Flanfire

Kim DesChamps promised me I would like the Mother Truckers - two transplanted Californians backed by three Austin stalwarts (Rob Jewett on bass, Kim on pedal steel, and recent transplant from San Diego Pete Langhans on drums). Teal Collins (daughter of DJ Al JazzbeauxCollins) and Josh Zee (formerly of the rock group Protein), who are also an off-stage couple, rocked the house with her strong vocals and his amazing guitar licks - from straight blues to the lighter side (even kazoos when Rob broke a string). The band started off with a song called, "It's Been Hot for Days," which might have been written shortly after Josh and Teal arrived from Marin County to be greeted by the 100-degree Texas heat. Then it was "Behind the Bleachers" for some steamy sex (fantasy?), and then Teal brought out her ukulele for "Poor Girl from Brazil." Then it was kazoo city while Kim unpacked and Rob restrung, and finally we got to the real heat -- Lone Gone Lonesome Blues done as Hank himself might have if he had been backed by Stevie Ray or Alvin Lee. Other highlights - "Save My Soul," "God's Good Sunshine," the super powerful "TNT," and "If I Die." By the time the set was over, we were all limp from the sheer energy of this music.

Earlier, we had a quiet time with songwriters Mark Ambrose and Mario Matteoli (of the Weary Boys, doing songs that don't fit that band). The duo swapped off songs and leads and harmonicas as we all watched the TV in the corner showing film of people smoking at the Hole in the Wall which was (as always) full of smoke despite the so-called smoking ban.

Still earlier in the evening, we had been at the Saxon Pub for a truly smoke-free (but smokin') set by Melody Mann - featuring mega-keyboardist Thomas Mann and his lovely songbird wife Kelly - plus their horn and rhythm sections. It was an Austin Songwriters showcase emceed by Brent Allen - and a very good time was being had by all. This band gets tighter every time I hear them -- and they seem to be having more fun each outing as well.