SEPTEMBER 2004
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Downtown LiveNotesby Jamie Manser “Always a Pleasure,” Al Perry & The CattleIt was late Sunday afternoon in August when I rang Hotel Congress to inquire about an upcoming show and it was front desk guy/musician Mr. Al Perry who called me back. “Jamie, I saw that you called and wanted to let you know I have CDs here if you want to come by and pick one up. I’ll be working all night.”
The eleven-track album sounds as good as it would in a club, with nine of the eleven tracks laying witty lyrical ground rooted around ladies and the other two, “Twangst” and “Jansuz Kocerba,” being groovy guitar driven instrumentals. The album release is coinciding with Mr. Perry’s 20th Anniversary show on Friday, September 3 with Fraidy Cats and Gila Bend sharing Club Congress’ stage. Although Mr. Perry is a mellow and even-keeled fellow who’s deadpan expression never seems to change, when asked if he was excited about the show, his mouth broke into sly small smile and said, “I’m actually excited and I hardly get excited.” The sonic spree starts at 9:00pm with the entrance fee of a fiver. Listening RoomBeing a music scene stalwart, Al Perry is never far from the lips of people who are checking their mental files of seminal local songwriters. His name came up recently when Biblio proprietor/musician/writer Maggie Golston and musician Mark Matos (Campo Bravo front man) were discussing ideas for their imminent Listening Room music series at Biblio. The oral press release went like this: The Listening Room is going to be monthly (by-invite-only) singer/songwriter performances open to spectators at no charge. The concept is simple – to have the strength of the song carry the performance in an atmosphere conducive to an actual listen. The rules are simple too – be supportive by sticking around, keeping your mouth shut and opening your ears and minds. The atmosphere Ms. Golston and Mr. Matos envision is one of mutual respect and attention to the work of the contributing artists. Their preliminary list of musicians is top notch and the series has great potential to foster more real participation in the music scene. I Love the 80sIt’s kind of funny and weird to be harkened back to the days of teenaged angst via contemporaries whose music culls from the artists that defined my high school years. These are the shows this month: • black tape for a blue girl – Halo Star – It’s black-clad, black velvet and fishnets - with ethereal energy that transcends the hyperbole of the goth scene. www.blacktapeforabluegirl.com. (Wednesday, September 8 at Hotel Congress.)
• Modulator - Don’t Hold Out on Me – It’s the predicable keyboards homaging early 80s electronic music – a la jerky, robotic riffs reminiscent of Devo and early Depeche Mode that meld into guitar grooves - seaming it all together in modernity. You’d never guess that they hail from Houston. Check out “Major Malfunction” and “You’re so Analog.” Produced by Ed Buller, ex-Psychedelic Furs keyboardist. www.modulator.org. (Friday, September 10 at Nimbus Brewery.) • Kennedy – Pink Afros – I was immediately sucked in with the first two dance songs “Mama Made Me a Pimp” and “Heavy Metal.” A musical sharp turn on the EP showcases catchy, pop-y, and introspective songs irresistible for frequent spinning. Just try to eschew a song that tells us “Canada is the reason why everyone is so uptight?” This vodka swilling, stage stripping L.A. mo-fo is a sight to see. Stands to reason he is opening for Bog Log III. I recommend checking his website, www.kisforkennedy.com as well as www.RuthlessReviews.com/sex/sex.html. The hipster is also a sex tipster and his advice is not for the meek or weak of heart. (Sunday, September 19 at Hotel Congress.) • Mighty Six Ninety – MMIV – This EP evokes happy memories of The Breakfast Club and The Cure’s happier, pop tunes with the melancholy tinge of The Church. Cheers, To The Bitter End has singer Richard Gardner sounding a lot like an impassioned Morrissey, not the annoying, bad, whiney Morrissey. The LA 4-piece has been gaining momentum over the last year with touring and singles hitting the specialty show charts. Find them online at www.myspace.com/mightysixninetymusic. (Saturday, September 4 at Plush with Silent Grey and The Pacific). • The Rosebuds – Make Out – Ok, so I only listened to the four songs downloadable from www.MergeRecords.com but you’re damn sure that I’m going to buy the album and see them play at the end of the month. I know they are grouped under the 80s, but that decade’s influence is but one mere element of a sound that also culls from the 60s and the 90s with impossibly good and catchy tunes. “My Downtown Friends” kind of reminds me of our scene. (Wednesday, September 29 at Solar Culture).
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Hell yeah! I was excited to procure “Always a Pleasure,” the first release of Al Perry and the Cattle on his Addled Records label in nine years, since I had (until now) only enjoyed Al’s twang rock live. 
Leon Russell