Dispatch from Exile

Howdy hoodlums... it's been awhile, I know. Sorry about that. I resolve to change that in 2007, but that's going about as well as any of my other resolutions. Don't worry folks, I hope that this coming year brings many things, but one of them is a renew-ed Couches on Fire. (That said, if you or any of your friends, or your friends friend, or.. well, you get the drift, ANYONE would like to contribute to this site, send me an email - we need more reporters).

Either way, the impetus for this post was that this weekend brought a couple of great nights of music my way and I figured you'd want to know about it.

Friday I caught the Drown Culture/6 Parts 7/Librarians stack up at the ole' P Street. Good show. I showed up midway through Drown Culture's set, but paid little attention. I don't know what I thought Drown Culture would sound like, but that wasn't it. 6 Parts 7 was up next, and I dug their spacy instrumental sound. I picked up their album after the show and have been enjoying it ever since. It was a poor financial decision, but a good musical one. If we've learned anything, it's not to operate my wallet while intoxicated. Finally, the Librarians closed things out. Good god is that band on fire right now. I really don't know what else to say about the show. They just ripped it up. They really are the best band in town right now. They're a lot like a frieght train - they aren't going to change course on your account, so it's up to you to get on or get out of the way. As far as I'm concerned, they sky is the limit for those guys.

Saturday night brought the Hackensaw Boys to town. I had a hard time getting into it, partially because the room was packed well beyond my comfort level. Eventually I found a nice sweet spot near the back of the room, in time to hear the band run through a couple of my favorite tunes, "Alabama Shamrock" and "Nashville". They closed their set without the help of the PA system, something that ruffled the feathers of showgoers a year or so ago, but no one seemed to mind this time. If anything, it forced the audience to focus more. More than anything, I would say their set was a testament to how an out of town band can really "work" this town into a dedicated and devoted tour-stop. The Hackensaws have been coming here for years and each trip into town bears fruit for thier labors. They've done it, Lucero's done it, the All Mighty Senators have done it (back in town on 2/2), who will be the next band to get adopted by the University City? Can't wait to find out.

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