Flanfire

Chris and Andrew are quite a pair (lots of fun on stage) and good singers. I like Chris' "Collapsible Plans" and Andrew's "Justice Wind" (written with the Damnations in mind), but I left early to get to Antone's before Will Hoge's band was finished. On the way out, I ran into my pal Nick Ulrich (son of Steve), who had been out in the cold seeing Kelly Willis (with Eleanor on fiddle, of course!) and caught up with where this amazing dancer is spending his time these nights (Continental's Gallery, the Elephant Room, and Antone's, etc.).

Got to Antone's in time for half of Will Hoge's set -- guy had an all-Southern band and played some great Southern rock -- and Eleanor was spectacular in her debut with the boys, who hail from South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, and of course Tennessee. Wish I had heard more -- but I DID run into Juan Gutierrez, who told me his new band (which is essentially his old band but with David Jimenez replacing Jesse Duke on guitar) will be debuting at Stubb's next Friday -- new name, too -- The Century. I had just seen Jimenez playing with Bruce James and was very happy with what I heard from this Harlingen native who prepped at Berklee.

Earlier in the week, I stopped by Austin Java to catch the Third Coast Music showcase, hosted by old friends Jim Patton and Sherry Brokus (Edge City). Guests included Cleve and Sweet Mary Hattersley from Greezy Wheels and Detroit-born songwriter Melissa Greener. Melissa, whom I had not seen in a while, had some wonderful new songs which may be on an album she is doing with Jeff Jennings (producer of Mary Chapin Carpenter and many others). Cleve sang "Running Naked" and we all sang along -- wearing our heavy coats in the semi-outdoor arena. Patterson Barrett emerged from the audience to sing "Concrete and Steel" (not the Lucinda song) -- and Sweet Mary's fiddle enhanced many of the evening's offerings.

Later that same night I stopped by The Parlor on North Loop for some great pizza and to catch a set from Maria Mabra's punk swing bluegrass and sometimes gospel band Corinne Rose. Maria covered Sheila E, Merle Haggard, and Hazel Dickens all in one set while also showcasing two songs from bandmate Billy Cook -- and of course some of her own. Cook plays lap steel, mandolin and guitar, while Maria is one of the few female drummers in town, maybe the only one who is also her band's lead vocalist. Cute, too! The band, which has a hot new single, "Quick and the Dead," will be at Room 710 on February 1st.

Flanfire -- Bringing LIFE to Austin music.