Hicks with Sticks

Hicks with Sticks on KALX

May 29th, 2011

Update,6/4/11: This is the playlist from the KALX show described below.

“Emmitt” – Don Burnham
“Life of the Party” – Belle Monroe and her Brewglass Boys
“Straight and Narrow” – Jesse Jay Harris
“16 Chicks” – Midnight Trio
“South of Eureaka” – Whisky Pills Fiasco
“Redneck Barbie” – Jinx Jones
“Man Who Comes to Our House” – Shut-Ins
“Broken Heart Records” – Harkenbacks
“Red Lights” – Axton Kinkaid
“Woman (Sensuous Woman)” – Plain High Drifters
“I’m Gonna Leave Here Shoutin’” (live) – Red Meat
“Tall Pines” – Laurie Lewis
“Smoke, Smoke that Cigarette” – Lonestar Retrobates
“DeMarco’s 23 Club” – Hi-Rhythm Hustlers
“(Got Thrown Out of the) Waffle House (for Makin’ Out in the Booth)” – Truckstop Honeymoon
“Cold, Cold Heart” – Stiff Richards
“Ringo” (live and drunk) – Chase Gowdy and the Rusty Nails Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: kalx, radio
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Don Burnham with and “without” Lost Weekend

May 10th, 2011

Don Burnham isn’t exactly stepping away from his 8- to 22-piece western swing band Lost Weekend because all of the players on his “solo” CD, I Dreamed Count Basie Was a Cowboy, are members of Lost Weekend’s extended family. Considering the natural ebb and flow of personnel in a band that’s been around over a quarter of a century, this band has out-grown family. By now it’s a tribe.

Lost Weekend, the band, built its name by covering songs by Bob Wills, Cindy Walker, the Light Crust Doughboys and like-minded western swing pioneers. Don Burnham, the band’s leader, has turned his attention to writing his own material, often updating the topical content while keeping the music true to its roots. “Apple and Google and Gold,” the release that launched the Don Burnham era, is a case in point. It’s a cowboy’s lament about sinking one’s life savings into Enron, dot-coms and sub-prime mortgages instead of investments that soared rather than sunk. Bob Wills never even wrote about the Great Depression, where Don Burnham is ready to face 21st century economics lock, stock and 401K. Video: Apple and Google and Gold. “Ex Factor,” a heartbreaking tale of woe about having your date walk off with her ex-whatever, is also better suited to our times than times gone by.

Write what you know is the CD’s credo, Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: don burnham, lost weekend, western swing
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Viva Las Vegas Diary

April 29th, 2011

Crazy Joe Kickin' Out the Jams Behind Deke the Geek's Guitar Collection at VLV 14

The Silver Minx summed it up by calling Viva Las Vegas an ADD delight. Lack of cloning technology prevented everyone from attending all the concurrent shows and events they wanted to see, and it was challenging to walk from one place to another without running into someone to talk about going someplace else. Growth in attendance, bands and events did nothing to diminish VLV #14; growth only made things better as those who packed the Burlesque Competition, Tiki Pool Party, the main stage area and other events can confirm.

The B Stars, Midnight Trio, Stompy Jones, Thee Merry Widows and Jinx Jones and the Kingtones were on hand to hold up the Bay Area’s end, but of course the surprises for Bay Area twang fans came from bands that don’t usually play here.

Li'l Mo & the Dynaflos Doo-Wop on the Main Stage

Li’L Mo and the Dynaflos opened the first evening on the main stage and bowled everyone over. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: b-stars, hi-q, jinx jones, li'l mo and the dynaflos, merry widows, midnight trio, pachuco jose, redline rockets, stompy jones, twangshifters
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VIVA LAS VEGAS AT PUBERTY

April 7th, 2011

Crazy Joe forgot his guitar so Deke Dickerson let him borrow half of his.

Fourteen years, and my how she’s grown. She’s Viva Las Vegas, the annual Easter weekend gathering of greasers, Bettys and their pals at the Orleans Hotel in the real City of Lights.

Back in ’98 Producer Tom Ingram brought together a few bands and approached the Gold Coast, a C-list Vegas hotel with his idea for an American version of similar events that are popular in Europe.

VLV #1 drew 1200, mainly from California, but well-rounded by other Americans looking for an alternative to a mid-90s annual rockabilly event in Denver that was on its last legs. Some came from Europe and Japan and some crossed the desert in their vintage rides. Two vendors and a handful of DJs rounded out the mix. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: viva las vegas
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NEW BANDS / SOAP OPERA RADIO / HAIGHT HOPS

March 6th, 2011

The Mighty Slim Pickins have wasted away, but the Patsychords, Rumble Strippers, and a band to be named later are fattening up for the thrill. Why Katharine Cole killed Kitty Rose. Pirate Cat Radio doesn’t broadcast a soap opera, but has plenty of drama. Milk Bar in the Upper Haight features a rockin’ new record hop on first Fridays.

NEW BANDS

MSP's Mighty Tighty Whities

There have been several attempts to derail the Mighty Slim Pickins, usually in the form of personnel changes, but lead singer Leigh Crow says this time it’s over for sure, as in really, really.

Three other bands have sprung from the MSP’s ashes. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: haight street hop, mighty slim pickins, patsychords, pirate cat, rumble strippers
Posted in Bands, Clubs, Events, Trends | 1 Comment »