The Official Llano Idea Blog

So this is the Llano Idea blog. My name is yet to be determined, but I will be brainstorming overtime to have a handle of sorts for all those reading. I was once known as A-prime (A’), but those days are over. I will be posting every Monday to review the shows of the past week and to preview the shows coming up.

Last Wednesday saw the return of Reverend Deadeye to Lubbock. His last show here at Whiskey Dix was a bit under-attended for a number of reasons. Thankfully, the kids came out this time (to Bash’s), and Deadeye put on an amazing set. He started off wearing a blindfold and tore into his one-man band sound of distorted blues vocals and various percussion affiliates. His incantations are of a more earthy, poor man’s struggle variety, and pair well with the lifestyle he leads – play a show, go to sleep, drive the van with the dog to the next town, repeat. Deadeye once called Denver home, but these days he lives nowehere and everywhere.

Saturday was a ridiculous showcasing of Texas talent, with a variety of genres grouped together. Daniel Folmer of Denton opened the show with an acoustic-electric and stripped down drums. His indie sound reminded Whitey Corngood and myself of a less electric Matthew Sweet, but go check him out yourself and see what you think (Reading Rainbow?).

Local Brit-pop, confusion-as-art sensation I Are Transformer followed with such hits as “I’m So Fucking British That I Cannot Stand It” and “It’s Not Ok, Computer.” Other highlights included “All Babies Are Pussies” and “You Don’t Know My Mom You Don’t.” No more text will be devoted to describing this (my new favorite) band.

Charlie Shafter & the Gnomes stretched their legs a bit, playing outside of Blue Light for a change. Without a doubt, the Bash’s crowd was more than happy to see them. Shafter ripped through a killer set of straight rock n’ roll, with miles of exciting scenery, including a cover of Tom Waits’ “Come On Up to the House” and a stirring display of the Shafter original “17th & Chicago.” Shafter will most likely be returning in mid-February for another non-Blue Light show, so stay tuned.

One Wolf killed it as always, though Daniel Markham probably didn’t think so. Being in I Are Transformer will rape one’s voice, but Markham stuck it out and rocked the faces off of all in the crowd. Endng with an epic rendition of R.E.M.’s “Country Feedback,” One Wolf poured yet another layer of cement on their monument as one of the best bands in Lubbock.

Coming up this Friday (Jan. 30) is the Fire Don’t Care Benefit Shows at Jake’s on 50th & Slide. One Wolf and Thrift Store Cowboys will be musically avenging the honor of their tour trailer which burned to the ground and their home and merchandise which suffered fire and smoke damage no doubt due to some dumbass. Also on the bill is St. Clair, Dirty Charley Band and Macon Greyson, who recently had a song featured in the movie The Wrestler.

Also, check the KTXT Myspace for all Lubbock show information. Take care.