Sportin’ some Jet ink on his starboard wing, John Mooney dug into his Strat with a glass pipe and his fingernails last Thursday.
I had stopped by the Bop Shop two days prior (actually it was a shortcut to
lunch) when I came face to face with a copy of Hound Dog Taylor
and the Houserockers’ 1971 “Genuine Houserocking Music” for a mere eight clams. Hound Dog had
six fingers on one hand. Hound Dog played while stomping both feet at the same
time — without jumping (figure that one out). Whoever previously owned this
record had made notes next to each cut including the key. Most of them were in
F. Eric behind the counter suggested they might actually be grades.
Anyhow, this platter had whetted my appetite for more slide guitar. Mooney
took care of the pangs in front of a full and appreciative Milestones house
with a sweet slide attack that was slicker than a snake greased-up with Astro Lube. His rhythm section was pure New Orleans shuffle, including the drummer
who stuttered the beat in an odd and flat-tire style
that I found myself anticipating the band’s groove and slinky roll as if
falling over. When dancing incorporates hitting the floor instead of just
standing on it, you know you’re hearing something good.
Back home for chocolate milk, some nookie and of
course more Houndog….
Caught Brokedown loud and large at Richmonds
Saturday night just long enough to scuff a dancefloor
that, based on the music, should have been covered in sawdust. Got to The Bug
Jar just in time to hear the last four notes of BML’s last tune — easily the
four best notes they’ve ever played. Headliners The Isotopes started off mellow and vintage a la The Ventures,
immediately careening into chaos with one of my favorites, “Moe’s Family Feed
Bag.”
Next, I snuck into the Spy Bar as The
Blastoffs blasted off “Folsom Prison Blues” so loud that Cash himself
apparently called the joint asking them to lower the volume, what with Sunday
morning coming down and all.
This article appears in Sep 20-26, 2006.
