fresh refresh

Probably won't be the last post of the year, but pretty damn close.

This will be a review of some sort. I am going to diverge from my normal chatter about how much fun the audience had and how the band interacted with them. I am just gonna touch on two bands that I have reviewed before, but you will just have to read on.

I didn't do a review of The Warhorses (http://thewarhorsesmusic.com/) when the played recently in Austin at The Rattle Inn. Simply put, it was their last performance in Austin with Guitarist Sonny Bihl. Sad day, but spectacular performance. They just let Sonny call out the songs he wanted to do. It was fun and spontaneous. For now that really doesn't matter. In the (near) future I can hope we will get to see them again with a new line up and maybe some new tunes. I will try to keep up with them and let you know when Austin, Texas will get a first look at the new Warhorses. 'Til then here are some photos from that night. I'll post more to FB.

The other band I recently saw which I have previously spoken about at length is the Cody Bryan Band (http://www.codybryanmusic.com/).

It was another fun night with these guys. They were just coming off of a high note playing for a larger size arena with several other acts. This night was just a small intimate crowd. What was exciting and spectacular is hopefully a lesson for all. They changed up their set! It was fantastic and fun. Just like seeing them for the first time. There were many new songs they did. There were a couple of mainstay's they keep for the fun of it, BUT they threw in and mixed it up with many older tracks we hadn't heard in a while. Once again, made to be very proud of the local boys done good!

As a fan of the local music scene and many different bands, it was just a great feeling to have something new and fresh thrown at me (the crowd). I don't know how hard it is to do a different set list regularly, but as a paying (and sometimes not) member of the crowd (and usually a fan of someone I am going out to see)...I DON'T CARE. The best bands in Austin become lame as shit when it is the same damn set list each time you see them.

For the crowd and and fans of the Cody Bryan Band it was inspiring and refreshing to enjoy a performance for what it was...Live Music! I appreciate and loved the performance for what seemed like a whole new band. I hope some of my other friends and members of bands around town might read this and take heed. We, the crowd and audience, will ONLY love you more for it!


Laters

Have you Been? Well I have...

Cheatham St. Warehouse (http://www.cheathamstreet.com/) has a pretty amazing Texas Country Music history. Seems like anyone and every one should (and would be) honored to play here. I can only think of one other place in Central Texas that has a history behind it like Cheatham St. and that blog post is coming up very soon.

What I would call your typical Texas dance hall. Unassuming on the outside, located RIGHT next to the RR tracks, and parking that makes it just as fun to get there as it is to leave. Cheatham St has those low slung ceilings inside, and is a long, somewhat narrow, but boxy venue. With the stage on one end and seating directly in front of it as well as along the sides, this makes for a small two stepping area, but I am sure the tables can be slid back to make room for some serious dancing fun. There are some pool tables in the back and the bar runs along the side next to the entrance. This set up makes for some awkwardness when a band is fired up, the place is jumping, there is a line at the bar, and then folks are filtering in. The sound is good so there is not a bad seat in the house if you came to listen.

On this particular night it was William Clark Green headlining with special guest the Cody Bryan Band.


I had the pleasure of hanging out with the guys from the Cody Bryan Band for a pre-show dinner. They really are a fun group of young men. All of them are really down to earth, normal guys with daily life struggles. Girlfriend drama, not having a girlfriend drama, money, and just trying to make it happen. Eating at Alvin Ords there in San Marcos was a treat, and there were laughs to be had all around. The band even had time to stop and admire an advertisement for the show they were playing at that very same evening. The drummer took the time to make sure all those who pass that poster there after would know who was performing at that gig!

The Cody Bryan Band (http://codybryanmusic.com/main.php) definitely have their eyes on the prize and are really aiming for the big time. All those who have seen them previously know this and are hoping and wishing for that good fortune to find them. Hard working, playing every damn show they can turn a crowd for, and staying positive will at least generate them a legion of loyal fans that would make any group of musicians happy.

This evenings performance by the Cody Bryan Band was pretty spectacular. Seems like they did some new stuff and rocked out some old favorites. The Cody Bryan Band does do a good job of keeping the crowd centered and entertained with a mix of covers and originals. Cody Bryan himself even got naked this night on stage. That's right ladies...you missed it! Cody Bryan performed a song WITHOUT WEARING HIS GUITAR!

William Clark Green (http://www.williamclarkgreen.com/index.html) had the college crowd packing it in at Cheatham St Warehouse. It was a performance that did see some folks take a twirl and a swirl on the floor. I was terribly thrilled, a couple of songs into the set, when I realized I knew this music. Not quite the fast tempo of other modern country, but it was just right for this chilly night and the young crowd keeping warm. I found myself, along with the whole crowd, singing along about your chick liking The Beatles and you liking The Stones. What was fun (and more important) is pretty much all in attendance liked William Clark Green.

I look forward to being able to check out William Clark Green again with my girl, who doesn't like the Beatles or the Stones, but she loves her country music and I'm sure William Clark Green too!

Laters

WOW! I said it!

To the owner/proprietor of the texas music theatre in San Marcos.....FUCK YOU!!!! You won't let me in with my 5megapixel Sony Cybershot camera...but you will let the little girls in with their point n shoot cameras.

I have been in the Erwin Center and the ATT Center with that camera. So to you, mr. proud of your shit in S.M. TX, no cameras without a "press pass" self, FUCK YOU. So I will take pictures with my 8 megapixel phone and post my pictures anyway. FUCK YOU. Just be happy, proud, and big balls about your place...may T.A.B.C. pitch a tent in your ass this year and fuck with you non stop for all the little kids you let in!

Nothing's Sacred

That's right, even the beautiful and special event of a quinceanera. You know, it's all private, by invitation only, right? Hey! If there's a live band performing and I am there, I am gonna write about it. Thanks to Jesse "The Jammer" Cruz for the inviting my family and I to be a part of this wonderful event.

Now, to those of you who have never been to a quinceanera or don't know what it is, I AM NOT going to try to explain. Just ask a friend of yours who you think would know.

I am happy to say that the performance I saw was from a Tejano band call Grupo Vida ( http://www.myspace.com/grupovidafan ), they hail from San Antonio. Like the title of my blog, this was another great performance. Tejano music is not generally my forte, but I loved this performance and apparently everyone in the hall did as well. It was the perfect mix of Tejano, country (which I really liked and enjoyed), and some cover tunes. They even did a tejano/rock cover of "I Love Rock n Roll" (which made my son Billy really happy, as this is his favorite song). They poured out their souls onto the dance floor and you could feel it. All were smiling, laughing, singing along (thanks Mingo, I can do without the serenade next time) and dancing. You know damn well that it's good music and a fun band when you see people in the crowd dancing with their house shoes/slippers on (oh and I WILL be posting photos of that Bel). I did briefly speak with the singer and the guitarist who confirmed that they were on their way to Austin to perform at SXSW that very same night...yeowch! I hope they were received there as well as they were at this event.









I don't know how often they make it up here to Austin, but if you are down with the good dance music and a fun time to be had by all, check them out.

Later