https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/1996-01-05/530335/
Happy F---ing New Year
January 5, 1996, Music
I don't suppose I expected anything out of the holidays except what I ended up
getting; a long, dark descent into cold and depression, peppered with the
separation from dear friends, both in the physical and emotional senses. The
emotional part I won't burden you with, but the physical comes in the form of
two members of local band Hurtbox, who were seriously injured in a head-on
collision over the New Year's weekend. As both Julie Weaver and Shelley
Lucksinger are members of the Chronicle family, she as an editor, and he
until recently part of our distribution staff, I can point you to "Page Two"
for more details about the accident. Julie is also a former roommate of mine
and Shelley has always seemed to pretty much remain that young kid that I
always used to see at the punk shows all the way back into the Big Boys days.
Details about their condition remain evasive as I write this; all I can do is
hope for the best for both.
Of, course, the Christmas spirit was in full evidence even before the
holidays, as someone broke into a car containing the 1/4" master of
the new Bedhead album (entitled Beheaded) and ran off with it. In all
likelihood, the thief had no idea what they'd grabbed and it probably is
landfill by now, but if you have any leads on the tape's whereabouts, you
should call Trance Syndicate. Keep in mind that the real 2" master tape remains
safe, so this isn't a total tragedy, but still is a large pain in the
ass; they now have to remix the album again. Also, on the day before
Christmas, 101X gave their morning crew the boot instead of filling their
stockings. That brings them up to three morning crews in seven months; for
those keeping score, that's Rachel in, Ernie & Jane out, and Gibby &
Robbie lo-o-ong gone.
Details are still being hammered out, but it looks as though the reissueing of
the old Hickoids material is going to be through local Sector 2 Records, and
that new recordings are on the way as well. Oh, yeah, I know that such claims
have been made more than once before, but Hickoids vocalist Jeff Smith confirms
that a reassembling of the band from among the members of its various previous
lineups is indeed in the works. Also, with the tapes of previous,
poorly-distributed albums recently returned to him after a long battle with the
group's former label, Toxic Shock, it looks like the Hickoids may finally reach
the boundaries of glory they were destined for.
The first news regarding the lineup possibilities for this year's SXSW is
starting to trickle in, with the following international acts on the invited
list: Nick Heyward (the man behind Haircut One Hundred), The Stranglers (now
minus original singer Hugh Cornwell), Alt, Blur, Billy Bragg, Black Eyed
Susans, Banco de Gaia, Tinder Sticks and the Boo Radleys. Keep in mind that
this definition of "invited" means that the bands applied and SXSW has
responded to them with letters of interest. This process has only been started
with overseas acts, I might add, to give them extra time to prepare their
schedules, and SXSW's Brent Grulke is quick to point out that no domestic
invitations will be going out for "at least two weeks," so don't start
calling the SXSW office wondering why you haven't gotten a letter. One
interesting point to add, though, is that Joan Osborne has been arranging her
touring schedule to accommodate Texas appearances at the time of SXSW, and it's
not surprising that the young, rising star might like to be a centerpiece of
the Fest.
Austin, this is your first notice of that which makes the musical world turn:
a free meal. The Chron's annual Musicians' Register is up and running,
and for your submission into the Yellow Pages of local music there's our annual
free Threadgill's dinner. (For the complete details check out the ad on pg.
13.) Also, this issue marks the first run of the Music Poll ballot, which runs
throughout the month. Vote now or risk being deported to Branson, Missouri, the
other Live Music Capital of the World. Speaking of... I've just been
handed the list of Lone Star musicians who were nominated for Grammys. Here are
some highlights: Junior Brown ("Best Country Album"); Doug Sahm ("Best
Traditional Blues Album"); James McMurtry ("Best Music Video, Long Form");
Steve Earle ("Best Contemporary Folk Album"); Asleep at the Wheel ("Best
Country Instrumental"); Flaco Jimenez ("Best Mexican-American Performance and
"Best Country Instrumental"); and Brave Combo ("Best Polka Album").
Watch out, Ted Roddy. Dale Watson has Austin's All-Star Elvis Presley Birthday
Benefit for the Homeless going on at Babes Stageside on the Mon., Jan. 8. You
got Chris Wall, both of those Robisons, Alvin Crow, Derailers and a load more
playing the benefit for H.O.B.O. Meanwhile, the "real" Elvis (Roddy) is
anchoring a two-night Elvis B-Day weekend at the Continental Club. Sunday,
everyone's favorite South-of-the-Border Elvis, "El Vez," goes Vegas, while
Monday finds Roddy taking back the crown. Did I also mention that on the Sat.,
Jan. 6, Borders Books and Music at 10225 Research will be having an Elvis
birthday party? No wonder he died. All those birthdays will kill you.
We've got the advance CD of that new Alejandro Escovedo album With These
Hands sittin' right here in the office, so we know it's not far from
reaching your grubby hands. Well, there's still a bit of a wait to go,
since the street date is March 19, but I wouldn't be surprised if you get a few
advance tastes of the disc on local radio before then... With this week's icy
weather, I can't possibly get by without mentioning Frosty the showman, now can
I? Well, the current Chris Duarte Band drummer had a lovely Christmas gift to
himself in the form of a shiny new $5G drum kit, but on the first night of a
two-night stand at Steamboat, a member of openers Sunflower managed to do a
fine job of tripping into the drums, knocking the set up, down, around, and
over before the Frostmeister even got to play a gig on it. No apology was
forthcoming, and Sunflower were noticably missing from the bill for the next
day's show... Well, this week is our Top Ten issue, but isn't it everybody's?
The current Rolling Stone features their big end-of-the-year picks, with
a cover story by the Chron's Jason Cohen, who follows his previous
Stone cover story on Hole with one on yet another four-letter word band:
Live. (You'll remember the Hole story he wrote prompted Courtney Love to offer
to tear him a new one -- see "The Year in Music" -- and somehow managing to get
me briefly stuck in the middle of the whole ordeal.) Cohen's picks for the 10
best records you didn't hear in 1995 are elsewhere in this issue. (Other
Austin types among the Stone's pickers include Peter Blackstock, Don
McLeese, and not even a bit of Ed Ward.) Request magazine, meanwhile, in
their Top Ten list of the best live shows of 1995, give the Alejandro Escovedo
Orchestra top honors for their appearance at La Zona Rosa on March 19 as part
of SXSW. The second and third spots are occupied by SXSW showcases as well,
Fantella Bass at the St. James Baptist Church, and Junior Kimbrough at
Antone's, respectively... Speaking of 10s, no less than that number of new
Austin/Texas-related artists' CDs have just been dropped in front of me. They
are: Pain Teens Beast of Dreams (Trance), Carolyn Wonderland & the
Imperial Monkeys Play With Matches (Big Mo), The Suspects Ninety Nine
Paid (Pinche Gringo), Omar & the Howlers World Wide Open
(Watermelon), Teisco Del Rey Plays Music for Lovers (Upstart),
Tailgators It's a Hog Groove! (Upstart), Mason Ruffner Evolution
(Archer), Seela Probably Lucy (Seelasongs), Bedhead The Dark Ages
3-song EP (Trance), and Tish Hinojosa Cada Niño (Every Child)
(Rounder). Apart from the Hinojosa CD, which hits the streets on the
January 30, I believe all the rest are available for your pleasure right now.
Oh, and one thing I don't currently have handy but am aware of is the new album
Buried Life from the Shivers on Restless Records, featuring Carey Kemper
and Kelly Bell, former members of Go Dog Go... Speedy Sparks' recent birthday
party drew the caliber of performers you might have expected, with Jimmie
Vaughan, both Sexton brothers, and all the Texas Tornadoes onstage -- and
Dianne Scott reading Tarot cards at the back door... Well, you missed Euripides
Pants for good, and I mean it for real this time. Their sizzling New Year's
show last Sunday at Emo's was el finito. This time guitarist Brett Engel
really is moving to Kansas. Their Paul Leary-produced CD will be out on
Sweatbox Records in February, though... The new Shanachie CD compilation of
spoken word tales by David Isay, entitled Holding On, includes a track
about and featuring Rev. Lavada Durst aka Dr. Hepcat, originally
broadcast in 1992 on All Things Considered... Did I say Shanachie? Well,
Shanachie recording artist Kris McKay spent Christmas in the studio recording
some bonus tracks for her upcoming Shanachie CD... Jon Dee Graham has moved
back to Austin, for the time being at least... The Austin Music Network has
started its new earlier schedule by the time you read this. From now on, the
local music champions hit the air every night at 8pm, rather than 10... Okay,
this is a real fax I got: "MTV News and Specials is looking for couples between
the ages of 18 and 30 who are either planning to move in together or are
already living together to be featured in an upcoming special. Couples must be
living together romantically, as opposed to just being roommates, and
enthusiastic about us spending some time with you." Call 212/258-7248. Oops: At
one point last issue, I referred to the upcoming Bob Mould album as an acoustic
album. It is a solo album, but not an acoustic project. n
'Tis the Season...
Of, course, the Christmas spirit was in full evidence even before the
holidays, as someone broke into a car containing the 1/4" master of
the new Bedhead album (entitled Beheaded) and ran off with it. In all
likelihood, the thief had no idea what they'd grabbed and it probably is
landfill by now, but if you have any leads on the tape's whereabouts, you
should call Trance Syndicate. Keep in mind that the real 2" master tape remains
safe, so this isn't a total tragedy, but still is a large pain in the
ass; they now have to remix the album again. Also, on the day before
Christmas, 101X gave their morning crew the boot instead of filling their
stockings. That brings them up to three morning crews in seven months; for
those keeping score, that's Rachel in, Ernie & Jane out, and Gibby &
Robbie lo-o-ong gone.
Reissues and Renewals
Details are still being hammered out, but it looks as though the reissueing of
the old Hickoids material is going to be through local Sector 2 Records, and
that new recordings are on the way as well. Oh, yeah, I know that such claims
have been made more than once before, but Hickoids vocalist Jeff Smith confirms
that a reassembling of the band from among the members of its various previous
lineups is indeed in the works. Also, with the tapes of previous,
poorly-distributed albums recently returned to him after a long battle with the
group's former label, Toxic Shock, it looks like the Hickoids may finally reach
the boundaries of glory they were destined for. Meanwhile, Brian Curley says that he doesn't know all the particulars yet, but it appears safe to say that Fort Apache, a subsidiary of MCA Records, will be rereleasing the old Lester Bangs & the Delinquents album. The deal has been under way for awhile, but slow delivery of contacts and such has delayed the completion of the agreement. Curley's current band, Altamont 69, has also hit a temporary snag and is actively seeking a new drummer to make them whole again.
International SXSW News
The first news regarding the lineup possibilities for this year's SXSW is
starting to trickle in, with the following international acts on the invited
list: Nick Heyward (the man behind Haircut One Hundred), The Stranglers (now
minus original singer Hugh Cornwell), Alt, Blur, Billy Bragg, Black Eyed
Susans, Banco de Gaia, Tinder Sticks and the Boo Radleys. Keep in mind that
this definition of "invited" means that the bands applied and SXSW has
responded to them with letters of interest. This process has only been started
with overseas acts, I might add, to give them extra time to prepare their
schedules, and SXSW's Brent Grulke is quick to point out that no domestic
invitations will be going out for "at least two weeks," so don't start
calling the SXSW office wondering why you haven't gotten a letter. One
interesting point to add, though, is that Joan Osborne has been arranging her
touring schedule to accommodate Texas appearances at the time of SXSW, and it's
not surprising that the young, rising star might like to be a centerpiece of
the Fest.
Registration, Please
Austin, this is your first notice of that which makes the musical world turn:
a free meal. The Chron's annual Musicians' Register is up and running,
and for your submission into the Yellow Pages of local music there's our annual
free Threadgill's dinner. (For the complete details check out the ad on pg.
13.) Also, this issue marks the first run of the Music Poll ballot, which runs
throughout the month. Vote now or risk being deported to Branson, Missouri, the
other Live Music Capital of the World. Speaking of... I've just been
handed the list of Lone Star musicians who were nominated for Grammys. Here are
some highlights: Junior Brown ("Best Country Album"); Doug Sahm ("Best
Traditional Blues Album"); James McMurtry ("Best Music Video, Long Form");
Steve Earle ("Best Contemporary Folk Album"); Asleep at the Wheel ("Best
Country Instrumental"); Flaco Jimenez ("Best Mexican-American Performance and
"Best Country Instrumental"); and Brave Combo ("Best Polka Album").
Dueling Elvii
Watch out, Ted Roddy. Dale Watson has Austin's All-Star Elvis Presley Birthday
Benefit for the Homeless going on at Babes Stageside on the Mon., Jan. 8. You
got Chris Wall, both of those Robisons, Alvin Crow, Derailers and a load more
playing the benefit for H.O.B.O. Meanwhile, the "real" Elvis (Roddy) is
anchoring a two-night Elvis B-Day weekend at the Continental Club. Sunday,
everyone's favorite South-of-the-Border Elvis, "El Vez," goes Vegas, while
Monday finds Roddy taking back the crown. Did I also mention that on the Sat.,
Jan. 6, Borders Books and Music at 10225 Research will be having an Elvis
birthday party? No wonder he died. All those birthdays will kill you.
Mixed Notes
We've got the advance CD of that new Alejandro Escovedo album With These
Hands sittin' right here in the office, so we know it's not far from
reaching your grubby hands. Well, there's still a bit of a wait to go,
since the street date is March 19, but I wouldn't be surprised if you get a few
advance tastes of the disc on local radio before then... With this week's icy
weather, I can't possibly get by without mentioning Frosty the showman, now can
I? Well, the current Chris Duarte Band drummer had a lovely Christmas gift to
himself in the form of a shiny new $5G drum kit, but on the first night of a
two-night stand at Steamboat, a member of openers Sunflower managed to do a
fine job of tripping into the drums, knocking the set up, down, around, and
over before the Frostmeister even got to play a gig on it. No apology was
forthcoming, and Sunflower were noticably missing from the bill for the next
day's show... Well, this week is our Top Ten issue, but isn't it everybody's?
The current Rolling Stone features their big end-of-the-year picks, with
a cover story by the Chron's Jason Cohen, who follows his previous
Stone cover story on Hole with one on yet another four-letter word band:
Live. (You'll remember the Hole story he wrote prompted Courtney Love to offer
to tear him a new one -- see "The Year in Music" -- and somehow managing to get
me briefly stuck in the middle of the whole ordeal.) Cohen's picks for the 10
best records you didn't hear in 1995 are elsewhere in this issue. (Other
Austin types among the Stone's pickers include Peter Blackstock, Don
McLeese, and not even a bit of Ed Ward.) Request magazine, meanwhile, in
their Top Ten list of the best live shows of 1995, give the Alejandro Escovedo
Orchestra top honors for their appearance at La Zona Rosa on March 19 as part
of SXSW. The second and third spots are occupied by SXSW showcases as well,
Fantella Bass at the St. James Baptist Church, and Junior Kimbrough at
Antone's, respectively... Speaking of 10s, no less than that number of new
Austin/Texas-related artists' CDs have just been dropped in front of me. They
are: Pain Teens Beast of Dreams (Trance), Carolyn Wonderland & the
Imperial Monkeys Play With Matches (Big Mo), The Suspects Ninety Nine
Paid (Pinche Gringo), Omar & the Howlers World Wide Open
(Watermelon), Teisco Del Rey Plays Music for Lovers (Upstart),
Tailgators It's a Hog Groove! (Upstart), Mason Ruffner Evolution
(Archer), Seela Probably Lucy (Seelasongs), Bedhead The Dark Ages
3-song EP (Trance), and Tish Hinojosa Cada Niño (Every Child)
(Rounder). Apart from the Hinojosa CD, which hits the streets on the
January 30, I believe all the rest are available for your pleasure right now.
Oh, and one thing I don't currently have handy but am aware of is the new album
Buried Life from the Shivers on Restless Records, featuring Carey Kemper
and Kelly Bell, former members of Go Dog Go... Speedy Sparks' recent birthday
party drew the caliber of performers you might have expected, with Jimmie
Vaughan, both Sexton brothers, and all the Texas Tornadoes onstage -- and
Dianne Scott reading Tarot cards at the back door... Well, you missed Euripides
Pants for good, and I mean it for real this time. Their sizzling New Year's
show last Sunday at Emo's was el finito. This time guitarist Brett Engel
really is moving to Kansas. Their Paul Leary-produced CD will be out on
Sweatbox Records in February, though... The new Shanachie CD compilation of
spoken word tales by David Isay, entitled Holding On, includes a track
about and featuring Rev. Lavada Durst aka Dr. Hepcat, originally
broadcast in 1992 on All Things Considered... Did I say Shanachie? Well,
Shanachie recording artist Kris McKay spent Christmas in the studio recording
some bonus tracks for her upcoming Shanachie CD... Jon Dee Graham has moved
back to Austin, for the time being at least... The Austin Music Network has
started its new earlier schedule by the time you read this. From now on, the
local music champions hit the air every night at 8pm, rather than 10... Okay,
this is a real fax I got: "MTV News and Specials is looking for couples between
the ages of 18 and 30 who are either planning to move in together or are
already living together to be featured in an upcoming special. Couples must be
living together romantically, as opposed to just being roommates, and
enthusiastic about us spending some time with you." Call 212/258-7248. Oops: At
one point last issue, I referred to the upcoming Bob Mould album as an acoustic
album. It is a solo album, but not an acoustic project. n-- Contributors: Raoul Hernandez, Andy Langer, Maragaret Moser
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