The Slack at Barley House April 11,2008

Like many bands I have seen recently, The Slack has been on my radar for a few months now. I have seen numerous shows of theirs and thought this one particularly gave rise for a new post. To top the evening off, it was Chris Holt's birthday, which added a dose of good fortune and plenty of shots. The other jewel about this performance was they would play all night. You can't really go wrong going to see an artist that has won numerous awards in the local band scene. He is joined by Eric Neal on bass, who has also been nominated for numerous awards, and dabbles into many other bands around Dallas; Tom Bridwell on drums, who also has the most amazing studio built in his house that many area talent record in; and Steven Luthye on the keyboard. Somehow the four members work so well together that even some of the SMU yuppies that tend to migrate to the Barley House, looked like they were enjoying the music (more on that later). So for a few hours those who attending heard everything from ballads, to rock riffs, to even a nice jam sessions that lasted about 20 minutes. The Slack is always bringing something different to the table. I had never doubted their extreme talent as musicians but the jam session was amazing. It pretty much mixed all types of music into it, and most of the people surrounding me couldn't help but dance along...even some SMU people felt the need to shake it a little. The Slack is always going to be a good show to check out in my book, they have yet to disappoint. Especially when I yell out for them to play my favorite of their songs of their Wishful Sinking album, and they play it.

To check out The Slack music and dates: http://www.myspace.com/theslack

Now I get to let people in on a really funny occurrence at the Barley House. Without sounding too much like a bitter outsider, I go to the Barley House to see bands, and I know some people just go there because it is their favorite hang out. You know they have every right to be there as I do. But what I have had happen at this specific place is that these people come in herds of dresses, heels, peroxide, Polo shirts and popped collars. They roar out most musicians that play, bombarding them with silly requests and make the experience a little frustrating. It kind of is a respect thing to me. These people up on stage are doing something they love to make their money, not just to be background music to your 90210 life. And please don't be rude to the people actually trying to enjoy it. I mean honestly I want to know who taught some of these people their manners...if anyone. It is just a frustrating experience to have to live with when you actually enjoy music, as opposed to just the sound of your own voice.

I have many friends that have gone to that school and I am really trying not to generalize the group as a whole by just a select few, but most that I have come into contact with at the Barley House specifically have shown this same mold. I hope one day to be up there and have someone come up to me to ask me the name of the band playing. It just really boils down to respect really, which some people have for others, and others don't. And also about the fact that I have seen way too many SMU girls leave the bathroom without washing their hands, and trust you don't want to get me started on that.

Collin Herring and Airline at the Cavern April 5, 2008

I showed up a little late for Collin's set, but have seen him play before. The last show I saw him play was at Opening Bell in the South Side building. During that show he played solo and went through about fifteen songs, new and old. At that show I purchased his old album, The Other Side of Kindness, as well as picking up his not yet released new album called Past Life Crashing. I thoroughly enjoyed both albums, but was quickly drawn more toward the more recent one. So in hearing he was coming back to Dallas (since he now resides in Austin), I decided to check him out again, hoping to know more songs and hopefully see other band members in tow.

As I said before, I showed up late to his set and as I walked up to the Cavern to pay my cover, could hear none other than one of my favorite songs off his old record. I was quickly intrigued to also hear the pedal steel being played. After reading a very in depth article about Collin, I found out he had battled with stints of alcoholism and was curious to see if that changed his music any. Very quickly I noticed the passion he writes intertwined in his songs. Most people can tell when an artist simply writes something they think people will like as opposed to something they feel, and you can hear the feeling in Collin's voice.

I only got to hear a few of his songs. He went back and forth from old and new. His band mate (pretty sure his father) was doing simply harmonization and never once drowned Collin out. At one point after tuning his guitar, Collin said, "it's not in the right key, but oh well". He pulls comedy into his shows usually bantering himself more than anything. Both musicians had a clear view of their instruments and played them well. As his set came to an end, I felt myself wishing I had made it earlier to see the whole thing, but know soon enough he should make his way back to Dallas, and I will make plans to get there to have the whole Collin experience.

After Collin played, Airline set up. There are things that I tend to notice when at shows, that most people do not. This one being the loudness of the background music while they were having their sound check. I couldn't imagine even hearing through their monitors to even know if it sounded good or not. I have seen Airline play a few times and each time I am even more impressed by the different stuff they bring to the stage. I am used to seeing lead singer and bassist, Robbie, with a collared shirt and tie, but this night he simply wore a polo.

At this show particular I found it hard to switch from one artist to the next, as opposed to their different styles. Collin played more quietly, obviously since he didn't have a drummer, and Airline brought their usual flare with their keyboard player and drummer who is not afraid to play hard. One thing I was not so happy about was the keyboard player's cockiness. He called out Collin in his mic about how he had called the group Airliner. Which to me seemed tactless. But once I realized that I should not listen to a word he says, the show was pretty good. Robbie's voice was crisp, as always, and they brought some new songs to the show that I had not heard yet. They truly looked like they were having fun on stage, which is nice for the audience to see, like Robbie playing with the keyboard player's mic, and the guitar player putting his back to Robbie's. Their sound is more rock, but some songs were softer. I really enjoyed their new song "She's Wasted". And like with Collin, I was surprised to see the set end, especially since they do a great cover of the Cold War Kids song, "Hang Me Out to Dry", which they didn't play. But the night as a whole was full of talent, minus the group of girls who decided to stand in front of our table.

Check out these two bands:
Collin Herring: http://www.myspace.com/collinherringmusic
Airline: http://www.myspace.com/airlinemusic