SXSW2001 Day Five - Tuesday, March 13
Is
that the right day and date? I'm living on naps and
snoozes from trying to work my day job and stay involved
in SXSW. I'm kinda dazed.
Tuesday
night, I took a nap after work. I had wanted to go to
the Convention Center at 8pm for "Passing Stones." I
previewed this film for SXSW and really liked it. It's
a pretty bold comedy and very unique. I wanted to see
it again to jog my memory about the film and, also,
to see how an audience responded to the comedy. But,
of course, I opted for a nap instead.
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At
a little after 9:30, I headed to the Conv. Ctr.
for "Never Again," the new film by Eric Schaffer.
He had a hit a few years back during the start of
the indie revolution with "My Life's in Turnaround."
In the front of the CC was a guy I recognized as
the star and director of "Passing Stones," Roger
Majkowski. I was running late and I hate missing
the beginning of a film, but I had to stop and say
hello. I'm so glad I did. Majkowski was very nice
and very happy. The screening at 8 had went very
well. One of the young women in the film, a blonde
haired girl who plays a Tourette's Disease victim
was also with Maj. I told her how much her performance
had made me laugh! |
These
guys were super nice and seemed to be on Cloud 9! I'm
so happy the screenings are going well for them. The
film is really unique and a bit dark and very edgy,
but funny as hell. At first glance (i.e. the beginning
of the film), I didn't really like it, but after I relaxed
and gave myself over to the film, I found myself laughing
my ass off. Sure, there are going to be those who don't
get it; I didn't get it at first. But if you just allow
the film to be itself, you will bust a gut.
Even though it was just 10 by my watch when I got into
the theater, "Never Again" had already just started.
I sat to the back, which is unusual for me, and found
myself easily captivated and falling in love with this
wonderful and unusual romantic comedy. I haven't been
a fan of Schaffer's over the past few years. His Fox
sitcom was a disaster and his feature "If Lucy Fell"
was only okay. This new film is a masterpiece.
I don't think the writer/producer/director was there
for a Q&A and I didn't stay after the end credits to
find out. My fave band Hobble was playing at the 710
and I wanted to make sure I didn't miss the show. I
headed for Sixth street. By now it was sprinkling.
The 710, a really nice venue for live bands, is on the
worst part of Red River. I hate walking by the homeless
folks, mainly African-American, to get there or to the
Atomic Cafe. Something about me, probably the vibe of
fear, makes me feel like a target for panhandlers in
that part of town. They always say, "Hey big guy!" too,
which is the worst thing you can say to me if you want
me to be sympathetic to your plight.
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I
didn't see Oriah or anyone from Hobble at the
710 so I got a beer and played some computer trivia
game. The band that was playing, apparently a
group called Mala Suerte were on stage making
horrid noise. I believe the direct translation
from Spanish for that term is "hardcore band that
sucks donkey dicks," depending on the dialect
you choose. After two songs, I could take no more.
I asked the door guy when Hobble might go on and
he told me "about 1," so I decided to go over
to the Atomic Cafe for an hour or so and hang
loose. On the street, I saw Oriah in his Angus
Young get-up in front of Red-Eyed Fly, so I went
over and said hi. Oriah was a bit down because
a friend of his had lost their pet to cancer that
afternoon. Although I am not an animal person,
I do understand sorrow for losses, especially
lately, so I tried to be as sympathetic as possible.
Oriah
is such a wonderful and unique and nice person.
I just love being around him. I still feel a bit
like a "fan" when I see him but he makes me feel
at ease by just being himself. Of course, I'm
totally enamoured with him as well. But he can
tell and does not make me feel lesser for it.
I always feel comfortable around Oriah. He is
truly someone whose friendship means much to me,
although it is only in the infancy stage
Anyway,
a guy from Red Eyed who I had met with Xanna the
other night came past and said hi and then Tom,
Hobble's bassist, came by with some flyers for
a show they are doing Thursday afternoon at Red
Eyed. Kissinger is also on that bill and I am
pretty pissed that I'll be working that afternoon.
Wish I had sick days left!
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Oriah
in his Angus Young get-up
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We
finally headed back to 710 where a band called Full
Blasto had taken the stage. This band was playing only
instrumentals and were pretty heavy yet they somehow
reminded me of King Crimson. If someone would get them
high and play them the "Islands" album, it would totally
melt their minds. What they need is a poetic flower
hippie dude to do some slow stuff with them. These guys
have probably never heard a Crimson song in their lives.
They also reminded me a bit of Rush and, of course,
other solo artists like Satriani, but they were far
harder and more 90's than that. Their lead guitarist
had lots of talent. The bass player, who was also quite
good, had a stool on stage that he sat on, kinda. I
was laughing, since he had a bit of a butt, that he
needed a stool for his big booty on stage. Later in
the night I saw him walking with a cane and realized
he was just a bit disabled, so of course, I felt pretty
stupid for thinking that. Thank God I didn't say anything
out loud about it.
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Before
Hobble took the stage, I also got to say hi to
Mike the guitarist. I'm glad I got to know him
a bit this past Saturday because he is a really
nice guy. All the dudes in Hobble are nice. This
is probably why they don't have more of a following:
They are not pretentious assholes.
I didn't bring my camera cause I knew I would
be drinking. Oriah was in top form on stage. The
band was as solid as ever. Hobble spoils you because
every show is so awesome, you almost don't notice
it. The thing with the band is you, the audience.
The nights I've felt Hobble were at their best
also seem to be the nights I am at my best, my
most relaxed and carefree. My enjoyment of the
band is directly proportionate to my mood because
they are always solid. And when I'm good, they
are even better!
After the show I went home exhausted. I got to
say good-bye to the sweaty and shirtless Oriah.
What a great night.
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