Reports:
No Geno Washington, I thought he would not be coming anyway, he was dropped from the bill a long time ago. Dave "Baby" Cortez was PHENOMENAL. And to do that one better, KD style, I saw and danced to him hangin' out with none other than Greg Cartwright (which was actually fairly incidental because he thought I may perhaps be someone else? but that was OK because I had the chance to compliment him on the new band!!!). I've already said that the Reining Sound were truly a highlight of the weekend.
The 5678's were sadly not on top of the game. It did not appear they had been practicing for one reason or another, that doesn't mean they didn't give it their best shot...and sometimes these things just happen. The Sonics blew it out of the water yet again. All except for new songs which are more "hard rockish" in a not-so-good 80's oldies derivative rock way. They killed it on what they would say "the rock and roll" though!!
I LOVED the Alarm Clocks, my friend Tom is in the band now and he is just a great guitarist and I even like most of their new songs. This time I got to meet the original members of the band, and that was a thrill. I also got to once again see Roy and Cyril of the Flamin' Groovies play together (backed by the A-Bones, which in itself is thrilling because my gal pal Miriam was the head of their fan club in the 70's and that's how I got into the Groovies...she's the drummer for the A-Bones and some of you may also know her as the original drummer for the Cramps). I had not yet met Cyril, so it was an honor and a thrill to shake his hand and then have him ask for his photo with me! How humble of a guy (but I think Miriam had already put the bug in his ear about my absolute adoration for Shake Some Action). Roy I've seen several times, and he was also just super. I had a super time with the A-Bones, they played their classics although I'm not a big fan of their addition of electric organ/piano, it's hard to complain when it's Ira Kaplan.
Undisputed Kings of the weekend were The Untamed Youth. I mean the crowd went INSANE! They were fantastic, fun, funny (and yes I am totally biased as they are one of my most favorite bands) but for me it was Randy Fuller.
I'm sure most of you have at some point heard "I Fought The Law (and the law won)" while shopping in Kroger....it's always played on Oldies stations - Bobby Fuller, great rock'n roll hope of Texas in the mid-60's about to blow that state outta the water with ultimate stardom...I mean Elvis Level stardom...and he was murdered savagely and his murderer was never caught - (forthcoming biography by Miriam Linna, still on hold because the case is still open). There have been several TV shows documenting this sad tale. Well, Bobby played with his brother Randy, who looks and sounds a lot like Bobby - they teamed up with Deke Dickerson (Untamed Youth, Dave 'n Deke, Eccophonics etc....) and man, the kids screaming just about peeled the paint offa the walls in that place. If you can imagine an audience of about 400 people SCREAMING the lyrics to these songs and dancing like there is no tomorrow. Hundreds of happy, happy faces. It was so nice to let Randy know that his brothers' music and memory still have meaning and bring joy to people today.
We saw Daddy Long Legs
http://www.myspace.com/daddylonglegs314] [url]http://www.myspace.com/daddylonglegs314[/url] from Brooklyn twice, and they also brought the house down! 3 young cats playing 1959-1966 style blues: a cross between British and black American styles and they are just wonderful and so entertaining! If you like early Rolling Stones, early Pretty Things etc. you need to seek them out (they are similar but have their own style). Also highlights for me: ? & The Mysterians, La La Brooks of the Crystals came and did a song, also one of the Jaynettes sang "Sally Go Round The Roses"...homeboy the mightly Hannibal was superb as usual...
Lots of East Atlanta folks there to represent too (and bumped into a few folks who no longer live here, but did). Great weekend. It's not every day you get to be sandwiched into a building with 400 other people (for 4 days in a row) that just wanna dance to Beer Bust Blues.
Other than the festival we got visit my friend Johnny Chan to see his fantastic artwork, (works under: John Michaels), tromp all over Brooklyn and visit Prospect Park, soak up some fantastic fall weather and eat some really good food.
Now it's time for BED!
(I am an awful photographer so I didn't take photos but I think some may eventually be posted here)...
