I am an American Aquarium drinker...

So that's from the Wilco song "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart" and the namesake of my new favorite band. American Aquarium.

We first experienced American Aquarium a few weeks ago as the first of two opening bands at the RCPM Boiler Room show in Denton. We heard their brief soundcheck and thought they sounded pretty good. Once they got on stage for their set, we were quite impressed. In fact, I feel bad that Lauren and I were making fun of the two girls on the front row who were singing along to all the songs. 

We noticed they were the only ones in audience that knew all the words. American Aquarium is their Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers, I guess. We just didn't know what those girls already knew. Because these guys rocked!

 

This is the first song that really stuck out that night:

Rattlesnake

She's got the kisses of a thousand angels
And the bite of a rattlesnake 

and...

I Hope He Breaks Your Heart

But after listening to their Dances For The Lonely and Small Town Hymns albums for two weeks straight, I I love all their songs!

Earlier this week they were back in Fort Worth for a Monday night show at Woody's Tavern. There were maybe 7 people there. I mean it was a Monday night in Fort Worth...but these guys rocked and even played my request Katherine Belle. It felt like our own personal concert. After the show we chatted with the incredibly nice (and cute) bass player Bill.

I don't know how to write a music review, I just know what I like and I LOVE them. So here's some video I took and you can judge for yourself:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What can I say? Gruene Hall = Best. RCPM. Shows. Ever.

Austin, oh how miss Austin. It's been just over a year since we moved back to DFW from Austin. I love, love, love everything about Austin and couldn't imagine missing an RCPM show in my favorite Texas city. This time my friend Betty from Florida by way of New York who I met at a show in Las Vegas flew in to join Michael and me for the Antone's and Gruene Hall shows this weekend. I haven't seen Betty since...October... when she did the San Antonio & Houston shows with us! <insert girly scream here>

Betty & Michael & Brian outside Antone's

(I stole this with a little help from my friends last night)

The setlist

 

While Antone's is a great venue, the crowd here really annoys me. I stayed up front for maybe half a dozen songs before making my way upstairs to my VIP table. 

Once there I found everyone was just kinda sittin' around, relaxing enjoying the show. I sat on my stool for maybe half a song before I got to my feet and apologized to the other folks in the VIP section with me because they were all going to hate me in about 5 minutes. I think I kept apologizing for the first 15 minutes up there as I was dancing and singing along. They really didn't mind because before too long I had the guys in the table in front of me on their feet rockin' with me. It took the other folks a little longer but by encore they too were on the floor dancing and singing.

We had a pretty great view and it sounded great. 

Who needs to fight drunk bimbos for the spot you secured 2 hours before the show. I am officially spoiled w/VIP.

 

After the show we saw Roger go in to John Malkovich's head :)

 

Friends...rockstars...

Tonight we continue on to New Braunfels and historic Gruene Hall.

 

So yeah...they rocked. What else is there to say..

And I freakin' love this photo of Roger with a bottle Lone Star!

 

 

Of course something rare and very special happened at this show. Roger broke one of the few policies they have as a band and just before he played Green & Dumb, let our friend Robert on stage to propose to his girlfriend Lauren. 

Going in to the show we weren't sure if it was going to happen after all because of the band's policy to not do proposals/birthday greetings in the middle of shows but some of Robert's friends didn't give up and managed to flag down Roger before the show and lo and behold he did it. It was the sweetest moment. Robert stepped on stage, voice all shaky and nervous got down on one knee and presented her with the ring. I totally love the band even more for doing this for them.

Roger & Jim gave them each guitar picks and after the show all the guys signed the setlist with congratulations and drew a heart that said R+L Forever or something like that. So sweet!!

Oh and yeah, she said yes! Congratulations Robert & Lauren.

 

Last but not least, photos with the band! (I finally got a chance to chat with P.H. and get a picture) 

 

And so ends night #1 of the RCPM Rocks Texas weekend. Time to pack the car & head south on 35 for Austin,TX and another night. This time with BETTY!

 

We kicked off the RCPM Rocks Texas weekend with a hometown show at Aardvark on Thursday night. Both new and old friends from the area joined us at Fuzzy's for pre-show tacos and cheap beer. Good food, good beer, good times. I couldn't think of a better way to start 3 back to back RCPM shows. I love my peacemaker friends!!

 

 

I always have such a great time chatting with other fans before the shows. There's never really a stranger in the crowd. With RCPM in common how can you not be fast friends?

These are a few of my beautiful amigos y amigas.

And then there's the Mr. and me.

 

The Criminal Kind opened the show and treated us to their Austin, TX rock 'n' roll! Short set but they were quite good. 

 

And of course some little band from Tempe, AZ came on stage around1030. They opened with one of my favorite Refreshments' songs, Preacher's Daughter and so began another incredible Peacemaker show.

 

...to be continued...

 

 

Around 4 o'clock Friday I was seriously considering NOT going to this show. 

Denton is only a 40 minute drive or so but still recovering from Mexico and the cold I seemed to have brought home with me I really wasn't sure I could handle another show so soon. '

Yeah, whatever!