For whom The Belle Sounds

Love that mid week going out to catch a show thing in Austin. It doesn't have to be the weekend to catch something great. To my point, a miserly $5 gets you some of the DAMN finest Austin has to offer in music, a live music venue, and a fantastic staff. That's right, the One 2 One on S. Lamar.

So, after missing several opportunities to hang it with an old Reagan High School compadre, it finally fell into place. Nothing like hanging out with a friend, among friends, with cold drinks, . And great music.

I have gone on about the wonderfulness of the One 2 One (http://www.one2onebar.com/) many times previously, but you can't wait to get out and see it now. Their new, very bad ass, very comfortable, and very cool furniture is in place. The art is installed on the walls (ask about pricing) and the selection of local brew and custom liquor is sweet (or spicy in the case of the habanero tequila).

First band up for the night was The Belle Sounds (http://www.thebellesounds.com/) A little pop to that Americana sound, made for a wonderful surprise. Better than a happy hour, background music kind of band, The Belle Sounds requested your attention through their whole set. With a couple of catchy tunes and a bubbly, almost most make you blush, personality on the Mic, lead singer Noelle makes the band super easy to enjoy. With her lead guitarist husband just itching to rip it loose, the whole ensemble is another product and source of pride for the Austin music scene.

Oh what a joyous surprise the next band up was. I will back this up a couple of years to start this introduction. Blue Boy Inn charity event included some jaw doing talent, including Derrick Davis (http://derrickdavisband.com/). Performing a pleasant, solo, acoustic set, Mr Davis blew me away with his rendition of 'I wanna be like you' from the Disney classic 'The Jungle Book'. Check out the video here (http://youtu.be/Ka01B6UpfRs)

After spending some time on the upper east coast, we are proud to have Derrick back. With the construction of his version of a super group and a variety of me tunes, he is well on his way.

To my shock and awe, the million dollar man, Matt Slagle, was on bass. I have always said, you never know who you will see when you go out in Austin and catch that live, local, music.

Seeing Derrick Davis with a full band was just phenomenal for me. Should be an astounding performance for you to enjoy as much as it was for my compadre! Sounding more polished and finished then expected or believed by my buddy Paul, it was was nothing short of being a gold LP. The awesome personality of Derrick along with the amazing sync of the band makes this one of the new top picks of who to see in 2014.

Laters

The coolest man ON THE PLANET

Dale Watson and his Lonestars (http://dalewatson.com/index.htm) BAR NONE! Have you met him? Have you seen him perform live? I have, I am proud to say I have and I will go see him again and again. Just like some of my other local Austin music artist friends (whom I love dearly as friends, associates, and musical performers) Dale is worth following and talking about all the time.

I saw Dale do a set for the first annual Dia de los Muertos (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2013/10/dia-de-los-muertos-austin-2013.html) at Fiesta Gardens. Although that was awesome, there are no bones (pun intended) about his performance at The Broken Spoke (http://www.brokenspokeaustintx.com). I recently had dinner there and saw a really nice performance by Lohman's Crossing (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2014/02/sounding-better-than-taste.html),but this night was in the dance hall.

Here, being what I would call a typical Honky Tonk dance Hall, is where all the magic happens. The Broken Spoke dance hall is deceivingly HUGE! The dance floor is in typical fashion is long and narrow. Wide enough to make the turn in front of the stage when you are dancing, and then down the stretch. Lots and lots of seating on the left and right sides, front to back and I mean LOTS of seating. The stage is, of course, located at the opposite end of the dance floor from the entrance. So when you walk in, it is nothing but an intimidating sight to behold. A packed dance floor, with a sea of swirling bodies in full speed rotation, and a band somewhere, wayyyyy down at the end.

For Dale Watson and his Lonestars, I have no doubt they feel completely at home and comfortable rocking the house on that stage with it's SUPER, low slung ceiling. So low, in fact, that if the bass player extended the bottom of his bass, it could stand up by itself, floor to ceiling.

So Here I am with this huge crowd, taking turns two stepping with Ms Cruz and then my camera. It is a hellified site to see. The great thing is this is a performance everyone can see damn near weekly, as The Spoke is one of two places that I believe Dale would call home here in Austin.

About that performance. It is proof that Dale crosses every damn generational line and racial lines don't exist. As I stood there and had the chance to pay attention, it was proof in seeing everyone dancing with everyone. It is such a good time to be had by all in the most literal translation. I would see someone take a spin on the floor for one song and then the very next song there they are again, but with a different person. Old and young, Dale Watson and his Lonestars IS every persons good time band!

Laters

"Fat Bottomed girls,

make the rockin world go round"

Freddie Mercury - Queen

and Stateside at the Paramont  (http://www.austintheatre.org/site/PageNavigator/venues/state) along with the Fat Bottom Cabaret (http://www.fatbottomcabaret.com/) presented us with

Midnight Menagerie: Love Hangover

and they did just that. They rocked our world all around. 

Butt first (damn I crack myself up sometimes) about the venue. First time at the Stateside and it was lovely and beautiful. Retaining every bit of that 1930's feel and charm. With the intriguing staircase that leads to the mysterious and romantic balcony, to the decor, the staff, and and even the theatre itself, it was dreamy. Going to a 'Dress up' event and being at this venue, with the staff welcoming you and ushering you to your seat, makes you feel like you ARE in the movies. It may be only a small house of about 300 seats, but sold out, it must feel and look like a thousand. 

Nothing to complain about here. A big beautiful stage, with the comfy red cushioned seats going right up to the edge of the stage. If every performance here is like the Midnight Menagerie's Love Hangover performance, then they are all damn stunning and exciting.

 

The Fat Bottom Cabaret (http://www.fatbottomcabaret.com/) presented me with my first cabaret, theatre experience here in Austin. With Foxxy Blue Orchid (the evenings emcee) providing us with his 'blue' humor and doing an excellent job of constantly keeping things moving, there was never a dull or slow moment in this show.

Cholo Magnolia, did her thing reppin San Antonio. Ginger Snaps and Remi Martini did their tastiest best. All of us were electrified by the final performance of headliner Coco Lectric. Through it all and through out the evening the ladies from Fat Bottom Cabaret strutted their stuff as well.

With the many different performers providing their own sexy takes on burlesque for the evening, it was tantalizing, titillating, and too die for. Uproarious humor, daring leopard print outfits, feather boas, and a mass of ass, WAIT TIL YOU SEE THE PHOTOS. I am still having fun whittling it down to a dozen or so. I am also wondering what in earth I can get away with before some tight ass douche bag fucks my up by reporting me to any given websites admin for porn.

 

To all and everyone the goes to any future production of the Fat Bottom Cabaret, the girls are all wonderful. Get to the venue early because this is one event where waiting in the lobby and chatting makes it more fun to take your seat and see all of your new found friends on stage. 

For me, seeing GiGi Sparxx and Blazin Bettie on stage and in and out of costume was a smile inducing event. Meeting so many interesting people that were all so happy and excited to be there made this event a life event. So pull up the website and get your tix for the next big one. Hope it will be as fun as this one.

 

Laters