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 The great rebound is what I would call this jaunt. We were the first of a triple band bill that included Devil Doll and Los Ska rnales at the mother of the two Continental Clubs in Texas, a place that has seen many great acts grace its venerable stage. We were thrilled, honored and excited to be performing there, as it seemed we wouldn’t be given a break to play anywhere in Austin.
We got up on the stage almost as immediate as the night before at VZD’s but, the vibe was totally different. We not only had a nice handful of seasoned fans (some who traveled from Houston and Dallas) but, friends and family, and a very solid core of the curious including the distinguished music critic/writer John Mortland but also the great chicano novelist, Dagoberto Gilb. Jose Mata and Joe Jimenez who directed and produced the upcoming and someday soon hopefully to be released dvd, Belly Dancer from the Bubba Hernandez album Love and Drama (which is sitting in the can dying to be mixed and edited).
Los Super Vatos had their mojo on this night. Every member had it going on. Artie Villasenor was “searing” as once described by the Houston Chronicle. Nate Smith was blowing his horn in an aggressive inspired and professional manner as his playing spread its wings and took a musical night flight. Steve Salazar was at his battery post with confidence and fervor. And the brother from a different mother David De La Garza was on a roll with his Eddie Kendricks meets Lenny Williams vocals as well as his Chester Thompson meets his dad Speedy De La Garza influenced keyboard playing. Yours truly Bubba Hernandez was one proud vato listening to how the band was meshing in a precise yet brotherly groove. We felt warm and happy at the response.
Devil Doll served up a hot cute sexy quasi dramatic brand of slightly devilishly deviant delicious holy hellacious brand of rockabilly blues: nice very nice. But, Los Skarnales went up and pulverized the room with a rockero ska that ripped my attention that had been sewn by some cuties in the back room and immediately to the right front side of the stage which I only left a couple of times to catch my breath and take a sip of my warm beer. I love them as a band, individual musicians and now as hermanos. I highly recommend them.
LSV was working tonight. It really was. And, many people got it as well as club owner Steve Wertheimer who has invited Los Super Vatos to come back to the Continental Club Austin in September or October. We’ll do it. Please keep an eye on our schedule.
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