Randumb ramblings by a boorish redundant douchebag....
My goal in coming to Lawrence was for a ritual that I do not get to do much these days.... the road trip to see a show. I used to do it a lot in the 1990's, but like many, I've found myself with other responsibilities, priorties, and yes, other interests. Two acts played together at the Bottleneck that have a similar history in some respects -- The Bottlerockets and James, McMurtry. The similarities are that both acts have had to rise up out of the shadows of someone else. James McMurtry has a very familiar name... that is, his father is Larry McMurtry, the world famous Texas author who wrote among other things, The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, and Lonesome Dove, among many other works. James has come from under his fathers famous shadow and has created a legacy of his own appearing on Austin City Limits and touring all over the world. The Bottlerockets, from the St. Louis area (Festus, Missouri) arose out of the shadows of another famous St. Louis area band -- one that is credited with creating a whole genre of music -- Uncle Tupelo. The Bottlerockets have taken their version of the "alternative country" sound to some mainstream radio airplay over the years, and I am happy to see them still around and touring.
The Bottlerockets were the opening act, and they didn't disappoint.
In the old days, (1980's), many punk bands began experimenting with country and folk roots styles with the independent hard core sensibilities of punk. Early versions of this were called "cowpunk." In the late 80's, a band from Belleville Illinois (east St. Louis area) who called themselves Uncle Tupelo hit upon a very successful combination of folk, punk, rock and other styles to create a sound and a genre that not only kicked Nashville in the pants, but also created and endless list of followers and Bands. Brian Hennemen was right there from the beginning. He was one of the many musicians who backed up Uncle Tupelo. So, in 1992, he formed his present band, The Bottlerockets and toured with Uncle Tupelo. I went to see them that year, for the first time at the "3 hour away town" of Columbia, Missouri, at the Blue Note. I knew nothing of the opening act, which was the Bottlerockets, but when I heard Brian Sing "..it's a red, white and blue flag, but it ain't ours" in his song "Wave that Flag" I remembered the lyric, and I remembered the band. I came to see them whenever they played a venue near me. I saw them at the Hurricane, and got to sit down at the bar and talk to them in 1994. I was impressed at how genuine down to earth real people these musicians were. I hear the music they play, and it feels almost spiritual -- I'm taken away to small town rural routes and watching the steam rise up from the asphalt after a spring or summer thundershower in the evening with people talking politics, or gossip, or picking guitars to pass the time away. The politics of this band does come out in their music, but in a more humorous gentle kind of way. The politics of James McMurtry, however is unmistakable, and not as gentle.
James McMurtry is definitely of Texas. I feel sometimes the lyrics overshadow the music, but not in a bad way. This is the kind of music you find yourself listening to the words and getting lost in their imagery. Words can be very powerful things, and in music, as in art, if not careful, the words can send the audience into a different direction than intended by the artists. I don't think James McMurtry has this problem however. His words are weaved with his ample guitar playing abilities into a fine linen of sounds, hanging on the line to dry in the flat Texas mesquite plains. But, when James begins one of his anthems, the place wakes the hell up and comes to life. Many bands might hit you in the head with hard core music and loud pounding beats. It is the words that rouse you here, as the music often stayed at the same level and tempo -- the words that rouse the audience to greater heights of agreement with James and his band -- and that agreement is "Hell Yeah!" Of course, when you hear the words to "Can't Make it Here" you see fists pumping in the air to an anthem that is not hard core in any way, except in the expression and the meaning of what is said. There is no mistaking the expression.
Watch live video from stevosvoboda on Justin.tv Finally... I have my handy dandy google calender with all the upcoming events in the area and beyond...
If you are interested in expressing your opinion about art, or this blog, or if you have ideas, calender updates or even blog entries, send me a message at http://www.facebook.com/Svoboda.KC TMI, BRD
My goal in coming to Lawrence was for a ritual that I do not get to do much these days.... the road trip to see a show. I used to do it a lot in the 1990's, but like many, I've found myself with other responsibilities, priorties, and yes, other interests. Two acts played together at the Bottleneck that have a similar history in some respects -- The Bottlerockets and James, McMurtry. The similarities are that both acts have had to rise up out of the shadows of someone else. James McMurtry has a very familiar name... that is, his father is Larry McMurtry, the world famous Texas author who wrote among other things, The Last Picture Show, Terms of Endearment, and Lonesome Dove, among many other works. James has come from under his fathers famous shadow and has created a legacy of his own appearing on Austin City Limits and touring all over the world. The Bottlerockets, from the St. Louis area (Festus, Missouri) arose out of the shadows of another famous St. Louis area band -- one that is credited with creating a whole genre of music -- Uncle Tupelo. The Bottlerockets have taken their version of the "alternative country" sound to some mainstream radio airplay over the years, and I am happy to see them still around and touring.
The Bottlerockets were the opening act, and they didn't disappoint.
In the old days, (1980's), many punk bands began experimenting with country and folk roots styles with the independent hard core sensibilities of punk. Early versions of this were called "cowpunk." In the late 80's, a band from Belleville Illinois (east St. Louis area) who called themselves Uncle Tupelo hit upon a very successful combination of folk, punk, rock and other styles to create a sound and a genre that not only kicked Nashville in the pants, but also created and endless list of followers and Bands. Brian Hennemen was right there from the beginning. He was one of the many musicians who backed up Uncle Tupelo. So, in 1992, he formed his present band, The Bottlerockets and toured with Uncle Tupelo. I went to see them that year, for the first time at the "3 hour away town" of Columbia, Missouri, at the Blue Note. I knew nothing of the opening act, which was the Bottlerockets, but when I heard Brian Sing "..it's a red, white and blue flag, but it ain't ours" in his song "Wave that Flag" I remembered the lyric, and I remembered the band. I came to see them whenever they played a venue near me. I saw them at the Hurricane, and got to sit down at the bar and talk to them in 1994. I was impressed at how genuine down to earth real people these musicians were. I hear the music they play, and it feels almost spiritual -- I'm taken away to small town rural routes and watching the steam rise up from the asphalt after a spring or summer thundershower in the evening with people talking politics, or gossip, or picking guitars to pass the time away. The politics of this band does come out in their music, but in a more humorous gentle kind of way. The politics of James McMurtry, however is unmistakable, and not as gentle.
James McMurtry is definitely of Texas. I feel sometimes the lyrics overshadow the music, but not in a bad way. This is the kind of music you find yourself listening to the words and getting lost in their imagery. Words can be very powerful things, and in music, as in art, if not careful, the words can send the audience into a different direction than intended by the artists. I don't think James McMurtry has this problem however. His words are weaved with his ample guitar playing abilities into a fine linen of sounds, hanging on the line to dry in the flat Texas mesquite plains. But, when James begins one of his anthems, the place wakes the hell up and comes to life. Many bands might hit you in the head with hard core music and loud pounding beats. It is the words that rouse you here, as the music often stayed at the same level and tempo -- the words that rouse the audience to greater heights of agreement with James and his band -- and that agreement is "Hell Yeah!" Of course, when you hear the words to "Can't Make it Here" you see fists pumping in the air to an anthem that is not hard core in any way, except in the expression and the meaning of what is said. There is no mistaking the expression.
FLYER WALL
I will endeavor to post flyers that I find around town up on my own virtual wall, so that you can peruse them and see what is happening...
Watch live video from stevosvoboda on Justin.tv Finally... I have my handy dandy google calender with all the upcoming events in the area and beyond...
BLOG DOG
PLEASE LOOK AT AND COMMENT ON MY BLOG...
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