 | by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
Slayer's Kerry King has an infamous tattoo on his left bicep that he like to point out from time to time that says "GOD HATES US ALL" and I couldn't help but feel that sentiment as I rose from a bed that had spent most of the night spinning. I rarely drink anymore, and then usually only with Kerry so the skill set I acquired at college(s) had long ago run their course.
As the hot water spraying on my forehead rolled down my neck and back, any soothing feelings I hoped for were blocked by the steady constant THROB THROB THROB at my temple and the naked glare of the incandescent bulbs above the sink. Though I was looking forward to the show, I knew it would be a long row to hoe to actually gear up, drive down, park and then hike the half mile across the river that is Austin's Town Lake down to Auditorium shores, with about 50 pounds of gear. THROB THROB THROB.
Throwing my gear in the car I headed off into Austin, arriving at parking garage an hour later, at about 5:00pm. Popping into Thundercloud for some needed rations, a large chicken salad sub on wheat, provolone, and black olives, I washed it down with the largest Mountain Dew they had, along with 800mg of Ibuprofin. By the time I had passed the Occupy Austin camp and crossed the bridge the combination of calories, caffeine, pain killer, and blood flow had made my head clear just in time for - the dust.
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Continue reading "Slayer thrashes Austin's Auditorium Shores"
 | by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
"No, I'm pretty sure I'd know if I'd seen someone like that..."
The diminutive hostess at the Driskill's downstairs bar looked me up and down and her eyes told me I was way way under dressed to be hanging out at the Driskill.
Camo shorts, Motorhead T-Shirt, and Black Converses were definitely not on the acceptable list at the ritzy 19th Century downtown Austin hotel that charges $300 a night and hosts Austin's largest ghost population. But I had no choice - the text said to meet at the Driskill, in the bar and so I pulled up a stool, ordered a Tanqueray & tonic, no fruit, and waited. After a second round, close to an hour later, I noticed that I was the last one there and they were closing up. The upstairs bar was still open, so I wandered up.
The place was packed end to end with UT fans and wedding parties, the noise like a flock of geese at feeding time. Retreating down the stairs I grabbed a chair in the lobby, and started checking my phone messages. After a half our of this I began to compose an apology message, prepping myself to bail. It was a beautiful message, filled with flowery halve truths about being up early to milk cows and the like. Before I could hit the send button, under the phone I noticed a black pair of combat boots standing three feet right in front of me. I knew before glancing up it was - Slayer!
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Slayer's Kerry King enjoys a Jägermeister on Austin's 6th Street.
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Continue reading "Hanging out with Slayer on Austin's 6th Street"
by Robin Lardie - Staff Writer and Photographer
Last Sunday night, Austin hosted Rock n Roll Hall of Famer William "Bootsy" Collins and his all-star 13 piece band.
And what a night it was! The evening started with Mrs. Patti Collins and the "Bootsy Girls" greeting the crowd and introducing some of her husbands students at "Funk University", his online bass instruction school.I’d guess by looking that the students were an average age of about 13 and they took a few of them spoke briefly to the audience about how much they had learned and are enjoying studying with the funk prodigy.
The lights go dim, the crowd chants ""Boot…SAY"…"Boot…SAY" over and over, cue lights and large entourage of some of the most talented names in funk enter the stage from both the right and left.
Thirteen in total including a head-to-toe purple sequined Bootsy, complete with matching top hat and large yellow plume attached. |   |
Continue reading "Austin City Limits Live Presents: Bootsy Collins at the Moody Theatre"
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