I finally got around to adding the links to all these old weblogs so that someone so inclined could start at the beginning. It is now possible to read these online journals in order, starting in 1996 when the internet was a new novelty and I was first inspired to use it as on online forum for my random musings, public relations, and general venting. The current chapter has the most recent entries at the top, the past entries are in a chronological format.
11/27/04
I decided to make the most of my first free weekend in months and make
the 7 hour drive to Marfa, Texas to visit my dear friend Adam in his new
geodesic dome sweet dome. Adam is
part of a small Austin contingent opening the Thunderbird motel, the west
Texas sister of SoCo's swanky Hotel
San Jose.
I drove straight through the quaint Hill Country tourist trap of Fredericksburg, minded the meter as instructed in the I-10 speed trap towns, and called Adam from Fort Stockton to tell him I was an hour away. He said to meet him at Ray's, the bar on the edge of town with the "Joe's Place" sign. I knew I was in for a mystic experience as I approached Marfa listening to a Roky Erickson compilation. In the middle of "Starry Eyes," the CD skipped abruptly just as a small point of light shot dramatically down from the heavens over the horizon, and my wayward heart skipped a beat. A few miles later I passed the "Marfa Mystery Lights Viewing Station."
I pulled into Ray's, walked into the cinder block bar, and Adam was shooting pool by the door with some of his motel staff friends. For 75 cents the matron will let you use the triangle. They don't serve anything but beer - no sodas, no liquor. The self serve cassette deck was playing Los Lonely Boys, and later a Cheap Trick tape was removed by a belligerent patron in favor of some contemporary country. A few minutes after my arrival, some other house guests of Adam's arrived fresh off a10 hour drive from Dallas in a Budget truck to install art at a private home.
We all made it back to the dome around midnight, and Adam showed his slides on the ceiling of the dome as I led a singalong for several more locals who gathered after their various restaurant and bar jobs. The star of the show was Jackie Pepper, on a showbiz sabbatical in Marfa with his alterego Vance, who books events for Ballroom Marfa, a downtown cultural center and event space. He was on fire and in fine voice, a lethal cross between Neil Diamond and Mr. Mephisto and he had us all in stitches as many bottles were drained.
The next morning, I awoke to breakfast tacos and was informed a tour of the art foundation began in 15 minutes. Adam led me by the courthouse, past the border patrol office and over to the site where the tour was just beginning. He had given me very little information about the artistic roots of Marfa's revitalization, and my research had been kind of quick and glossed over. I missed the orientation, so I was thrown sleepily into a very vague introduction to a strange world.
The Chinati Foundation was established by the late minimalist movement artist Donald Judd, an eccentric visionary who bought up the lion's share of space in downtown Marfa and a neighboring parcel of former US Cavalry outpost buildings. On these sites are permanent and temporary installations of some vast and awe-inspiring works by Judd and his contemporaries. Huge concrete blocks are arranged ala Stonehenge out in a mesquite field. Giant chrome boxes are arranged with military precision in two huge former armories that once held German WWII prisoners. One barracks builiding has been converted into a replica of an abandoned Russian schoolhouse, with textbooks, musical instruments and historical vestiges of communism littering the floors. Several of the barracks are devoted to the surreal neon light installations of Dan Flavin. It's a quiet and wondrous place.
I spent the day taking several tours of the exhibits and the home and workshops of Donald Judd. He was a unique character who was obviously influenced by the wide open landscape of West Texas and the possibilities it presents. Marfa has a rich history of creative personalities, from its naming for a marginal character in The Brothers Karamazov, to the Hollywood invasion of the filming of Giant with Rock Hudson, Liz Taylor, James Dean and Dennis Hopper in the 50s, to the contemporary emergence of the modern arts community, it's a very special town. I also met an adorable woman named Tigie who owns a prize winning mule and an artist named Boyd who painted the skulls on the Eagles greatest hits albums and DVD.
Sunday night I went with a friend I made on the Chinati tour named Lauren to a poetry reading and book signing at a groovy little downtown book shop and coffeehouse. Texas Monthly senior editor Jan Reid talked about his new collection of writings about the Rio Grande. There is a rich and symbolic history of racial and idealogical divides with Rio Bravo at its heart. The present situation along the river is in a poor state, compromised by cynical environmental policy and homeland security strangleholds that keep the former "gray area" of friendly commerce and cultural collaboration from prospering as before. After the reading, we had some excellent pizza at the local pizza joint with the author and his guests at the next table. I asked Jan Reid his expert opinion on what was a not-to-be missed attraction in the area. He said without hesitation "the river road."
Sunday night after a short trip in search of the Marfa Lights we entertained some company to a showing of Adam's videos at his dome. He showed three simultaneous slideshows and videos of exploding televisions and leopard-clad mannekins inhabiting dreamlike urban and natural landscapes while Marty Robbins and Hank Williams played on the space age 8 track machine.
On Monday, Lauren invited me and Adam to join her for a drive down the river road to Big Bend in a prototype 2005 Nissan 4 wheel drive Xterra that she was demoing. We met for coffee, loaded up Adam and his 16mm Bolex film camera and several digital cameras and headed out onto the canyon road like Fitzcarraldo heading up the Amazon. After a few miles, the 2 lane Pinto Canyon highway became a rocky dirt road, and the scenery turned into a sprawling vista of scrub brush, dramatic creekbeds, high topped mesas and majestic mountains.
The road wound around the hills like an angry rattlesnake, the sun came out and illuminated a clear view of a postcard-perfect series of valleys and canyons. It took a couple of hours to drive about 40 miles to reach Ruidoso where the River Road began. We stopped at a small trash dump to smash some TVs and took pictures in a rusty old truck cab.
We pulled off outside Lajitas for some greasy nachos and cold Coronas and petted a starved-for-affection Chi-wiener dog. We took photos of burros, broken down buses, adobe shacks, and beehives. The road reached the edge of the national park and the dramatic canyons and mountains rose up around us. The road flowed along the river and the scenery got more and more spectacular with every bouncy mile. Willie Nelson, the Clash and Los Lobos provided the soundtrack. We stopped and explored the Contrabando cowboy movie set. We paused in Terlingua for sandwiches and I bought bumper stickers for my guitar case while Adam cased the ghosttown.
On the way back up to Alpine on Hwy 90, my nap was interrupted by several gasps of disbelief at the scenic spectacles. A thick white blanket of mist was nestling in the valley between the mountains, illuminated beatifically by the waning sun. We pulled into Marfa after a six hour drive, spent from the exhilaration of a perfect day.
We enjoyed some fine company at an intimate dinner party in a former Judd home featuring excellent cuisine provided by Alex, who happened to be a Virgil Shaw fan. After some lively German/English dictionary games, a nightcap by the Hotel Paisano fireplace ended the day in a peaceful style. The Paisano was home to the crew and cast of Giant.
After breakfast at the highly recommended burrito lady, I pointed the Buick "white lightning" cruiser toward Austin and headed out in a stiff, cold rain. I stayed just ahead of the edge of the storm the whole drive, and a vivid rainbow was just to my left in the foreground of the foothills all afternoon.
I listened to Gary Taylor's Lone Star Christmas Carol CD on the drive back from Marfa. It's produced by Lloyd Maines and features Matt Hubbard among many other Texas session masters. I really like the song Oh, Ebenezer alot. His wife Donna has a beautiful voice, just as sweet as Alison Krauss or Emmylou Harris. The one about Tiny Tim is very moving as well. Lacie did a great job on her vocal as well. You just can't beat family harmony.
I returned to Austin in time to catch the Bill Hicks tribute at the Alamo Drafthouse. They had tons of great footage, including the legendary Chicago meltdown show and clips from his teenage club performances. Before the feature, they showed the amazing James Brown CNN interview after his gun bust. Bill Hicks brother was very charming, and the host said my question about what Bill might think of current events was dumb. A 10 year old kid told a Bill Hicks joke:
"A bum asked me for a dime. He said it wouldn't hurt me to give it to him, and it wouldn't hurt him either. So I took out a dime and jabbed him in the eye with it, and said, "You don't know shit, mister." (I guess you had to be there)
I'm reading Bob Dylan's new autobiography. The first chapter is all about his immersion in the New York folk club scene and his devouring of classic subversive literature in a bohemian loft where he was squatting. He follows his grandmother's advice that every person has a story worthy of honoring, and he sings high praises of Belafonte, Beaudelaire, Fred Neil, Thucydides, Orbison, Van Ronk, and Guthrie. You can hear an interview with Bob and download text and audio excerpts narrated by Sean Penn on npr.org.
Superego All-Stars drew high praise from the Chronicle for our contribution to the local Who tribute compilation. We reunite for two Who songs at the Parish CD release Saturday, Dec. 18. Another online reviewer writes:
"Superego, The Kids Are Alright - Damn fine. Of course, this is one of the greatest pop songs ever written, so you'd have to go out of your way to screw it up. Good harmonies and love the drum fills throughout, especially in the bridge."
I tried out the Starbucks Hearmusic.com downloading kiosk and made a custom CD. There was no Beatles or Dylan, and you had to purchase a minimum of 7 downloads for $8.99. Not that impressive a deal, and the packaging is cheesy but I am glad to have Slim Harpo's version of Folsom Prison Blues. Later I tried the tortilla soup at my favorite east side restaurant Las Cazuelas. The owner was singing with the Mariachis and the soup was excellent.
Subject: Giant anniversary
Date: Fri, 26 Nov 2004 13:49:16 -0800
From: superego@io.com
Organization: minor productions
To: info@ballroommarfa.org
Vance,
I really enjoyed my visit to Marfa and I am planning to come back for
the Townes Van Zandt screening.
I just rented the DVD of the movie Giant and watched all the bonus
features, which are very intriguing. I suppose you are aware
that the
50th anniversary of the film's release will be in November 1996.
I was just wondering if you had thought of organizing a gala surrounding
this anniversary and perhaps trying to get some of the stars still
living (Dennis Hopper, Liz Taylor) to attend. Maybe you could
have a
Dennis Hopper film festival at the ballroom.
The film has many compelling overtones of Texas mythology, racial
and
gender conflict, and Hollywood drama. It was James Dean's
last film
and he died driving his race car back to CA before it was finished
filming. Director George Stevens produced several very
socially aware
and intense movies, and his son George Jr. is an acclaimed director
and
wonderful speaker.
The principal actors were all in their 20s but played characters who
progress in age into their late 50s. It's a masterpiece of direction
and
acting, based on an epic novel by Edna Ferber.
Just a thought. I found the visit very inspiring.
Hope to see you
soon.
Paul
Subject: Marfa
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 17:09:33 -0800
From: superego@io.com
Organization: minor productions
To: rakefilms@earthlink.net>
CC: vance@ballroommarfa.org, info@ballroommarfa.org
Margaret,
I just returned from a magical weekend in Marfa. My friend
Vance told
me you were bringing the Townes movie out to the Marfa ballroom in
January.
I am looking for an excuse to go back soon, so if you can think of any
auxiliary help you might need with the screening, please count me in.
I can do lots of technical things, as well as any PR stuff you might
need a hand with, before or during. I got to know the lay of
the land
pretty well, so I could also point you toward some spectacular scenery
and inspiring artistic spots if you are inclined.
Maybe there could be a SIMS angle as well, if you want me to represent
that program for any reason, perhaps on a panel. Or if there
is going
to be some live music, I could do sound or even perform some TVZ stuff.
Like I said, I'm just making myself available for whatever you might
need, I'm there.
thanks,
Paul
Subject: spot
Date: Thu, 09 Dec 2004 20:04:14 -0800
From: superego@io.com
Organization: minor productions
To: pbeach@statesman.com
Patrick,
I'm just curious if you knew you were disparaging a beloved
local figure when you made a lame joke about the legendary punk producer
Spot in your review of "Left of the Dial" box set. Revered
for his
ability to capture the mercurial spirit of such influential punk
pioneers as Black Flag, Minutemen and Husker Du in the most low budget
circumstances, Spot is now a local soundman for hire at places like
the
Cactus and Emo's. It is misguided to compare his work to
that of the
Smithereens, who recorded for major labels in big budget studios targeting
commercial airplay.
Subject: Strip Down Tuesdays - Kick Off
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 21:16:27 -0600
From: kevinchristop20@hotmail.com
To: kevinchristop20@hotmail.com
I am excited about tomorrow's beginning of the Strip Down Tuesdays.
I will play around 9pm with a special guest. Neil Cleary plays at 10,
and
Andrew Duplantis goes on at 11. We will figure out the rest after that.
Paul Minor set this up. We are trying to turn this into a "thing".
Help us out!
It will have some great artists in a great setting. I hope we can loosen
it
up to jam some together - we will see. I am happy to host it.
Come out tomorrow and remember us on Tuesdays at the Hole in the
Wall * 9pm - whenever. - Kevin Brown
Subject: you're famous!
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 07:04:24 -0500
From: joannahohman@netscape.net
To: superego@io.com
Did you know that you're on Sandbox? It's a 2CD/DVD from
Mark Sandman of Morphine? You were at Emo's.
I think you were standing next to and maybe talking to Mark
for a few seconds, but i don't remember hearing you say
anything because some music was playing. Handsome joel was a
doorman
that night and he was on it too for about 10 seconds. Do you
like morphine?
Subject: Re: you're famous!
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 12:53:44 -0800
From: paul minor <superego@io.com>
Organization: minor productions
To: joannahohman@netscape.net
Joanna,
I was the doorman at the electric lounge from 1993-1995.
Morphine played
there several times and the band was good friends with the owners.
I hung
out with them a few times. The drummer was a big fan of
beaver nelson, who
I was playing guitar with at the time. Do I have long hair on
the DVD? Can I
take a look at it? Do you want to come over? Give me a
call.
If you want to see a list of famous people I have hung with, check out
<http://www.io.com/~superego/royalty.html>
I am playing bass in James Bullard's band tonight at Continental at 10:30.
take it easy,
Paul
Subject: What a Band!!!!
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2004 16:27:31 -0500
From: "Colin McLarty" <cmclarty@sympatico.ca>
To: <superego@io.com>
Paul:
I am remiss at being so long to drop you this note but I could
not let the year expire without writing.
You and your wonderful band played at the Schettler Ranch near
Giddings on October 23, when our son Robb, married Andrea
Schettler.
We are from just north of Toronto, Canada and were in awe with
the Texas hospitality, but frankly did not know what to expect
when we would be entertained by a 'live Texas band". In our
part of the world, the DJ is the big thing with a multitude of
CD's.
Well, were we pleasantly surprised. To have the 'top wedding
band in Texas' and to enjoy the breadth and depth of your
music ..... it was awesome!!
You, and your band "blew us away". Our Canadians guests were
most impressed with the variety and professional delivery they
enjoyed.
Too bad we are out of children to marry, and that you are so far
away, as your style of professional presentation would be most
welcome here in Canada.
Hope to see you soon ... as I think another wedding, same
venue, is coming on April 10th.
Colin McLarty
Anten Mills, Ontario, Canada
Subject: to john aelli
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 22:12:27 -0800
From: superego@io.com
Organization: minor productions
To: music@kut.org
John,
There is a classic song called "In the Bleak Midwinter" on Bruce and
Kelly's holiday album. I have a weird story about this tune.
In 1996, I wrote a song called "the Winter Song" which appears on
Superego's first album "Mellow, Robust, Satisfying." I recently
heard
you play a version of "In the Bleak Midwinter" and was stunned at the
similarity to my song.
I must have heard this song somewhere, perhaps on your show, back in
1996 and subconsciously adapted the melody and the title. It
was really
strange to hear this song and have it be so familiar. I had no
idea at
the time I was influenced by anything other than my own muse when I
composed my
tune.
Now that I know about the original, I consider my song as a reply
to
this classic piece. I would love to hear you play them for comparison,
as well as any other versions you enjoy.
thanks,
Paul
From: Stardust Hustler
Re: Ego's Tuesday Night Small Stars Cabaret
To : Buddy Llamas
CC: Please Forward to Guy Fantasy
Date: 10-24-04
Gentlemen,
You may have won my band fair and square that night in Reno, but they lost their best member. Casinos can be cold cruel places, until you find 50 bucks on the floor of a strip bar. Do you guys still know "Reelin' in the Years?" I'll fax you the changes.
Here is a candid photo you requested of the elusive yours truly with
vocalist "The David" Beebe.
beebe_minor.jpg
Conrads Halloween 2000 at the Black Cat.
By the way, I must pass along a request for the Bulgarian Bob Dylan at the Small Stars shows. Here's a song that has literally caused revolutions. One far out war protest faction named themselves after a lyric from "Subterranean Homesick Blues." How classic would it be to get BBD up for that one? The words are mythical, and Bob's got his own lyrics website.
Sometimes in my spare time I like to think about some of my favorite Dylan songs and check the tour guide to see what songs he played that evening. They turned it out last night. I guess a true professional never plays the same show twice.
I collect Bob Dylan setlists from shows I saw or that have some other special significance.
San Diego, California
San Diego State Cox Arena
October 22, 2004
bobdates.com
1.Leopard-Skin Pill-Box
2.It's All Over Now, Baby
3.Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
4.Tell Me That It Isn't True
5.Things Have Changed
6.Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
7.If Dogs Run Free
8.Cold Irons Bound
9.Positively 4th Street
10.Highway 61 Revisited
11.Standing In The Doorway
12.Honest With Me
13.Forever Young
14.Summer Days
(encore)
15.Like A Rolling Stone
16.All Along The Watchtower
yours truly,
Dusty
Subject: wine thanks
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 16:32:09 -0700
To: superego@io.com
From: cherokeegirl@cawino.com
Hey Paul,
Hope you are well and enjoying the summer! A follow-up on your
fake
book: my
husband Ian works for Beringer Blass Wines, and they have a national
sales meeting
every year. At the meeting, they put together a band of employees,
playing songs
each night. This year, Ian was one of the drummers, and they
referenced your fake
book for many of their songs, both rehearsed and on the fly.
They want to send you some wine as a thank you for your selfless
generosity in
sharing your hard work on the book. What would be the best address
to use? I am
remembering hot Texas summers, and delivery to your house may have
the wine sitting on the porch all day. So just let me know.
And also let me know if wine is not your thing - they can choose something
else.
So thanks again for forwarding the book - it is going to good use!
And I'll leave
you with a Cherokee saying that has been in my head all day:
"You already possess everything you need to become great."
Subject: wine thanks
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2004 16:32:09 -0700
From: superego@io.com>
Organization: minor productions
To: cherokeegirl@cawino.com
Tif,
I got the wine yesterday (fed ex missed me a couple times) so I just
wanted to thank
you on behalf of myself and Miles, Tony, Jeff and many other friends
who have been
sharing it. I will let you know what everyone's favorites were
when the results come
in. Tony was particularly excited about one of the reds.
By the way, Miles had some illustrious company over at the house when
I dropped in,
so you can tell your friends that Norah Jones' guitarist Adam Levy
enjoyed a glass or
two also.
Seeya soon,
Paul
Sun, 24 Oct 2004 19:43:14 -0700
From: superego@io.com
Organization: minor productions
To: danny@pocketmail.com
Danny,
I love the song "Starting All Over Again" from Chico and the Flute,
and
I decided to look it up online and find out what I could about the
songwriter, Phillip Mitchell. The song has been recorded by Sam
& Dave,
Bobby Bland, Don Gibson and Hall & Oates, the original hit was
on Stax
Records by Mel & Tim. It is definitely his biggest
hit, but he has had
a lot of people record his stuff.
I just thought you would like to know his website includes Dieselhed
in
the illustrious list of artists recording his songs.
www.soulcellar.co.uk/PhillipMitchell.htm
Hope you are doing well, we would love to see you sometime soon.
take it easy,
Paul
LATEST NEWS FROM MINOR PRODUCTIONS
9-21-04
It's been a real rock and rollercoaster over at Minor Productions the past few weeks. I spent much of the summer on tour with Fastball doing sound and a lot of long distance driving. We did a couple of weeks in July on the west coast, staying in resorts and finer hotels courtesy of radio promotional departments in several sunny coastal destinations. In August, we drove a straight shot up to Boston, went down the east coast, over to the midwest, a one night fly date to Reno and ended up in Minneapolis, doing about 16 shows in a 24 day run.
I have been running to catch up ever since returning to Austin at the end of August, but the gigs keep on rolling in. On Sept 4, I drove up to Oklahoma City for a truly historic occasion. Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson played together at a beautiful minor league baseball field in the Bricktown district. The weather was gorgeous, the concert was magnificent and the masters were in fine form. Bob's setlist had a great mix of bluesy classics like Highway 61 and Rainy Day Women and a generous helping of Time Out of Mind.
I picked up a real fun stage production job at the East Side Soul Fest over the past two weekends. I provided PA on a large outdoor stage at the Victory Grill doing sound for the legendary James Polk, Miss Lavelle White, and a 50 member baptist church choir, and many other eclectic acts. The days were long but full of great, diverse music.
The ACL Fest this weekend was once again intensely hot and overwhelming in scope. I managed to catch amazing performances by Sheryl Crow, Patti Griffin, Spoon, Franz Ferdinand, Joe Ely, Rebirth Brass Band, and Elvis Costello. The Cingular stage had some major sound problems, clearly the fault of inattentive, clueless soundmen. They should have called it the "Can you hear me now?" stage, because Patti and Elvis' sets both suffered from inaudible vocals and muddy mixes. I had to miss the Pixies in order to perform at a wedding on Saturday, after setting up the system at the Victory Grill all morning. It was an intense, sweaty weekend.
The weekend before I did two days of the East Side Festival and then Sunday with WC Clark in San Marcos. We also did some real fun Superego reunion sets at the Hole this month, celebrating our tenth year tearing it up at the Free For All.
Monday I scored a comp pass to the ACL show taping of Elvis Costello,
courtesy of ACL alumnus Miles. Elvis was incredible, pumping up the
crowd to the point of hysteria with an amazing run of rave up hits at the
end of a set of new material.
All these PA jobs gave me a fine occasion to try out some new gear. The most exciting new addition to the Minor Productions inventory is a pair of 1500 Watt JBL speakers that are as tall as I am. They are kind of a bitch to move, but they sound awesome.
Other projects now underway are converting my shed into a production workshop, restoring light to the Hole in the Wall band marquee, installing a pickup in my 84 Hohner acoustic, and making minor household repairs in anticipation of a new housemate.
Today I attended a very inspiring SIMS Foundation stakeholder's metting with a progressive environmental marketing firm that has selected SIMS as its annual pro bono non-profit client. This incredibly productive brainstorming session was attended by Texas swing icon and SIMS board member Ray Benson and was helmed by none other than Robin Rather, daughter of recently besieged CBS anchorman Dan Rather. I told her how I met her father recently on my Chronicle route and how genuinely appreciative he was when I handed him a copy at a Lakeway coffee shop.
I also had the occasion to enjoy a very pleasant dinner with Texas psychedelic messiah Roky Erickson last month. We met at Magnolia cafe on a Sunday evening and he and brother Sumner were extremely gracious hosts. Roky patiently answered a barrage of curious fan questions from me and my visiting California friend and Texas music fan Carmen. Sumner performs solo most Friday happy hours at the Hole and his show is usually attended by his esteemed elder bro.
Tomorrow I will get some closure at the Old Alligator Grill when I finally uninstall my lighting system and sell them some other used gear to use if they ever do more music on their stage in the future. As they say, "It was fun while it lasted..."
My dear friend Adam Bork, formerly known as Earthpig, has relocated his operations to the surreal West Texas arts enclave of Marfa, Texas, where he manages a branch of the Hotel San Jose and does his incredible performance art installations in his new space age dome. I hope to make a sojourn to his neck of the desert and the neighboring Alpine and Terlingua destinations in the near future. Here's a picture of his new digs.
Subject: Hole Calendar
Date: Wed, 08 Sep 2004 20:04:25 -0700
From:paul minor <superego@io.com>
Organization: minor productions
To: dstevens@austinchronicle.com
Hey Darcie,
Thanks again for asking. Here is what is confirmed so far and
as always, subject to change.
Wednesdays in September are a killer soul throwdown with McLemore Ave.
and guest DJs. Superego All-Stars are celebrating 10 years of
the Free For
All every Sunday in September and last week was a doozy, with guests
from
Fastball sitting in for a two hour set of jukebox classics. This
Sunday's special guests are
Matt Hubbard and the El Orbits, Sept 18 features the Stingers, Sept
26's guests are the mighty Dismukes.
I've got to mention this new Tuesday night "Small Stars Revue"
thing at Ego's. They did
the prototype last night and it was amazing. Miles Zuniga and
Jeff Groves
from Fastball are joined by Jeff Johnston from Li'l Cap'n Travis and
Kevin
McKinney in an all-star cabaret variety show. There's magicians,
improv comedy,
twisted karaoke style jamming, and mysterious special guests such as
"The Stardust Drifter," an enigmatic, burned out lounge crooner.
Audience
members such as Bruce Robison were floored. It's a weekly deal
starting on Sept 28.
Subject: Sound System options
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 12:35:37 -0700
From: superego@io.com
Organization: minor productions
To: molly@brucerobison.com
Molly,
The main difference on my large system is a pair of 1500 Watt JBL SR
4733 speakers,
with 2 15" low end drivers and a 4" high end horn. They
are powerful and clean, suitable
for larger halls and outdoor shows where it is necessary to include
plenty of drums and
bass in the front of house mix. I power them with 2 1500 W Mackie
amps.
The smaller system is going to be a pair of single 15s with 2" horns,
500 Watts per side,
suitable for situations where mostly vocals and a few instruments will
need to be miked,
maybe a touch of kik drum.
The large system has 24 channels with 4 monitor mixes and 4 15" 500
Watt Cabinets for
the stage. The smaller system has 16 channels with 4 12" monitors
on 2 mixes. It is also
possible to have the larger mixer with 4 monitor mixes and the smaller
mains for a middle
price, say $450.
I also have an 8 channel light system with 8 300 Watt Par Cans.
This is $100 extra. I
also have a small light system with 4 150W Par 36 floodlights I can
do for no extra charge.
I would be glad to take a look at the room and make a recommendation.
I have worked in
the Hyatt Ballrooms many times.
thanks,
Paul
From: <superego@io.com>
To: superego@io.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 04, 2004 2:13 PM
Subject: california dreaming
We just checked into the San Jose Hilton. Rock and Roll tours
are supposed to be arduous and grueling, but this is some kind of
bizarro trip: short pleasant drives, luxury hotels, gorgeous
cool
weather, complimentary four star meals. Yesterday we had the
day
off on the Monterey Peninsula. We drove down the coast on the
17
mile scenic drive around the pebble beach preserve, stopped at several
glorious
pacific overlooks and took in the sea spray and sights. There
were
hundreds of adorable sea lions basking on the beach and huge
waves bashing
the rocky coast.
Later I had a rich sourdough bread bowl chowder on the
fisherman's wharf. There was a classic car show at the wharf
and live jazz
on the pier. I'm sleeping soundly in king size beds, except for
when my
roommate snores like a chainsaw. I developed a clever new
technique
to stop his nasal cacaphony. I knock on the headboard like it's
someone
at the door, he gets up to check it while I feign sleep. When
he gets
back in bed, snoring's gone long enough for me to get back to slumber
land.
The gigs have been fun, marked by short sets, obsessive fans and
amateurish rental equipment providers. The people in Monterey
were mostly
military jarheads out for a rowdy time. The first night was in
a suburban
resort up in the wine country. Swinging couples plied us
with
expensive bottles but the disco scene was too repulsive and we escaped
to our rooms
at the eyes wide shut resort. I took an epic hike to find civilization,
the closest I came was a multiplex theatre showing Spiderman 2.
There's more stories in store for sure, I'll be sure and fill you
in fully when I return.
From: <superego@io.com>
To: superego@io.com>
Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 12:47 PM
Subject: Re: california dreaming
I have been roaming up and down Ventura blvd like a Tom Petty
vampire. We are staying in studio city near Laurel Canyon, where
the retail
strip malls meet the verdant hillsides. I'm looking
for a bandana to
replace my Texas Chili Parlor hat I left in Santa Cruz.
Our 4th of July was eventful. The gig was in a downtown
pavilion
in San Jose with a big stage and a powerful PA for me to play with.
After
the show, I drove with Miles and his wife down the winding 17 hwy to
Santa Cruz to watch the surfers by the lighthouse. It was
a glorious,
hazy day on the coast, and the walk around the point was sublime.
I love
those ornate old houses on the beach there.
Miles stopped by his sister's place in the faculty housing on
campus, we had pizza from the upper crust and he rounded up his gold
records
from the garage.
We headed back to San Jose for the fireworks. To our chagrin,
the
entire square mile perimeter around our hotel was blocked off by the
cops,
as if martial law had ensued. They would not let us anywhere
near the
Hotel, because the fireworks were launched from the park across the
street.
We missed the whole show, despite the fact that our hotel rooms would
have been front row seats. That's America for you.
Civil liberties
be damned, let's blow some shit up.
Yesterday we had a very brief stop over in North Beach in San Fran
before heading to the oakland airport. We ate incredible
chinese at House
of Nan King, next door to the lusty lady peepshow, but I opted to browse
city lights bookstore. Tonight we are in Bakersfield for another
easy
twilight promotional appearance. I'll be sleeping at the
Grafton in LA the
next 2 nights, the tour culminates Wednesday in a headliner gig at
Spaceland that got a big recommended column in the LA weekly, so we
are all excited
about the show.
I will be back Thursday night. I get in around 6...
I'm planning to sleep late Friday, on Saturday I'm leaving town early
for a Wichita Falls wedding and I'll be back Sunday afternoon.
Maybe
you can help me learn that Townes song for the wedding...
Subject: Re: Greetings and Salutations
From: superego@io.com
Date: Mon, August 9, 2004 12:13 pm
To: superego@io.com
I found some free internet here at the Roanoke Island library,
conveniently located 3 blocks down highway 64 from our rooms at the
quaint Elizabethan inn, which is vaguely designed like a Shakespearan
theatre.
Everything here is kind of geared toward Grandma's vacation and middle
class anglo family outings.
We'll be here the next two nights, playing at the local restaurant and
beach front music hall called Kelly's. We have been doing several
of
these east coast dates with a band from Pittsburgh called the Clarks,
who are quite the All-American rock band, influenced in sound by tom
petty,
springsteen and mellencamp. They are real nice fellas and
very helpful.
Fastball's music is really growing on me, and they have made me part
of
the team creatively as well as technically. They ask me how the
set
was after every show, I make suggestions and they initiate the changes
the
next night. It's a work in progress and I am like the coach.
I was
watching a interview last night with an actor on a show on HBO about
a
movie actor who has surrounded himself with a staff of his closest
friends. He made the point that this is a good idea because your
friends are honest with you. It seems to work for Willie and
Neil, so I think
including me, Jeff and Kelly could mark a turning point in this
dysfunctionall organization as well.
Be good and I'll be in touch.
From: <superego@io.com>
To: superego@io.com
Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2004 8:29 PM
Subject: Re: Greetings and Salutations
I am in Memphis at the Holiday Inn management training program
facility. We drove this morning from
Atlanta, 6 hours in the van. The weather is gorgeous here today.
We managed
to avoid most of the hurricane related storms, except for the drive
from Virginia to Alabama, which was a wet one.
We have the next two days off and I am planning to do some music-related
sightseeing.
Some of my favorite artists, including Big Star, Booker T and the MGs,
Otis Redding and of course Elvis
recorded their best albums here. There is a museum that opened
recently on the site of the Stax
record label on McLemore Ave. They are having an exhibit of rare Beatles
photography and I am all over it tomorrow...
From: <superego@io.com>
To: superego@io.com
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2004 8:29 PM
Subject: Re: Greetings and Salutations
Tour is going great, we are in KC Kansas tonight. Had a couple
of
glorious days off in Memphis and I went to the amazing Stax records
museum and
actually touched Booker T's organ! They even had an awesome bonus
Beatles photo exhibit.
Alligator canceled the music calendar indefinitely, right before I left
town on this trip. I had to scramble to get word to all the bands,
I
am sorry I did not notify you right away.
In Memphis, we had a really stressful all day sound check. The people
at the club
had their heads way up their ass and I had to trouble shoot their whole
system. A band can get kind of helpless when it comes to the
technical
side of things and it is aggravating being the only one who is trying
to make things work. Bands are dysfunctional families full of
classic communication disorders, passive agression, misdirected
resentment, general grousing and issue avoidance. Sometimes my
gut feeling is
that it's a somewhat lost cause, and the only thing that could save
it is
another surprise wave of major success, but there are no signs of a
hit, only the morale breaking tribulations of the road. It's
taken down many a
former contender.
My upper lip is stiff, and my heart, mind and gut are hearty.
I
look forward to being back in your presence very soon.
Subject: Re: Greetings and Salutations
From: superego@io.com
Date: Sat, August 21, 2004 9:05 pm
To: minorproductions.com
Just a quick note to say I took a great long walk down to the shores
of
Lake Michigan, all the way around Lincoln Park in Chicago, with a
magnificent view of the skyline. I topped it off with an amazing
slice
of sausage pizza at a local haven.
Gotta go to the gig, but I will see you Tuesday or Wed.
Subject: Re: Sept 9th...my mistake
From: superego@io.com
Date: Fri, August 6, 2004 4:04 pm
To: elizmcqueen@yahoo.com
These are good questions. I think I can address them. By
the way, I
am writing from an amazing rock and roll bed and breakfast in a glorious
historic mansion on O street in Georgetown, DC.
I have been in some tense negotiations with Hole owners trying to
establish a win-win policy for paying the bands. Long e-mails
and intense
conversations with bartenders have led to some concessions but not
a full agreement
yet. It's not exactly Jimmy Carter trying to establish peace in the
middle
east, but it is pretty involved. There was a big successful show
last
night that no one expected, so things are looking up. I
have been working on the
August calendar and posters non-stop for 2 days.
The new deal is if the reading after the show is under 2000 for the
whole day, the band gets 10% of the sales during the show.
If it's over
2000, they get 10% of the whole day.
More bands on the bill can actually enhance money because of the extra
bodies in the room spending at the bar. Your shows have
been running
around 1700. It's a decent size of crowd, but not bellying
up very
heavily unfortunately.
The bottom line is we need to get to 2000 any way possible.
Playing a
longer show might enhance sales. Having other bands on
the bill with
their own crowd can help also.
Here's a hypothetical comparison to help you mull this over:
You play 8 to 10 and the sales are at 500 when you start and 1500 when
you end. This will reap a $100 payout.
You play 8 to 9:30, take a break, play 10 to 11:30, sales at the end
are 2100. This pays $210.
You play a set at 9, another band with a decent draw plays 11 - 12:30,
sales at the end are 2500. This pays you $125.
Let me know your thoughts, and I look forward to working out something
mutually rewarding with you. I really like having you and your
guys at
the club.
Take it easy,
Paul
FASTBALL SUMMER TOUR 2004 ITINERARY
> Thu 7/1 Santa Rosa, CA - KMHX/Latitude Restaurant
> Fri 7/2 Monterey, CA - KCDU/Club Octane
> Sun 7/4 San Jose, CA - KEZR/Discovery Meadow
> Tue 7/6 Bakersfield, CA - KLLY/Kellyís Lounge
> Wed 7/7 Los Angeles, CA - Spaceland
> Thu 7/8 Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
travel Paul
> Tue 8/3 Boston, MA - The Paradise
> Wed 8/4 NYC - Bowery Ballroom
> Thu 8/5 Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts
> Fri 8/6 Washington, D.C. - 9:30 Club
> Sat 8/7 Baltimore, MD - Fletcher's
> Mon 8/9 Nags Head, NC - Kelly's
> Tue 8/10 Nags Head, NC - Kelly's
> Wed 8/11 Charlottesville, VA - Starr Hill Music Hall
> Fri 8/13 Huntsville, AL - "Downtown Sunsets"
> Sat 8/14 Atlanta, GA - Cotton Club
> Sun 8/15 Memphis, TN - Newby's
> Wed 8/18 Little Rock, AR - Sticky Fingerz Chicken Shack
> Thu 8/19 Kansas City, MO - The Hurricane
> Fri 8/20 Reno, NV - KTHX Radio Show
> Sat 8/21 Chicago, IL - Martyrs'
> Sun 8/22 Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Café
July 2004 Update
Hey people. I am going to try a new format to this newsletter.
It's kind of like an online highlights feature for what's going on in the
topsy turvy world of Minor Productions. It's a window into the soul
of the organization, and you are a one eyed cat peeping in the seafood
store.
Instead of updating it in big chunks of text every few months, which has been my habit, I am trying to add smaller bits to it on a more regular basis, which means that this section of the website will have new content more often. I will be adding the newest material at the top, and once or twice a year I will start a new page and archive the past entries. Please check in whenever you can and keep in touch. If you are reading this, then you must surely be on the team.
Here's a quick update, as if we were running into each other on the street, and we had our hands full with errands but we keep meaning to get together for lattes and sweet leaf:
The Hole in the Wall 30th Anniversary month has been a major success, with many amazing and memorable shows. Gary Clark Jr, Britt Daniel, The Weary Boys, 2 Hoots, Amplified Heat, and the Horsies all blew the room away. The Hole in the Wall was featured along with many of these bands in a sheer onslaught of the local media, including Austin Chronicle, News 8 Austin, Austin Music Network, KLBJ, and KUT. Many thanks to Tito's and Live Oak Brewing who generously gave us money to enhance the guarantees for some of these gracious bands who are playing for much less than their box office values. The PA speakers are sounding great and the Hole jukebox selection has even undergone a much needed overhaul. Starting in July, early weekday music will be scaled down to solo acts and guest DJs, mostly local musicians such as Jeff Johnston, Ray Pride and Miguel Harvey playing some of the deepest cuts from their extensive private collections.
In bleaker news, the Alligator Grill live music budget has been majorly downsized, so I am no longer running my sound system there. I am booking their band calendar, but the gig is much less sweet without the production and the box office guarantees. The smoking ordinance and other misfortunes have really driven down the business in this room, but a handful of bands are trying to keep it going. It's still a great live show space with good sound and great staging, so please support good sports Eve Monsees, Jane Bond, Matt Hubbard, the Eastside Kings and the rest of these awesome bands who are showing up to play their no cover gigs there in good faith for the sake of the endangered art form of live music.
I am working a lot as a soundman for hire. I brought in my full PA system for Terri Hendrix and Lloyd Maines at the Texas Union Theatre Saturday, June 19, and I did an outdoor concert in San Marcos with the Greencards on Sunday evening, before making it to the Hole for the last set by the Mystic Knights, an incredible guitar firestorm including Will Sexton, John X Reed, David Holt, Jake Andrews and Gabe Rhodes busting out with the13th Floor Elevators and Chuck Berry like it was 1978.
I still deliver the Austin Chronicle and am pleased to report that I have streamlined my route recently. It now takes under 5 hours to complete my drop list, which still includes areas in Pflugerville, Lakeway and Bee Cave, but I have left behind the commercial convenience wasteland of Cedar Park, TX for the last time.
I am still very much involved with producing events and consulting with the SIMS Foundation, but I no longer work in the office. SIMS has many exciting upcoming fundraising and outreach events, including a Loose Diamonds reunion show at Threadgill's in July, the Punk Rock Barbecue Anniversary Festival, and a major outreach campaign at Austin City Limits Festival.
In July, I'll be starting a new position as touring soundman for my old pals Fastball. I provided sound support for their CD release events in early June and we'll be heading out west for some road work this summer in support of their groovy new album "Keep Your Wig On."
Alterego continues to evolve into a tight
and dynamic 7 or 8 piece showband, and the word of mouth business is picking
up remarkably. Many people who call say they have heard we are the
best wedding band around. The calendar for the fall is filling
up fast. Talks are underway with local wedding singers about
participating in a documentary feature film about the wedding band business.
This project could be in the making for a while, but the ideas are developing
rapidly. It could be the documentation for posterity of another great
endangered institution.
HOLE
IN THE WALL TURNS 30 - NEWS 8 AUSTIN
From: Dead End Angels
To: booking@holeinthewallaustin.com
Sent: Monday, June 14, 2004 4:00 PM
Subject: The Dead End Angels
My name is Craig Bagby and I am the drummer for the Dead End Angels.
A few
weeks ago, we showed up to play a Sunday night show with the Downliners,
but
due to a scheduling mix up, we were not on the bill. I just wanted
to express my
thanks to Paul Minor for coming down personally to talk to us about
it. It was a
very thoughtful thing to do, and above and beyond the call of duty.
It was great
to meet Paul in person and his kindness was appreciated.
After hanging out at the Hole in the Wall that night and viewing you
calender, I
think that the Dead End Angels would work very well with the other
acts that
play there.
The club looks great and it brought back a lot of memories when I saw
it again.
On my first night day as an Austinite back in 1991; I pulled into town
and parked
behind the Castillion and went into Double Dave's where my friend got
me a
job. Then we had some coffee at Les Amis and walked over
to the Hole in the
Wall to watch Two Hoots and a Holler. It was a great night, and
I knew I had
found my home.
Anyway - I just wanted to say thanks to Paul for making my most recent
trip to
the Hole in the Wall as nice as my first one!
Take care,
Craig Bagby
Dead End Angels
Subject: Hole and Gator dates
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 17:13:40 -0700
To: paul minor <superego@io.com>
Organization: minor productions
From: dstevens@austinchronicle.com
Hey Paul,
First of all, has every anniversary show been as packed as last night
at the Hole? Great show. I was just wondering when I can expect
a
July show list from you. Also, do you have listings for the Alligator
Grill as well? Please let me know.
Thanks,
d
Subject: Hole and Gator dates
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 17:13:40 -0700
From: paul minor <superego@io.com>
Organization: minor productions
To: dstevens@austinchronicle.com
Darcie,
Hey girl, glad you could make it out. It's been pretty wild
all month
at the Hole, with more to come. I still have a few holes to fill
in
July, but this is what's shaping up. Make special note of German
punk-country cover band sensations Twang, blues prodigies the Keller
Bros, Jesse Sublett's All-Star Raul's Reunion tribute and a special
appearance by Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets.
thanks for asking, PM
Subject: riverboat happy hour
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 16:45:58 -0700
From: paul minor <superego@io.com>
Organization: minor productions
To: holecrowd@hole.com
Hole folk,
Please join me and some of the Hole in the Wall gang for a Riverboat
cruise
with the Weary Boys Tuesday 3 to 6 at the Hyatt Riverboat Dock on Town
Lake. You will be able to get on board anytime during the party,
the boat
makes several short round trips. It's free and there are free
refreshments
from Tito's Vodka and Live Oak Brewing.
It's a live broadcast promo
event on KLBJ.
I would love to see you there. Please come hang out with me.
xox
Paul
Subject: Roadie
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 22:36:19 -0500 (CDT)
To: ventura@austinchronicle.com
From: superego@io.com
Michael,
I just watched the movie "Roadie" and noticed your screenwriter credit.
I like the movie and I was wondering which came first, the Cheap Trick
song
or the line "Everything Works if You Let it."
It's a great song and a truly Zen-spired theme. The other
day I was
talking to a fella named "Roadie" at the Hole in the Wall and he actually
used this phrase in passing as we were discussing some wiring issues.
June is the 30th Anniversary of the Hole, so something must be working.
Take it easy, Paul
Subject: Roadie
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 22:36:19 -0500 (CDT)
From: ventura@austinchronicle.com
To: superego@io.com
Glad you liked the movie, and I believe our line came first.
Say hello to the Hole. 30? Wow.
- Michael Ventura
For the last few years, I have been compiling a book of lyrics and chords to all the songs in my reportoire, with the intention of eventually sharing the fruits of my labor online. This book currently numbers around 200 of the most timeless pop songs of all eras and genres. Check it out, play along with some of your favorites and feel free to point out any changes you would suggest. This is the result of countless hours of picking out the chords from definitive versions, but everything is open to interpretation. Fun for the whole family.
Superego's latest album Low Overhead is now available to order or download from CDBaby.com.
I also started a memoir section that chronicles the many brushes
with rock and roll icons I have been fortunate enough to stumble across
in my musical journey. It's a work in progress for posterity.
Subject: My new calendar!
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2003 12:17:08 -0800 (PST)
From: drumczar99@yahoo.com
To: supreego@io.com
Ok, so I finally did it. If anyone wants to know where i might be on
any given night, whether it is
to book a show, or to actually come hear some great music, you can
go check it out from your
computer. Updated daily. Check the link @ the bottom of this page.
Thanks for your patience...
"Where & When is Kevin playing this month?"
Go to http://www.calendar.yahoo.com/drumczar99
Subject: "on us" checks problem
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 2004 17:31:32 -0700
From: superego@io.com
Organization: minor productions
To: bureaucracy federal credt union
Mr. Moneyman,
If I was the more dramatic kind I would be stamping and yelling about
this problem, it is extremely frustrating. However, since I don't
believe in giving a hard time to the low man on the totem pole,
I'm
writing you directly. I am seriously considering changing banks.
As an independent business owner, I write checks to my contract labor
providers. They often take them to my bank to cash them.
Today, for
the third time in a year, a teller cashed the check and then gave the
contractor a withdrawal slip with my balance and account number on
it.
This is ridiculous. Your customers count on their financial institution
to protect their funds and their privacy. This is a fundamental
expectation of a bank and you are habitually not meeting it.
The
supervising teller told me that this is a "common" mistake because
the
system prints out the slip automatically and the teller puts it in
the
tube out of habit.
If you do not change this system immediately and give me 100%
reassurance it will not happen again, I will be forced to seek out
a
financial institution that has their act together better.
I have also had several problems with withdrawals coming out of the
wrong suffix account, so this just adds to my frustration. These
problems continue in spite of several customer service notes on my
account screen.
Maybe I should just keep my money in a shoebox, it would probably be
safer.
Respectfully,
PM
