Austin Outhouse & Blue Flamingo, Saturday 30
Over the years, the ebb and flow of Austin’s club scene has washed away as
many famous live music venues as its washed ashore new ones. It’s the nature of
the business and this city. Still, that doesn’t take the chill off the loss of
both the Austin Outhouse and the Blue Flamingo on the same weekend. These will
be the final shows for both clubs. At the Outhouse look for Herman the German,
Eric Blakely, the Laughing Dogs, Aunt Beanie’s First Prize Beets and others. At
the Blue Flamingo expect a punk rock blowout with Cornpone, Blort, Motards,
Gomez, Fuck Emos, Tallboy, and many others. Parting is such sweet sorrow…
C.J. CHENIER
Antone’s, Friday 29
Zydeco blood runs strong in the Chenier family. Hell, without this family,
zydeco as we know it probably wouldn’t even exist. Father Clifton has been dead
for going on 10 years now, but son C.J. carries a torch hot and spicy as bayou
boudin. Also look for a preview of the O.J. verdict when C.J. does “Not
Guilty,” just one of the excellent songs from his latest Alligator platter,
Too Much Fun. – Chris Gray
JOBIM PROJECT
Waterloo Ice House 6th, Friday 29
With the passing of Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim in the
not-too-distant past, a spotlight has been re-focused on romantic Brazilian
rhythms. Friday, flute and saxman John Mills and guitarist Russ Scanlon lead a
quintet through a rainforest of those rhythms in an all instrumental jazz
format. Brazilian transplant Antonio Dionisio opens.
FLAMINGO WEEKEND
Flamingo Cantina, Friday 29 – Sunday 1
As two clubs close, another celebrates an anniversary – not exactly a surprise
in this town. The Flamingo Cantina blows body heat through its open-air
courtyard all weekend with a good three-day line-up: Friday, it’s Austin’s
Jhongalt, Ant Man Bee, and Lawrence, Kansas’ Billygoat; Saturday, it’s rasta
night with Killer Bees and Raggamassive; and Sunday Austin’s Tribal Nation
opens for the weekend’s head-liner, Jamaican outspokesman Mutabaruka.
JESUS CHRIST SUPERFLY, GOMEZ
Hole in the Wall, Saturday 30
Finally. A new release. After all these years. It was well worth the wait.
Texas Toast on Lindsey Kuhn’s No Lie Records is a snotty spat of lugey
in the face of punk rock from the Christ boys that finds longtime super, fly
Rick Carney, and Ron Williams in fine voice, trading song and verse up and down
14 songs. And speaking of albums, I just picked up the CD version of Gomez’s
debut, to find it had 12 bonus tracks culled from the group’s tape and
7-inchers. Two more trophies for the local punk scene. Now, witness it live!
THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Emo’s, Tuesday 3
At SXSW ’95, Seattle’s Presidents were just another unknown band showcasing
their wares. But wait, why was former Rolling Stone music editor David
Fricke at the front of the Steamboat stage taking notes? Seems this wacky,
Primus-like group has been causing a stir since its inception with infectious
pogo pop – found on the group’s recent debut – kept simple by a total of five
guitar strings shared by guitarist and bassist. Don’t miss this one,
which kicks off early at 8pm sharp, before giving way to British punkers
Anti-Nowhere League, Blank ’77, and Dead End Cruisers.
HEATHER NOVA, BEN FOLDS FIVE
Electric Lounge, Tuesday 3
Heather Nova sings “I want you to come” in “Walk This World” (from the new
Oyster), presently taking the alternative airwaves by storm, though
thousands of red-blooded young American males are already there. Even without
all the obligatory ejaculation humor, Nova should prove at least as substantive
as any of alt-rock’s SGWG (Sensitive Girls with Guitars), and hopefully more
so. Sensitive guy with a piano is the best way to describe Ben Folds, whose
pretty pop songs are currently at the center of a label bidding war – easy to
see why on his new Caroline CD. – Chris Gray
MAURA O’CONNELL
Cactus Cafe, Wednesday 4
Irish chanteuse Maura O’Connell has one of those rich, full-bodied voices of
firm embrace to soothe the most agitated of souls. She usually does this with
the songs of folks like John Hiatt, Shawn Colvin, Tom Waits, and the Beatles,
some of which can be found on her new Rykodisc album.
KRIS MCKAY’S TOO MANY GUITARS
Continental Club, Wednesday 4
When asked if it was cool that ex-Talking Head David Byrne showed up at her
weekly “Too Many Guitars” showcase at Continental Club not long ago, the
sarcasm was thick when she replied, “No, it was terrible.” This week, regulars
like Damon Bramlett, Will Sexton, and Bill Carter will pull out the acoustics
as well as their songwriting wares for this weekly gig that is quickly growing,
thanks to McKay, her songwriting prowess, and big voice.
KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERD, STEPHEN BRUTON
Antone’s, Thursday 5
Story has it that Shreveport’s Kenny Wayne Shepherd was 10 or so when SRV
lifted him onto the stage at one of his gigs. Ever since, Shepard’s wanted to
be the new Strat messiah. Will you be a disciple or a doubter? One way to find
out… ALSO PLAYING
Friday: John Prine, Subdudes, Backyard; Burning Spear, Liberty Lunch; Percy Sledge, Scholz Garten
Saturday: Innocence Mission, Liberty Lunch
Sunday: Doug Hall Trio, Elephant Room
Monday: Don Walser, Babes
Tuesday: Gilligan Stump, Cafe on the Square
Wednesday: Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Jovita’s
Thursday: Michael Fracasso, Shady Grove
This article appears in September 29 • 1995 and September 29 • 1995 (Cover).