Quite a day in San Antonio. Turns out it’s a mecca for heavy rock. Frequent destination.
First stop was KRTU-FM 91.7, Trinity University’s college jazz radio station. Great to sit down and chat with music director (and accomplished pianist) Aaron Prado and station manager Ryan Webber, surrounded by floor to ceiling vinyl. We had a nice interview and they gave me a quick history of the San Antonio jazz scene. Drummer Jerry Gibbs has led a modern jazz resurgence over the last few years, before leaving town. They sent me off with a notebook full of recommendations for local music that evening.
Local music critic and rock bassist Steve Elliott filled out my knowledge of the local hard rock scene; Pitbull Daycare, Anger Kil, Lokey, Powderburn among his favorites. Also pointed me to Hogwilds, the local indie store where I picked up as much of the local music as I could find.
The afternoon was a study in contrasts. Mellow jazz set with Joan Carroll and Hanz Frommeyer and Carmen’s de la Calle, followed by an acoustic open mic run by songwriter/local music mentor Eric Geyer. Met a bunch of his friends, already regular Pandora users. Mary Kay second from right was there with her acoustic guitar for the open mic – she’s using Pandora in her middle school class.
Before hitting the road, I finished the night off at the White Rabbit listening to Forgive Durkin from Seattle rip through a hard rock set – impressive band, loud as hell, but really intricate. Got a good look at the San Antonio teenage thrash metal set… They were the last of 8 bands on the bill. Hard working groups – really deserve respect.
Headed out that night with a front seat full of CDs, ears still ringing. All in all a great day.
