Beerland, Tx Show #2 - Hobble Mania

Ah, Beerland. The name describes a heavenlike environment, and last night, for those who braved the rain and skipped out on J Mascus, it was heaven. 3 sets of supercharged, sweaty, beer-soaked rock and roll heaven.

We all got there early to catch the drama of the evening: Gene and Tom were pulling a double header. The bass player and drummer for both Ringer and Hobble looked more than suspiciously identical. It wasn't so hard on Tom, the bass player. Hobble took the stage first and despite not having a belt, Tom hoisted singer Oriah onto his shoulders for the last song. A song that capped off a performance that thrilled me like no live show I've seen in a long time. A song called "Bad Blue Jeans" (I think) served as my personal highlight, but there was not a moment when the band let you look away. For pictures of the Hobble show, visit this site.

Hobbles guitar player, who's name I don't know... he's a man of few words... played like two guitarists, and his tone reminds one of AC/DC and Black Sabbath all at once. Frankly, I don't know how he did what he did, but it really really rocked.

Gene the machine, the drummer, pounded through the Hobble set. He told me before the show he'd stopped drinking for three days (and he's Cajun!) in anticipation of the evening's double performance. I saw one look of pain cross his face as a song began and I understood why as he plowed into a flurry of hits and fills that would make a hummingbird look like a slacker. Yet in two sets, he never missed a beat

When Oriah had crumpled into a heap on the stage, it was time for Ringer. Gene changed into a fresh, identical shirt, and Tom cracked open a new beer. Craig and Darren took the stage, and voila, a new band.

Ringer is one of my favorite bands. They opened with a song on their album I'd never heard them play live before, then launched into a new song that I've never heard before anywhere, but can't wait to hear again. I made my way to the bar for a tall Lone Star and enjoyed the rock.

Our show was a blast. Beerland is perhaps my favorite place to play in Austin, and we played an inspired set. I broke two strings, Lucky broke one, and Steve Garvey broke my heart by playing so damn well. Randall, the bar owner, gave us Beerland T-Shirts that we proudly wore, and will probably wear again next week, and the next...

My only regret is that I will have to miss Ray, the doorman's, show tomorrow night at Emo's. He plays with the Ritchie Whites. They leave on tour next week, but he'll be back for the last few weeks of July for more rock in Austin's best dive.

Long Live BEERLAND TEXAS