It's all in the presentation

Hehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEfq8LH0UPM&feature=youtube_gdata_playerllo to the new, old, new, old, new,, moved again Antone's (http://www.antonesnightclub.com). Can't wait for the next installment, somewhere back downtown I hear. We'll see.

I really won't spend any more time than this talking about the currently extinct Antone's.

Cheryl Murdock (http://cherylmurdock.com) was the first up. Now Cheryl's style is DISTINCTLY different than the other 3 bands playing later in the evening, but it is cool, happy, and very good. Perfect for the early crowd, making the happy hour bunch very happy. This performance proves all that is right about the Austin music scene. Cheryl is a great song writer, her show performance was clean and fun. The backing band was more of an extension of her voice and her guitar. One of those few flawless performances that keeps your ear bent the whole time she is on stage. Like I said, all what is right about the Austin music scene. Go see something new, go see something different, go trust that you will see and hear something wonderful in Austin that is Cheryl Murdock.





And then the 3 power bands. A flash back for most, a step forward into the past for others. Canvas, Podunk and Vallejo. With special guest MC's Loris Lowe and "You have to know what you're calling for to get it, Get It?" Johnny effin Walker himself, it was A W E SO M E!!!!!

I had a great time being a social media nerd this particular evening. With some special people who unfortunately were unable to make it (CandiLand and Father Rhyme to name two), I was happily snapping pictures and posting to Facebook and Twitter. Keeping it real time for the those folks.

Canvas jumped on stage and just kicked ass. Stunning and amazing seeing the original Austin line up back together. Not sure how this was pulled off, but DAMN it was hot. The set was nowhere near long enough, but just right for any fan of the great rock music that has been birthed here in Austin..PERFECT! I assume it was really perfect for the ladies in the house that kept screaming "We Love you Julian!" (re. - Julian Mandrake - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_Mandrake).

This was the end all for me...I can die pretty damn happy now. Podunk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEfq8LH0UPM&feature=youtube_gdata_player) stepped into the light once again and it was wonderful. All of that pure Austin rock n roll sound went right through me and my soul was alive again. Without any question or hesitation (and I smile while typing this) "Dashboard Mary" spoke to me! Glasses up in the air, hands waving, the crowd soaked up every ounce of a classic Podunk performance like it would never happen again....DAMN! that hurts to type.

Taking the stage like they are the kings of Austin rock and roll, the royalty that they are, Vallejo (http://www.vallejomusic.com) took us to school. Playing everything old and Brothers Brew new, it was pretty much breathtaking. Even being joined onstage by Austin Hip Hop legend MC Overlord (http://www.overlordmusic.com) only made it bigger and better. 3 songs in, I finally came to realize what makes Vallejo such an astounding band to see live. It is how they treat AND perform EVERY SINGLE SONG IN THEIR SET! It is magical and it is genius, play every song as if it was the finale! Simple! Brilliant! Play them all like that. The power, the energy, and the enthusiasm. I have been watching and loving these guys for close to a couple of decades now (HA! you guys are getting old - and don't look a day over 20 something) and this epiphany hit me in December of 2013.  If you haven't been, then go and feel the energy and be alive. If you have been before, then think about it and agree with me! Any way about it, just have a drink of the Brothers Brew!

I think I have to join a witness protection program and retire now that I have given away Vallejos secret to the live show!

Laters

R.E.K. was in effect

Have I told you the story of the young man who liked to play music and write music and grew up to be one of the best musical story tellers around? Didn't think so! Not gonna...go watch E! True Hollywood Story and watch somebodies else's story, this is about Robert Earl Keen!

Antones ( http://www.antones.net/ ) IS home of the blues. Clifford did good. and apparently most everyone around knows it as well. I have enjoyed performances here that were beyond belief and excitement (The Scabs), that were for a good cause (H.A.A.M. Corporate Battle of the Bands), and full of fun (BoomBoxATX) as well as a few others along the way.

This place is so bad ass that Robert Earl Keen ( http://www.robertearlkeen.com/ ) decided to have a big ol', 500 people, invite only, CD Release party for his newest brain child "Ready For Confetti"!

The CD is what you and of course I would like, love, and expect from a Texas great. It moves from the rockin sounds to the country two stepping and have all of the musical swells in between,

R.E.K. does exactly what seems formulaic for all folk, country artists...that VH1 storytellers thing. BUT this is not a bad thing. I personally like the artist to be on stage and telling me what they were thinking when they wrote a song, where it came from, why. The personalized performance is indicative of many shows for the bigger local guys. If I wanted to have them just play the music, then i would sit at home and play the CD loud.

Robert does a masterful job of weaving his story with laughs and understanding for the audience. This talent really draws the crowd in. To see the crowd cheering, raising their beers in toast, and dancing to each song is an exciting time.

Someone in the crowd said this and I laughed but then thought about it holding true: the point of an encore is what...self gratification...ego boosting? You know they came to see you. We paid to see you (or bought your album. You know DAMN WELL that we ALL want to here that 1 song. Whatever it is...just tell us you are gonna get a beer/water/pee break, come back and rock that shit out. Play it for the love of the music.

R.E.K. did the 50 second break, the crowd cheered and yelled, and then he played a BAD ASS uptempo version of 'The Road Goes on Forever'! I left smiling and satisfied. It was 'Another Great Performance'.

Laters

H.A.A.M. is good (not food)!

H.A.A.M. ( http://www.myhaam.org/ ). If you have read my blog, if you are in a band, if you know someone in a band, date someone in a band, or have a family member in a band. IF YOU GO SEE LIVE MUSIC IN AUSTIN then SUPPORT the music you know and love in Austin by checking out their website and doing what you can. Please PLEASE support this organization!

The HAAM Battle of the Bands (Corporate edition) happened at Antone's ( http://www.antones.net/ ) on a nice Thursday evening. There were 10 bands battling out for glory in 4 different categories. The order in which they performed is not important, the performance of these bands is what I care about and relate to you. For those planning an excursion out into the Austin nightlife anytime in the future, this is a reference to what might be fun, good, or run for the door shitty!

SOA, White Noise Syndicate, Closet Drama, EPMB, Long Woodson, and Make It Stop were the bands that I was able to listen to and watch. From 80's rock covers to original southern roots rock to a cacophony of effin noise that made me walk out...this event covered it all, and THAT my friends is a GREAT thing!

SOA (Sounds of Ascendant) hit the stage and bashed out breath taking amount of cover songs in the time allotted. The mash up was an entertaining blend of 80's and 90's rock and hard rock. They blended the songs well into each other and for the limited time they had onstage they really jammed the music down on the crowd. Hard, fast, and fun...everyone was singing along to their "old" favorites. This was a very cool set and I would love to go to someones house, pool party, corporate event and be able to hear these guys play all night instead of the radio or someones ipod! I don't know if you would be able to be out on the town on any given evening and run into them, but keep your eyes and ears open.

White Noise Syndicate ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/White-Noise-Syndicate ) was next on the stage for this musical shoot out. With hard rock edge and originals on their list, this band came to play. Overall their performance was good. Not the fun, dancing, singing along type of performance that means the world to me, BUT this would be a good band to go hang out and have some drinks while they are playing.

Closet Drama ( http://closetdrama.fourfour.com/home ) was a very cool band to listen to. With their pop/punk type of originals music they were another band on the list of many, MANY Austin bands to drop in and catch on a whim. It was a nice performance up there on the stage in ANTONES, mashed up in there with the other bands. Not mind blowing or completely original, but not horrible either.
Eagle Pritchard Murray Band ( http://www.facebook.com/epmbmusic ) to their fans, friends, family and all others they are affectionately know as EPMB (funny to hear one of the judges knock the band playfully about their name being too long). I don't think it is the type of music so much as it is their infectious attitude onstage. They are smiling, laughing and having what appears to be a genuine good time while performing. The music is very likable and easy to sing along with and dance too. All of this will always translate into a good time for anyone that is in attendance.

Long Woodson ( http://www.longwoodson.com/fr_home.cfm ) had plenty of jokes about the sexual reference of their band name. The music was a cool-laid-back-country-rock-Tom Petty-kind of sound. This is very good stuff for the large out doors shows and festivals. The really odd thing about this performance was the non stop referencing from the band of  "Are y'a'' ready to rock!" and then they didn't. GRRRR, really dudes, don't set that shit up if you ain't gonna produce. Dont get me wrong, but when somebody says that now a days into a mic, they had better be ready to produce and rattle the fillings in your teeth.

Make It Stop ( http://makeitstopband.com/ ) DAMMIT man! I never really wanted to talk shit in the blog about any ones performance, but DAMMIT! I don't know what the fuck to say about this. I am sure (and surely hope) that these guys really like what they do and have fun at it. maybe it was an off night...I don't know, could be any number of scenarios...or it could just be that this performance sucked! It was fucking painful to hear. Make It Stop, Shut The Fuck Up, Are You Serious, or Stop The Music would all fit about the same. It was really bad. The guitars were just bad, the vocals were all over the place. I was hanging with one local Austin Texas Music Hall of Famer, this band stopped our conversations and this local legend, a mutual friend, and another young man who happens to be an amazing guitar talent (will be on stage this year at ACL, how about that) all walked out. Sorry, I had to go. Look back through my blog, I don't trash and bash. I have seen and heard everything, from the local hard core punk scene to national country acts...so I have an understanding and an opinion. I am about THE PERFORMANCE, but dang...the music has to be part of that also.

On to the next one...


P.S. - There were 4 awards to be given...EPMB did win one of the categories. Since I bailed, I dont have a list of winners and the H.A.A.M. website doesnt list who won...

Grand Prize - A day of recording at Austin’s Bismeaux Studios and (4) three-day passes to ACL
Best Original Band - $500 gift certificate to Strait Music
Best Cover Band - $500 gift certificate to Strait Music
Fan Favorite - indoor gig at Stubb’s and a $500 gift certificate to Strait Music