June 20, 2007
"The toppings contain potassium benzoate."
Posted by pete at June 20, 2007 9:43 PM
Addressing a dilemma the only way I know how, Simpsons-style:
House of Evil Owner: One of your favorite bands, the Drive-By Truckers, is on tour this summer, but they're not coming to Houston.
Pete: Oooh, that's bad.
House of Evil Owner: But they are playing something called the Lone Star Fandango in Dallas.
Pete: That's good!
House of Evil Owner: It's outdoors on July 15. High summer in Texas.
Pete: That's bad.
House of Evil Owner: But they're sharing a bill with the Drams and the Old 97's.
Pete: That's good!
House of Evil Owner: Tickets for reserved seating are $75.
Pete: ...
House of Evil Owner: That's bad.
Pete: I could stay with my sister in Ft. Worth...
ZZ Top and David Allan Coe are the headliners, but I have no interest in seeing either of them, since I'm pretty sure staying until the end requires the wearing of some sort of Confederate flag attire, and I have a tendency to break out if I wear anything bought at a Stuckey's.
So, should I even attempt to check this out?
Yes. I don’t know the Drams, but the Truckers and the Old 97’s are worth the trip. And while I have nothing good to say about David Allan Coe, ZZ Top is better than their schtick, and their fans, would have you believe. I think nobody has ever gotten better sounds out of an electric guitar than Billy Gibbons.
They still got Stuckey’s in Texas? Mmmmmmm, pralines.
Aren’t The Drams a reconstitution of Slobberbone?
Anyway, I assume the snark is directed at ZZ Top.
I can’t imagine anyone, particularly a self-denying redneck like yourself, disrespecting David Allan Coe.
As much as I love the Truckers, I was somewhat underwhelmed when I saw them live for the first time. Sounded like the rocked harder in the studio, or something. Patterson Hood doing solo acoustic was very cool, though.
We’ve been wrestling with the same decision. One of the main reasons we’re thinking about making the trip is to support Lonestar 92.5. If you haven’t heard it, you should really listen to their stream for a couple of hours. You’ll notice pretty quickly that they never take long commercial breaks. Instead, the DJ pops in every three or four songs to tell you that this hour of music is sponsored by Coors Light or AT&T. And then it’s back to the music. It’s a pretty bold move for a commercial station to play lots of DBT, Old 97’s and Slobberbone, mixed with some Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams and Tom Petty without long breaks. Plus, Willie is their station ID voiceover.
Yeah, I know it’s a Clear Channel station. And I’m fully aware that this may just be a test to see how well they can compete with satellite radio. I just pray that this business model will be profitable enough for them to keep this station around for a long time (and maybe expand it to other stations).
We saw ZZ Top at the Rodeo this year, which was for me the ideal way to see them—45 minutes of hits. They are playing the Woodlands with Old 97s (an awesome live band) and Hank III later this summer, but no Truckers.
Speaking of inadvisable road-trips, I’m really thinking about Tulsa’s DiversaFest in July, just to see the Flaming Lips for twenty bucks. You know you want to go…
Dude, you HAVE to go! The Drams are really turning it around live…they were nails at SXSW….Old 97’s are always great…and the DBT’s!?! Just drink alot of beer and get one of those pith helmets with a fan in it.
In my musical world, I’m seeing CHEAP TRICK tonight at the Petalumna Fair!
ZZ Top, Hank Williams III, Old 97’s, David Allan Coe are coming to HOuston, July 14th. Yay, the bands you were least interested in!
Go for it. Nothing like snickering and mocking ZZ Top on a hot Texas day for having beards like those.
And, you’ll get to see one of your favorite bands.