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by Mike Sheahan
Some of you may not know it, but we have all just lived through
one the most turbulent and disaster-ridden weeks ever to visit
our young civilization. First, a shoddily constructed glass
roof in Moscow collapses on a middle-class public swimming pool,
killing a dozen people. Then Ralph Nader announces he intends
to collapse the glass roof on another presidential election.
Add, and I swear all of this is true, a band called the PBR
(Professional Bull Riding) Allstars releasing an album called
"Buck and Roll Volume 1," and these are truly troubling times.
The PBR Allstars' album features such things as a song called
"If I Can Just Hold On" followed by the tune "Faster, Faster."
Oh, those racy pro bull riders.
Rodeo and Russian
disasters aside, one has only to look back four years to realize
that Ralph Nader and his few measly million votes have the power to
shape American policy for at least four years. As the writer of
this column, I have always tried to stay in the shallow end of the
pool, picking on some undeserving local band rather than the free
world's leader, for fear of getting in over my head. However,
whether we are left or right on the political spectrum, we should
all remember that less than 3 million votes spread across the
country (Nader's take) or a mere 537 votes in one state (Bush in
Florida) can actually make a world of difference. 'Nuff
said.
Friday, Feb. 27,
provides a delicious double bill that garners The Goods' "Best
Night Out of the Week" award. The DoubleTree Hotel starts things
off by hosting the 18th annual Chocolate Fantasia . The event, which benefits the
Volunteers of America Southwest Safehouse, begins at 5:30 p.m. and
features local pastry and dessert geniuses trying to out sweet each
other in the world of competitive confectionism. The obvious winner
is you, the $15 ($12 in advance) ticket buyer. It seems the idea is
to bring your sweet tooth, be willing to have it fall out, and
enjoy supporting a most worthy cause. Advanced tickets can be
purchased at both City Markets and Albertson's among
others.
At 8 p.m., when the
chocolate overdosing ebbs, one should, after grabbing a quick one
at a local spirit house, head to Steamworks for the monthly
bluegrass visit by The
Badly Bent . The
Bent ranks high on the local echelon of bluegrass bands and is
always worth seeing and never disappoints. Sure the crowd at
Steamworks is voicy, but part of that volume will no doubt include
the wondrous mating act that is three FLC seniors clumsily hitting
on three FLC sophomores with amazing success.
The more one takes the
car ride to Albuquerque, the more one realizes that the trip's not
so hard. This newfound ability to take multihour road trips in
stride comes, for many of us, from getting used to living in the
wide open Southwest. A lot of us come from places where a 60-mile
drive can take two or three hours and means at least one freeway
change. Friday, Feb. 28, Neil Young and Crazy Horse hit the Tingley Coliseum. If you
read this in time, and haven't seen Young with Crazy Horse, drop it
all and go. Young and the Horse make real magic.
Never let it be said
that The Goods doesn't support the jam community. Tuesday, March 2,
the Derek Trucks
Band makes a stop at
the Abbey. Trucks grew up in the Allman Brothers family as nephew
of founding drummer Butch Trucks. Recently nominated for a Jammy
award, the DTB is sure to bring the real jammy stuff. Have a great
time kids, just don't take the brown acid.
It may be a week early
to mention, but the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash are making their third run at
Durango on Thursday, March 4, at Storyville. Even if it means lying
to your loved ones, lie with abandon and just go. The Bastard Sons
will do you proud, and when you get home, your family will
understand.
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Website of the Week: Since last week, yours truly and several
friends have become ordained ministers thanks to the Universal
Life Church. A few detractors, Doubting Thomases if you will,
have asked "What of it?" "What difference could it make in the
world?" One must only visit www.thebricktestament.com
to see that difference at work. Armed with little more than
a Bible, his imagination and a very extensive LEGO set, the
Rev. Brendan Powell Smith has set out to reveal his literal
interpretation of religious law in playful brick form. He explains
all stories, from Moses' run-in with a burning bush to the Bible's
take on when it's appropriate to stone one's children to death.
Much like life, parts of the Bible are not suitable to all viewers,
so the good Rev. Smith has created a handy, cable TV-like rating
system that should guide all surfers to their proper areas.
Album Under Review: From the opening riffs of "Bambi
Molester" to the album's closing 30 seconds, a quick take on the
standard "Under the Sea," the latest by the Minus Five , is yet another in the band's
long-running study of pop ingenuity. There are few greater pop
songwriters than Minus Five's lead man, Scott McCaughey who, along
with primary collaborator Pete Buck, can consistently bridge the
river of cheese between pop city and punk town. It's a big river,
the instruments' drive and lyrics are the guide. McCaughey and crew
are the boatmen. "In Rock" is just that; a musical trip in a boat
that seamlessly navigates the deepest, stickiest river. All that
means is "In Rock" is a very good record from a man who, for more
than 30 years, has refused to let up.
I voted for Nader in
2000. mpsheahan@yahoo.com
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