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| The ‘Dusters, Los Lonely Boys and Fool’s Paradise
by Chris Aaland
I immediately Facebooked Travis Book, bassist and one of the three Stringduster vocalists, punking him about the attire the band wore on the album cover, which was rather hip in comparison to the dirty duds the Stones sported during their Exile debauchery. “T,” as his momma calls him, didn’t respond. The joke is now on me. In the months since, the album has grown on me. Strangely, the Exile reissue has done the opposite. “Magic #9,” a track off “Things That Fly,” was nominated for a Grammy. Durango jumped on the bandwagon early. Longtime fans will be rewarded when the ‘Dusters return to the Community Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Thur., March 31) with local newgrassers Waiting on Trial in tow. I reckon this thing will sell out, given Book’s status as a Durango bluegrass alumnus and the fact that the rest of the band – the Andys, Jeremy, Panda and Jesse – might as well be locals given how many BFFs they have in town and their long track record for stellar live shows here. Los Lonely Boys return to the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in a big triple bill that also includes Moreland & Arbuckle and the Kirk James Blues Band. The Durango gig will be among the very first following the March 29 release of the band’s latest work, “Rockpango.” This album is chock full of the stuff that made the brothers Garza stars in the first place: elements of blues, soul, country and Tejano. The boys dub their stuff “Texican rock ‘n’ roll,” and their sound pays homage to the likes of the Sir Douglas Quintet, Willie Nelson, Flaco Jimenez, Alejandro Escovedo and Stevie Ray Vaughan. In Moreland & Arbuckle, expect a Midwestern mix of Delta blues, folk, rock, country, soul and garage rock. And James? He’s honed his craft locally for more than 20 years and is solidly grounded in the Texas blues tradition. Animas Trading, El Rancho, Inferno and Hair Fusion team up for Fool’s Paradise, a progressive party at 10th and Main starting at 5 p.m. Friday. It kicks off with a spring fashion preview at Animas Trading and Inferno, followed by a fashion show at the Ranch featuring hot new styles. Hair and make-up designs by Hair Fusion will be included. Jack Ten High rocks the party at 9 p.m. There will also be complimentary refreshments, drink specials, hundreds of dollars in door prizes and lots of foolish fun. Ska Brewing hosts A Fool’s Fund-raiser for the Salt Fire Circus and Bare Bones Burlesque from 7-11 p.m. Friday. A $10 donation at the door is suggested. Live and silent auctions feature original artwork by local artists inspired by old-time and burlesque themes as well as lessons from illustrious and ultra-talented Salt Fire Circus performers. Let there be music, too: the Salt Fire Band, Moon Loop and Smiley Coyote. A costume bike parade will travel from Buckley Park to Ska (meet at 6:30 p.m., prepare to ride in ridiculous gear). Dress as the fools you are! There will be prizes galore. It’s time for another Cuckoo’s anniversary bash – the 12th, in fact – which means one thing: the Lawn Chair Kings lead the annual celebration that kicks off at 10 p.m. Friday. Jack Tallmadge and his merry men in the Miserabillies are honky tonkin’ the Diamond Belle Saloon at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. This week’s Summit schedule includes Telluride’s Joint Point tonight; Eric Kiefer’s acoustic happy hour from 6-9 p.m. Friday; the monthly First Friday event that pairs live visual artists with live music, this time around featuring Flowmatik at 10 p.m.; Rupnow & Friends doing happy hour from 6-9 p.m. Saturday; RedEyedJinn at 10 p.m. Saturday; an open mic/jam session at 8 p.m. Tuesday; and DJ Double D’s karaoke/gong show a 9 p.m. Wednesday. The Starlight’s musical lineup this week includes DJ Caliente spinning Latin tunes on Salsa Night at 8 p.m. tonight; DJ Ralphsta at 9 p.m. Saturday; Musica del Mundo at 9 p.m. Sunday; and karaoke at 8 p.m. Tuesday. If you haven’t checked out some of the Starlight’s other weekly specials, you might want to check out Freaky Fridays Ladies’ Night at 9 p.m. Friday, beer pong at 8 p.m. Monday and ping pong and poker tournaments (Prizes! Free pizza!) at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Steamworks’ monthly Firkin Friday falls on April Fool’s Day this year. No foolin’. As such, Friday marks the tapping of April Fool’s at 3 p.m. This Belgian saison is brewed with lavender and locally produced Honeyville honey. The golden ale is noted for its malty sweetness with a spicy character provided by the Belgian yeast. At least this is what head brewer Ken Martin says. A firkin is an old English unit of volume, and is typically a wooden cask equal to approximately a quarter barrel of beer. That’s nine gallons, y’all. It’ll go quickly. In other beer news, the long-awaited release of Ska’s Mexican Logger in a can is finally upon us. Head down to Ska’s World Headquarters in Bodo Park from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday and enjoy $3 cans and pints of Mexican Logger along with chips and salsa. There’s also a Trails 2000 forum taking place. Elsewhere: Save the Swim Team! does ska at Ska at tonight’s Ska-B-Q in Bodo Park; Black Velvet plays the Derailed Saloon at 8 p.m. Friday; and LoCura and Hello Dollface do the Abbey at 9 p.m. Friday. I couldn’t resist this week’s Top Shelf list: A one-time listing of the biggest choke in March Madness History: - Rock Chalk Jayhawk. Your performance against VCU Sunday broke the Nord’s heart. You had your fourth national title gift-wrapped in crimson and blue. For shame! ï® Been down this road a hundred times before? Email me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.
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The Independent Weekly Line on Durango and Beyond
When the Infamous Stringdusters released their third full-length album, “Things That Fly,” it coincided with the reissue of the Rolling Stones’ “Exile on Main St.” Thus, I trekked down to Southwest Sound to purchase both. I’m a Stones junkie, and salivated over the tracks that had been rescued from the vault. I listened to it all afternoon, then again on the ride home that night cranked to 11. The poor ‘Dusters were relegated to second fiddle, but I did give it a few spins that night.