What BANDS are you seeing?

I did make it out to that Social Distortion/Lucero show.

Glad to have finally made it out to a Social D show. Ness and crew killed it. I had to go into the pit, and it's been a number of years since I did that. Got a small tear in my new Fred track jacket which left me a little pissed.

Lucero's live show left me underwhelmed. Great music, but the larger venue may not be the appropriate setting to see them in.

The surprise for the night was Frank Turner. This dude was red hot. He was the opening act and had the crowd on their feet and in his corner. By watching the crowd, I'd guess only about 10-15% in attendance knew his songs, but by the end of his short set he won over the joint. Great showman. Anyway, apparently this dude had some hardcore punk band in England, but is now doing the Billy Bragg thing. I'm convinced. Good on ya England.

The wife's taking me out to see The Sword for my birthday.
Big, big fan of the new album (Warp Riders), but 'How Heavy This Axe' is still my favorite song of theirs.




Anyway, here's a more recent one:

I managed to see the Muse concert last week. It was an odd experience. I like Muse and rate them one of my top 5 acts of the last 10 years (love the band's last 2 albums, feel the first 3 are a bit flat). They really played well, and the show was spectacular. However, given my neighbour issues I hadn't had a full night's sleep in a month so was exhausted, and the weird fact there was no audience interaction made me feel slightly detached from the whole experience.

The whole audience interaction thing was really weird. I don't expect every act to be like Bono or Jarvis Cocker where there is a real force of personality on display, but I do expect the odd "This song is about the first time you fall in love" sort of thing. About 40 minutes in the drummer said "Hello Melbourne" and a couple of songs further on he tried to thank the support act, and Matt Bellamy cut him off and started playing his guitar. It was as though Bellamy was pissed at something and was taking it out on the entire world. Finally at the end the drummer got to thank the audience, but the other two were silent for the entire gig.

That's not how I remember Muse concerts, so I go with your interpretation that the mood was bad.

Don't agree with your opinion on the albums though. The first one is still the best. the increasing levelof baroque since then doesn't help, but at least live it's got a raw edge.

Saw Triggerfinger live last week myself. Awesome rock band with roots firmly in the blues.

That's not how I remember Muse concerts, so I go with your interpretation that the mood was bad.

Don't agree with your opinion on the albums though. The first one is still the best. the increasing levelof baroque since then doesn't help, but at least live it's got a raw edge.

Saw Triggerfinger live last week myself. Awesome rock band with roots firmly in the blues.

Emo's has been running free shows this week. Tonight is Los Skarnales from Houston. They were the first Texas band I saw live when I moved to Austin in '99. Saw them at the Black Cat (rip) with the Flametrick Subs.

It's been a few years since I last saw them, but will be a fun trip down memory lane.

Saw Prince last night at the Garden. Sick show. That guys one hell of a performer. Easily one of the best guitarists out there as well. He played for about two and a half hours and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings opened. (watch for these guys folks; think Ike and Tina Turner Revue) Maceo Parker played with him almost the entire time as well as a few other guests. There's a hilarious mix of fans at the Prince show. The weirdos at cons have nothing on these folks.

A buddy of mine's the bar manager at a crazy upscale bowling alley in my neighborhood and he invited us to Maceo's after party there where he played with ?uestlove on drums and most of the Dap Kings. It was crowded as shit because it was rumored that Prince was gonna play a set, but it never happened. Still, Maceo funked it up and I got drunk(er) for free. All told, an amazing night of music, best I've had in ages.

A little heads-up for anyone that cares.

www.theclashblog.com/big-audio-dynamite-...-about-this-reunion/

I hope they play the Lone Star state.

Going to see The Decemberists and Wye Oak this Saturday night at the House of Blues in Boston. Decemberists show #5 for me. Always a good time.

The Slackers in Austin the first weekend of March, then The Adicts in either San Antonio or Houston at the end of March.

We went to Austin City Limits this weekend and saw of the following sets: Sara Bareilles, Coldplay and Kanye West on Friday. Aloe Blacc, Twin Shadow, some 12-year-old kid in the Austin Kiddie Limits section that seriously ripped the blues, Cee Lo, Chromeo, My Morning Jacket and Stevie Wonder. On Sunday we saw Pernikoff Brothers, Elbow, Fleet Foxes, Randy Newman and Arcade Fire.

The biggest disappointment was Stevie Wonder. Apparently the entire right side speakers were blown out. Nobody could hear anything besides the people around them blabbering and chatting. We didn't stay long. Very disappointing.

My bro lives in Austin, went to some of the shows at the clubs in the evening... I'm not too familiar with who he saw but he's a music guy---North Mississippi All Stars, Moondoggies and the Head and the Heart. He told me he doesn't go to ACL anymore because it's generally far, far too hot and it isn't worth the crowds.

Well it was rather warm out, but compared to the 100+ weather we've had all summer, it was nice to be able to be outside.

Been seeing lots of local bands lately as I get more involved in playing live around town. Sarah Wheeler is an amazing singer and was awesome to watch. Those Boys Cassidy opened for us two weeks ago and they were like a raunchy version of the band, and there's a metal band in town called Minotaure that is fucking incredible with a great show. Saw them just last week. Fourth time now. No album yet but I think they have a couple of tunes on myspace.

Some great people just right here in town. I love it!

I enjoyed our own shows too because I love the guys I play with, hell, I gave up my regular game group to hang with them and jam. Here's us just last friday;



That's me singing like a fool there. My aunt from New Zealand was in the audience too, so nice to get her out. Some solo folkie opened for us, Mike Manishchyn.. great singer. He did a kick ass version of the Martin Tielli song "I'll Never Tear You Apart" it was spellbinding. Here's the original;



I love the Lenny Breau style harmonics.

Nice clip JonJacob! I think that's a concert I would have enjoyed.