Also deserving of superlatives is the full-length debut by the Hate Fuck Trio, a combo whose growing popularity has forced harried scribes at "family" publications to figure out ways to write about it without using its name. (The results have been more amusing than anything since the rise to relative fame of the Butthole Surfers.) These journalists will undoubtedly be placed in similar situations in the future; after all, the outfit's CD--You Know, For Kids, on Seattle's Shaky Records--is so damnably entertaining that it's only a matter of time before the four Haters conquer the world. Some of the material here--like "Bottle Up"--could be classified as pop punk, but the Trio is far more varied and cheeky than the typical brethren of Green Day. The arrangement of "A Lizard Named Muffy" is a nod to the music-hall era; "Me & Johnny" is a smart-alecky country-and-Western lark; "Boobs a Lot" is a snippet lifted from the Fugs, who wrote it before these guys were born; and "Bob's Lawn Service" (originally performed by, er, Bob's Lawn Service) is half raveup, half Isaac Hayes. As for "Fucked Up Monkeys" (another title that mainstream scribblers spell using dashes), I've played it over and over while writing this, and it still sounds like the best song in the world. Tip for future profilers at daily newspapers: Call them the "Hate Fornication Trio." At least then people would get the idea (available in area record stores).
Speaking of the Hate Fuck Trio, the band is one of four Colorado acts selected to showcase at this year's South by Southwest Music Festival, slated to take place in Austin March 12-16. Also among the invitees are Slim Cessna's Auto Club; Armchair Martian, a northern Colorado outfit lauded in these pages ("The Martian Chronicles," May 16, 1996); and Space Team Electra, whose slot was guaranteed by Westword, a longtime co-sponsor of the fest.
This showing should gratify those local-music buffs who felt that South by Southwest's selection process of a few years back disrespected Coloradans. Landing four bands on the schedule for the second consecutive year is a positive development--and so too is the quality of these groups, all of which feature first-rate artists who deserve a much wider audience. To put it simply, there are no weak links here. Also cheering is the fact that these are all first-time SXSW attendees. Clearly, Colorado is cranking out good bands on a regular basis. Maybe this year, people beyond the state line will start to notice.
The Czars have always shared a member with Jux County--bassist Chris Pearson. But for the next few months, Pearson won't be the only moonlighter. Andy Monley, Jux County's longtime frontman, has added the Czars to his curriculum vitae; he'll appear with the band at gigs such as a February 27 appearance at the Bluebird and add his trademark guitar to tracks being recorded with producer Bob Ferbrache for inclusion on a new Czars album. As Pearson puts it, "Andy brings the perfect reverb-y weirdness" to the band. By the way, Jux County made the SXSW waiting list--which means that there's a decent chance the combo will be heading to Austin again this year.
No waiting. On Thursday, January 30, Eileen Niehouse, Jean Harrison and Shari Weissman take turns on stage at the Mercury Cafe, and Carolyn's Mother is available for advice at Market 41. On Friday, January 31, the Paul Warburton Quartet, about which you read earlier this month ("Warburton's Piece," January 16), joins Dale Bruning at the Oriental Theater; Morsel snacks at Franklin's; Sponge Kingdom, Zuba and Sherri Jackson perform a More Than Mountains showcase at the Fox Theatre; Albert Griffith and the Gladiators joust at the Boulder Theater, with Roots Revolt; Mass Madness breaks out at Cricket on the Hill, with Big Bad Freakies and Grandma Jukes; Wendy Woo pitches same at Round Midnight; Phantom Freeway leads to Old Chicago in LoDo; the Scofflaws scoff at the law at the Mercury; and New Country Boy begins a two-night run at the High Spot, 3905 S. Santa Fe. On Saturday, February 1, San Francisco's own Big Shirtless Rob slithers at the Snakepit (the group also appears February 2 at the Lion's Lair and February 3 at Soapy Smith's); Plop Squad drops at Seven South, with Pen 15 and Starhustler; Munly makes change at Penny Lane; the Idiots wise up at the 15th Street Tavern, with Sticky 5 Pin; and Jafrika and Open Rangers visit the Bug Theater. On Sunday, February 2, Slackjaw is wired at Soapy Smith's. And on Monday, February 3, Chalk Farm tends the crops at the Fox, with the Wild Colonials. Because in the field of opportunity, it's plowing time again.
--Michael Roberts
Backbeat's e-mail address is Michael_Roberts@ westword.comMichael_Roberts@. While you're online, visit Michael Roberts's Jukebox at www.westword.com
