10/5/19

Day 2 Part 1

This was at the Parlor and z Apocalypse was gonna play but they had a scheduling issue (even though Jeremy got up with us for some guitar on Fruit Fly!) Pat and the Outsiders filled in!! It’s been a couple of years since we played more than one show in a row with them. Like I sad yesterday, I’d see them everyday if I could. 

We went up and had a really good set. Standing on the floor with folks, not on a stage and eye to eye might be my favorite way to pay. It’s a bad way to do it  when you are sucking but if you are doing things right, even just a little, it’s one of the best feelings in the world. 

Part 2

At the Lost Well and things were running a little behind after the earlier show. It’s how it goes...

Sweet Nothin from Albuquerque was first. A bunch of young dudes Tom knows and the two tunes I was able to catch rocked in a really nice way. 

It’s Tom’s birthday and his band Monkeyshines got up and had a great set! So good I started questioning his playing in the Hickoids... gonna have to have a long talk with that man someday....

The Swish set was decent. The crowd was in to it and we threw down pretty hard. Fun fun. 

The Fishermen and Dinola were the next two. What can I say... go back and read other posts. For both of them. 

We missed Pong, Just like we missed Screech of Death at the Parlor earlier. With this many shows it’s hard to hit them all.  

And there will be more tomorrow!!

9/19/19

This ended up being an “only in it for the money” gig. God it was awful...

It was Talk Like A Pirate Day so the Swishbucklers got asked to play this place in north San Antonio. I’m not even gonna name it. It’s a big rambling “fancy” joint, not the kind of place we would usually play. They don’t even have bands regularly. 

But we were all in for it. Two sets and we were told they were doing a bunch of cool stuff for the “holiday”. When we got there there were 300-400 people there. And less than 10% of them were dressed for the day. And the rest of them were there for turtle racing...  as in making a turtle “run” in the middle of a bunch of screaming folks so the owner can get a free beer if it won. 

Gross. 

We did our two sets. Got paid and got out. 

100% for the money. 

9/18/19

Second night with Daddy Long Legs but this time it was in San Antonio with the Swishbucklers. I think I mentioned that before...  and that it was at Paper Tiger. Broken record over here. 

We went up and there were so few people  we thought we’d do some rehearsing... no joke. Dead city. So we started up on one of the four new tunes we’d been working on and then a dozen or so folks come in.  Oh great, now we got to play a real show.  Thanks a lot audience...

Anyway we did pretty damn good. Didn’t get through any of the new stuff. Have to wait till Thursday for that one. 

I only caught a few tunes from Daddy Long Legs. They were three pretty awesome but all I could catch. I needed to get back home and I’ll be back in SA soon enough (matey)!!

6/22/19

First of three (?!) shows today! This one was at the Lost Well with the Swishbucklers.  We were playing a roast for our buddy Chad Holt. He found out he has some really bad odds with cancer and the end is near... some very serious, sad stuff. But that isn’t how Chad is gonna play it. He’s getting roasted. 

I hope when my end is near I can face it with half the humor as he is. Pretty great attitude to have. 

We were a man down. Tommy didn’t turn on his phone? Or some shit like that so we were a four piece. We did ok considering, Would have been nice to rehearse that way instead of feeling like we were missing a leg or something the whole set.  

It may not have mattered. People were really in to it and it was packed in there.I guess that’s all that matters. 

On to Kick Butt. 

3/16/19

Late late!....  oh well. Took a long time to recover from the big festival. Even though I didn’t do that much I kept busy every day. And since I am a very lazy man this is a couple of weeks late!

Swishin at the ‘04 lounge. Ususally this is a gig I look forward to. Hicks (and the ladies/Bantam) have played it a bunch over the years. Generally it’s loads of happy folks having fun with great people working it. I guess half of that is ok?

Bar staff was terrible! Three people working and only one was serving anyone with any regularity. The “non-servers” were acting like they were doing you a huge fucking favor IF they looked your way....  That didn’t mean you were gonna get served but they might look at you. 

It’s the busiest week of the year for bars in Austin, guess they already made enough and said fuck it. 

Anyway we were on after Dinola, I loved their set. They’d played earlier, somewhere in town so they were way warmed up and it showed!

We played the best set we’ve had in a while. I like playing right there on the floor with all the people walking by you.  And some good person waded through the surly bar staffs bullshit and bought me beer!!! He must have gotten it from the one dude who was actually working.  

And that was it. The last day of the big festival. Anniversary shows are next!

3/8/19

We’ve been swishin it an awful lot lately, I’m pretty happy about that!

Last Friday we did The Brick at Blue Star. We played there a year and a half ago, I was sick as hell and I am certain I played like shit. I may not have done much better this time, but it sure felt better!

This was a skate deck art show. Lots of nice decks done up in different ways. After our set I got a chance to check some of them out. Not before....  when I loaded in the band before us was rocking it, hard. After I parked Lance was setting up....  I took forever I guess.  

It’s hard to hear in that room.  You are in the middle of the space and the PA can’t really take up the slack.  Oh well, people said we looked good.  

After our set we hung out and watched Sex Pump. Man they had a lot of gear. It took me a while to realize who was in the band, but once I did it all made sense!  Pumpin!

3/3/19

We doubled it up in Hattiesburg last night. At the Thirsty Hippo we got there and loaded our stuff to this huge back room where they had a big pile of Mexican food waiting on us. Even had a plate of veg stuff just for me!! This is a joint that knows how to take care of people. 

Space Trash was the opener. Bunch of locals wearing Spacey/Trashy clothes and doing some pretty interesting things with their music.  Even got a little mathy at points. But not in a bad way, it was more of an “oh shit!”

This was the last swish show of the tour. And we had a nice little set. It was definitely the best one since we left Austin. It also sounded good.  The owner of the place is also the sound man. He had his room down!

But everyone there wanted the Hickoids. That’s why they were there and that’s why we were there. And we gave it to them good. You have too, how often do you get to play Hattiesburg? You know you got to rock it when you do!

3/2/19

Swishin at the Saturn Bar last night.  This is such a cool place.  The catwalk that goes around the top is so fucking cool. More clubs could use that kind of elevated seating.

We were middle-ish  DiNOLA was playing with Dave Catching, pretty rocking shit. The crowd was eating them up. Then Dave and Jimmy played a mini set with this gal on bass.  Also pretty solid. 

While they were on I spent some time out front drinking beer and talking with some folks. There was this horrible burning smell coming from somewhere close by.  Mattress fire. No joke. It burned for a while then some cops put it out. Then it started up again and the fire truck came and put it out a second time. Mattress fire. 

Our set was stronger than the night before. I’d left my hat somewhere so I’m just wearing those ridiculous clothes without the topper.  My ensemble was ruined.  

Speaking of ensembles it’s Carnival time here and the variety of over the top clothing was amazing. All night folks walking by in some pretty freaked out styles looking for fun. Yeah!

The Gools were last. All pretty young folks doin that good and loud rock music. I heard that they will play any show at any time. Like “wanna play a house party in New York?” They go!!  Anyway good end to the night. 

3/1/19

Double billin last night in Lafayette. The Swish and the Hick mostly ready to bring it. 

We were at the Freetown Boom Boom Room. And we barely got there before the first band started.  

The traffic was awful along the I-10 corridor. Felt like battle most of the way.  I punched through Houston and Lance took a bad shift in a traffic jam near the TX/LA border. That shit took forever.  

Cool little joint with a nice crowd. Not massive but active!  And they let you bring your drinks outside to the street!!!  Of course there is a police camera on the pole across the street. They let you be free but they want a record if anything goes bad. And they charge bands full price for beer....

We Are The Asteroid  were on second. I thought we had a couple of shows with them this trip but last night was it. Don’t know what I was thinking. They fucking whipped it. No shocker. 

The swish set was ok. I’d been busy climbing a pile of personal bullshit for the last couple of weeks (last year and a half really, but it ratcheted up in a big way these last couple of weeks) so I was way out of practice.  Fortunately I had a little whiskey and beer and it give me the courage to play loud and dumb in my short shorts.  

Hicks were next Cody couldn’t make the first couple of days of this so Tom Rowsey filled in.  He’s been fired twice from the band already so he kinda knows the set.  

Swishin in New Orleans tomorrow! 

2/24/19

Sunday night!....  a little hard to drum up the excitement. We were ready to play but you could tell before we headed out it was gonna be a slow night at The Mohawk. 

We were last of three The Beautiful Delilah’s were on first. Followed by another band of Walters, Polarizado. It was their CD release.  

As I loaded in the first bit of my stuff in to the club, Two dudes were with the door guy, $10 cover. For three bands with barely any pull.... One of the guys said “That’s ok, we don’t even know who those bands are.”  

Right on the nose. 

Anyway the show was fun. All three of the sets were solid, but my guess is there were five people who paid, so it wasn’t exactly the kinda night where the crowd pushed the bands over the top. Oh well. 

1/4/19

We had a swishifyin time at the Empire Control room last Friday night.  It was free week so no one paid to get in...  but it worked!  Loads of people there for every band. I even think we got paid?! Should that be every week? 

We went up in the middle of five, inside.  Thank god it wasn’t outside. My shorts are shorter than ever and I’d be freezing my ass off. The set was pretty hot. We’d never played for that many people before and we were all pretty amped to rock them. We did. Smiling faces looking up at us the whole set. We were loving it. 

Beautiful night. 

12/22/18

We swished it up the other night in San Antonio. Joined at the Bang Bang Bar by our buddies from Bend, Dr Green Dreams and Austin’s own We Are The Asteroid.  

The drive down was nice and easy. The Holliday slump had traffic moving fast down the 35 corridor. Of course that means the crowd was guaranteed to be thin. Ehhhh.  I was still ready to kill it. 

The Green Dreams crew tore it up. Different drummer than when we played with them back when were on tour. I think he is based in Houston. Didn’t really have a chance to talk to him to find out...  but he complimented their style in a really nice way. 

We were next and had a good set. Not the best but solid. Had some folks up at the front for some of it and we rocked them all the way down the gangplank.  

I missed the asteroid.... had to head home to take care of a dog that was cooped up in the house too long!!!  Wish I’d stayed but we’ve got some shows with them coming up in Louisiana around carnival time. I’ll get to see them plenty then!

9/14/18

It was a rainy Friday night but the roads were pretty clear for the drive to Houston.  It’s Swishbuckler time again. Ahoy!

We were at Rudyards with the Poor Dumb Bastards. Our set was a messy ball of fun. We were a little all over the place, only one rehearsal since last year.... what do you want. Good thing the set doesn’t change much (or all!) 

Tommy is back so we are a two guitar band again.  It’s a thicker sound with two of us. And on occasion there are some harmony parts!!

We wrapped it up and PDB went on, they were playing the next night in Austin, see y’all then. We took off and made it home a little after three. 

9/28/17

We did some Swishbuckling the other day. Hurricane Harvey dumped down on the Texas coast and some greasy rock and rollers had a benefit for some of the people it crapped on.


Thursday at the Paper Tiger down in San Antonio, we were in the middle slot. The crowd was ok, but it looked nonexistent in that space... Big joint, twenty people, it happens. No big deal, we gave it good.


I really got to open up the amp in that space. Lots of opportunities to let the feedback build between the guitar, amp and PA. Magical and one of the coolest thing you can do playing guitar with minimal effort!!


The Sons were last and the killed it (as usual).



You know, I think we got some Corn on the way!!

3/18/17

Double show Saturday!


First up was the Hickoids at '04. The crowd was sparse when I pulled up, but that meant a parking space up front!! I was told there was a house bass rig so I didn't have to bring much for the early set.



Western Star was about to go on. New bass player and a kick ass set! These dudes can really bring it. In every way except one... the bass rig was a tiny combo amp. I could have brought mine (and they could have used it to rule further.) I'd loaded then unloaded it at home already. Oh well.


Our set was pretty great. The crowd started packing in near the end of Western Star's set and by the time we went on there were a good bunch of folks looking at us. Our set was a wild one. It always works that way, the smaller/more dive a place is the more we turn up the stupid. At some point Smitty, Tom and I were in some kind of Human Centipede configuration with our instruments going off in all directions. I'm not sure what happened or how we got there but I'm looking forward to the next show!



Right before we did our last song The Lar Lar walked up to me and said "Chuck Berry just died." It knocked the fucking wind out of me. Did I mention it was my birthday?... Fuck me... I was down down.


We played Donkey Lady and went on to ABGB for The Swishbucklers.



I pulled up and they were blasting the Chuck. It set my funk bar a little lower. News like that before a show (or during) will set me off...


But then I had a little coffee and started talking with the openers and the rest of the 'bucklers and I felt better. We were joking about playing "My Ding-a-ling" as a tribute. Kind of a perfect tune for a gay pirate band to cover.


We went on after The Ian Quiet Band from Shreveport LA. Holy crap! What a bunch of kick ass weirdos!! Two bass players!!! Drums and Ian on vocals/theremin. Some crazy good, angular punk rock with some surprisingly funky moments added in for flavor. Ian licked the floor at some point. Fuck yeah! They really brought me out of my funk.


We went up and had fun. Our set was short but pretty rocking.



After I hung around for the regular greatness of Pocket Fishermen and Pong. Then The Zeros who put on a seriously rocking show.

Not a bad end to the week.

12/31/16

A New Years Twofer!

#1) 8:30PM

This was the Hickoids at the Spiderhouse Ballroom. They had all three stages going, each with their own themed decade from the 60's-80's. We were on the 70's stage and we took that to heart. All covers, no crap! Well it was mostly crap... China Grove and Take it Easy were our first two songs... Jesus Fuck what a horrible bunch of shit. I hate those songs even more now that I know how to play them.

Anyway we did eight tunes, got free keg beer and got paid! Not a bad way to start things off. Fingerpistol was after us. I had fun hanging out with Jill and Kim, but I didn't get to see them play because....

#2) 11PM 

Swishbucklers at the Nomad. We were opening for the Pocket Fishermen. THe crow was small but spirited and we gave them all we had! We gay-pirated their faces off!

Fishermen went up after everyone tucked in to cheap champagne and rubbed and slobbered all over anyone they were allowed to hug and slobber all over. Their set was great as usual. They went long and eventually I went home tired (IE lazy). 

9/30/16

First Night of ACL. We were at the Lost Well and it was costume night. What a bunch of silly ass shit... Grannies, Fishermen so much fun.

The Shut-Ups started things off with a loud as shit set on the floor of the club. The drummer was in front of the bass and drums. I think they are a total improv group (in costumes!). At some point the drummer was on the bar with his floor tom on his head. Not balancing it there, he'd broken through the top head and was playing the sides of it with his sticks. Awesome!

I was with the Swishbucklers. We were on second and had a rocking little set. I love getting to play guitar! One of the regular 'bucklers couldn't make it so all of the lead lines were mine and I whipped the shit out of them. Through the magic of over amplified guitar, one little move can send you off to feedback heaven. Glorious. 

Fishermen and Grannies did the usual ass kicking. Nothing special, just the regular greatness.

The night went on, I left before The Upper Crust and Chasca started... Full on lameness on my part. It can't be helped.

Hickoids at the White Horse tomorrow.

9/26/15

Then it was Saturday and we were still in New Orleans. Well most of us were, Cody had to jet off to play a show somewhere in Central Texas, but the rest of us were there and so was Rowsey. And the folks over at Siberia casually  mentioned that their happy hour band canceled on them. I just happened to have my Les Paul and Tom had his Bass. By some miracle of chance (i.e. planning) all of us had our Swishbuckling gear, so we strapped it on for one more round of pirate rock.

The crowd was thin, but since we finalized the the show a couple of hours before it happened you can't expect a huge turnout. It's a little bittersweet, we probably played the best show of the year (for the 'bucklers) to ten people. You could tell that we all knew the songs better and the confidence level was high. Smooth sailing would be an appropriate metaphor here, or a half assed pun...

I played through Cody's rig, a giant Marshal head on a 4X10 Orange cabinet. I went through the second input and kept the volume on one and a half. When it went to two it was way too much. His rig has no tremolo (I've come to rely on it) so I had to screw around with my delay pedal to try to mimic the sound the best I could. I eventually got something decent but I couldn't help thinking I sounded a little like The Edge...

After the set we packed up the Freak Van started the drive back home. We really got on the road around 11PM after a dinner at America's shittiest diner and we made it to my place around 7AM. Not a bad little drive.

9/19/15

The 'bucklers went on early at Opal Divines. It was finally "talk like a pirate day" and the costumed crowd had gathered for a rocking evening of ridiculousness. And beer (they called it ale or mead... sigh, it was beer).

Our set was spot on. We had no huge mishaps and we kept things pretty tight for the whole set. There were some kids in the audience (sitting right by the stage) so Smitty wasn't as actively verbal with the between song banter as he usually is. You don't really want to explain the double entendre of a song like "The Mast" to a nine year old...

"The wood, the wood, the wood is good..." The rest of the crowd got it, or gets it, that's all that really matters.

The Jolly Garogers and Shoulders finished things off. JG's had to wait a long time for a member to make it (I never figured out if he did, I went inside to the AC and beer and missed their entire set.) I did catch a bit of the Shoulders. Those guys are the same as they were twenty years ago (just in pirate garb for the "special occasion"). They rock so hard and play so quiet it's amazing and I don't know how they do it!

So that's it for the 'bucklin this year. One rehearsal, two shows and it will be another eleven months and three weeks until the next one. That's a hell of a schedule. It's a shame because I love shaking the slide for this band. Too bad the next show is forever away. Unless...

10/4/14

ACL Week 1 Day 2

The bill was packed with bands at the Lost Well, at least it started out that way... When I pulled up Tom was walking out and he told me we were on , NOW! I thought I would be there for the start of Black Salve but they didn't play... I knew I'd miss the openers, We are the Asteroid, because day jobs suck.

Tom was wrong and we waited for our scheduled start time of 7. It's early for Hickoids, but apparently it was a good time for the Swishbucklers fifth practice/second show. Lance got to sing! "Shame, shame, shame" went off reasonably well. I started playing the chords while there was some "banter" going on. Then I popped on the tuner without realizing they had counted it off. Oops.

We finished up the pirate booty shake and I hung out to the bitter end for some beautiful music. I really wanted to see Texacala's "new" band, Hey and  the Poor Dumb Bastards. They didn't disappoint. There was a pie stand out front so I spent some quality time luxuriating in some sweet and sticky goodness in between beers and bands.

At the end of the night Byron from the PDB found his window smashed out. What a shitty end to a decent evening.

More next weekend.