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The
Mona Jane
Beerland, October 23, 2003
Closing my eyes I felt like it was 1983 in a dank pub in Ireland
listening to an up and coming post punk band by the name of
U2. Opening them I realize I’m in Beerland on Thursday
night rocking to different up and comers The Mona Jane. Their
tunes were melodic, upbeat and hypnotic although I wish I
could have heard the vocals better (not their fault). It took
me back to earlier days when there was less Cow-punk, Pysco-billy
and Shock-rock going on around me (not that those are bad
things) and bands played straight Rock without the need for
a category. The Mona Jane is easy on the ears as well as the
eyes considering I spied one of those hot derby girls (Rolletta
Lynn) rolling out the riffs on lead guitar. I look forward
to checking them out again and you should too. Maybe we’ll
get a whole boobie next time! You can get more of The Mona
Jane at you guessed it www.themonajane.com
-Beau
Been
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Free
Speech Benefit
Beerland, October 29, 2003
Do you ever feel like you are in the twilight zone? I felt
like I was in some other realm of musical dimensions when
I went to the Free Speech Benefit at Beerland last week. I
mean, where else can you hear heavy metal, garage band, bluegrass
and punk rock all in the space of a couple of hours? I didn’t
even stay for the whole show, but I can only guess what band
might perform next—pop, rap, opera?
The first two bands proved that you don’t have to be
understood or quiet to speak your mind. Who cares if nobody
can understand what you’re singing about or hear you
because their eardrums are shot? As long as people seem to
be enjoying your music, it doesn’t matter. The third
band had the opposite problem—nobody could hear them.
Several people in the audience kept on screaming during their
set to turn it up, though this didn’t stop them from
jamming. I have to admit, though, I could hear the conversations
of the people across the room better than I could hear the
band.
The
highlight of the night was a performance by the Sweethearts.
I mean, with “sweet” in your name, how can you
be bad? The Sweethearts just so happen to be a really cutesy,
poppy band that sings and plays their sweet little hearts
out. The band is made up of Brownsville natives Linette (vocals)
and Ren (guitar) and Austin boys Kyle (bass) and Joel (drums)
they will make you feel like a kid again with songs about
dating, breaking up and other crazy teenage mayhem. Look for
their new album, L.U.V., a title which should give you a pretty
good idea of what kind of music they play. –Misty
Sweet
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Boss
Martians/The Converters
Beerland, October 20, 2003
The Converters highlight the harmonica styling of resident
Beerland boy, Randall Stockton. A high energy performer, he
will leave you wanting to fall exhausted to the floor after
the band’s set. After all, Stockton himself laid on
the floor after the last song for a good minute or so before
helping his fellow band members pack up their gear. This band
literally converts the blues weary and gives them a new perspective
on this musical style. The Converters are a band not to be
missed live; they will make you jam.
Then the Boss Martians invaded the stage with their fun, lively
rock and roll. They pick you up off of your seat and place
you front and center for their classic rock performance. The
Boss Martians are a four-piece band from Seattle that blends
classic guitar music (reminiscent of 70s rock), pop lyrics,
and keyboard harmonies. They are just so much fun to see live.
These guys, obviously influenced by a lot of different musicians,
put everything in a blender and come up with a wonderful musical
concoction. It is easy to see why they have been making music
for the past decade and continue to have a loyal fan base.
The song “I Am Your Radio,” a real sing-along
song, will reverberate in your head for days and is featured
on their new critically acclaimed album, The Set-Up, just
released on October 21. For all you poor souls who missed
this wonderful performance, do yourself a favor and pick this
album up at once. –Misty Sweet
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