Monday, July 22, 2013

Churnin' and Burnin'

Well, let it be said that 2013 was not the most active year for the Antenna Head blog. I'm still here, and I hope the readers are still out there. I apologize for the lack of updates, posts and such. The family has grown this year and with that responsibilities have grown as well. I have met many friends through ZZ Top, the blog and trading and just want to remind everyone what a great time I have had getting to know you.

2013 has proven to be a great year for ZZ. Highlights include the Bonnaroo festival in Tennessee which featured an incredible set list and the longest show they have played in years, and many excellent festival performances in Europe (one show even included the elusive double encore). If you didn't catch ZZ in the spring (or found the sound sucked (you know who you are)) then definitely see them when they return to the States. They've got gigs all the way into November so catch the fever. You never know, maybe next year will finally be a year off for the band.

My intentions are to continue enjoying spending time with the little ones, with the hope of the blog coming back to the fore late in the year or early 2014. If anyone wants to chat just email or call...

Sunday, May 12, 2013

ZZ Top bringing it back / Review of Memphis show

While I will be attempting to write a more comprehensive review of the Crewe, VA show I attended this past Friday evening, let it be said that it was the most refreshing concert I've seen from the band in a long time. Four songs from Futura (they only ever played two from Mescalero!) as well as the classics "Precious and Grace" and "Nasty Dogs", combined with the debut of Certified Blues (which was awesome by the way and featured some great guitar work from Billy) makes this THE year to see the Top. If you have been putting it off because of money or the set list, now is the time to try to make it happen.

They played the full 20 song set. Interesting Billy spoke very little, with none of the bullshit stories that were recycled with such regularity. Almost like the old days, when the band came to play rather than entertain. Fantastic!

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Straight from THE MAN in Alabama, Mr. Roadie himself:

We got to Memphis last night around 6 and it had been raining for days.  The Beale St Festival is actually at Tom Lee Park on the banks of the Miss River.  It was Woodstock part 2.  Dreadfully muddy and wet.  My boots were in ankle deep in mud everywhere I stepped.  There were a lot of bands that drew the younger crowd(Black Keys, Government Mule and Rap).  ZZ Top was scheduled to hit the stage at 10:45 so we went over and caught the Dwight Yoakam show which was very good.  Dwight finished up so he could get over to see ZZ Top.  They are all very good friends.

We snaked our way through the crowd and up to the front row shortly before Government Mule hit the stage.  Their set didn't run over time allotment but due to the sloppy weather it took a long time to clear the stage after their set and ZZ didn't begin until shortly after 11.  As I told you earlier, the set list almost mirrored (the) recent blog (entry) with the exception of Blue Jean Blues substituted for Fool For Your Stockings.  I have noticed over the last few years that each tour holds less and less "Stuff" on stage.  Gone are the usual props such as Expandora Dog, the animal skin on the floor and many other noticeable items.  I understand that they can't use full props at a music festival, but last night in Memphis was naked on stage.  There were no tumbling dice, no fake speakers, and no large light brite behind Frank.  There was simply a 7ft X 7ft. light brite on either side of Dusty and Billy with 2 small amps stacked on top of each other that added nothing but decor.  Their chrome microphones didn't even light up at all.  It was bare naked but they made up for it with a heck of a show.

The new set list is great for us that know more about the band than the Eliminator hits, but I could hear a lot of "What is that song?" "Never heard these songs" in the crowd.  The opening is still a modified version of The Girl".  She now  says "Please welcome for your rocking pleasure, that little ole band from Texas, ZZ TOP!" instead of ZZ TOPS which I have noticed.  Immediately your hear just a drum hit by Frank then silence for a second, then another hit, then silence, then the lights come on and Billy and Dusty walk out to "Precious and Grace".  I LOVED the addition of "Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings".  They have new deep purple axes that you can see on the latest Dunlop rig rundown that was recently posted on Youtube.

Since they recorded so much music at Ardent studio in Memphis, they really love playing there and Billy called Memphis their second home last night.  He said they had a place on Union Avenue for 18 years and they loved this town.  Of all the new tracks played last night, "Gotsta Get Paid" was the best in my opinion.  They really have a comfort level with this song now and it shows.


Saturday, May 4, 2013

Robins in Flight / Welcome to 2013

Well, spring has arrived, and with it the ever churning ZZ engines are firing up. Two shows down, many to go. With that, there are some apparently big set list surprises this year. Spoilers below:

1) Precious and Grace   (first since 2003)
2) Heartache in Blue   (live debut)
3) Bus
4) Chicago
5) Flyin' High    (live debut)
6) Pincushion
7) X
8) Gotsta Get Paid
9) Gimme All Your Lovin'
10) Fool for Your Stockings   (first since 2005)
11) Mississippi
12) Nasty Dogs and Funky Kings   (first since 1997)
13) Certified Blues    (live debut)
14) Chartreuse
15) Sharp Dressed Man
16) Legs
17) Tube Steak Boogie
18) Viva Las Vegas
19) La Grange Medley
20) Tush

These are the initial set list reports, which mind you can be terribly inaccurate. If this is indeed the case however it is very exciting indeed! My only hope is that some of these early shows are recorded before any of the special tunes are dropped, or alternatively that the special tunes are not dropped!

"Certified Blues" is especially interesting. My initial theory would be that as the band looked back at the old albums for the upcoming new box set (by the way, all the original albums are being released with the original vinyl mixes on an upcoming box set to be released this year) that they came across this old chestnut and decided to give it a wurl. "Precious", "Heartache", "Stockings", and "Nasty Dogs" are all extremely exciting as well!

I will be seeing the band one week from today and will write up a full report.

Between the new box set and new live tunes, combined with a possible La Futura II, this could shape up to be a fantastic year!

Stay tuned....

Monday, April 1, 2013

The State of Things....

Well, ZZ finished up the Australian leg last month. It went well, but ZZ was the middle act, playing before Guns N' Roses. Unfortunate that more often than not they are the opening band vs. the headliner these days.

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The set list was unremarkable. They did play a full set show on 2013/03/15 in which they brought back Pincushion and Vincent Price Blues.

The highlight of the shows have been an even more expanded La Grange medley, with new variations and jamming from Billy.

The lowlights are the continued lack of support for La Futura, with only Gotsta and Chartreuse (and sometimes just Gotsta) being played. The group is lazy when it comes to challenging themselves to learn new songs. A significant lowlight is the fact the very vast majority of Dusty's vocals are lip-synched, including Tush. His voice seems to have left him more or less for good. It might be time for ZZ to pack it in...

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The Sidewalks show was well received, and its nice to hear Billy playing something besides Jesus Just Left Chicago. Interesting that he is willing to challenge himself with different bandmates, but very little changes with ZZ. Let's hope Billy focuses his efforts on his solo work and possibly more Sidewalks events.

ZZ is slowly fading over the West Texas horizon......so like a sunset, watch it while its still here...

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Well here comes Lola....

Right then. Spring time is beginning here in the Northern Hemisphere, and Autumn is starting in the Southern. Better gets those Australian gigs underway....

ZZ, with another album under their belt, returns to the stage beginning March 9th. Few details have leaked out in the form of pictures and preparations info regarding the set list, so its anyone's guess. Squally contributed a great proposal - Driving While Blind, She's Just Killing Me and especially Mescalero (anything from the album would be wonderful) would be fantastic additions. Over You and Lose, Lose You would be very nice selections from La Futura as well. Let's hope they have approached rehearsals with the same open mindedness they had last year.

I anticipate having a recording of the Melbourne show. If they play anything unusual I'm gonna try to figure out how to post a sound clip here on the site - it'd be cool for everyone to be able to hear the music.

I predicted Billy would focus on his solo album in 2013 and 2014, well it looks like it ain't gonna be this year. No idea what he did over the winter, maybe he recorded, maybe he traveled? Things were pretty quiet.

I encourage those on facebook to friend Mr. Hill. Last year he and Mrs. Dust frequently posted live shots as well as backstage photos as the tour progressed. Pretty cool stuff and gives an insider's look at what the band does in their free time. Word on the street says they like to play with remote control airplanes, at least in the old days...

I'll try to shed some light on the Moving Sidewalks gigs (2 for now) as well and post details like set lists, sound clips, etc. 2012 was indeed a very exciting year, but it looks like 2013 will be full of surprises too.

Ever onward...

Sunday, February 17, 2013

R.I.P. Greig... / Springs coming

Sad to learn of a founding member of ZZ passing away:

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Greig-early-ZZ-Top-member-dies-at-64-4284956.php


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Had a very busy past month or so, apologize for the lack of activity here on the blog. Look for a post in the next week or so detailing plans for 2013. Also any ideas for new features or what you would like to see on the blog just let me know. Thanks

Monday, January 7, 2013

When They Were Young

To have existed as a unit for 43 years means many changes, twists and turns have taken place. Even as a seasoned fan I often think of the group as 1983 and after. To put it starkly when I look at photos of the group from the 1970's, in the Nudie Suits, the thin waist lines, no sunglasses, stretched poses and rose tinted glasses, its almost like a different group. And it kind of is.

ZZ in the 70's were young, hungry, focused, energetic and driven - all the time. After 1983, they were some of these things here and there, but never all of those things all of the time. It is truly a shame that more recordings from the 70's don't exist, yet we have literally 75 tapes from the Afterburner tour, which sounded the same year after year.

I would like for Billy, and Dusty and Frank, to be asked when was it the best time to be a member of ZZ Top. I'm willing to wager the high fame was good and all in its place, but the subsequent inevitable pressure and fall, and the fade into middle age and general obscurity, combined with ghosts of MTV and 120 bpm that are chained around your neck, tarnishes a good amount of your past.

I mean, ZZ was HUGE for a number of years, having one of the first albums to be noted as reaching platinum sales status - and then it all goes away. But the band is still here, 30 years later! Its crazy.

In the early days the band operated as a unit. It was Top + Ham, Pearly, a van, and word of mouth. Damn I bet it was fun. Look at the pictures, look how much fun their having. I can't see the fun as much with those sunglasses on. I'm not looking at you when there are lasers in my eyes. And then when the lasers go away and you stop doing Paula Abdul dance moves long enough for me to see, your older, slower, unfocused, lost, tepid, and confused. Gone are the roadtrips, gone is the unit, gone is the excitment, gone is the van.

ZZ Top were a rock n' roll band in the 1970's. When they were young.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Garth Brooks sang about the....

....Rodeo.

Appears that the full Houston Rodeo 2013 music lineup will be announced this upcoming Monday (01/07/13). I'm gonna guess there is a 40% chance ZZ will play.

Good looking out Senor...