Don't play with fire, dance to it!

The White Horse (https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHorseATX) in Austin, Texas is located east of IH35 in between 6th and 5th on Comal. I saw the sign, but drove by it the first time mistaking it for some little bistro with outside dining.  The entrance is located on the south side of the somewhat nondescript building (except for said area out front). Once you enter it is fairly large inside. The typical rectangle shaped bar.

As you step into The White Horse and look down the length of the club the bar is long, to you left, and runs the greater part of the length of the club. Bathrooms are to your immediate right and the stage is in the far right corner on the long side of the wall. There are a couple of doorways that let you walk through a rather large, unassuming empty space of the club to go outside - said bistro area. It is actually a rather large side yard of The White Horse the has a few tables and a food trailer. this is where you can enjoy a bite to eat from their food trailer (and the food was quite good) or have a smoke.

Back the inside. Several bands were performing this particular evening...Liv Mueller, Delaney Davidson, Robert Allan Caldwell's DAD Jim, The Flametrick Subs (why I went!).

Liv Mueller (http://www.livmueller.com) was haunting and beautiful. Her music reminded me of Twin Peaks (the TV show). It just sounds like it should be the sound track life. Her voice is just sweet and singular. They cool thing is what she did on stage by herself. It had me pause my conversation and stand slack jawed watching her perform. It was the sound of her voice, her guitar work, and the working of the loops, to make it all pretty damn close to breathtaking. 

Although the crowd was very light, it seemed the majority in attendance were just as enamored as I. Now I will tell you I have my sour opinion of the single artist that does this thing with the loops to make a performance or a show, but there have been several performances I have seen recently that were done very well. This was one of them. It wasn't cheesy, it wasn't a joke...it was a performance. Not only did Liv do this impressively, but I was then blown away by...

Delaney Davidson (http://www.delaneydavidson.com). Uhhmmm, so this is really weird. I make the Twin Peaks reference about Ms. Liv Mueller and then as I am pulling the web info for Delaney and WTF?! The first thing I see is a reference to Delaney's music and David Lynch. DAMN! It seems like there is some common thread running through this show. Delaney had the same set up as the previous artist. Himself, a guitar, and his loop equipment. Musically done like a genius. Wicked, eerie, and astounding is the best way to describe Delaney's ability and performance on stage. 

There were more people in the crowd now, pushing towards the stage. I did not mind as this just shows his creative genius with his voice, his guitar, and the ability to entertain. Once again, proof to me that talent is only limited by the universe.

Robert Allan Caldwell's DAD Jim (https://www.facebook.com/robertallancaldwellmusic). This was the shock and surprise performance of the night. No Drums. A banjo, a mandolin, a guitar, and a washtub bass. Oh YES! I said a washtub bass. Robert Allan Caldwell's band DAD Jim stepped on stage and immediately you knew this was going to be different. But Different in the most amazing, musically bad ass way. Roberts lyrics and whole performance is just a rowdy middle finger to Nashville, in the most fun way you could imagine that being done. 

The performance of everyone in this band sharing the solos and the spotlight, made for crowd cheering, dance floor packing good time. And yes, the washtub bass was UNDOUBTEDLY the show stopper of the evening.  It was thrilling to watch that young lady tear that shit up. The how and why someone could do something that musically provocative with a washtub, a stick, and a piece of rope...you HAVE GOT TO GO SEE DAD Jim!

The Flametrick Subs (https://www.facebook.com/flametrick.subs)! THIS is a band to see. A performance to experience. Yes the other bands were good this evening, but Hell be damned if the crowd didn't know this was the performance to see and experience. The exciting performance of The Flametrick Subs is knowing Hell chewed up a Rock-A-Billy band and spat out this Psycho Billy 3 piece of divine musical entertainment. The ambiance of the stage presentation, the words, the music, the crowd... It is a sight to behold and an experience you will not soon forget.

The Flametrick Subs just have that devil may care attitude with their performance and it shows up in the crowd. With folks dancing where there is no dance floor and the crowd howling and singing along... It is the premier throwback party that would make devil himself proud.

Laters