Apr
13
2005

I Just Want To Get Drunk All The Time

Musicans Showcase @ Yucca Tap Room

(Add / View Comments) (0)PhotosWednesday, April 13, 2005 - 11:54:44 pm
(Posted Under: Music Music, Travel, Arizona Trip, Tempe Music Scene Tempe Music Scene)
Tongiht was the musicians showcase, at Yucca Tap Room. Proceeding this we watched Fear And Lothing In Las Vegas, as Katie is such a Hunter S. Thomson fan. I felt stoned just watching it.

When 9PM rolled around, I was ready to go, insisting that it started at 9. So we got ready and drove out to Yucca. I was extremely pumped last night. Maybe it was the beers earlier. Maybe it was because I wasn't wigged out on ether. Either way, I was in fine form.

Rocking up to Yucca we saw Mark Zubia taking his gear in. As we walked in, I got a wave from Scotty, who was on stage sitting up. We took up our seats and the bar, ordered drinks from Venus, and waited. So, Katie was right, they didn't start until 10. It was billed for 9 though. It was cool being their early in anycase, and I certainly didn't want to miss any of it.

Scotty came over and said hi and mentioned that he and Troy are playing Pranksters again this Saturday. Rock on!. He said that it was great to see us, and that a night at Yucca wouldn't be the same if we weren't there. Awwww. [wink] By 10 everyone hit the stage - Jim Beach, Emmet, Mark Zubia and Scott Johnson. Everyone with acoustic guitars except Scotty with his - warning dirty word - Gibson. (He has a Fender endorsement and thus has tape over the logos on his Gibsons). We went sure what to expect - the gig was round robin choosing songs and everyone joining in - going right to left, Jim to Scotty. Everyone virtually did covers except for Scotty, who did his own tunes.

Jim mainly chose slower country songs. It was cool seeing him play, as I'd only briefly seen the end of his set before Larson the second day I was here. I certainly enjoyed his playing, and did a lot of acoustic solos and fills throughout the night.

It was certainly really cool getting to see Mark Zubia (The Pistoleros), especially since I won't get to see the Pistoleros while I'm here. At least I got to see one of the Zubia brothers. I'd obviously never heard Mark sing before. He has a more smooth country voice than Lawrence's raspy vocals, but I could definately here in his voice that he is Lawrence's brother.

Towards the end of the night, Mark chose Sara Says (The Pistoleros / Los Guys), which was a highlight for me. I didn't even recognise the song until a little before the first chorus! I was hoping he'd choose at least one Pistoleros song.

As previously mentioned, Scott chose his songs, except for one cover. Get Drunk, Memphis Time, Does Anybody Know, Stop. I noticed that Stop sounds a lot better with Troy. It was great to hear Scott's songs again, I had no idea if he was going to pull them out or not, and was hoping he would. The cover he chose was by the Greatful Dead.

After the first set, we headed out the back of Yucca for a smoke. It was hilarious, standing out there, and hearing a voice from inside Yucca, and knowing immediately that Steve Larson had turned up. His voice is incredibly distinctive. He indeed was, and walked through the Yucca backdoor a few minutes later

Scott Johnson came out and said hi. Coincidently, I was wearing my Gin Blossoms t-shirt, and he said "it's good to see you sporting the colors", which was cool. I mentioned that it will such leaving because I won't get to hear his songs anymore, and asked if he'd do a record. He mentioned needing to get signed, and Naffah (PH) needing to learn the songs. He said 'Naffah' with his Scotty accent, really breathily, which I totally didn't catch, and could only assume he was talking about Troy - which was weird, as I was thinking "well Troy seems to know the songs really well!". Midway through the conversation I caught on to the fact he was talking about PH.

We then talked about the California / Blossoms trip. He seems quite excited about the Belly Up Tavern show - this is the second time we've spoke to him and he's made specific reference to looking forward to it. He mentioned the whole weird deal with the other Californian show - a whole dinner resturant thing. He's mentioned both times we've spoken that you don't need to buy the dinner tickets, but unfortunately we already have.

A really fun night!

Musician Showcase Photos
Apr
13
2005

Botanical Gardens

(Add / View Comments) (0)PhotosWednesday, April 13, 2005 - 06:09:33 pm
(Posted Under: Travel, Arizona Trip)
This afternoon after Katie got off work, we drove out to the botanical gardens - right outside of Tempe.

Incidently, on Tuesday I'd gotten an email about golf courses in Tempe. Tuesday afternoon we drove past the one in the photos. We had to stop today when we went past it and take a photo. So fitting...

In anycase, the Botanical Gardens were amazing. They didn't even seem like much driving up to them - you can hardly tell they're there. It's a very unique botanical gardens out here. The term is so often associated with lush green lawns, neat flower beds, and tall trees. The Arizona botanical gardens however, have the desert setting and is filled with amazing cacti and succulents. Took lots of photos. In terms of wildlife, got to see woodpeckers, squirrels, lizards, huge ass tadpoles and even a snake basking in the afternoon sun, on the ruins of an old house (very small wall). No glass enclosure folks, on the trail in it's natural habitat. Unfortunately we didn't get a great photo of it, as it was sliding towards the shade of a near by tree, and I was trying to frantically delete a photo off the camera, as it was full again. Very cool to see in anycase.

We also learned something quite interesting - there is a Mt. Ord in Arizona. How freakin' cool is that? We're going to try to drive out there.

We stayed out there until about 5:30 (it closes at dusk), before driving back home. The timing was nice, because my feet were starting to get really sore, wearing my new Vans. It was awfully nice to get home and slip into the pair that are worn in.

Again, a picture says a thousand words, so here are the photos.
Apr
13
2005

Damn Eucalyptus!

(Add / View Comments) (0)Wednesday, April 13, 2005 - 01:18:51 pm
(Posted Under: No Category)
Sitting out on Katie's porch having a smoke is really nice. However, those damn Eucalyptus Trees (or Gum Trees back home)! Initially it was interesting seeing them in Arizona, but now - it reminds me of home, and who needs that? I can see them any day of the week. It's weird! Bring on the cactii and Palo Verdi trees!

Interesting non the less, given I thought they were unique to Australia.

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