Category Archives: Thunderbolt

Day 7 is just about in our rearview mirror, and I’m the new drummer in ZZ TOP…hahahaha.
Dave Bone and I have been doing the Replacements’ “Alex Chilton” the past few nights; Friday tears, Saturday the whole audience joining in on the chorus. YouTube on the way.
GREAT farewell lunch with the 11 new members of the Thunderbolt Texas family. Thanks to both Matt the founder and Matt the waiter on the lunch service. SPECIAL THANKS at this point goes to Dave Bone and the Troublemakers and the (mighty) Sons of Hercules, their wives, girlfriends, friends and fans. You took great care of me.
SXSW is Dead (for the moment), that’s what I said.
From Austin…The Thunderbolt

OK, let’s try to get caught up here on day 6 in Austin. Finally got that chicken fried steak at Hoovers. Will probably skip the jalepeno creamed spinach next time. My two shows yesterday went well, though a monitor would be helpful when singing lead from behind the drums, don’t you think? I opened out front with Dave Bone and me doing the Replacements “Alex Chilton” as a hymn. Many tears in the audience, which was the point; I got choked up myself while singing it. There IS footage, so hopefully it’ll show up on Youtube. I believe we’re going to do it tonight during the Sons of Hercules show. Spoke to old friends Cheetah Chrome and Syl Sylvain and saw their band the Batusis. Also spoke to Lisa From the Bell-Rays; gonna see them later today. In the hunt for a chorizo burrito…
T-Bolt

Well, day 3 at SXSW went by in a flash of Shiner Bock and rehearsal. I guess I should’ve considered playing live when I was overdubbing 14 tracks of background vocals. Saw the Muffs and some old friends last night.
Day 4? Too early to tell, but tonight…chicken fried steak!
New artist spotlight interview up on vicfirth.com.
“Children by the million wait for Alex Chilton…” My heart aches.
From Austin….The Thunderbolt

Day 2, part II

The Sons of Hercules tore it up at Emo’s. Ah, Emo’s…remember playing it with the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black, outdoors, in January, and, of course….the whole band was near nude on stage. Chilly, even for Texas. Saw my old friend from Madrid, Barnaby; a lovely treat. Also saw Kim Fowley, but why would he want to talk to me? Maybe if I had a vagina?
Tomorrow is another day, and another opportunity for chicken fried steak.
T-Bolt

AUSTIN, Day 2
GREAT rehearsal with Dave Bone and the Troublemakers last night; we might actually be able to pull this fucker off…and thanks to Gretchen for the wonderful pasta. Stopped by Waterloo Records and both venues with posters today, followed by Tortilla soup and one beverage (haha) at Z Tejas. Tonight, The Sons of Hercules and another beverage at Emo’s. Tomorrow…the world…or at least….6th St. Again.
That’s what I said.
T-Bolt