Flanfire

Get ADDICTED to Jason and Beth Richard's new band -- The Addictions. For the record, you had best catch their Austin appearances before their success on radio around the country takes them out of town for a while. This writer took that advice last Saturday night for a 45-minute set at Room 710 -- the club on Red River with the cleanest restrooms of any bar I have ever visited. Jason is joined on guitar by look-alike (from a distance) Chris Volloy, who penned one of the 11 songs on their brand-new CD that is now available at Waterloo Records (check the listening post) - the website is www.theaddictionsmusic.com and you should check out the cool photos of the red hot mama (Beth) in full vamp mode.

On stage, Jason and Beth are fast becoming the Sonny and Cher of driving rock and roll -- both are very animated (even on a small stage). Saturday night - in a sleeveless black dress with zigzag cuts at the hemline - Beth (with and without guitar in hand) jumped and jived and even climbed up on the amps and jumped off in the midst of song. Jason himself plays standing on one leg with the other high in the air at times - and all of it makes for an exciting stage show. Add a few real lights, some fog, and some space to operate, and you have a first class show that may soon be out in front of top name traveling shows (I envision U2 but would settle for second tier bands for now).

Oh, the music. My favorites on Saturday were Roller Girl (featuring Jason) and Toys (featuring Beth) - plus Wait (written by Chris). Geekmeister Dave Warren and the unflappable Derek Hatley still provide the rhythm (bass and drums, respectively), and as a result "tight" and "loose" both fit the description -- the band is always on time and never nervous.

None of the songs from the old Quatropaw days are on the playlist right now - maybe the band will add some after they get headliner status (which ought to happen). After all, Quatropaw itself was deemed the nation's best unsigned band a few years (and children) back - and the entire band has gotten a lot more professional since those halcyon days.

For the weak at ear, bring plugs - especially in a small room.