Penny's Page
Live Show Reviews by Penny Robinson

5/24/03- Corey Butler , Jeff Crowder , Johnny Goudie and Matt Hammond @ HELIOS, 411 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77006, (713) 526-4648

I love Helios. I love the place because you just never know what the night will hold. It's a reallllllly cool art-bar that sometimes has belly dancers, plays, tarot card readings, jugglers, comedy troups and kick butt music that sometimes occurs all in the same night. The staff is very warm and friendly, the art..well let's just say I need a bigger purse. Stuff be disappearin' from the walls.

This night was an all acoustic show downstairs starting with Corey Butler of Naked Content. Very fine set, and he had a Special Guest perform the last song before Jeff Crowder, from Deep Ella took the stage. It was Jeff's girlfriend Sarah! Happy Birthday Jeff! It was his birthday that eve, and was he ever surprised. Sarah and I have emailed a few times, and she told me she was going to sing him a song. She was nervous because she's never performed in public before, and he'd previously asked her to sing a song for him. Well, tonight was the night. What a touching moment, and Jeffs' expression was priceless. Wish I would have thought to snap a pic of his face. I heard a fellow behind me remark "how f*cking cool", and it truely was. I'm sure I wasn't the only person a little teary eyed. There were big hugs when she left the stage, and before he started his set he told her he loved her. Sweet.

Jeff put on a really good performance and I can't wait to see Deep Ella and also Naked Content. See what these guys are like with a full band, but it was nice to see what they're about on their own.

Johnny Goudie was up next. I write about him often, and you're going to think I'm partial. Well..I am, he's a great guy, extraordinary artist and funny as hell. He came out with a few family members and also his wife Traci who is an artist, photographer, directs music videos, designs clothes, and has worked with the likes of Trail of the Dead, Patty Griffin, Jeff Klein, and of course Goudie among many others. She is a very well respected contributer to the Austin art and music scene. Don't mess with her. Haha...See? I focused on Traci this time. Check out her website coming soon: www.ghettosushibowl.com

Matt Hammon put on a wonderful performance and also had his wife Cameron Dezen do a few songs. She was amazing! They are both very nice folks and gave me a few CD's, which I'm listening to now as I write. One of the perks of doing reviews...you get lot's o' stuff, and some of the stuff is Really Good. The music on both CD's is beautiful, melodic, lyrically both artists are wonderful. Great songwriting, arranging, and from what I understand both CD's are self-produced.

After the show everyone was out on the patio socializing and having a good time. Every time I go to Helios it's like this. There is a special vibe there and it's one of my favorite hang outs. Wish they had a website to keep up with current happenings! Maybe that'll happen soon.

Another Engine Room review is coming up soon, so check back. I'll also post a Special Happening review probably toward the end of next week.

Go out to Engine Room the 27th and see Abasia and Leaf, and then make the treck to Whiskey Blues in Galveston the 28th to see Ian Moore. Hope to see you at both shows!

Take care everyone and please support the local music scene!

Penny Robinson

5/23/03 - Adams Attic, Happyendings, Pilot Radio @ Sidecar Pub

I missed Pilot Radios' show @ Whiskey Blues the 22nd, and Bob Wilkinson, their manager called me to make sure I'd be out at Sidecar the 23rd to do a review. He made me an offer I couldn't refuse. Guest list and free cap, so off I went!

The 1st band to take the stage was Adams Attic from New Orleans, La., my birthplace. The band was very energetic and I especially liked their songwriting capabilities. I met their manager Angelica Henry, and was invited to N.O. to see the band, so I'll have to keep an eye on their schedule and make a trip soon. Check out the website www.adamsatticmusic.com for more information and sound clips.

Next up was Happyendings. This band rocked! They were all over the stage (as you can tell from the pics), great stage presence, great sound...they're from Springfield Missouri. These guys put on a killer performance. Take a look at the web site here: www.happyendingsonline.com. Keep an eye on their schedule and be sure to make the next show in H-Town.

And then there was Pilot Radio, and it was good! Seriously...by the time the band took the stage the club was completely packed (although Bob said he's seen a larger crowd before for the band, I don't know how that could be considering it was hard to move as it was!). We were all squashed together like sardines, but I was able to elbow my way to the stage to take a few pics. What a performance! The 1st time I saw the band was in 2001 in Dallas and I liked them then, but I can definitely tell the band has matured these last few years. These guys are definitely going places and I hear a few labels have contacted their management. I'm not surprised. They've just returned from a four month tour and are now doing dates in H-Town, Austin, and have a show in N.O. June 28th at the Hard Rock with Adams Attic. Their next show in Galveston is July 19th with JFJ Band and Silverleaf. They'll be back at Sidecar Aug.16th www.pilot-radio.com.

Melissa Jump, head of Media Relations for Solar Flare Records (www.solarflarerecords.com) put this show together for Sidecar Pub and did an excellent job! The bands fit together very well and a great time was had by all, especially me!

Everyone take care and I'll post another review soon.

Cheerios!
Penny Robinson

5/17/03 - Johnny Goudie and Arthur Yoria @ The Engine Room

My 1st experience with Johnny G was at Helios in March. I contacted his agent to pass on his information to Whiskey Blues, and she invited me out to the show. To tell the truth it was the most fun I'd had in a long while. But...on to the show at Engine Room....Johnny had quite a few friends, family and fans attend and he put on a fantastic solo performance. Funny thing is someone was a little heavy handed with the fog effects, so several of my pictures didn't turn out. A few did though and I think you'll enjoy 'em. I added a couple of the sillier ones for entertainment purposes. I hope Johnny's not pissed. You'll notice Johnny doing his impersonation of Zoolander doing 'Blue Steel', and cuttin' a rug on the dance floor with one of his lovely cousins. I had a blast, and it's always a good time with Johnny G. He'll be back in June with his full band for the first time since late 2002. Be sure to check his web site for current tour dates and information www.iloveelke.com

Arthur Yoria's band was incredible...if not for the *&%# fog! I think it was a conspiracy. Really, an outstanding performance, good sound, great stage presence, the man and his band are awesome for lack of a better word. I hear he's formed a new record label with Matt Maloney called 12 Records, but I think at this time Arthur will be the only artist on the label. The guys were all wearing 'Cutters' t-shirts....you know from the movie Breaking Away? I didn't get the story behind that one, but it was amusing. He said he'll have some acoustic shows coming up so keep an eye on his site for the latest www.arthuryoria.com

A special Thanks to the friendly staff at the Engine Room. It's always a pleasure.

Cheerios 'till next time!
Penny Robinson

5/02- Modernday John w/ United Front @ WHISKEY BLUES

I happened to catch the MODERNDAY JOHN show @ the Engine Room last month and was thoroughly impressed. These guys rocked! After handing their CD to the club owners @ WHISKEY BLUES, the band was booked for a gig almost immediately. MDJ invited their friends from Kansas City UNITED FRONT to be on the bill at WB's since they were in town for Blessfest. What a great show! UF's new CD 'Perfect' is slated for a June release, and they also won Best Live Performance in Kansas City at the Christian Music Awards. Check them out @ www.unitedfrontmusic.com

MODERNDAY JOHN was incredible to say the least. Their new CD 'EMANATE' is out now and available at their shows and also online @ www.moderndayjohn.com. They put on a flawless performance, great stage presence, good sound, these guys are 100% professional. They did a few covers, Foo Fighters MY HERO, and System of a Down AERIALS. I'm not a huge fan of cover tunes, but I was impressed with how well they pulled them off. Sometimes it can be frightening to hear other bands do covers, but not these guys! Check the web site for upcoming shows. I've listened to EMANATE so much now that I've just about worn out the CD. Good thing they were generous enough to give me several copies! Make it a point to show your support and catch their next show when they are on the Island or H-Town!

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5/03-The HUNGER w/ Lesermor and Box 19 @ WHISKEY BLUES

What a night it was @ WHISKEY BLUES! It was a packed house as Box 19 started off the evening. These guys are from Texas City and brought quite a few fans with them to the Island. Next up was LESERMOR. This band puts on a GREAT show every time. These guys regularly tour with the likes of PUSHMONKEY and VALLEJO, and are putting together an upcoming extensive tour in support of their new CD, which Will Hoffman of PUSHMONKEY produced. Listen to sound clips of their new material here: www.LESERMOR.com. They'll be back @ WHISKEY BLUES early June!

By the time The HUNGER took the stage it was jam packed. I had to stand behind the bar just to have room to move, no lie. People were lined up at the door to get in, and I have to say this was the best attended show to date at the club. The band, as usual, put on an immaculate performance, and considering they had to work in a new drummer on short notice, Giovanni (forgive me if I've misspelled the name) was right on. NOT an easy feat. Max Shuldberg is on extended vacation for a few months, but Giovanni stepped right in and didn't miss a beat. Their latest CD Spacemans Last Goodbye is their 5th release and the new material is amazing. Listen to mp3's @ www.thehungeronline.com. The high energy Wilson bros, along with bassist Darren Nelson and guitarist Stephen Bogle had the crowd almost taking the stage with them. The HUNGER definitely made their mark for their 1st show ever at WHISKEY BLUES! Can't wait for these guys to return. Rumor has it they'll do a show soon at WB's with LIGHTS OVER ROSWELL, so keep an eye on the schedule at the club.

Cheers 'till next time! Penny Robinson - Whiskey Blues