Houston Press Music Awards Showcase 2009

Lori and I have been trying to figure out the last time we went to the HPMA showcase. It was in the mid 90s when it was on the Richmond Strip, and we either went one year or two. I have a list of every concert Lori and I have been to together, but for some reason those aren't on there.

This year, we started at the Flying Saucer since our original intent was to see Runaway Sun, Kristine Mills, and then go over to Isis and see Mighty Orq. After that, we had some interest in either of the last bands at both venues. That would allow us to stay completely in the Main Street area venues and avoid the trek to House of Blues or Bayou Place.

We got lucky because we found a parking lot across from the Flying Saucer that was $5 and practically empty. Funnily enough, there was a shuttle stop there too. You would have thought it would have been packed.

We got there early and caught the end of the dUNETX set. Those guys were loud with the door closed and outside! They tried to keep on playing past the end of their alloted time. I get it, you're Rock and Roll, no rules, ha ha, funny, now get outta here. They were pretty good for what they were besides the loud.

We saw all of Runaway Sun's set. I thought it started a little slow, like they weren't exactly comfortable (maybe nerves playing for the showcase?), but after a few songs they got going and it was really good. I talked to Andrew Karnavas afterwards and he was dripping wet. If you saw the show, you know why. He was working it!

We stayed for a bit of Kristine Mills' set. She is very good at that bossa nova jazz, but I was itching to move on. So we walked over to Isis, ran into Matthew and Grace who were leaving, and Earl, who we know from the Houston Musicians Meetup, he plays bass. Earl and his wife joined us to see Orq. We also saw the end of CHangoMan. They were crazy. Orq was awesome. I've never seen him live, but it was great and will have to look for him again. Isis is also an incredible looking place inside. A big marble-like staircase to the upstairs, a big chandelier, etc.

Partially because I was hoping J.R. was going to be able to get me some Riazul, we went over to the House of Blues next. Whatever was playing in the dining room didn't interest us, so we went upstairs to the Bronze Peacock (part of HOB). We checked out a little of Sideshow Tramps, then went over to the concert hall and caught the rest of Los Skarnales, who were partying like crazy and putting on a helluva show. We found J.R. and he tried to get us some tequila, but it turned out it was too late and he was embarrassed and couldn't get us any. That was okay, it was the end of the night for us and we were heading home soon.

Between the great music and running into friends everywhere, we had a fantastic time. Maybe next year I will be part of an act that's playing the showcase. I better get to work, then.

Posted 2009 07 30 at 7:15 AM

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