So you want to put on a children's music show. Who do you book? How about someone who's been in and out of mental hospitals and prisons for decades, who sings in an anguished howl about monsters and demons? Someone who looks like this:
Sure, why not! Yesterday I took Baby Fab to
her first concert. I was there, but I still can't quite believe it. It was
NOT a nice little children's show, it was a full-on loud electric
rock 'n' roll extravaganza performed with absolutely no concession
to kiddie-music standards. Lots of parents did indeed bring their
children, who sat in front of the stage, some with their hands
covering their ears. But otherwise, they seemed to enjoy it. It
was a great show, really fun, and over in 30 minutes.
I brought along a portable audio recorder. I'd prefer
it if you download the zip folder:
Roky Erickson - live at Echo Park Center For The Arts 5-19-10.zip
but since there's only 5 tracks, here's the individual mp3s:
I Walked With A Zombie
Two-Headed Dog
Goodbye Sweet Dreams
True Fine Mama [not sure which Little Richard song this is;
this is my guess]
Night of the Vampire [cut-off]
Unfortunately, due to my techno-clutziness, I didn't record the
very surreal q-and-a with the kids. He cheerfully answered
questions like:
Q: How does the drummer play so fast? Does he get splinters?
Roky: I hope that the drummer uses some magic gris-gris to
protect himself!
Q: Why was the zombie song so loud?
Roky: Because some people were wearing headbands and heavy
clothes and the music has to seep in...
They wrapped things up with a blistering version of
"You're Gonna Miss Me" (minus the jug
player). His backing band Okkervil River was excellent. I got a
free ChocoTaco. Baby Fab pretty much just slept.
