Fun night at Quack's, very family-friendly. The kids outnumbered adults. I think the artists need to add Wheels on the Bus or Itsy Bitsy Spider to their sets.
Another amazing show. My favorite additions to the set were Box Full of Letters, California Stars (accompanied by members of opening band Retribution Gospel), and Monday.
Tweedy was less complimentary to the audience tonight, but only tongue-in-cheek. He started out by saying that the people who didn't come the night before were smarter than those who did, then he switched it around realizing he just pissed off his hardcore fans, then ended up by saying that everyone was dumb.
He also commented that they had stayed at the same hotel as Karl Rove. "I haven't been that close to evil in a while."
My Wilco withdrawal is beginning. But, my week of music continues. I must find something for tonight, Wed night will be local acts at Quacks, Neal Mehta, Brent Adair, and Sarah Sharp.
It was a beautiful night in Austin, as Wilco took the stage at Stubb's for the first of a two-night stand. The set list covered their entire career, bringing songs from A.M. through their recent Sky Blue Sky. My favorites included Jesus, Etc., Hate It Here, Heavy Metal Drummer, Outta Mind Outta Site, Misunderstood, Shot in the Arm, I'm the Man Who Loves You, and a rousing Kidsmoke to end the first encore. OK, I have a lot of favorites.
Tweedy had rare, yet choice, comments for the Austin crowd. He said that Austin audiences were the best, and they tell that to lots of audiences, but usually they lie. But, Austin is really the best. "Austin knows how to make a band feel special. Austin knows how to make a band feel pretty." Then later, after a perfectly executed hand-clap, Tweedy declared, "Austin, you are superior in every way." OK, we're suckers for those kinds of compliments, but we'll take them.
Looking forward to more of the same...yet different...tomorrow night.
As my summer break begins, I kick off what hopes to be a week of live music. Last night, I went to the Scoot Inn on 4th and Navasota to the CD release party for Lonesome Heroes. I had not seen them before, but had been planning to go to their Wed. night residency at Hole in the Wall after having read the Chronicle article about them. The article got my interest because 1) it just sounded like a good time; and 2) Jeff Johnston was pictured with them. Yes, Jeff Johnston is also in Lonesome Heroes, and I know that anything that Jeff associates with has to be good. The CD release was fun, but a steamy, humid night made for frizzy hair and sweaty bods. Lonesome Heroes have a great country sound, male and female lead vocals that reminded me a little of Mother Truckers, and some really interesting instrumentation with xylophone, accordion, violinist. Oh, and a nice touch, their limited edition CD cases are all hand-carved in wood.
Lil Capn Travis followed featuring, you guessed it, Jeff Johnston. The group has been playing sporadic gigs and side projects since Christian Braafladt left town. But, to the joy of LCT fans everywhere, it was announced that Christian would indeed be moving back to Austin, in time for a May 31st gig at the Continental Club.
Next up this week, two perfect nights with Wilco, Tuesday is open, Wed will include the Neal Mehtafest at Quacks on 38th featuring Brent Adair and Sarah Sharp. Thurs is also open and Friday will wrap things up with the Old 97s instore appearance at Waterloo Records.
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