speed of dark

Summer is concert time, and Indie Mom's Uncle T has a concert review for us. Although this is a recent concert, Roky Erickson's 40-year career makes this a perfect Time Travel subject. The MP3s below are from various releases Erickson has had over the years.

Here's Uncle T:

Roky Erickson and the Explosives concert
Granada Theatre, Dallas, TX – July 14, 2007

I’d been aware of this event at the Granada Theatre for awhile, but from the advertising I thought it was only a screening of the recently released Roky Erickson documentary movie “You’re Gonna Miss Me” directed by Keven McAlester (link to movie trailer below). However, I happened upon an article that stated Roky would be performing with his 80’s band the Explosives following the movie. This was a very rare opportunity I could not pass up.

13th Floor Elevators, Live
Roky’s initial success was as the songwriter and singer of the legendary Austin, TX 1960’s band 13th Floor Elevators, who single-handedly turned the San Francisco rock scene on to electric music and influenced many bands and performers since. I’d first gotten into Roky’s music in the 1980’s through his great albums The Evil One (1980) and Don’t Slander Me (1986). Saturday’s show was the first he’d played Dallas in over 20 years. Roky was actually born in Dallas, and it just so happened he’d celebrated his 60th birthday in Dallas the following day.

The documentary depicts Roky’s fairly dysfunctional family (particularly his well-meaning but misguided mother), his musical successes, his descents into drugs and schizophrenia, and his ultimate resurrection with the aid of his youngest brother Sumner (himself a professional musician with the Pittsburg Orchestra). Based on the movie, I wasn’t certain how the concert would be. However, it turned out to be much better than I could have imagined.

A little after 10 PM the stage curtain was raised, and Roky and the band began to play. It was all electric music tonight; and it was great. Roky’s vocals were superb, and he played guitar pretty good as well. Roky rarely spoke; lead guitarist Cam King, who’s had his own separate career, generally did the talking.

Roky appeared to be in good shape (with a full head of long hair) and seemed to be in his element on stage with the band playing music. Hearing these great rock songs in concert was amazing. And the crowd was totally ecstatic, with lots of dancing and singing along. They called him back for two encores. It was really wonderful to behold.

The Exlosives:
Cam King: Lead guitar, backing vocals
Chris Johnson: Bass, backing vocals
Fred Krc: Drums

Set list (in this general order) and comments:

1. It’s a Cold Night for Alligators: They began the set with a rocking version of this song from The Evil One, and played a number of others from that album as well. As good as this first song sounded, I knew the set was going to be great.

2. White Faces: Another from The Evil One.

3. Don’t Shake Me Lucifer: Great old song.

4. The Interpreter: This was fantastic, with Cam doing some great lead guitar playing, which he did all night. What a great song.
5. Bermuda: One of his more famous songs, from Don’t Slander Me. Excellent.
6. [blues song – “The Beat is coming”?] Not sure about the title of this song, which began with some nice blues lead guitar soloing by Roky. It was a nice blues number, which the band locked in on. This is one of those songs where Roky can just improvise simple lyrics (which were “the beat is coming”; something like that) but make it work amazingly well. Kind of like “We Sell Soul”.

7. Splash 1: This was another amazing song, that I couldn’t place it but later found out it was an Elevators song from 1966.

8. You’re Gonna Miss Me (with 13th Floor Elevators): Probably his most famous song, this great Elevators song was unmistakable, and the crowd sang along. This was great.
9. Creature With The Atom Brain: This was very cool as well. Another favorite of mine.
10. Starry Eyes: Icing on the cake! This is great old song from Don’t Slander Me.
11. Bloody Hammer: The final song of the main set, however the crowd absolutely wanted more, and everyone on the theater was clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and yelling “Roky”. After a few minutes the band came back on stage.

1st Encore:
12. Two Headed Dog (Red Temple Prayer) (with the Aliens): This kicked butt, it was so good.
13. Before You Accuse Me: They follwed with a great version of this old Bo Diddley song (Bo being a hero of Roky’s).

14. The Wind and More: I believe they played this song, and again left the stage. But the crowd was still relentless, wanting more. And the band came back for a second encore.

2nd Encore:
15. Night of the Vampire: Great rocking version of this creepy song.

16. I Walked With a Zombie: They ended the night with another one from The Evil One. But it was really cool to hear these great songs in concert as well as seeing Roky do his thing onstage which he does so well.

After the concert, Roky was supposed to be signing purchased items at the table at the front of the venue, but most of the merch was sold and the line snaked back into the venue itself. So I left, just feeling lucky to have witnessed such a good show.

Roky Erickson's Website | Official MySpace | Watch movie trailer
Buy: Amazon.com | Live In Dallas 1979 with the Nervebreakers at eMusic.com | iTunes