When you finish up readin’ below, then click here for an AMAZING short film, Dopamine, with the glorious Cottonmouth, Texas on the soundtrack. It’s beeeaaauuutiful.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A History of Dallas Music by Jeffrey Liles *read it often – look at the photos – learn*

There was a very inspirational brainstorming session last night at the Prophet Bar.

A large number of dedicated gallery owners, artists, residents, public relations execs, photographers and committed visionaries gathered together to cut through all the distorted perception and begin the process of reclaiming Deep Ellum.

Fact: nobody, including Beck Ventures, is going to change the face of this neighborhood for the worse. The deal hasn’t gone through yet, and when/if it does, many of the properties they are interested in are protected by a no-tear-down clause. Unless a building is simply beyond salvage or repair, it isn’t going anywhere.

Fact: the creative/artistic legacy of the neighborhood is simply priceless. Much in the same way small business owners came together to deal with the SUP issues, we are going to continue to reach out to the North Texas creative community in the effort to protect and restore this neighborhood.

Fact: as many of you have already pointed out, there are literally dozens of interesting and inspirational destinations within the neighborhood. Deep Ellum is anything but dead. In actuality, during this difficult economy, the neighborhood is currently providing the best overall value for your entertainment dollar.

This isn’t a veiled pitch or advertisement, it’s simply the truth.

Fact: if you’ve never been to an art gallery opening, you should know they’re free. It’s a great place to take a date. Many of the galleries in the neighborhood all have art openings on the same night, and they are all within walking distance of each other.

You don’t have to spend five or ten bucks to park in a lot, just bring a handful of change and you can park on the street the whole night for less than three bucks.

If you’d rather go drop 60 bucks a person at the House of Blues to see a show that ends before midnight, spend six or seven dollars for a single beer at the Palladium, then go for it. Just know that drink prices in Deep Ellum are WAY less than that.

You won’t go broke by seeing a show or dining in this neighborhood.

You can’t destroy or diminish Deep Ellum. It was here long before all of the shiny shopping malls, the overpriced corporate live music venues and trendy “red velvet rope” clubs with their snooty bottle service. As was referenced time and time again last night, the area is the cradle of this city’s creative sensibility.

If you’re content to live in a vacuous, benign existence with little sense of purpose or meaning, then stay at home and jerk off your X-Box.

If you wanna break out of a routine that offers little or no spiritual or creative inspiration, then know you will be embraced and made to feel part of this very eclectic creative community.

We’re here. We’re not going anywhere. There’s nothing to be afraid of.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UPDATE: via Liles – The Bar of Soap blog was actually written by Jessicka, who works at BOS. I just reposted it for her on the HoDM page.

As I’m sure everyone has heard by now, on Tuesday morning the landlord locked us out of Bar of Soap.

As many people know, BOS has gone through some hard times over the past couple of years. I personally came on about 4 months ago to help book and manage and try to bring it back.

In the past 4 months we have made a lot of improvements, booked some amazing shows, and come a long way; including catching up with the bills. But not everything happens overnight — and in the business world, 4 months of catching up isnt much compared to 2 years of business slowing down.

We have had a good relationship with the owners of the building and management company, and they have worked with us a lot over the past few months as we have been catching up. However, over the last weekend some changes took place in the management company [owner Lou Reese passed away -ed.] and a certain individual decided that our time at the Bar of Soap was up.

Hence came the lock out.

We were told we had to come up with an impossible amount of money basically overnight to get back in.

Finally, after much dismay, we realized it was over.

So we broke in, I blacked out the windows w/ trashbags, and we sent a text to about 50 people on my phone. “Come say your goodbyes”, and I promised everyone I would stay and serve until i ran out of everything — which we did.

Little did we know, those 50 people spread the word like fire, and by 2 am I’m sure a good 300 folks had been in and out of BOS by the end of the night.

I didn’t do this to try and save the bar, as I never even thought it possible with the amount of money that we needed. HOWEVER!!! We actually made enough money. We were able to meet with the powers that be on Wednesday and they actually worked with us!

EVERYONE THAT CAME OUT SAVED BOS!!! Even more importantly, I would like to point out that even those that didn’t come but told others all someone helped.

Now, I have heard rumor that some people think this was a hoax or stunt. Let me assure everyone that it was not !!!

Anyone here Tuesday night can tell you by my demeanor alone that it was nothing of the sort. The point I’m making here is, if everyone did all the time what they did on Tuesday night then we could assure that venues like ours will always be around.

Even if you cant make a show, because no one can make em all, tell someone about it!

When you pass by your pal in the grocery store… instead of gossiping about who is fucking who, or who got into a fight with who, if you know about a show that’s going on and think they might be interested in it, fucking spread the word! Pass out some flyers for a venue. If you work somewhere you can lay some out, pick some up and do it!

This goes for all places, not just the BOS. Tuesday has proven how well this can work. Most importantly — I just want to thank everyone and tell them how grateful I am we are still here.

Also, we have shows starting this Friday and then everynight after up until Tuesday of next week and many more all month. Please take a look at our calendar and spread the word!!

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Bar of Soap Concert Calendar

10 Jul 2008 – NAME, RISE OF CALIGULA, & THE DAJJAL PERSONA :Sponsors by Peta &Ladies of Metal
11 Jul 2008 – THE RAY GRADYS (PHILLY) W/ RATS IN THE ATTIC
12 Jul 2008 – ROB CHOP’S EUROPEAN TOUR RETURN PARTY!!!!!!! PLAYING YOUR FAVORITES ALL NIGHT
14 Jul 2008 – THE REZUREX!!! HORROR PUNK FROM CALI! W/ SUBCITY VAMP! SPECIAL SHOW $10 COVER
16 Jul 2008 – HOT ROD CARL(Portland), DISASTER US(New Jersey), W/ TBA
18 Jul 2008 – THE FACTORY PARTY, THE FELLOW AMERICANS, THRASHING ASHLEY & BLACK RIVER CROW
19 Jul 2008 – SADDLE TRAMP & TENNESSEE GEORGE W/ TRUCKSTOP JUNKIES!
22 Jul 2008 – BOLTH W/ TBA
23 Jul 2008 – KTP W/ RESPONSIBLE JOHNNY & BEERGNOMES!!!
25 Jul 2008 – ROTTEN YOUTH (from AZ), THE ROLLER, & BLOOD OV
26 Jul 2008 – BLUE EYED SON W/ ROME IS BURNING AND TBA
1 Aug 2008 – THRASHING ASHLEY (SAN ANTONIO), SCREAMING RED W/ TBA
2 Aug 2008 – D.I.H.Y.F. (COLORADO) W/ TBA
4 Aug 2008 – GREEN ROOM ROCKERS W/ PENGUIN AND TBA
15 Aug 2008 – GUNS ON THE RUN (PHILLY), SQUARED OFF (CHICAGO) W/ THE BROADSIDERS & DCS
16 Aug 2008 – CHECK THE LIST W/ TBA
17 Aug 2008 – MURDER PRACTICE W/ TBA
11 Sep 2008 – SOMATHRACE, VORVADOSS, & BLOOD OV
20 Sep 2008 – SHUTDOWN SEQUENCE GO (Tulsa) W/ TBA
4 Oct 2008 – STREETLIGHT FIGHT (Tulsa) W/ TBA

Yeah well, a live webcast at the Art of Skateboarding shindig was a bust. It seems that the building is too old to accommodate more than a handful of electrical outlets at one time. I was the odd man out…heh…go figure. I got a few pics, all of which can be viewed by clicking on the above YouTube. Once the trendy, gorgeous, mostly wealthy-yuppy rich-folk began to fill every nook and cranny of the gallery, I took my exit. From all accounts (thanks Tiffany), ’twas above and beyond a huge success. “Packed” might be too sissy a word to describe the evening. There were plenty of local media photographers sprinkled about the room, so I figure you might get better rehash over at the Dallas Morning News or ,most certainly some smiling socialites who were in attendance, in next month’s PaperCity.

Check back here this eve for a (really, truly, it’ll happen) live webcast for Art Conspiracy SEED – Live from Sons of Hermann – linkage below…

====================

This list is a li’l done – I gots more later to add…come back and see for yourownselves….xxox

====================

It’s a pretty darn decent week/end at AllGood Cafe – like 3 strong shows that made me cut’n'paste photos of the performers above…oh…and yeah, that’s Hal Samples pictured with porterdavis cuz…well…he tooked the photo.

AllGood Cafe
Thursday – Mario Matteoli
Friday – Menkena
Saturday – porterdavis

Club Dada
Thursday – Salim Nourallah / Ringo Deathstar / Street Hassel / DJ Wild in the Streets
Friday – Frog Eyes / White Hinterland / Evangelicals
Saturday – Strange Boys / Coathangers

Double Wide
Thursday – PPT(?) / DJ Middlefinger
Friday – Nuthin’
Saturday – Dead Twins / Magnet School / Space Cadet
Sunday – The Feds / Underwater / The Better Death

Red Blood Club
Thursday – Naked and Shameless
Friday – ANS / Unit 21 / Rageous Bros. / Seasick / Zheia Golov / Stymie

Fallout Lounge
Thursday – Lost Generation w/Wanz Dover
Friday – The Fever w/DJ El Macho & DJ C MacPhie

City Tavern
Thursday – Southern Swing
Friday – Spector 45 / Goodwin / The Dirty Sound
Saturday – Southern Drive / Truckstop Junkies

Opening Bell
Thursday – Suzanna Choffel / Lang Freeman
Friday – Dylan Sneed / Ryan Thomas Becker / Isaac Hoskins
Saturday – Brian Miller / Local Honey / Carman Menza

The Loft
Thursday – The RZA as Bobby Digital
Saturday – Joshua James / Scott McCurry / Lex Land / Justin Townes Earl

The Palladium
Saturday – Eric Hutchinson / Marie Digby / Justin Nozuka
Sunday – Rilo Kiley / Thao with the Get Down Stay Down / Benji Hughes

Lee Harvey’s
Thursday – DJ Sista Whitenoise
Friday – DJ Chikki G / The Tidbits
Saturday – DJ Sista Whitenoise / The Mumbles
Sunday – DJ EZ Eddie D

House of Blues
Friday – Matthew Ryan vs The Silver State / Jon Dee Graham

=========================

The uber-cool-uber-fab-uber-hip House on Swiss pulls another good’un outta their collective adorable arses….

Saturday, June 14th
House on Swiss
Via Audio / Verulf / Jukebox the Ghost
10 pm – BYOB

=========================

The Cavern
Thursday – Soulever Lift / The Boss Level / The Triggermen / Austin Brown – ZOO: The Video DJ Upstairs
Friday – Farstar / The JGB / JJ & the Rouges / Demihuman – DJ Red Eye Presents “Beat Stew” Upstairs
Saturday Grand Ole Party / Red Monroe / Man Factory – ZOO: The Video DJ Upstairs
Sunday – Ricki Derek Upstairs

If I gushed anymore about Ryan Bingham, then I’d be plumb outta gush and I need to save a little for later. His show…not…to…miss.

Thursday, June 12th
Granada Theater
Ryan Bingham / Dead Horses / Southern Drive / The Dedringers
Doors at 7 pm – It’s almost Sold-Out so Get ‘em while you can

Green Elephant
Thursday – C&W night with Brian Hughes and Friends

White Rock Coffee
Friday – Amanda Lepre / Andrew Stone
Saturday – Jordan Stephens

Love & War (Plano)
Friday – Thomas Michael Riley
Saturday – Houston Marchman CD Release
Sunday – Shiner Sunday w/Dale Watson

Obzeet
Thursday – Eric Erickson
Friday – Drop-Top Rockets

Hank’s
Friday – Texas Renegade
Saturday – Jesse Dayton

Dan’s Silverleaf
Thursday – Gretel / Sarah Jaffe / Doug Burr
Friday – Eric Keyes
Saturday – Big Daddy Alright
Monday – Paul Slavens

================================

This weekend, it’s all about the Gutterth boys. Cuz, they create some of the bestest shows ever. Yeah. I said it. EVER.

Friday, June 13th
J&J’s Pizza – 118 Oak Street – Denton
New Science Projects / Dust Congress / The Heartstring Stranglers / Parata

Saturday, June 14th
Hailey’s
Gutterth Live: Episode XXII
Balmorhea / MOM / Hotel, Hotel / Geistheistler
Doors at 9 pm / $6-$8 – All Ages

================================

Hailey’s
Friday – Hallelucination / Odis / Katsuk
Saturday – Balmorhea / MOM / Hotel, Hotel / Geistheistler

Rubber Gloves
Thursday – Weird Weeds / Shiny Around the Edges / Fight Bite / Verulf
Friday – R9 / DJ-G
Saturday – Cats & Dogs – Benefit for Denton Humane Society
Grillin’ Keggin’n'Helpin’ our 4-legged friends
Peforming Bands:
1:00pm – The Tellevators
1:45pm – Starhead
2:30pm – Ella Minnow
3:15pm – Violent Squid
4:00pm- Big Ol Bastards
4:45pm – Handbrake
5:30pm – The Fuzzy Coos
6:15pm – RTB2
7:00pm – Monkeytown
7:45pm – Audrey Lapraik
8:15pm – George Neal
9:00pm – Little Birds
9:45pm – Raised By Tigers
10:30pm – The Heelers
11:15am – Sarah Jaffe
12:00am – Tre Orsi
12:45am – Record Hop
DOORS OPEN AT NOON!
Bring your dog, and enjoy beer, burgers, bands all day long!

8.0
Thursday – Josh Weathers Band / Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights / Chatterton

1919 Hemphill
Friday – Outclassed / Difference Engine / Fatty Fabulous / Division of Power

The Aardvark
Thursday – Bob Schneider / The Campaign
Saturday – James McMurtry / The Dedringers

The Fairmount
Thursday – Mike McClure / Courtney Patton
Friday – Catfish Whiskey / The Ginn Sisters / Claire Moore and her Boys
Saturday – Josh Weathers / Jody Jones / Whiskey Myers

Fred’s
Thursday – Rodney Hayden
Friday – Villain Vangard
Sunday – Magee Payne / Kurt South

Lola’s
Thursday – The Backsliders CD Release / Fate Lions / RTB2
Friday – Joan of Arc / Tame Tame & Quiet / Yellow Fever
Saturday – Little Big Horn / Merkin / Hedkase

The Moon Bar
Friday – Maren Morris / The Royal West Co. / Grant Jones
Saturday – The Iliads / Binary Sunrise

Scat Lounge
Thursday – Johnny Reno
Friday – Ricki Derek & the Vegas Six
Saturday – Quamon Fowler Quintet

White Elephant
Thursday – David Matsler / Sam Anderson
Friday – Clay McClinton
Saturday – Steve Carasco – 2 pm – Billy Joe Shaver
Sunday – Brett Watts Songwriters in the Round (2 pm) / Cassie Phelps (7 pm) / Clubhouse Concerts w/Walt Wilkins and more

Woody’s Tavern
Friday – Ryan Turner / Josh Davis
Saturday – Josh Grider / Larry Hooper

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In-Stores

Bill’s Records
Saturday
Brett Dillon hosts!
2:30pm – The Black Prairie Band
3:15pm – The Dirty Sound
4:00pm – Guy Forsyth
4:45pm – Mike and the Moonpies
Free

Good Records
Saturday:
Via Audio
3 pm – Free

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Radio…

Friday

89.3 KNON – Rocket Radio – “underground electronic and dark music from the North Texas area and around the world”
Midnight ’til 4 am

Saturday

KTCU 88.7 – Radio Sputnik
Tune in at noon!

89.3 KNON – The Dungeon – hard rock, punk, metal and lots from our local unsigned bands
Midnight ’til 4 am

Sunday

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 2 stooges Tom U. Tony Diaz – 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 11 PM – K104 FM

89.3 KNON – Pagan Holiday- Open playlist, call in your requests! Lots of Indi and local rock.
Midnight ’til 4 am

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Artsy-Fartsy

Saturday, June 14th
Kettle Art

“Cathey Millers latest paintings depict portraits of women clad in tactical gear, gas masks, ski masks, and American flags inhabiting bunkers and rooms full of video screens. Miller uses bold colors and a painterly style to present a doomsday scenario that is tempered by the occasional orange bicycle, a sweetly smiling face, or a fluorescent jellyfish. Her inspirations for this new work are the constant stream of violent images on modern computer, television, movie, and gaming screens, and “Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness” issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Miller is a 1985 graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena , CA.”

Saturday, June 14th
Hal Samples Gallery and SPACE
Performance by Fight Bite
Live Video Stream here on FineLineLive.com

I’m going to defer to my dear friend over at the Sub-Rosa for all your art-going needs. The chick knows her sh*t. Use her site often.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The audio and videos are uploaded, the bags lay waiting for unpacking, the ears are starting to ring less – SXSW 2007 is a wrap. Thinking back over the past few years, this year wasn’t much different. At least as far as the hassles, the drunken idiots, the masses, etc. This is definitely the last year I’m investing in a stupid badge. I should have taken more advantage of the conferences – but alas – I didn’t.

Will I still attend SXSW on some level? Absolutely. However, rather than running from show to show in an attempt to get audio/video, starting next year I’m going to pick a day venue and an evening venue each day and plant me arse there for the duration. No need to stay in the fancy downtown hotels either. It made for more of a hassle than not. Plus, the expense really wasn’t worth the location.

I will say this though, everyone, and I mean everyone I encountered in Austin (bartenders, doormen, hotel staff, sushi makers, room service attendants, waiters/waitresses) was extraordinarily friendly, helpful, accommodating and downright wonderful. I cannot express enough how great the staff at the Hilton was to us, as well as everyone else we encountered.

Saturday was by far the best day of all. In fact, I was this close (-) to taking in Kristy Kruger and Guy Forsyth at Love, as well as Fishing For Comets and crew at Aussie’s but the girl-child called just as I about to exit my car for said shows and had left her keys and cell phone in the room, so back I went for the night.

I really love Austin and I’m looking forward to spending lots more time there in the future (not only the move to San Antone, but the girl-child got accepted to St. Edwards).

The shows I regret missing include The Theater Fire, Kristy Kruger, Eisley, Fat Caddy’s showcase, the show I did not know about until Marc Dagle informed afterwards, Cowboys & Indians with Cornell Hurd, the Bella Union showcase and of course the Hot Freaks parties. Oh well, there’s always next year.

Seen/Heard

Random sitings included C.J., Sam, Noah, Mike and lovely companions, Danny Balis cruisin’ down Congress, Mike Snider at Jovita’s, Noah at Jovita’s, Todd & Marc at Jovita’s, Chris at his own shindig at the Mohawk, Garrison on the streets, Grant on the streets, and finally my darling Hunter Hauk at the Convention Center.

Mike Snider raved about the band that followed my new darlings (Gentleman Auction House) – and I trust Mike’s taste implicitly – a little outfit outta Detroit called The Deadstring Brothers who Mike said “sound like the Rolling Stones gone Country.” I did get bit of their set recorded, but lost it in the great sound-card re-formatting fiasco.

“Sacred Heart” by The Deadstring Brothers

Honey-pie Marc Dagle showed up at Jovita’s to support Todd Pertll and told me some really great news. It seems that Glen Reynolds has asked Marc to join his new band, which is way too wicked-awesome – plus there are some other really exciting things happening in Marc’s world that I’ll tell ya about a little later. Cowboys & Indians are going on a short hiatus – so don’t miss their upcoming show at Love and War with the great Dale Watson. (April 21st)

“I Feel Love” by Glen Reynolds

Finding Reagan, Kay & Deck on Friday at Jo’s Coffee was another big bonus. Reagen was positively giddy about Deck’s new album (Mission to the Sea) and got me so fired-up that you can expect a nice little audio/video chat and performance here sooner’n'later.

“Sleeping in Phone booths” by Mission to the Sea

My precious, darling beautiful girl-child had the time of her life at SXSW. Her number one goal was to see Girl Talk live, which she did, and it was even better than she had hoped. Her other big hurrah was meeting Menomena in person when she ran into them on the street. She also caught one of their sets and loved it as well.

Girl-child and posse were glued to their cell-phones, text-messaging what seems like 24 hours a day. But that’s cool, they were excited and having a blast. This little gang managed to get into the Pitchfork party, back stage with the help of the lead singer (“some really bad band from England who were crazy”), made the cut into some of the hardest to get into shows, all with no badges, no wristbands and just a few bucks in each pocket.

Although we pretty much passed in the night and I didn’t get to spend as much alone time with her as I would have liked, I’m still thrilled that this was, and I quote, “the best Spring Break ever!” Sweet.

“Rotten Hell” by Menomena

“Let’s Call It Off” by Girl Talk

My 2 bottom-line, no excuses, rain or shine, sickness or in health performances I promised myself not to miss were Mike Damron at Headhunter’s, and Milton Mapes and/or The Monahans (Milton Mapes other li’l project). I managed to pull off both.

I had hoped that one of my favorite humans on earth would be performing with The Monahans on Saturday, and lo and behold there he was! Next year I’m going to do SXSW as the Todd Pertll Tour since during the 4-5 days Todd performed with Doug Burr, Kristy Kruger, Deadman, Milton Mapes and of course The Monahans. That little mix of bands is even topper than top-notch.

Like Milton Mapes, The Monahans did not disappoint. I’ve loved Milton Mapes for years and years – and now I have two, two, two bands in one to adore…

The Austin and San Francisco-based band Monahans began in the spring of 2006 as a new project by Milton Mapes collaborators Greg Vanderpool, Roberto Sanchez, Jim Fredley, and Britton Beisenherz. The band’s first release, Low Pining (Undertow 6/12/07), weaves anthemic melodies in-and-out of ambient tranquility and rhythmic intensity. The songs have a distinct nautical theme, decisively apolitical, with strands of detachment, nostalgia, and spiritual longing stretched across vast sonic landscapes.

The ocean and water references weren’t really a calculated motif. We actually approached the recordings by putting any preconceived structure aside to focus on rhythms, beats (in a Tom Waits/Califone vein) and soundtracks (like Explosions In The Sky) with the thought that there might not be any lyrics at all. But we were also drawn to the spirit of some of our favorite older records by U2, The Police, The Stone Roses, etc. So ultimately melodies, phrases and fragments started working their way in, and before long we had this album by which we were very invigorated.

The album also features multi-instrumentalist Chris Dye, Todd Pertll on pedal steel, and Margo Timmins, vocalist of Cowboy Junkies (with whom the Mapes toured in 2006).

I seriously cannot wait to move to the hill country so that I can see these bands live more often. I freakin’ love Austin, Texas and the bands that it holds in its warm belly.

The Monahans Live at Jovita’s – Twangfest

Mo’ Monahans Live at Jovita’s – Twangfest

Mo’ Mo’ Mo’ Monahans Live at Jovita’s – Twangfest

Chris Cantalini had the right idea as to how to spend his week at SXSW. Throw his own damn parties. And helluva good parties they was.

He’s re-hashin’ in GvB-style so getcherselves over there post haste for a look-see into what the truly cool kids did last week/weekend.

I walked into the darkened back room of Jovita’s just in the knick of time to catch the final song by this quirky, adorable band from St. Louis called, Gentleman Auction House. The 7 member band filled the stage with their multitude of instruments ranging from keyboards, drums, guitars organs, horns, beaters, shakers, a flute…they had it all. This single performance was, by far, the most captivating, fun, entertaining and brilliant performance of the entire 5 days. I fell…and I fell hard. I literally had to wrench the last EP outta the hands of another rabid new fan just to get me a copy.

The good news is, I had the foresight to grab my audio recorder and got that last song recorded. The other good news is that I cornered the band later for an audio interview. The bad news is, I’m a flippin’ dumbass. But you already knew that, right? I was juggling one memory card between two audio recorders and didn’t realize that if I re-formatted one to the other, the audio was forever lost. I’m still kicking myself…literally, kicking myself for losing it.

However, thanks to modern technology I can still bring their music to your ears. I’m going to harass, plead, blackmail, bribe…whatever I have to do to get these kids back to Texas for a little Lone Star tour as soon as possible. Or hell, I loved ‘em so much, I’d even make the drive to St. Louis to seem ‘em live again.

Young Eric Enger went from a solo artist to the addition of 6 more members to this fantabulous band. The other members, Steve Kozel, Mike Tomko, Kiley Lewis, Eric Herbst, Ryan Archer Adams and Stephen Tomko seem just as dedicated and excited towards and about the band as Eric hisownself.

I listened and learned the EP on the entire 6-freakin’-hour-in-stand-still-traffic-on-I-35 drive home yesterday and now it shall never, ever leave my CD player. The real magic, however, is in their live performance. These kids don’t just get up there and strum and sing – they put on a show and the fans can’t help but become a part of the entire performance.

Remember this name, Gentleman Auction House. You’ll be hearing it over and over in the coming years.

Their self-made, self-written (Eric Enger), self-produced debut EP, The Rules Were Handed Down is a must have if you like good music. Go here and getcherown copy. Below are a couple of tunes for your listening pleasure…

“Our Angry Town Runs Them Out” by Gentleman Auction House

“A Hospital or Heaven” by Gentleman Auction House

I thought to myself, “Cindy” I said, “Cindy, I think that lovely young lady is someone I’d really like to know.” Then she began to sing. Life-changing I tellsya. Like a freakin’ angel. I give you the lovely, gifted and oh-so-talented Alela Diane…

Press the play arrow fool

Press that arrow again for something splendid

Oh yeah…and her good-lookin’ daddy plays mandolin. You all know how I lust after…er….luvs me a good-lookin’ daddy who plays mandolin…sigh…

Press the play arrow AGAIN to hear “Tired Feet”

Now For the Pics

Two Cow Garage Live at Jovita’s – SXSW – Twangfest – Full Set

Never know who you might run into

‘Cept a whole buncha other folks I adore

If I wasn’t so sore in the high-arches of my feet, I’d bring you some excellent audio from some of the above referenced rock stars…but I shall in the wee hours of the a.m….I can assure you…I shall….

Today all fiascos, mishaps, blood sweat and tears dissipated when one Mr. Michael Dean Damron and his Loyal Bastards took the stage at Headhunter’s.

Lemme first give a heapin’ helpin’ of lovin’ to the staff at Headhunter’s. Bravo for the extra friendly attentive service. Thankya to CD Baby for the extra special party too.

Now, back to Mike Damron and his unbelievably fantastic set. It was unbelievably fantastic. It was so tight I almost wept. Mikey told me after the performance that he’s going on tour with Jim Goad, (playing bass) in support of Hank III, sometime in the coming summer.

If Michael Dean Damron and Thee Loyal Bastards grace your ‘hood – do yourselves a favor – go see ‘em.

Michael Dean Damron & Thee Loyal Bastards Live at SXSW

Michael Dean Damron Solo – w/a little help from his fans

This morning I decided to put my over-priced badge to good use and arose early to hit the:

Placement in TV and Movies

Room 12AB

Friday, March 16th

11:00 am – 12:15 pm

Songs impact films and television shows in profound ways. How do music supervisors and show creators work together with producers and network execs to integrate music into their work? What impact does this have on the artists? The hows, whys and wherefores of music placement are laid out in detail on this panel.

Moderator: Gary Calamar Music Supervisor/DJ, GO Music Services
Chris Douridas KCRW
Season Kent Music Supervisor, Season Kent Film Music
Madonna Wade-Reed Music Supervisor, Whoopsie Daisy
Russell Ziecker TV Music, Lionsgate
Anya Marina Artist/Ainger-Songwriter/Radio DJ, Good Rope Records/KBZT Radio
Gary Calamar Music Supervisor/DJ, GO Music Services
Danny Benair VP Film & Tv Music, Natural Energy Lab/Shout Factory

Lucky for you bed-heads, I had the ol’ recorder along. Beware, you can here lots of background noise and some static here and there, but for the most part, it was a really informative panel – you musicians need to take a listen fersure.

Placement in TV and Movies – Part One

Placement in TV and Movies – Part Two

I’m p.o.’d that I missed Doug Burr on Friday at B.D.Riley’s. Reagan told me he stole the show. Plus, Todd Pertll was there. I love Todd. I love Doug. You will too…

“Come to My Senses” by Doug Burr

“Promenade” by Doug Burr

“Travel Light” by Doug Burr

Yesterday started off as an absolutely wondrous kind of day. The sun was shining. I found an amazing show (SXSJ) that was worthy of my full set-up the entire day. I found a decent parking spot. I’ve already bitched and moaned about how things slowly started to suck. I’ll start today off with cheerier re-hash and high hopes for the best day ever.

So over on Congress there is this positively divine little hotel called Hotel San Jose. It’s oh-so-urban chic and right in the heart of wicked-cool Congress Avenue doin’s. Hotel San Jose also houses Jo’s Coffee, which is where I arrived around noon yesterday afternoon.

There was a lovely sized crowd, a mixture of young families with infants in tow. Trendsters with pooches. Youngsters with big tablets of paper and an array of markers and colored pencils. The scent of hotdogs grilling filled the warm air. Ice-cold beer a mere few steps away. ‘Twas perfection those first few hours, utter perfection.

I’ve been a longtime fan of the first band to hit the stage yesterday. I give you Austin-based Lil’ Cap’n Travis…

Lil’ Cap’n Travis Live at Jo’s Coffee

Lil’ Cap’n Travis’ Full Set Live at Jo’s Coffee

Next up was another durn fine Austin-based band, The Missing Tapes. I only recorded half their set cuz I didn’t want to lose battery power before I got sound from St. Vincent/Octopus Project/Sound Team/David Garza/et al…sigh…

The Missing Parts Live at Jo’s Coffee

Things didn’t go so well after that – but that’s already been bemoaned here. There are equally as brilliant shows at Jo’s throughout the weekend – I might just venture back to this splendid place before I head back North on I-35. Be sure and check out the rest of the schedule that includes greatness such as Dale Watson, Billy Joe Shaver, The Small Stars, Blackwater Gospel, Brothers & Sisters, What Made Milwaukee Famous and more.

***SXSW = Huge cluster-f*ck.

***Level of crankiness (1 being good, 10 being a total bitch) – 11

***Time to get 500 feet to my effin’ hotel – 1 hour 14 minutes

***Found the drivers license

***Drunk asshole hit up against my mic stand that held my $$$ Microtrack which knocked it to the concrete and now it won’t effin’ work. This right before I was to record St. Vincent/Octopus Project/Brothers & Sisters/David Garza

***Guitar Center replacement gives good discounts – but can I make it work without TFG’s help? Prolly not.

***Schlotzky’s BBQ chicken/jalapeno pizza is the shahizzle.

***Need booze

***The girl-child is having a high-ol’ time, hanging with friends from school – ordering room service…sigh…and back the 1/2 block to Emo’s

***Audio and pics forthcoming from Lil’ Cap’n Travis and some other band I can’t recall at this typing…

***I f*cking hate SXSW…

Best part of the day – running into Reagan, Deck and Kay….(pictured above)

The Theater Fire is performing at Waterloo Ice House at 4 PM today, followed by some other good acts. I’ll be there, as should you.

“Fiddleback Weaver” by The Theater Fire

“These Tears Could Rust a Train” by The Theater Fire

It’s a gorgeous morning here in Austin. I had just about 4 seconds to enjoy it out our hotel window until the shrieks of “moooooom…close the curtains…” rang clear. The girl-child announced last night that “today” she wanted to “sleep-in.” Today? Not sure how that differs from every other day, but I’ll let it slide. So I won’t be seein’ the whites of her eyes ’til 4ish I’m sure.

I think I’m gonna head over to Congress. There are a few interesting shows – most of ‘em off the A-listers agendas, so hopefully a little less packed-ness. I’m saving myself for one more round with the hipsters for the Hot Freaks show on Saturday. Chris and Garrison are party to that shindig – plus there are some cooler’n'cool bands I’d like to see. Plus, the news done broke that we can expect a special appearance from Polyphonic Spree, whom I’ve yet to see live to date. I also simply must go record Woodbelly tonight for the Rock the Sandbox extravaganza. I haven’t seen those boys live in years, and Cas Haley has one of the best damn vocals in the world.

At some point I hope to hook-up with Hunter and/or Patrick.

I’ll just take my time and end-up where I end-up today. But I can assure you this – there will be audio/video/photos here for your convenience throughout the day.

Blog ya later…

“I Love You All Along” by Woodbelly