Intelligent Lounging

Last night A Band Named Sue had their debut performance at Austin's Tambaleo. To be honest with everyone, I really enjoyed the environment. Tambaleo is a really nice place to play a show and they have their own sound system, which if you are a musician, you can really appreciate. And it's not just some chincy sound system; they have a sound booth with at least a 12 channel mixer, monitors on the stage and a sub and main combination so you get that really nice low end. The staff was very nice and I felt very welcome there.

Enough about the back story, now on to the real story. We started the show with a few songs for sound check and then brought up the always appreciated Bryan Fuller to play a little mandolin on his favorite Johnny Cash tunes (sorry that you look like satan in the photos Bryan). After a string of Cash tunes we brought up Ms. Martha P who burned it up with her vocal stylings. After a short break, A Band Named Sue extended an invitation to our good friend and fellow musician Pamela Ryder. It's always interesting to play with Pamela because you never know what she's going to say or do on stage. She keeps it interesting for the fellows in the band.

It was good times, good times, good times last night and we wrapped it up a little late and want to extend an apology to DJ Mel and David Miranda for taking up some of their DJ time. As a former DJ I know that they are just as important as a band and it takes a lot of skill.

Tonight we are playing at The Brentwood Tavern from 6:30 to 9:00. Once again this is great place for the kids and the food is really nice. Come on out and enjoy this great weather.

Johnny Cash Tonight at Tambaleo

So it's Friday at 11:12am and I had a killer day at the office yesterday. I'm not going to go into it and all, but I'm pretty sure that I secured my employment for the next year. For me that's pretty good. Not that I'm a bad employee or anything it's just that every time I starting working for someone and really start to like my job, something happens to the interworkings of the company and I find myself "networking" to find the next bid thing to work on. Luckily this time around the company that I work for has been in business for a while and at least I'll be able to pay the bills for a while. . . .


But enough of this insanity! The most important thing is that there is going to be a killer show at Tambaleo tonight featuring Austin's premier Johnny Cash tribute band. I've heard good things about this place and I've actually been there a few times. Long ago it was the ever popular electric lounge that made David Garza and Twang Twang Shocka Boom famous. Hopefully some of that music Karma will hit us like a rock. I hear that they have really great drink specials during happy hour . . . so good they are almost free, but that would be illegal . . . in some states (of mind!). We really hope that everyone can come out to the show, have a few drinks, celebrate Happy Fridays and hear some great Johnny Cash.

SIDE BAR You know we do a lot of tunes and we admit that we sometimes stray away from the core of the band, which is to pay homage to Johnny Cash, but we also don't want to pigeon hole ourselves and we are constantly stretching our musical muscles! So if you experience that block of Jazz tunes or you are confused about why we felt like a Lionel Richie medley was important, just remember . . . if it ain't fixed, don't break it!

A Band Named Sue at The Mean Eyed Cat 11-30-05

We had a GREAT show at The Mean Eyed Cat last night. We got a little late start and I think we ended close to 10:30, which is much later than the scheduled 6:30 to 8:30 happy hour that was on the docket. But we were happy to keep the party going.

It was a night of special guest both on the stage and in the audience. I had a group of guys come out to see the show from my old auction days along with running into my friend Kristen that I haven't seen for about 8 years.

On stage we started with my good friend Mr. Lance Surovik who shared his singing talents on Branded Man and Crystal Chandelier. Two great songs about convicts and lighting fixtures; the missing link between country and western. Next up on the stage, Mr. Bryan Fuller. Bryan brought his mandolin and played on a whole host of Johnny Cash tunes rounding out the sound. After a brief, but long overdue break, we brought up Martha P who sang her signature songs along with the debuted of our version of Walking after Midnight.

Don't forget that we have two more shows this week! Tamableo on Friday - 6:30 to 9:30 pm @ 302 Bowie Street and the dinner theater show at The Brentwood Tavern on Saturday - 7:00 to 9:30 pm 6701 Burnet. The Brentwood Tavern is a kid friendly venue with its own playscape, so for all you "parents" out there, don't neglect the kids. Let them taste the finer things in life like good food and Johnny Cash.

A Band Named Sue has a new e-mail address: abandnamedsue@gmail.com

Pictures from the show:

click on the photo to view a larger image

Johnny Cash Three Banger

Hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. Walk the line released over the weekend and Andy had a chance to check it out. Andy and Bootey give it two thumbs WAY UP. Amber and I were going to see the movie, but I missed out on advanced tickets. You know we could have seen it at any theater, but you just can't get that Alamo Draft House experience anywhere. Plus I won a year pass to the Alamo South Austin, so I'm partial.

Man we got a big week this week and I'm happier than a puppy with two peters! I'm really excited about the shows this week. It's always good to be home at The Mean Eyed Cat and The Brentwood Tavern, but this week we take the Pepsi Challenge and try something new at Tambaleo. I hear good things about this place and the drink specials at happy hour couldn't be happier! We hope to have a great crowd because we would like to secure some type of invitation for the future.

I know that some of you had a chance to read the e-mail sent from Andy, but he does such a good job of describing the shows that I just executed the old cut and paste for this next section.

Wednesday November 30 at the Mean Eyed Cat. 7-9pm 5th Street across from El Arroyo Our home field always brings out the “magic” moments of rock and this will be no exception. Jaime is unleashing his tormented tribute to Lionel Richie that may cause permanent disability in some softer listeners, so please consult your physician.

Also, my pal Bryan Fuller will be bringing it down from the mountain with his mandolin joining us for a hardcore set of Johnny Cash. And if that were not enough magic, Martha P will be blowing the corrugation from its moorings with her hurricane force voice!

Friday December 2 at Tambaleo 6:30-9:30pm 302 Bowie south of 5th. We are having our first swankfest happy hour at this swanky club and you can bet that Dr. Hoyle will be wearing some fresh Aqua Velva and blowing some serious cool out of his tin horn. Pamela Ryder will be raising the room temperature to Mt. Vesuvius levels and Martha P will regulate with some Cold Hard Chillin’. Please dress in layers!!!

Saturday December 3 at the Brentwood Tavern 7-9:30pm 6701 Burnet. This dinner/happy hour show promises to be a culmination of the weeks smoldering rigors. This is a kid-friendly show with some great beers on tap.

Andy Says, "Remember to save your ticket stubs because I will power wash your car if you make all 3 shows this week!" (Does that include the band?) Hope to see you all out this week!