[Houston, TX] Hell bound to see as much music as I can to make up for
a year of working too much… and to prepare for a year of very limited musical
opportunities. And, of course, once I start trying hard again, I remember how
expensive shows are here, how late they are (this is not a Houston problem,
this is a Dara-old problem), and how disappointing the options are. So I picked
this show because it was a free and early show at a venue I haven’t been to but
have heard good things about. And then the band goes and describes themselves
on their website as having known they made it once the AUSTIN MUSIC SCENE
accepted them. Always Austin. This is one of the last venues I’ve explored
because they generally have really tame musicians that would appeal to a
middle-aged crowd and they charge a fuck of a lot for shows. So I arrived
jaded. I loved this venue. It was a cross of the Dog and Duck and Cactus Cafe
(I will use Austin references because I’m in an Austin state of mind). The air
was full of country sounds and smells of Nag Champa, mold, and BBQ – and that’s
about when my I-miss-Austin tears started flowing. It’s half moody British pub [books
lining the walls (fake)] and half mature serious music venue (red curtains
behind the stage). There were even signs on the tables requesting silence once
the music starts. The food/drinks are pricey, but the staff and clientele are
laid back. Anyway, back to task. Mike Stinson or the Mike Stinson band (it was
two members tonight – happy hour show) are a blues country rock band with some
elements of singer/songwriter. Some of their songs were boogie blues numbers
but most were sad country songs to drive old roads to, which is how I like it.
Mike Stinson has got a deep melodious voice and a funky haircut reminiscent of 80s
hair metal and Roky Erickson (bangs with a shag crossed with a bowl cut –not
good). He was backed by a Colin Firth, in bad-boy country clothes, on guitar and
backup. Said Colin Firth was next to me at the bar for a bit and responded to
the waitress’s “You doin’ all right?” with “Yeah, but I would be better if you
would stop asking me that” – and then bitched to the bartender about the quality
of his beer. Lucky for him he’s a tall drink of water. I liked this show a lot,
but it definitely falls into a genre of music I’m predestined to like. They
incorporated elements of Drive-By Truckers, Tom Petty, Songs: Ohia, and Texas
singer/songwriters (particularly Townes & Guy Clark). There were times when
I thought their melodies and lyrics were a little predictable and trite but
that’s unfair because that’s exactly what makes music like this comforting. This
is the kind of music you want to listen to when you’re alone driving down a
long desolate road or “walking home in the rain.” (Photo courtesy of band webpage)
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