Flanfire

That old saying about March coming in like a LION sure proved right on this year, what with the freezing nighttime temperatures and high winds that can give a kid an earache all day long. But at least here the Sun has been out to warm us in the afternoons. Flanfire got out on Saturday to the Texas State Arts Festival, mainly to hang out with the Meagan Tubb Band (with bonuses from the Hudsons and from Idgy Vaughn (playing with Erin Condo and Mike Meadows).

My old friend Damon Lange was running sound. Damon used to run sound at the Empanada Parlour for the Imperial Golden Crown Harmonizers and others but these days is a world traveler with his Nomad Sound (that's Damon spelled backwards!, and I do not THINK he has one of those old Chevys but I would bet he would like one). Last time I had run into Damon was at a gig in which a certain performer and his pals would not leave an outdoor stage despite torrential rains that amazingly did not wipe out his equipment -- I had gotten quite wet myself helping to rescue the gear from the downpour!

Damon just got back from Miami and hanging out with Grupo Fantasmo (he was for a long time their sound man but passed the job onto a pal) while THEY were hanging out with Prince! Damon says he has 47 sound jobs to oversee during SXSW -- and he's just one of many of the unappreciated who will be laboring hard so that our ears will not be offended while we are hoping to enjoy the shows. If you think their job is easy, just try doing it sometime! But if you like the sound at the shows you attend, just remember the gear guys as well as the headliners.

[I would herewith go into a diatribe about not so great sound engineering, but then you would have had to be at Trophy's on Friday to get the full picture! AND YET it was still a good time.] But I digress. Back to Thursday, er, FIRST Thursday. Cissi's Market -- frou frou food, but yummy, along South Congress ... and I even ducked into PINK to hear Phil Brown and Pat Mastelotto and Selton Cole get into a groove before heading to Flipnotics to catch the show by Southpaw Jones, Raina Rose and host Johann Wagner. Since I am pressed for time, let me just say that Raina is just as lovely as when I reviewed her new CD three weeks or so ago, Johann is still the consummate host and a fine songwriter, and Southpaw is -- well -- fall down on the floor and roll around in the mud funny! I have not laughed that much in quite a while (and, yes, Johann and Raina were a big part of the fun and banter). Because who knows who reads these blogs, I will refrain from describing the lyrics of some of Southpaw's songs ... I mean, some people would be too embarrassed if they did not get the innuendo. Good coffee, too!

And speaking of good coffee, I checked out the new Brazilian coffee bar/deli?? -- Bossa Nova at 2121 E. Sixth Street. Hearts of palm on the pizza, plus sandwiches, salads and soon to be soups -- and yes desserts!!!!! -- prepared by real Portuguese speaking Brazilians (full disclosure means telling you all that I do have a Portuguese heritage on my mother's side of the family). Comfy.

My work on Saturday ended with a visit to Ego's -- and Ben the Quitter (though his interviews on behalf of the American Cancer Society about his continuing successful battle against killer cigarettes have been wiped out by hackers who must hate fighting cancer) at the door. It was Bryce Clifford's birthday, so a whole bunch of his very best friends had gathered to pay tribute to the Canadian (but his mom is a real Texan living in the frozen north) who calls Austin home. The Nay Says and Slow Train opened, and Crawling with Kings ended the evening, but I got in just in time for most of Bryce's own set (with help from Will Rhodes, Doug Walseth, Andy Morris, and the newly warbling Zachary Firnhaber). But the BEST SINGING of the evening was when the 75 to 100 people gathered all sang "Happy Birthday" in unison at the end of Bryce's set.

It was my first time hearing Crawling with Kings for a full set INDOORS (one near-freezing night outdoors at the Scoot Inn hardly counts, and I keep getting to shows in time for one or two songs at best). Zach, Doug, and lead singer Brian Dyer have been pals since high school -- and I am still working on meeting the rest of the band. Brian (I was told) looks like JFK, Jr., but reminded me of David Bryne as he gyrated on stage during their high-energy songs.

Last but certainly not least, I got out for the tail end of Neal Kassanoff's Groundwork Music Project benefit (sponsored by Whip In!) at Ruta Maya -- a full set by Nathan Hamilton and No Deal (see recent CD review!). No Deal will open (10 pm) for the Weary Boys at the Continental Club next Thursday -- and anyone who likes real rock'n'roll with feedback and distortion coupled with A-list lyrics and real passion would do well to drop all other plans to catch one of the (sadly) RARE shows with Billy Brent Malkus on lead guitar, Chepo Pena on bass, and Andy Tyner on drums -- and who knows what special guests may show up. Just be there!!!

Flanfire -- Bringing LIFE to Austin music.