In the early-to-mid-1980s, Austin was lousy with punk bands, but the most intense of the lot was unquestionably the Offenders. With J.J. on vocals, Tony on guitar, Mikey on bass and Pat on drums, they were such a whirling menace … Continue reading
Can a personal website be an alternative to A.A.? We’ll find out. Got another story for ya. I’m not talking about American Airlines, whose random flight cancellations and delays have caused many a sober traveler to fall off the wagon … Continue reading
I sometimes wonder how my life would’ve turned out if the police officers who arrested me outside a country music club in Dallas in 1992 weren’t called off to back up another squad car in the vicinity. I was in … Continue reading
Howard Stern is the most misunderstood man in America. Here’s what most folks think he is: sexist, racist, crude, mean-spirited, self-centered, outrageous and egotistical. He is some of those things, but he’s so much more, as millions of hooked listeners … Continue reading
The Merriam- Webster dictionary says they are, defining “native” as “belonging to a particular place by birth.” I say they’re not. By that definition I’m a Pennsylvania native, but I’ve spent fewer than two weeks in that state (one of … Continue reading
When you go to see an act at a record store appearance, you’re not expecting musical magic or spontaneity, but a sampler set on the way to the autograph booth. The acoustics are not great, the sun’s still out and … Continue reading
by Michael Corcoran Austin was not big enough to hold all its grief on May 18, 1978, when two authority figures- a policeman and a schoolteacher- were shot to death hours apart while doing their jobs. The murder of Ralph … Continue reading
by Michael Corcoran (originally published in Dec. 2002) Myth # 1: Gospel pioneer Washington Phillips died at the State Hospital in Austin in 1938. Myth # 2: He played the dolceola, a rare keyboard instrument. The mystery begins the first … Continue reading
It’s been going around in various comments sections (the enemy of culture) that I was fired from the Austin Chronicle because I wrote a review of a show I didn’t attend. That’s untrue. I wasn’t fired. (And the other part’s … Continue reading
Haven’t been to a Round Rock Express game in years, but I can imagine that, since it’s Austin’s team, the Express has got a ball park that’s better than the rest. Yes, they have hot dogs, but these are artisan … Continue reading