Recently, I joined a writers group, based in San Marcos, who meet each Sunday for an hour of gentle-peer-pressure writing time. And that's my explanation for why most of the blog posts I'm creating are on Sunday. So, now that that's out of the way...
Michelle left for Egypt last Saturday morning, very early, so I've been "baching it" for a little over a week now. I've used the extra time to put a lot of stuff up for sale on eBay and Craigslist......well, mostly eBay. I sold my upright exercise bike on FB Marketplace, and I have my Gretsch drum kit for sale on FB Marketplace and Craigslist right now, with not a lot of action. Two friends have contacted me about it, but one has already backed down, and I haven't heard anything else from the first friend to contact me. Maybe he's thinking about it. I really want to sell these drums before Michelle returns (next Saturday late), because I have them staged in the living room.
To recap the week:
Sunday, the Hickoids played Fredstock, a festival of sorts in San Antonio, and something that has been on the books for six months or so (another explanation of why I'm not in Egypt with Michelle). We played it with no rehearsal, something that's becoming more commonplace. We pulled it off fine, although I had some trouble with the back-lined kick drum....specifically with my kick pedal staying on the rim mount. No matter how much I tightened the clamp the combination of heat and humidity would loosen that sucker, and I'd end up with the pedal sliding to the right. This would usually happen toward the ends of songs and wasn't a problem to reset between songs, but it happened toward the end of "A.M. Lover," and I could not get it back on for at least a minute. The band just sat there looking at me.....I tried to get them to vamp, and they finally did, a bit. A bit embarrassing, but the only snafu of the day, for me, anyway. Tom broke a string at some point, and he switched to his Ovation electric. I like the look of that guitar, but he must not, as he doesn't use it much. Fun vibe at the show, though, and I'll take that every time.
I had some serious insomnia during the week, which is something I don't experience too often; probably a combination of Michelle being gone and some anxiety over the ordering of all those King Crimson box sets (see previous post). Lately, I've slept well; glad that's over. Allergies have been bad, but what else is new?
I sold several CDs and DVDs on eBay during the week. I love the whole "print postage at home and put it out for the mail" aspect of this enterprise. I need to pick up a scale, though, as sometimes you're asked for an item weight when calculating postage. A couple of times I've just guessed the weight. But really, this is taking the sting out of the whole recent merchandise ordering. I also ordered a new recumbent exercise bike, as I've sold the upright. Using the upright is the only thing I can think of that led to my current leg issue, so it's good that's gone. And my physical therapist is in agreement with me on that one. This new bike I've ordered has a desk attachment, so I can pedal while I work, etc. It'll be here Wednesday.
Speaking (writing?) of physical therapy, that's going along well, and I finally after all this time, feel some progress is being made. My therapist has been using acupuncture on me for awhile, but the recent places he's hitting are really doing some good. And he had me get a lacrosse ball and put that behind my right knee as I sit back on it. Frankly, it hurts like a motherfucker, but not so much after 45 seconds or so. And I do think it's loosening the top of the hamstring behind my knee. I'll keep on that quite a bit. I went to a show Friday and stood for a very long time. I wanted to support Patrick, who was opening the show very early, but I also did it to test how the leg would feel the next day. I was certainly stiff leaving the show, but the next day, I was fine. This is significant progress. In the recent past, the next day would have been a tender day, for sure.
Backing up to Thursday, the Pocket FishRmen rehearsed for the first time in about a month. That long, largely due to conflicts I had. We played pretty well, despite that. I do feel for Cris sometimes; the other three of us have other musical projects to keep us busy, but he only has us. He still played pretty well. We'll rehearse again this Thursday.....gearing up for the Fish Fry June 2nd.
I mentioned going to a show Friday, and that was Fishbone, who played at Buck's Backyard in Buda. I hadn't been there before. The Beaumonts played there a while back, but I couldn't make it for some reason. I really, really like the place. It was smaller than I expected, but not a small place at all. The crowd for the show was maybe a little smaller than I expected, but it was very, very enthusiastic, and I could tell the members enjoyed it. Fishbone has been gradually reinstating original members for awhile, and this line-up was the classic line-up, minus Kendall Jones (Google that story). While I do feel that Kendall's presence is sorely missed, it was still a very good show. Getting to see Phil "Fish" Fisher back behind the kit was a pleasure; he was always an inspiration to me. He's one of those drummers who has very clean execution. You never see a sloppy fill from him. Very relaxed, very precise, and a commanding presence. I need to work on that more. The relaxation and precision, anyway.
Saturday was a slow day. The only plan I had was to change the air filter in the HHR. I did, and yes, it needed it. Maybe the hesitation I've been feeling in the car will go away. (It felt like it driving down to San Marcos today.) I took it easy otherwise. Watched "Howl's Moving Castle," a Miyazaki animated film from 2005. I liked it quite a bit and am a little puzzled by lukewarm reviews of it I've read.
And so begins my second week of "baching it." Michelle will return early Sunday morning....or late Saturday night, as I'll look at it. I look forward to her return, for sure. Of the resident felines, Freya seems about the same, but Sneaky is obviously confused about what's going on. She's been needier than ever. That's okay. I prefer that to her hiding under a blanket the whole time Michelle's gone. She's only done that once, for a couple of hours.
And with that.......on to the week!
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Sunday, April 22, 2018
King Crimson and Musician Talk
I'm taking the plunge. A big plunge. What is this plunge, you're probably not asking. Well, King Crimson, progressive rock stalwart band, has released a series of multi-format box sets of material covering their entire career. These aren't $40, four-CD box sets, either. We're talking many, many discs (CD, DVD, and Blu-ray) and at least a buck-and-a-half for each. Well, most of them, anyway. This onslaught of box sets began in 2012, or earlier, to some, and has continued until a couple of months ago. I'm just now jumping in buying them. It took that long to decide to do it. And there was another factor prodding me to pull these triggers - selling stuff on eBay, which I've been doing pretty well with the last couple of weeks.
About these box sets - so far, there are six. Some would say seven and count the five-CD, one-DVD box of "In the Court of the Crimson King," which came out in 2009. I don't count that one - simply because the additional material in the box doesn't really warrant a purchase. If you have the 40th anniversary CD/DVD package that came out around the same time, and the "Epitaph" set from 1997, I think you've pretty much got it. There might be a few other tidbits, and I'm sure the art and box are top-notch (I saw it once after release but don't remember much about it), but unless you absolutely, absolutely have to have everything from the KC canon, I wouldn't consider that purchase essential. The box is also out of print now and goes for a considerable amount.
The six box sets (in order of release) are "Larks' Tongues in Aspic," "Starless," "The Road to Red," "On (and Off) The Road," "ThrakBox," and "The Sailors' Tales." Each one is a smorgasbord of Crimson studio and live recordings, some with high fidelity, some with fidelity leaving you confused as to what's going on....but it's all there. These boxes are pretty obviously the last word on King Crimson. They're emptying the vaults. And why not?
So, I've taken the plunge. This morning, I received the "Larks' Tongues" box and the "Starless" and "The Road to Red" boxes are on their way. I'm sure I'll order the others soon enough. Amazon had the "Larks' Tongues" box at a substantial discount, and I got a discount for ordering the two others at ImportCDs. I could have gotten "The Sailors' Tales" at that discount as well, but I also wanted to eat this week. These are going to be the largest recorded music purchases I've ever made, I'm pretty sure. Even Frank Zappa's vault stuff hasn't come up to this amount yet. I also have a feeling I'll never pay this much for music ever again.
For King Crimson and what it stands for, I'll do it. "What it stands for." There's a loaded phrase. There's not enough adventure in music, certainly these days, and not very often "back then." It's tough to find music that's truly inspirational, but maybe I'm just an odd duck in that realm. I'm not a person much impressed by "rock stars." I don't go out of my way to have my picture taken with someone I've admired in music, and I certainly don't try to dress like the more popular of the musicians in my world. I'm lucky if I remember to wear pants. All I've really cared about is music itself, not its sometime attendant "coolness" or whatever fashion stuck to it. As a person who's much shyer than it may seem, I like the fact that I'm communicating with people watching the show, even if what I'm doing just amounts to pounding some drums. What I took from the whole "punk rock revolution" was just the stripping away of any artifice between performer and audience; I love to tease audience members, make eye contact and mess with them, and certainly mess with expected norms in playing. Just as an example of that, in joining the Hickoids, I have an opportunity to play "Take It Easy" by the Eagles Hickoids-style. As someone who does not like the Eagles, that's great, period. I love to fuck that up as much as possible. Conversely, we've recently been doing "China Grove" by the Doobie Brothers. I actually like "China Grove." Not ashamed to admit it. We play it a little faster, but that's about it. I'm pretty sure the other guys in the band hate that song, too. God, I love playing in this band. Come to think of it, that's the best thing about playing in the Hickoids, true adventure. The wide range of stuff we do is a hell of a lot more than the "cowpunk" label the band got after beginning in the 80s. Never a boring moment.
Sometimes, in slower moments, I've wondered a lot about people's taste in music and why it is so limited at times. I feel lucky that I can say I like more music than I dislike. Yes, I dislike the Eagles, but I can admit to liking some of Don Henley's solo stuff. I don't like the Velvet Underground, but that is mostly limited to the early Moe Tucker-on-drums stuff. The songs are fine, it's the way they're played that gets on my nerves. As a drummer looking for inspiration, why would I want to hear someone pound the same one-two beat for an entire song (well, maybe as a joke)? I like to do a little more than that, at least, and I'd like to hear a drummer do more than that, too. I guess I'm not much of a subscriber to the minimalist theory. Minimalism is fine at times, but a lot of times, I'm sure it's because the "artist" couldn't do anymore, anyway. (I'm sure I'm thought of as something of a snob by a lot of my bandmates.)
I play with one fellow now who, I'm pretty sure, bases most of his musical likes on a certain amount of coolness he feels in liking that music. In other words, music made by people with a lot of mythos behind them. I find that odd, and strangely mentally unhealthy. I can safely say I've liked what I've liked because I've liked it and not because I'd get any coolness brownie points from liking said music. Maybe I was just raised to be honest with myself, but then I can't say that's always been the case. With music, maybe. I like a lot of stuff that most of the musicians I run with completely abhor: Steely Dan, Uriah Heep, Rush, for example. But then we'll have a lot of common ground, as well. I've always felt that if you get four guys together who have the same taste in music, you'll end up with a very boring band. Don't let that happen to your band. Don't put that ad on Craigslist that says "Bassist wanted for band. Must like Tool." Get some people who like stuff you hate. Even the Eagles.
Let's have some adventure! I feel inspired....
EDIT: (4/27/2018) I received the sixth of these multi-disc sets today. Went a little haywire this week, but several of these were out of print. Thought I'd better grab them now. Hope I can sell a drum set soon!
About these box sets - so far, there are six. Some would say seven and count the five-CD, one-DVD box of "In the Court of the Crimson King," which came out in 2009. I don't count that one - simply because the additional material in the box doesn't really warrant a purchase. If you have the 40th anniversary CD/DVD package that came out around the same time, and the "Epitaph" set from 1997, I think you've pretty much got it. There might be a few other tidbits, and I'm sure the art and box are top-notch (I saw it once after release but don't remember much about it), but unless you absolutely, absolutely have to have everything from the KC canon, I wouldn't consider that purchase essential. The box is also out of print now and goes for a considerable amount.
The six box sets (in order of release) are "Larks' Tongues in Aspic," "Starless," "The Road to Red," "On (and Off) The Road," "ThrakBox," and "The Sailors' Tales." Each one is a smorgasbord of Crimson studio and live recordings, some with high fidelity, some with fidelity leaving you confused as to what's going on....but it's all there. These boxes are pretty obviously the last word on King Crimson. They're emptying the vaults. And why not?
So, I've taken the plunge. This morning, I received the "Larks' Tongues" box and the "Starless" and "The Road to Red" boxes are on their way. I'm sure I'll order the others soon enough. Amazon had the "Larks' Tongues" box at a substantial discount, and I got a discount for ordering the two others at ImportCDs. I could have gotten "The Sailors' Tales" at that discount as well, but I also wanted to eat this week. These are going to be the largest recorded music purchases I've ever made, I'm pretty sure. Even Frank Zappa's vault stuff hasn't come up to this amount yet. I also have a feeling I'll never pay this much for music ever again.
For King Crimson and what it stands for, I'll do it. "What it stands for." There's a loaded phrase. There's not enough adventure in music, certainly these days, and not very often "back then." It's tough to find music that's truly inspirational, but maybe I'm just an odd duck in that realm. I'm not a person much impressed by "rock stars." I don't go out of my way to have my picture taken with someone I've admired in music, and I certainly don't try to dress like the more popular of the musicians in my world. I'm lucky if I remember to wear pants. All I've really cared about is music itself, not its sometime attendant "coolness" or whatever fashion stuck to it. As a person who's much shyer than it may seem, I like the fact that I'm communicating with people watching the show, even if what I'm doing just amounts to pounding some drums. What I took from the whole "punk rock revolution" was just the stripping away of any artifice between performer and audience; I love to tease audience members, make eye contact and mess with them, and certainly mess with expected norms in playing. Just as an example of that, in joining the Hickoids, I have an opportunity to play "Take It Easy" by the Eagles Hickoids-style. As someone who does not like the Eagles, that's great, period. I love to fuck that up as much as possible. Conversely, we've recently been doing "China Grove" by the Doobie Brothers. I actually like "China Grove." Not ashamed to admit it. We play it a little faster, but that's about it. I'm pretty sure the other guys in the band hate that song, too. God, I love playing in this band. Come to think of it, that's the best thing about playing in the Hickoids, true adventure. The wide range of stuff we do is a hell of a lot more than the "cowpunk" label the band got after beginning in the 80s. Never a boring moment.
Sometimes, in slower moments, I've wondered a lot about people's taste in music and why it is so limited at times. I feel lucky that I can say I like more music than I dislike. Yes, I dislike the Eagles, but I can admit to liking some of Don Henley's solo stuff. I don't like the Velvet Underground, but that is mostly limited to the early Moe Tucker-on-drums stuff. The songs are fine, it's the way they're played that gets on my nerves. As a drummer looking for inspiration, why would I want to hear someone pound the same one-two beat for an entire song (well, maybe as a joke)? I like to do a little more than that, at least, and I'd like to hear a drummer do more than that, too. I guess I'm not much of a subscriber to the minimalist theory. Minimalism is fine at times, but a lot of times, I'm sure it's because the "artist" couldn't do anymore, anyway. (I'm sure I'm thought of as something of a snob by a lot of my bandmates.)
I play with one fellow now who, I'm pretty sure, bases most of his musical likes on a certain amount of coolness he feels in liking that music. In other words, music made by people with a lot of mythos behind them. I find that odd, and strangely mentally unhealthy. I can safely say I've liked what I've liked because I've liked it and not because I'd get any coolness brownie points from liking said music. Maybe I was just raised to be honest with myself, but then I can't say that's always been the case. With music, maybe. I like a lot of stuff that most of the musicians I run with completely abhor: Steely Dan, Uriah Heep, Rush, for example. But then we'll have a lot of common ground, as well. I've always felt that if you get four guys together who have the same taste in music, you'll end up with a very boring band. Don't let that happen to your band. Don't put that ad on Craigslist that says "Bassist wanted for band. Must like Tool." Get some people who like stuff you hate. Even the Eagles.
Let's have some adventure! I feel inspired....
EDIT: (4/27/2018) I received the sixth of these multi-disc sets today. Went a little haywire this week, but several of these were out of print. Thought I'd better grab them now. Hope I can sell a drum set soon!
Sunday, April 15, 2018
Wishbone Ash - Sam's Burger Joint, San Antonio, 4/14/2018
Last night, I saw Wishbone Ash for the first time in about four years. I believe the last time I saw them was at a club in far north Austin called The Roost, or something like that. And then I missed them in 2015 when they played the same place; just completely missed that the show was even happening. Anyway, yesterday, thanks to a Facebook event that a friend had replied to, I found out they were playing Sam's Burger Joint in San Antonio. Further research told me they were playing the One World Theater in Austin tonight, but I thought last night's show would be a better bet, so off I went.
Glad I did. I've seen them a few times over the last 15 years or so, and last night was the best one yet. For those of you who are casual fans or know nothing about them, the band has been Andy Powell, original guitarist, and hired hands for the last 24 years. He registered the name and runs it as his own business. This after all other members of the band had quit over the years. It makes sense to me, but it has caused some problems with former bandmates, as he apparently registered the name without asking them. Regardless, for a band run in this fashion, it still seems like A BAND. Not just the original guy and supporting players.
Bob Skeat, the bassist, has been in the band 20 years now. Not bad. Joe Crabtree, the current drummer, has been in the band 11 years and does a lot of the web promotion and blogging, etc. In the other guitarist role, there was a newcomer, Mark Abrahams. Until mid-2017, that role had been filled by Muddy Manninen since 2006 or so, but last year, Muddy suddenly left. Abrahams adds a bit of spice to the stage show (although I think he could use a clothes consultant); I always found Muddy to be a bit stodgy on stage. Great player, but not the most animated guy in the world. And for a band that's been around....jeez, creeping up on 50 years now!.....you like having a feisty guy on stage. Mark still seems a bit reserved and unsure, but he's what I think the band needs at this stage of the game. In the last few years, Muddy had contributed quite a bit of original material, so hopefully Mark can do some of the same.
Great crowd last night. The last few times I've seen WA in Austin, the crowd was....well, just sort of there. I was happy to see the crowd and its reaction last night. I could tell the band appreciated it, too. As a guy who sees several of these so-called "classic" bands in various shapes and sizes, I like the fact that Andy doesn't talk down to the audience. That's a huge pet peeve of mine with classic acts. I saw Edgar Winter open for Alice Cooper and Deep Purple back in July, and both his set and what he said to the audience was just flat out depressing. He must have told the audience three times that his brother was Johnny Winter. Really? In 2017? Please don't treat your audience like they're a bunch of know-nothing Bud Light-swilling blobs of fat. Although, to be fair, some of those folks were there. Pardon my rant; back to WA.
Great set. A bit predictable, maybe, but I'll take it. Five of the seven "Argus" songs were in the set. Even "Leaf and Stream," but to be fair, they didn't play one until about the sixth song of the night. The openers were "Bona Fide" and "Eyes Wide Open." After that, memory is a little fuzzy. Of course, "Phoenix" was the main set closer, but I like the places they take that song. And it's different each time I've seen them play it. The encore songs were "Faith, Hope, and Love" and "Blowin' Free." And that's another thing I need to mention about seeing WA now. Unlike many other classic bands, they're not afraid to play newer songs that their older audience probably won't know. They have some cojones, in other words. Yes, they'll play most of the "Argus" album and "Phoenix," but the rest is up for grabs. Truly.
Fun night last night. I wish I knew more people who liked them. That's all.
Glad I did. I've seen them a few times over the last 15 years or so, and last night was the best one yet. For those of you who are casual fans or know nothing about them, the band has been Andy Powell, original guitarist, and hired hands for the last 24 years. He registered the name and runs it as his own business. This after all other members of the band had quit over the years. It makes sense to me, but it has caused some problems with former bandmates, as he apparently registered the name without asking them. Regardless, for a band run in this fashion, it still seems like A BAND. Not just the original guy and supporting players.
Bob Skeat, the bassist, has been in the band 20 years now. Not bad. Joe Crabtree, the current drummer, has been in the band 11 years and does a lot of the web promotion and blogging, etc. In the other guitarist role, there was a newcomer, Mark Abrahams. Until mid-2017, that role had been filled by Muddy Manninen since 2006 or so, but last year, Muddy suddenly left. Abrahams adds a bit of spice to the stage show (although I think he could use a clothes consultant); I always found Muddy to be a bit stodgy on stage. Great player, but not the most animated guy in the world. And for a band that's been around....jeez, creeping up on 50 years now!.....you like having a feisty guy on stage. Mark still seems a bit reserved and unsure, but he's what I think the band needs at this stage of the game. In the last few years, Muddy had contributed quite a bit of original material, so hopefully Mark can do some of the same.
Great crowd last night. The last few times I've seen WA in Austin, the crowd was....well, just sort of there. I was happy to see the crowd and its reaction last night. I could tell the band appreciated it, too. As a guy who sees several of these so-called "classic" bands in various shapes and sizes, I like the fact that Andy doesn't talk down to the audience. That's a huge pet peeve of mine with classic acts. I saw Edgar Winter open for Alice Cooper and Deep Purple back in July, and both his set and what he said to the audience was just flat out depressing. He must have told the audience three times that his brother was Johnny Winter. Really? In 2017? Please don't treat your audience like they're a bunch of know-nothing Bud Light-swilling blobs of fat. Although, to be fair, some of those folks were there. Pardon my rant; back to WA.
Great set. A bit predictable, maybe, but I'll take it. Five of the seven "Argus" songs were in the set. Even "Leaf and Stream," but to be fair, they didn't play one until about the sixth song of the night. The openers were "Bona Fide" and "Eyes Wide Open." After that, memory is a little fuzzy. Of course, "Phoenix" was the main set closer, but I like the places they take that song. And it's different each time I've seen them play it. The encore songs were "Faith, Hope, and Love" and "Blowin' Free." And that's another thing I need to mention about seeing WA now. Unlike many other classic bands, they're not afraid to play newer songs that their older audience probably won't know. They have some cojones, in other words. Yes, they'll play most of the "Argus" album and "Phoenix," but the rest is up for grabs. Truly.
Fun night last night. I wish I knew more people who liked them. That's all.
Friday, April 13, 2018
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
A Slow Day
Better get back in the habit of writing. It's been awhile; over a week to be exact. And now I don't just have rock 'n' roll shows to write about. No action last week.
On the health front, things are good! I had a colonoscopy Monday; second one of this lifetime, and I passed with flying colors. Or a completely hollow tube, or whatever a superlative rating is for this inspection. Last time, five years ago, I had two polyps removed which turned out to be benign. This time, no polyps. That's a relief. But I still have to go every five years for this delightful escapade, due to the first procedure's findings. The worst part of this whole shebang is getting the IV put in. You're already somewhat dehydrated, due to the lack of intake to your body, and this time was no joyride. The first nurse was unsuccessful jabbing my hand and then the upper part of my lower arm. Finally, an ER nurse came in, and after two tries (which were much less painful), she got it going. The rest is a piece of cake. Speaking of food, Michelle and I went straight to the Salt Lick and ate barbecue after the procedure. I lives dangerously, I tells ya.
Let's stay with health for a bit. I continue to visit physical therapy for my right leg. My therapist has the issues narrowed down to the knee itself, with possible help from the upper and lower leg. This is beginning to make more and more sense. The sharpest pain I feel is in my lower leg, just southeast of my knee (looking down at it). Now, this is the same knee I had arthroscopic surgery on in 2006 for a torn meniscus suffered in late 2002. I'm starting to think that all this might stem from changing the way I walk, due to the injury and subsequent pain until getting the surgery. Would make sense. The back of my right knee is incredibly tight. I'm still in remission in terms of having any playing issues due to this, but I'd like to be pain-free and looser in that lower right leg. Hopefully, I'll get there. And I'm going to go back to a recumbent exercise bike; I've been using an upright one the last couple of years, and I still think that change brought on the "non-feeling" in my ankle back in late 2016. So, I've put the upright bike up for sale, and when that sells, I'll get this combo recumbent bike/desk I've been looking at. Would be nice to be able to work or whatever while pedaling away.
Next writing, I'll get back to the fun stuff....music, movies, politics, etc. I haven't really written about politics yet. Sometimes I think I'm saving up for that. I promise it'll be good. Hey, it can't be any worse than anyone else's.....
On the health front, things are good! I had a colonoscopy Monday; second one of this lifetime, and I passed with flying colors. Or a completely hollow tube, or whatever a superlative rating is for this inspection. Last time, five years ago, I had two polyps removed which turned out to be benign. This time, no polyps. That's a relief. But I still have to go every five years for this delightful escapade, due to the first procedure's findings. The worst part of this whole shebang is getting the IV put in. You're already somewhat dehydrated, due to the lack of intake to your body, and this time was no joyride. The first nurse was unsuccessful jabbing my hand and then the upper part of my lower arm. Finally, an ER nurse came in, and after two tries (which were much less painful), she got it going. The rest is a piece of cake. Speaking of food, Michelle and I went straight to the Salt Lick and ate barbecue after the procedure. I lives dangerously, I tells ya.
Let's stay with health for a bit. I continue to visit physical therapy for my right leg. My therapist has the issues narrowed down to the knee itself, with possible help from the upper and lower leg. This is beginning to make more and more sense. The sharpest pain I feel is in my lower leg, just southeast of my knee (looking down at it). Now, this is the same knee I had arthroscopic surgery on in 2006 for a torn meniscus suffered in late 2002. I'm starting to think that all this might stem from changing the way I walk, due to the injury and subsequent pain until getting the surgery. Would make sense. The back of my right knee is incredibly tight. I'm still in remission in terms of having any playing issues due to this, but I'd like to be pain-free and looser in that lower right leg. Hopefully, I'll get there. And I'm going to go back to a recumbent exercise bike; I've been using an upright one the last couple of years, and I still think that change brought on the "non-feeling" in my ankle back in late 2016. So, I've put the upright bike up for sale, and when that sells, I'll get this combo recumbent bike/desk I've been looking at. Would be nice to be able to work or whatever while pedaling away.
Next writing, I'll get back to the fun stuff....music, movies, politics, etc. I haven't really written about politics yet. Sometimes I think I'm saving up for that. I promise it'll be good. Hey, it can't be any worse than anyone else's.....
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Hickoids, Dan's Silverleaf (Denton), 3/31/2018
Well, well, well.....haven't written in awhile. Time for a recap of last Saturday night's shindig to the north. North of D/FW, even. The Hickoids returned to Dan's Silverleaf in Denton for the first time in 3 1/2 years. Last time we were there was on a Sunday afternoon after playing a weekend wedding in Oklahoma City. Not the best attended show, but I really liked the venue. Last Saturday, we were playing with Slobberbone, a longtime Denton band playing its first show in awhile. The whole night was fantastic.
For some reason, Slobberbone played first and as the kids say "killed it." I was worried the crowd would dissipate when we hit the stage, but nope, they stayed. And we took our sweet time starting.....jeebus. It seemed like half an hour, maybe more. But once we started, we were cranking. I felt a little sluggish for the first 20 minutes or so, but I think that might have had to do with a possibly unwise decision to eat a barbecued brisket sandwich about half an hour before we got to the club. Yep, not smart. I recovered to come to life midway through the set and finished strong. The sound was fantastic on the stage and in the audience (when watching Slobberbone). And it's always nice to play in a place we don't play often and see folks laughing at Smitty's "story songs." When we do those in places we play often the reaction is more, uh, just agreeable.
Anyway, not much else to say. I rode up with Smitty in the van, picking up Tom and Peggy in Austin. I only drove from 20 miles north of Temple to Georgetown. Smitty did all the rest. Got home at 6 am. Was wiped for Easter but still made a family dinner that evening.
That's all for now.....
For some reason, Slobberbone played first and as the kids say "killed it." I was worried the crowd would dissipate when we hit the stage, but nope, they stayed. And we took our sweet time starting.....jeebus. It seemed like half an hour, maybe more. But once we started, we were cranking. I felt a little sluggish for the first 20 minutes or so, but I think that might have had to do with a possibly unwise decision to eat a barbecued brisket sandwich about half an hour before we got to the club. Yep, not smart. I recovered to come to life midway through the set and finished strong. The sound was fantastic on the stage and in the audience (when watching Slobberbone). And it's always nice to play in a place we don't play often and see folks laughing at Smitty's "story songs." When we do those in places we play often the reaction is more, uh, just agreeable.
Anyway, not much else to say. I rode up with Smitty in the van, picking up Tom and Peggy in Austin. I only drove from 20 miles north of Temple to Georgetown. Smitty did all the rest. Got home at 6 am. Was wiped for Easter but still made a family dinner that evening.
That's all for now.....
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