4528 weber rd cctx | (361) 334-5585
Mon-Sat 11am-2am | Sun. 12pm-2am
361-334-6135 | 5815-B Weber Rd Facebook.com/TheosBilliards
open daily 5pm - 2am facebook.com/boneshakers.corpus ,
south texas only rockabilly bar! Metal Mondays
FREE POOL Throwback Tuesdays UNTIL 7PM EVERY DAY
music from the 70s 80s & 90s
LIVE MUSIC NO COVER
6/13 UFC # 188 Velasquez vs WHY PAY TO SEE Werdum YOUR FRIENDS PLAY? LOCAL BANDS
14 BIG
SCREENS LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
& NEVER MISS A SHOW
CHECK OUT OUR DAILY SPECIALS BOARD
Wednesdays An Evening with Elvis! (songs & karaoke)
Thursday Open Mic Night!
Live Music Every Friday & Saturday
*******Dress Code Strictly Enforced! No Thug-Wear, No Gang or Club Colors Allowed!*******
The average American drinks three cups of coffee a day — that’s about 400 million cups of coffee consumed each day in the United States alone. For many, the morning ritual of brewing a hot cup of coffee is a necessity as well as a treat. But instead of creating landfill-bound waste by tossing out used coffee grounds, put these caffeinated soldiers to work. Coffee grounds are surprisingly versatile and can be reused nearly everywhere, from your home to your garden. Odor Eater: Just like baking soda, used coffee grounds can absorb unpleasant odors. Combine a week’s worth of used coffee grounds in an open jar, then place it in the back of your refrigerator or freezer to naturally deodorize the space. Hearth Helper: Before cleaning out your fireplace, sprinkle used coffee grounds over the ashes to dampen the dust and keep it from flying everywhere. Scratch Remover: Reinvigorate scratched wood surfaces: Mix 1/4 cup coffee grounds with 1/4 cup warm water and 1/4 cup vinegar, let steep for an hour, then apply mixture to scratched wood surfaces using a washcloth. (For smaller scratches, use a cotton swab.) Let the stain sit for about five minutes for light-colored surfaces, or up to an hour for dark-colored surfaces, before wiping away. Note: If you are worried about the stain getting too dark, apply in small increments until you achieve the color you want. Hand Savior: Rub coffee grounds into your palms after handling smelly foods such as garlic, onion or even fish. The grounds will absorb the smell, as well as any oil that may have hitched a ride on your hands. Disposal Cleaner: For a better-smelling garbage disposal, pour a tablespoon each of coffee grounds and baking soda down the drain to clean the blades. Note: This works best with newer disposal units. If you are unsure about your drain efficiency, consult your owners’ manual for tips. DIY Candle: Want the warm scent of a coffee shop in your home without roasting beans all day long? Repurpose used coffee grounds into a homemade candle: In a small jar, place a metalbased wick in the center of the container, then fill the jar with alternating layers of coffee grounds and melted beeswax. (Allow the beeswax to solidify between layers.) This candle will release a subtle coffee scent that will help perk you up after a long day — without the caffeine. Dish Cleaner: Mix a handful of coffee grounds with your dish soap to add abrasive grit that can help scrub away tough bits stuck to pots and pans. Meat Rub: Combine 1/2 cup coffee grounds with 1/4 cup ground pepper and 3 tablespoons kosher salt for a savory coffee meat rub. Sprinkle the rub on your favorite raw meat before
tablespoons coconut oil. Rub all over dry skin. This scrub can help reduce the appearance of cellulite as well as tighten and tone skin while feeling great and smelling wonderful. Add a few drops of vanilla extract or essential oil for a vanilla-latte version.
From Mother Earth Living By Taylor Nutting grilling. (For best results use fresh, finely ground coffee.) Worm Compost: Coffee grounds make a phenomenal fertilizer. They are slightly acidic, which is great for acid-loving plants such as blueberries, tomatoes, roses and hydrangeas. Plus, they attract worms, who love this gritty material. Coffee grounds help worms’ digestion, yielding great soil in return, and give worms a boost of caffeine, helping them work at double the speed. Dump used grounds into a compost bin or straight onto your garden. Color Boost: Thanks again to coffee grounds’ acidic nature, you can deepen the blue color of your hydrangeas — or even turn pink hydrangeas blue — by composting with coffee grounds. Hydrangeas’ color is dependent on the pH of the soil. Control Pests: Although there wouldn’t be enough caffeine left in used coffee grounds to kill snails, slugs and other unwelcome garden pests, the pungent aroma will still deter these guys from disturbing your garden. Sprinkle around the perimeter of your plants. You could also use coffee grounds inside the home to repel ants. Sprinkle the grounds where ants commonly enter your house. Seed Starter: Use coffee grounds to help start seeds. With a high carbon-tonitrogen ratio (almost 20:1), used coffee grounds will release nutrients, including nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, into the surrounding soil as they break down. This is great for young seedlings. Sugar Scrub: Gently exfoliate skin with used coffee grounds: Mix 1/2 cup used coffee grounds and 1/2 cup sugar with 2
Exfoliating Soap: Add coffee grounds to melted soap (either from a homemade soap bar or from scraps of soap bars around the house) and allow hardening to make a light exfoliating hand or body soap with a subtle coffee scent. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of coffee grounds for every 1 pound of soap.
Hair Treatment: Massage a mixture of 1/4 cup coffee grounds and 1/4 cup coconut oil into your scalp for a luxurious but deep clean. The caffeine can stimulate hair growth and give your locks fresh luster while dispelling build-up. The coconut oil will moisturize your scalp and hydrate dry strands of hair. Rinse out with an apple cider vinegar rinse. Note: This works best on dark hair, as coffee grounds may stain lighter tresses. Excerpted from Mother Earth Living, a national magazine devoted to living wisely and living well. To read more articles from Mother Earth Living, please visit www.MotherEarthLiving.com or call (800) 340-5846 to subscribe. Copyright 2015 by Ogden Publications Inc.
E
3
JUNE 2015
CONTENTS SOUTH TEXAS ON THE COVER... CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR UPDATES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
ENTERTAINMENT
ART
MUSIC 11
14 OTHER USES FOR COFFEE
9 CALENDAR
18 3RD COAST FOODIE FUSION COFFEE
22 AROUND TOWN
MIDNIGHT RIVER CHOIR
12 AEROSMITH WALK THIS WAY 15 BLACK VEILL BRIDES
WWW STEAMMAGAZINE NET
AEROSMITH PHOTO BY ROSS HALFIN
JUNE 2015 VOL. 4 ISS. 3
16 LOCAL TUNES: TONY SARACENE
ALWAYS IN STEAM
CD REVIEWS 7 COMICS 6 NEW CDS 8 NEW MOVIES 8 QUICK READ 5
PUBLISHER RUSTY HICKS EDITOR TAMMA HICKS COMICS EDITOR ALLENE HICKS STAFF WRITERS RICK BOWEN, DALE MARTIN, TAMMA HICKS, AUDRY OCANAS CONTRIBUTING WRITERS J MICHAEL DOLAN, LORI STEINDORF, DEREK SIGNORE STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS ALLENE HICKS, RUSTY HICKS
TO ADVERTISE WITH US 361-904-4339 | SALES@STEAMTX.COM SEE US ONLINE AT WWW.STEAMMAGAZINE.NET SUBMIT YOUR MUSIC, BOOK, ART, OR SHOW FOR REVIEW! HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? SUBMISSIONS@STEAMTX.COM
ALTERNATIVE WEEKLY NETWORK 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
The cavalry isn’t coming J. Michael Dolan (:29) Of course it would be easier if someone with knowledge, experience and integrity showed up and said “here, let me help you with that.” Of course it would be easier if an A&R rep approached you at a gig and said "here's my card, call me tomorrow." Of course it would be easier if an investor walked in out of the blue and offered you a whopping sum for your great idea or business project. Of course it would be easier if I just handed you the number and said "here, call this person, tell them I sent you." Problem is, the cavalry rarely shows up when you need them. Therefore, while you’re waiting for a miracle, it just might be easier (and more productive) if you continue to seek out, hunt down and pursue any or many of the infinite ways of manifesting your big project on your own. You’re a creative thinker, this is what you do.
OWNERSHIP Others haves tasks. Owners have Responsibilities.
Own it J. Michael Dolan (:07) Gather the info, expel the gossip, research the facts, analyze the data, poke the evidence, and explore all the possibilities. You’re the proprietor of your ideas and the owner of your results. Do the lead work, then do the deep work, then make intelligent choices and decisions going forward.
Tongue tied J. Michael Dolan (:09) I talk to a lot of artists and entrepreneurs about a lot of things. Here’s what I’ve noticed—not like a judgment, more like an observation: Pros tend to talk about ideas, possibilities and opportunities. Semi-pros tend to talk about events, proven methods, and past experiences. Amateurs tend to talk about people, celebrities, and associates.
“May the Force be with you” is charming but it’s not important. What’s important is that YOU become the Force—for yourself and for other people too.” —Harrison Ford
Ab d
A b a
E
5
JUNE 2015
E
6
JUNE 2015
www.theawkwardyeti.com | www.lunarbaboon.com
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
CD
M
7
REVIEWS
STACY JONES WHISKEY, WINE & WATER (INDEPENDENT) By ROB DICKENS The new release from Stacy Jones, Whiskey, Wine & Water, is a pumping concoction of blues and Southern rock led by Jones's muscular and soaring vocals. Jones hails from Washington State. She has twice won the Best Female Vocalist award from the Washington Blues Society. Her voice compares with Bonnie Raitt and Susan Tedeschi. That's how well she sings. Whiskey, Wine & Water (released on March 27, 2015) was produced by Jones and Floyd Reitsma (Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews) and recorded at Studio Litho in Seattle, WA. This collection of twelve homespun, original songs about love, lost love, whiskey drinking and life on the road is engaging. Key tracks for me are "Can't Do Nothin' Right" (about mucking up and forgiveness), "Dreams" (her father co-
wrote this one before she was born), "Hole In My Sole" (inspired by the passing of the great JJ Cale), " 4 D a y s More" (about hope and excitement) and "To Be Loved". With her fourth stud io album, Jones shows off her country, folk and Americana roots while having her cowboy boots well entrenched in dusty blues and soul. Jones has shared the stage with Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite and has made appearances at SXSW (South-By-Southwest in Austin, TX), Chicago Blues Festival and Beale St. Memphis during the International Blues Challenge. Her talent is awaiting the next
level of recognition and I suspect it won't be that long. STACYJONESBAND.COM ROB DICKENS is a freelance music writer and blogger based in Melbourne, Australia. WWW.ROBDICKENS101.COM ** EDITORS NOTE: You can hear Stacy Jones on www.steammagazineradio.net or get the free KryKey Android mobile app and tune in to STEAM Magazine Radio 1081!
dimensions, become far more poetic and more incisive in observations and in the way he presents the songs to the listener. Almost hard to grasp that the same person could write and sing 2 such different songs “Stone Blind Horses” and “Chick Singer, Badass Rockin’!” Different in feel, different in sentiment, different in intent. Sometimes it has been suggested that there is a conglomerate that is Ray Wylie, however it is just the maturation of the person who has fully and thoroughly lived a life and learned the lessons set out for him, and has the skill to put them forth in an effective manner.
RAY WYLIE HUBBARD THE RUFFIAN’S MISFORTUNE (BORDELLO RECORDS ) By BOB GOTTLIEB Well, we have another gem from Ray Wylie Hubbard and this one has more punch and kick than any of his other discs, more focused and the words are more pointed. His digs are deeper and the songs because of the interplay of the words, music, and force of the vocals dive into deeper waters in a more forceful way. It is amazing to take a step back and put on his discs and play them in the order they were released, then you can follow the progression of his songwriting; he becomes more focused and sharp edged and at the same time more poetic and tender. Quite a feat.
His song writing has taken on new meanings and
Has he become the grandmaster of Texas music? Probably not as there is a fellow named Willie Nelson around and he is still active and vibrant, but Ray Wylie sure has become established at the top of the folk, dirty hill country blues heap of this far land. If you don’t know of him go back and listen to maybe “Snake Farm” or “The Grifter’s Hymnal” or actually any of his multitude of discs, watch the growth as it occurs. If you haven’t seen a live show put your seat belt on brace yourself and hold on for the ride. One hell of a ride. RAYWYLIE.com BOB GOTTLIEB is a freelance music writer based in Arizona. WWW.RASCALSFAIR.COM
JUNE 3
Damaged Bug Frank Zappa Jaga Jazzist Jamie xx Kid Wave Major Lazer RiFF RAFF RiFF RAFF Rolo Tomassi Slaves The Darkness
6 / 16
6/2
6 / 12 Monday 1 June Cold Hot Plumbs Dance Me This Starfire In Colour Wonderlust Peace Is The Mission The Peach Panther The Purple Panther Grievances Are You Satisfied? Last Of Our Kind
Tuesday 2 June A$AP Rocky At. Long. Last. A$AP Algiers Algiers Armored Saint Win Hands Down Civil Twilight Story Of An Immigrant Daughn Gibson Carnation Eternal Summers Gold and Stone Florence + the Machine How Big How Blue How Beautiful Girlpool Before The World Was Big Goatsnake Black Age Blues Hawksley Workman Old Cheetah I The Mighty Connector Jason Derülo Everything Is 4 Jeremy Bass New York In Spring Joanna Gruesome Peanut Butter Matt Skiba & the Sekrets KUTS Nozinja Nozinja Lodge Roman à Clef Abandonware Simply Red Big Love Skinless Only The Ruthless Remain SOAK Before We Forgot How to Dream Sun Kil Moon Universal Themes Tenement Predatory Headlights Tom Chapin 70 Vows Soon Enough Love Monday 8 June Container LP PINS Wild Nights Tuesday 9 June Corey Smith While the Gettin' Is Good FFS FFS Institute Catharsis Jack + Eliza Gentle Warnings Jenny Hval Apocalypse, girl Moritz von Oswald Trio Sounding Lines Muse Drones No Joy More Faithful Of Monsters and Men Beneath The Skin
PINS Sightings Stellar OM Source Tamia Teen Men Uniform Young Guns Monday 15 June DJ Koze Everything Everything Sarah Cracknell Tuesday 16 June Active Child AraabMuzik Ben Browning Calvin Love Ed Helms Hudson Mohawke Jaakko Eino Kalevi James Taylor Migos Nate Ruess Neil Young Outfit Ryn Weaver Third Eye Blind
DJ Kicks Get To Heaven Red Kit Mercy Dream World Turns Super Future Ed Helms Lantern Jaakko Eino Kalevi Before This World Y.R.N.: The Album Grand Romantic The Monsanto Years Slowness The Fool Dopamine
E JUNE 2015
JUNE 19
Tuesday 23 June Bang Gang The Wolves Are Whispering Breaking Benjamin Dark Before Dawn Bully Feels Like Cody Simpson Free Creepoid Cemetery Highrise Slum Desaparecidos Payola Kacey Musgraves Pageant Material Pistol George Warren Oceapur 9 Richard Thompson Still Son Lux Bones Walter TV Blessed Wolf Alice My Love Is Cool _LINDEN Rest And Be Thankful Bilal LifeFailure Joy Williams La Priest Matt Pond PA Miguel The Legends The Velvet Teen
Tuesday 30 June In Another The Heart Is A Monster Venus Inji The State Of Gold Wildheart It's Love All Is Illusory
314 E AVE. G PORT ARANSAS
8
JUNE 12
Wild Nights Amusers And Puzzlers Nite-Glo LoveLife Teen Men Perfect World Ones And Zeroes
361.290.7143 WWW.BRONSBEACHCARTS.COM
JUNE 26
STEAM PICKS FOR JUNE RT BENEFIT CONCE X #BANDTOGETHERT
E
9
A
RT FIRST TH URSDAY SOUTH FOOD, F CONGR UN, SHO ESS, AU PPING STIN 6/4 RC MA E TH JUNE 7TH @ F IR S TX T OS F RC R MA ID N SA A O, Y ARTIS NI T 120 E SAN ANTO PORT A S RECEPTION 6 RANSAS / FIRST SA ART CEN 5 TURDAY TER A DOWNT OWN AR RTWALK 6/6 ANSAS P ASS MIKEL MAY’S BEACHSIDE BAR & GRILL, ON BOB HALL PIER, CORPUS CHRISTI THURSDAYS FREE SALSA DANE LESSONS, FRIDAYS: FABIAN RIVERA, SATURDAYS: RUBEN LIMAS AND GRACE ROBERTSON, SUNDAYS: PICKLE FISH, BANDS EVERY SATURDAY 9-1! GIGGITY’S, 722 TARPON ST, PORT ARANSAS LIVE MUSIC EVERY NIGHT! SUNDAYS: ANTONE & THE ALL STARS, MONDAYS: OPEN JAM, TUESDAYS WITH PAUL TAYLOR BAND, THURSDAYS: FREE BEER BAND, 6/3 TY DIETZ & TONY SARACENE, 6/5 ALOHA DAVE & THE TOURISTS, 6/6 PATRICE PIKE, 6/10 RUBEN LIMAS, 6/12 MIKE MILLIGAN & TEXIANA BLUES, 6/13 LYRICAL BYNGE, 6/17 BILLY SNIPES, 6/19 SHELLEY KING BAND, 6/20 AUSTIN HEAT, 6/24 STEVIE START, 6/26 ULRICH ELLISON & TRIBE, 6/27 TODD DORN & THE SEA DRIFTERS RED’S SPORTS BAR, 5114 CARROLL LN, CORPUS CHRISTI SUNDAYS - DJ, WEDNESDAYS - BENTO RAMON, 6/6 SOLEDAD, 6/11 TRISUM, 6/12 HARD CANDY, 6/13 VINYL, 6/19 TRISUM, 6/20 PROFILE, 6/25 TRISUM, 6/26 JOHN CORTEZ BAND, 6/27 CATHOUSE
SHORTY’S, 823 TARPON ST, PORT ARANSAS 6/4 SELFIE, 6/5 JIM DUGAN, 6/6 STEVIE START, 6/11 TBA, 6/12 BILLY SNIPES, 6/13 MANDY ROWDEN, 6/18 SELFIE, 6/19 INDEPENDENT THIEVES, 6/20 TY DIETZ BAND, 6/25-27 PETE BENZ
THEO’S BILLIARDS, 5815-B WEBER RD, CORPUS CHRISTI 6/13 UFC #188
JUNE 2015
GO TO
BAY J AMM & CINE IN’ CONCER T M A SE CONC ERTS RIES EVER THUR MOVIE SDAY @ 7:3 Y S EVE 0PM COLE RY FRI @ DA PARK, CC TX RK SOU BOTAN TH TEXAS IC & NAT AL GARDEN S URE Corpus CENTER Christi SUNSE 6/13 FR T LIVE EE FAMIL Y & PE ADMIN TF MCALL EN CO RIENDLY NV CENTE ENTION R
THEO’S BONESHAKERS, 4528 WEBER RD, CORPUS CHRISTI METAL MONDAYS; THROWBACK TUESDAYS WITH MUSIC FROM THE 70s 80s & 90s, WEDNESDAYS: AN EVENING WITH ELVIS (SONGS AND KARAOKE); THURSDAYS: OPEN MIC; LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY, 6/13 UFC #188
ENTERTAINMENT
FRONTIER SALOON, 9709 LEOPARD ST, CORPUS CHRISTI THURSDAYS: KARAOKE WITH HOLLY ADAMS; 6/6
USS LEXINGTON CORPUS CHRISTI
CUVERALLS, 6/13 TY DIETZ BAND, 6/20 JOHN CORTEZ BAND, 6/27 VELOCITY CONFETTI’S, 3855 S ALAMEDA, CORPUS CHRISTI THURSDAYS: SCHRODINGER’S CAT BAND WITH JOE HOLLAND; 6/3 PETE PETERSON, 6/5 JEFF “EL JEFE” ANDERSON TRIO, 6/6 PICKLE FISH, 6/10 BOB MINER WITH DENIM & LACE AND JODIE ALLEY, 6/12 PICKLE FISH, 6/13 BUSHBULLET, 6/17 PETE PETERSON, 6/19 PICKLE FISH, 6/20 TBA, 6/24 BOB MINER WITH DENIM & LACE AND JODIE ALLEY, 6/26 PICKLE FISH, 6/27 SHADOW MOON FUSION COFFEE, 2146 WALDRON RD, CORPUS CHRISTI LIVE MUSIC EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY MUSICIANS INCLUDE MARIANA ZEL, SHAYNA SANDS, STEVEN ALAN WRIGHT, MATHIAS ISSASSI, DEBRA SCOTT BROWN; 6/29 LAST MONDAY OPEN MIC THE SANDBAR, 15202 WINWARD DR, CORPUS CHRISTI THURSDAYS: STEVIE START; 6/5 RED GIANT, 6/6 DAVID & THE HIRED GUNS, 6/7 DAVE’S DUO, 6/12 LAID BACK, 6/13 RED GIANT, 6/14 TBA, 6/19 HARD AT PLAY, 6/20 DOUBLE R NOTHIN, 6/21 DAVE’S DUO, 6/26 RED GIANT, 6/27 BEACH STONE RISE, 6/28 DAVE’S DUO
ND MORGAN’S WONDERLA R ALL ABILITIES FO RK PA T EN EM US AM SAN ANTONIO AQUARIUM SAN ANTONIO ZOO & SAN ANTONIO TE PARK MUSTANG ISLAND STA S SA AN PORT AR NATIONAL SEASHORE NORTH PADRE ISLAND
E
10
JUNE 2015
THE NORTH END
Troubadour Insights
Texas boy Rodney Crowell
San Antonio/New Braunfels/San Marcos/Austin
With Dale Martin
has teamed up with his old boss, Emmylou Harris, to record another duet album. It’s a follow-up to the critically acclaimed and 2013 Grammy winning ‘Old Yellow Moon.’ Titled ‘The Traveling Kind,’ it was released in mid-May on Nonesuch Records and the dynamic duo hit the road for a series of select dates, including the Kerrville Folk Festival. The album was recorded at Sound Emporium and House of Blues Studio, both in Nashville. They met in 1974 and vowed to record an album together as soon as possible. It only took 39 years for them to follow through with their promise. Harris first covered Crowell's "Bluebird Wine" on her 1975 album ‘Pieces of the Sky,’ he played guitar in her band and she backed him on his first solo LP. "We vowed the first night we met in 1974 to make a record," Crowell recently told Rolling Stone Magazine. It took over 30 years to see it through the first time, but only two to make the follow-up. "I finally grew into my voice," he said, "and got comfortable with the sound of it, and when we made ‘Old Yellow Moon’ I went in and said, 'OK, I'm ready. I can deliver on my end of this duet partnership.” The songs cover many styles, from pure Americana to folk to blues, formats that both artists are certainly comfortable with. Joe Henry produced the new album and did a perfect job of matching music to their voices. While they are touring together on select dates, Rodney is still promoting his 2014 release, ‘Tarpaper Sky.’
Rodney was born in Texas so naturally he has a deep rooted connection to the Lone Star State. He also has a connection to New Braunfels and a local musician named Zack Walther. A few years ago, Zack was at the Steamboat Music Fest to participate in a tribute to Rodney. The song Zack chose to perform was a rare unreleased Crowell tune titled ‘Another Place, Another Time.’ Rodney was so moved by the performance, he invited Zack to come to Nashville and record some songs at his home studio. He has become a mentor to Zack and they stay in touch on a regular basis. When Rodney heard the news that Zack’s 6-week old daughter Lennon had been diagnosed with Leukemia and was in a San Antonio children’s hospital, he immediately offered his help. That help will come in the form of a benefit concert on June 14 at the Brauntex Theatre in downtown New Braunfels. Joining Rodney will be Wimberley singer songwriter Hal Ketchum. There has been a huge outpouring of support for Zack and his wife Marci. This is news no parent wants to hear, much less see their child go through. As I write these words, musicians all over the state are planning a benefit concert. Since their schedules are so tight, two concerts are needed in order to accommodate all the artists that want to help. The first will be June 14 at the Brauntex, the second one will take place on June 28 at River Road
Ice House. Please keep Zack and Marci in your prayers; baby Lennon has a long tough journey ahead of her. You can find the info at gofundme.com/loveforlennon325 if you want to donate.
The
2015 Americana Music Awards will take place on September 16 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Several Texas artists have been nominated for awards, because, let’s be honest here, the best Americana artists in the world come from Texas. Lucinda Williams is in a three way tie with Shakey Graves and Sturgill Simpson for the most nominations, with each scoring three nods. Former Friday Night Lights actor Graves (real name: Alejandro RoseGarcia) is included in the Album, Emerging Artist and Song of the Year categories, on the strength of his third studio album, ‘And the War Came.’ Texas gal Lee Ann Womack came back from a sevenyear hiatus to find her new, Grammy-nominated ‘The Way I'm Livin' album embraced by the Americana community. In addition to Album of the Year, she's also among contenders for the night's top honor, Artist of the Year. When the votes are all counted, my money is on our Texas folks bringing in their share of awards. I’ve been a major fan of Joe Ely for so long, I honestly can’t recall a time when one of his CD’s wasn’t in my player. It made me very proud to learn he was just named the official Texas State Musician for 2016. On May 7th, in proceedings held at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Ely was formally appointed the Official Texas State Musician for 2016, recognized for his outstanding commitment to the arts in his home state. "I'm humbled to be recognized in this manner by the state of my birth," Ely said in a statement. "As a songwriter, I've always felt extremely fortunate to have grown up in such an inspirational place with its rich, compelling history. Texas is filled with some of the most fascinating characters in the world." Ely grew up in Lubbock, stomping grounds for Buddy Holly, Waylon Jennings, Butch Hancock and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. In the early 70’s he joined forces with Gilmore and Hancock and formed The Flatlanders, a group that still plays occasional shows today. Ely is often compared to Bruce Springsteen and even joins the boss when he plays shows in Texas. Candidates for Texas State Musician are nominated by the general public, after which a committee, composed of members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor and speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, makes the final selections. Billy Joe Shaver, who held the title in 2006, was one of the people who submitted a nomination for Ely. Other Texans who have received recognition include Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Dale Watson and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons.
www.martinsmusic.com
M
11 Soothing, Soulful Music To Cure What Ails
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
By Lori Steindorf
sue with one another, we sit and talk about it and come out closer on the other side. Our hearts all beat to the rhythm of whichever song we might be playing together at that time. Egos and pride pale in comparison to our love for one another and ability to play good music," Middleton said. Self-professed miniature golf fanatics, these good-natured brothers have also earned an unusual distinction along the way. "We are one of the first bands from Texas to be sponsored by a Colorado Cannabis Dispensary when playing inside Colorado state borders. It's called High Country Healing," he said.
oulfully serenading ardent fans, the unflappable band of brothers who comprise Midnight River Choir share an affinity for weaving together uplifting, infectious grooves chock-full of thoughtful lyrics and moving melodies that defy genres. Refusing to be pigeonholed, these self-taught musicians, imbued with vim and vigor for their craft, mesmerize the masses and convert disbelievers in venues across the United States with their signature sound. For the sake of the song, they perform everywhere, from roadside dives, barrooms and coffeehouses to legendary dance halls and outdoor music festivals. "Our sound is a conglomeration of all the different music styles we are influenced by individually. I say it's feelgood music. It’s reminiscent of a jam-band sound. We go from country, to rock, to ballad, to blues, to groove sometimes all in the same
song," said Eric Middleton, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist.
and laid-back vibe penetrate crowds. Together, they captivate listeners by delivering ear-pleasing therapy designed to ward off the stressors that everyday life often brings. It is what makes it all worthwhile, Middleton said.
sists of Justin Nelson, lead guitar and harmony vocals, Bob Driver III, bass and harmony vocals, and Mitchell Pyeatt, drums and harmony vocals. Middleton detailed the creative process behind their songs.
Touting three albums, Freedom Wine (2009), Welcome To Delirium (2011), and Fresh Air (2014), these guys are swiftly garnering wide"We each do our own bit of spread acclaim. Middleton "Playing with my brothers writing and usually come strongly suggests, however, together to finish the that people check out Midnight River Choir Kismet. Serendipitous. songs. Inspiration can be drawn from anything in during a live show to heighten listening pleas- Fortuitous. The stars in- the world if you think ure. Their music bridges deed aligned, the clouds about it artistically. To some, a pile of sticks is a the generation gap and parted and Midnight pile of sticks. But it could appeals to those of all River Choir was born. just as easily be gathered demographics. memories to light on fire "I'm not kidding - I've every night to increase the and finally let go of. It's all seen an 89-year-old woman quality of other people's about perception," he said. holding her newborn great lives makes this job everyOne of the most admirable grandchild at our show bething I hoped it would be qualities of Midnight River fore. We had four generawhen I started out. To see Choir is the chemistry tions of that family there. people laugh, cry, hug each among bandmates. They That was cool. That being other, love each other, high never wane in their fervor for said, I feel like our music five, close their eyes to feel performing, and their visible speaks louder than age. We it and sing along to somegusto and reverence for grab the attention of people thing I have created makes each other are evident in the of all ages and all walks of it all make sense as to why music they create and life. Common trait is funwe do this," he said. share. loving fans of live music," Middleton said. Midnight River Choir's sincere, soothing style of music
In existence for seven years, this lineup of incredibly talented musicians also con-
"We just understand each other. Even when no one else can. If we have an is-
crowd favorite, Midnight River Choir is very much in demand to perform at Texas hotspots, including world-famous Gruene Hall and the rustically quaint River Road Icehouse in New Braunfels. Boundless energy and invigorating stage presence define them. Midnight River Choir is also the resident band at Hippy Gypsy Boutique in historic Gruene, Texas. "We play to impress each other as well as to entertain the crowd. We never get complacent in what we are playing. We try to constantly evolve and try new things to sweeten the groove," Middleton said. Widening their scope, they are also unabashedly touring nationwide in coming months to promote their authentic brand of music, which is already wellreceived. Bandmates are accustomed to rolling down the nation's highways for additional meaningful gigs and revel in absorbing the picturesque scenery en route to their next destination. "We are headed to New
Continued On Pg 21
It’s not often that legends in the business sing the praises of those looking to take the altar from them and usher in a new era of rock and roll but such has been the case with the Black Veil Brides. With both Sebastian Bach and Nikki Sixx ringing in their praises it should come as no surprise that the band literally looks like the offspring of either two if not from Motley Crue as well. Pushing past their image though it’s easy to see why the band has been awarded the most loyal fan base a few years in a row…they’ve earned it. In an era where rock has become infused with everything set out to destroy it, The Black Veil Brides stand for what makes it so great, with both style and Writer Credit: Derek Signore, Sound Magazine | Photo Credit: Jonathan Weiner substance.
STEAM: The band has always kept busy with four albums in four years going against the typical eighteen month album tour cycle. What fuels that decision especially in the face of an industry plagued by declining record sales?
es. Is video sharing of your performances on sites like YouTube and Vimeo something you approve of or are you in the mindset that it could damage the bands image as anyone can post regardless of quality?
BVB: The reality is that we are young and have had a lot BVB: I think it’s kind of fool’s errand not to embrace it. of success so we don’t want to take something like that for granted. We enjoy making music and been given a platform to release records so we feel it would be a cop out for us not to do that. I think the other side of it is we all grew up in an era where bands would release a few albums then break up or release a few albums and then just rely and tour than material for years afterwards which was kind of upsetting as a fan. For our fans we don’t want to spoil their enthusiasm, we want to enrich it with new material. The reality is that we know these new albums aren’t making us any money and the time spent away from touring to record them is only costing us money but it helps us sharpen our wits and constantly provides new material for the live show which keeps things fresh and bands coming back.
The people who get on the soap box and complain just don’t seem to understand the reality of how positive it can be for you. The idea that stuff like Spotify is financially hurting the artist is one hundred percent accurate but I don’t know how to fix it. The fact of the matter is that within a day of release someone is going to put our album up on YouTube and fuck with the STEAM to avoid copyright issues and thus make us STEAM like shit, that’s the reality. Until we can come up with positive solutions I don’t really know how productive it is to spend my day worrying about it.
STEAM:
BVB: I never wanted the band to look the same through
The state of rock radio here in the northeast is dead leading a lot of bands to take their material to Sirius and XM. Outside of relaxed censorship rules what are the benefits of making such a change?
BVB: Satellite radio has always been great to us just due to the sheer amount of channels we can be featured on. Not only that but we’ve been actually able to find our way onto active rock radio in the South and Midwest as well which is nice. We’ve also been fortunate to have a great relationship with media companies like the WWE and ESPN who have featured our material during their shows. Music is more than radio now so anywhere you can find an alternative and be featured you have to make the most of the opportunity.
STEAM: During the making of the latest album the band released quite a few behind the scenes videos of the studio process and life on the road which reminded us of Pantera’s ‘Vulgar Videos’ from the early 90’s. In 2014 everything is recorded including video of your live performanc-
STEAM: The image of the band has toned down in recent years with the black paint going away, while the volume has increased which is great. How did the decision to change such image take place over time? every record cycle. When it came to the last record I don’t think that over the top big hair look would have matched the feel of the record. By the time we were able to get into the studio we had been in that mindset for a lot of the road. To put in the time to put all that makeup on every night requires a certain type of mindset and while we did have that mindset for years but when that feeling starts to fade it feels like the band is bullshitting it’s fans on stage because you aren’t giving it one hundred percent. On the other side as we’ve been able to afford a larger stage set up we were able to move away from the hair and the makeup and let the production side of things take over.
STEAM: At the Golden God Awards the band has one ‘Most Dedicated Fans’ a few years in a row now. With that in mind there have to be a few fan stories that are a little crazier than others.
BVB: To be honest with you they’re really not crazy. We have multiple groups of people follow us for an entire
tour. In and by itself that doesn’t seem so incredible but when you consider that this is a three month run taking us across the country within a short span of time it’s incredible to watch these people show up from show to show. For lack of sounding like it’s creepy I think it’s incredible to have that kind of dedication and it’s something that keeps the band going.
STEAM: Creepy no...But if you catch any of them at your overseas shows you might want to check that they aren’t hitching a ride along in your luggage.
BVB:
That’s actually happened (laughing), not hiding in our luggage but we’ve seen fans cross the oceans with us, like I said…very dedicated.
STEAM: Bob Rock, legendary producer took on your last album, has it sunk in yet that the band is now in the upper echelon of bands now?
BVB: I never thought we would have the opportunity to work with someone like Bob Rock; the man has worked with Legends like Metallica and Steven Tyler. Sebastian Bach and Nikki Six have been supporters and now that we’ve been able to work with Bob it’s been incredible.
STEAM: You look like musicians kids…like if the Members of Motley Crue all had kids on the road with groupies and those kids decided to start a band. Has anyone in the band ever taken a DNA test?
BVB: (Laughing) No, not yet but it is awesome when people draw those comparisons. Those musicians might have kids out there, we’re just not them.
VA N S WA R P E D T O U R 2 0 1 5 S U N D AY, J U N E 2 8 , 2 0 1 5
San Antonio TX AT & T C e n t e r vanswarpedtour.c o m/
M
15
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
By Tamma Hicks
Who were your musical inspirations? I was born and raised in Florida’s Ft Lauderdale area. Dad played, brother played and I still use the ’56 that he gave me. I am the youngest 6, who were all much older than me and I inherited all their 45’s and it was the cool stuff like Link Wray and Duane Eddy and surf music and the Monkeys. Just cool stuff. Jaco Pastorius was a huge influence although he was a bass player; it was jazz that brought me to him. He’s attributed with inventing punk-jazz and he was best known for his playing on a fretless bass. First time I saw him I went to see my guitar teacher’s jazz band at a little club in Ft Lauderdale. We were watching the band when this guy walks in with paint stripes across his face, wearing a Seminole Indian dress of bright colors, and macramé shoes. I didn’t know at the time it was Jaco, I thought some homeless guy had wandered in. But he walks up and stands in front of the bass player, and the band still going, and the guy hands over the bass. Jaco turns everything up to 10 and starts playing Jimi Hendrix music. The band stops, the crowd entranced, and the next thing you
M
16
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
know he pulls the chord out and Yeah, We hadn’t been there for drops the bass on the floor. And very long and Richard decided to follow his own career path. Fortuwalks out. (laughing) nately, I knew a little about conWow, that had to have been struction and acoustic ceilings, so I strange. So what brought you to did that to supplement my music career. South Texas? Actually I left Florida at 18 for New York City, where I lived for You were in New York for 20 20 years, before moving to Austin years and at some point weren’t you signed to EMI? and then South Texas. Yeah, I was in Hell’s Kitchen New 18, huh? That’s a life changer. York which was a very diverse Were you in a band that moved group. The only way I can describe our sound is if [Lynyrd] Skynyrd there? I got hired to move there with went metal. We played with Faith Richard (Rich) Wyman as part of No More, Red Hot Chili Peppers, his band and then I was pretty Slayer, Motorhead. Hell’s Kitchen much abandoned. I had been New York was a very popular band through New York a couple of in New York City. We did three times before moving there, but I records, but it just never went anymoved to Hell’s Kitchen – right where. These guys are all just so there in the middle at 49th and 9th talented. The rhythm guitarist Avenues. I was in a five-story walk played with Lady Gaga, the drumup across from a school and from mer plays with Guns and Roses, my window looking down to the the bass player is with El Nino street corner there was a drugstore, (who’s coming to San Antonio this but all I could see was a big neon month), the singer really got into flashing sign, “DRUGS”. And right acting and film making and such below it was where all the drug and just won at big film festival up dealers hung out; any flavor, any there. We’re all still good friends color you wanted. Of course now, and it would be really great to get that area has been cleaned up and back together. After that I went to work for is a high-rent district now. Manny’s Music and it was probably Wait, so you were abandoned in one of the most popular music stores in the world run by the GolNew York?
drich family. It was the place to go, all the girls wanted to hang out there because that’s where the rock stars would buy their equipment. And like back in the 70’s it was cheaper for an English band to come here and buy a Les Paul to take back with them than it was to buy one there, because of all the tariffs and taxes. I was in the proaudio department. One night Judd Goldrich told me that I should stay late, didn’t have to but I really should. The next thing I know there’s this group of English guys walking in and they’re followed by a film crew, VH1’s film crew… It was the first time Bad Company had gotten together in like 25 years and they did it at Manny’s because that’s where they’d bought a lot of their gear. That’s so cool! Yeah, it was like Bad Company, the film crew, and I think three of us. Not too long after that the Goldrich’s sold the company and I started looking for something new. Is that when you decided to move to Texas? Not that I decided to leave New York specifically, but one of my Manny’s clients offered me $10,000 to go to Austin and build a studio. I told him that I’d think about it but if I agreed I want to build it my
own way and he said OK. A few months later it was the right time in my life to do something like this, so there I was moving from the top floor walk-up in a Puerto Rican neighborhood with my 30 plus creates of vinyl records and 50 some guitars to Austin Texas. So we built Dub Artist Collective on Red river, right next to Ironworks Bar-B-Que. The studio was full of analog gear we brought in from around the US and some from London, but we had no clientele. So I went through the Chronicle’s musician registry. “Hi, this is Tony Saracene with Dub Artist Collective. We’re a new analog studio in town, please come down.” A to Z. I get to Hunt Sales and he says “I’ll be there in 5 minutes.” This guy rushes in, totally tattooed, long hair, half gold teeth, and everything is just fast. I had no idea who this guy was. From his first step through the door he starts yelling orders at me, “get me a newspaper!” Goes into the guitar room “Give me a bass. Record this, quick.” Goes into the drum room, “Are you getting this? Record it, record it!” Yelling at me the whole time and I can’t turn the headphones up loud enough. (laughing) Was this guy deaf? No, I don’t think so. Turned out he’s Soupy Sales son and had been playing professionally since he was like 13 and at that time he was like 56 or something. Super famous; super talented. He’s played for everyone like David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Todd Rundren, Utopia, Tin Machine; just great, great musicians and here he is yelling at me to turn it up! (laughing) He goes back in the guitar room, lays down a track. Grabs the newspaper as he runs into the vocal booth and starts singing stuff he reads out of the paper. Lays down the whole song and leaves. Boom, he’s out the door. From the time I called him to the time he walks out it’s been like maybe 30 minutes. It was a Jaco thing all over. It was just fascinating. My time with Dub was really incredible. I met and recorded all kinds of people, mainly because I gave time away because studio time is so expensive and no bands have money. Being into the kind of music you were, how did you connect with blues great John Lee hooker? This redheaded woman came in one day and she had this incredible voice, but she didn’t know any of the bands – just the old time musicians like Betsy Smith. Turns out she was John Lee
Hooker’s singer for 13 or 14 years. Her name is Vala Cupp. We dated a little and she began singing for my band Poon Tang, but she’s the one who turned me on to John Lee and I went out to Cali and did 4 shows with him. But at the time I was producing a band called Blood Burning. They were like Buddy Holly on meth. It’s psychobilly stuff. Not really what I was into, but the kids really intrigued me. So we were in the studio trying to figure out what would really bring these guys out and I came up with a John Lee Hooker Tribute album. So Blood Burning did “Bourbon, Scotch, and Beer” and I remember having to duct tape the headphones on their heads because they bounced around too much. (laughs) Not my favorite cut on the album but one of my favorite memories of it. Then I asked Dale Watson, whose first record he bought as a kid was John Lee Hooker’s “Maudie,” if he’d be on the album and of course he did “Maudie” in country style. There are 17 tracks on the album, all done by different amazing musicians; Ray Wylie Hubbard, Double Trouble, and of course Hunt. In fact I have the last recordings of John Lee and a 45 minute conversation with him. Anyway, anyone could do any genre except blues – that was reserved for John Lee – as long as it was one of John Lee’s songs. John Lee did 147 records, of course some of the songs are repeated on the albums, but it’s always different with the blues, so that’s at least 1,000 songs. We’re in the studio with Roy Cox and me on guitar, John Vogelsang on bass, Vala is holding lyrics, the Groove Line Horns in another room, and in walks Hunt. He starts yelling orders at all of us
followed by, “just don’t fuck it up, but you probably will!” He goes to the horn guys writes out what he wants them to do, walks up to me and Roy and says, “Do this.” John is starting to edge away from this cat, Valla’s shaking and not knowing what to expect. So he says we’re doing “The Shout”. Well, I’d just recorded that with Barbara Kay. I mean really there are a thousand songs and on the same day two artists decide to do the same song?! They were completely different versions of the song; hers is very Middle Eastern, sultry and soulful. Hunt’s is R&B style with him singing and playing drums. One take, because we were all too scared to fuck it up. (laughing) It was a phenomenal experience and the album has never been released. So when did you get down to South Texas? Well, I moved down to San Antonio for a while and became friends with Chisum Mills. Who introduced me to Tyler McCumber and then it just made more sense to move to that area (Swinney Switch and Tuleta) because of all the recording I was doing and, really, friendships that were building. Since then we set up studio and recorded Tyler’s two albums, Carrie
Denniston’s album, and now working on a new material with Ty Dietz and Kit Gutherz. Besides studio work you’re playing a lot aren’t you? Yeah, I’m playing with Ty a lot. We do both a duo and a band; that’s when Jason Maddox, on bass, and Bobby Donaho, on drums, round out us out. Seems like we’re always playing in Port Aransas, but we’re all over really. You have had such a… Don’t say great life, because I come
from a family of longevity. I’ll be around for a long time still.
M
17
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
Ok, let me say it this way… Being so young you have been fortunate to have had so many experiences already . You have the ability to be at the right place at the right time, so you must realize that you live the dream life of others? All I can say is I am very fortunate to have the job and friends that I have. I’m in contact with my friends from New York and Florida and really all over. Right now, I’m where I should be and this is a really great group of people. www.facebook.com/tsarascene
3rd Coast Foodie By Tamma Hicks
COFFEE LATTE & ICED COFFEE
TURTLE PIE
CINNAMON APPLE TART
When
I tell people that I’m from Seattle they seem to instantly have the following impression of me… I’m a “techie,” I guess because of Microsoft and Nintendo but I’m just average. That either I hate the rain or I miss it terribly; actually I love the rain but I don’t like being cold and wet and, after the spring we’ve had here in Texas, I don’t miss it! And finally that I drink a lot of coffee – which is VERY true! Our house probably consumes more coffee than the entire neighborhood. OK, so that might be an exaggeration, but I will tell you about Fusion Coffee in Corpus Christi’s Flour Bluff area that is outstanding! And that’s not an exaggeration!
Fusion
Coffee is a little slice of Mexico; which is exactly what owner Mario Loboto Jr was going for when he designed the shop. Now why would a Seattle girl be so excited for a Mexican style coffee shop? Because they are what other coffee shops wish they were. Everything about Fusion Coffee is designed to calm and relax you and walking in you see exactly what I love – big windows that are etched so that the natu-
E
18
JUNE 2015
ral light coming in is slightly diffused yet provides just the right amount of brightness while blocking out the world. The eclectic and stylish seating groups of chairs, benches, and stools around glass tables invite conversations. As I said I’m an average techie and even though you can’t seem to go anywhere without being able to log on, Fusion Coffee doesn’t have Wi-Fi. I know this sounds odd for us, but really it’s very refreshing! Of course your phone will still connect you to all your friends on Facebook, so you can upload pictures to showoff what they are missing! Which brings me to the yummy part!
Well, as the name Fusion Coffee suggests,
they serve coffee! Although I think a cup of the rich black coffee goes perfectly with everything, their Cookies & Cream Frappuccino is a best seller for kids of all ages! Mario also brews fresh teas and makes fresh juices daily which are wonderfully refreshing. They have been approved as a set up bar and will serve you while you relax. Speaking of which… Fusion coffee is a perfect place for private parties and showers and for all those upcoming fashion designers looking for a place to host a show look no farther! Open Tuesday
through Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm and every Friday and Saturday Fusion Coffee features some of the best upcoming musicians in the area from 8 to 10 pm (and sometimes later)! Shayna Sands hosts an Open Mic on the last Monday of the month (June 29th).
Mario
is a skilled baker and food designer. I don’t know if this is actually a culinary title or not, but once you see the wonders that fill Fusion Coffee’s dessert and pastry case, you’ll agree… Mario is a food designer! Cinnamon apple tarts that look like blossoming roses; homemade cookie Tartaletas filled with pudding and topped with fresh fruit; and our daughter’s favorite, Turtle pie with thick caramel and loaded with pecans. And that’s not even a whole shelf full of goodies! The most beautiful treat that Mario makes is the Fusion Flower. Even though he knows there is no way I could repeat his creations, he won’t share how he gets those amazing flowers into the gelatin. It takes him 10 to 15 minutes to create one of these
2146 WALDRON RD CORPUS CHRISTI TX
OPEN TUES-SAT TUES-THUR 9am-10pm FRI-SAT 9am-11pm
LIVE MUSIC FRIDAY & SATURDAY NIGHTS 8-10pm & SOMETIMES LATER! OPEN MIC LAST MONDAY SET UPS WELCOME! FACEBOOK.COM/ FUSIONCOFFEE
AZTECA SOUP & FRESH MELON JUICE
PASTEL IMPOSIBLE (CHOCO-FLAN BUNDT CAKE)
beauties… And about 1 minute for me to devour – only because I stop to take a picture first!
Just as much as Mario is a food designer he INSIDE THE BOWL: AZTECA SOUP
enjoys making and serving traditional Mexican foods. He serves something different every day for lunch and light dinners; soups, salads, and sandwiches. His tuna salad in puff pastry TUNA PUFF PASTRY WITH ORGANIC SALAD
perfectly accompanies a fresh organic salad and the grilled chicken salad is to die for! But I have to say his Azteca Soup is the best! Chucks of chicken, avocado, and tortilla in a chili spiced broth topped with sour cream and cheese. My mouth is watering now!
Fusion
Coffee is an absolutely classy affair!
whether it was where we’re coming a recurrence or up with the set list for an entirely new the tour. He always says, tumor, there it was. I “Why don’t we play a little was in that terrifying situasalty?” And I’m always like, tion again. I couldn’t believe “Yeah, Brad, go!” But we’ll see, it. But I was fortunate that hopefully before too long we’ll the doctor I went to who Continued From Page 13 put that one in the set. It’s off got [the tumor] out of the Toys in the Attic album and there happens to be a guy who is extremely this year is the 40th anniversary of that album. skilled at doing these novel surgical techniques We probably won’t play the whole record but with lasers. Instead of doing the state of the it might be fun each night to rotate songs in art operation which would have really changed and out of the set. We’re putting more emphamy life, he just went in there and got it out of sis on that record so we’ll see what happens. there without doing any collateral damage. So I was just extremely fortunate. Yes, it was a You co-wrote Sweet Emotion and Janie’s horrible thing I had to go through and I had it Got A Gun. I think those are two of your twice but here we are. I’m at a point where I biggest hits. don’t worry about it every day. And I really Well obviously, Sweet Emotion is one of those think this is going to become part of my past songs we’ll always be known for: Sweet Emoand hopefully that’s true. tion, Walk This Way and Dream On. You know, When you go through radiation, especially Janie’s Got A Gun, I see that as more of a Stewhen they use a lot of it like they had to do ven [Tyler] song. What happened was when he with me, you have repercussions from it going started to write that song, he started with a into the future. There are things to deal with chord progression that I had brought in as but I still get to go onstage and play and be part of another song I was writing. So he took with my band and savor that and I just feel that and used that as the base for writing extremely fortunate. Janie’s Got A Gun. So I really think of that as a Steven song. He started out with this little idea What is the meaning of the Blue Army of mine but boy, did he ever bring it home Tour? with that one. I remember the day he came Back in the ‘70s when we started headlining into rehearsal and said, “Hey you guys, listen and playing all over the country, we’d pull up to this.” And he sat down at the keyboard and to the venue we were playing that night and BANG, presented it as a finished song and we there’d always be a line of people waiting to just stood there with our jaws hanging open. get in and they’d invariably be dressed in denim; jeans and denim jackets. So it was like all Do you still get that thrill when you go on these people in funky blue uniforms so we stage? started calling our audience the blue army all Yeah! Well, we’ve been doing it a long time the way back then. So we decided to pay a and you might tribute and call this thi nk , “Ge ez, the Blue Army they’ve been doing Tour. this so long, they must be sick of it.” If you’re a fan of But you’re always Aerosmith, you progressing on always will be your instrument so and I think we’re you’re enticed by just really fortuhow you can bring nate that you progress to a song guys are getting years after it was to come down written just behere. cause you’ve gotYou know, someten better on your times the most fun instrument. Thereshows are in the fore, when you get cities that aren’t ideas that pop up the so-called in your head, you “major markets.” can act on them in It’s very exciting to the moment and play in Los Angethen throw them les or in New York City at Madison Square in the song. So there’s always this minor reinGarden or in London’s O2 Arena but the vention process happening even though we shows that are really just a blast are the shows play the same arrangement that’s on the reclike Hidalgo where the fans don’t have a conord exactly. But everybody’s got little mocert every night. And they’re not just excited ments where they might plug in a little variato see the band, they’re excited about the tion in a riff that the audience might not even whole idea of being at a concert in the first pick up on. But it’s great for us because there’s place. That makes it so we can go up there and always a way to make a song fresh and a big relax and when we relax, the energy really part of it is a different audience every night. So flows and we just have a great time. we’re not in a situation where we go, “Oh my God, we have to play Dream On again? Holy I was reading about the tour. It said you crap!” It’s just Dream On is a framework and we can go up there and throw out ideas for guys were going to be doing these deeper riffs in that particular framework. cuts off your albums besides your hits. Your favorite was Uncle Salty. Did you talk them into letting you play it this time? If you could speak to anyone, dead or (chuckles) No, not yet. alive, who would it be? And why? Someday. I have Brad Well, I was listening to my favorite satellite [Whitford] as my ally whenstation and they played that song, Jet, by Paul ever we’re in that mode McCartney. You know, just the way he sings
M
20
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
and the way he plays bass…I just think, “God, screw you for being so freaking good!” I just wish for one day I could sing like that guy sings and the way he does it, it must be a blast. There are a lot of challenges still left in music and he’s definitely somebody I’d like to pick his brain.
STEAM: Well, I really appreciate talking with you and you taking some time out for us. We’ll be down there screaming our heads off and waving! You won’t know it but we will be! Hamilton: (laughs) I’ll be up there screaming back!
www.aerosmith.com Facebook.com, Twitter.com, & Instagram.com... Aerosmith
STEAMMAGAZINE.NET
Continued From Pg 11 Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana in June for the High Country Highways Tour. We are really looking forward to the mountains in the summer. Then in July, we go straight up 35 to Minnesota and back," Middleton said.
MIDNIGHT RIVER CHOIR'S GENESIS
River Choir after becoming fast friends with "the boys" during their fortunate encounter - again, along the Guadalupe River. After hearing them perform, he recalls instantly falling under their spell. "They are a great group of young men
with a true passion for music and performing for their fans. Their The brothers reminisce about music is truly unique and has an meeting on the Guadalupe Riv- awesome Texas groove sound. I er in New Braunfels about eight believe in dreams and making years ago. dreams come true. I Kismet. Sermet the boys “To some, a pile of endipitous. through a mutual sticks is a pile of sticks. friend. We instantly Fortuitous. The stars But it could just as hit it off and bonded indeed quickly. After a few easily be gathered aligned, the more conversamemories to light on clouds parttions, I decided to fire and finally let go back them 100 pered and Midnight River of.” cent and move forChoir was ward with a national born. Middleton is from Kir- launch of their new CD, Fresh byville, Texas, Nelson is from Air, which had only been written Grapevine, Texas, Pyeatt is at that point. From then on, we from Lake Jackson, Texas and became brothers, all of us. They Driver is from Corpus Christi. are like family to me," he said. The band initially honed its chops at the awe-inspiring landmark Cheatham Street www.midnightriverchoir.com Warehouse in San Marcos. Twitter.com @12amriverchoir The late Kent Finlay, a luminary in shining light on the facebook.com & YouTube.com /midnightriverchoir music world and cultivating new talent, understandably gave the band its start in 2008. Like many other esteemed musicians, Middleton explained that he and his brothers are forever grateful to Finlay for his generosity and belief in them. "He gave us every Tuesday night to work on our sound. We played 165 Tuesdays there. What a long, strange trip it's been," said Middleton, citing Jerry Garcia, Merle Haggard, The Funky Meters, Levon Helm and The Band, Monty Byrom, Darrell Scott, The Wood Brothers and The Allman Brothers as his musical influences.
BROTHERS FOR LIFE Further fueling Midnight River Choir's success is Executive Producer Jeromy Foy, also a charismatic philanthropist and entrepreneur. Inspirational and self-made, Foy is widely known throughout the Texas Hill Country for his flair for barbecuing, love of promoting Texas music, charitable work with children and animals, Harley Davidsons and cool cars. Not one to know a stranger, he is commonly called upon to help others who are down on their luck. Foy revealed why he was eager to join forces with Midnight
“Midnight River Choir” by PJ Olivares
M
21