Credit: Photo by Sandy Carson

The Paul Green School of Rock Music

Although they followed Big Sam’s Funky Nation conducting a spirited version of the “Hokey Pokey,” there was nothing cute about the Paul Green School of Rock All-Stars. The local teenagers’ unadulterated barrage of sex, drugs, and classic rock & roll may have been somewhat unsettling, but it was a raw, unpretentious reminder of what the music’s about at its core. Guitarist Courtney Cox asserted herself as the head of the class, laying down monster, whammy-barred riffs behind Jenny Founds’ powerful bellowing of Boston’s “Long Time” and psychedelic jams as Jen Pague channeled Grace Slick on “White Rabbit.” Trey Gish stepped up with long hair flailing for Zeppelin’s “Black Dog,” amused cheers erupting as he howled, “I don’t know, but I’ve been told, big-legged woman ain’t got no soul.” Fellow alum Kevin Fish held down the drums with serious fury through Slayer and Judas Priest, which seemed to lose the crowd’s toddler contingent but delighted the parents. The kids are all right.

This article appears in September 21 • 2007.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.