10 Questions - Jack Russell

Today we track down Jackdaw Russell in the wild for 10 Questions. A high-octane member of Whiskey Folk Ramblers and The Daybreak Hits, superlative artist, lover of fowls and uncommon dervish of the whirling variety, Jack's probably more fun than legally permitted in our region. 

Catch WfR May 4th at Tin Panther, Jackdaw will have his bad ass prints available at East Main Arts Festival in Arlington May 5th, and at the end of the month get out for The Daybreak Hits Record Release party at MASS on May 25.

Buy his art and have the decency when you see him out to give him whiskey. --LB

Check out his artwork here: https://www.etsy.com/people/jackdawfolkart

Tools of the trade @jackdawfolkart #flashbulb

12 Likes, 1 Comments - TheFlashbulb (@theflashbulbtx) on Instagram: "Tools of the trade @jackdawfolkart #flashbulb"

1) With which creatures do you share your quarters?

3 humans, 2 dogs, downright reckless amounts of cats, all the chickens I can get my hands on (13 & counting), and ducks!!

2) Most likely Pop Culture Alien Overlord?

Hello Kitty. Like you could disobey or say no to Hello Kitty.

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3) What can’t you live without?

I’m going to skip all of the boring things that i literally could not live without and say: nerdy sci-fi/ fantasy books.

4) Most Important Morning After Food?

Grease. Preferably Ol’ South or Waffle House grease.

5) Personal Symbol of Freedom?

The gaping black abyss that has replaced all hope and meaning.

6) Build a Bridge or Open a Door?

Can it just be a log over a stream? That one.

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7) Super Hero Alter Ego?

Anyone remember Marvel’s Speedball? He bounced around all over the place and people put up with him okay. He tried to help.

8) Who’s your favorite Underdog to Root for?

Democrats. Beto 2018.

9) Given the choice to come back as any animal, which one would you choose?

Jack Russell Terrier. That would blow minds.

10) Most important person with the initials MJ from history and why?  

Michael Jordan. He taught us that humans can fly, if only for a few seconds.

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10 Questions - Joe Tacke

We are purely pickled to have Joe Tacke join us for FWN 10 Questions. You may have seen him around with I Happy Am or Mean Motor Scooter. Look for the premier of a music video for MMS' song Sea Serpent very soon.

Check out Mean Motor Scooter after they return from Arizona, in Denton at Dan’s Silverleaf on April 27th and in Fort Worth at Lola’s May 5th with The Mullens, Kyoto Lo-Fi and Waco's King Country.

https://www.meanmotorscootertx.com/

Image by John Erwin @Bandstalkerfw

1) With which creatures do you share your quarters?

A cat named Captain Kirk, several unnamed rats and squirrels that come and go as they please.

Crafted from the finest Internets.

2) Most likely Pop Culture Alien Overlord?

Oprah. I called her potential run for president like 10 years ago.

3) What can’t you live without?

Strawberry Starburst flavored Juicy Fruit and Redbull Zero.

4) Most Important Morning After Food?

Used to be Chicken Mini’s until I gave up meat. The El Paso Burger from Spiral Diner gets me there now.

5) Personal Symbol of Freedom?

A highway stretching to the horizon.

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6) Build a Bridge or Open a Door?

Build a bridge. I like making shit.

7) Super Hero Alter Ego?

I’ve been told my drunken alter ego is a guy named Sanchez. Never met the guy personally.

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8) Who’s your favorite Underdog to Root for?

Texas Tech

9) Given the choice to come back as any animal, which one would you choose?

Either a house cat or one of those monkeys that know sign language. I either want to either be left alone or understood.

10) Most important person with the initials MJ from history and why?

Mick Jagger. Because saying Michael Jordan or Jackson seems trite.

10 Questions - Blake Parish

Welcome to FWN's 10 Questions. We're joined by radical rock and roll frontman Blake Parish. The longtime member of The Hanna Barbarians, currently putting in work with Royal Sons who will release their first record in late May.  

Royal Sons play April 7th at Gas Monkey with a bounty of talent including Mothership. Closer to home, they'll be at Lola's April 20th with Cut Throat Finches and Quaker City Night Hawks among others --LB  

Photo By Jon Bearce

1) With which animals do you share your home?

My wife Tiffany (she’s a Stone Fox) and my little furry Boston Terrier buddies Louie and McFly

2) Most likely Pop Culture Alien Overlord?

Bowie, he’s just gone home briefly to get reinforcements.

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3) What can’t you live without?

Rock and Roll

4) Most Important Morning After Food?

miso soup

5) Personal Symbol of Freedom?

“fuck you”

6) Build a Bridge or Open a Door?

Open a door.

Crafted from the finest Internets.

7) Super Hero Alter Ego?

Wolverine

8) Who’s your favorite Underdog to Root for?

Bernie Sanders most recently

Image Courtesy of SNL/NBC

9) Given the choice to come back as any animal, which one would you choose?

I’d be a wolf.

10) Most important person with the initials MJ from history and why?

Mick Jagger because The Rolling Stones are the greatest Rock and Roll band of all time.

10 Questions - Zachary Edwards

Welcome to FWN's 10 Questions. We're blessed by the presence of rock idol Zachary Edwards. Formerly of face-melters Ice Eater, currently guitarist in Oil Boom, Edwards also helms groove pirates All Clean.  

All Clean plays Denton's Backyard on Bell 3/15, 4/8 at IBK's Regal Room in Deep Ellum before they return to Fort Worth as part of the Main at South Side's 1-year Anniversary Party 4/14. --LB  

https://www.allcleantheband.com/

Photo by John Erwin (bandstalkerfw)

1) With which animals do you share your home?

Two cats and some animal ghosts probably.

2) Most likely Pop Culture Alien Overlord?

Richard Karn. He’s been up to no good since at least 1996.

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3) What can’t you live without?

Rumination and despair.

4) Most Important Morning After Food?

Breakfast burrito, for life.

5) Personal Symbol of Freedom?

Coffin Emoji. 

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6) Build a Bridge or Open a Door?

Build a bear, build a bridge, open a door - whatever it is, just be nice.

7) Super Hero Alter Ego?

Sabertooth. He’s mean af.

8) Who’s your favorite Underdog to Root for?

The Proletariat.

9) Given the choice to come back as any animal, which one would you choose?

Since you didn’t specify it to be a real animal, I’m going to say Leviathan.

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10) Most important person with the initials MJ from history and why?

Michael Jackson seems to have everyone beat, at least according to google, and that’s hard to disagree with.

10 Questions - Amanda Hand

Welcome to FWN's 10 Questions. We are pleased to showcase the quiz responses from Amanda Hand of two-headed fuzz pop dream, Big Heaven. 

Besides tomorrow's ZineFest at Shipping & Receiving (6p), you can catch them at Tin Panther Friday 3/9 (9p). Amanda will play solo at Grackle Art Gallery 3/24 (7p) as well. Big Heaven will be recording a follow-up to their exquisite EP Strike a Match later this spring. -- LB

1) With which animals do you share your home?

BB the chihuahua mix and Spencer the pitbull mix. Multiple nameless fish.

2) Most likely Pop Culture Alien Overlord?

The Kardashian/Jenner/West/Whoevers.

Look Sharp + Live Smart.

3) What can’t you live without?

Music, kindness & coffee

4) Most Important Morning After Food?

Cheese toast

5) Personal Symbol of Freedom?

My band

6) Build a Bridge or Open a Door?

Open a door, to return the favor to those who opened doors for me

7) Super Hero Alter Ego?

Rogue (just don't touch me, ok?)

8) Who’s your favorite Underdog to Root for?

Orange Starburst

9) Given the choice to come back as any animal, which one would you choose?

Shark

10) Most important person with the initials MJ from history and why?

Mary H. Jones, better known as Mother Jones.

Strike a Match by Big Heaven, released 07 January 2018 1. Creature 2. Jim Smells Like Weed 3. Pearls 4. Rock Bottom

10 Questions - Tyler Rougeux

Welcome to FWN's 10 Questions. We are honored to have Tyler Rougeux from stellar roots outfit Whiskey Folk Ramblers and new duo Crooked Bones join us today. 

Catch Tyler and his innumerable hats throughout DFW, and keep your ears tuned for new music from WfR. 

photo by Clint Young

1) With which animals do you share your home?

I live with my wife and two boys. Eventually, we will get a dog. I even have a little room for writing or escaping, when necessary. 

2) Most likely Pop Culture Alien Overlord?

Realistically, I would say Donald Trump.

3) What can’t you live without?

I'm still on coffee and cigarettes to an inseparable degree. But if you mean, outside of physical addiction, like what you would grab in a fire: the books on my smallest bookshelf, at least two guitars and my music bag. If I had time I'd grab my hatstand and save all my hats, too.

4) Most Important Morning After Food?

Morning after sex? Morning after drinking? Morning after Christmas Eve? I will say, regardless, bacon and eggs for the win. With coffee. And a homemade smoothie, if at home.

5) Personal Symbol of Freedom?

Tattoos and Hats, I suppose.

6) Build a Bridge or Open a Door?

Opening a door seems like it should be the right answer, and it's definitely the right choice for working smarter instead of harder. But I'm still manually building a bridge, so I guess either works.

7) Super Hero Alter Ego?

The Hulk. It takes a lot to piss me off these days, though. So that's good.

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8) Who’s your favorite Underdog to Root for?

Bernie Sanders!

9) Given the choice to come back as any animal, which one would you choose?

Probably a sea turtle. Mostly because I think it's a shame that we only get to live, on average, less than 100 years on earth, and I'm very curious about the ocean. Sea Turtles have answers to questions I wouldn't even think to ask.

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10) Most important person with the initials MJ from history and why?

Mick Jagger comes to mind. I'm a huge fan of The Rolling Stones, and I hold him in high regard. Much like a sea turtle.

10 Questions - BULLS

Welcome to FWN's 10 Questions Interview. We are delighted to have two-thirds of Post Rock Noise Boys, BULLS: Ricky Del Toro and Jeff Schlueter. Dylan Holt had escaped into the wild prior to our exchange. 

Look for them live at the Ridglea Lounge Friday, February 2nd alongside Partaker and Better Now. And don't forget to check out their most recent release, 14 Minutes. --LB

14 Minutes by BULLS, released 19 August 2017 1. SIBLING HISSING 2. HART 3. H.DE 4. DECENT KINGDOM

1) With which creatures do you share quarters?

R: My wife and 3 year old son

J: Boy/Girl/Women/Dog/Bird/Rabbit/hamster

2) Most likely Pop Culture Alien Overlord?

R: Alex Jones

J: Dylan Holt

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 3) What can't you live without? 

R: Spicy Potato Tacos (sadly)

J: Kelly Kapowski

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4) Ultimate Morning-After Food? 

R: Black Coffee, BC Powder and a long ass shower.

J: Menudo (the band)

Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band that was formed in the 1970s by producer Edgardo Díaz, releasing their first album in 1977. The band achieved much success, especially during the 1980s, becoming the most popular Latin American teen musical group of the era. The group disbanded in 2009.

5) Personal Symbol of Freedom?

R: My vegetable garden

J: Pizza with Pineapples

 6) Build a Bridge or Open a Door? 

R: Open a Door, build your own bridge. 

J: I hate Tom Cruise

7) Super Hero Alter Ego? 

R: Hacksaw Jim Duggan

J: Brutus The Barber Beefcake

8. Underdog you Root for most? 

R: Hacksaw Jim

J: Arby's

9) Given the choice to come back as any animal, which one would you choose? 

R: Tortoise, they live forever. 

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J: A Tijuana Donkey 

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10) Most important individual with the initials MJ? Why?

R: Magic Johnson, because I never realized how much innuendo was in the name until now. 

J: Mama June, because America. 

FWN News! World Premiere / William Trouble / Done It Again

Photo by Beatriz Zamora 

Cleburne native Markus Midkiff has music running through him like electric current. His third rail was powered by years wearing his fingers down while wrapped around his cello. We are proud to to debut his new single, Done It Again, featuring the alluring photography of Beatriz Zamora. 

Midkiff's alter ego, William Trouble, came to life with the help of his Roland Juno-106, an analog synth manufactured between 1984 and 1991, used by pop luminaries such as Dave Stewart of Eurythmics and Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran. The middle 80s sonic palette is utilized with emotive perfection on this lovesick mid-tempo crusher, just as it was on his previous single, the pulsing driver, Runaway. 

These William Trouble tunes are produced alongside JD Tiner, who also partnered with Midkiff behind the board on a pair of Joe Gorgeous burners including How Bruce Lee Died. In fact, after a European walkabout, Midkiff convinced Gorman to move to Nashville with him, "we loaded up his car in Ft Worth and he moved up. We had some wild years. 

Website: http://www.joegorgeous.bandcamp.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joegorgeousftw

The first time I saw Midkiff perform with Kopecky Family Band, he moved with outstanding alacrity from one instrument to the next. Shortly thereafter, when I asked him to play his cello inside Richard Serra's 67-foot steel sculpture, Vortex, at The Modern, he kindly obliged on a hot Monday afternoon. 

Markus Midkiff (cello/Kopecky Family Band) and Parker Donaldson (guitar/Spiderfriends, Siberian Traps) perform in Richard Serra's Vortex at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. June 2013.

William Trouble makes his Fort Worth debut at MASS on December 14th on a scorching lineup with Joe Gorgeous, Jake Paleschic and Sur Duda, the solo project from Cameron Smith of War Party. Facebook event link: https://www.facebook.com/events/130145624350236/. 

Honky Tonk Country Club Now Seeking Members

Art by Jackdaw folk art

It does not require an ethnomusicologist to understand what is known as “Country Music” rarely resembles what it once was. There are populations who have turned away from a genre that seems to have fragmented into product placement and recycled hip-hop and arena rock techniques. Whether it be the high and lonesome sound of train songs, or the beautiful melancholy of a pedal steel crying with heartbreak, from Western Swing to the revolt of Outlaw Country, a long period of musical output ties us to a time before the omnipotent information age. When culture was still passed by hand and many of the best writers in America wrote songs in Nashville.

Back in March, singer L Denison, Andrew Skates and Austin Jenkins, of Niles City Sound were all discussing a potential group of great local players to bring those songs to life. When I caught them up at Lola’s recently, L explained, “Austin, Skates and I have been talking about putting something like this together for a while, we knew we wanted to get Summer involved but weren’t sure of other players.” Once Skates saw Summer Dean perform, something clicked for the skillful multi-instrumentalist. Something about her voice and presence was key for him to see what Honky Tonk Country Club could become. And from what I’ve seen, I’m inclined to agree, especially after hearing her take on Waylon Jennings’, “Waymore Blues,” accentuating the tune’s understated soul. Dean has a knack for finding a song’s bones.

Once the band started to fall into place, they found a good fit with Lola’s and the Country Club took to the metaphorical lonesome highway with regular Thursday nights. Adding Beau Brauer on drums, L explains how he brought a fresh perspective, “Beau didn’t really have honky-tonk experience, but he has jumped into it by doing a great deal of research. I mean down to every element of the sound, he even figured out which sticks work best.” Rounding out an unbelievable rhythm section they have local songmaster Jake Paleschic, who played bass in the brilliantly short-lived Longshots, and also adds the third lead vocal on the stage alongside L Denison and Summer Dean. If you’re lucky, he might sing you something by Roger Miller.

For L Denison, the group offered an opportunity to cut her teeth singing lead alongside a terribly experienced group of folks. She also figured it was as good a time as any to begin learning to play guitar, “I mean who’ll notice if I miss a chord, it feels safer with the group. But, I really feel lucky ‘cause they’ve all been doing it longer. If you want to get good at something, I’ve always thought you should do it with folks who are better than you.” Similarly, the band allows Andrew Skates to work on playing lead guitar because he plays bass on his adventures as an internationally touring musician with Leon Bridges. Skates, who has also performed with Quaker City Night Hawks is an incredibly tasteful player, who can sit back or straight up burn. He’s easy to talk to and the joy music brings him is obvious.

Whether Bob Wills, Faron Young, or Connie Smith, you can see the influences of each player by what songs they bring to the table as L explains, “When we have time to rehearse, we each bring a couple of songs in we’d like to try.” As most of the group are more accustomed to rock and roll, Outlaw Country or 80s and 90s tunes are more straightforward, but she adds, “Those Western Swing tunes require a more precise sense of time, it is a nice challenge to have, because the rhythm section is what makes people dance and that’s what we really want to see.”

Through Denton’s Raised Right Men, Summer Dean first met pedal steel player Chris Schlotzhauer on a lineup opening for The Derailers at The Live Oak. Elevating their sound even further, Chris has recently joined the Country Club. When I asked him about the group, he was quick to explain how important he thought it was,  “Too many of the older players stick to themselves and don’t get out and hear what’s going on in their own town. Honky Tonk Country Club looks forward to welcoming special guests to the stage as they have with glorious accordion player Abel Casillas from Squeezebox Bandits. Five years ago, I tried for a few months to get a Doug Sahm Hoot Night going somewhere in Fort Worth, but I was never able to get traction. As I was getting ready to leave the bar, Honky Tonk Country Club caught fire with the classic Freddy Fender tune, “Wasted Days and Wasted Nights,” which was eventually recorded alongside Doug Sahm for Sir Douglas Quintet. These are the sounds and songs that live inside us and there will always be a call for us to hear them played with care and energy.  

Come check them out this Sunday, November 12, from 3-7p, at Shipping & Receiving at 201 S. Calhoun as they join the festivities for the monthly Second Sundays event alongside Chicken Shit Bingo. https://www.facebook.com/events/1901429106841124/

10 Questions Interview - Joe Savage

Welcome to FWN's 10 Questions Interview. We are honored to have Fort Worth's own Joe Savage join us today. 

You can catch Joe live all over the Metroplex, either solo or with his great band. Last year's Songs Worth Singing is available for sale on bandcamp and is perfect accompaniment to a day trip. --LB

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Photo Courtesy of Joe Savage

1) With which creatures do you share quarters?

JS: Other humans, a cat, the random water bug, a hundred fleas, a few spiders, and possibly a couple ghosts and/or Clairvoyants

2) Most likely Pop Culture Alien Overlord?

JS: Adele

3) What can't you live without?

JS: Satire

4) Ultimate Morning-After Food?

JS: Taters and eggs

5) Personal Symbol of Freedom?

JS: Fox

6) Build a Bridge or Open a Door?

JS: Build a bridge to an open door?

7) Super Hero Alter Ego?

JS: Neal Cassady

8) Underdog you Root for most?

JS: Homeless people

9) Given the choice to come back as any animal, which one would you choose?

JS: Albatross

10) Most important individual with the initials MJ? Why?

JS: Mary Jane - she's never let me down and always shows me something new

Photo Courtesy of Joe Savage

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about the word writer person:

Lyle Brooks sometimes exists as The Flashbulb (IG:@flashbulbtx). Among a plethora of other cool things & happenings, Lyle has fetched water for John Cale, made copies for Morton Subotnick and once lit Jim Jarmusch's cigarette out in front of a Merzbow show. He has eaten Mexican food with Fungi Girls and Italian food with Yells at Eels and documented them both. Tho his vision comes and goes, we are pleased to report his ears are in working order. 

10 Questions Interview - Joey Gorman

Welcome to FWN's 10 Questions Interview. We are pleased to have our favorite rock and roll fighter pilot Joey Gorman (Joe Gorgeous, The Longshots) join us today. 

Be sure to catch Joe Gorgeous live 6/23 at FW's newest venue, Main at SouthSide and in Dallas the 26th at Armoury, DE. --LB

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Joey Gorman doing Joey Gorman things - Photo courtesy of Joey Gorman, Photo by John Erwin

1) With which creatures do you share quarters?

JG: The ones that once were and shall be again

2) Most likely Pop Culture Alien Overlord?

JG: Taylor Swift? ...Jim Belushi. Definitely jim belushi

3) What can't you live without?

JG: Rock n Roll Coca Cola Love & Marijuana

4) Ultimate Morning-After Food?

JG: Quesadillas til tha day i die

5) Personal Symbol of Freedom?

JG:Minivan

6) Build a Bridge or Open a Door?

JG: Open the door, Hold the door for the Bridge Builder. Walk back outside.

7) Super Hero Alter Ego?

JG: Wayne Gretzky OR "Repo Man"

8) Underdog you Root for most?

JG: The Truth and/or Sanity

9) Given the choice to come back as any animal, which one would you choose?

JG: The Lobster

10) Most important individual with the initials MJ? Why?

JG:Mike Jones. Who?

Photo courtesy of Joey Gorman

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about the word writer person:

Lyle Brooks sometimes exists as The Flashbulb (IG:@flashbulbtx). Among a plethora of other cool things & happenings, Lyle has fetched water for John Cale, made copies for Morton Subotnick and once lit Jim Jarmusch's cigarette out in front of a Merzbow show. He has eaten Mexican food with Fungi Girls and Italian food with Yells at Eels and documented them both. Tho his vision comes and goes, we are pleased to report his ears are in working order.