Outside Looking In

ACL 2008

2008-10-07T20:07:00.008-05:00

I am just getting over ACL 2008 and the ACL 2009 tickets are already on sale. I was talking a big story about just attending aftershows next year, but...............I purchased the early bird tickets. Hopefully the new sprinkler system at Zilker Park will help cut down on the Zilker Lung symptoms I've been feeling.

Well, enough about next year let's discuss the 2008 ACL shows.

Support Local Music!

Scott H. Biram played an early...early... Sunday show. He still managed to rock out!! Amen!!!!
http://www.myspace.com/scotthbiram

Gogol Bordello takes the best of show for the 2008 ACL. Their show started with high energy and ended with high energy.

The Fratellis are one of Julie's favorite groups but I have never been much of a fan. However, after their live show, I have more respect for their music. Their live show was a straight out rock and roll show that was very entertaining.

The Raconteurs always play a great show. But when Jack White started appologizing ahead of time that he may screw up while singing due to a slipped disk, we began to worry. We were worryng over nothing because they played a great set.

See ya next year.

Roky Erickson's 6th Annual Psychedelic Ice Cream Social

2008-03-15T09:22:00.004-05:00

Roky Erickson's 6th Annual Psychedelic Ice Cream Social
March 13, 2008
Threadgills World Headquarters

SXSW has invaded Austin and I was too cheap to purchase a wristband for any of the events. However, I decided to purchase a ticket and attend a non-SXSW event on Thursday, March 13, 2008. The event was the 6th Annual Roky Erickson Psychedelic Ice Cream Social which ran from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Needless to say, I only had to purchase one ticket because the other half is such a workaholic she is unable to take vacation leave for just a few hours.

The first act that I caught was a local group called The Black Angels. I’ve always wanted to catch a one of their live shows but this was my first chance. They are very impressive and didn’t let the daylight affect their infectious grooves. I’ve heard that they have a magnificent light show when they perform in clubs or in dark settings.

The next acts were Trail of Dead, Golden Dogs, and New Wave Bandits with Thurston Moore.

Roky and The Explosives were the final act and played a full set. Their set was amazing…not unlike their last show at the Paramount Theater. Rocky had a special guest come and join the band for a few songs.

The crowd was a mixture of young and old from all around the world. The scene was very cool and laid back, just look who all was hanging out!!!

The Black Angels
Roky and...Reverend Willie G.
Lots of cool folks hanging out....

And no, Mel, I am not in the Mafia.

Wax the Trans Am and Start the Mullets!!!

2008-01-26T15:26:00.000-06:00

Van Halen 1-24-08
ATT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

A co-worker had an extra ticket for the Van Halen show, so I decided to tag along and attend the show. They played songs from their old catalog up to 1984 and didn't attempt to play any songs from the different band lineups. It was all Diamond Dave era!! The show was awsome and I'm very glad I attended.

cheeseburger, cheeseburger, coke

2007-07-30T20:38:00.000-05:00

She's a little bit country, I'm a little bit rock & roll!!!!

The ultimate vegetarian/omnivore gas grill has made it's home on our patio. No more worries about meat juice on the veggies. Don't google it........

Damn near looks like a spaceship if you ask me......

San Pedro Flower

2007-07-21T18:05:00.001-05:00

I've been waiting for my San Pedro cactus to bloom for a couple of weeks now but something happened and only one bud out of three was able to flower. The flower lasted a couple of days before the rain destroyed its new found glory.

Toy Yoda

2007-07-04T15:01:00.000-05:00

Here are the toy yoda photos you asked me to upload. Please start posting again mel...we beg of you...!!

Jamaica

2007-06-09T10:30:00.000-05:00

Shopping (Obsession)

2007-03-01T13:27:00.001-06:00

Why can't vehicle shopping be a pleasant experience? What to pay...MSRP, Invoice, or what others are paying? This decision affects what options I can add...but wait.... they expect you to pay MSRP. Well then, remove all the options!! I've stayed up hours on end manipulating the numbers to get what I want but I'm still not ready to make a trip to the dealership. "Come on in here, Ol'George is taking care of you now"!!!! Interest rates? Did I mention interest rates and life of the loan???

ARGHHHHHHH....

La Posada

2006-11-18T20:30:00.000-06:00

La posada + margaritas+bike+showing off for the wife. PRICELESS

At least we didn't have to worry about DUI or DWI......public intoxication...maybe.......

Mofro

2006-10-21T13:46:00.000-05:00

We went out for a great night of music and mayhem Friday night. We went to Antones to check out the Mofro show. The opening act was an Austin based band called The Greyhounds. The Greyhounds are worth checking out if you have a chance. They were the perfect band to set the mood for Mofro.

This is the second time we’ve caught a Mofro show and we haven’t been disappointed yet. They can blend soul, blues, and funk like no one else. They invited Papa Mali on stage for an awesome extended jam. Toward the end of the show The Greyhounds were invited up to jam. Both of these groups playing together created a synergy that had everyone moving.

Oh yeah……one of us doesn’t remember the end of the show and I’m the one writing the review so take a guess.

Gin and Tonic FOREVER!!

I can't get Lochloosa off my mind!!!!!!!!

Independence Brewing Co. 2 year anniversary

2006-10-16T20:33:00.000-05:00

We helped the Independence Brewing Company celebrate their 2 year anniversary this weekend. The October 14th celebration included beer tasting, Beer Olympics and live music.

Let’s start with the beer!!

The Bootlegger Ale was excellent as always with a smooth, light chocolaty taste. Bootlegger Ale is my favorite beer and the beer that I purchase on a regular basis. Also, I never miss a chance to turn people on to Bootlegger Ale so I was impressed when my bro-in-law discoverred Bootlegger Ale in a store around Duncanville.

I sampled the Jasparilla Old Ale which was thick, creamy and tasty!!!! I was very impressed with this beer. It has an amber color and a heady aroma which was misleading to me. I don’t pair the amber color with the thick, smooth taste. I have to find this ale so I cna enjoy it once again!!

I didn’t sample the Independence Pale Ale or Freestyle Wheat Beer but many others were.

The Beer Olympics consisted of many events but we only witnessed the keg toss. Watch out for flying kegs!!!!

The event seemed very successful and we plan on attending the 3 year anniversary party!!!!!

Austin City Limit 9/17/06

2006-09-21T20:29:00.000-05:00

We made it..... Sunday and no dust storm.

We started off with Matisyahu which can be described as hasidic reggae. This was a high energy act but a little went a long way. I am always open to new music so I am glad we caught the show.

The Flaming Lips show was awsome. They had so much happening on the stage it was mesmerizing. After inflating a hamster ball he rolled off the stage and over the audience and back to the stage. Ok..let's see... Hamster ball, Dancing santas and aliens, super heroes, confettii, streamers, blood, tampons, balloons, spotlights, crowd participation, and great music.What a show!!!!!

The headlining act was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I have always been a fan, but after this show, I am really a fan. A few songs in it started to rain and delayed the show. When they came back on they played an extra long set. The photos suck!!!!

Austin City Limit 9/16/06

2006-09-17T10:57:00.000-05:00

I was exited to see The Raconteurs, being that I am a Jack White fan. They tore the house down. I read a review that their hit single was the only good song on the album, but that reviewer must be nuts. Every song they played had the audience moving. I will definitely purchase their album now.

We ended the evening with Willie Nelson. We were too far away from the stage that the sound was horrible so we ended up shopping at the art booths.

Austin City Limit 9/15/06

2006-09-17T10:37:00.000-05:00

A band I was not familiar with was Deadboy and the Elephantmen. They reminded me a little of the White Stripes. The lead singers banter and song announcements reminded me of Jim Morrison. Their setlist was really great and I plan on purchasing their album. Oh yeah, I have a new favorite drummer!!

I didn’t know what to expect when we were waiting for Gnarls Barkley to come on because I’m only familiar with their hit song “Crazy”. All I can say now is wow…they put on a great high energy performance. They came out dressed in white lab coats to the song “She blinded me with Science”. Alongside their hits they played their new single “gone daddy gone” and even covered an obscure Doors tune.

This was a weird day….Jim Morrison similarities and then a Doors cover by Gnarls Barkley.

We capped the night off with a performance by John Mayer. I'm impressed by his guitar skills but his songs are a little to poppy for my taste.

The Light

2006-08-22T22:07:00.000-05:00

I finally graduated St. Edwards University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree just a few days before turning 40.

What did I do?

I went to Vegas and blew a lot of dough!!! Hmmmm... a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and Vegas ???????????????

70's????

2006-08-10T16:50:00.000-05:00

Bumper sticker -8/10/2006

"The only Bush I trust, is my own"

photo

2006-08-06T21:11:00.000-05:00

I thought I'd add a couple of photos to my blog. These are a couple that I snapped around the house. I can't wait until I graduate so I'll have more time to take photo's.

"Kodachrome, it gives us those nice bright colors
Gives us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah!"

Paul Simon "Kodachrome"

2006-07-06T22:34:00.000-05:00

The Black Crowes / Austin, TX / The Backyard/ 7/3/06.

The Backyard in Austin is a great venue to see a show. The slope down toward the stage ensures that a great view can be had from any point. The stage is flanked by large oak trees which add to the ambiance.

We arrived during the Robert Randolph Family Band set and I was impressed. The band was able to transfer their excitement to the crowd because everyone was enjoying the show. I couldn’t help but to compare their sound to Sly and the Family Stone visits Rare Earth.

My wife and I picked a location toward the rear of the venue so we didn’t have to push through the crowd, but more on that later. The Black Crowes took the stage with a countrified version of Waiting Guilty which was appropriate. Hell, we are in Texas.

As we were getting into the groove of the show a number of…….how can I explain…frat fellows and their sorority friends moved in front of us. THEN, they carried on what appeared to be a fascinating story which consisted of whooping and tapping of beers. When the second song ended I made enough noise that one would thought I had won the lottery, this is when my wife decided to leave and get beer. Thankfully the group decided I was a crazy fan and moved, which left me to enjoy the next few songs in peace. When my wife got back with the beer we decided to move closer to the stage and mingle with the people who came to enjoy the show and leave the people that came to visit.

OK, back to the show. I really enjoyed the jam session on Thorn in My Pride where Chris had the chance to show off his harmonica skills and Rich had a chance to free flow with the guitar. After the encore of She Talks to Angels I can say I was satisfied.

Many people were complaining that no “hits” were played. I felt that the Black Crowes played to an Austin crowd and KNEW they were playing to an Austin crowd. The show was awesome and I would pay to see it again.

No photos allowed.

Clear and Present Danger (blast from the past)

2006-04-28T22:56:00.000-05:00

Jimmy Carter State of the Union Address 1980
January 23, 1980

"The crisis in Iran and Afghanistan have dramatized a very important lesson: Our excessive dependence on foreign oil is a clear and present danger to our Nation's security. The need has never been more urgent. At long last, we must have a clear, comprehensive energy policy for the United States."

No sh*t!!!!!

$2.89/gallon for regular unleaded.
I guess everyone is in an uproar over fuel prices NOW.......... where were these people a month ago, hell, 2 weeks ago. At least the american public is going to be bought off for $100 and then we can drill for oil in ANWR. Screw the Gwich'in Indian traditional culture AND the Caribou.

I don't want to come off as being a hypocrite complaining about high fuel prices and then saying we shouldn't open ANWR for drilling, but when the focus has been on alternative energy like it should be, and all of a sudden a 180 to "we HAVE to open ANWR up for drilling", I get very confused!!!!

Maybe we should purchace fuel from that crazy b*stard dancing around in front of the "flying dove" background twirling the enriched uranium.

Screw the American farmers and their crazy corn.

Drink where? A BAR???!!!!!!

2006-03-28T19:29:00.000-06:00

I don't know what's happening in other states, but in Texas a person is at risk of paying a fine if they have a drink in a BAR. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) has decided to infiltrate bars with undercover TABC agents and ticket the individuals that they deem drunk and pose harm to themselves or others.

TABC officers have the authority to judge one drunk if they are loud, speaking with sluurred speech, staggering, or acting in an odd fashion. This is a power that has a potential to be abused and used to target innocent individuals.

I believe the holidays will have to be spent in another state because with the above mentioned symptoms of drunkenness, all of my in-laws will be in trouble. I wonder if half opened eyes will fetch a hefty fine?

I hope the Texas legislators look into the actions of the TABC.

“Well, the police said we can't drink in the bar
What a shame”

-Gary Rossington - Ronnie VanZant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Fuel For Thought

2006-03-26T22:35:00.000-06:00

$2.49 a gallon for regular unleaded. Where is the outrage? Have people gotten accustomed to the high price of fuel or did they expend all of their energy protesting the FIRST time fuel was this expensive.

I must say that the conspiracy theory is dead- on this time around. No, there wasn't a second shooter, but rather the ploy of increasing the price of fuel extremely until the consumer complains then lowering the price substantially. Then guess what happens, the price is increased slowly to match the absurd price from before. But this time, there is no complaining from the consumer because they have been acclimated to the inflated price.

Just maybe, the majority of people have weened themselves off of fuel and are utilizing other modes of transportation. But I doubt it,s o I'm leaning toward the above mentioned conspiracy theory.

Come on people and start the uprising!!!!!!!

jumpin jack flash....it's a gas gas gas....