declaring Space is on view through January 6. Tickets available at the door or in advance, call 817.738.9215 or visit the Museum admission desk.

Join us for Modern ’til Midnight! Enjoy extended hours, live music, special gallery activities, late-night shopping, and late-night fare from Café Modern as we celebrate after hours on Friday, October 19, from 6 pm to midnight. This event is open to the public. Admission is $15; free for Modern members. Spend time in two critically-acclaimed exhibitions; Declaring Space: Mark Rothko, Barnett Newman, Lucio Fontana , Yves Klein and the last chance to see the popular exhibition, Ron Mueck which closes October 21!

Live Music
Enjoy live music in the Modern’s Sculpture Garden
10:45 pm – St. Vincent
Featuring Annie Clark, former member of Polyphonic Spree.
“I came away impressed with her gnarly, minimalist indie rock”.-Preston Jones, Star-Telegram

10 pm – Peter & the Wolf

9:15 pm – Doug Burr

8:30 pm – Sleeping States

7:45 pm – Tame..Tame and Quiet

7 pm – MOM

and live DJ entertainment in the Grand Lobby

6 pm-DJ Marcosis

8 pm-DJ Sober of the Party

Film Programs
Open Screen at the Modern
8 pm-10 pm
Featuring film and video from young emerging filmmakers.
Co-sponsored by the Lone Star Film Society.

Café Modern and Lobby Bar
Cash bars and coffee bar are available from 6 pm until last call at 11:45 pm. Enjoy a global assortment of Modern appetizers and Café Modern food service from 6 to 11 pm.*
*Beverages and food are not included in admission price.

Happenings in the Galleries
Guests will experience the special exhibitions Declaring Space and Ron Mueck by taking part in special activities throughout the evening including conceptual projects, interactive events, spotlight tours, and art explorations in the galleries.

“Travel Light” by Doug Burr

“Strange Machines” by Peter and the Wolf

St. Vincent filmed by The Beggar Group

Don’t listen to me, though, Cory Watson explains it so much better.

Bloody hell there’s a lot going on this weekend. Of course the most important being the Carter Albrecht Memorial show at the Granada.

However, in case that sells out, if it already hasn’t, then a really fun time can be had at Adair’s Saloon tomorrow night. My boyfriend Opie Hendrix leaves his Houston casa to give us, yet another, groovier-than-thou performance extravaganza. Seriously, if you sit at the bar tomorrow night, hold on tight to your Shiners cuz Opie is known to jump from stage to bar at any given moment.

Go early and partake in the oh-so-tasty Adair’s burger fare. Plus, straight outta Nashville, the lovely and talented Dawn McCoy plays an early set starting at 6 PM.

It’s always free to walk through the Adair’s doors.

“Everybody But Me” by Opie Hendrix

“Can’t Even Yodel” by Opie Hendrix

Studio Fling gets all Flingaty on Saturday night with the Black & White Art Opening showcasing the artwork of R.C. Hardy and sons (Joe & Johnny). That’s not all kids, works by Rob George Jr., Larry Carrey, George Fowler and Kevin Gilmore shall also grace the Fling walls.
8 Until 11 PM

Other delicious Openings This Weekend:

Saturday, October 20th Until November 24th
and/or gallery
Kevin Bewersdorf / Guthrie Lonergan
Opening Reception Saturday, October 20th – 6-9 PM

Saturday, October 20th Until Saturday, November 24th
Barry Whistler Gallery
John Pomara: Digital-Dating

Saturday, October 20th Until Saturday, November 24th
Road Agent Gallery
Raychel Stine: Dogs, Rats and Weasels
6 Until 8 PM

Ongoing Exhibits:

Kettle Art – Collaboration
Open Thursday – Saturday – 7-10 PM

You can pretty much always check in with the Sub-Rosa for all your artsy-fartsy needs.

“May Banners” by Tree Wave

If there’s one thing I love, it’s gettin’ me some Spitfire Tumbleweeds. It’s not just their brilliant performances, or those towering hunks with long’n'lush beards, but it’s the bulletins they post…

Fuck, man. You know we’re playing again pretty soon, right? Like, VERY soon?

We have EIGHT members for this one! THREE guitars! PAUL SLAVENS on the keys! New songs and shit! what seems to be the problem? Don’t you miss us? Well, we miss you.

Aaaaaah, expletives and a Paul Slavens mention. It just don’t get much better.

So mark your calendars friends and foes…

Saturday, October 27th
Dan’s Silverleaf
Spitfire Tumbleweeds / Pinebox Serenade / Raised by Tigers / George Neal Band / Ash from Record Hop
Suuuuh-freakin’-weeeeet

“Giant Babies” by Record Hop

“Streets of Righteousness” by Pinebox Serenade

“Dead Skunk” by Spitfire Tumbleweeds

Chris Gonzalez Performs at MacHenry’s – Photo by Tim Sisk

Dang it to hell. The Stash Dauber reports that John Walker and his amazing Fort Worth acoustic venue, MacHenry’s, is closing it’s doors. For now, at least. That sucks. However, in an open letter, John assures us that the joint will most likely re-organize and re-open in the coming weeks. Let’s hope so. The MacHenry’s stage has been home to the likes of Chris Gonzalez, Walt Wilkins, Jason Eady, Ed Rogers, Gigi Cervantes, Darrin Kobetich, Shake Russell, Beth Wood, Don McRay, the Texas Sapphires, Matt the Electrician, South Austin Jug Band, Terry Rasor, Daryl Lee Rush and many, many more.

Let’s hope this fantastic Fort Worth venue does indeed come back alive.

October 23rd marks the day, back in 2002, when I wrote my first post on my previously owned blog TexasGigs.com. So there will be some memory lane stuff goin’ on around here for a few days. Mostly just talk about folks I’ve met, worked with, respect, admire, hate…nah, no hatin’.

One pretty impressive dude is Paul Salfen. I first encountered Paul, years back, with his great site, the Dallas Music Guide. Paul put before us interviews, music news, ticket giveaways, band information, concert reviews (that’s how I met my precious Kate Mackley) and more.

These days Paul contributes to Quick, both in written form and his Ear Candy PodQasts. There are loads of great audio PodQasts, including interviews with Green River Ordinance, The Dirt Blazers (luv ya Chris), Taylor Davis, Red Monroe, wonder-kid Tyler Dow Bryant, Calhoun, Becky Middleton, Happy Bullets, The Chemistry Set, Johnny Lloyd Rollins, Black Tie Dynasty…and…well, a helluva lot more. Go here. Listen. You’re welcome.

One might think that the streets of Deep Ellum see nothing much more than tumbleweeds nowadays, what with so many clubs, restaurants and businesses shutting their doors. However, if there is any one human being who will not let the ol’ girl sink into the forgotten, it’s Frank Campagna. Don’t even try to talk pessimistically or negatively about Deep Ellum, its past, its present or its future, with Frank. He’ll have none of it.

Just last week I visited with Frank, and as we strolled along Elm Street, passing empty building after empty building, Frank still excitedly spoke about what the future holds for Deep Ellum. “Two years,” he said, “two years and all will be thriving.” With all the new residential construction (and certain retail, restaurant and all else to follow) me thinks Frank is on to something.

However, I digress. To date, Frank is almost single-handedly keeping Elm Street alive with his fabby Kettle Art exhibitions, and his latest extravaganza, re •cov •er, that drew 100’s of good folks down to the streets of Deep Ellum.

It was really nice seeing this many people enjoying what Frank and Deep Ellum has to offer. Courtney Perry (GuideLive.com) was also there and she writes about it here. There are lots of good pictures of the murals too.

Go visit the Collaboration Exhibit showing now through Saturday, November 3rd. It’s genius.

PS- I know I’m behind on the times, but The Bone had a band playing on the outside rooftop deck last Friday too, and it really made the whole atmosphere feel exciting and…well…happy. Kudos.

Thumbing through the virtual pages of this week’s FW Weekly, a quick piece by my beloved Tom Urquhart reveals a group of yuk-it-up rappers whom I’ve yet to come to know.

Imagine if acts like the Beastie Boys, RUN-D.M.C., and LL Cool J had launched from Panther City instead of The Bronx or Brooklyn. Imagine also if they had kept one snow-white Adidas firmly planted in the local university’s library with the other in the ‘hood, specifically the mean streets of Fort Worth’s Rivercrest neighborhood on the West Si-eeeeed.

The result would be the Rivercrest Yacht Club, a collective that employs a dozen contributors but revolves primarily around four main characters: Heffminster de la Roca, Generic (a Weekly staffer, for the record), The Gaucho MC, and DJ MC DDS. On the RYC’s eponymous debut, weird and pop-cult-savvy references abound, from Lacan and Scylla and Charybdis to Star Trek and Kevin Bacon. Even the double entendres require a decent bookish background to be fully appreciated. Parse this nugget from “H-E-F-F,” alluding to de la Roca, who “lets his participle dangle like the OED.” Who knew that the Oxford English Dictionary could be so sexy?…READ IT ALL.

My trusty Google search found, yet another, FW Weekly paragraph of luv by it’s own Anthony Mariani…er…Hearsay…

…Even more surprising, for such a low-budget, lo-fi project, the rappers’ flow is really freaking good. They get ahead of or behind the beats seemingly at whim. They’re also really freaking funny. There’s a lot of boasting and toasting, but it’s always within a chip shot of the Club. On the toe-tapping, New Wave-y “On the Mic,” one of the rappers slyly transports you from your car, your computer, or wherever you might be listening to the yacht. “I keep my life jacket on at all times / Float by the boat as I drop my rhymes.” And from the opener, a kind of theme song to a superhero cartoon that never was: “I was fightin’ crime in Russia, chasin’ ghosts in Madrid / They would have got away / If it weren’t for us, kid / I came back, y’all / Saw that beacon in the sky / Got my voice-powered yacht to the ’Crest in overdrive.” One of the rappers also, apparently, is a dentist. His handle is DJ MC DDS, and on his eponymously titled track, where we learn that his brain has been implanted into a monkey’s body, he raps: “As a monkey dentist, I can tell you don’t floss / Your gums are black like sweet plum sauce / Your teeth aren’t white, they are covered in moss / … I won’t use pliers, I won’t use restraints / I’ll lean on you hard with my savage monkey strength.” Basically, fun bands like the Yacht Club don’t come around often, so support ‘em while you can. Order a c.d. at RiverCrest.Yacht.Club@gmail.com…READ IT ALL.

Wanting to hear straight from the the proverbial “horse’s mouth,” I found that this is what they (Rivercrest Yacht Club aka DJMCDDS, The Gaucho MC, Generic, The Hammer, Heffminster de la Roca, Limerick MC) have to say for themselves…

The Rivercrest Yacht Club was founded in 1878 on the shores of the great Trinity River. For over a hundred years it has been a cultural hub of yachtsmanship, gentlemanly sports, and dope rhymes. A discerning group, the Yacht Club grew in membership gradually, having at its height in 1902 only 27 members (although it did boast a staff of 425). Originally constructed entirely from corn cobs, the famed Rivercrest Yacht Clubhouse burnt down in 1919, but was rebuilt the following year with more modern materials. In 1986, the Yacht Club gained national attention for its role in the U.S. Supreme Court case Barberic v. RYC, in which the Yacht Club successfully defended its practice of excluding Sucka MCs and Wack Rappers from membership. In 2007 the Yacht Club released its first eponymous album to wide acclaim…

No tour dates, locally or otherwise, can be found. Dammit. But I plan to keep an eye out for any upcoming shows. Meantime you can find lots of listening just by clicking here. Or even better, take the advice of good ol’ Hearsay and “…support ‘em while you can. Order a c.d. at RiverCrest.Yacht.Club@gmail.com.”

Read the rest of this week’s FW Weekly.

“Electronic Philharmonic.mp3″ by Rivercrest Yacht Club

UPDATE: The great Generic informs me of a tentative RYC performance date at the Blue Grotto in Fort Worth on November 10th. You should be obtaining your 2007 calendar and a big fat red Sharpie about now.