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Flanfire (Duggan Flanakin) is bringing LIFE to Austin music -- and telling the world how sweet it is!
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Star Se
eds Vets Unite!John Hunt of Fivehead; Ron Byrd and Rod Bernard
of One Mississippi.
How many of you out there have had pancakes at 4 am at Star Seeds Cafe (or, for that matter, their spinach-laden breakfast tacos at any time)? On Friday night at Beerland, two former Star Seeds employees got together with other pals for an evening of often loud but never boring music ... and lots of good times. Naturally, flanfire was on the scene, because he, too, like many of you, loves to hang out with John Hunt and the Zookeeper.
Now it is not just any Friday night one hops off IH-35 at 8th Street, turns north onto Red River and parks in front of Stubbs to walk half a block to the club you are headed for -- so when this actually happened I knew I was in for a good night. The Paper South (Justin Bankston on bass, Shawn O'Keefe on vocals and guitar, Ken Hatten on guitar, and John Wilkins on drums) opened with a short set -- this is emotional rock with lots of angst and hooks that sometimes sounds like electronica (with reverbed vocals) and songs like "Caught Leaving the Scene of the Accident." I'd like to hear this band play outdoors ... instead of on concrete floors that deaden the aura the guitars are trying to create. Hatten was a founding member of American Analog Set -- this is a brand new band that also includes members from Winslow (or so says their myspace page).
Next up was Fivehead -- Fitchburg State's gift to Austin (thanks to Texas State for enabling our pal John Hunt to return to the scene of his many crimes). My favorite Star Seeds manager of all time (who actually hired Chris Simpson, the Zookeeper, to enslave him at the all-night eatery) is back with a vengeance playing with his mates(Jeff Jones, F. Beaty Wilson, and drummer Davis Comeau) playing what I call "white noise rock punk" from their library of song and even brand-new material inspired perhaps by John's new life in flash-flood isolation in Hays County. To be honest, the bouncing off the wall guitars made it hard to catch the vocals, and I had not heard Fivehead since they helped close down the "old" Hole in the Wall (a sad day in Austin music history that was soon forgotten when the Austin's Pizza folks reopened and renovated our hallowed hall). I think I heard lyrics about a "south American summer" and the "big mistake factory" and what goes on "till the killing starts," but if you want to catch the words, just buy the CD's -- what you get live is just pure energy - and on this night perhaps a little frustration over the Patriots' loss to Indy. All this pounding just makes you feel goooood!
Speaking of pulsating rock and roll, how about One Mississippi? Now there was ANOTHER Shreveport guitar player in town Friday night over at Antone's, and Austin is also blessed with Papa Mali and jazz guitarist Pat McCann (among others), but if I had one Shreveport guitarist to be stranded with on a desert island, it would have to be Dr. Ron Byrd -- because he has been keeping me alive ever since I moved to Austin in 1999. He's also a pretty fair country songwriter and gunslinger, too! Fellow Prescott Curlywolf guitarist Rob Bernard is the other primary front man in this ensemble, and Grand Champeen's Alex Livingstone plays bass and sometimes sings -- and then there's Conrad Choucroun holding down the beat. Early favorites from this set included "Fe Fi Fo" and the brand-new Dr. Ron song, "Kid Abandon." The band promises some EP's will be available very soon. This was my first rodeo with One MS -- and it was a real gas! I am especially looking forward to shows at the Hole in the Wall (where I can ALWAYS hear every word!). And, by the way, the band also has a song about "Fractions" that apparently entitles the listener to CLE credit (or credit toward a GED).
[OH AND SPEAKING OF SHREVEPORT -- MY SECOND FAVORITE EVER SHREVEPORT FEMALE SINGER ( behind Victoria Williams) -- JULIEANN BANKS -- IS BACK IN AUSTIN!!!!! Julieann has a short-term (for now) residency following Brennen Leigh on Tuesdays (her set begins at 8) at the Evangeline Cafe for at least the next three weeks (but not Mardi Gras!). As if you did not already have good reason to hang out with Curtis, enjoy a Purple Haze, and groove on his gumbo and pistolettes (and more)!]
Now it is not just any Friday night one hops off IH-35 at 8th Street, turns north onto Red River and parks in front of Stubbs to walk half a block to the club you are headed for -- so when this actually happened I knew I was in for a good night. The Paper South (Justin Bankston on bass, Shawn O'Keefe on vocals and guitar, Ken Hatten on guitar, and John Wilkins on drums) opened with a short set -- this is emotional rock with lots of angst and hooks that sometimes sounds like electronica (with reverbed vocals) and songs like "Caught Leaving the Scene of the Accident." I'd like to hear this band play outdoors ... instead of on concrete floors that deaden the aura the guitars are trying to create. Hatten was a founding member of American Analog Set -- this is a brand new band that also includes members from Winslow (or so says their myspace page).
Next up was Fivehead -- Fitchburg State's gift to Austin (thanks to Texas State for enabling our pal John Hunt to return to the scene of his many crimes). My favorite Star Seeds manager of all time (who actually hired Chris Simpson, the Zookeeper, to enslave him at the all-night eatery) is back with a vengeance playing with his mates(Jeff Jones, F. Beaty Wilson, and drummer Davis Comeau) playing what I call "white noise rock punk" from their library of song and even brand-new material inspired perhaps by John's new life in flash-flood isolation in Hays County. To be honest, the bouncing off the wall guitars made it hard to catch the vocals, and I had not heard Fivehead since they helped close down the "old" Hole in the Wall (a sad day in Austin music history that was soon forgotten when the Austin's Pizza folks reopened and renovated our hallowed hall). I think I heard lyrics about a "south American summer" and the "big mistake factory" and what goes on "till the killing starts," but if you want to catch the words, just buy the CD's -- what you get live is just pure energy - and on this night perhaps a little frustration over the Patriots' loss to Indy. All this pounding just makes you feel goooood!
Speaking of pulsating rock and roll, how about One Mississippi? Now there was ANOTHER Shreveport guitar player in town Friday night over at Antone's, and Austin is also blessed with Papa Mali and jazz guitarist Pat McCann (among others), but if I had one Shreveport guitarist to be stranded with on a desert island, it would have to be Dr. Ron Byrd -- because he has been keeping me alive ever since I moved to Austin in 1999. He's also a pretty fair country songwriter and gunslinger, too! Fellow Prescott Curlywolf guitarist Rob Bernard is the other primary front man in this ensemble, and Grand Champeen's Alex Livingstone plays bass and sometimes sings -- and then there's Conrad Choucroun holding down the beat. Early favorites from this set included "Fe Fi Fo" and the brand-new Dr. Ron song, "Kid Abandon." The band promises some EP's will be available very soon. This was my first rodeo with One MS -- and it was a real gas! I am especially looking forward to shows at the Hole in the Wall (where I can ALWAYS hear every word!). And, by the way, the band also has a song about "Fractions" that apparently entitles the listener to CLE credit (or credit toward a GED).
[OH AND SPEAKING OF SHREVEPORT -- MY SECOND FAVORITE EVER SHREVEPORT FEMALE SINGER ( behind Victoria Williams) -- JULIEANN BANKS -- IS BACK IN AUSTIN!!!!! Julieann has a short-term (for now) residency following Brennen Leigh on Tuesdays (her set begins at 8) at the Evangeline Cafe for at least the next three weeks (but not Mardi Gras!). As if you did not already have good reason to hang out with Curtis, enjoy a Purple Haze, and groove on his gumbo and pistolettes (and more)!]
On the Ark with the Zookeeper!
But back to Beerland (which does provide Independence and Real Ale products on draught!) and the evening of Star Seeds music. My dimwitted brain had never connected that shyly unassuming waiter Chris as being THE Christopher Simpson of The Gloria Record (a band whose music I loved though I never saw live) -- the man now known simply as "The Zookeeper." But lots of my friends -- including Kullen Fuchs, who often can be found on stage with this band -- have been telling me I HAVE to hear this band. With fellow Glorian (and birthday boy) Ben Houtman on keyboards, plus Ben Lance and Seth Woods from The Sad Accordians (guitar and bass) and Alex Dupree (he of the Trapdoor Band) and rotating in drummer Kevin Bybee, the Zookeeper brought relief to the ears and the soul with this rich sound that built slowly to a climax as the too-short set ended. The Zookeeper last October released a CD with five songs -- including "Tax Collector" (who is coming for your soul), "Flood of Love," and "Delivery Room." Another EP-style CD is due soon, and the Zookeeper promises a full-length "glorious" package later this year. I have got to get to know these songs better! But "Flood of Love" showcases much-in-demand percussionist Cully Symington and the amazing versatility of Kullen Fuchs on vibraphone, trumpets and heaven knows what all else ... and a crescendo finale that is uplifting. And while eight players are listed, you get the feeling there is a much larger chorus somewhere in the background. After all, 11 players are listed on "I Live in the Mess You Are," including Erin Lance on saw (and I have seen her perform -- she is AMAZING!). Crowning this disc is "Two-Part Invention," recorded at home on microcassette, which brings back memories of the great Bill Withers anthem, "Lean on Me."
There is this whole group of young bands in Austin whose music has that remnant of English Eighties music but with a totally American take on the lyrics ... and lots and lots of colour (well, that's British!) and texture (that's American) .... music that is very listenable and very personal (and intense). And there is considerable overlap among these bands, who seem to feed each other's energy -- I can see an emergent sound that may yet be as identifiable as Seattle's grunge revolution 15 or so years ago but which is much more hopeful in its spirit (maybe because it rains less here) ... and indicative of the growth of Austin from a country town into an urban city. I can imagine an outdoor festival with these bands and lots of flowers, bubble blowing, and tie-dieing with that sort of post-psychedelic "summer of love" beckoning to lay down burdens and masks and be vulnerable again. But without the hidden undertow of anger that shocked the Hippie-Yippie generation. Sometimes when I am in the company of these young guys (mostly) I feel as though I am back on P Street Beach at Washington's first Human Be-In and it's 1967 all over again -- but with no crash and burn after the party's over.
