Jon and i inadvertently had lunch with carrie clark from sixteen
deluxe at fortune pho 75 and sat beside richard garriot, the "bill gates"
of the computer game biz. he was in a booth with my redhead pal sherry
mac. he is a sponsor of my friend and security sub sonya the foxy boxer.
i gave him a cd and he gave me the gossip on her upcoming aloha plans.
then i took care of some payday bank business, hung out in the central
market, spotted ronnie johnson, andy langer, and billy white in a five
minute span. no CDs exchanged, just visited with ronnie for a bit cause
he is a friend and supporter of my man, shoestring.
then i went to work.
the shift included a mad scramble to scare up a guitar for the tv show, in between the nightly workout, a blind runaway teenage rebel couple standoff, and taking one of my favorite sunshiny tsb students to the health center for a non-serious but obviously uncomfortable condition. he got lots of hugs and drugs, no details for legal reasons, but suffice to say a heartbreaking episode. as for the guitar, jon's music classroom was instrumental as usual, then i was off on another adventure.
I did the "up late with ginger" show after work tonight, but not until after heading straight downtown, no transition time except the ride, and seeing a great set by hindu-hop britpop band cornershop at electric lounge . i layed a cd on their tour manager (they're on tour with oasis) and warner record company rep. i was there for the perfect 20 minutes that included their great hit dance song called "Brimful of Asha" and a flawless guinness. then i got to the actv studio with just time enough to smoke a butt and prepare with the host and producer ten minutes before a live broadcast.
on the show, i answered some phone calls, showed the disc, murdered the wind with ginger a bit about her new job with muscle car news, and played "beautiful lie" solo. some folks called in with thumbs up, mostly about her outfit. the view from my chair was spectacular. one guy had me squirming like a politician a little cause he wanted to pick a fight about my aborted deal with the capzeyez video crew to tape the lunch show for am-15. i think i am catching on to an unpleasant rivalry between various offbeat access tv characters that i would rather avoid being involved in if possible.
can't we all just get along?
i canceled the shoot cause i couldn't afford it, period.
my bad.
that's showbiz.
to superego@io.com
"I just don't understand why you would book something so far in advance
with exactly how much footage you wanted shot planned out. Then, after
reading about the non exsistance of the LameAMN then decide you couldn't
do it. Weird. The last thing I am concerned with is the crap that passes
as programming on AMN. Anyhow, done deal. Enjoy your show. Hope the mix
I heard on Andy's show of Nowhere Worse To Go isn't how the cd sounds..."
see ya
Thurs. , 1/22 - Blue Iguana, Houston (or E. Lounge Benefit TBA)
Sunday, 1/25 - Palaxy Tracks, Clarke Nova, Pottyavollama, Superego
Friday, 1/30 - Liberty Lunch - EGOMANIA '98
Sunday, 2/1 - Scarlitt, Bigamy Sisters, Melanie Louise, Superego
Sunday, 2/8 - Jet Jaguar, Metzlers, The Lonesomes, Superego
Friday, 2/13 - CD release Lovefest with Superego, Silver Scooter,
Sixteen Deluxe
Sunday, 2/15 - Mittens, Skillet, TBA, Superego
Sunday, 2/22 - Sunshine, Doenuts, Experimental Aircraft, Superego
Friday, 2/27 - Rudyard's, Houston
Sunday, March 1 - Cuddy vs. Azarian - Freight Train Rumble
Friday, 3/6 - Green Onion, San Antonio
Sunday, 3/17 - SXSW WHOOT NIGHT
from dave@heehaw.com
dave
1-13-98
Wasted Days...
Damn, I am glad the holidays are over. They really
got in the way this year, like a huge fallen log festooned with garish
decorations, smack in the middle of the highway of life, and my momentum
could really use a brake job.
My Bad, the new superego album, is due in stores Feb. 2nd, and it
has been a long road thus far. The master was finally completed in early
december thanks to the diligent late night efforts of scott ross, bryan
anderton, and cris burns, who introduced me to all kinds of groovy new
technology that aids in the process of getting a master tape to make the
transitional leap into a fat-ass, loud compact disc.
Once I had the master, I turned the disc and the graphics files over to
the manufacturer, a place called crystal clear sound, owned by matt wiedemann,
who did my last project, free for all 2 at sound recorders. The
holiday glitch had them way backed up by the time I showed up, so my hopes
of getting the product out by christmas soon fell by the wayside. I embarked
on a grueling Argyles seasonal party tour the week before Kristmas, and
resolved to pick up the ball after we got back.
The tour was a four night trip to Brenham, Houston, Destin, FL and back
to Galveston. Most of the band including myself flew on a 5-hour 2-leg
trip both ways to Florida, and by the time the whole stint was over we
were way spent. Rick the keyboardist lost his voice the first night and
I took over his half of the lead vocal duties for the rest of the gigs.
It was kind of fun, but I now I realize why we alternate. The Florida gig
was at a huge resort, which we saw from the window of the minivan that
took us from the tiny airport to the condo, picked us up five minutes later
and took us to the venue. By the third set, quarterback Bryan had forgotten
all the key plays from sheer exhaustion, so I was calling unrehearsed audibles
like "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights," Springsteen's "Fire", and "Kung-Fu
Fighting," just because it was a Sunday night and I my guitar must have
thought it was a free for all. I got a few hours sleep on the sun porch
with the crashing waves softening the roar of snoring from within, and
we got back on the plane at 9 a.m. In a brain-dead moment, I had lost my
new vinyl jacket from a Portland vintage shop at Houston's Hobby Airport
security check and then miraculously recovered it on the way back through
Houston , after being led to three different lost and founds only to have
it turn up in a cabinet ten feet from where I ran it through the x-ray
24 hours earlier. Hallelujah.
I worked Xmas eve and Xmas day at the school for the blind, which is one
of the many reasons i tell people who razz me about my "cush" security
job to get real. My folks took me and Sanchez to brunch at Katz's on Xmas
day, then came to the campus during my shift to watch the Rockets lose
to Utah again at the South House dorm where Lipkin works. I gigged at the
hole on Xmas eve, just to have something to do, and was delighted to be
joined by Andrew and Jacob for some holiday bonus cheer. We did unplugged
Superego songs with Jacob on Casio for a hardcore crowd of holiday ghosts
of christmas present, who all got lots of Nickel $ Dime stocking stuffers
for showing up and toasting us up in style. I was especially psyched to
see my pal Kelsey, since relocated with partner Jon Knodel in Cincy. Their
"buzz" coffee shops are a big hit and Hamell on trial and others perform
on their stage. New Year's eve was another work day, the Argyles usual
high stakes year-end gig was cancelled this year due to an agency miscommunication.
We scrambled half-heartedly at the last minute, but it just didn't happen.
I went to some cool house parties and wasn't even hungover. I made some
resolutions I think I can keep this year.
I also had a good visit with old pal Miles, who lives in L.A. these days
with Art. We reminisced, relaxed and listened to eachother's new albums.
I crashed on his hide-a-bed just for old times sake. One christmas break
about 12 years ago we stayed with his folks in Laredo and had a great time
until I came back from a border-crossing escapade so soused that I passed
out in a seated position on the couch, and then when awakened, I heroically
threw up in my denim jacket to spare Capitan Zuniga's beloved red shag
pile carpet in the den. We've all grown up some it would seem.
After another regular gig weekend with the Argyles, and a pretty cool free
for all with rotating drummers, I woke up on the first Monday of the new
year ready to get back to work on the album. I went and proofed the graphics
files, which came together with the help of russ smith at chocolate records,
and over the course of the next week or so, we put the cover together.
My Pagemaker files had to converted painstakingly into new files which
then were used to generate the film negative, which I eventually picked
up and took to the printer, Aus-Tex graphics. the bunny trail is so long
and winding, like a scavenger hunt down the amazon.
There is no reason to be the least bit interested in this process other
than to illustrate that there is probably a better way. I am overseeing
every step of the multi-part job, but there are companies like crystal
clear that will handle the whole package start to finish. the only catch
is, if you want anything unusual, like black and white printing, special
paper, and a gold foil stamp, in my case, you have to find the subcontractors
yourself and make your own deal. It's not actually saving me any money
or time, it just let's me be more involved, I guess. It's my baby and I
want it done the way I dreamed it up.
Well, the sleeves are being printed and the discs are being duplicated
as I write this, with deadline schedules that put the delivery date somewhere
between 2-3 weeks from today. I was informed by Matt that there is a very
good chance it will be back in time for the big show:
in celebration of the release of My Bad,
with Orange Mothers, who return from a 6-month hiatus, as well as
Diaz Brothers, Earthpig & Fire, and Deep Sombreros.
We're printing up free passes for the bands to hand out, it's all ages,
and it's being filmed for the Austin Music Network. The CDs should arrive
before that date, but regardless, the official cd release at Electric Lounge
will be Friday, Feb. 13, with Silver Scooter and either Sixteen Deluxe,
Wookie, or both.
Check out Allyson Lipkin's groovy EGOMANIA '98 poster
Superego has roadshow cd releases in Houston Feb. 22 at Rudyard's,
March 6th in San Antonio at Green Onion, and other tour dates pending in
Dallas and Denton.
Superego was accepted for SXSW again this year, and Super Dave Thompson
informs me they are giving us a showcase at un unspecified venue, apart
from also hosting a jam on Sunday night at the Hole, quite possibly featuring
a myriad of guest stars in tribute to "WHO" we're not sure. (Pete Townshend
was imminently entertaining on Conan). We'll see how it all pans out, they
have been great to us thus far.
The Hole in the Wall p.a. short circuited again for the third time while
i was out of town, Debbie's sullen voice was the first thing i heard on
my machine on a cold and weary tuesday dec. 23rd, and i set out to resolve
the issue. The following week, hole owner and gold soul Doug and I worked
out a deal on his regular tuesday shift to get it repaired and purchase
a new power amp, among other small changes to alleviate the problems. Now
every time superego raises a guinness at the hole, the club is a few bucks
closer to owning that fine system, so come on down and toast it with me.
last night we managed to raise 109 bucks toward the jerry's kid's eardrums
telethon.
The Free For All was back in full swing with fine sets by Carolina Ghost
Queens, Guv'nor Smile, & The Claymores. The Ego has been secretly rehearsing
during the holidays (gasp!) and we debuted several new songs last night
to a receptive crowd. The highlight, however, was the stirring guest performance
by newcomer neo-folkie troubador Shoestring, who straggled in from a weekend
playing for tips on sixth street, after recently arriving from parts unknown.
The guy is like the Gourds, Robert Johnson, and Arlo Guthrie all wrapped
up in one freewheeling package. Come to think of it, look for him to work
the room at the Lunch show. Pick up an Egomania pass from him at his next
sixth street doorway gig.
Has anyone besides me noticed how a lot of ex-Austin guitarists are popping
up like daisies on hollywood t.v. shows? First Miles Z. from Fastball on
that courtroom drama, then I hear about Marc Solomon from the Clowns in
a Puff Daddy video with Tommy Stinson, and now Andrew from No Good Boyo
onstage on 90210. Damn, it almost makes you want to watch t.v.
Calendar:
Sunday, 1/18 - Seed, Plum, Cinematics, Superego
