Solo show, good show

I was not sad to be hanging up in Pflugerville, Texas for an evening. My time here waiting for my wife let me chill at this cool little spot on the side of IH35 called Wagner's Backyard (http://www.wagnersbackyard.com/). Super cool place with room indoors, outdoors, or out on the deck. Wagner's is not hard to find, but it is a little tricky. Located behind a small used care dealership and tucked away in the front corner of the theater parking lot is where they make their home.

The bar itself, on the inside, is the home to a lonely pool table, some hi-top tables, bench tables, and a decent size bar right in front of you on the back wall as you walk in. Wagner's also houses plenty of TV's to catch the game. As you step outside onto the very nice deck, you will find more seating as well as some more TV's. Down the steps you go and out into the yard.

As you go down the steps you can't help to notice the really big stage. This is pretty impressive for the location. The arrangement of the stage and the seating in the back yard is great. Plenty of picnic style seating, logs, stumps, benches all allow ample area to sit and enjoy the music. Of course you can't help but notice the sand volleyball court right there as well. I only question the actual square footage and the body's they can add if it wasn't there. But this is only weighing the ability to put more people back there for bigger acts. It is possible.

There is also a nice bar in the very back. It is stocked well and the bartending staff is killer. So here is where I planted my ass to enjoy the conversations around me and some good whiskey poured by my friend. It wasn't very long before for I was drawn to what was happening on the stage. A single figure, standing there and doing his damndest to entertain the early Saturday crowd.


I try to write about the crowds reaction to a performance, but Jacob Essary (https://www.facebook.com/jacob.essary) was on early and there were distractions in the yard. Not me! I was captivated. Jacob was doing his covers of country favorites, old, new, and some a little off the beaten path. He even casually was tossing in some of his originals. He was great. For one man and his guitar he was holding my attention well.

As the sun went down, the evening grew longer, my wife dropped in. As soon as she got her drink she asked me "Who's this guy?" She was intrigued and entertained. She is the country music fan more than I, and she had high praise. "Oh my God! He is so much fun." It wasn't to long after that when I noticed that Jacob had taken on the crowd. All though the applause grew after each song, it was not too long before it was over.










Look Jacob up. Check him out for a happy hour show. Hell!, we might even get lucky and get to see him down in way south Austin for later evening performance. This was good stuff. I am happy Jacob Essary took some time away from me and left me with an impression.



Laters

Willards got Skills

Pflugerville has really started to pick up the live music scene recently. With the new additions and remodels, PTown is offering more options for the locals to catch some good music almost any night of the week and every weekend you can definitely find something worthy of driving up the road from Austin, or out your front door if you live there.

Wagners Backyard (http://www.wagnersbackyard.com) is one of these places. Not only providing a pretty damn outdoor area to hang out in, but play some yard games and card games. With a very respectable stage outdoor you would almost not realize there is a stage inside also. Just as you walk in the front door of Wagners, the stage is immediately to your left. Although it would be great if the stage faced towards the back yard or was arranged in a slightly different fashion, it still provides humble little spot for a band to kick it and a few folks inside to enjoy.

My wife and I purposefully wandered in this particular evening to catch the Zach Willard Band (http://zachwillardband.com). I believe these guys hail from the Cedar Park area. We were surprised and pleased they were hanging out and playing some music this evening. With an extremely pleasant, large, building sized doorman working and chatting with us, The Zach Willard Band provided the music for great evening.

The Zach Willard Band is a 4 piece with Zach doing vocals and guitar work, he proved to be an entertainer. There was a large group sitting at the table in front of the stage and having a great time. It was great how Zach worked the crowd and made this show special and unique. Obviously I can't say if the band has performances like this every time they hit the lights, but I will tell you to go find them and enjoy this style of uptempo country music.



For me, the thing which left the biggest impression about the show was one little portion, where front man Zach Willard was soliciting info from the crowd. He the crowd to  several different things to him. Location, events, sports teams...you get the idea. He then proceeded to weave together a song right in front of the crowd. It was fucking awesome!

Stop by Wagners Backyard, drink a beer, play a game, watch a game, and if you plan it right enjoy and support live local music.

Look up the Zack Willard Band and have a fun time, sing along, and make memories.


Laters

on the Cusp

So as I am temporarily relocated to the quaint little hamlet of Pflugerville, Texas i shall make the best of it. Pflugerville (the p is silent) is on the north side of Austin. So, where as I am not legitimately in the live music capital of the world, I am still surrounded by places to go and bands to see!

I have been to Hanovers (http://hanoversaustin.com/) before and taken you on the descriptive tour, but I will do it again for consistency. Located in what would affectionately be called downtown, Hanover's is just a block off of the main street. With plenty of parking,there is not much fear of having to walk to far and loss your way at 1 a.m. 

As you walk in the front door you see the building is a rectangle shape with yourself entering on the short side of the rectangle. The bar is immediately to your right and runs down the entire length, ending at the doors to go to their massive backyard area. As you stand and continue to survey, the stage is opposite the bar on your left and is of a very modest size. Easily accommodating most bands. From the small 3 piece to the funktified band with a full horn section, rhythm section, and everyone in between. There is a small dance area in front of the stage, seating at some hi top tables and along the bar. 

There is seating immediately to your left as you stand at the door and seating with pool tables farther back, past the stag on the far left back corner. All in all it is a very nice set up and great if you want to get down in front with your favorite local band or something new. 

This particular evening it was something new FOR SURE. 

I caught the last 5 songs from White Label Analog (http://www.whitelabelanalog.com/). Fresh off their new CD release, White Label Analog had the house P A C K E D! It was energetic and sharp. Even walking in on the tail end of their set had me a little sad. I wanted to be out of breath and jumping around like the rest of the crowd. It is know doubt these guys are not only a crowd pleaser, but their polished looks to keep them busy her in the Austin area and have them traveling to farther cities and pass the good jams on. It is never a bad ticket if you get to see this band, doesn't matter who's on the bill....worth it!

Speaking of worth it, thanks to my friend Dave Prewitt! He warned me about the sheer awesomeness of this next band more than a year or two ago. I have followed them on FB and even made plans to go to previous shows. My own lame ass self for not seeing them sooner and experiencing the wonderousness of SCORPIO RISING (http://scorpiorisingmusic.com/)!

What the hell was wrong with me and what the hell is wrong with you. Follow the bands link NOW and find out where they are playing next that is near and dear or far and funky, GO!!!!!!!!

Scorpio Rising is fronted by Madame Scorpio...of course! With their worker jumpsuits on, this 3 piece is so beyond comparison of most anything I have seen in Austin yet. Funky, rocking, fun, energetic, and surprising all do little justice to Scorpio Rising with what is their own brand and style of danceable rock! It was like watching a funky ass aerobics video to very, VERY good music. Madame Scorpio is the epitome of a charismatic lead singer and entertainer. It was kind of sexy, but in a naughty, is-she-really-doing-that-oh-my-god-this-is-so-cool kind of way!



I believe the bass players name is "Wonderbread", if I am to believe the back of his jumpsuit. This guy was on the stage all of less than 5 minutes for the entire performance. Moving through the crowd like a hellion robot, moving non stop, and yelling for the crowd to constantly cheer and make more noise. It was IMPOSSIBLE not to smile and scream for more with Madame Scorpio on stage and the Wonderbread peering into the crowd and moving amongst us. Just a fantastic performance.

To top it off, they even called for a dance contest among the patrons for prizes from their merch table. Yes, people danced, people won, and we all yelled for more. Although I have never been a tremendous fan of bands or people playing to looped or pre recorded tracks. Doing it right is way beyond the level of what Scorpio Rising did. It doesn't matter because it was ridiculously thrilling and fun!

Laters

Wagners on a nice night

Wagners Backyard (http://wagnerbrosbackyard.com) in Pflugerville, Texas is located right off of IH 35 North. Appearing to be in between a used car dealership and a movie theater, it's not what you would expect. It is not just a great watering hole, but a kid and pet friendly kind of place until 10 pm.

The actual bar is huge inside, an all log cabin look to the inside. It appesrs to be two stories, with a large bar along the wall immediately across from you when you walk in the door. There appears to be a small indoor stage directly to the left of the front door, where there are two nice motorcycles parked?! There is some seating inside, a pool table, and the bathrooms to the back, left of the bar. BY THE WAY, the bathrooms are awesome. All cedar lining the walls leaves the bathrooms not smelling like bathrooms at all! 

Order you drinks at the bar and step outside, to the right of the bar, into Wagners Backyard. The unexpected, huge outdoor area is pretty damn nice. A very large deck with some seating and a small bar as soon as you walk out. Walk down the steps to some more seating on a lower deck to your right and a really large outdoor stage immediately in front of you. As you stand with your back to the stag,e the backyard is comprised of a full size sand volleyball court. There are all sorts of 'booths' that line the perimeter of the yard. A poker table booth, washers, and bean bag toss area are to the right of the deck and stage as you survey the yard. A food trailer (haven't tried it yet so I can't speak), another bar (that looks to serve liquor and some beer), and a Hookah Booth (hum...okay...whatevs). There are random picnic style tables scattered around the yard for seating. 

The layout of the booths around the perimeter makes sense to leave lots of room for seating. Unfortunately, with the tables seemingly scattered about, it makes the seating awkward and difficult to find a place to hang out. Taking from my personal experience of another particular outdoor venue in way south Austin, it seems like they could just improve the seating by lining up the tables end to end. You could add more seating and it would allow folks to co mingle. C'mon...if you are there to have some drinks, a good time, and enjoy some music, do it with as many people as you can. 

To the music...

Fusion (http://www.fusionatx.com)- specializing in pop/rock covers. There is a female English lead singer who was very good. The band seemed more of a background or fill for the energy the lead singer provided. The crowd loved the covers and wasted no time dancing. Right away, though, my ear seemed to get bent at the sound quality. 

Not knowing if it was Fusion or the sound system, since this was both my first time at Wagners and the first time hearing/seeing Fusion. At this point I wasn't sure if it was the house system or the band. It was basically pretty bad. I mean this...the performance of the band was great! The crowd loved Fusion, their songs and performance, but DAMN! it just sounded like crap. For me it made me cringe. I can't slay the band for a bad sound man or sound system so I am going to reserve the full wrath of a Karaoke worthy cover band music until I get to see Fusion again in a different setting.

On a second trip to Wagners Backyard, on a different nigh,t we were treated to the Matt Cline Band (http://www.mattclinemusic.com). Country covers and some originals. So this would tell me that the sound system for Wagners is pretty bad and Matt Cline Band brought their own set up. It was the same sound man (because I saw him) and it sounded completely different and amazing! 

First song out of the gates had people two stepping. Here again was another band playing to the crowd. Mixing up loved and known covers with some of their originals. I have always held out that I am not the biggest fan of country music - the truth is, it is probably the 'Bro Country' that ruins it. The so called 'Outlaw Country', pretty much everyone likes. 

The Matt Cline Band did a great job of being entertaining, letting the crowd tear it up, and sounding good and professional. Personal preferences aside, when it's good, it's good. 

Take your chance, take the time, and stop on in at Wagners Backyard. Without music it is a fine time with great people watching and things to do besides have some beer. With music, it poses for a good time as well. Glad they are there!

Laters

Like water

When it's that near perfect mixture of music, crowd, and booze...it flows like water. The music is just right for the crowd. The mixture of rock, country, Americana, and originals just come together perfectly...and the crowd loves it. The drinks flow like water. The social lubricant of our adult lives keeps the good times rolling. Time. The time just moves on with a seamless performance so the next thing you know...3 hours have gone by in a blink. It all flows like water.

 The unexpected Friday night performance is always fun. I wanted to stop by, but didn't know if it would really happen. It did! The stop was in the pouring rain in Pflugerville, Texas. The place was Uncle Gary's Bar. The band was American Gypsy Band.

Uncle Gary's Bar (http://www.unclegarysbar.com) is on the side of the highway at the far back end of a parking lot. I was looking for it while I was in the parking lot and still didn't see it until we walked right up to it...then it was 'Oh! This is it.' Understand it was 8:30 at night and raining like Hell so the description of the outside is definitely tainted. A modest porch out front was crowded as Hell, all the smokers were doing their thing and trying to stay dry.

As you walk in, the venue is the size of a small house. The bar is immediately to your left, the stage is at the back in the right corner. Bathrooms are past the bar on the left and next to the stage. There are some stairs that lead up to a small balcony and seating area above the floor. Apparently there is an area out back too, but it was to wet to go out there and I didn't care 'cause I don't smoke.

The house was jam packed this evening and everyone was having a great time with the American Gypsy Band (http://americangypsyband.com) doing their thing on stage. My title paragraph should really bring home the sentiment and crowd loving fun of this band. A four piece with the lead singer doing some acoustic work occasionally. Their mixture of cover tunes spanned a huge swath of musical genres to the delight of the crowd. There was no dance floor and it was packed with girls and couples dancing to almost every song. The crowd was singing along (appropriately, not annoyingly) and there were not to many moments where folks were just sitting. American Gypsy Band spectacularly wove their originals in with the covers to the point that you couldn't tell and didn't care.

As far as a performance goes and for a crowd pleasing time. You can't go wrong with a night of American Gypsy Band. Check them out, look then up, and plan on it. BTW..here is a cool ass video of them performing some Bob Marley (https://youtu.be/CPDEWBOpLVo).

Laters

A Pfuckin rock show

From the Live Music In Texas blog...all the way from Pflugerville.

http://livemusicintexas.blogspot.com/2015/02/pfuckin-rock-show.html

'Que Divertido' in any language means FUN

In a city far, far, away. In a time not that long ago, stands a small restaurant on the side of the road. Not unlike that of many other Tex-Mex food stops, El Rincon (http://www.elrincon.biz) shines like a neon, blue stop sign for the hungry.

Ha! Way to damn dramatic. El Rincon is on Pecan St., located in Pflugerville, Texas. No, the food is not mind blowing or stunning, but it is good Tex-Mex fare. The margaritas ARE pretty damn good though. El Rincon is a somewhat small, unassuming restaurant from the outside. Inside is about the same. The nice part is an enclosed patio to your left as you walk in. Roomy enough for a band, a couple of large parties, and still have tables for couples and groups of 3 or 4 spread around the area. There is a bar to the backside of this area as well.


I had the wonderful surprise to get home early this particular evening and was told "We are going out. You are taking me on a date, and here is where we are going." Well alright Ms. Cruz! Just about an hour later we arrived - yes AN HOUR drive. Damn well better believe I was thinking 'this better be good!' Nope! The night was better than good, it was F A N T A S T I C!!! We had an order of beef nachos and started on the 'ritas, all while enjoying some really good, wide ranging music.

Son De Rey (http://www.sonderey.com) was camped out this particular evening from about 8 - 11pm. It was a marathon set and they played everything. From Tejano oldies, cumbia favorites, pop and rock covers, their own originals (of course), and even taking some of those covers and re tooling them into stunning pieces. Billed mainly as a latin band, the label does little justice to the wide berth of music Son de Rey can perform well.

Son de Rey is a well rounded band with male and female lead vocals. A frighteningly bad ass keyboard player that does percussion as well. Credit also goes to the guitar player who strummed through all the genres like it was no big deal (really...from 'The Killers' to 'Santana', and 'Grupo Mazz'). The rhythym section of bass and drums was just as solid and had to be to keep up.









Son de Rey kept the patio area packed. As I sat, listened, and watched, it didn't take long to realize there were very few tables available and NO ONE was leaving. I am very glad we got our little spot when we did. The music was fun and lively. The grand mix of music and genres kept the entire crowd happy. There was some crowd participation on songs. There were folks getting up and dancing (and there was no damn space so the dancing was up with the singers) to other songs. All the while the charismatic lead singer Luis, smiled and charmed his way through the entire set. Even going so far as taking song suggestions from out of the crowd. He even had a laugh when the band was called out about the number of songs they had performed by one particular band they were covering. It was wonderful fun.


















For a date night I would so do this again. Another, long and fun set by Son de Rey. In a location where  the crowd stays happy and dances and sings the night away. Go see them, enjoy yourselves and we may see you there.


Laters