Rusty is a musician and drummer at heart and no matter what there is always room for drums. I know plenty of women who have the same problem with their husbands, but its cars or baseball or guns and the list goes on. Whatever it is, we just learn to roll with it and it becomes second nature. So a few nights ago Rusty “needed” to play and headed out to the jam at It’ll Do Saloon hosted by The Rockoholics. I told him that while he was there he should do some work… so he came home with an interview! The Rockoholics are a three-piece group headed by lead guitarist and vocalist Cody Gonzalez with Dave Garcia on bass and Eddie G on drums. STEAM So how did you and Dave meet? CG We met at The Mug Room (in CC) when I was in the Hilda Lamas Band. He slipped me his card and said he’d love to jam sometime. Well, one thing led to another and when I left Hilda in 2007 I called Dave the next day. During the first few years we went through drummers like candy, but then Eddie came in and we’ve been together since. STEAM Have you always been a threepiece? DG We were a four-piece a couple of times, once with a female singer and then with another guitarist, and at one point we were five, but we work better as a three-piece. CG As a three-piece we have great chemistry. Most of the time I won’t call a song I’ll just start one and these guys know exactly what we’re going to do and it falls into place. STEAM Being around for 7 years means you’ve probably played at just about every place in Corpus. CG Our first gig was at
Cole Park and the second one was at the Lucky Lizard in Flour Bluff; since then we pretty much covered Corpus Christi and the islands. One thing - in those seven years, we’ve only canceled one gig because the drummer at the time bailed at the last minute. But I’ll tell you, Eddie is the most reliable guy we know. Once I called to see if he could do a job in Houston that night – not knowing he was in Houston when I called – and of course he said yes. He drove back to CC to pick up his kit and then after the gig he drove home again. Guy’s crazy! STEAM When I was looking up information on the band I found a few Rock”a”holics; how did you decide on the band name? CG Well, we are The Rockoholics with an “o”. It was kind of a nickname that a few people called me and Dave and I thought it fits what we do. Here in CC I have a DBA on it. We also have it slammed all over our merchandise… T-shirts, hats, coozies, underwear… Hell we even have The Rockoholics pin up girl calendar! STEAM Cool, I need to get one of those! Do you have a CD out? CG Not yet. We’ve been recording at Hacienda Records with RD, who has just been awesome! We go in and he knows what we’re looking for and we get it popped out quick. Z101 has been playing our stuff, so call in and request Dry Spell and Cold! We’re also working with Matador Productions for a video of Wild Side.
STEAM Well, like you said you’ve played just about everywhere you can here in CC, are you guys thinking about Touring? CG Yeah, that’s one of our goals, to get out on the road. We play around South, Central, and East Texas now, but we want to go! Dave and I are full time musicians and Eddie can head out almost any time he wants so we just need to get the CD done, make sure we’re well stocked with merchandise, and book some gigs! STEAM Cody you are known for some craziness at your shows, so lastly tell me about the show at American Bank Center. CG Well, I was telling the Representative from ABC that one of the things I do is light a guitar on fire and smash it up and he said, “Don’t do that.” Well you know when you get into the heat of the moment you sometimes do what you aren’t planning for and there I went; setting the thing on fire and smashing it all over. When the show was over the Rep comes up to me, and I’m ready for him to yell, but I wasn’t ready for him to tell me that it was really cool and he was glad I did it anyway.
For booking: 361-658-5235 or message Cody on Reverbnation or Facebook! Reverbnation.com and facebook.com: theofficialrockoholics
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CONTENTS SOUTH TEXAS CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
WWW STEAMMAGAZINE NET
ORIGINAL COVER ART BY SEAN DIETRICH
APRIL 2014 VOL. 3 ISS. 1
ENTERTAINMENT
ART
MUSIC
6 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
10 GO SOLAR!
9 CHROMEO
16 & 17 THE ENDS
12 ARTIST SEAN DIETRICH
20 WAYNE STATIC
18 3RD COAST FOODIE: GIGGITY’S
ALWAYS IN STEAM
15 KENT FINLAY
QUICK READS 5
COMICS 6
NEW RELEASES… CD 5
MOVIES 8
CD REVIEWS 7
PUBLISHER RUSTY HICKS EDITOR TAMMA HICKS STAFF WRITERS RACHEL MILLS, RICK BOWEN, DALE MARTIN, TAMMA HICKS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J MICHAEL DOLAN, DEREK SIGNORE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ALLENE HICKS WEBMASTER AFFORDABLE WEBSITE DESIGN TO ADVERTISE WITH US 361-904-4339 SALES@STEAMTX.COM SEE US ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMMAGAZINE.NET WANT YOUR CD, BOOK, OR SHOW REVIEWED? HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SUBMISSIONS@STEAMTX.COM
STEAM Magazine is published monthly by STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music in Corpus Christi, TX. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Views expressed within are solely the authors and not of STEAM Magazine. Typographical, photographic, and printing errors are unintentional and subject to correction. Please direct all inquiries to: submissions@steamtx.com
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Don’t flinch J. Michael Dolan (:19) Behind every great jawdropping success there’s an artist or entrepreneur who faced a difficult internal struggle at a Suggested Reading: critical moment of choice: choose risk, and possibly become a legend. “Flinch” and possibly become an unexceptional footnote. The “flinch” is a sophisticated delivery system. It delivers doubt, uncertainty and indecision at the most precise moment when we are about to choose, decide, or take action. It’s the reason most modern movies are remakes, most successful books are copy's, and most music sounds like something we’ve heard before. I think whatever form it takes, the “flinch” is not there to encourage change and provoke greatness. Rather, it’s purpose is to “play it THE FLINCH by Julien Smith safe” and preserve mediocrity.
Two geniuses
Somewhere in the world an exceptionally talented artist or entrepreneur, with much to contribute, J. Michael Dolan (:21) wakes up in the morning to hesitation and uncertainty. However, even though the resistance is strong and the doubts are convincing, she knows that in order to succeed she needs to be a fully confident and committed participant in the game. So she proceeds to her creative space determined to do her best work. Somewhere in the world an equally exceptionally talented artist or entrepreneur with much to contribute, wakes up in the morning and is hesitant to proceed, fearful of making wrong choices, and doubtful that he has what it takes. He permits impatience to set his pace and distraction to steal his focus. So he proceeds to his creative space dubious and disordered. Both are equally talented and have much to contribute. Both have doubt. Both have fear. Both are uncertain about the future. However only one is a pro.
Hard to explain J. Michael Dolan (:19) You wouldn't believe how many times I've asked the question and gotten the same answer: What kind of music do you play? “It's hard to explain.” What's your screenplay about? “It's hard to explain.” What does your business do? “It's hard to explain.” Sounds a bit arrogant to me. It suggests that your art, product or service may be too esoteric, or perplexing or over my head, and it's an effort to find the words to explain it to me. Do you really want us to follow your work or do you just want to impress us with your brilliance? If you really want us as a customer, follower or fan, it's probably best to continue working on a clear, articulate way of explaining who you are, what you’re offering, and what you want from us. Truth is, you can’t build a dream if you can’t clearly explain what it is.
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WANT MORE! www.theawkwardyetti.com www.lunarbaboon.com
Check Us Out Online!
www.SteamMagazine .Net And Take Us With You!
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AMY LYNN & THE GUN SHOW DON’T TRIP ON THE GLITTER (CHIPSNIP RECORDS)
Powerhouse vocalist Amy Lynn Zanetto delivers all the necessary finesse, fire and sass to front a seven piece horn band on a solid set of Memphis meets Motown meets Broadway rockin’ soul tunes, on the group’s debut Don’t Trip on the Glitter, but the unsung hero is bari sax man and arranger Alex Hamlin. Conspicuously missing from this NYC based ensemble is guitar, instead Hamlin has artfully crafted charts for the horn section of himself, Ed RosenBerg on tenor and trumpeter Jeff Hermanson, that parry taught rhythmic and melodic changes in a duel to the death with the muscular rhythm section of drummer Michael Vincent Ross, bassist Ben Galina and keyboardist Brian Whitted, who is the brick and mortar that this house of funk is built on. The album opens with a cover of the teen mellow drama hit from The Shangri-Las, ‘Remember Walking in the Sand, (although unaccredited on the album notes) setting the stage theatrics to follow. The piano and horns continue their sparing into the title track a
JOHN HIATT HERE TO STAY BEST OF 2000-2012 (NEW WEST RECORDS)
John Hiatt is certainly one of the most prolific songwriters of all time having penned hits for Bonnie Raitt, B.B King, Eric Clapton, Jeff Healey and Three Dog Night. His skill with multiple genre’s including rock, country, blues and soul, solidifies his status as one of the founders of modern Americana, and a true songwriters’ songwriter. His twenty second album is a unique collection of seventeen songs, at least two from each of the 8 albums released between 20002012 chosen more because of their quality and artistic significance rather than a set of “radio hits.” The fan must have album begins with the title track from the all acoustic ‘Crossing Muddy Waters,” then moves chronologically thru the decade’s worth of music in which Hiatt surrounded himself with some of the world’s finest musicians to back his genuine everyman voice. Highlights among those magic moments include appearances from slide guitar wizard Sonny Landreth , The Goners, Cody and Luther Dickinson, his daughter Lilly Hiatt and Joe Bonamassa killing it on the previously unreleased track ‘Here To Stay.” In 2008 Hiatt explained his technique
scathing rebuke of a cheating lover delivered with deadly conviction by Amy Lynn that ends in a macabre crescendo. Lynn does turn her girl power rant down a notch for the groovin’ R&B track ‘Coming Up Green,’ and then moves easily into the ode the Big Apple, ‘West Village of challenging songwriting in which he highBlues.’ Hamlin vamps on his baritone lights the mistakes of life as “You can’t have the like a rhythm guitarists supporting Lynn light without the dark.” The lines between obduring the intro to the funky ‘Can’t Put servation and autobiography are blurred in My Finger On It.” The album takes it up a every line of Hiatt’s songs. He nimbly tackles level by enlisting the skills of the W 38th sentimentality on “My Old Friend,” and rocks St. Strings quartet to the power ballad out about hitting the bottom on ‘Everybody ‘Cloud of Smoke.” The horn section digs Went Low,’ and ‘Love’s Not Where We Thought deeper into their snake dance of twisting we Left It.” The tangled tongue twisting tale lines during the churning rocker “Dirty “Master of Disaster,” is endemic of Hiatt’s abilMouth,’ before hitting staccato pops acity to weave lyrics together that will keep you centing the dance hall closer ‘When I guessing at their meaning for years. Just when Meet You Someday,’ a tune that could we have given up on him and his Dylan-esque have could have been a exert from the prose he gives us the simple sing along ‘What stage show of Hairspray. Love Can Do.’ In the legion of great American Amy Lynn is certainly a savvy chanSong writers John Hiatt is indeed “Here To teuse, for she surrounded herself with Stay.” the best guns to be found for her quest of www.johnhiatt.com the big city sound. http://amylynnandthegunshow.com/ CD Reviews By Rick J Bowen: twitter.com/RickJBowen; www.nodepression.com/profile/RickJBowen; www.facebook.com/stacyjonesband; www.stacyjonesband.com
WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND TOWN STEAM PICKS FOR APRIL ENTERTAINMENT HARBOR PLAYHOUSE, 1 BAYFRONT, CORPUS CHRISTI SHREK: THE MUSICAL APRIL 11-MAY 18 (FRIDAYS – SUNDAYS) CITY OF CORPUS CHRSITI, HERITAGE PARK EARTH DAY BAY DAY CELEBRATION 4/12, 10AM-5PM CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI BUC DAYS EVENTS BEGIN APRIL 3, END MAY 3 ART ART CENTER OF CORPUS CHRISTI, 100 N SHORELINE BLVD, CORPUS CHRISTI EARTH WIND & SKY A LANDSCAPE EXHIBIT APRIL 2 - 27 PORT ARANSAS ART CENTER, 323 N ALISTER PORT ARANSAS “ARTY GIRLS” GROUP SHOW EXHIBIT APRIL 4-25 FIRST FRIDAY ARTISTS RECEPTION 4/4 5:30-7:30PM MUSIC HOUSE OF ROCK, 322 STARR ST, CORPUS CHRISTI TUESDAYS OPEN MIC, BEER WEDNESDAYS, 4/5 JIMMY WILDEN, HOBO, & PAKE ROSSI, 4/13 CORPUS CHRISTI SONGWRITERS, 4/25 AUTISM ROCKS W/THE SHAKEDOWN ZEROS HARD ROCK CLUB, 6327 MCARDLE, CORPUS CHRISTI 4/11 GREEN JELLO, 4/14 WAYNE STATIC!, 4/21 GEMINI SYMDROME, 4/25 RIGHTOUS VENDETTA THEO’S BILLIARDS, 5815-B WEBER RD, CORPUS CHRISTI 4/4 H.A.R.D. ROLLER DERBY FUNDRAISER, 4/11 ALYSON CHAYNS, 4/12 PACQUIAO V. BRADLEY, 4/19 ELISIUM, 4/25 FLAT BROKE, 4/26 UFC 172 THEO’S BONESHAKERS, 4528 WEBER RD, CORPUS CHRISTI Wednesdays: An evening with Elvis (songs and Karaoke) Thursdays: Open Mic, 4/26 UFC 172 FRONTIER SALOON, 9709 LEOPARD ST, CORPUS CHRISTI 4/5 JOHN CORTEZ, 4/12 THE ROCKOHOLICS, 4/19 BEAU WALKER BAND, 4/26 TY DEITZ BREWSTER STREET ICE HOUSE, 1724 N TANCAHUA, CORPUS CHRISTI 4/6 LACUNA COIL, 4/10 AARON WATSON, 4/12 SING-ALONG PIANOS, 4/15 PUDDLE OF MUDD, 4/17 ROGER CREAGER, 4/19 METAL SHOP, 4/24-25 JR CASTILLO, 4/26 PASSING STRANGERS
MUST SEE
GIGGITY’S, 722 TARPON ST, PORT ARANSAS LIVE MUSIC EVERY NIGHT! SHORTY’S, 823 TARPON ST, PORT ARANSAS LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY STINGRAY’S TAP HOUSE & GRILL, 401 BEACH ST, PORT ARANSAS 4/5 BUSHBULLIT, 4/111 SAND BAND, 4/12 PASSING STRANGERS, 4/19 DANICA BIRD Historic Gruene New Braunfels The Riverwalk San Antonio Morgan’s Wonderland San Antonio (F-Su)
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MUST DO Art Center of Corpus Christi Corpus Christi San Antonio Zoo & Aquarium San Antonio Barton Springs Austin
CC Museum of Science & History; Corpus Christi
Texas State Aquarium Corpus Christi
Art Museum of South Texas Downtown Corpus Christi
South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center Corpus Christi
Alamo Mission San Antonio Natural Bridge Caverns San Antonio Six Flags San Antonio (Sa-Su)
Mustang Island State Park; Port Aransas National Seashore North Padre Island USS Lexington; North Beach, Corpus Christi
SHOW INFO
4.7.14 @ Stubb’s, Austin www.chromeo.net
By Scott Yager, Sound Magazine
box and how to build one, I had to go out there and find all about it myself. Starting out slowly I had to figure out what it was, then what kind synthesizers were needed for it, then little by little, I had to practice on it until I learned how to use it. STEAM: Have other people adopted using the talk box after hearing you use it? Chromeo: Yes, they're always asking what it is, how you use it...blah, blah, blah. STEAM: You guys have a really interesting dynamic as far as backgrounds go, how do you think that dynamic has helped you guys succeed as a band and as a representation of people connecting on a different level. Chromeo: That's the funny thing that we never really clear chorus bridges. We want to bring all those elethought about. We were always just two friends who love music. We're two ments back into music. Today there's a bit less of that in different personalities that complement each other. He's a neurotic Jew and I'm typical song arrangements. STEAM: You mention music from previous decades like a laid back Arab and we definitely have this quote on quote bond. Both of us the 80's and the 70's, when I close my eyes and listen to having the same sense of humor also helps us get along so well. your music I definitely feel like I'm in different era. Do STEAM: I think your music is applicable to a variety of setting, club, outdoor you guys ever get people telling you that, that your venue...what would you say is the perfect setting to perform your music? music sort of puts them in a different era? Chromeo: I think either a festival or like a regular theater show, not necessarily Chromeo: Sometimes, but most of the kids that come to a stadium. It's hard to play in smaller clubs...I think live shows should be on a our shows have never lived through the 70's or 80's so stage like a rock performance. they're discovering funk for the first time. Hopefully STEAM: Do you think having two guys in a band leads to less arguments as it's the two of you coming up with the music? listening to our music has people going out and buying just Chromeo: Yeah, we've tried the full band setup and it took away from us. When old records to rediscover that era of music. STEAM: One of the signature elements of your sound is you're in a full band up on stage there's a few guys that no one knows who they the talk box, how did you come about using that in your are and they're just playing their instruments and they never really sound like the record. It took away from Dave and I being dynamic on stage. Now that it’s music? Chromeo: That was back in the day, pre-internet, so I just the two of us it allows is to interact more on stage and allows for a much didn't have a million websites telling me about a talk better live performance.
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SUM M RES ER SPE ER C SEA VE YO IALS! U TN OW R !
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STEAM: So I consider you guys to be electro funk, how would you describe your guy's personal sound? Chromeo: That's pretty accurate. STEAM: Let's go back in time for a minute, how did the band originally form? Chromeo: I had a band in high school and we were looking for other musicians, Dave, who happened to be in the same school, played guitar and he came to try out so that's how we met. It was a musical project. From that point it was always the two of us, changing musicians around us. STEAM: How did your taste in music at the time influence your sound of music as you guys have a very unique sound? Chromeo: We kind of grew up listening to hip hop from a very young age, Dave he grew up listening to classic rock, Led Zeppelin type of stuff. When we met up in high school we started listening to funk music, listening to all types of records. That baggage from the past helped us today creating our music. We love guys that sample records, but we don't sample records, we create everything from scratch. We have a different approach to music, we wanted to sound like sample record musicians without being that. STEAM: You mention that you like sampled music. What's the difference in creating music that sounds like its being sampled but you're creating it yourself? Chromeo: We use the same equipment as the guys would us in the 70's and early 80's which allows us to get closer to that type of sound. We try to get that same vibe and mindset of 'How were they composing songs?' and 'How were they recording songs?'. There was a lot more emphasis on song structure back then. Everyone had a clear chorus and
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Kansas City, Mo., for instance, has a big local rebate — $2 per watt. Jeff Droz is a solar installer in the area, and his company, Roof Power Solar, installs systems that are about $4.50 per watt, or $9,000 for a 2-kw system (before rebates). The local rebate and the federal tax credit would bring that cost to $3,500.
Home Solar Power Won t Break the Bank In the past few years, installing home solar power has become an affordable option for many more people. As more homeowners tap into solar power, we collectively reduce our reliance on fossil fuels that drive climate change. Here are the factors that are changing the playing field. Lower prices. Solar panels are a sizeable investment, but according to a recent report from the Solar Energy Industries Association, the average national price for a solar electric system is now less than $5 per watt installed. That’s a notable drop since 2009, when prices averaged $8 per watt. Ten years before that, they were about $12 per watt. A small home solar electric system might be 2 kilowatts (kw) — or 2,000 watts. At $12 per watt, the system would have cost $24,000. At $5 per watt, it’s more like $10,000. Federal incentive. You can receive a large federal tax credit for purchasing a home solar electric system. This tax credit — which is available through
When the costs are that low, solar panels pay for themselves relatively quickly in lower utility bills. For residential home solar power projects, Droz says the payback period is typically five to six years. A similar project without any local incentives would take roughly twice as long to 2016 — pay for itself. For busiis 30 nesses, the incentives are percent even bigger, and the payof the price back period can be less of the systhan two years. Quite the tem, with no bargain, says Droz: “Very upper limit. From MOTHER EARTH few investments will reSo for that NEWS turn your money in a couby Megan E. Phelps same 2-kw, ple of years and continue $10,000 systo save thousands of doltem, the cost would now be down to lars each year for 25-plus years.” $7,000. Getting the rules right. While incentives Local incentives. As energy prices are enticing, they’re not the only factor climb and the public’s understanding in small-scale solar’s growth, says Jim of climate change deepens, many states are taking steps to support renewable energy, including tax incentives and grant programs. Twenty -nine states have adopted Renewable Portfolio Standards, which set specific quotas for how much of a utility’s power must come from renewable sources. To comply with these policies, many utility companies offer rebates to customers who install grid-connected solar electric systems, and those rebates can add up.
Kennerly, a solar policy analyst at the North Carolina Solar Center. “Incentives are important, but they’re going to become less important than rules. Rules are what will allow you to sell your power,” he says. Most utility companies allow homeowners to connect to the utility’s grid and sell their excess power. Related policies include interconnection standards (technical, legal and procedural requirements that customers and utilities must abide by), netmetering regulations (which essentially allow you to “bank” your excess electricity production on the grid), and feed-in tariffs (long-term contracts with a utility to buy your power at a set price). No set of renewable energy incentives or policies can be taken for granted. Even net metering, which enjoys widespread support and is now available in 43 states, is starting to meet resistance from some utilities. To keep these policies in place — and spread them to more locations — people who support solar power will have to continue arguing that such policies are a good idea. Solar where you live. To learn more about local incentives, rules and regulations, browse the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency at www.dsireusa.org. To keep up with solar news in your area, watch the work of the American Solar Energy Society at www.ases.org, a solar advocacy group with regional chapters across the United States.
Excerpted from MOTHER EARTH NEWS, the Original Guide to Living Wisely. To read more articles from MOTHER EARTH NEWS, please visit www.MotherEarthNews.com or call (800) 234-3368 to subscribe. Copyright 2014 by Ogden Publications Inc.
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asking for advice, or how I grew my career without going to art school, or buying advertising, or how to price their art, so it was very clear that it was time to take all of this knowledge and put it into book format, and to travel around teaching. These aspiring artists just spent upwards of 100K for an education that offers nothing more than technique in the arts, and nothing in the art of business. STEAM We love graphic novels and plan to check yours out. The last one, I brought the Gutter (2010), sounds very interesting! So, do you WWWI and II designs? have another book in the works? Also, where SD I'm very much a huge military history buff. My grandfather do your ideas for them come from? inspired me with how much he was into it--watching all the docuSD Yes, I do have some new books in the mentaries and shows about WWII etc. He also was in the service, works. One is the 'Nazi and the Rabbit', a so a part of why I do the military themed art is to pay homage to dark comedy that follows a rabbit through his him, and is my way of remembering him in all that I do. He was a adolescence on the streets of New Orleans, as very big influence in my life, and it's nice to give back in some way he's chased around by street urchins, drunks, even if he's not with us anymore. pushers, and of course a little Nazi guy. The books underlying themes will poke fun at the : 4.4-6.14 @ DEEP ELLUM IN DALLAS TX current social and political climates in the U.S., : and reiterate the fact that if you don't pay atWWW.INDUSTRIACIDE.COM tention to history, you are doomed to repeat it. I'm also working with Doug Lindquist from : FACEBOOK.COM/SEANDIETRICHART Unibrow comics on a book dealing with Post TWITTER.COM@SEANDIETRICH Traumatic Stress Disorder, seen through the eyes of his own service to his country in the Iraq war. My ideas can stem from anything honestly, from my buddy's time in the Middle East, to a song lyric, to something that is just rattling around in my head. I find that I'm lucky in the way that I can find inspiration through just about anything I put my mind to, and don't have to wait for inspiration to 'hit' me. I truly believe that if you have to wait for inspiration to 'hit' you, then you're in for an incredibly long wait. STEAM And finally‌ Are you a huge war/ military buff? Is that what inspires your
FROM TOP LEFT, CLOCKWISE: Sean Dietrich during the a live art show, Russian Tank Girl, Foxy Desert Tank, B 17 Girl, Fear And Loathing Elvis, Fear And Loathing Colorado, I Got the Fear
Kent Finlay
Amazing Music Mentor, Part 2 This is part two of our interview and history with Kent Finlay and some of the major record labels interested. It Randy Rogers & Kent Finlay packed. Of course after Vaughn met Cheatham Street Warehouse. Finlay is a long-time mentor and was however a slow process as the sound of David Bowie at the 1982 Montreux promoter of Texas songwriters and musicians and in part one Strait’s music did not fit the new “pop” counJazz Festival and subsequently went (March 2014, Volume 2, Issue 12) we talked to him about how he try music labels were looking for. Several years on tour with him he never came back started Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos and about the passed before Erv Woolsey, who had booked to Cheatham; he was just too big.” Songwriter’s Circle he holds on Wednesday nights, mentioning some Ace in the Hole at his venue the “Prairie Finlay has also worked closely with of the alumni that has taken their careers up the music ladder. At Rose” (San Marcos) and is still a large part of Randy Rogers and Todd Snider. Finthe beginning of this project, just after we had interviewed the Strait organizalay says he knew the minute he heard Finlay, we met Christian Wallace at Cheatham Street tion, used his conRandy Rogers and pulled him to the Warehouse (CSW) of course and as we were getting to nections in Nashside, “I told him ‘If you’re willing to know Wallace, his story caught us off guard… he ville to get Strait work harder than you have ever learned of CSW in high school, decided to attend Texas signed with MCA worked. Day in and day out. I think you can make a go at State University-San Marcos because of it, and wrote his Records and they released his this.’ Then I told him to think on it and let me know. master’s thesis based on Kent Finlay and CSW. Walfirst album Strait Country in lace was a great source and allowed us to read his thesis; About an hour later he called and told me he already had a 1981. And, as they say, the George Strait & Kent Finlay the man knows his CSW! Here, in part two, we’ll finish guitar player!” Todd Snider on the other hand Finlay took rest is history as George Strait under his wing and taught him songwriting. If you’ll reup with a little more history and talk about what is happening now and where things are headed for both Finlay and has become one of the biggest names in country music! member from part one, Finlay had Snider listening to Kris When Strait inducted into the Country Music Hall of CSW. Kristofferson’s first three albums every day and now look Fame in 2006 Finlay posted a note on the front door of at him! In talking about the history of CSW and all CSW, “I told you so!” the musicians that have traveled across the Kent Finlay & Todd Snider There are really so many musicians that Strait and the Ace in stage, Finlay gets one of those “you should Finlay has helped in so many ways the the Hole Band are on have been here” looks on his beaming face. list is just unbelievable! But with that in the second leg of their Mixed in with everyone that came and went is a mind, he is at CSW every night waiting farewell tour, The special handful that Finlay just knew had someto hear that “something”. Right now he Cowboy Rides Away. thing and he set out to help them. says there are quite a few groups getting On Tuesday nights in ready to make the jump, so the easiest In 1975 there was a band playing at CSW occathe early 80’s CSW thing is to keep your eyes on the stage! sionally but they were going through changes; featured a young blues swopping out players and singers. Finally they player, Stevie Vaughn - that’s what Finlay is all about the music. It’s his whole life, well alsettled on the singing style of a young man, he went by then. Finlay explains, most… As you can guess the music can’t fall too far from changed the name of the band, and introduced “He was here every Tuesday and the tree and all three of FinGeorge Strait and the Ace in the Hole Band to CONTINUED PAGE 21 we just weren’t packing out the lay’s children are in the muthe world via the Cheatham Street Warehouse house until bassist Tommy Shan- sic business. Jenni went to stage. Finlay heard something special and in non (who was with Johnny Winter) the music business side with 1977 drove Strait to Nashville. Strait, with Stevie Ray Vaughn joined him, but even then it wasn’t promotions and marketing, Jenni Finlay Performing at CSW demo in hand, and Finlay attempted to get STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
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PHOTO CREDIT All Photos From Cheatham Street Warehouse files, Original Photographers unknown
Words By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Mag.
THE NORTH END
San Antonio/New Braunfels/San Marcos/Austin
Troubadour Insights With Dale Martin On April 13, 2014, nine-time Grammy Award winning band, Asleep At The Wheel, and Billy Joe Shaver, will headline an all-star cast of Texas favorites at a fundraiser for the Hill Country’s own Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch at Kerrville’s Cailloux Theater. With an early start at 3:30 p.m., the afternoon and evening will swing to the sounds of these two amazing acts. All proceeds go to Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, a 501c3 nonprofit, which has rescued and successfully placed thousands of dogs and other animals since its inception in 1998. Also featured on the show is Jesse Dayton, who will perform his tribute to George Jones. Co-founder of the Utopia Animal Rescue, and current candidate for Texas Ag Commissioner, Kinky Friedman, will co-host the show. KERV and REV-FM94.3 are presenting the event along with co-sponsor, the Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Conference Center. Asleep At The Wheel has been keeping the tradition of Bob Wills western swing alive for over four decades and have played more July 4th picnics with Willie Nelson than any other act. Billy Joe Shaver has written so many hits for both himself and others that APR 2014 even he can’t remember
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them all. His big break came when Waylon Jennings recorded ‘Honky Tonk Heroes,’ an album composed almost entirely of Billy Joe’s songs. His shows are still more sincere, energetic and heartfelt than any performed by today’s young stars. The Hill Country needs to show its support for one of its greatest assets, Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, all while enjoying a fantastic, once-in-alifetime show in Kerrville. For more info, see their website at utopiarescue.com.
Radney Foster will release “Everything I Should Have Said,” his first album of all new material since 2009, on May 13 on his own Devil's River Records. “I’m always trying to find a little piece of the truth,” says the Texas born and bred singer-songwriter. “With this album, the truth is laid bare.” His first collection of new songs in 5 years opens with “Whose Heart You Wreck,” a stormy tale of love gone bad and closes with the title track, an unflinching apology for things done and left undone. “How do you keep it interesting, this was my challenge,” explained Radney. First of all, it meant leaving Nashville behind, and bringing a suitcase full of songs and like-minded
friends to Louisiana. “I wanted the album to have a band feel, and to do that I knew we needed to get away from schedules and cell phones.” They landed at Dockside Studios, a small studio located on the Louisiana bayou. The space is the site of a long abandoned brothel, and far from the sterile studios of Nashville. “When you’re sitting with the moss hanging from the trees and the bayou rolling by, you can’t help but have your songs slow down and get swampier.” Co-producer Justin Tocket encouraged Radney to dig deep. The recordings were magic, fun, loose and lasting late into the night. Foster and Tocket intentionally chose not to over polish, preferring to keep the tracks live and organic. “I’ve gotten to an age where I feel like I don’t have anything to prove,” admits Foster. “And that’s very freeing when it comes to playing, singing and recording.” Considered an elder statesman of Texas singer-songwriters, Foster has been a friend and mentor to many younger artists on the Texas scene. He’s written and produced songs for Randy Rogers, Jack Ingram, Kacey Musgraves, Wade Bowen, Josh Abbott, Pat Green and Cory Morrow, just name a few. Throughout his 30 year career, Foster has continuously stretched the boundaries. “I strive to challenge myself as a writer, a musician and a singer every day.” Upcoming Texas tour dates include April 4 at Empire Theater, San Antonio; May 9 at Love & War, Plano; May 23 at Mucky Duck, Houston and August 1 at Gruene Hall, New Braunfels. www.martinsmusic.com
RESERVE NOW FOR SUMMER VACATIONS!
STEAM PICKS FOR APRIL ENTERTAINMENT * CIRCLE ARTS THEATER, 124 ELIZABETH AVE, NEW BRAUNFELS SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN APRIL 4-27 (FRIDAYS – SUNDAYS) * FIESTA SAN ANTONIO, WOODLAWN LAKE EARTH DAY CELEBRATION 4/12, 10AM-2PM
ART * FLATBED GALLERY, 2832 E MLK BLVD, AUSTIN TIME AND WEATHER INSTALLATION AND WORKS BY JUDY YOUNGBLOOD APRIL 11 - JUNE 7, 2014 ARTIST RECEPTION: APRIL 25, 2014 6PM - 8PM MUSIC * STUBB’S, 801 RED RIVER, AUSTIN 4/7 CHROMEO * SAXON PUB, 1320 S LAMAR, AUSTIN 4/26 BOB SCHNEIDER’S 12-HOUR SHOW * BROKEN SPOKE, 3201 S LAMAR, AUSTIN 4/9 MIKE & THE MOONPIES, 4/12 DALE WATSON, THURSDAYS JESSE DAYTON * GRUENE HALL, 1281 GRUENE RD, NEW BRAUNFELS 4/4 JERRY JEFF WALKER, 4/19 AARON WATSON, RAY WYLIE HUBBARD * TAVERN IN THE GRUENE, 830 GRUENE RD, NEW BRAUNFELS MONDAYS COURT NANCE & FRIENDS, 4/12 DAVE JORGENSON * TRA’S COUNTRY, 4422 WELZEM RD, SAN ANTONIO THURSDAYS FREDDY CRUZ & THE NOBEL OUTLAWZ * CHEATHAM STREET WAREHOUSE, 119 CHEATHAM ST, SAN MARCOS TUESDAYS BLUE WATER HWY, WEDNESDAYS SONGWRITER’S CIRCLE, 4/10 THEIVING BIRDS
THE SOUTH END
McAllen/Pharr/Harlingen
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VIDA VERDE Prickly Pear Cactus Festival
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5 tons of live Louisiana crawfish 5,000 servings étouffée
of
crawfish
1,000 pounds of andouille sausage 1,000 pounds of potatoes The Rotary Clubs of McAllen have hosted the Crawfish Boil since 1990 for the mere purpose of having a good time. Great food, great music, and some cold drinks with your closest friends! What more could you want? Bring your friends and your appetite along for 2014’s Crawfish Boil at the Las Palmas Race Park in Mission on Friday, April 11th, 2014, brought to you by the Rotary Clubs of McAllen. It all started with a craving for some fresh Louisiana crawfish. Members of the Rotary Clubs of McAllen set out to satisfy that craving, and, lo and behold, the Crawfish Boil was born. Today, it is one of the largest crawfish boils in Texas, with about 3,000 people in attendance each year. Feeding and entertaining that many people calls for a Cajun-worthy feast complete with:
4,000 ears of corn Plenty of ice-cold drinks You don't want to miss Crawfish Boil 2014. To top off this feast of epic proportions, the Rotary Clubs of McAllen have brought to you a live performance by American country star Charlie Robison. So, put on your dancing shoes and dance the night away to burn off all of those crawfish calories. Tickets are on sale now and proceeds collected during the Crawfish Boil benefit many local charities through the Rotary Clubs of McAllen. For ticket information, visit the Crawfish Boil website here. Food is served between 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM, so don't be late! www.thecrawfishboil.com
Join the McAllen community at Quinta Mazatlan as we celebrate nature in the 2014 VIDA VERDE Prickly Pear Cactus Festival on Saturday, April 26th. VIDA VERDE is the Valley's biggest Earth Day celebration that emphasizes the importance of sustainability and the environment. This event will kick-off with a 5k family run or walk at 7:30 AM, followed by a fun-filled day with plenty of exciting activities for the whole family. Visitors can enjoy a variety of special performances, learning exercises and contests, such as: Live Birds of Prey Show Live Ocelot and Wildlife Show Live Reptile Adventures Farmer's Market Native Plant Sale Eco-Fashion Show T-Shirt Design Contest Rock Climbing Organic Cooking Classes Native Plant and Arts Sales But, that's not all! There will always be something fun happening at VIDA VERDE. Take the opportunity to browse over 70 vendors and artists as you stroll through the Quinta Mazatlan mansion grounds while listening to relaxing music. Let the children run and play at the various activity zones set up to educate and entertain your little ones. Or, sit and enjoy the natural surroundings as you watch one of the many shows and presentations at the birding center. For more information concerning this event, such as admission prices or contest rules/submissions, please call 956.681.3370 or click here. Celebrate nature and life with us. We can't wait to see you there!
Mm, Mm SEAFOOD!
t s a o C 3rd e i d o o F
By Tamma hicks, STEAM Mag.
GIGGITY’S RESTAURANT & BAR
MEDITERRANEAN SEAFOOD LINGUINI
Usually when we go to a 3rd Coast Foodie
tions for appetizers as Miranda, our super waitress. Needless to say we had the Smoked Amberjack Crostini (a mixture of smoked amber722 Tarpon St. Port Aransas TX jack, smoked poblano peppers, scallions, toast(361) 749-3663 (FOOD) ed almonds, and mayonnaise served on New 11am to 2am Daily | Kitchen Open ‘til 1am Orleans French bread crostini’s) and the Cala21+ | www.giggitys.com mari (calamari in seasoned flour and deep fried, served with aioli and cocktail sauce). Both were scrumptious! As we were checking out the bar and taking pictures we met Lacey and Joey, who were down for the weekend from San Antonio area. Although they had just finished eating, they were more than willing to help taste-test with us! We all tried the pulled pork tacos (pulled pork served on flour tortillas with Above: Smoked Amberjack & Crostini; Right: Pulled Pork Tacos; Below: Grilled Tuna & Giant Shrimp Giggity’s own barbeque sauce) and they were perfectly tangy with a subtle Southern spice to finish. What a way to start the entrees off! If you hadn’t heard that Giggity’s is known for their seafood… Oh my! Are they ever! And Miranda had some wonderful suggestions for our entrees! We shared the grilled tuna and giant shrimp – and they mean giant! (Sushi grade tuna grilled and topped with Giggity’s Asian peanut glaze with two giant char grilled shrimp and grilled vegetables!) Next we had the crab tortellini (fourcheese tortellini in a creamy lemonbasil sauce with capers and topped with crab) and thought we had died on gone to heaven! But wait there’s more!
we take two or three friends so we get more input than just our own and we get to try more than just a few entrees. Well, after a few hours in the sun and surf on the beach we decided to just head over to Giggity’s Restaurant & Bar for dinner. We were determined to meet people and ask for opinions, which is exactly what we did!
Now, if you haven’t been to Giggity’s you need to go. Not just want, but need! Giggity’s has a classy yet casual atmosphere – basically you can go casually dressed after a day on the beach or dressed up for a night on the town! Either way it’s relaxing! One of the first things you’ll notice is that the restaurant and bar is for 21+, no minors; however, they are working on an addition that will be family friendly. Next you’ll see the fully stocked bar! On busy nights, like Fridays and Saturdays, it is run by two well trained and awesome bartenders that are great at keeping the drinks flowing! There is a nice dance floor and Giggity’s has live music every day of the week! The JT Coldfire Band was playing the night we went and he put on such a great show! This of course helped keep the drinks flowing! As we sat down and began talking to the couple at the table next to us, Chris and Brittany. They’ve been to Giggity’s quite often and had the same great sugges-
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GIGGITY’S Restaurant & Bar
Above: Calamari, Right: Crab Tortellini
Something we hadn’t mentioned to this point is how hard Gig-
gity’s owner, Edwin Myers, works. We watched him set up sound for the band, bar back when it was busy, and serve when waitresses needed extra hands. Anyway, after hearing us talk about how wonderful the food is he suggested we try Mediterranean seafood linguini! (Sautéed jumbo shrimp and mussels in a Greek tomato sauce with feta cheese tossed linguini!) One bite and we most certainly knew why he suggested it! The flavors mixed and mingled yet each stood out on their own… Wow! We were so full we didn’t have room for their famous dessert… Bacon Brownie! This is brownie made from scratch with using their own
314 E AVENUE G PORT ARANSAS
361.290.7143 WWW.BRONSBEACHCARTS.COM
cured maple bacon and served atop Crown Royal maple caramel sauce with fresh whipped cream. Oh my goodness, doesn’t that sound like a little bit of bacon heaven?! We’ll be back for that later! Speaking of later… guess what? Giggity’s kitchen is open until 1:00 am. Yep, you read that right! I can’t tell you how often we’ve tried to find a place to eat, let alone a GREAT place to eat after 10:00 pm and now anytime we’re on the island we have one!
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STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
Disco is Back
WS We are honoring the 15th loud phone in a quiet room anniversary of can make you jump? Add to the Wisconsin that your heightened concentration of making two things that just don’t By Tamma Hicks, STEAM Mag. PHOTO CREDIT WARNER BROS. Death Trip album. We’re really excited that we’ll be doing all the songs go together fit! Yeah, that’s on the album, which is only where my mind was when the about 40 minutes, so the last phone rang… Cool! It’s Wayne 20 to 30 minutes will be a Static! Yep, The King of Evil different encore-set every Disco calling to say he was night! back on tour and coming to STEAM Static X has been Corpus! around for 18 years, which STEAM I have to tell you, we in rock time is forever. I’m were all bummed when you put sure you started out like a quick end to the 2012 tour most groups… the 7and that you didn’t come back passenger band-van. in 2013. WS I did that 7-passenger WS I was pretty upset that we van for about 2-weeks and had to pull it too, but somethen I said there’s no way! times there are circumstances So we went and rented an that force an issue and that’s RV. Fortunately our album what happened. All in all we took off pretty quick and we had to deal with my health went to a bus. Oh yeah, my which included a year off to wife travels with me so we recoup, but I’m back!! We did a have a suite in the back. quick “test tour” in December Nice and comfy. So for and it felt really good, so we’re most of my career we’ve heading out with a start in had a bus. Tempe AZ on April 5. I’ve STEAM Ok, so I’ve got to really been looking forward to ask… What does Wayne this tour! Static listen to?! STEAM You have a great line WS You know, while on up for the tour and I give tour I really got into just not props to Zero’s for bringing it listening to music at all. in. I’m sure it’ll be a sold out Either being in the quiet or show. watching movies; basically WS Yeah, we always have a just shutting it out. But great show in Corpus Christi. facebook.com/iamwaynestatic and www.iamwaynestatic.com recently I’ve been getting There are a lot of metal heads! back into listening to music. We Are Riot and Corvus will I really enjoy listening to classic rock and be with us for the majority of the shows. We SHOW INFO: that type of singing – like Journey, Led ZepAre Riot is Michael Cox’s side project (Coal 4.26.14 @ ZEROS HARD ROCK CLUB, CC pelin, Queen. I can’t sing like that and kind Chamber). Michael and I go way back, so I of envy it, but then those guys don’t do what think that’ll bring an element to the shows as ADDITIONAL BANDS: I do. well. Hey, thanks for giving us a call WE ARE RIOT, CORVUS, KILLAMORA, STEAM What album are you promoting – this was really cool! BLACK LUNG, & SHADOW OF THE GIANT with this tour?
You know how a
Wayne Static Wisconsin Death Trip
Ayers Street Music DO YOU HAVE A BAND? We Carry All Your Musical Needs
NEED TO GET YOUR NAME OUT THERE??
THEN RENT THIS SPACE!
www.ayersstreetmusic.com 3433 Ayers St, CC 361.960.2760
EMAIL SALES@STEAMTX FOR MORE INFORMATION
Kent Finlay
Amazing Music Mentor, Part 2
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STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
Promotions. Sterling Finlay is a sought after bass player and songwriter who is currently playing with Grant Ewing. HalleyAnna is a singer, songwriter, and rhythm guitarist and has been nominated for Lone Star Music's Emerging Artist of 2014 award! In 2003 Finlay was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer. He went through treatment and beat it. Sadly, just last January it was announced that Finlay’s cancer had returned and, as we speak, he is going through the treatment. As you can imagine his medical bills are very high, so donations to help cover the expenses are greatly appreciated. You can also donate by going to: www.jennifinlaypromotions.com/kentfinlaymedicalfund. Todd Snider has recorded a new album, Cheatham Street Warehouse. All album proceeds will go to benefit the Kent Finlay Medical Fund. Available only in digital download format, you can purchase it now in his online store: www.toddsnider.net.
Above: Owen Temple, Kent Finlay, & HalleyAnna Finlay perform 2013,, Photo Credit: Catfish Concerts.com
Left: Big John Mills,, Photo Credit: cheathamstreet.com
Right: Todd Snider’s Cheatham Street Warehouse,, Photo Credit: toddsnider.net
The 2003 illness got Finlay thinking about the future and where it was all going and The Cheatham Street Music Foundation (CSMF) was established in 2008 to perpetuate and carry forward his work. Finlay and the Board of Directors have some great plans for the CSMF and the only way to keep up on that is to follow the website. For the last four years Finlay and CSW have held a 3-day music festival during the last weekend of June to raise funds for CSMF. Each day is packed with talent! As we come to the end of this project and getting to know this great man, Kent Finlay, we are just flabbergasted by not only his humbleness but his knowledge. Personally, I can’t wait to go to Cheatham Street Warehouse just so I can sit in the back, sip my drink, and watch the talent on stage.
Cheatham Street Warehouse: www.cheathamstreet.com CSMW: www.cheathamstreetfoundation.org; www.bigfest.cheathamstreetfoundation.org Kent Finlay Medical Fund: www.jennifinlaypromotions.com/kentfinlaymedicalfund Cheatham Street Warehouse Album: www.toddsnider.net
CROWD AT GRUENE HALL, NBTX SAVING ABLE @ THEOS IN CCTX!
CODY W/ROCKOHOLICS, READY FOR SUMMER!
ALLENE AT ALAMO
JT COLDFIRE BAND @ GIGGITY’S IN PORT A!
SAVING ABLE @ THEO’S IN CCTX!
THE GROOVE HOUNDS, PHOENIX SALOON IN NBTX!
TAMMA, ALLENE WITH TERRI HENDRIX @
LACY & JOEY @ GIGGITY’S IN PORT A!
THE CHURCHYARD IN CCTX
TRACY, READY FOR THE GIG
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ET AS ON 6TH STRE GOING BANAN
@ SXSW
THE HICKS FAMILY WITH LLOYD MAINES IN CCTX