"Just because they call themselves friends, doesn't mean they'll call..."

Back from SXSW... listening to Amanda Palmer...



I love that girl.

As part of our trip to SXSW, it just so happened that she was on our flight from Detroit. We walked with her through the airport, and even got to watch her luggage while she got a cart. Geeky fan moment, I know, but I was giddy, like, “Amanda trusts US to watch her luggage, complete with her cute little ukulele case!”

The next day, we ran into her in a restaurant, and chatted for a second with her.

I am so happy to say that she is every bit as nice in person as I have always hoped.

Anyway, if you’re interested in seeing more, including a couple photos from her show at the Central Presbyterian Church (more on the way), they’re here.

Shane had a bit of a bad time while we were gone. Basically, he fell at the dog hotel and couldn’t get up. Fortunately, we take him to the best dog hotel there is, Bubble and Bark, who are also partnered with the best vet in the universe, Little Friends of Ferndale, and they took care of him while we were gone.

Now, the old man is on three medications, but he’s puttering around the house, eating and begging at the table again.

He worries me sometimes, but as long as he’s comfortable and happy, I’m glad he’s around.

Meh, that’s all I got right now.

Oooooh, but I did discover another girl singer that I heart, although her sound is a little more… shall we say inaccessible?

This is iwrestledabearonce, and yes that’s her singing, and no, they don’t do anything to her voice.

I saw these kids play (more here), and they also blew me away. TFN doesn’t have the infatuation for them that I do, but even she admits that they are wicked talented, whether or not she likes them.



It’s the same thing with Metallica. I’ve never really been a fan of theirs, other than Master of Puppets, but damn, they know how to rock, and when I interviewed Kirk Hammett, he was also wicked cool.

So that’s where we leave off. TFN took 8000 million billion photos at SXSW, and I will has plenty mores of thems to shares with alls of yous in the soonest amount of time.

For now though, if the government isn’t going to give me bailout money, you’d think they at least give me a jetpack, no?

SXSW 2009

Keith Morris of the Circle Jerks
Originally uploaded by alpharat

Having a great time in Austin, but seriously working my butt off, albeit in a good way. Watching music, writing about it and having beer ain't all bad.

Plus, I get to meet some of my idols. Like Keith Morris of the Circle Jerks.

More on their show here.

Off to Austin

I know I haven't been around much lately, and guess what? This will continue to be the case.

I'm headed to Texas!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, gang.

PS - The photos TFN took of the Tossers and the Mighty Stef are here.

The Might Stef

So the Tossers ruled, just like we knew they would (the photo is just a quick snapshot I took on my phone, nothing compared to the shots TFN grabbed). The place was packed and smoky and sweaty, just like I guessed. And the music was the type of music that fosters a sense of community in even a bar full of strangers.

The added bonus was the Mighty Stef, who opened up.



Stef is a combination of Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Nick Cave and Joey Ramone, and his music runs just as wide a range of sounds.

And, he's a cool guy. This tour is taking his band down to Austin for SXSW (where they will be playing an exhausting run of NINE shows in three days!), and we have plans to meet up next week.

This trip is looking better and better.

The Tossers

The last show we went to was Flogging Molly (and they totally whipped ass with a belt), and tonight it's the Tossers.



It seems that this year we are squeezing all the Irish we can out of the days surrounding St. Patrick's Day, seeing that we will be on a plane to Austin on the day itself.

Flogging Molly was packed, and I assume the Tossers will be as well. Irish punk bands seem to be one of the few industries that do better as the economy does worse. Granted, the local outlook may be bleak and most everyone may be out of work, but that just makes it more worthwhile to get drunk and dance sweatily and raucously with a bunch of strangers to songs that are about doing just that.

Come to SXSW with us!

Just getting ready to head to Austin for SXSW, and I want you to come along.

Obviously, I can't take you all to Austin with me... but there is a way you can play along at home.

Here's the details.