Pulling back the curtain

Looking back on the past year for Live Music In Austin always seems to be an eye opener.

Once again it seems like most main genres of music were heard and seen by Live Music In Austin and Live Music In Texas. We almost made it a full year as well. Starting from Jan.5th all the way to Dec.20th. It was a 349 day journey.

There was, and will always be, my local favorites - which interestingly enough, seem to be everything in the VMG and Lordship Ent. stables! Thanks guys for doing your part in trying to keep the live music scene in Austin 'Live' and full of music. I also fostered a bigger relationship with The Dirty Wormz founder and brain child, Thomas Chapman - a.k.a Smackola. There is a large video project that we are working on. It is not only deep in the mind of Smackola, but a take on the music scene from then, to now, to the future.  Look for it later in 2016.

As for the blog, the reviews, and the photos. As a year in review it went something like this...

There were 11 new venues I went to. Not necessarily new to Austin, but definitely new to me. First time setting foot in places like Threadgills Saloon, Uncle Garys, and The Rusty Mule. From Pflugerville to Gruene Hall, from Dallas to San Antonio, I covered a little ground.

There were 23 local bands that I saw, listened to, took pictures of, and wrote about, for the very first time. From Call Me King to Scorpio Rising, it was pop, rock, country music nirvana proving that Austin really should keep the title Live Music Capital of the World. All politics aside, still proud to be part of this city and do what I do to try and spread the word to the world - and you locals also.

I was also lucky enough to photo and review 20 touring acts, many of which I never thought I would see, much less get up close to shoot. From the ultra amazing stage performance of Mushroomhead, to the cool Americana sounds of Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes. My 2015 also included seeing and hearing Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts. I was honored to have been apart of that due to the kindness of Sean Claes from INsite Austin.

With 28 blog posts written in 2015 it boils down to this -

Just under 1 new venue per month, almost 2 new bands per month, and more than 2 blog posts per month, I may not be on the level of Dave Prewitt from Dave TeeVee, but DAMMITT!! I love Austin, I love the Austin music scene, and I will keep on doing this.

Live Music in Austin has 4 blog posts cooking for January alone. Within that are 3 bands I have never seen before. I still have a week to go! If you see me out and about, tap me on the shoulder and say "Hi!", let me know you have seen the blog, read a post, and saw a band I talked about.

Laters

Ending it good

I wasn't sure if this would be my last post about 2015, but apparently it was the last show I went to...so here you go.

Shooters (http://www.shootersbilliards.net/) in Cedar Park is located just a couple of minutes from the Cedar Park Center - Home of the Texas Stars. After a great night of watching the Stars play at home, my dad and I stopped at Shooters to check out a band he speaks highly of. I was definitely OK with this.

Shooters is located in a micro mall, strip center. plenty of parking and easy access in and out. When you walk in the door it is pretty much your typical pool hall. Not a grand huge one, but a pool hall none the less. It is primarily the single room with the bar immediately to your left from the door, pool tables to your right, and a patio out back. There is a nice stage that is located dead in front of you when you walk in the door. It is somewhat attached to the end of the bar and the bathrooms are located behind the stage, as well as the door to go out to the patio.

Occupying the stage was Jokerville (https://www.facebook.com/JokervilleRocks/). This is your favorite rock bands from the 70's and 80's rolled into a 3 man package. ALL of your favorite rock jams are done by these 3 fellows and done well. Both the bass player and the guitarist trade of vocal duties, so they are well capable of turning out most of your favorite jams without a problem.

I have no problem with saying that I am spoiled on the live music scene in Austin. With so much bad ass local talent doing so many originals, I forgot the joy of a good cover band. And Jokerville is GOOD! Really good in fact. I was beyond pleased at the variety of hits they did and how well they did them all. No, the vocals are not identical to the originals, but they are not a tribute band.

The lead guitarist is just amazing with the triple duty of vocals, lead and rhythm, and keyboards. Yes! I told you they can do them all, and very well indeed. Not to be outdone by the lead guitarist, the bass player does fantastic with his vocal choice songs as well. For me the big surprise is a drummer who can blast out 'Panama'on his kit, the way this guy does. It made me wonder what the hell Alex VanHalen needed all those toms for, because this guy killed it with his kit, and it WASN'T a giant rack, kit with multi layers.

Do yourself a favor, take a break from 'Keeping It Weird', look up Jokerville and have some beers and a great time going back. Happy to say this was a good way to musically end 2015.



Laters

A little goes a long way

This is a special event post. A short movie premiere, penned by Donnell Robinson a.k.a. MC Overlord. The movie short is called 'God Is Talking'. It is a wonderful, thought provoking piece. I was very proud to be part of this packed house to watch this with so many friends. With special support from one of the most amazing, small music venues in Austin, One-2-One Bar, it really was the perfect spot to show this film.

One-2-One (http://www.one2onebar.com) has been a mainstay in Austin, Texas for over a decade. This really says little for the impact this club has on local music and musicians. Gregg and Destinee have made it their calling to provide the premier location and destination for some one to come listen to live, local music. Hosting local music events and bands every night they are open, this venue encompasses everything god about the Austin music scene. 

Although it is not a fancy multi-story venue it packs a punch when it comes to sound and the up close and personal feel for any performance. When you walk in the door you see it is just a rectangle shaped venue. With a beautiful, perfectly sized stage at the far end, opposite the door and a beautiful bar that runs down half the length of the venue on your right. What more could you ask for. There is some booth seating to the back, stage left. The bathrooms are behind the stage on either side. There is some more seating that is along the stage right wall. Everything else is movable, removable, depending on the show.



The show this night featured musical performances by 2 of the bands that had music featured in the video, as well one of the performers who scored the movie.

Michael Dillard (http://www.michaeldillardmusic.com) should not be a new name to anyone who has read this blog before. However, the guy that got onstage and performed for just short of an hour, was something completely different. Michael Dillard has no doubt grown as a performer and a songwriter. This was a stellar presentation of his music. I am pretty sure there was nothing here I had heard before. Although some of the originals are among my favorites, there was no question the fact the crowd was completely in love with this performance. The songs were full and the performance was fun. The crowd cheered and danced and who wouldn't want that in a performance.

Michael Dillard is definitely one of the young talents in this town you have to go catch and enjoy. The band that backs him is stunning. Featuring Ryan Lorenson on keys, Bootsie Collins on drums, and my favorite backing, lead guitarist, Ty Read. This crew is stellar. Michael Dillards performance did end on a throwback note. MC Overlord, himself, joined Michael's alternate personality, Mike Dill, onstage for a spot-on, killer rendition of The Fugees 'Ready or Not' and I recorded it! When the video is done you will be able to check it out here (). The performance wasn't just special for this night, it was the grand entrance something great for all of you to experience.

The Derrick Davis Band (http://derrickdavisband.com) came out to wrap up the live performances before the film. This guy and his band have never failed to impress and with this crowd and this event, they did it again. Derrick isn't really humble so much as he is a smart performer. Coming out onstage wearing cowboy boots and a hat, Derrick Davis knocked the first song out of the park, smiled, and then said "I bet you thought I was gonna play country music?"

Derrick Davis is another one of those Austin musicians that encompasses and embodies what can only be described as that 'Austin Sound'. The singer/songwriter/performer always satisfies the should and the ears. Listening to The Derrick Davis Bands music is really only half of it. Watching them onstage and being a part of the crowd that gets pulled into the show, is a whole different thing. The Derrick Davis Band is great and the live performance is really the only way to experience it. MC Overlord made it onstage to perform a song with Derrick Davis also and the crowd loved it.





















As for the main event of the night, 'God Is Talking' is crowd silencing piece. To sit and watch a good story is, well, what it should be. To have the piece make your thoughts scream out loud is numbing. Not going to see a show that is purely for entertainment value, 'God Is Talking' is a piece that dares you to question not your thoughts and belief, but what you are told, taught, and grow up with. Can't wait to see how this blossoms.







Laters