Life is full of trade-offs...compromises, I suppose one could call them
DC having to switch from Antone's to La Zona Rosa. There was just something about the general atmosphere at Antone's that the hyper security at LZR kind of didn't do well in promoting. We were cattle to be herded, not fans and customers to be shown any respect.
All in all it was a great night of music again, but if it hadn't been for that, I would be tempted to not walk in the place again. It offered nothing, save a slightly larger setting for the band. [shrug..]
I was there for the band after all. Some seats wouldn't hurt though.
Life is full of trade-offs. Bad night for we camera freaks. During the first two bands, no one said a damned thing about the flashes of cameras, but many of us got called down during DC's set. Thus now I have two great rolls of Vallejo pictures and next to none of my boys. That's cool though. I got to chat with the guys in Vallejo a little as they were loading in earlier in the day and I really like them. I will be setting up an album on my Webshots site for them, and some of the other bands I have shot while out following DC.
They deserve recognition too. And kudos to Ghandaia! A Brazilian band that also blends in some African influences, they had the crowd hopping. I daresay the other two bands might have been feeling a little threatened?? (nnaahh...they know we're faithful.) Lots of folks made their way out of the back to see what the big deal was. Crowds don't usually take quite so easily to a new, somewhat unknown opening act.
I did complain to AJ a little bit during Vallejo's set. They were so damned high energy I was exhausted before DC even had a chance! He grinned at me and said "It's okay, they'll work you up." Brat! But I must say I am truly impressed with these fellows and so are a lot of other people who hadn't seen them in awhile. I just wish bands like this could get the right kind of exposure in this country -they would be huge.
___________________________________________________
Life is full of trade-offs.
I went up to Austin early the day of the LZR gig, fully intending to get out and investigate some shoppes in town. Something told me to go by the club early, so I did. I end up hanging out with a few of the road crew while they were setting up. I always know I will like a band if I can relate to their crew. There is just some level of communication between band and crew that shows itself through how the crew reacts to fans. I am never singled out as someone special per se, but I am always treated nicely-
that could be because I cook for them, but I don't think it is all of it.
I also got a brief chance to chat with most of the guys in DC, before the gig, without any other real pressures on them. I like those down times too, because they get to know me and they have learned they can be who they are around me. It can be difficult to know which fans are the nuts who want more than anyone is owed by an artist and which ones sincerely just would like to know the people behind the music. I feel very lucky in having had the time with these guys that I have, It may change soon. Of course, I have been saying that for a year, and while things are moving for them, so has the relationship I have tried to cultivate with them shifted. I can't tell anyone for certain where either thing will be heading, but I feel like they won't forget me quite so quickly now. I mean, who can forget the loony who has put 12,000 miles on her car to be at so many gigs around the state? For that alone, I know I will never forget them.
There was a talkative lil birdie at the location that gave out some info that will hopefully become more than just gossip. The guys will playing at least one gig during the oversized 10 day long SXSW (read south-by-southwest for you novices) media frenzy in Austin in March. They could be opening for either the wonderful Steel Pulse (reggae) or the equally wonderful Neville Brothers (blues .) I can't personally decided which I would prefer to see.
The guys are hoping that this SXSW thing will possibly bring them a contract. I want for them what they want, even though I personally think there are just so many reasons to stay away from big labels. May the Gods, in all their forms, give them what they need, even if it doesn't seem to be what they want. In the mean time, I will continue my own insanity of going to every gig possible, no matter the tiredness later, because I cannot say when the last time I get to be this way will be. And I am sorry guys- the live DVD, the cds, none of it touches me the way you do on that stage. You are pure magic, pure prayer, in action.
Namaste.
Sunday, February 20, 2005
Monday, February 14, 2005
So THAT"s
What my beloved brats were up to!!
they are going to be on George Lopez's TV show on Feb 22nd!
Ahh things are really going to start moving now. That silly show jonny Zero will be kicking itself soon. It isn't the whole band, at least from what it looks like, but hey, let people fnd out in time. I am guessing this means a big...or rather, bigGER tour now.
Heehee1 I have to go gloat a little! I am kind of glad there is no on here to witness me jumoing around like a silly teenager!
And-------THANK YOU GEORGE!!!!!!!!!
they are going to be on George Lopez's TV show on Feb 22nd!
Ahh things are really going to start moving now. That silly show jonny Zero will be kicking itself soon. It isn't the whole band, at least from what it looks like, but hey, let people fnd out in time. I am guessing this means a big...or rather, bigGER tour now.
Heehee1 I have to go gloat a little! I am kind of glad there is no on here to witness me jumoing around like a silly teenager!
And-------THANK YOU GEORGE!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Ticking people off
seems to be a talent of mine.
Though he didn't respond on this blog , one fellow did give me feedback on the DC site. Seems he believes that one should support music based on location (i.e., Los Lonely Boys are from Tejas, so we support them...NOT!) Sorry, I go for talent, and usually the eccletic as well. Pop music is a waste of the ear's time. Most metal and rap, and anything too bombastic too. It you have to scream to be heard, or to get attention, chances are you don't have nearly enough to back it up once you get people's attention. Shame too. There are TONS of folks out there with solid talent wasting away on the sidelines, or satisfying themselves with being big fish in the small pond, because it is just too hard to get heard without a gimmick.
Oh well. The Grammys are still on, and I have better things to do, so for the moment, I will hush. If DC really wants awards like this, more power to them. I just hope it doesn't also mean that they will sell out their spiritual side for the glamour and glitze - that dies away way too quickly for most bands, guys. I cannot tell you how many I remember from the '70's, who walked that stage, and are no longer remembered, save by we music geeks. Del Castillo is worth more than that.
Though he didn't respond on this blog , one fellow did give me feedback on the DC site. Seems he believes that one should support music based on location (i.e., Los Lonely Boys are from Tejas, so we support them...NOT!) Sorry, I go for talent, and usually the eccletic as well. Pop music is a waste of the ear's time. Most metal and rap, and anything too bombastic too. It you have to scream to be heard, or to get attention, chances are you don't have nearly enough to back it up once you get people's attention. Shame too. There are TONS of folks out there with solid talent wasting away on the sidelines, or satisfying themselves with being big fish in the small pond, because it is just too hard to get heard without a gimmick.
Oh well. The Grammys are still on, and I have better things to do, so for the moment, I will hush. If DC really wants awards like this, more power to them. I just hope it doesn't also mean that they will sell out their spiritual side for the glamour and glitze - that dies away way too quickly for most bands, guys. I cannot tell you how many I remember from the '70's, who walked that stage, and are no longer remembered, save by we music geeks. Del Castillo is worth more than that.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Well, the Cat's
out o’ the bag!
I can stand it no longer. I have no idea who reads this little blog, but I have to tell SOMEONE!
Members of Del Castillo, in the guise of Chingon members, will be in the audience at the Grammys this Sunday.
I hate the fucking Grammys. They are nothing but inner-biz politics and sales representation. Hence why a band like Los Lonely Boys can get several nominations for a mediocre recording and DC goes without a contract STILL, though they are far superior musically as a band. Not to speak of more original. There’s a reason I haven’t talked about LLBs before in this blog. They were unimpressive in concert, period. Both times I put up with staying to watch their set, the first thing played was a blatant Stevie Ray Vaughn rip-off riff. It didn’t get much better from there- they were just bubblegum with a mildly (i.e., inoffensive) Latin touch. Big whoop. Luckily, I know many many people were turned onto DC at those gigs and have come back for more.
Anyway, I will be taping the Grammys to do a little crowd watching, see if those shining DC faces turn up sometime. They are actually up for an award as part of the Kill Bill No. 2 soundtrack. Movie was stupid as far as I was concerned-an utter waste of 2 hours, were it not for the music. Tarantino is a warped, sick fellow as far as what he thinks of as humour, but he does seem to appreciate music of quality. I hope they get the award, though I do have a soft spot for the Bellville Rendez-vous tune. Another very strange flick (The triplets of Bellville) but WONDERFUL music.
Oh well. Enough for now.
I have 12 rolls of film sitting on this desk, waiting to be unloaded to my website. I think I had best play a little catch-up.
I can stand it no longer. I have no idea who reads this little blog, but I have to tell SOMEONE!
Members of Del Castillo, in the guise of Chingon members, will be in the audience at the Grammys this Sunday.
I hate the fucking Grammys. They are nothing but inner-biz politics and sales representation. Hence why a band like Los Lonely Boys can get several nominations for a mediocre recording and DC goes without a contract STILL, though they are far superior musically as a band. Not to speak of more original. There’s a reason I haven’t talked about LLBs before in this blog. They were unimpressive in concert, period. Both times I put up with staying to watch their set, the first thing played was a blatant Stevie Ray Vaughn rip-off riff. It didn’t get much better from there- they were just bubblegum with a mildly (i.e., inoffensive) Latin touch. Big whoop. Luckily, I know many many people were turned onto DC at those gigs and have come back for more.
Anyway, I will be taping the Grammys to do a little crowd watching, see if those shining DC faces turn up sometime. They are actually up for an award as part of the Kill Bill No. 2 soundtrack. Movie was stupid as far as I was concerned-an utter waste of 2 hours, were it not for the music. Tarantino is a warped, sick fellow as far as what he thinks of as humour, but he does seem to appreciate music of quality. I hope they get the award, though I do have a soft spot for the Bellville Rendez-vous tune. Another very strange flick (The triplets of Bellville) but WONDERFUL music.
Oh well. Enough for now.
I have 12 rolls of film sitting on this desk, waiting to be unloaded to my website. I think I had best play a little catch-up.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Whoo-Hoo!
Okay, I'll calm down.
This weekend's gig was just so tremendous! Three of the best bands I have heard in I cannot say how long, one right after the other. My heart of course belongs to Del Castillo, but I am really impressed by both Acustyka and Vallejo. What blistering sets! And a great crowd to just spur them all on to better heights.
I did get one lesson in preparation that I will be kicking myself about for sometime- my camera died at a most in-opportune moment.....
Rick Holeman and Mike Zeoli from DC sat in with Vallejo to do joint percussion. Those two were having SUCH a blast and the guys in Vallejo were getting a kick out of them too. I had saved some pictures to catch this jam, and two photos into my run....no battery.
I will say it simply--------AAARGGHHHH!
Well, I got some pretty good ones of Vallejo from another gig and a few from this one- I will have to post a new book for them on my Webshots site. They really are amazing folks- do not miss it if you can land any or all of these bands in your hometown!
and now that I am done ranting....
Nice couple of weekends lately. The guys in DC have just been inspired lately. It is hard to believe that I have been on this craziness of following them around for almost a year.
It started at a benefit for diabetes at Antone's last year, and I have had few weeks where there wasn't something DC on my agenda. I haven't made it to an out of state gig yet- money, timing, warning, all have not worked to my favour yet. I will have to make 2005 the year I change that!
I have watched and heard so many changes in their music in the last 12 months. They were amazing when I first saw them, but they are tighter now than they were then, by far. It is a fun thing to watch bands grow, and I am closer to these guys than all those before, save the ones I worked with. It is astounding how well they work together and still manage to have fun together. As I have said before, even the worst night I have ever seen any of them have has far outdone most people's best.
The guys played one of the galas in Washington DC recently, and I have heard many stories which give me hope for the exposure they got. (I will leave my political feelings to a different blog, and let the reader know that DC is my only claimed "hometown"- as a military brat, I really don't have roots. I'm more like a wandering jew- stick my feet in new soil and soon enough I will make it mine.) The boys' managers had nothing but good things to say about the actual gig, though security was ridiculous and the guys couldn't go out of the hotel. Probably just as well- the precursor to one of the heaviest winter storms ever seen on the east coast was there at the same time. Right now, the city they were in is socked in and partially without power. I loved snow to play in now and then, but some things about it I do not miss at all!
As I understand it, the guys played switch off sets with Patricia Vonne, and actually had all those stuffed shirts up and hoofin' it! Yeeha! Now, this particular event is a hundred year old party called Black Tie and Boots, put on for those Texans who are feeling homesick when stuck in DC for political reasons. It is also one of the hottest tickets, and definitely hard to come by. $$$$ and then some. Connections to the Texas Society would help. I am just really glad the guys got the exposure- it comes down to who might have been in that audience. I am sorry they didn't get to do anything in the Capitol- there is much to be absorbed there, but as I understand it, though they were more or less captive, they were fairly well pampered ones. As long as they took care of my guys....sorry- OUR guys....Possessive, aren't I? :))
This weekend's gig was just so tremendous! Three of the best bands I have heard in I cannot say how long, one right after the other. My heart of course belongs to Del Castillo, but I am really impressed by both Acustyka and Vallejo. What blistering sets! And a great crowd to just spur them all on to better heights.
I did get one lesson in preparation that I will be kicking myself about for sometime- my camera died at a most in-opportune moment.....
Rick Holeman and Mike Zeoli from DC sat in with Vallejo to do joint percussion. Those two were having SUCH a blast and the guys in Vallejo were getting a kick out of them too. I had saved some pictures to catch this jam, and two photos into my run....no battery.
I will say it simply--------AAARGGHHHH!
Well, I got some pretty good ones of Vallejo from another gig and a few from this one- I will have to post a new book for them on my Webshots site. They really are amazing folks- do not miss it if you can land any or all of these bands in your hometown!
and now that I am done ranting....
Nice couple of weekends lately. The guys in DC have just been inspired lately. It is hard to believe that I have been on this craziness of following them around for almost a year.
It started at a benefit for diabetes at Antone's last year, and I have had few weeks where there wasn't something DC on my agenda. I haven't made it to an out of state gig yet- money, timing, warning, all have not worked to my favour yet. I will have to make 2005 the year I change that!
I have watched and heard so many changes in their music in the last 12 months. They were amazing when I first saw them, but they are tighter now than they were then, by far. It is a fun thing to watch bands grow, and I am closer to these guys than all those before, save the ones I worked with. It is astounding how well they work together and still manage to have fun together. As I have said before, even the worst night I have ever seen any of them have has far outdone most people's best.
The guys played one of the galas in Washington DC recently, and I have heard many stories which give me hope for the exposure they got. (I will leave my political feelings to a different blog, and let the reader know that DC is my only claimed "hometown"- as a military brat, I really don't have roots. I'm more like a wandering jew- stick my feet in new soil and soon enough I will make it mine.) The boys' managers had nothing but good things to say about the actual gig, though security was ridiculous and the guys couldn't go out of the hotel. Probably just as well- the precursor to one of the heaviest winter storms ever seen on the east coast was there at the same time. Right now, the city they were in is socked in and partially without power. I loved snow to play in now and then, but some things about it I do not miss at all!
As I understand it, the guys played switch off sets with Patricia Vonne, and actually had all those stuffed shirts up and hoofin' it! Yeeha! Now, this particular event is a hundred year old party called Black Tie and Boots, put on for those Texans who are feeling homesick when stuck in DC for political reasons. It is also one of the hottest tickets, and definitely hard to come by. $$$$ and then some. Connections to the Texas Society would help. I am just really glad the guys got the exposure- it comes down to who might have been in that audience. I am sorry they didn't get to do anything in the Capitol- there is much to be absorbed there, but as I understand it, though they were more or less captive, they were fairly well pampered ones. As long as they took care of my guys....sorry- OUR guys....Possessive, aren't I? :))
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