MUSIC NEWS
Gourds Kill, Grandfather Child Wins, Candy Golde Shines
03/19/2011

from Houston Press on houstonpress.com

Day Two found Lonesome Onry and Mean at the Vanguard Records day party, where the label was intent on showcasing several of its newest acts. While Viva Voce may not be the best band name ever, the Pixies-ish Portland duo charmed the early crowd.

We'd been anticipating our first time to hear Steven Kellogg and the Sixers, but after three songs we'd heard enough of their Steve Earle Lite thing to make an executive decision to leave the party in search of sustenance. We walked a few blocks and came upon Mmpanada, a food truck serving eight types of the Argentine pastry. The chicken and green chili was excellent, as were barbeque and the traditional Argentine picadillo filling. We'll be going back to Mmpanada.

We hoofed it back to the Belmont in time to encounter the Gourds unloading their equipment in crowded W. Sixth St. and hung backstage with Max Johnston's wife and children while the band did the mandatory schmoozing that goes with being signed to a new label. Once technical issues were worked out with the banjo and accordion (why is it always the banjo and accordion that bolloxes a sound check?), the Belmont filled to beyond capacity.

The Gourds then proceeded to give a lesson in Texas music to the assembled throng, breaking hard into a hectic cover of Chuck Berry's "Promised Land" that hushed even the backstage hangers-on. They proceeded to wail on some steroidal Tex-grass that has more spunk, muscle, and soul than the Mumford or Avett's passenger train can haul. There, we said it. Sorry. Not.

During the set we ran into Houston blues-rockers Grandfather Child and made the introductions to Vanguard A&R man and former Houstonian Bill Bentley, who is becoming a fan.

Hooking up with a couple of Houston compadres, we hiked through the Capitol Grounds to Scholz Garten for the Texas Music Magazine subscriber's party. The back outdoor garden was packed to capacity and the free Miller Lite beer line stretched to eternity. We arrived just in time to hear another of Lonesome, Onry and Mean's Texas favorites, Hacienda.

There were a few people who seemed to know every word to every song, but most of the crowd seem genuinely stunned by the power and San Antonio-tinge roots rock of these powerful San Antonio rockers. Finishing with "Mama's Cooking," the band finally coaxed the crowd into dance mode.

(read full story on houstonpress.com)





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