Old age and treachery beat youth and skill every time.
-Proverb (or a fortune cookie, I'm not sure which)
The reason I go to these things is I still hope to see things like long-ago and current Explosives lead guitar player Cam King, while shredding his fretboard with outrageously fast psychedelic licks, break a string. Cam finished the song, took about a minute between songs and replaced his own guitar string. No roadie rushing on stage, no grabbing another new guitar, no stopping the song for one string, just a musician taking care of his own axe. That was garage; that was real. Try seeing Justin Timberlake do that (bad example, he doesn't play a musical instrument).
Anyone who doesn't know the Roky Erickson story should read up. I won't belabor it here. If you've seen films of the performances or heard the 13th Floor Elevators songs, you know they were headed to the top, or at least had the talent to make it. "You're Gonna Miss Me" is one of the seminal '60s songs. But an unjust Texas legal and psychiatric system, mental illness, and crooked management destroyed his career and left him unable to care for himself. But his family always supported him and they helped him turn his life around after about 20 or so years of being utterly incapable of performing in public. His brother Sumner, in particular, has really helped Roky, setting up a trust fund, sponsoring tributes and keeping Roky's music alive. I actually met Roky at one of those tributes, at Threadgill's about 4 or 5 years ago. I have to say at that time he didn't seem very coherent, and heavily depended on his mom to help him through the night.
Although he was clearly a bit tentative between songs tonight, during songs was a different matter altogether. He sounded great, and played a really nasty blues guitar. He clearly was in command during the songs, almost like he had never stopped playing. With Cam destroying on lead guitar, it was like opening a musical time capsule. Those guys took everyone else at this festival to school. He played the favorites, including "Starry Eyes," "I Walked With the Zombie," "Splash One" and of course "You're Gonna Miss Me." The crowd area was really packed, with a surprising mix of young and old. I was struck that so many young people were into the show. I was a bit apprehensive going into the show, but it was really exciting to see Roky having come so far. Its literally miraculous what they can do with meds these days.
And some other bands played too.
In fairness I should mention the Frames. I almost left the festival on a high after the Roky Erickson show, but the Frames got a really good write up in the show guide so I went by. Turns out the lead singer is the guy who played the main character in the recent movie Once. That movie has great music, and the Frames were equally good. Glen Hansard, the aforementioned singer, stayed behind and signed autographs for hordes of fawning women. Thus proving once again the wisdom of one of the rules I hope to teach my son (if I ever get there): play guitar. Everyone needs to go see that movie. Its funny, heartbreaking, intelligent, and has great music. Perfect date movie.
Tomorrow-being a Seattle tourist. I also hope to have all my pictures available tomorrow.
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