Music Recommended
edited by Raoul Hernandez
THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE'S 14TH ANNIVERSARY
Laguna Gloria, Sunday 10
As the old timers around here like to recall, Chronicle anniversaries
used to consist of a few joints passed around the back of Liberty Lunch as the
True Believers raged on stage. Now, it's red wine, kids running rampant all
over the grounds of Laguna Gloria, and word-smiths like Jimmy LaFave spinning
tales of life on the planet Texas. That's what growing up is all about. Help us
celebrate the gray at the temples with Kris McKay and Leeann Atherton on the
acoustic stage; La Fave, Marcia Ball, and Alvin Crow on the electric stage, and
a whole passel of performers in the Children's Tent. Party kicks off at 2pm,
and admission is $5.
TEXAS UNION OPEN HOUSE
UT Union, Friday 8
Lolla-what? Four stages at the UT Union? Free? It's a free-for-all: Sincola,
Horsies, and K. McCarty rock the upstairs ballroom; The Escovedo Orchestra,
Susanna Sharpe & Samba Police, as well as Espiritu are on the patio outside
of the Union Wendy's; Pork and Noodle destroy the Tavern, and uncle Walser
yodels in the Cactus. It all starts at 9pm.
INT'L MUSIC EXTRAVAGANZA
Casa de Luz, Friday 8
Multi-culturalism is an oft-abused term but there's not a better one to
describe this fiesta that includes a bevy of Austin performers - like East
Babylon Symphony, Antonio Dionisio, and Steve Bernal - and international
journeymen musicians who will transform this outdoor venue into a tropical isle
in the Caribbean.
CINCO AñOS! FIESTA
Liberty Lunch, Saturday 9
Not quite as old as us Chroniclers, Trance has managed to accomplish
just as much in five years (just check the new Cinco Años comp),
and to prove it, they've assembled some of their finest label stalwarts in
Starfish, Cleveland's My Dad is Dead (on the new Trance imprint Emperor Jones),
Sixteen Deluxe, and Bedhead. All hail the King!
PIANORAMA
Antone's, Sunday 10
It's fitting that this year's keyboard lovefest is dedicated to the late
Erbie
Bowser - he was the Eastside's own Piano Man. With long, tall Marcia Ball as
hostess plus Johnny Nicholas, Floyd Domino, and other ivory-ticklers on hand,
Pianorama continues its traditional tribute to 88 keys and those who make 'em
sing at Austin's Home of the Blues. Guy Forsyth takes the mike at midnight.
- Margaret Moser
FOO FIGHTERS, SPEARHEAD
Liberty Lunch, Monday 11
As was the case with Hole's Live Through This, it took but one listen
to the Foo Fighters debut to know it was gonna end up on a lot of Top Ten
lists. Bottom line: Dave Grohl is carrying on the Nirvana legacy - as a
guitarist no less - and doing a mighty fine job.
CHRIS DUARTE
Steamboat, Tuesday 12
Nevermind the huge sold-out shows in Paris and the rest of Europe - those
people just cain't get enough Texas Strat Magik. It's here in the states that
Chris Duarte's making inroads, especially if you're paying attention to
Billboard's new blues charts. He's right up there with the Claptons and
Crays. Two separate shows here to get 'em all in.
DALE WATSON
Babes, Wednesday 13
Thanks to Don Walser's Monday nights, Babes has become an unlikely C&W
hangout, and they'd do well to get Dale Watson's good looks and real-deal licks
on that small stage more often. Along with Walser, Junior Brown, and the
Derailers, Watson's the type of C&W maverick making Austin - once again -
the outlaw capital.
DAR WILLIAMS
Cactus Cafe, Wednesday 13 & Thursday 14
Dar Williams is to the Northeast what Nanci Griffith is to the Southwest: a
strong yet sensitive woman with a thorough sense of her roots and an uncanny
ability to manipulate emotional buttons. Her SXSW '95 gig was a formidable
display of the latter. She had a full-house laughing one second, angry the
next, and shuddering in tears at the end. Williams' Honesty Room LP
ranks in the same upper echelon of song-oriented albums as Griffith's Last
of the True Believers and Escovedo's Gravity. Williams is made of
the stuff that will inspire female folkies-to-be.
-Joe Mitchell
BOTTLE ROCKETS, DEAD HOT WORKSHOP
Electric Lounge, Thursday 14
Some records overflow with anger, lust and soul. The Bottle Rockets'
Brooklyn Side oozes fun, nicely balancing country wit with rock riffs in
compact songs. The band's last show in town was a SXSW Waterloo Brewing
showcase you could hear clear down to Liberty Lunch, making believers of locals
and tourists alike. Those lucky enough to catch that intimate Joan Osborne
Continental Club show are still singing the praises of her opener, Dead Hot
Workshop - a Tempe band with songs to make them better than simply a Gin
Blossoms with balls. Miss Xanna Don't and Lone Star Queens open. - Andy
Langer
DIRTY THREE
Emo's, Thursday 14
If you missed this Australian trio's blistering set at Lollapalooza due to
lack of funds or a resistance to alternative nation's cattlecall, this is the
time to grab the loose change outta your couch, and tap into some of the best
instrumental improv in this lifetime. Including members of Aussie punk roots
bands The Sick Things, Venom, and P. Stinger, the Dirty Three play sad and
dangerous songs about love. Dallas' Vibro Champs and The Reverb Brothers are
also on the bill. - Kelly M. Petrash
ALSO PLAYING
Friday: Vince Bell, Chicago House
Saturday: Abra Moore, Ruta Maya; Betty Elders, Waterloo 6th;
Pocket FishRmen, Austin Outhouse
Sunday: Iguanas, Continental Club
Monday: Seed, Steamboat
Tuesday: Jon Blondell, Cedar Street
Wednesday: Dead End Cruisers, Tallboy, Blue Flamingo
Thursday: James Polk, Shady Grove
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