And Now for Something Completely Banal.
I've found a new reason to get up in the morning. CoffeeGiant.com is carrying a new kind of Flavia packet called "Intense Dark Roast." Flavia rates the strength of their coffee on a scale of one to five, with five being the most intense. Sumatra, heretofore my favorite blend, was the only one rated a "5+." It was the "plus" that did it for me. The Intense Dark Roast, however, is rated 7 on a scale of 5. That's just good stuff. Believe me, a couple of cups of that will really sharpen you right up. Coffee is one of my few remaining vices, and as I've given up the others, I only make up for them with stronger and stronger coffee.
Speaking of vices, yesterday saw an increasingly rare phenomenon--a hangover. As I've gotten older, I just don't drink to the kind of excess, or with the complete abandon that guarantees nausea, headache, the whole nine yards anymore. I'm better about drinking water, eating, and doing all the other things (i.e., not just slamming drinks like I'm immortal) to spare myself that kind of worthless experience.
When you order that first tequila shot, that ought to be your indicator that you've had too much already. Unfortunately, this is the point at which you're already too far gone to have such a revelation.
The occassion? I had gone Saturday to Tomcat's on Commerce to see Error of Free Will. They opened for a couple of totally forgettable metal bands. The vodka tonics I was sucking down like water helped make them a little more tolerable, at least. It was EFW's first show, and I think it's safe to say they had a few nerves. They also have some balls: you've got to have some big ones to cover Toadies in Dallas, especially "Tyler." It seemed to go over pretty well, though. There was a pretty decent crowd there, especially considering how dead Deep Ellum has become, and there were more than a few heads bobbing along to that one and more than a few people singing along.
But forget the cover--the original material was where it was at. EFW is kind of a strange mutt. Dave lays down the funk, playing back in the pocket and putting the real bottom in the bottom end. DJ has the slashing, high-end guitar that, coupled with Dave's legato basslines gives the band an unbelievably mature sound, especially on "Shiny Steel Splinter," hands-down the best song of the night. If this is the direction they're taking the band, it's the right one. There's a real sonic distance between the two; too often, bassists and guitarists simply play the same rhythm and the same notes for a flat tone. These guys have some real musicianship and complexity going for them.
Not to ruffle anyone's feathers, but beyond that, I can't comment. I was significantly impressed by the union of guitar and bass; beyond that, I was too drunk to recall, and I've slept since then. Hey, this ain't no music review I'm writing here. Tell you what, guys: line up another gig, I'll come out, we'll do it again.
Speaking of vices, yesterday saw an increasingly rare phenomenon--a hangover. As I've gotten older, I just don't drink to the kind of excess, or with the complete abandon that guarantees nausea, headache, the whole nine yards anymore. I'm better about drinking water, eating, and doing all the other things (i.e., not just slamming drinks like I'm immortal) to spare myself that kind of worthless experience.
When you order that first tequila shot, that ought to be your indicator that you've had too much already. Unfortunately, this is the point at which you're already too far gone to have such a revelation.
The occassion? I had gone Saturday to Tomcat's on Commerce to see Error of Free Will. They opened for a couple of totally forgettable metal bands. The vodka tonics I was sucking down like water helped make them a little more tolerable, at least. It was EFW's first show, and I think it's safe to say they had a few nerves. They also have some balls: you've got to have some big ones to cover Toadies in Dallas, especially "Tyler." It seemed to go over pretty well, though. There was a pretty decent crowd there, especially considering how dead Deep Ellum has become, and there were more than a few heads bobbing along to that one and more than a few people singing along.
But forget the cover--the original material was where it was at. EFW is kind of a strange mutt. Dave lays down the funk, playing back in the pocket and putting the real bottom in the bottom end. DJ has the slashing, high-end guitar that, coupled with Dave's legato basslines gives the band an unbelievably mature sound, especially on "Shiny Steel Splinter," hands-down the best song of the night. If this is the direction they're taking the band, it's the right one. There's a real sonic distance between the two; too often, bassists and guitarists simply play the same rhythm and the same notes for a flat tone. These guys have some real musicianship and complexity going for them.
Not to ruffle anyone's feathers, but beyond that, I can't comment. I was significantly impressed by the union of guitar and bass; beyond that, I was too drunk to recall, and I've slept since then. Hey, this ain't no music review I'm writing here. Tell you what, guys: line up another gig, I'll come out, we'll do it again.
posted by Drew at 1:05 PM
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