More Toadies News

Sam Machkovech has it: New Toadies album, No Deliverance, out August 19, and the band will play at this summer’s Lollapalooza. Sam got an anonymous email, but it seemed to check out. Sez there that Monday it’ll all be made official. Toadies fans rejoice.

John Freeman Leaving Dallas, But Not Going Where You Heard (Maybe)

John Freeman has been a member of at least a dozen bands during his on-again, off-again tenure in Dallas (Dooms U.K., the Dutch Treats, Telethon, the Golden Vipers, N.I.B. — and those are just the ones I had the fortune of seeing). He was also instrumental in the late, great Good/Bad Art Collective and, briefly, ran Sloppyworld, a venue-and-more in Expo Park. Among many other things. Now he’s moving again. He’s selling off Sloppyworld’s P.A. system to help pay off debts and fund his departure, ostensibly to move to NYC to write rock operas with his pal Corn Mo. But that might not necessarily be true. I think we’ve reached the point where we need to, oh, you know.

(more…)

Tom Waits Is Coming. Tom Waits Is Coming. Tom Waits Is Coming.

As the man himself explains in the video press conference below, Dallas puts the “D” in “PEHDTSCKJMBA.” Waits brings his Glitter and Doom Tour to the Palladium Room June 23. Tickets go on sale May 16. No, I don’t know of any secrets to get tickets before then. If I did, I’d tell you–but only after I made double sure I got mine.

Kermit the Frog Covers Elliott Smith (And The Royal Tennenbaums)

Since Elliott Smith grew up around here, and Luke Wilson starred in the scene being referenced, that’s enough of an excuse for this amazing piece of video.

Ken Bethea of Old 97’s Tells His Famous Poop Story

Several years ago, my cousin told me one of the funniest stories I’d ever heard. It was about Ken Bethea, the guitarist for the Old 97’s, and it involved a romantic encounter interrupted by a bowel movement that went horribly, horribly awry. The story ended with Ken jumping through a bathroom window. My cousin had heard the story from Robert Jenkins, a known scalawag but a close friend of the band. The story was so funny, that I borrowed it and have been retelling it ever since, invariably with great effect.

So when I heard the band was having a listening party May 13 at the Granada for their new CD, Blame It on Gravity, I thought that was as good an excuse as any to ask Ken whether the story was really true — and, if it was true, if he’d stop by the FrontBurner Studios and tell it for posterity’s sake. As it turns out, by the time the story had found its way to me, a few fantastical details had been added. But not many.

As a public service, I bring you the full and accurate account from the man himself:

Toadies Finally Fulfill Their Destiny, Host Shindig at Possum Kingdom Lake

In a shout-out to their biggest hit and signature song (um, “Possum Kingdom”), the Toadies just announced the first annual Dia De Los Toadies, a big concert at Possum Kingdom Lake on August 31 that also features Lions, Dove Hunter, THe BAcksliders (that’s how they spell it), and Tejas Brothers. More details here. One young lady in particular is very excited.

Wishing Willie A Happy Birthday–And A Lot More

OK, Willie Nelson’s 75 today, which is wonderful. But, really, isn’t today’s DMN editorial and the Texas Monthly May extravaganza all bordering on some serious overkill? Willie’s been responsible for some great songs and he’s a Texas “icon” and all, but come on. The TM oral history is thousands and thousands and thousands (and thousands) of words about Nelson from people like Jimmy Carter and Robert Redford. Evan Smith even tells us he “reacts emotionally” when he hears the first notes of “Whiskey River.” When I hear them I think: “Oh crap; not that one again.” Happy Birthday anyway, Willie. Hold one in for me.

Lone Star Park Mixtape Publicity Ploy Works (On Me)

(Full disclosure right off the bat: I’ve met Lone Star Park Vice President G.W. Hail a few times and he’s a nice guy. Nice enough that if he asks me to do him a favor, I’m inclined to oblige. I’m especially inclined when the favor involves promoting me as an almost pseudo-celebrity. And yes, I realize I’m falling in to his publicity trap by mentioning this stunt on FrontBurner … just as he planned it. Well played, G.W.)

What am I talking about? A week or so ago, G.W. asked me to create a Lone Star Park music mix to be broadcast during live racing days — songs to be played during downtime. G.W. said he was going to ask other media types to contribute (people like Norm, Newy, and Clarice). Apparently I was the first to turn mine in and so mine will be the first to enter the rotation — starting tomorrow, G.W. tells me. I obsessed over the mix like I am wont to do. I had to account for varying age groups, differences in preferences, sensitivity to mood (upbeat, but not too cheery for the frowny-faced bettors), yet still staying true to songs I truly like/love. For those who are curious, the final line-up is after the jump.

(more…)

Quick’s Big Thing: A Recap

Last night, Quick had its first music awards shindig at the Palladium. A few of the ladies on staff and I went to give it a gander. That’s right: girls’ night out. We’ll sort it all out after the jump.

(more…)

Stephen Malkmus Makes His Way to Dallas

In case you hadn’t heard, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are in town for a gig tonight at the Granada. Those who need a Malkmus refresher can find it here, where the man did an interview on Fox News, of all places.

Good Records Celebrates Its 8th Birthday, Record Store Day This Saturday

On Saturday, Chris Penn, C.J. Davis, and the other fine folks at Good Records will celebrate eight years in the CD-selling business. That’s reason enough for a party. Saturday also happens to be Record Store Day. Another, ahem, good reason for a shindig. There’s plenty of free swag to be had, not counting the day-long in-store concert detailed after the jump. I saw Chris putting together some goodie bags last night, when I dropped off two big boxes of CDs for giveaway. Which CDs? These. OK, concert lineup time. Let’s jump.

(more…)

Bruce Springsteen Rocks Dallas

He had me, once again, at “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.” It was the opening song played last night by Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the AAC. Sad to say that the show was not a sell-out, but the geezers like us who showed up to rock, did so. Despite the kick-sass opening number, the Boss had to kick-start the geriatric crowd. It took him about 45 minutes to get people to loosen up. Hell, the once raucous sax man, Clarence Clemons, was a dreadlocked shadow of his former self. He stayed put in his front stage-right position all night. It was like somebody tied him to a post to hold him up. Mrs. Boss, singer Patti Scialfa, was a no-show. She had to fly back to New Jersey to take care of “a situation” with the couple’s teenage kids. Bruce said something about the neighbors reporting that the Springsteen kids were rolling kegs of beer down the driveway of their mansion. He shook his head and said that when you have teenage kids “it gives a whole new meaning to homeland security.”

Guess who showed up to sing “Glory Days”? One overly coiffed Jon Bon Jovi, who looked extremely nervous as he shared the microphone with his idol. As usual, the band shuffled the set list and played a mix of old (”American Land”) and new (”Radio Nowhere”). (Here is a copy of the handwritten set list.) He also brought “Dancing in the Dark” out of retirement when he spied a group of teenage girls from Fort Worth jumping around in the general admission area on the floor. I think some dancing teacher was pushing to get them onstage before the show (speculation here, it was loud) and it obviously worked. He pulled the whole group up for the dance number made famous by Courtney Cox back in the ’80s. It was cute — a fact that left Bruce shaking his head like “WTF am I turning into here? I have teenagers, not hot chicks, dancing in my show. Maybe I should just go home and count my money.” But I doubt he is capable of that. He will rock — and politicize — until he falls over.

Oh, today I feel so old. Yet so young and restless. And tired.

Don Henley Says Something Extremely Obvious, Continues Being Terrible

Amy Winehouse and Britney Spears need to go to rehab?  Managers and various hangers-on aren’t willing to tell musicians what they need to hear? You think so, doctor? Updated list of things Don Henley is bad at:

• Writing songs
• Singing songs
• Drumming
• Extemporaneous speech
• Cogent thought

Rubber Gloves Owner Josh Baish Has An Ear For Music

A helpful FrontBurnervian passes along this compelling Pitchfork link about Josh Baish, owner of the bar/studio/venue Rubber Gloves in Denton. Last October, Baish went to Marfa to see his favorite Japanese noise band Boris perform. The story is sadly missing some details on this part:

During the performance he was assaulted by four men, who broke one of his ribs and managed to bite off a chunk of one of his ears.

Gets better. While packing up, members of Boris found the chunk of ear and sent it to Baish in hopes it could be reattached. It couldn’t, but Boris wrote a song about it. Baish told Pitchfork:

“So basically, I lost my ear and broke a rib at a concert from my favorite band, and they wrote a song about it. I’d say it was worth it.”

SXSW: Day/Night 2

Let’s do this.

(more…)

SXSW: Night 1

AUSTIN — Just got home, or home for now. Met the girl who does this. Hung out with this guy, who’s awesome. Saw this guy skulking about, looking not great. Saw Rhett Miller getting interviewed by some guy who didn’t do much to support the idea of journalists being suave and handsome (gut impression). Stood in line for an R.E.M. show I didn’t really care about. And didn’t get into. Saw a band curiously called Does It Offend You, Yeah? Did it? Kind of. Finished the night at Centro-matic, a band everyone who knows me knows that I am absolutely in the tank for. They were solid; there were sound problems and it took so long setting up I think someone was building instruments for them out of metal and brawn. So, not a bad start. Now I’m going to write Leading Off (super early version) and get some shut eye.

SXSW: Day 1…ish

AUSTIN — Got into town about three hours ago. Since then, I’ve had two bourbons, three run-ins with dreadlocked kids who appeared to be staging some sort of Mad Max road company performance (not the same group, btw), seen one good band (Shearwater), one terrible one (not sure, doesn’t matter, drummer looked like Tommy Shaw, trumpet and xylophone featured prominently), and that’s about it. Tonight, there’s plenty going on. And I will see approximately 17.9 percent of it. Math may be off. Working on a wet cocktail napkin with a golf pencil. Also: looking as handsome as ever. Not that it needed to be said. More tomorrow morning. Or later tonight. Or both. Until then: this.

“A One-Woman Multitude”

Erykah Badu in this morning’s NYTimes.

SXSW Comes to Dallas

Once my legs were strong, and my ears were tolerant of much noise. I attended rock-and-roll shows all the time. I slam-danced once. I knew secret places to park for free in Deep Ellum (it was hard to park there back then). Now I am old and have children and do not attend rock-and-roll shows anymore. I attend birthday parties at Pump It Up. I shuttle children to soccer matches. My lower back hurts if I stand for longer than 15 minutes, and my ear drums have grown brittle and sensitive. So I have no use for this fine resource that Erin Rice has put together for Pegasus News. It’s a list of all the bands that are coming through town on their way to or from the big SXSW festival in Austin. I can guarantee that I won’t see a single one of these bands. But it makes me happy just to know that some young person will. And that that young person will see this fine resource and use it.

Get out there, kid. Have fun.

Some Jazz For Your Ears

Dave Palmer (1/3 of the Earl Harvin Trio) emailed a while back to let us know about some shows that are finally here (i.e., this week). Check ‘em out if you get a chance:

fred hamilton and i (two thirds of the ‘earl harvin trio) have put together a short run of quartet shows in texas feb 20-21. the band also features ephraim owens (one of austin’s best-known jazz musicians) on trumpet and rob avsharian on drums. i am coming out from LA to work in austin for a few days and thought it would be fun to book some shows. the gigs are as follows: wed the 20th; dan’s silverleaf in denton thur the 21st: club dada fri the 22nd: the elephant room in austin.

Palmer adds that the Dada show “will feature special guests from the dallas art/music scene.”

Speaking of music at Dada, check out local groovers Shibboleth this Thursday and next as they play some of their own tunes and then the music of Ennio Morricone (”and not just the spaghetti western stuff,” dapper Don Cento says). The band is putting finishing touches on a new album and there’s a new site too. Busy-busy bees.

Honky-Tonker Dale Watson Appeals to Lone Star Pride

In between chugging countless shots of tequila bought for him by the raucous crowd, the great Austin honky-tonk singer Dale Watson exhorted fans at his Granada Theater show Saturday to vote for two of his videos nominated for CMT Music Awards. The reason: “It will really p*** them off if a guy from Texas wins,” Watson laughed. The first round of voting ends Feb. 25.

Plugging the PLUG Awards (Again)

Remember when I posted about the PLUG Awards? Of course you do; it was awesome. Anyway, you still have a couple of days to vote. Also, the awards will be given out on March 6 at Terminal 5 in New York City at a shindig hosted by Patton Oswalt (funny guy), and featuring performances by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Jose Gonzalez, and lovely and talented local girl St. Vincent. If you can’t make it to NYC, you can see the whole shebang here.

Bob Dylan is On the Road Again, Soon to Be In Dallas

Bob Dylan will be playing a trio of shows at the House of Blues Thursday through Saturday next week, and tickets are still available through Ticketmaster. (Looks like you need that little password listed on the site to purchase ‘em.) Now, no disrespect to Bob, but I saw him perform at Austin City Limits last year, and I couldn’t understand a freakin’ word the guy said. Even Tall Paul said it sucked. I believe his exact words were “sounded like death.” But if that’s your thing, knock yourself out. I won’t be joining you, but tell Jakob I said hi.

Ticketstock ‘08 on YouTube

If you missed The Ticket’s annual shindig out at the Plano Centre, you can catch the highlights(?) from the Ticket Timewasters’ performance on YouTube here, thanks to the intrepid Brian Darley. Or you can skip that and clog the comments with your thoughts on the departure of The Hammer and how the station has jumped the shark or whatever the kids are saying these days.

SXSW Releases Initial List of Performers, Causing Me to Type a Lot

Are you planning to head down to Austin for the annual South by Southwest Music Festival? I am. And so are a bunch of bands with local ties. Jump for the list. But before that, maybe grab a cup of coffee and a scone; it’s going to take a bit of time. Also, if you want to see everyone who is on the schedule (subject to change, and–spoiler alert–it always does), go here. Also, also: my favorite band names of bands not from here who are playing this year: Care Bears on Fire, Death Sentence: Panda!, and, of course, Made Out of Babies. Okay. Still here? Let’s do this thing.

(more…)

The Morning News Really, Really Likes Rhonda Vincent

Maybe it was the part about her “sexy, toned legs.” But for whatever reason, Mario Tarradell’s article today in the Dallas Morning News about bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent seemed awfully familiar. Did I dream it? Nope. Turns out the DMN ran the identical article in some editions of the Sunday, Feb. 3, paper. Now, that’s what I call getting a lot of bang for your bucks.

Belo Aims New Blog Directly At Me

Belo has something like 50 blogs up and running, some better than others, none of which I check on an extremely regular basis. That should change with the debut of The Boogie Spot. Its main two areas of interest are basketball (specifically the Mavericks) and music (specifically hip-hop), and its main two persons of interest are Jeff “Skin” Wade and Ben “Ben” Rogers. I don’t know if my productivity could get any slower, but I’m willing to try.

Watch New Erykah Badu Video With Your Eyes, Listen With Yours Ears

Her “Honey” video, the first single from the upcoming album, came out today. Were we going to get there before Fingers of Fury? Not a chance. (VERY good stuff.)

Plugging the PLUG Awards

Each year, the PLUG Independent Music Awards acts as sort of counterpart to the Independent Spirit Awards for film. The 2008 installment happens March 6 in New York, and voting is still underway here. Local angle? Jump!  (more…)

Lisa Loeb Plays At IKEA

Has the songstress fallen that far? Yes and no. See, writer Mark Dworkin has some shtick going called “Mark Lives at Ikea,” which includes some video vignettes of him “living at IKEA.” The most recent one has Mark in trouble with his wife, and to make amends he tricks Lisa into playing a concert for them at an IKEA in Jersey. Want the link to that video? Okay. (Props to Lisa for being the least-annoying person in the video by far.)

Lovie Gets Some Love

KERA’s blogger David Okamoto passes along word that local all-girl band (and sometime FrontBurnervians) Lovie has taken up residency at White Rock Coffee House for a month-full of Sundays. Seems (and sounds) like a perfect fit.

An Apology, Shout-Out, and Thank You to Stuart Sikes

The Apology: I’m sorry I’ve known about your Elmwood Recording Studios since the early, early stages, yet never wrote about it or you in D Magazine proper (other than a brief mention in the brief profile of Jeff Ryan). I had every intention to, I swear. I think I even told you that the last time I saw you. Sorry.

The Shout-Out: Nice write-up on you in today’s DMN. Thor Christensen seemed to hit all the high notes.

The Thank You: You might expect me to thank you for producing some of my fave albums by some of my fave bands (Walkmen, Modest Mouse, Cat Power). But thank you even more for introducing me to Kronenbourg 1664. You’re right: It’s way better than Stella.

Backstage Drama At Dallas Concert

A dog’s bark can be worse than its bite. But is Bow Wow’s spit worse than his spite? (Thankyou. Thankyouverymuch.) The rapper was on a triple bill Saturday night at the AAC along with Chris Brown and The Guy Who Sings That Superman Song Which Is Dirty, Dirty (Though No One Seems To Know Or Care). Anyway, according to MediaTakeOut.com, Bow Wow was P.O.’d about some technical problems. He naturally assumed Chris Brown’s people were trying to sabotage his set. A near-scuffle ensued, and as Bow Wow was being pulled away from the fracas, he spit in Brown’s face. The two continue to tour, along with The Guy With The Dance And Ringtone Song.

Update: Bow Wow is denying the spitting took place. (Or, if it did, was there a second spitter?)

Speaking of We Shot JR

Which I was yesterday. Besides for being the only place to download a free copy of Red Monroe’s new remix album, the site has also just debuted Projection 002, its second compilation of music from the Dallas-Denton-Fort Worth area. The first was great, and this one looks to be even better. So, you know, get on that.

Adventures in Blogrolling: We Shot JR

The anonymity-craving fellas who run We Shot JR recently revamped their site, giving me an excuse to point you in the direction of what I would consider to be the best music site in town. (I could have also used their latest post about the new Red Monroe remix album. That’s newsy, right?) Is WSJR comprehensive? No. Is it, at times, ill-tempered? Yes. Will you agree with all their picks and recommendations? Probably not. But that’s what I like about it; they have a point of view. And also, the battles in the comments section are entertaining, though rarely on topic and more often than not ridiculously profane. It’s not on our blog roll by accident.

Buddy Holly’s Widow Looks to Sue Peggy Sue

Am I the only one who didn’t know that Buddy Holly’s widow lives here?

Some Music For Your Eyes

Been a while since we mentioned the brilliance of St. Vincent, hasn’t it? I was trawling the Internet and stumbled across a nice little video of a nice little ditty she did: It’s a bluesy, rockin’ version of the Beatles’ “Dig a Pony” she did in London. But not just any concert in London; it’s one she performed in the back of a cab. She ain’t alone, as it turns out. Check out the genius of the Black Cab Sessions, with similar footage of the always enigmatic and touching Daniel Johnston, the always reliable New Pornographers, the just-discovered-by-me Emmy the Great, and more. Enjoy.

Observer Has a New Music Editor, Finally

His name is Pete Freedman and he comes to Dallas by way of the Colorado Springs Independent. That is literally all I know about him, other than the fact that the few pieces of his that were linked to on the Observer’s DC9 at Night blog didn’t exactly wow me and he has an extremely generic handle. (The “d” does not fool me, sir.) As always, I suppose a wait-and-see approach is warranted, but I don’t really swing that way, so: worst hire ever? Come on. I’m probably kidding.

Norah Jones = On the Market

Page Six reports Norah Jones and her longtime live-in boyfriend (and her band’s bassist) have broken up after years of dating. The split was supposedly amicable.

Drowning Pool Still Not Getting the Message

Someone stole the Dallas band’s instruments. Again.

Josh Venable is an L.A. Star (Or, On One)

Big Bob at Unfair Park just mentioned what I somewhat cryptically hinted at a few weeks ago:  Josh Venable is set to take over the 4-9 p.m. shift for L.A.’s Star 987. (A host or so ago, the shift was manned by Ryan Seacrest.) The station’s still in the Clear Channel family, and recently underwent a format change (or, at least, a format tweak). Weird thing is, since Clear Channel recently brought back the Eagle, and moved some of its on-air talent from the Edge down the FM dial to 97.1, they probably didn’t need to lay him off in the first place. Regardless, I think he’ll do better than fine in his new digs.

(Commenters: Before you get there, yes, this is the last time we speak of this.)

Josh Venable is L.A. Bound

I can’t tell you exactly where, since I’m not sure the person about to be replaced has been made aware of the situation yet. But in early January, Josh Venable — former KDGE DJ, host of The Adventure Club, and, on a less newsworthy note, my best friend — will take over a shift for a station in Los Angeles. There was a sort-of going-away shindig last night at Barley House, where Josh has been DJing on and off on Sundays for a bit. Am I tired this morning? I am.

If you weren’t there, you can say your goodbyes on December 30, when Josh’s Bruce Springsteen and the E Street tribute band (born as Nightmare on E Street for a couple of Halloween gigs, and known for this show as Miracle on E Street) plays Barley House, along with a Guided by Voices cover band featuring members of American Werewolf Academy and Peter Schmidt. And the answer is yes, you can buy me a drink.

Fred Bronstein Leaves Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Fred Bronstein told his staff this morning that he’s leaving the DSO for a gig in St. Louis, a city with a miserable football team and no basketball team. The press release is expected soon out of St. Louis.

Update: As promised, the release is after the jump.

(more…)

Doo, Doo, Doo, Looking Out My Backdoor

It’s woodpecker weather. Which, in my weird world, means Robert and Roberta, the pair of downy woodpeckers that hang on my suet feeder, are frequent visitors. Speaking of woodpeckers, tonight Dallas Audubon is presenting a “Woodpecker Wonderland” program at Scottish Rite Hospital. And kinda speaking about John Fogerty, I hear he kicked some sass when he and Eric Burdon performed at über attorney Fred Baron’s Christmas bash on Saturday night. And how ’bout them Cowboys?

Blue Shoe Project Nominated for Grammy

Last month in the “print product,” you might have read about the Blue Shoe Project, a father-son effort to educate school kids about the blues. It all started in 2004 with a concert at the Majestic. Well, now comes news that the recording of that concert is up for a Grammy.

Some Dallas Woman Is a Really Big Fan of Tommy Tallarico

I took the current issue of Wired with me to lunch. Read about Bill Baker and his supertall buildings. (There’s no Dallas reference, but it’s still worth a read.) Then I got to the first copy break of this article, “Ode to Joystick.” It’s about concert promoters who’ve taken the music from old-school video games and turned them into symphonic pieces. One such promoter/creator/composer is Video Games Live’s Tommy Tallarico. He’s big-time in that scene. How big?

Video Games Live has been performed more than 40 times over the past two years, in venues as stuffy as Toronto’s Massey Hall, Rio de Janeiro’s Claro Hall, and London’s Royal Festival Hall. At every show, Tallarico says, he’s been met with the same unbridled, uncouth enthusiasm. (In Dallas this year, one fan asked him to autograph her breast. He complied.)

Fess up, Tallarico fan. I know you’re out there. By the way, Tallarico said Dallas was easily one of the Top Three cities to play in, with a special nod to the choir, in an interview around the time of the performance.

Where You Should Be on Sunday

Jason Roberts, one of the organizers and co-founders of Art Conspiracy, sent along word that Art Conspiracy III takes place at the Door in Deep Ellum this Sunday, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Art Conspiracy, a nonprofit organization, puts on the part rock show, part art auction, and overall cool gathering. Jason was kind enough to pass along some helpful links, like this one to Art Conspiracy’s main site and also this one to a video of last year’s event that took place at the Longhorn Ballroom (soundtrack provided by Roberts’ band, the Happy Bullets). But don’t go to Longhorn on Sunday. Go to the Door. It’ll be kewl.

Sack of Kittens: Egress

Tim called down the thunder. Well, now you’ve got it. After the jump, Sack of Kittens comes out of retirement for a moment.

(more…)

Tony Romo Gets Dogg’d

I’m a day late on this because of the pesky print version, but a numbers-crunching FBvian sends along this ESPN.com article, which includes some freestyle by Snoop Dogg about Dallas’ quarterbacking Casanova. A sample:

It’s like a real deal, this is not a promo
It’s big Snoop Dogg, they can compare me to Romo.
But when I bring it to you, you know you gonna go slow
Listen to me give it to you — pause — take the photo.

Snoop also provides an analysis of Romo’s game and explains why he and ToRo are alike: “The people around him, he make them look good, but they make him look better.” That’s fo’ shizzle.

Best House Party Ever

I can’t say I’ve been to many East Dallas house parties that offer valet parking. But that’s what you get when said house party features the Old 97’s playing in the backyard. Well, the backyard studio, actually. Salim Nourallah celebrated the near completion of the latest 97’s record, and the fancy new remodel of his Pleasantry Lane studio, with a shindig featuring four intimate (but completely amplified) sets by the 97’s, 100 or so of his closest friends, and, as I can attest, a very well stocked bar. The whole thing–which, as Rhett Miller told me, came together in just a few days–was filmed for a bonus disc that will be appended to the forthcoming 97’s release on New West Records. Good thing, since my memory is a tiny bit sketchy.