The Flaming Lips - Austin Music Hall 2010-03-12
Left my house around 3pm on Friday, drove in fast-packed traffic for the first hour, and then finally settled in to cruise somewhere on the other side of Sealey. Made it to Jeff & Claire's a little after 6:30PM & waited for a few people to show up. We made a stop @ Torchy's Tacos at the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery. I had a Trailer Park (trashy) w/queso. It was damn good. I even thought about driving back the next day for more. We headed over to the venue after (I rode with Scott), we swigged some Scotch from the trunk of his car, and headed in.
The last time I was at the Austin Music Hall was sometime in the mid-90's. I'd been to that venue twice before. The first time I drove up with some friends for a 'rave'. This was back when you drove all over the state to go to parties that you didn't know what any of the dj's played. It was just fresh, new, and you had to be there. The second time was when I learned of a DJ from Detroit named Stacey Pullen was billed. I'd never heard any of his mixes, but I knew... f'n Detroit techno; color me there. They had remodeled the AMH and now instead of a huge warehouse style room, it was about 1/4 as deep as it was previously. We grabbed a couple beers, watched EMS attend to some guy who was laying on the ground, and then went in to catch the show. We managed to somehow miss the opening band. Guess that's what happens when you're used to showing up after 10:30PM for everything (we got there around 9PM).
The Lips put on a good show, and had some very enthusiastic fans there who showed up in costume. We managed to work our way around a giant foam hand and secure a decent spot to watch from. Pictures (taken by Jscro - I forgot my camera) are below.
I was impressed in the way Wayne spoke to the audience. He mentioned Mark Linkous' (Sparklehourse) suicide which had happened just a week before in rather frank but simple terms. It true about happiness & not waiting for it to come to you, because that may never happen. You have to make it. Much of the audience seemed receptive to 'adult talk' while there were, of course, yahoo's who were just waiting for the next big tune.
After-show shenanigans consisted of hopping to about 3 different clubs (if I recall correctly) and listening to bad music. The music in one place was so not to my liking that I went and waited for the group outside. It was a nice night, so no biggie. SXSW is happening right now & I am at work in Baytown. Kill me now.
The last time I was at the Austin Music Hall was sometime in the mid-90's. I'd been to that venue twice before. The first time I drove up with some friends for a 'rave'. This was back when you drove all over the state to go to parties that you didn't know what any of the dj's played. It was just fresh, new, and you had to be there. The second time was when I learned of a DJ from Detroit named Stacey Pullen was billed. I'd never heard any of his mixes, but I knew... f'n Detroit techno; color me there. They had remodeled the AMH and now instead of a huge warehouse style room, it was about 1/4 as deep as it was previously. We grabbed a couple beers, watched EMS attend to some guy who was laying on the ground, and then went in to catch the show. We managed to somehow miss the opening band. Guess that's what happens when you're used to showing up after 10:30PM for everything (we got there around 9PM).
The Lips put on a good show, and had some very enthusiastic fans there who showed up in costume. We managed to work our way around a giant foam hand and secure a decent spot to watch from. Pictures (taken by Jscro - I forgot my camera) are below.
I was impressed in the way Wayne spoke to the audience. He mentioned Mark Linkous' (Sparklehourse) suicide which had happened just a week before in rather frank but simple terms. It true about happiness & not waiting for it to come to you, because that may never happen. You have to make it. Much of the audience seemed receptive to 'adult talk' while there were, of course, yahoo's who were just waiting for the next big tune.
After-show shenanigans consisted of hopping to about 3 different clubs (if I recall correctly) and listening to bad music. The music in one place was so not to my liking that I went and waited for the group outside. It was a nice night, so no biggie. SXSW is happening right now & I am at work in Baytown. Kill me now.