Big gig tonight. First, the Phenomenal Cats will play the entirety of The Kinks Are the Village Green Preservation Society, the classic 1968 album, at 9 pm. Trouble Down South plays afterward.

Flyer

Music at the office today:
* Gene Clark, White Light
* The Kinks, Arthur or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire
* Knife in the Water, Red River
* Spoon, Girls Can Tell
* Television, Live At The Old Waldorf

I'm a lousy blogger. Learning to accept that has brought me peace within.

Played the historic Hole in the Wall here in Austin last Wednesday. Our good friend Dutcher bootlegged the show, and we have a few songs up on the web.

Tulsa Nightlife

Little Johnny Jewel

Brand New Cadillac

I wrote "Tulsa Nightlife" and sing the lead vocal on it and "Little Johnny Jewel." I play the second lead on LJJ and the recurring riff on "Brand New Cadillac." Julie Beth Wood sings lead on BNC and backing vocals on TNL and plays bass on all of 'em. Matt Baab has backing vocals on TNL and plays lead guitar on all, and Scott Wiedman drums on all. Almost like you were there now, isn't it?

Halloween! I didn't bring any spooky music in, but the CD choices in my cube today have been:

* The New Pornographers, Electric Version;
* Iron & Wine, The Creek Drank the Cradle;
* Flaming Lips, The Shambolic Birth and Early Life sampler;
* Macha, See It Another Way; and
* Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.

In other news, I've completely avoided finishing my law school application statement in time for the early decision deadline tomorrow. Huzzah! I did get our SXSW application in on time and added some Algonquin Kids' Table pages to the High Hat, so I haven't been completely unproductive. Just mostly.

My wife is dressed as Death from the Sandman comics, so I've taped a bunch of 1040s to a shirt, rented an Uncle Sam hat, and yes, I am going as Taxes.

Very tired today. Played a benefit for Rob Hall last night with the excellent bands Choking Ahogo, Fivehead, Mandible, and Blued. Everything ran late. I stayed only for 3 or 4 songs from Blued, but it was still quite a bit after 1am when Matt & I finally left. That's rough on a work night. I think we made some good money for Rob Hall's medical bills, though, which is great.

There's pictures from the show on the Trouble Down South website.

High Hat #2 is up! Lots of interlecktshal goodness!

The High Hat

TDS at the Red Eyed Fly for Tuesday Happy Hour 7-8

(Enter Two Gentlemen of Waterloo, TX, wasting their leisure time in
the Redde River District.)

Peter: Fo' diggity, Simon. Your vintage tee
emblazoned with Alabama's logo
doth reek of sweet irony. Would that my
white-boy 'fro were as fly. O Woe! O Woe!

Simon: Aye, this ringer is bitchin'. But thy head,
hirsute as it be, rains inspiration
upon the chicks to join thee in thy dorm.
Truly, ours is the best generation.

Peter: Ho! What's this? Are my eyes deceived? Can this
sign rightly say that Trouble Down South plays
the Redde Ey'd Fly Happy Hour on Tuesday?
How happy the hours! How wond'rous the day!

Simon: Fie upon thee, sarcastic man. Who knows?
They may be good, even short a sincere
Chronicle recommendation. Doesn't
"Indie Rock" mean taking risks without fear?

Peter: To you, perhaps. I share not your passion.
For me, it is less music than fashion.

(Exit both Gentlemen strolling stage right towards Emo's. From the
wings appears Roky.)

Roky: As I am a gentle Roky, heed thee
these kind words: Live not by this travesty!
Punk is neither pose nor sense of fashion!
Lord, what fools these indie rocker kids be.

RIP, Johnny Cash. As great and important as your music is, your legacy is greater than that. You were the man who brought Appalachian darkness to rock music, and gave us the literary rock song. You were the Man in Black, the visible symbol of conscience in country. You were a funny, conflicted man, but you lived your life on your terms. You were the spiritual grandfather of anyone who passionately loves their music served up with a heaping dose of bitterness and aching regret. I'm wearing black for you today.