Thursday, March 16, 2006
South by Southwest Day 1 (1/2)
I have been in Texas for about 30 hours or so now, and some swell stuff has happened thus far. You know going into something like this that weird shit will happen, but so far it's been great. My chronicle to date (and when my phone can send pictures, watch for the visuals. In the meantime, you're stuck with words. For complaints or concerns please call Telus, who can't seem to figure out text messaging!)
Tuesday evening:
Arrived hotel. Unpacked; hit the Green Mesquite for dinner. Two meat platter with some fried ochra and coleslaw for seven bucks. Lone Star at $1.85 a bottle - God I love this place! Shared our cab with some Canadians who ended up footing the bill. God Bless Canada. I really recommend this place if you like the meat, however, as the staff were all friendly and did I mention the price of beer?
Went to see The Strokes, who I don't really like, but it was sold out (phew!). Went to BD Riley's on 6th for some beers, it was open mic. For someone in my posiiton, that is almost the kiss of death. But we were sitting in the back of the bar minding our business when we heard the name of the next performer - Wyckham Porteous, from Canada. I have a couple of Wyckham's albums and I really like them but he lost me a few years ago. It was weird to see a guy who I once really liked up there playing "Hungry Heart" by Bruce Springsteen to a crowd that didn't really get it (though it wasn't that great to begin with). I was a professional sound guy for 5 years and the first person I ever did sound for was Wyckham - funny how things change.
Went to Antone's to see Bob Schneider. It was ho-hum, and we left. But it was cool to see people of all ages pay $10 to see someone - anyone - on a Tuesday night.
Wednesday:
Got up at 11; went for lunch. In Austin, you pretty much have 2 choices - barbeque or Mexican, so we chose the latter. I had an excellent Ensalada con Pollo. Then we walked to some record stores and around the University of Texas. I took the Armadillo bus twice. Went to the Canadian party for an hour, before bolting to attend the audience-facilitated Q&A with the Beastie Boys.
The Lads were hilarious. It seemed as though they didn't want to be there, and they answered the questions with simple answers so as to say "we don't want to be here." But they made me laugh with lots of talk about Pampers, Prince, and their lawyers.
Tacos for dinner. Why is it that Canada is so open-minded except when it comes to where you can drink? People just want to have a beer while standing on the sidewalk, not break the law. You can do that here...
Quick drink at the Continental Club - best bar in town, really, except that drinks seem more expensive than they did a year ago. The band was called "Greyhound" - adequate at best.
Austin Music Awards - want to see Roky Erikson; he's on at 10:15. 10:00 comes and the act before him still hasn't started. Eventually we get fed up (fed up while watching Kris Krostofferson, mind you) and decide to header. SMS arrives - Flaming Lips are playing at the Frog and Something, or the Toad and Something, or the something and something. Hop a cab.
The Lips RIP THE BAG OFF THE PLACE! From the opening strains of "Bohemian Rhapsody" to the closing riffs of "War Pigs" with Peaches on lead vocals, it was a party and a half. There is supposed to be another surprise guest at 1:00, so we stick around. We suffer through the shittiest band I've ever seen to no avail. "Our special guest is a no-show." Motherfucker.
Head to Antone's one again, and K-OS is playing. He had brushed against me earlier this afternoon at the Canadian BBQ so I feel I have some cred. Except that after I see him play, I don't want it - he strikes me as a bit of a loo. Granted, a bit of a loo who is WAY richer than me, but still a complete egomaniac. Finish your drink, your $6 drink, we have to see Neil Young in the morning.
ps - For a guy with a $500 laminate around my neck, I seem to have a lot of stamps on my hand...
