My Blue Eyes... Toni Etier

The written word is beautiful to me. When those words are in music, a book or a poem...I must listen. I seek out lyrics and the meanings in between. A while back I blogged about a band and within that band is a drummer. And this drummer has a very special girlfriend. You may remember her smiling face in one of my pictures. Below is a poem that she composed:

My Blue Eyes

my blue eyes betray my thoughts,

they casually drop my secrets like gossip.

my blue eyes sometimes lie for me...

though seldom do they try.

my blue eyes deceive you still,

as honest as they are...

you don't see,

too wrapped up in yourself...

no thoughts of me.

my blue eyes see your heart,

they know your soul.

words....

glance...

words...

nothing.

my blue eyes patiently wait,

they search you for me.

my blue eyes...

close.



Toni Etier

Hearing That New Sound With Outlash

I've encountered quite a bit of live music in my short existence on this revolving planet. My love affair with music all started when my grandpa purchased a piano for my sixth birthday. He played strings...fiddle, guitar, banjo...anything with strings he could play. He and his buddies put together a band and on Friday and Saturday nights they would get together and play. I loved dancing then and I adore dancing now.





That's how I judge the likability of a new band is their ability to get my feet moving. If I can't be convinced with the hard core heavy strumming of the bass or the rhythmic pounding of the percussion to gyrate to the dance floor then it is not a likable band in my opinion.











I remember back in New Orleans, I was friends with the lead singer of a band named Zodiac Jukebox. Normally, I wouldn't go for an all cover band, but these guys title said it all. Basically their repertoire of songs was so extensive that they could play any request. They had hundreds of songs memorized and if they didn't have the song all a person had to do was hum it and they could fake it. They gigged at the Cafe Brazil. I have no idea if Cafe Brazil is still around, but that place had a fantastic dance floor. I met these guys while I was performing in the musical, Hair. That was a lot of fun and maybe one day I'll write about it.



While in Denver I happened across another band. An all orginals band. That's a bit tougher to pull off. Fragile X was unique in the fact that their name was the name of a disease. I bet you're thinking that's strange, but actually the band donated 50% of all sales of merchandise to the Fragile X foundation. I worked with them for a little while booking them in the downtown area of Denver...little swanky outdoor cafes. Their music was mostly instrumental with a few vocals. Quite airy and melodic lots of different sounds from nature and various percussion items. I wonder how Fragile X is doing today.



Coming to West Texas has put me at a disadvantage. Most of the genre of live music in this area is purely country. Country is...well...isn't for me. I don't two step and never will. My feet just don't work that way. I tend to be an all over the dance floor kinda gal. Which leads me to the purpose of this post. I found a new band that I thoroughly enjoy. It's a great mix of heavy rocking covers infused with hard hitting metal grooving original music.




Hearing newly created music is a wonderful experience because you just never know when you're going to catch something spectacular. Think about it, every band on the radio started somewhere...in a small bar putting their music out there and somewhere at some point the creation becomes the new sound. Wouldn't be amazing to be there when it happens?






So, I guess you're pondering if I have come across that new sound. I think maybe I have. The excitement of finding Outlash and attending their shows to experience their awesome precise covers and the driving force of their originals has become something I look forward to. Best of all, the members are extremely cordial and a pleasure to be around. I especially like the drummer's girl friend. That's her in the picture giving me a most beautiful smile. That smile matches her personality. She is one of the sweetest people I know. Rock on Toni!

The Lou Gramm Concert and How I Got to be There

The strangest set of events occurred last week which led to me being in a place I wouldn't have normally found myself. I'll try to explain the best I can and you tell me if this was just a bizarre set of coincidences. Two Wednesdays ago, I was dining with a friend. During this dinner, this friend handed me a copy of a local publication called Good Times Magazine. It's a magazine that features local artists and headline concerts coming to town.
I started flipping through the magazine and briefly scanned an article about Lou Gramm. I didn't recognize the name, but as I continued reading discovered that Lou Gramm had been the vocalist for the band Foreigner. Again, I was familiar with Foreigner, but couldn't quite remember their songs...that is until I continued reading the article. "Juke Box Hero," "Double Vision," "I Want to Know What Love is" and "Cold as Ice" were a few named in the piece and that I could say..."Yeah, I remember those songs."
Then on Sunday, my friend Jesse came by to pick up his puppy. We were sitting at the kitchen table where he informed me that his cousin had acquired tickets to Lou Gramm. I related to him that I had just read an article about that concert and then showed him the magazine. He then informed me that his cousin couldn't go to the concert and wanted to know if I wanted the tickets. Weird, huh? Since I had a kid free weekend, I said sure why not.
Susan and I went to the concert at the Horseshoe Arena in Midland. We listened to the opening band, Seventh Rize. They are a local band from Odessa and performed songs of the classic rock genre. I really stopped listening to classic rock before it came to be known as classic rock. I tend to keep current with music and not stay stuck in the past, but there are quite a few people who still enjoy that genre of music and believe me...all of them were present at this concert.
Finally, after Seventh Rize, Lou Gramm and band took the stage. Hearing the old classics did bring back some memories and it was a feel good moment. Susan and I walked out onto the floor and stood behind a pair of lively ladies. These ladies were hard core Foreigner fans. They played air guitar, sang the songs to one another, head banged (if that's possible) and really enjoyed themselves. I wish I could have video taped these ladies' performance because they were a sight to see!
I would have to say that the highlight of the evening was seeing Don Mancuso, the lead guitarist, play. For an older musician, he still rocked and rocked hard. Perfect playing, with such energy and fluid of motion...he was truly incredible up there on stage and commanded a presence that I truly admired.
Now here comes the really weird part. Saturday night I attended a show in Midland to hear a band called Outlash. Of course, if you read my blog, you'll know that this is the same band that performed the charity benefit for my friend, Erika. While in attendance, I found out that a journalist from Good Times Magazine was also in attendance...to write an article about Outlash! Isn't that crazy?!? We do live in a small world after all.

We Just Want To Celebrate...A Benefit Performance By Outlash for Erika

When good people get together for an awesome cause great things happen!Friends and family of Erika Berry gathered at the Texas Moon in Kermit
April the 10th to show their love and support. Local businesses and individuals donated time, items for auction and monetary gifts to make the Rocker Chick Benefit a huge success.

Outlash performed for the benefit at no charge between the live auctions. JR Sanchez, lead guitarist and former Wink graduate said, "We always have a good time when we come to Kermit. We couldn't pass up an opportunity to
help out a good friend." As the band began "We Just Want To Celebrate"the entire crowd sang along because we were there to celebrate Erika's second chance at life.

Fonda white MC'ed most of the evening and was a natural at it. She presented Erika monetary gifts from local businesses and individuals. One particular gift from Jackie and Wes Perry of Midland grasped my attention. The Perrys did not know Erika personally, but her story touched their hearts. In February of 2006, the Perry's daughter, Dara, passed away from a ruptured arotic aneurysm. She was a school and missionary nurse that traveled to Uganda often to minister to the children of Africa. As Fonda related the story to the crowd, Erika's eyes filled with tears because not only did they send her a gift, but they also checked on her status and continue to do so.

A grand total of $7,270 was raised for Erika that night. "I am so grateful. It was absolutely amazing! I bet I cried twenty times or more that night!" said Erika. A big thank you goes out to everyone that attended, donated time and items for the benefit.

There are a multitude of amazing people that live in our community and we would like to express our sincerest gratitude for all their assistance.

Laurie Sharp
Sheila Butler, Midland
Annie Dominquez, Midland
Fonda White, Midland
One Body Salon, Midland
Gasoline Alley, Kermit
Wink Vol. Fire Dept
Rodney Hayes

Edward Scott
Baldwin Electronics,Odessa
LInda Barrick
Destiny Garcia
Mary Nell Hailey
Cynthia Flynn
Texas Moon
Cissy Pilkington
Scott Riggs
The Brotherhood of the 74, Kermit Chapter
Chucky Wilhelm
Wendy Medina
Jesse Moya
Tracy & Dano Jackson
2 Wheel Motion-Kermit Chapter
Prestige Parties & Events, Midland
Kathy Jackson, MIdland
DRM Trucking (Jamie Meek), Midland
Jackie & Wes Perry, MIdland
John & Thenia Micheletti, Midland
Terry & Cindy Carpenter Dentistry, Midland
David Rumade
Klines Pumping Service (Jack Kline)

Steven & Tony Underwood
Tessco, Kermit
Outlash, Midland
James "Chip" Parks
Tammie Lujan
Jerrie's Cafe
Raymond Thomas

Rocker Chick Benefit Performance By Outlash

The Texas Moon in Kermit, Texas will be hosting a Rocker Chick Benefit for Erika Berry. The event starts at 5PM with brisket plates going for $7, and a live auction of cakes, vintage items and tons of rock memorabilia. West Texas' very own heavy rock band, Outlash, will be performing starting at 9PM. The band has waived their usual fee of $500, and a cover charge of $5 will be collected. All monies from the brisket and live auction, as well as the band's fee and cover charge will be given to Erika to assist with her medical expenses. Come on out Saturday and let's raise the roof!

Outlash...West Texas' Good Time Band

Why am I so fond of this metal band? Not only do they know how to please a crowd, but their dedication to fans and friends can't be surpassed. When lead guitarist J.R. Sanchez heard of his long time friend and fan, Erika Berry, need for assistance he knew he could count on Outlash to provide some help. Within a matter of minutes, J.R. confirmed that Outlash would do a benefit performance with all proceeds going towards Erika's medical expenses.

Outlash is a new breed of West Texas metal whose name has become synonymous with precise, melodic, and catchy hard rock. They appeal to a wide and varied audience with music that is heavy enough for hardcore listeners, but still radio-friendly and accessible to the masses.

The sound can best be described as a style of groove metal with a slightly technical edge, coarse (not harsh) vocals and thick-sounding riffs, and a melodic core with head-banging beats. Lyrically and stylistically original themes dealing with everything from tattooing to emotional pain and suffering, the overall musical mood is dark and melancholy, but doesn't focus on political or religious subjects thereby avoiding pretentiousness. But it is definitely metal, and definitely engages the listener.

Formed in October of 2008, the band draws its creative force from the input of four prominent local musicians whom each bring a unique perspective and talent to the writing process. The line-up consists of vocalist and guitarist Ed Alvarado (Driveshaft and Easy to Empty), lead guitarist J.R. Sanchez (Black Tooth Grin and Easy to Empty), bassist Evan Bouten (Driveshaft and Section-8), and drummer Tony Diamond (Lotus and Red-Effect).

All members have extensive stage and studio experience, bringing their various backgrounds together to produce the powerful music of Outlash. With a vast repertoire of covers to compliment their original music (everything from Pink Floyd to Pantera), Outlash is suitable to any rock venue and is eager to entertain and engage all crowds, small or large, with their impressive stage presence and powerful sound. They have also recently recorded and released a full-length demo, Machine Precision, and have a full line of merchandise available for their fans.

band bio provided by J.R. Sanchez