Well, I  finally did it. I had my Austin debut, playing with the Blues Specialists (warning: sound) at the Continental Club. It was one song that went by in a blur. I think it went ok. I didn't pass out or throw up or anything like that. So I'll have to try it again, and when I do, I'll give you all some advance notice.

Well, I've been going to shows a lot more often these days, and I've had a few experiences that have made me laugh and shake my head.

A few months ago, we went to see the Hickoids. I missed them back in the 80s, so I jumped at the chance to go hear their brand of cowpunk. I'm standing at the back of the room, happily singing along to some song, when a very drunk Gary Floyd comes up to me and tells me "[I've] got music in my soul". How do you respond to that? I think I smiled and nodded, and then he started telling me about how he knew those guys back when and how the song about them meeting George Jones is true. I was catching about every other word over the music and through my earplugs and was trying to be polite. Luckily Su came back from wherever she had wandered off to, and Gary drifted off. But at least I know I've got music in my soul.

Then this past weekend, we went to Cat Scientist's CD release party at the Hole in the Wall. Now, the lock on the men's room door at the Hole doesn't really work. This isn't so bad. You've at least got your back to the door when you're in there. It's not like the Crown & Anchor where anyone using the pay phone gets a free show whenever the door opens. Anyways, I'm in there minding my own business when the door opens, and I hear a female voice say "oh, sorry". As I'm heading back to our table, I got a sheepish grin from some woman, who I assume was the woman who opened the door. That in itself wouldn't have been too odd, but later I was back in there when the door opens and this hurricane blows in. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a sandaled foot kick down the toilet seat, while a woman says "Do you mind? There's like ten girls out there waiting. I don't mind if you don't". I didn't really have a choice as this whole time she was hiking up her skirt and getting ready to go. I'm sure I had a deer-in-the-headlights look as I wrapped things up and told her it was all hers. As I walked out the door, her friend was waiting in line, and he said "Hey, [name withheld]" and laughed.

Like they say, Keep Austin weird.

The Blanton Museum's grand opening is this weekend, and Pong and DJ Jennifer of KOOP's Ear Candy are playing at it. How cool is that?

Saturday we went to see Glass Eye at Room 710. Brian Beattie was first on the bill with his two man thing, the Brian Beattie Show. Also playing was Cat Scientist.

I was incredibly excited about this show, and Glass Eye didn't disappoint. These guys are my favorite local band. I can't even remember which of my friends introduced me to them back in 86, but it was probably Steve O. Over the next couple of years, I tried to catch them as often as possible. Man, those shows of theirs at Liberty Lunch are some of my favorite college memories. So you can maybe get some idea why I keep blathering about being excited about their new album here all the time.

When we got to the 710, we found out that they'd had some recent issues with the TABC, so they weren't serving alcohol that night. So, we headed off to the Sidebar for a beer. We got back in time to catch the last half of the Brian Beattie Show's short set. Up next was Cat Scientist. I'd heard good things about these guys. These things were justified. They're in that same power pop vein as Pong. They've got a really funky bass player and nice harmony vocals. There was lots of bouncing for their set.

And then, Glass Eye. They came on around 12:30-12:45ish. We left around 2:15 as they were coming on for their encore. It was a great set. I got to hear some of my favorite Glass Eye songs such as Christine, Parking Space, and Dempsey Nash as well as a bunch of stuff off the new album. Everyone was bouncing and having a good time. At one point, Lyman from Pong and some friends of his had a good natured mosh pit going in front of me. It was a great show. For me, some of the enjoyment was the nostalgia of seeing a band that I haven't seen play in something like 18 years. But on top of that, they still rock. And it was obvious that they were having a good time up on stage playing. If you've never seen them, you really should go out and catch them. Really.