Mo Developminks...

Life. Sure we've all heard a lot about it...but how many of us how really experienced it? I'm beginning to believe that number is smaller than you'd imagine.

I've gone through long periods where I was but a spectator amongst a sea of participants but in recent years I've been trying to make up for lost time. It hasn't always been easy but the rewards (mostly milestones and personal development as opposed to "success" or "wealth") far outweigh any hardships or difficulty I might have experienced.

I've recently run into some major problems with life-long friends that have made me question the very nature of friendship among other things. If nothing else it's reinforced my growing belief that the opinions of others are only worth listening to up-to-a-point, and they are always tainted by the agendas of that individual...hidden or not as well as the ever growing misinformation present in the so-called information age. I consider myself much wiser because of cherry-picking relevant (and often brilliant) concepts from any source that resonates with me, but I think we'd all be better off listening to our inner wisdom or intuition more often. I can't count the number of times I've assumed someone else to be the authority on a subject only to regret not going with my gut instead.

Our band (The Bipolar Express) is playing it's first show outside the DFW area soon and I couldn't be more excited....well maybe a little bit more stoked by the fact that we're getting regular airplay on one of the only good radio stations in town as well. Weird...

KXT (91.7) is the new all-music station from KERA and though I can't say I love everything they play I can say that they are a very welcome presence in the bleak landscape of local radio. Check 'em out! (And sometimes they are amazing...and I thought that before they played us!)

http://kxt.org/

The above image is a nearly-complete relief print (a woodcut in this case) that I was working on with a friend but was shelved due to unforeseen difficulties. I really like the way it's turning out, even if I look like a deranged beaver-boy or something.

~SXSW 2010~

I hadn't been to South-By-Southwest in a few years (and I was a little apprehensive about dealing with the crowds down in beautiful Austin, Texas this year) but I went down for the weekend and I'm really glad I did. Matt Powers, his better-half (Mckenzie) and I strapped our bikes to the car and headed down after work on Friday. We'd been parked for about 5 minutes and were stopped in our tracks by the sound we heard coming over the fence at the Mess With Texas Showcase....Man or Astroman?!?...Yes, please! We got to see the last song-anna-half and their traditional feedback/Tesla Coil finale in all it's glory (from just over the fence). Off to a good start? I'll say...

I never go to SXSW with the intention of trying too hard to see a million bands all over town...especially the really big shows because I don't like looong lines or fighting people for a show (or a beer...and I've never had a wristband/laminate/whatever) We proceeded to Beerland which would serve as home base for most of the weekend, and they were kind enough to book tons of great bands and provide free Frito Pie. Friday night we saw Wounded Lions, Kid Congo & the Pink Monkey Birds, and The Spits (In the Red Records showcase). WL was like Beat Happening if they all switched instruments and were better musicians and dancers, Kid Congo (of legends Nick Cave/Gun Club/Cramps) put on one hell of a diverse performance, and the Spits just had to close the show with their mutant/new-wavish/skate-punk take on the Ramones because....who could go on after that....they always deliver. (Spits below)

We ended up at some place called the Omlettry (good food/not sure about the name) for breakfast Saturday morning which was pretty great despite the expected long line. Wandered around on the bikes a bit after that; Mckenzie and Adrienne met up for some shopping on S. Congress while Matt and I checked out the Yard Dog Party which had cheap imported beer. Saw London-based bluegrass from the Coal Porters which made me feel pretty good about being in Saddle Tramp and eventually ended up back at Beerland for Rounds II and III.

(Goner Records showcase) Cococomas have apparently morphed into a 4-piece which filled-out their songs quite a bit compared to the former 2-piece version...Great live/need to hear more recordings. The Baths were an interesting time with their early-psych sound but even with the guys Sonny Bono-like appearance (complete with cape) I found my attention wandering a bit. (Better on record? We'll see.) Up next were up-and-coming Memphis youngsters The Magic Kids who offered up refreshing sunshine-pop referencing 50s-60s, and 80s teen hearthrob sounds and stage presence as well as some British stuff I haven't wrapped my head around yet (maybe New Romantic). Potential mass-market appeal there for sure. Another Bluff City resident rounded out the day show, Harlan T. Bobo, who's last album got quite a few plays from this fella in the last few years. It was a bit anti-climactic seeing him do his show solo (no band) after all the others but he sounded really good and the performance and his ultra-dry sense of humor made up for the lack of accompaniment. How do you describe his music? Uh....kinda like a Southern take on Lou Reed/Leonard Cohen mixed with something else much less pretensious...(Sorry to Harlan for saying "I liked your Bobo set!", but I think he was cool with it!) (Magic Kids above)

We wandered over to see Th' Legendary Shack Shakers at the Camel Headquarters (I think) and though I'm not their biggest fan they always put on a high energy roots-punk show and between the fact that Duane Dennison (Jesus Lizard) plays guitar and their frontman the Colonel is bat-sh*t crazy how can you go wrong? The biggest mis-step of the whole trip came when we decided to watch Austin band Lions play on some backyard stage in an alley we were riding down. Left after the first song....like the worst parts of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden 20 years too late. Yuck!!! (We also saw 2 seconds of the Gwar show as well as Andrew W.K. over the fence while riding by....Can't believe either one of them is still at it.)

Ate lots of great street vendor food (esp. the Brats!) and ended up back at Beerland for the Cheap Time who I'd been hearing about for so long that they fell slightly-below the hype. Solid Power-poppish 70s punk 3 piece action though! Thomas Function was up next and surpassed the hype with their 3-piece fragmented pop (or something). I'm buying their records asap! Destruction Unit was up next and they appear to be some some of post-apocalyptic super group of sorts with Ryan Wong (Tokyo Electron and many others) on vocals. A bit chaotic for my tastes at this point in history but in the right setting they could change your life. Thee Oh Sees were the obvious choice to close out the show (and my SXSW as well as theirs) as they are pretty hard to beat as far as live acts (hell even records) are concerned currently. It was also a nice change of pace that they set-up on the floor for maximum close-range viewing/audience partcipation. THEY ROCKED!!! 2nd time and hopefully not my last to see them...(That's them down there)

In goofy celeb-sighting news we spotted Thrasher Magazine editor Jake Phelps (he was kinda dissappointing) in line at Beerland and Fat Mike (NoFx) and Andrew W.K. inside (the who cares twins), and ran into the Sons of Hercules at Casino El Camino. I could have met Bill Murray at my friend Mandon's show (Lil Cap'n Travis) but as usual there was too much too see and do for one weekend and I think everyone else already hung out with him there anyway. See him telling Mandon a secret below...

(Mediocre and late review I know but who's gonna read this crap anyway? All photos by Matt Powers except for the Bill Murray pic...probably by someone in Lil Cap'n Travis)

Last Bipolar Express show for a bit this Saturday...

This Saturday (2/27) the BPE will make it's Oak Cliff debut at the ultra-cozy Tradewinds Social Club and we're pretty excited about it. This will be our last show for a little while as we're taking some time off to focus on recording some songs which will make up a 7-inch single (at least!). And then later we'll be invading the State Capital to aid in their efforts to "Keep Austin Weird" (sorry!)when we play the Scoot Inn on April 17th with Scrabble Robot, and Black Panda....This will be one for the history books, folks!!!

~Tradewinds Two-fer~

Due to seredipity, dumb-luck, or some kind of magick I'm unaware of both of the bands that Hank Tosh and I play in are having shows at the same bar (not at the same time) the next two Saturdays. This Sat. (2/20) will feature DJ Mojo Workout spinning some classic country and possibly some country-blues, followed by an acoustic performance by our friend Noah Bailey (of the Naptime Shake), Saddle Tramp will then play 2 sets with a break by DJ M-Wo.

Then on Saturday 2/27 DJ M-Wo will do much the same but this time he'll be playing soul, r&b, punk, garage and noisier-fare followed by (and in between) 2 sets by the Bipolar Express. I'm not sure if I'll ever have an occurence like this again so I did the hand-drawn poster for both shows combined. I'm really looking forward to all of this as I already liked the Tradewinds, their laid-back staff and regulars, as well as the living room-like performance area. Come see us....and don't forget your pipe and slippers....

Bipolar Express this Saturday...

Should be a Hoot....that Justin's a nutty guy and he's got a lot of rabid friends and fans that will surely come out for this one. The BPE takes the stage about 10:30 and the Aquaholics will play after a set by the mysterious DJ Mojo Workout.

In other news Jay Reatard has departed this earth at the far-too-young age of 29, and at the peak of his popularity thus far. Sad and unnecessary especially for someone as interesting, controversial and talented as he was. Sure he was an acquired taste in many ways but he won't soon be forgotten. I regret not catching him as a solo act, though I did see the Lost Sounds at Rubber Gloves in Denton years ago and it was a great show. (R.I.P. Jay.)

BPE....BPE....BPE...

First appearance of The BPE....

Well....we went and did it...



The first Bipolar Express show was a lot of fun, and from the reports we received we sounded pretty good too. We regret that Stoogephilia had to cancel but we're playing a show w/them at a place called the Moon Bar in Fort Worth on October 10th (right next to Fuzzy's Tacos) so it's going to happen, dear friends.



Thanks to Muddy Waters, DJ Mojo Workout, everyone who came out, and Matt Powers (our man on the low end) who did the majority of the work that night....including the amazing, and authentic psychedelic light show! Extra-special thanks to Matt Bagley for lending his artistic skills and Matt B. and Chadillac for their blooming light-show abilitites. (I think Pink Floyd has an opening, gentlemen!)



Looking forward to playing more shows with these cats, for sure! Hank is also playing drums with the other band I'm in (Saddle Tramp) so things are getting veddy, veddy interesting....

Poster posting!

The Bipolar Express!

www.myspace.com/thebipolarexpresstexas



By the time you read this we should have a demo or two up at the above link; That way you'll have some idea what you're "in for" when you show up all-ready to let your backbone slip with us at the new band's first show.



We're really fortunate to be able to open for Fort Worth's Stoogephilia, as well as having DJ Mojo Workout spinning records to set the mood for the evening. There's no cover, the drinks are cheap, and the stage at the new Muddy Waters (also known as VeVe) makes the shows a great experience as there is seating on 3 sides of the stage and it's a pretty comfortable space, esp. after it's full of folks that have been properly socially-lubricated.



Hope to see you there!



-The Pickin' Polack

Saddle Tramp/Dragna @ Kats in Tyler, Texas 042409!

Yes....it's true. We return to (surprisingly)the only place someone's ever yelled "Ya'll suck! We wanna hear some rock & rolllll!!!" and this time we're bringing a good old-fashioned rock and roll band to mix it up so everybody's happy. We're playing a 45 minute set and then Dragna will do the same; rinse and repeat and your done.

Inspiration comes in many forms...

Developminks!

Things have really been happening at Casa de Polack lately! Not sure if I've used that name on the blog yet but that's what I'm using as an "umbrella" name for any creative projects that I'm in charge of or at least that's how I've been referring to the place where I live in-lieu of any actual output...until now that is. We've been working hard behind-the-scenes at a various projects that are starting to come together. I've been working on some preperatory tests and drawings for a series of woodcut prints based on the lives of Texas musicians and I'm about to pull a small edition of the first print. It's just a small test-print but I like the way it turned out.



And on the music-front Saddle Tramp has been playing more shows including one last Saturday at the Goat with Los Lonesome Losers, and Dragna for Chadillac's birthday (and a farewell to Tennessee George). The show went over well and all the bands sounded really great. We packed the place and I was even inspired to show off my rarely-seen dancing skills.



And then there's the Top-Secret garage-rock project that I'm not at liberty to discuss just yet but I can say without a doubt that it's going to be awesome and unlike anything else I've ever done. We started practicing recently before the keystone of the band got sidelined by an injury...but you just wait!

It's all TOO real!!!

A Polack Evolves...

I'm trying to find myself. Well not really....I'm trying to figure out what I'm doing with this whole "Pickin' Polack" project/comedy routine/trainwreck. It started innocently enough; Matt Powers and I thought it would be cool to fill-in for Saddle Tramp opening a show at the late RedBlood Club. We were just serious enough to present some semblance of a musical performance with minimal practice and familiarity with the material. In my twisted view of reality I wanted to believe we could be some kind of crappy version of the greatness that is Memphis' supreme duo, Jeff Evans and Ross Johnson but without the coolness, cred, ability , or sense of humor.

We've played four shows now to varying degrees of success, and with that experience under my belt I'm attempting to decide how to proceed. I started out with the idea that we had to "kind of fit in" with the bands we were playing with but now I'm not so sure. I hate limitations but there's actually a form of freedom in placing restrictions on yourself...sort of limiting your palette if you will. Too many options confuse the creative-process and sometimes the initial inspiration gets lost along the way. I want to keep it simple but I also want to be able to do different styles (at least half-ass), play with a variety of bands, and most importantly entertain myself and others. That being said I think we might find a bass player(possibly bass/drums rotation) and if someone I know wants to sit-in on keys, or some other instrument now and then that's nice too. (Zither anyone?)

It's a really weird time in the history of music to throw ones hat into the ring but a big part of my inspiration to do this has been my attitude about live music which can be summed up with the phrases "I can't believe they're getting away with that crap up there!" or "This is what I live for!". Yeah, it's pretty much all been done, but my lyrics are slightly-different ( than the first ten bands using the same chord progressions) and rock and roll/country/folk/punk/popular music in any form, etc, etc, is a folk-tradition well worth continuing relevant, innovative or not. -Love , The Pickin' Polack

Probably our last show at the RBC!

Looks to be a fun weekend...

Band Practice on Friday night, my niece and nephew are graduating from high school on Sunday( party for them at my folks on Saturday ), and playing a free BBQ at the Redblood Club on Sunday afternoon/evening. Great line-up for what will most-likey be our last show at the RBC as they're shutting down after the 14th or so. Sad but true...I didn't go to a whole lot of shows at the place but I always enjoyed the ones I did go to or the ones I played there and it was nice to know there was at least one all-ages venue that didn't have a Christian theme. And it was fun to drink there on the slow nights too. Brad, April, and Justin put their hearts and souls into that place after taking it over and it showed.

The show will be opened by a young lady I don't know much about other than the fact that she is a very talented 12 year old (?), by the name of Caroline Danielson. I think we're playing next followed by Tennessee George and Wagontrash, and then The Truckstop Junkies. The whole deal's free (except for beer and liquor) and there will be food, raffles, and door-prizes. What more could you want?

Walking to New Orleans. (well, driving real slow at least...)

What's that blurry thing before my eyes?

Oh, yeah...My life for as long as I can remember. There are scientists that theorize that time is actually speeding-up, and I for one think they may be onto something. I don't believe everything that "those in positions of power and authority" tell "us", less-and-less to tell the truth, but that's one theory that seems accurate to me. And my recent mystery-ailment isn't helping any. Seems to be a cross between allergies and an upper-respiratory kinda thing with a little spacey-ness thrown in just for kicks. The wacky part is that I didn't think I had allergies. Damn Chemtrails! (oh, but I kid...)

I often struggle with the content of my blog; More often than actually posting it seems. I just feel so restless and creatively stifled, and I'm NOT going to bore you with what I had for breakfast, or any number of inanities. Two things would help alleviate this condition: Becoming a Sunday painter in the tradition of Rousseau (in my case it would be prints/painting/drawing), and starting a new band. Now I don't want to stop playing with the cats in Saddle Tramp but I'd like to do something totally different. The Pickin' Polack stuff is fun but the whole point of that is to play songs I barely know with very little practice and it's sloppy-as-hell (in a good way we think). I need to recruit some folks that are pretty competent, and very open to different styles of music. I just haven't been able to bring myself to placing some kind of ad because I know so many great musicians. What a conundrum!

But Candie and I are going to the Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans at the end of this month so I'm pretty stoked...And yes, I'm going to EAT MY HEAD OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Oh, and if anyone actually still reads this tripe I apologize for the broken audio-player to the right. Not quite sure what happened...guess I'll fix it.)

Bad collage of good folks...

Exciting Times in Dallas Music!

Bear in mind that I have a skewed perspective on music, both local and otherwise, but dang-me if there aren't exciting things going on these days in the Dallas music scene. I'd be lying if said I wasn't a midly-reclusive, music snob with artistic leanings that only intermittently checks in on said scene beyond slavishly perusing the Observer and various blogs but I'm still a big supporter in my own way.
While I still have to make the trip up to Denton for most of the really great shows, our fair city seems to be having yet-another musical and artistic rennaissance of sorts. The galleries seem to be out-numbering the progressive music venues for now but with the appearance of Sloppyworld, John Freeman's Swiss-Army knife of a cultural outpost and a recently revitalized (out of necessity) Bar of Soap and a remodeled RedBlood Club under new management to name a few, things are looking up. I'm sure I've left plenty others off the list...but Hey, I said I was a bit out-of-the-loop.
And then there are the numerous interesting new(ish) bands/performers such as Dovehunter, The Strange Boys, Tree Wave, Naptime Shake, Doug Burr, and The Lonesome Losers among others. Other than Tree Wave, about whom I've only read so I can't rightly say, all these folks play great, vital, live-shows that make going out worth it. However, I get extra-happy when I think about all the bands that are re-uniting every time I turn around such as Dallas' favorite sons of Garage- Rock(proper), The Blackouts (who just happen to be kicking-ass) and everybody's tequila-fueled band the Loco Gringos. Makes me pine for the days of a show like that one in someones cattle-corral in Gainesville back around '95 featuring the stellar line-up of Cornhole, Jet Screamer, Electric Freestyle Fantasy, the Dooms U.K., and Slobberbone.

http://www.sloppyworld.com/
http://www.myspace.com/theblackoutstx
http://www.myspace.com/locogringos
http://www.myspace.com/barofsoapdallas