Cover Story
A Gathering of Tribes
Timmy Hefner sleeps in a fortress of vinyl just to bring you Chaos in Tejas
Speaker Straus to Run Again
Footage of the House speaker’s presser on his future plans and the chubbing experience
Dems Block McLeroy Nomination to SBOE Chair
Controversial creationist fails to get two-thirds of Senate support
Homeless Bills Get Shelter
TWIA, CHIP and more find vehicles in the Senate, head back to the House
Loaded Words Before McLeroy Debate?
Man not created by “accident” pastor says
This Week’s Waste of Time
Don’t worry, it’s easier than last week’s
Lance Fever: It’s Catching!
Lance Myers animation situation
Tim Cole Act Becomes Law
Perry signs bill increasing payments to exonerees
Watson Says Renewable Energy Bill Likely Dead
SB 541 “the victim of House politics”
Islanders on Tap as Aztex Roster Woes Continue
Someone needs to become a scorer for the shorthanded Aztex
The Fine Art of Deadlock
Dewhurst and Straus meet to deal with logjam between Senate and House
Invocation of the Duke
daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra’s chamber music
No Limits No Control
Jim Jarmusch’s The Limits of Control ends a one-week run Thursday
Dewhurst Doesn’t Blame the House. No, Really.
Well, okay, maybe he blames them a little bit
TV Recycling Bill Passes
Environmentalists praise move ahead of DTV switch
The Long and Short of Roy Blount Jr.
Author and radio personality Roy Blount Jr. makes the rounds in Austin
‘Goode’ Stuff from Mike Judge
Mike Judge’s new animated comedy ‘The Goode Family’ premieres tonight
Cease and Spin
Waxploitation’s new situation
Songs for Sale
The Belleville Outfit adopts a brave new business plan
Congratulations, It’s a Biennial Budget
Conference committee approves $182 billion for 2010-11, now heads to floor
The Chub Returns
Now Republicans hope to kill unemployment insurance reform
No More Chub
Pace picks up in House, but late enough to still kill voter ID
Voter ID Impasse Broken!
Okay, not really.
Who’s the Daddy?
House Republican Caucus Chair compares Democrats to “whiny kids”
Lynch Bages Comes to Austin
Famous French winery with an Austin connection
Torch of the Mystic
Sir Richard Bishop, keeper of the flame
Hang Up and Drive
Ban on cell phones in school zones passes
Deuell Needles His Fellow Republicans
Senator slams colleagues after objections to his needle exchange bill
Prop 8 Upheld
Aw, hell…
Myra Breckinridge Is a Dish!
Hey Homo! screens Raquel Welch cuh-lassic.
So You Think You Can Hate?
Homophobia shown over same-sex dancing couple on awful show.
Dunnam on Straus
After point of order fails, who runs the House: The speaker, or the committee coordinator?
Sotomayor for Supreme Court
Obama appoints New York appeal court Judge Sonia Sotomayor as first Hispanic female on high court bench
Rally Round Prop 8
City Hall, 5:30pm today, gather the troops.
The Crush of the Conference
Quick HB3 update from Chairman Eissler
Cap Metro Restructuring Bill May Survive
Original will likely die, but could get amended onto another
How NOT to Honor the Troops
Maybe they should just burn a flag?
Merritt Versus the Caucus
Two caucus meetings produce three press conferences as GOP turns on committee chair
Anchia Makes an Overture
Amended version of bill would require both extra ID and substantial voter education and outreach
Picture of the Day
Chubbing illustrated
Straus’ Big Test
House speaker suggests both caucuses tiring of chub and its causes
Ooh! Ooh! Mr. Kotter!
Will Dewhurst veto the ability to override vetoes?
Saturday: Various Lege Doings
While the chubbing continues, let’s catch up
Playing Chicken in the House
Dems make offer to GOP to get things moving; GOP refuses
Full Chub Ahead!
Democrats’ motion to take calendar out of order fails
Clearing the Chub?
Dunnam proposes way to move bills without moving voter ID
Off the Record – 33 RPM
Striking down the Thunder of Gods Festival and introducing the new owners of Antone’s Record Shop
Texas Just Abolished Poll Taxes!
Twenty-fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution finally ratified here
Backe to Rehab in Round Rock
Brandon Backe scheduled to start for the Express Saturday
Marion Winik at BookWoman This Weekend
One of Austin’s favorite former residents returns for a reading
Absolutely Nothing is Happening in the Senate
Senators scramble to save their bills from the House’s chubbing
From the Dept. of False Advertising
Who’s not coming to Texandance
9 Minutes and 30 Seconds
State reps chub and chub hard to keep voter ID off the floor
‘The Whole Shootin’ Match’ Screens Tonight
Cast and crew gather to remember the slain Lou Perryman
Budget Pronouncements
Video: House and Senate leaders discuss budget when and where (just not how much)
‘Anagenesis’
Anthony Garza fuses animals and man-made structures to make monumental nature paintings
Gay Place
Can you feel it? Pride is coming.
Arts Review
Both artists here bend and even break rules to elevate humble materials into art
Texas Platters
Ralph White and Amy Annelle’s old-time psychic-twin vision comes alive on Top of the Holler, the pair’s new collection of field recordings as Precious Blood. Annelle’s guitar and hay-fine gospel voice alone are capable of evangelical Dust Bowl flashbacks, but when combined with White’s solitary fiddle and accordion, “Shady Grove” sounds rapturous, as do covers…
Topless Tax Bottoming Out?
Two competing bills at play over admission fees at topless clubs
That Thing They Do
The Paramount Summer Film Classics’ season of stars
2009 Funniest Person in Austin Contest
From a strong field of 14 comics, Bryson Turner took this year’s comedy crown
Event Menu: May 22-25
Local food events
Burger Bonanza
Steak ‘n Shake 9300 S. I-35 (Southpark Meadows), 291-8095 www.steaknshake.com Sunday-Thursday, 10am–2am; Friday-Saturday, 10am–3am Steak ‘n Shake was founded in 1934 in Normal, Ill., by Gus Belt, the owner of a diner/gas station. Gus would wait for the busiest time in the diner, wheelbarrow in a container of steaks, and grind them into burgers right…
Texas Platters
Some Say Leland Fifty Miles Into the Main Steeped in the lore of Smithsonian Folkways, the hand-numbered sophomore album from local neo-traditionalists Some Say Leland captures a rare combination of devils and dust, offsetting haunting Americana (“No More Cars”) with rustic field recordings and Dixieland instrumentals. Leader Dan Grissom is an impressive vocalist and songwriter…
LegeLines
Quickies from the Capitol
Blanton Museum of Art
Ned Rifkin, former Smithsonian undersecretary of art, is the new director of the Blanton
Food-o-File
Emotions flow at Tower of Salsa benefit, and Texas recognizes the good will of Les Dames
Letters at 3AM
‘A brilliant cascade of cause and effect’ can describe my life
Texas Platters
The Seas Let’s Fake It At its best, the Seas’ debut full-length remodels the pop tension of Brian Eno-era Roxy Music, with playful experimentation, sleek guitar hooks, and Nurk’s near-constant quivering croon, best captured on opener “French Toast” and catchy, keyboard-driven “W.I.P.” More often than not, however, the local quartet treads closer to Brian Ferry’s…
Terminator Salvation
Despite a couple of good action sequences, Terminator Salvation is loud, talky, and entirely lacking any sort of soul or sense of good old summer-matinee fun.
Thumbs Up for State-School Reforms
At long last, some changes afoot in state schools
The Common Law
Deferred Adjudication – What Is It?
Burgers We Love
The best burgers from established beef palaces
Burger Bonanza
Mighty Fine 10515 MoPac N. #205, 524-2400 5601 Brodie #1300, 735-2800 201 University Oaks Blvd. #1380, Round Rock, 512/381-3310 www.mightyfineburgers.com Sunday-Thursday, 10:30am-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 10:30am-10pm Mighty Fine has run with the concept of “high quality” hamburgers, quickly opening three locations in the Austin area, all of them in suburban areas chock-full of families with children. The…
Texas Platters
Chief Rival A budding, second-generation Austin act (two of whose members are Chronicle offspring), Chief Rival effectively fuses the cinematic grandeur of Explosions in the Sky and, in Christian York’s sparse vocals, the Black Angels’ brooding psychedelia. The quartet’s hand-packaged, four-song debut EP is a dark, seamless 30-minute trip of shoegaze guitar and thunderous dynamics,…
The Girlfriend Experience
Steven Soderbergh directs this DV-cam look at the life of a high-end Manhattan call girl (played by porn star Sasha Grey).
House Tweaks Death Penalty Law
Kenneth Foster Act aims to clean things up
After a Fashion
Your Style Avatar is back. In black.
Arts Review
The Vortex’s latest theatrical immersion in myth sinks you down 20,000 leagues
Burger Bonanza
The Hub 3815 Dry Creek Dr., 432-5390 www.thehubaustin.com Monday-Thursday, 11am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-11pm; Sunday, 11am-9pm The Hub is one of the few restaurants within walking or biking distance of the Highland Hills and Northwest Hills residences near Mount Bonnell. Consequently, mealtimes find both inside and outside dining areas at this relatively new spot packed with neighborhood…
Texas Platters
The Gary Chub (Cedar Fever) Recalling the hardened moments of Uncle Tupelo’s locally produced final outing, 1993’s Anodyne, the Gary’s debut EP is a strong, dependable, and at times compelling collection of flatland rock & roll. While not exactly revelatory, the confidence of singer Dave Norwood lends itself well to the desperation in opener “Expiration”…
The Limits of Control
Jim Jarmusch tells an elliptical, European-set story about a loner and the criminal activity in which he’s involved.
Bicycle Master Plan Gets a Tune-Up
If it’s May, it must be Bike Month
The Long Con
After kicking around for months, The Brothers Bloom finally makes its mark
Burger Bonanza
While higher-end restaurants may be struggling in the current economy, the local burger business is booming
Texas Platters
Seasons Change, Last Call, Crew Deep, Hello World, When the Day Brakes, Errybody Hates Me!!
Texas Platters
The Great Nostalgic Former Laughing cohort Abram Shook manages to sound alternatively like all three members of Swan Lake (Spencer Krug, Dan Bejar, and Carey Mercer) on the Great Nostalgic’s eponymous debut. A sprawling and bombastic narrative, the album seethes with melodrama (“Fire Brigade,” “Fall River Dream”) and carnival turns (“Young Lovers,” “The Kingdom”), calming…
Bike Thief Draws Four-Year Sentence
Clayton cops a plea deal
Film News
News from Cannes and nearer climes
Burger Bonanza
Five Guys Burgers and Fries 3208-B Guadalupe, 452-4300 www.fiveguys.com Daily, 11am-10pm This Arlington, Va., restaurant chain was founded in 1986 and quickly spread up and down the East Coast. More recent expansion has Five Guys branching out around the country. This company has enthusiastic fans in many markets, and it wants to make sure you…
Texas Platters
Opposite Day What Is Is? (Future Banana Replacement) Opposite Day comes from the Mike Patton/Frank Zappa school of spaz-funk, but on its latest, the local trio evolves beyond slap bass and Madonna covers. More melody abounds on disc No. 4, as in “Hungry Kitchen,” where the harmonic spray of chorus (“They’re not human”) is swept…
Point Austin: The Super Looks Back
Retiring Pat Forgione considers a decade mostly well spent
Sunset Comes in Many Colors
How agencies are faring at the Sunset Advisory Commission
Mr. Smarty Pants Knows
Catfish hate cold water, Americans chew less, and more
Burger Bonanza
Mooyah Burgers & Fries 9070 Research #303, 380-0990 www.mooyah.com Daily, 11am-10pm Located in the Crossroads Center, on the southwest corner of Burnet Road and Research, Mooyah was born in Plano, the brainchild of a couple of casual dining moguls. The concept is simple: fresh everything and a limited menu. A Mooyah burger is a double…
Texas Platters
Black Nasty Shark Tank Seeing as Black Nasty’s first album was AIDS Can’t Stop Me, subtlety isn’t really part of the game plan. On his third LP, the rap alter ego of Ted Beck (brother of local indie singer-songwriter Pink Nasty) continues dipping his wick verbally. There’s the come-on (“Three Hole Punch,” where he adds…
City Hall Hustle: Fiery Colors
Reorganizing the AFD is about money … and justice
Downhill for Webberville
A bill to help Webberville fight the landfill has found few friends
The Hightower Report
Too Big to Punish?; and Begging for Regulation
Burger Bonanza
Hang Town Grill 701 Capital of TX Hwy. S., 347-1039 5800 Burnet Rd., 420-9430 www.hangtowngrill.com Daily, 11am-9pm With one store established in West Lake, the newest Hang Town Grill on Burnet Road seems to have effortlessly settled into the neighborhood tent, attracting a multigenerational crowd from around Allandale, Brentwood, and Crestview. “Best burgers in town,”…
Texas Platters
Dale Watson The Truckin’ Sessions Vol. 2 (Hyena) The warm baritone of Dale Watson booms authentic on just about any country song, but on the The Truckin’ Sessions Vol. 2, it’s as high-octane as a big rig. Watson’s sophomore take on highway sturm und twang tailgates his 1998 journey on the highways with mostly traditional…
Back to the Drawing Board
Council rejects proposals for the creation of city music and arts departments
No Place for Perkins on Paroles
See what happens when you dis sex toys?
TV Eye
What’s In and What’s Out
Burger Bonanza
TerraBurger 2522 Guadalupe, 436-8570 10611 Research, coming soon www.terraburgeraustin.com Monday-Friday, 7am-11pm; Saturday, 8am-11pm; Sunday, 9am-10pm TerraBurger was started by an Austin fast-food overseer teamed with a local investor, who both believed that a fast-food burger joint could also be all-natural and organic, modern, sustainable, and green. Their No. 1 rule is that everything in the…
Texas Platters
Chili Cold Blood (Bloodchili) For locals having made their rep as a power trio dubbed “black and blues,” CCB’s nailed it on yet another self-titled, ZZ Top-meets-Soundgarden disc. Track upon track of low-down blues kick whip-smart guitar and an uncompromising backbeat (“Road Behind Me”) that includes a bona fide treasure in singer/guitarist Doug Strahan’s “Put…
Headlines
• An innocuous-seeming City Council item reorganizing the top ranks of the Austin Fire Department instead stoked controversy, as new Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr’s plans to diversify the chiefs met with backlash from department members and a council wary of increased costs. See “City Hall Hustle,” and listen to our podcast, Hust FM, at austinchronicle.com/hustle.…
Media Watch: KLRU’s Numbers Don’t Add Up
The recession has hit at KLRU
Book Review
Glen David Gold follows his bestselling Carter Beats the Devil with another historical novel, this one starring Charlie Chaplin
Burger Bonanza
Freddy’s Frozen Custard 1465 E. Whitestone, Cedar Park, 512/259-9292 www.freddysfrozencustard.com Sunday-Thursday, 10:30am-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 10:30am-11pm Freddy’s Frozen Custard in Cedar Park provides patrons a family-friendly, clean, Fifties-style eatery that serves up burgers, hot dogs (regular and loaded Chicago style), an assortment of fries with chili and cheese toppings, and tasty frozen custard desserts and even offers…
Texas Platters
Ricky Stein Crazy Days (Records, Records, Records) Ricky Stein’s press likes to suggest he’s the Boss by way of Townes Van Zandt, but there’s no question that Crazy Days is excellent right outta the gate. Stein has a ways to go before he earns those TVZ stripes, but with songs like “One and the Same,”…
Developing Stories: Chipping at the Waterfront
Revised waterfront ordinance returns to City Council today (Thursday, May 21)
Playing Through
Sixteen-year-old Chelsey Sveinsson is on her way to becoming an elite runner
Book Review
Middle age sets in for the former Punk Planet contributor in this, his fifth novel
Burger Bonanza
Shuggie’s 1311 S. First, 789-2063 www.torchystacos.com Sunday-Wednesday, 11am-10pm; Thursday-Saturday, 11am-11pm Shuggie’s is the second Airstream-cuisine concept from talented local chef Michael Rypka, and it’s a popular component of his South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery, along with Torchy’s Tacos, La-Dee-Dah, and TREAT. The menu here is choice: six burgers with mouthwatering enhancements, a chicken sandwich,…
Texas Platters
Woodsboss Woodsboss II The Weary Boys no longer, Darren Sluyter, Brian Salvi, and Cary Ozanian bring their gritty offering back to the table as Woodsboss (which sounds like “Weary Boys” while drinking water). Adding Tom VandenAvond and Sean Ziegler, plus Molly Salvi for some cowgirl tough, old chestnuts such as “Break My Mind” become as…
Cap Metro: One Deadline at a Time
A MetroRail update – and an update on the next update
Not Weird but Real
Celebrated British artist Edward Povey has good reasons for making Austin his new home
Burger Bonanza
Hat Creek Burger Co. 600-B W. Sixth, 535-8711 www.hatcreekburgers.com Monday-Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-12mid; Sunday, closed Native Austinite and UT graduate Drew Gressett had a simple, twofold mission when he opened Hat Creek – good cheeseburgers and good fellowship. The young entrepreneur has achieved both. We first discovered Hat Creek’s retro trailer on the north end…
Gun Crazy!
Barack Obama may not be coming to get your weapons – but he’s sure doing wonders for gun & ammo sales
Yogurt Shop Case Takes Another Turn
Defendant’s bond hearing delayed
What Ever Happened to Prince Albert in a Can?
People generally call 911 for help, but one guy is calling to make terroristic threats
Chaos in Tejas Schedule
Thursday Beerland: The Bellrays, Broken Gold, Black Panda Mohawk: Propagandhi, Trash Talk, Bridge & Tunnel, Canadian Rifle Emo’s: (outside) Cro-Mags, Skitkids, Crude, Annihilation Time, FUK, No Tolerance, Vaaska; (inside) Extra Golden, Ted Leo, Ghost Knife, Fingaar Bangaar Friday Emo’s: Cock Sparrer, Brutal Knights, Peligro Social, Destino Final, Hjertestop, Young Offenders, Obliteration, the Hex Dispensers (sold…
Arts Review
The heart of this Tejano-style retelling is not the lovers but the people around them
Texas Platters
No Show Ponies The End of Feel Good Music Brothers Jeff and Ben Brown relocated to Austin from Pennsylvania in 2006, plying their East Coast Americana. On disc, they drafted Keith Langford, Kevin Russell, and Jimmy Smith, thus ensuring a Gourdian sound (“A Run In With a Faded Star”) with their cheeky lyrics. “If I…
Naked City
News briefs from Austin, the region, and beyond
Page Two: Looking Up
Along the path back to wonder
Day Trips
A guide to the Big Bend region of Texas
Burger Bonanza
P. Terry’s Burger Stand 404 S. Lamar, 473-2217 3303 N. Lamar, 371-9975 www.pterrys.com Daily, 11am-11pm When Patrick Terry opened his original burger stand three years ago, he was at the vanguard of the current trend toward wholesome, high-quality hamburgers. That little stand has been a huge success, and now the new P. Terry’s location on…
Texas Platters
Leo Rondeau Down at the End of the Bar This local songwriter from North Dakota has gathered impressive support for Down at the End of the Bar, including Brennen Leigh, Lisa Pankratz, and Shotgun Party’s Jenny Parrott. Rondeau’s jaunts into Dixieland (“Rapture”) and country (“Had I Known”) are effortlessly pleasing, as are natural forays off…
When Good Things Happen to Bad Bills – and Vice Versa
Bad bills fly, while good bills die
The Hideout
A team of local improvisers has acquired the home base for Austin’s improv revolution
Off the Record
Striking down the Thunder of Gods Festival
Burger Bonanza
Spec’s 4978 U.S. 290 W., 366-8260 www.specsonline.com Monday-Saturday, 10am-9pm This is for folks who like their burgers big, moist, and loaded with stuff. The grilled-onion, cheddar, and bacon burger ($4.99; add a scoop of chili for 50 cents) is a messy sandwich that will have you grabbing for extra napkins. The burger is huge –…
Texas Platters
The Daylight Titans Boom and Chime (Rock Sweet Jenny) Without overplaying the Daylight Titans’ hand at only eight tracks, Boom and Chime broadcasts Andy Smith’s commanding vocals and the band’s 1980s-esque hard-roots drive, which conjures R.E.M. on a True Believers bender. Standouts include the early punk rattle of “Between Joy and Faith” and the wasn’t-that-an-MTV-video?…
Res Publica
Good times for good citizens, May 21-28
Casino El Camino: Buffalo Burger
Casino El Camino: Buffalo Burger!
Luv Doc Recommends: Austin Chronicle Adult Spelling Bee
Last week a pun-off and this week a spelling bee? Good Lord, Austin really is Nerdvana. All those years you spent woodshedding with your Oxford English Dictionary are finally starting to pay off – both for you and your optometrist. Who knows? Someday you might even get paid for all those two-dollar words you’ve been…
