Crazy Country: Charles Potts' Magic Windmill Band

You think you've got problems?

Room 710 Presents:
"New York City Style Country: Charles Potts' Magic Windmill Band"
Thursday, September 28, 2006

Also Playing:

Little Aurora
Yellow Fever
Night Viking

ROOM 710
710 RED RIVER
AUSTIN, TX USA


(3 out of 4 Non-Pace Picante Sauce Bottles.)


The original title for this review - excuse me, preview - was "I'll Never Really Love Country, But These Crazy Guys Made Me Like It A Little More". But then I thought that was dumb and unsearchable on Google. Besides, I plan to post a link to this wonderful preview at my sister blog, diy-music, and want to seem professional.
Anyway...

Believe it or not, I've had a conversation about music with all five Windmill boys in Charles Potts' Magic Windmill Band. (I'll mostly refer to them as CPMWB or Windmill Band from now on - to avoid a hand cramp.) Some of their musical influences may surprise you. I was pretty sneaky about it, pretending like I was some curious fan. But the truth is I just wanted them to admit that they loved Garth Brooks, or that annoying guy everybody thinks is hot (Kenny Chesnutt?), and were just waiting to sell out to a major label, move to Nashville and forget Austin and New York City. Then I could go back to hating country music (with the exception of the old classics). But they ruined my gameplan. I won't give away their secret loves, but I dare you to ask about their favorite bands at the next CPMWB show, this Saturday. (Not every influence is revealed on MySpace.)

I had never heard of experimental, New York City-style country until listening to The Lonesome Heroes at The Carousel Lounge last year. Now I can't seem to hear enough of yankee band leader Rich Russell's solo album Scattered Thoughts. I like to avoid making petty comparisons, but Charles Potts' Magic Windmill Band seems a lot more experimental than the Lonesome NYC native. Maybe it's because CPMWB are mostly Texas born and raised good ol' boys. (No - they aren't like that other brand of salsa from New York City...) I suspect that Windmill Band's co-founder Dirk "Cavedweller" Michener spent enought time in NYC to learn that Nashville was full of crap. No offense to KASE, but if I hear anymore trite love songs with predictable, hum-drum melodies, I will shoot my radio and blame companies that own stations like theirs. I would have liked to been in that room with co-founders Michener and Travis "Bobcat" Catsull decided to form a country band and their chosen genre a little less boring. Yeehaw!

I guess I should describe the music now, to entice my reader to see CPMWB on a Thursday night, instead of getting drunk on Stone Lar beer and hitting on Mexican men outside an east side bar... The lyrics are crazy and all over the map - from white trash angst that avoid the country cliches of heartbreak and dying dogs, to poetical larks about familial ties. And it all seems to be done with a wink and a nod. And a middle finger.


Catsull & Michener: Not actual size.

And the melodies and harmonies are sweet. Those Windmill Band boys sure can sing. And somehow they get by without the electric gee-tar. While Catsull croons, Michener sings along and strums on his acoustic, amped of course; Reed Posey adds low-keyed harmony and occasional percussive charm, while Preston Dukes provides plunky hoedown bass lines from bass guitar. (No upright needed with this outfit.) The band recently added drums, courtesy of Tim "T.W." Bond, who completes the band's crazy, experimental fits. Some of my favorite songs in the CPMWB repertoire include include a fantastical yarn, "Gatlin Bros.", and the oddball "Finish Malaysia", which sometimes segues into "Airwolf" (which I've played on the radio twice already). The subdued mocking of "This Ain't California", and redneck goodie "Run, Johnny Run" are also standouts.

The music of Charles Potts Magic Windmill Band just works for me. I don't have a clever ending. I wanted to end with "And a middle finger", but I guess I ruined another blog. Darn it!

Just see the show, OK?

~ sayanythingrrrl

WOOPS!

I forgot some important band info:

Charles Potts' Magic Windmill Band is:
Tim Bond - Vocals & Return of that ol' Boom Bap
Reed Posey - Vocals & Grit Spit
Preston Dukes - Vocals & Slap 'n' Tickle Bass Guitar
Travis Catsull - Vocals & Badass Aura
Dirk Michener - Vocals, Guitar & Macho Sweetness

Short Attention Span Bio: PAY ATTENTION, DUMMY! Charles Potts' Magic Windmill Band plays New York City-style experimental country in Austin, TX. The band is named after an actual person they know and love who is a poet and landlord. WHAT IS THAT MAN'S NAME?

"Discography":

They have a 7" for sale - only $5.


CPMWB released an album in 2004 called Becky (above). It's still available on CD-R - also $5. They also have an obsolete cassette (2001?), all through Business Deal. Collect 'em all!

The Officially Dated CPMWB Web Site

The site they really use.

Someone recently informed me that I am a country music moron. I confused or combined the names of superstar Kenny Chesney with Mark Chesnutt. My bad.

What's Up with Gene Defcon?

It's Gene Defcon's world, and we just happen to live in it.



4 out of 5 Elmos agree, Gene Defcon is good for your health.
(I originally wanted to go with 4.5 Elmo's, but you try to cut off Elmo's legs!)

Why all the frou-frou and fluff in today's review?

Today I was doing "research" (fooling around on Google, Ask Jeeves, Mr. Belvedere, or whatever), and making up stuff for an artist profile because the music recording artist still known as Gene Defcon refuses to condescend to my mere mortal questions. Either that, or he simply didn't think it was worth the effort. Whatever his reasons, When he formally protested my dumb interview questions with a vow of silence, I decided to start a flame war through this blog.

That was a bad joke. But hypothetically, if I was going to start a flame war, it would begin like this:
Like white whine, Gene Defcon seems to go best with fish schtick.

Don't worry all you Gene Defcon fans who stumble upon this review - I simply want to post a bio with more recent information, and mention his recordings. (And also re-post that picture above on the world wide web. It's priceless and I hope you appreciate it.)

When it comes to making music, Defcon is serious about being fun. Even his debut Lover's ESP Blues way back in 1998 (occasionally more depressing than most real blues LPs) is a stroke of cool jerk-off genius. Defcon started his musical journey in Austin, TX, relocating to Olympia, WA for a while. He's got a lot of music history and aliases behind him, from his days as Otto Matik in The Prima Donnas, to opening for Sleater-Kinney as Gene Defcon - the band. My favorite garage rock 'n' soul band The Gossip opened for him! And I'd like to shake his hand (or maybe just give him a nod) with respect and admiration just for bringing the party back to music. His band mates under the Gene Defcon moniker included members of bands like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, and Frenchie and The German Girls. And they genuinely seemed to have a good time with their pal Gene in Olympia, Washington.

But like all good parties it came to an end, at least as a band. After Come Party With Me (1999) Gene returned to Austin, TX to work closely with the other co-founders of Business Deal Records (which is more like a collective of recording artists than a record label), where he was already co-producing artists like Cavedweller. After a five year recording hiatus, he released Throw Up And Die in the summer of 2005 on Retard Disco.

The Obligatory Anticlimatic Discography:

Throw Up And Die (2005) - At over 70 minutes, you'd think it would be challenging to listen to at times. It was. But Defcon had a lot to say since the last album, and a lot of us were ready and willing to listen.

You can buy this, plus a special 7" collection (which I think includes one of my favorite songs, "Liz") with Gene Defcon artwork @ retarddisco.com.


Come Party With Me (1999) - Considered by me to be the pinnacle of partydom.


Lover's ESP Blues (1998)- Considered by most critics as his masturbatory masterpiece. I thought it was a little too long and a bit premature, but satisfying overall. (Puns intended.)

You can purchase his older records at local record stores throughout Austin and Olympia, or online:
Business Deal
CD Universe
Kill Rock Stars

The official Gene Defcon web site is a bit dated, but you can read more about Gene not at your local library, but at his label's web site, retarddisco.com. He's also got a myspace.com/genedefcon page with ill instrumentals courtesy of former band mate DJ Nick Nax. Will there be another Gene Defcon out soon?

In the meantime, Gene keeps busy as a bassist and vocalist in The Old-Timerz and The Carrots, a '60s girl group inspired band. He also produces recordings with Smokey Farris (Count Dracula's Weed Smugglin' Jam Engine), Dirk Michener (Cavedweller), Jason "Chef" Pittman (The Old-Timerz, The Carrots), and a host of other talented artists on Business Deal Records. You can check them out @ businessdealrecords.com.

Have a good time with Gene!

~sayanythingrrrl


Some crazy fan stuff - by me.

Will Zom Zoms Move Back to Tuba City, AZ?

Zom Zoms Pre-SxSW Show - March 14, 2006. Photo: Ben Aqua

A Special* Live Show Review
Emo's Wednesday Night
August 16, 2006
Zom Zoms
Manager's Choice
Chad Raines and The Simple Pleasures

2.5 out of 4 tubas for those who can't count.

Austin, TX doesn't deserve Zom Zoms.

There. I "said" it. It's out there, and I won't take it back. But this review isn't all about one band's short but entertaining performance that was all but ignored by drunken Austin music lovers. I must give time and space to all the bands on the bill who made this show almost completely enjoyable. I'll get to the crux of this "article", the "almost" part, in a moment. So please keep your pants on, people. (That means you too, Mike.)


I got a screen print poster from Manager's Choice. Print by Rural Rooster. Nice.

The show started later than I expected for an all ages venue (almost 11:00!), and Emo's surprised me with a cover that would keep most teenage fans away on a weeknight. I mean, I know they can't [legally] drink at the club, but I think charging the young ones $3 a head extra (during the summer) is a bit much. Or maybe I'm just a stupid ho with no business acumen.
(I gotta be fair and balanced like Faux News because I live in fear of getting kicked out of the club by that guy wearing the "Guilty" shirt. Everytime I see him, he looks at me like I'm gonna start a drunken riot, even when I've had plain water instead of the fire water. And just what is he guilty of, anyway?)


Back on course... I met Chad Raines of Chad Raines and The Simple Pleasures minutes before they hit the stage, and he is an engaging young fellow. He's lived in Austin and now calls New Haven, CT home. When the band finally got on stage, I had to do a double take. Mr. Raines had somehow transformed from a black to grey t-shirt and jeans to a pimped out white suit (complete with a striped poly or silk shirt) and he goes into disco dance mode. The band's South Side member Jessie England, bubbly keyboardist of Manager's Choice, was clad in white too. It was a solid performance minus the early technical difficulties - mainly an uncooperative computer. (According to Raines, "This is what happens when you fuck too much with machines.") the bass lines were a but too heavy for my taste, and I love my hip hop. The speakers were popping, literally. Damn!

And now for the simple pleasure: The party finally got started when he introduced three members of Hill Country Strings (WTF?), and Jeff Merrill, another member of Manager's Choice who did his thing on trombone. The sax player/violinist was a definite plus to the performance. I won't go into too much detail because this review is already long enough (and I didn't take notes), but there was a little bit of soul and reggae mixed, with danceable rock beats, and I enjoyed the strings attached. (Please don't sue me Will Taylor.) Toward the end, Chad Raines and The Simple Pleasures won me over; even when Raines went back to a simpler set up, sans strings and brass.

Manager's Choice brought a new wave reggae/dancehall vibe to Emo's that would probably bore young Austinites already hooked on rock with frenetic disco beats. All four shared vocal duties and it didn't overwhelm me. Lead vocalist/bassist Lee Davila's robotic moves, England's deliriously fun keyboards, Merrill's whimsical guitar & heavy brass chops, and J.J. Campbell's rhythmic playfulness on drums are a pop treat. But don't think this foursome was too sweet. Listen to the lyrics on the new s/t demo/EP (now available at local stores like Cheapo's) and you'll know what I mean.

And now, to remain emotionally detached from how pissed off I was that the crowd was so damn thin to see a headlining performance from Zom Zoms, I will now refer to myself in third person.


And will Zom Zoms release an unplugged album someday?
Photo: Richard

A little background info about diy-danna's live and recorded experiences with Zom Zoms: She met these guys, three of them anyway, a year ago at a sweaty but somehow cool venue called Flamingo Cantina, and she hasn't been the same ever since. Zom Zoms are that special*. Although she tries to avoid playing favorites (at least publicly) these four Devotees are diy-danna's favorite live band in Austin, simply because you can feel the strange love of music oozing out of their pores, even during the most painful performances. And it was oh so painful to see and hear them play for less than a dozen people the other night, when you know anywhere else outside Austin, outside the state of Texas, they would probably deal with more insane fans, and people walking out in disgust, pity, or amusement in the middle of the performance. Only a few people walked out of Emo's that night, and it seemed that it was only because it was so darn late. The rest of the "crowd" remained to be zonked out by the synthesizer and drum heavy polka-dotted rhythms. At one point, Zom heckled the crowd, and diy felt special* when he singled out her lack of physical attractiveness and fashion sense - "Yeah, I'm fat-ass black chick who carries a droopy purse. Let's all stop and watch another freak show!" That was the sarcastic comeback diy-danna came up with two minutes ago. (Somehow it seemed funnier two minutes ago.)

Back to first person narration: I left Emo's with the title song of their latest album and a new found respect for Zom Zoms in my heart. Their sound gets more incredible, and less "RIYD: Devo" everytime I hear them. Yeah, they love Devo, but they've got their own bizarre zolo sound. It's a shame Austin hipsters just don't get it, and they will kick themselves someday for not being seen at one of their shows before (if) Zom Zoms leave town for good.

But then again, maybe that's a good thing. I think Zom Zoms will kick ass back in Tuba City, Arizona. Or Japan.

In hindsight, maybe this show deserved 3 whole tubas. This humpday show got me excited about witnessing three bands on the verge of success. Let's hope they don't become spoiled and lazy when the local hipsters or scenesters take notice. But on second thought, two-and-a-half tubas seems fair enough. I can't get over the lack of interest from the citizens of "the live music capital of the world" in a band that has worldwide appeal. Check myspace.com/zomzoms for proof. They're playing the Devo & Psychedelic Furs Afterparty Friday August 25, 2006 in San Antonio, TX. If you aren't worried about running out of petrol (like me), check them out!

OK. You may now continue listening to The Lemurs.

~ Eat Me

*By "special", I don't mean retarded or nice.

Eat Me is currently listening to:
Optiganally Yours
"Geppetto"
from the still unreleased Exclusively Talentmaker**
and VU featuring Lou Rabinowitz
an Absolutely Kosher Records Sampler

**Optiganally Yours: Please release this album, if you are a real band. I've already heard that same song on another sampler. It's a fly song, but I want to hear more!!!

WHOOPSY!: The Best Magazine in These End Times


(www.whoopsymagazine.com, myspace.com/whoopsy)

Have you read Whoopsy! today? You really should - and I'm not just writing that because I'm an occasional contributor. February's issue even has something for comic book geeks, "Happy End of The World" by one of my favorite artists, Riki Dozan, co-written by someone I really want to meet - J. Angus. I missed the issue party at Room 710 because the Nervous Exits vs. Attack Formation held me prisoner with some mind-blowing sounds. I wanted to thank them for letting me share a story about a young band I happen to like, and of course making me *lmao* and think. The features and interviews are all stellar, and the columns are sharp, from Pisspot talkin' shit about the bloated Hollywood, Inc., to "Yesterday's Swill: Chronicle vs. The Band". There's something new going on too: Al Im's Hip-Hoppin' section took a gamble on Christian Rap with "Bigg Moose" and wins big, much props to "On Point" by smizNO. I'd also like to thank Chad Holt for "reviewing" one of my favorite local alt. rock bands - to my unexpected pleasure - and bringing back "Offsides". Beky Hayes' great interview with fillmmaker Chris Metzler reminds me that Austin is still a great place to watch independent cinema. I could go on for hours mentioning what I really enjoyed reading in this month's issue, but instead I've written another windbag essay, this time about why Whoopsy! is the best alternative entertainment rag in Austin.

The best entertainment writing rests on the pages of a magazine that pulls no punches when it comes to the only thing that may save some of us from the misery of soul-less corporate and government controlled media - arts and entertainment. I enjoy reading Whoopsy! as much as hanging out in cyberspace because it reminds me that I'm a free human being - although my outlook is pessimistic about this freedom lasting much longer thanks to the Patriot Act and fascism showing it's ugly face in the form of an intolerant conservative executive branch and legislative majority. The moral majority that is neither moral or a majority. But I digress. This is about the a magazine in Austin, TX that dares to tell the truth, to shed light on everything that is good and bad about art in all its forms - from the beauty to the perverse excesses. Who needs The Austin Chronicle if you need to be reminded that artists and entertainers are some of the most enlightened or doomed people on this doomed planet. Just look around this dark city and enter a live music club on any day of the week without relying on someone telling you what's hot or not. Duh. I read the Chronicle almost every week, and I'm a dork when it comes to music. Meaning I like noise, and if it has a good beat and a groove to it, I may love it. And who needs the billion dollar internet porn industry when you can read "Offsides w/Chad Holt"? Maybe that's a bit if a stretch for some perverts; but the point is, you have an alternative to digested and regurgitated information about what's going on in the city that was the only city in Texas that didn't overwhelmingly vote for our nation's first mentally challenged President. I love Texas, but there are too many idiots breeding idiots blindly devoted to Bush and the yellow journalism in most newspapers who would never report Bush's "alleged" commands to bomb foreign news agencies that were telling the whole truth and nothing but...

Whoopsy! is not a newspaper in the traditional sense, but it cleverly shares news and information about how screwed up our policies, elected officials and the bureacrats are, without all the muckraking. This is what I apppreciate most about the magazine. The opinions expressed in Whoopsy! are necessarily the opinions of the Publisher. Of course, his opinion isn't the only one expressed. Nothing is really sacred with Whoopsy! - not even what the writers like themselves. As much as I love contributing to Whoopsy!, writing about the musicians I like, even I enjoy poking and prodding them with questions, and even making fun of them, because no one really embraces the artist who is too serious. People with no sense of humor scare me more than Bush bombing free press like Al-Jazeera. And even Bush has a sense of humor. It just happens to suck, in my humble opinion.

I also appreciate the fact that Whoopsy! knows mankind - excuse me, humankind (because women are just as capable as men of commiting heinous acts as we have seen demonstrated by the U.S. government and terrorists) - is setting itself up for destruction. People are becoming so lazy, relying on the major media outlets to tell the truth, when we all know it's not going to happen. It's time to question conventional wisdom, and what a new favorite blogger of mine calls "neocons, which includes those ex-druggie fundamentalist whack jobs who shouldn't and wouldn't affiliate themselves with a revival of "Jesus Christ Superstar".

I will now randomly misquote one of my favorite maxims: "You can judge a society by how it treats its lowest citizens." Which of course means the poor. Our country treats the poor like a black man treats a woman with no ass - like they don't exist. And about black people, or African-American. Personally, I prefer being called a person, or if you're comparing me to a white chick, a black chick. I'd like to thank Whoopsy! for having the gumption to throw a party at a club called The Velvet Spade during Black History Month. The flier is awesome, a throwback to Soul Train. So get on board and read this issue!

Whoopsy! is available at many locations throughout Austin, TX. There are probably more copies at Room 710 than anywhere else. Pick a few copies and share them with friends, or someone you'd like to offend.

~ diy-danna

Addendum/Shameless Plug: I had to show my four-year-old punk rock loving niece ("The Extortionist") the story/interview with Cry Blood Apache (p.27), and she thinks they look cool. I just noticed Kaspar Glass, the one in the middle, looks a little like Salvador Dali in the pic they selected. That is cool. My story is the only weak link about this issue, but I'm not a real music journalist, so who really cares? It was just fun talking with and writing about a band I like.

Happy Friday The 13th! Aww - I didn't forget this special day. *faking tears of joy*

If you are feeling oppressed by this dry, sunny, gorgeous unholiday weather like me and are stuck indoors (due to the allergy known as cedar fever), I recommend renting a movie like "Freaky Friday" (both versions) and "Friday The 13th" - the first one. And listen to a cool radio show online from 8:30 to 9:30 PM (cst), hosted by a MySpace friend of mine, Marinho. He plays a great mix of indie rock, experimental and popular music in English and Spanish. Here's Marinho's blog: SONIDOS EN EL AIRE, and the show link: http://www.edomexico.gob.mx/portalgem/tvmex/

If you aren't a severe allergy sufferer and love good local music, check out Ivison tonight - they open for Dexter Freebish at Momo's in Austin, TX. If you live outside the live music capital and are able to enjoy the weather wherever you are, support your favorite local musician. And if you don't have one, adopt one - or an entire band!

That is all.
~ diy-danna

For Those Who Know of Austin, TX and Get Him Eat Him from Providence, RI and More! Beerland - Saturday, January 14, 2006. PREVIEW: Before I begin, let me apologize for not having a cute flier posted advertising the show. Instead, gaze at pictures of the bands below.

OK... This blogger/columnist was fortunate enough to interview For Those Who Know for a legitimate magazine based here in Austin (INsite, November 2005). I'm not accusing the publisher of diy revolution of not being professional before the first issue, because that would be a poor reflection of me. If forced to describe this music in terms of genre/sub genre I would categorize it as indie rock/shoegazing. They describe themselves as "psychedelic/indie/shoegaze". (Wow, I almost nailed that one to the wall!) The Austin Chronicle, another legitimate publication compares shoegaze to "sex music". So are they trying to say these musicians are trying to get laid, or that they are getting laid? (I get the feeling one day I may wish to delete that last sentence, but it is implied...) Regardless of this corrupting influence (;-), I love these guys. (Not that way, but you, know...) Don't be fooled by their proper shirts and ties and professional demeanor when you see them. For Those Who Know is down to earth, funny, and not afraid to be as dorky or transcendental as Death Cab For Cutie - But with less vocal dominance. They've been compared to Jesus Mary Chain, and rightly so, but the younger crowd may not identify with this music. Although it is a fairly weak vocal comparison, Death Cab has a lush sound that FTWK listeners may find similar. The low-key vocalist Stephen Hablinski will charm you with that soft morning after voice that is woven in a flag of almost overpowering sound. So I guess the critics are right on this one. Damn. I also highly recommend buying their eponymous ep/lp/whatever FTWK wants to call it today, which I will formally and finally review this Sunday for the March issue of diy revolution.

Now as for Get Him Eat Him, I will admit even more bias. I am interviewing them and have already heard them live once, with the band that headlines tomorrow night. I will confess to everyone that I am starting a campaign to convince these Rhode Island rockers to move to Austin, TX, and be my Valentine. I think our polyamorous, groupie/fan, may/december relationship could work, but not long distance. That should give you an idea of how good I think this band of young ones is. They aren't afraid of sounding pop radio friendly or completely offbeat, and the complex compositions and quirky sogwriting just work. Very rare among their generation of musicians trying so hard to look hardcore. My favorite track from their first full-length album Geography Cone is "Mumble Mumble". If you, lucky you, are at Beerland tomorrow night, you will hear some crazy woman shouting after every song "Play Mumble Mumble!" - unless they have already played it. They describe their music on MySpace as Indie/Rock/Alternative". I also love the way they poke fun at themselves. A little self-deprecating humor will take you far in a business where some bands take themselves too seriously, and should stop - playing music, that is. *Ouch* (The truth hurts, but it can set you free.) Get Him Eat Him, or "Get Hi Meat Him" can actually get away with these crude jokes because they are talented young musicians. And they are fortunate to be affiliated with a large indie label that appears to have a good track record, Kosher Records. But this blog is about a live performance preview - so listen for yourself online and make a kosher music choice to see them live for one night only.

Other bands playing tomorrow night that I am once again too lazy to research at this time are The Interest Kills, and Ink.

See you at Beerland!
♥ sayanythingrrrl

Preview rating: 9 (out of 10)
(Pairs of Sexy? Shoes)

JOE JITSU SHOW - SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2006 - YOUR LUCKY DAY.
Wow, I can't belive it's been 4 months since my last toast - or roast.
Now it's time to get back to the business of being a blog critic disguised as a deconstructive musical genius. Ha-ha...

WARNING THAT'S NOT REALLY A WARNING BUT A CLEVER INTRO: This is a re-review of a band I dissed nearly 2 years ago in my very first live show review (Awww!) - Joe Jitsu. They can tell you their side of the story, about how I kissed "you know what" in remorse after listening to one of their CDs. Yes, it's true - I have already apologized to the band. I'd also like to apologize to Green Day. (Or is it Greenday? Whatever.)I'm still not a fan and will probably never own one of your CDs. (Not even if it was a freebie for review *you gasp in shock*) But I will admit that your last album wasn't bad. I just adore The Clash too much to ever like you. But why am I apologizing now? Green Day will never read this trivial blog. ANYWAY...


Click on the flier above for a closer look.
I joke about my hometown of Boremont, I mean Beaumont, TX a lot. ;-)
But it's still one of the best places to hear indie rock bands that are better than most of the bands you will hear in the live music capital.
One great example - Joe Jitsu. The first time I heard them I'll be honest - I wasn't impressed and wrote so in a review on the extinct web site Southeast Texas Music & Arts Review (SETMAAR.com). But I'll mention they did have a handicap - the acoustics at the also extinct Graffiti's on College Street in Beaumont were horrible, and I was on an anti-pop/punk crusade at the time. This happens, and this "critic" is now making amends. I believe in second chances, and Joe Jitsu proved themselves worthy of praise with a stellar cd. Not bad for a band that has been around over 8 years and still manages to reveal something new and refreshing. I'd also like to thank them for not bailing out on Boremont after Hurricane Rita like La Snacks or Small Town Massacre. Sell outs! (I'm joking - welcome to Austin ;-)

I won't be attending because I'll be getting tipsy at another show in Austin, TX, but FYI: The show includes a Houston Press Award Winner 2005 - Best Pop Punk, O'Doyle Rules (Remember Billy Madison anyone?) By the way, according to another HPA 2005 winner (who shall remain anonymous) the award makes a great paperweight. Ha-ha... There are two other bands playing (see above flier) I haven't researched yet that may actually be worth listening to this Saturday.

Did I forget to mention I love the headlining band's name? Joe Jitsu just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

Wow - I will need one powerful breath mint after that much ass kissing. Kidding...

Already Puckering Up For Count Dracula's Weed Smuggling Jam Engine's Show Next Week ;-),
♥ sayanythingrrrl

For Anal Retentive Review Junkies:
This Show Receives A Preview Rating Of: 8 (out of 10) Cool Points, with a one point deduction for being in Boremont, and another point deducted for listing Green Day as an influence on MySpace. Duh.

DIY REVOLUTION PREMIERS ONLINE DURING SxSW MARCH 2006. IN THE MEANTIME, JOIN THE REVOLUTION @ MYSPACE!
Please post comments and idle death threats here so we know that you really care.