Penny's Page
Live Show Reviews and Previews by Penny Robinson

12/23/03 Review ~ Blue October, Burden Brothers, Janes Addiction
Dec. 21, 2003 @ Verizon Wirelss Theater, Houston, TX.

I got up to Verizon a little early to catch soundcheck, and Ryan gave us a tour of the bus. Very nice set up they have. Mirrors on the ceiling, leopard fabric wall covering and even bona-fide designer wall sconces! Oh...most important....satellite. Very Cool in a Pimpadelic sort of
fashion. Justin was laid out on the couch looking a little peaked and croaked a "hello". He had a sore throat and when I hugged him he felt as if he had a little temperature. Time to break out throat coat and aspirin...

I remember the first time I saw the band was at Verizon in July when they did the showcase for Houston Press. I noticed Justin pacing backstage and he seemed nervous. I asked how he felt and he said "terrified". That night before the band went on just about everything imaginable (or so it seemed) went wrong technically and that just made the situation worse. Trial by fire is a good way to sum up that particular show. They put on a damn good performance anyway. Very impressive.

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The BO show this time was blistering. During soundcheck Justin was having a tough time vocally so I was a little apprehensive. He was able to shake it off and sounded just fine. I don't know how he managed considering he was barely able to talk just a few hours earlier. There were obviously a lot of people there who were not familiar with the band. At the end of the set it was clear the band made quite an impression by the response from the crowd. I can imagine if I'd been around these past few years, I'm certain if I'd seen them in a club environment I would have had the thought of watching a national act in a bar. The band is so professional, tight, and very marketable IMO. If they don't make it big it will be no fault of theirs. I have a feeling they're going to be huge and I'm happy to have caught them at a point where they're still accessible.

Speaking of being accessible, they're very very good people. They love their fans and spend hours with them after the shows signing autographs and selling merch. Hugs and smiles all around. It's a great experience. No snotty attitude with this group. I run across more of those than I care to think about. Ryan had the Satanistic hairdo happening again much to the horror of Mrs. Delahoussaye. Personally I think it's funny as hell (no pun) along with the tattoo on his skull. He's a character.

The Burden Bros rocked the house. My first time to see them although I've seen the Toadies before. Their singer is Todd Lewis, the former singer of the Toadies. Loved that band. Burden Bros. drummer is kick ass. He can tear it up and make it seem effortless. Smoking hot set by BB. I'll definitely see this band again. I've missed out and will have to make up for it. A lot!

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This was also my first time to see Janes Addiction. Loved them. PerryFarrell is quite the entertainer. What I like about JA is the close interraction with the crowd. Great eye contact, smiles, wonderful showmen these guys are. The new album 'Strays' is really good stuff. I'm happy they're back together again and I hope they continue to be a success in the years to come. I've always liked this band. They're edgy and not afraid to put it out there. Never a dull moment.

I think that's a wrap for now on my current adventures. Check back in the next week or so for an update on my New Years Eve shenanigans. I'm going to Austin and I have a feeling it will get verrry ugly....

Happy Holidays and all the Best in 2004!
Penny

Preview 11/11/03

Eric Johnson Solo Acoustic Tour Fri., Nov 21st. Rockefeller Hall Showtimes: 8pm & 10pm. 3620 Washington Avenue Houston, Texas 713-869-3344 Tickets available @ Star Tickets and at Rockefeller Hall ticket office.

This autumn, Eric Johnson embarks on a solo acoustic tour which offers
audiences the rare opportunity to see him showcase his acoustic guitar and
piano skills. Even though Johnson learned to play the piano before he took
up the guitar, and even though he composes almost all his music on piano,
it's very unusual to see him play piano in front of an audience. And the
simplicity of an acoustic setting gives audiences a chance to connect with
Johnson's modest integrity and spontaneous talent. Whenever he does
acoustic shows the feedback from fans is overwhelming. "It's the best show
I've seen Eric play!" is a frequent response.

This tour will allow Johnson the opportunity to workshop his acoustic
material both new and old and it is expected to supply live recordings
and material for a future recording. "I'm trying to bring out stuff
that's a little bit more personal. I do want to do an entire acoustic
record at some time in the future. There's a challenge to that, because
you are out there by yourself," Johnson says. He has already recorded
acoustic compositions on each of his major releases including Tones, Ah
Via Musicom and Venus Isle. But it is his 2003 release, Souvenir, that is
the inspiration for this tour. Available exclusively on ericjohnson.com,
close to half of this CD features acoustic work and it is already a
favorite with fans. Guitar World Acoustic says, "Souvenir is the first
album that really captures the strength and diversity of (Johnson's)
acoustic playing."

It seems to be the natural time for Johnson to turn in this direction.
This year The Martin Guitar Company introduced the Limited Edition Eric
Johnson Signature Model acoustic guitars. Martin's head of Artist
Relations Dick Boak collaborated on the design of this special instrument.
He says, "It was especially satisfying working with a guitarist of Eric's
caliber. There are very few guitar players that come close to his mastery
of the instrument and for us, providing an optimum tool in support of his
craft is what it's all about. It's also rare that a musician will take
such an active role in the design process. Eric was involved in every
aspect: the feel of the the instrument, the aesthetics, and especially the
tone." Guitar World Acoustic described Johnson as "... living a double
life, developing an acoustic style on both nylon-string and steel-string
guitar as refined and daring as his electric playing."

Eric Johnson is a unique artist. For over twenty years his peers have
viewed his purity of tone and technical brilliance as the stuff of
legend, something that must be experienced live to be believed.

by Susan Griswold, September, 2003

Preview! 10/28/03

CD Baby artists establish TourBaby: A National Tour of the Best Local Music

A new kind of tour is coming through Houston - a concert put on by some of the best independent musicians in the area. Last year, the "TourBaby" crossed 42 cities in four months. This year, the TourBaby's journey begins anew with shows scheduled across the country. Each show will feature top local artists, including bands "tagging" from city to city, instead of a single touring lineup. Why the unique approach? Hundreds of musicians are banding together to raise awareness of independent music: the music you don't hear on mainstream TV or radio. TourBaby aims to highlight the top local bands and artists of all musical styles and genres, and to introduce these musicians to a broader cross-section of the communities. "We're out to call attention to all the great music that's right under your nose in your local community," is how the organizers of TourBaby see it. "TourBaby is an intimate connection between artist and fans," said founding member Dave Mann. "It's a grassroots co-operative effort created entirely by musicians. The local artists in each community organize each TourBaby concert. Most of us met through CD Baby, a popular online record store for independent artists."


TourBaby hits Houston on Saturday, November 8th 2003 at Sidecar Pub. 11202 HUFFMEISTER

The performing artists will be Preston Grey, Dimitri's Rail, Deep Ella and Pilot Radio. "These artists really bring out the true style of what Houston music is all about," says the show's organizer, Bob Wilkinson.

Tickets for this event are only $10.00 at the door. For information, directions, or to hear MP3s of every artist performing, go to http://www.tourbaby.com TourBaby is sponsored by CD Baby.

PUBLICITY: Joan Bujacich - (973) 893-6761
OFFICE: Dave Mann - TourBaby HQ - (407) 461-4230

Houston Promoter: Bob Wilkinson ­ (281) 481-6827

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