The Black Irish on Red River in Austin

Now that's something I haven't done in over a decade--bar hopping.

Tonight, I decided to go see The Black Irish play at the 710 club. I seem to remember the evite said something about 11pm. So after I finished recording my Celtic podcast, I raced downtown to catch the show.

I must've had the time wrong. I got there and some psychobilly band was playing. They were okay, but since I was more in the mood for something a touch Irish, I decided to walk Sixth Street. Dressed in my faire cloak, I walked through the cold air down to B.D. Riley's. I remember seeing the Fado's band lineup when I saw The Tea Merchants and thought there might be a few stray Irishmen performing at some of the Irish pubs. But I was out of luck. B.D. Riley's had some blues act and an unenthusiastic audience. I didn't bother to stay, the blues seemed decent enough.

So next I forged my way to Fado's Irish Pub. But that was worse. They had a DJ playing bad 80s music (don't get me wrong. I love 80s music, but this was poor crap). Very disappointing. I hit the restroom, sneered, and left.

The cold night air was nice. It was a good walk. I forgot to bring my cell for the time, so I got back and there was a new band setting up. So I walked across the street to Elysium and Beerland. Elysium didn't have anything that sounded decent, but Beerland had the Flametrick Subs. I've heard of them forever, but never seen them. So I went in and ran into an old friend, Candace. She and I chatted for a wee bit.

Then I watched the show. Very cool. Sorta punk rockabilly with of course Satan's Cheerleaders, who are hot. So who can complain with good music and hot women. :)

While I enjoyed that, my ultimate goal was still The Black Irish. So I walked back over to Room 710 where they were to be playing. A punk band was playing with a petite girl in a tight short red dress. She was singing a wee bit out of tune... or maybe it just didn't sound good. She was cute, but the Flametrick Subs were better. So I went back to Beerland.

That's when I ran into Roy, another friend. He and I run into each other now and then. It's strange... Actually probably not so strange, he loves rockabilly and I think the last few times I've seen him, I was in some sort of rockabilly venue.

After a couple more quick stops back at Room 710, the Black Irish began playing. They're a bit Pogues vs. Flogging Mollys... Celtic, Punk, and, also some rockabilly. The band was pretty dang cool. They told me afterward it wasn't one of their best shows, but the band members have a Lot of personality. From the mohawk fiddler to the bald banjo player who only really moves his head, from the standup bassist who's body gets into the music to the lead singer to the rhythm guitarist. They all had a lot of personality.

The crowd was sparse, but it was a fun show.