Alamojo

Faulty CDRs coupled with faulty computers means I’ve been late on getting my father’s Christmas present to him, but I thought I’d pass the rocking on to you while I struggle to finalize the gift. Inspired by my indoctrination to rock music under his tutelage, I present to you DJ headAik’s Best of San Antonio Rock, Volume I.

Happy new year!

1. Judas Priest – Burnin’ Up (Killing Machine, 1978)

2. Starz – Subway Terror (Violation, 1977)

3. Moxy – Midnight Flight (Moxy II, 1976)

4. Electric Sun – Electric Sun (Earthquake, 1979)

5. Michael Schenker Group – Are You Ready to Rock (MSG, 1981)

6. Judas Priest – White Heat, Red Hot (Stained Class, 1978)

7. Ted Nugent – Free For All (Free For All, 1976)

8. Scorpions – The Sails of Charon (Taken By Force, 1977)

9. Budgie – I Turned to Stone (Nightflight, 1981)

10. Van Halen – Somebody Get Me a Doctor (Van Halen II, 1979)

11. AC/DC – Jailbreak (Jailbreak, 1974)

12. Ted Nugent – Turn it Up (Free For All, 1976)

13. Legs Diamond – Waiting (A Diamond is a Hard Rock, 1978)

14. Scorpions – Lipstick Traces (Live UFO cover w/ Michael Schenker, 1979)

15. Legs Diamond – Woman (A Diamond is a Hard Rock, 1978)

16. Accept – I’m a Rebel (I’m a Rebel, 1980)

Keep rocking into 2009!

A.

Serac invasion

“This song is called Professional… It’s about being professional.”

So spake San Serac on a chilly Thursday night in early December. If I’m going to Sixth Street in downtown Austin on a high-traffic night of the week, you’d better believe whatever I’m going for is worth it. Otherwise, circling for parking and then meandering through crowds of street rats and egomaniac douche bags would keep me at home. No, I had this date marked on the calendar for months.

San Serac is a guy named Nat from the Eastern seaboard. When he’s not recording solo material, he’s based out of Canada making music with ex-Junior Boys member Johnny Dark as part of Stereo Image. His recorded repertoire as San Serac absolutely kicks, as dancefloor-ready disco beats with synth explosions permeate throughout the albums. But live, the one-man show explodes with energy that a CD laser alone can’t capture. Nat sings, synths, moves, grooves and drums… and the crowd moves right along with him.

There was no need to be uptight or self-conscious this night at Emo’s. I looked around and saw those brave enough to set themselves apart from the resident assclown hipsters posturing against the brick wall joining in on the fun, dancing recklessly just as I was as San Serac’s set (an enthralling, pulsating but disappointing six songs long) ran the course of his supporting slot on the bill without letting down the energy level for one second.

His dress was business-casual, his emotion was 100% committed to his craft- but the end result for those in attendance was something that shows need to be: Fun. So many live performers have their heads up their ass anymore, but this one was free of pretension and out to enthrall those of us just serious about having a good time.