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sxsw2015 Thu Mar 19 2015
SXSW 2015: Day 2 Tour Diary from The Waco Brothers
In our second SXSW Tour Diary update from The Waco Brothers, guitarist Deano climbs up out of his hangover to give us a pretty remarkably lucid recounting of the first night's events.
At five o'clock, the whistle blows, I am freed from the salt mines and my SX weekend officially begins. I step out onto West Sixth Street and I'm greeted by Austin's most perfect weather. I'm also greeted by sensory overload. Aurally, it's a mash-up of 15 bands playing simultaneously within about a three block radius. Visually, it's a parade of music players and fans, along with spring breakers (SX has become a popular spring break destination over the years). Most are doing their best to look crazy, sexy, cool. I'm trying my best not to look like a fossil. SX usually gives me the rare inspiration to actually purchase some new clothes. I'm sporting a newly acquired thrift store shirt and a spankin' new pair of PF Flyers. I'm still just as rockin' as these kids, dammit!
Are we in Toronto yet? Jon & I hobnobbing with the power brokers of Toronto.
Facebook posts inform me that my Waco Brothers have arrived. They have checked in at Polvo's and taking in some Tex-Mex rock fuel. Me, I'm making my way through the madness to eventually meet up with Jon at an annual party for Canadian industry folk. It's put on by Jeff Cohen of the Horseshoe Tavern and Lee's Palace in Toronto. Jeff saw the Wacos at Yard Dog during SX many years ago. He became a super fan and our Canadian ambassador. Over the years, this has developed to the point where we feel like we have a Toronto family. The opportunity to eat free smoked meat, drink Shiner Bock and rub elbows with the Toronto music elite proves irresistible and Jon meets me there. The now traditional Rob Ford jokes are exchanged. Consumption and storytelling begins in earnest. This is the definition of SX. Folks seem obsessed with some newcomer/old timer, Buck Hogarth, who has a Saturday night set at ABGB. This years' buzz I guess.
We don't have a Wednesday gig until 1am. So, after the TO party ends we make our way to our SX office. Guero's Taco Bar on South Congress. Each year, we become a fixture here. Their top-shelf margarita, the Silver Train, has contributed to both legendary sets and (Silver) train wrecks. Sometimes they are one in the same.
Guero's doing it's best impersonation of a Paris salon in the '20s.
Musicians Bill Anderson (in Jon's band The Far Forlorn as well as the amazing Churchwood and my band Ice Cold Singles), Walter Salas-Humara of the Silos, Joe Camarillo and Tracey Dear.
In fairly short order, the bar fills up with fellow musicians, fans, our favorite rock photographer and friends of the band. The Silver Trains are coming at me fast and furious. This does not bode well for the 1am set. Eventually, Wacos drummer Joe Camarillo and mandolinist Tracey Dear make their entrances, to much fanfare. Sadly, our bassist Alan Doughty is not here as he has taken a higher paying gig in the Philippines with Right Said Fred. Our deputy Waco bassist, Hunter Darby, is smart enough to steer clear of this madness. Many bullshit stories are told, many drinks consumed, we close Guero's and wander off to the Continental Club. I'm somewhat legless by this point.
Home at last. Jon gets blurry at Guero's. Me, I'm perfectly clear-headed.
To all of you youngsters in what I will call "drinking bands", a note of caution. When a dear friend suggests a shot of tequila along with a vodka soda just before your set, just say no. By the time we stumbled onstage, my guitar, effects pedals and amp may seemed like the control panel for a nuclear reactor. I didn't understand how to operate them and just a few mistakes could cause a melt down. Thankfully, my band mates and a kind, gentle audience pull me through. Day One has come to an end. Hangover in place as I write this, I will make rebound today with a show of precision and professionalism! The is a SX lesson learned over the years. Play as many shows as you possibly can. Even a broken watch is right twice a day. Off to the legendary honky-tonk the Broken Spoke to begin a long Day 2!
- Deano
Catch The Waco Brothers at SXSW:
March 18: Bloodshot 2015 SXSW Showcase @ Continental Club (8pm)
March 18: Continental Club, (1am)
March 19: Twangfest @ Broken Spoke (Noon)
March 20: Bloodshot SXSW Day Party @ Yard Dog Art Gallery (Noon)
March 20: South by Sapporo Party @ Cheers Shot Bar (2:45pm)