STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music volume 1 issue 9 December 2012

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Seeing Stars in Corpus Martin Molina Hope Is The Lantern CD & Book Reviews

3rd Coast Foodie

steam Magazine

South Texas Entertainment Art Music

TM

Have your Christmas Party With Us!

Open Every Day 12pm-2am 4528 Weber Rd 361-334-5585 Karaoke Every Every Karaoke Thursday-Saturday Thursday-Saturday

Mon Mon--Sat 11am 11am--2am Sun 12pm 12pm--2am 5815 5815B B Weber Rd

Daily Drink Specials!

361-334-6135 Come Watch Your Illectronic Thursdays: Favorite Sports DJ Dus, DJ Topher & With Us! Crew UFC Fight #155 Dos Santos vs.

Fridays and Saturdays: Velasouez Live Entertainment on our big and DJs! screens 12/29

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Christmas Eve / Christmas Day New Year’s Eve / New Year’s Day

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From the staff of STEAM Magazine! We wish you a joyous and safe holiday season!

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> Port A Ingleside Austin

Friends 29-31

New Braunfels Rockport Beeville

San Antonio

Orange Grove

Sinton Mustang Island

Corpus Christi

Alice Kingsville Calallen Aransas Pass Robstown

Quick Read 13 3rd Coast What To Get 24 Foodie 22

Publisher—Rusty Hicks Editor—Tamma Hicks Writers — Mason Shirley, Forrest Lee Jr., Shawn Blair, J Michael Dolan, Rusty Hicks, Tamma Hicks, & Rick Bowen Photographers— Allene Hicks, Misty Nelson

HOPE IS THE LANTERN 16 CD & Book Review 26

CALENDAR 8

Isolation Booth 6 Writer’s Block 11 Seeing Stars in Corpus 12 For Advertising Rates, Specs, And Information : sales steamtx.com Monica@steamtx.com Or 361-904-4339

For CD, Book, or Show Reviews : submissions steamtx.com

Steamtx.com Facebook.com/steamtx STEAM Magazine is published monthly by STEAM Magazine South Texas Entertainment Art Music in Corpus Christi, TX. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Views expressed within are solely the authors and not of STEAM Magazine.

Typographical, photographic, and printing errors are unintentional and subject to correction. Please direct all inquiries: submissions@steamtx.com

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ISOLATION b o o t h Song Production Quickies

By Mason Shirley Producer/Recording Engineer

When we put our music out there first impressions are what separates bands that gain fans and bands that are quickly forgotten, so use maximum creativity and care when crafting your songs. To get your band moving into the right direction, try these four quick production tips.

1. Tight rhythm section. The bass guitar, rhythm guitar, kick and snare provide the punch and pulse of the song.

Make sure that these are in perfect sync, hitting the same accents, and providing a strong foundation for the vocals and lead instruments.

2. Fill in the gaps. Think of a song like a movie. There is always a focal point, with the background supporting that focal point. In the same way, the listener should never have to wonder what to listen to. There ought to be a clear focal point to each part of a song whether it be a vocal, guitar solo, synth melody, or African hand drum.

3. Hook 'em. A hook is something within a song that gets stuck in the listener's head all day and eventually makes him/her no longer want to listen to the song. Make sure that each song has a relatable lyrical hook with a strong, simple, and catchy melody, and some form of instrumental hook that appears a few times in the song.

4. Surprise the listener. Put something in your song that would be unexpected and exciting. It could be an unorthodox instrument for your genre, a crazy sound or cool intro, or a drastic change in the dynamics of the song.

www.soundmachinestudio.com 361.813.9002

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Things To Do, Places To Go Entertainment

Comics Live! Comedy Club 1214 N Chaparral St, Corpus Christi Corpus Christi's only home for live national touring comedians Thursday – Sunday!

31st annual Harbor Lights Festival December 1 Bayfront & Marina, Corpus Christi This event marks the beginning of the Christmas season on the bayfront with the lighting of the Tree of Lights on Shoreline Boulevard. Activities include a lighted boat parade, children's parade, games, food and gift vendors, a gingerbread house village, songs and presentations.

11:30 am - Harbor Lights Children's Parade - Old City Hall Parking Lot, Kinney St & Shoreline Blvd 6:15 pm - Harbor Lights Festival - Bayfront Inn, Peoples Street & Shoreline Blvd.

2012 Parade of Lights December 1, 2012 Historic Downtown Kingsville The parade will start at Kleberg County Courthouse.

Don’t miss the fun!

La Posada de Kingsville November 19-December 31 Activies and event throughout Kingsville Check www.klebergpark.com for more information and a schedule of events.

Job Fair December 4 Richard M Borchard Fairgrounds, Robstown Sponsored by Job News, FOX 38, Shark Radio, Workforce Solutions of Coastal Bend & The Texas Veterans Commission TubaChristmas December 21, 12 noon Bank of America Building, 500 N Shoreline Blvd, Corpus Christi REGISTRATION: 8:30 am, Texas A & M University, Center for the Arts, REHEARSAL: 9:30 am PARKING: free on sites CONDUCTOR: Dan T. Sipes, and GUEST CONDUCTOR: Dr.Cynthia Bridges Saxet Gun Show December 22 & 23 Richard M Borchard Fairgrounds, Robstown Come down to the Robstown Fairgrounds and enjoy the Saxet Gun Show. Buy, sell and trade your guns, knives, ammo, coins, cameras, and more. Parking is free and admission is only $5.00 www.saxetshows.com

The Texas State Aquarium A day at the aquarium is a surefire way to keep your youngest explorers engaged and excited. www.visitcorpuschristi.com Padre Island National Seashore Be Covering 130,000 acres, this spectacular expanse remains home to the largest remaining natural barrier island in the world. www.visitcorpuschristi.com South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center This 180-acre showcase on Oso Creek offers a unique and varied take on botanical gardens. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

For more information: 361-852-2100, www.stxbot.org Mustang Island State Park Families enjoy a serene environment at Mustang Island State Park. Fishing, bonfires, building sand castles and birding are popular pastimes at this great spot.

Pack the kayak or rent one to enjoy the Mustang Island State Park P a d d l i n g T r a i l . www.visitcorpuschristi.com

Concrete Street Concerts Concrete Street Amphitheater, Corpus Christi December 1st!

Gary Allan with Kevin Fowler and Kristen Kelley on the Main Stage!

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U.S.S. Lexington Travel back in time aboard the famous U.S.S. Lexington. One afternoon will provide a humbling glimpse of what it’s like to live and serve aboard this marvel of the sea. www.visitcorpuschristi.com

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Things To Do, Places To Go art First Friday ArtWalk Friday, November 30, 2012, 05:30pm - 09:00pm Downtown Corpus Christi ArtWalk is a self-guided tour of galleries, studios and gallery-for-an-evening venues in Downtown Corpus Christi held the first Friday of every month. Come join us for art, music, entertainment, refreshments and lots more. The event begins at 5:30 pm at La Retama Park with artist vendors and live music. Over 50 participating venues! www.artwalkcc.com.

TREEHOUSE Art Collective 309 N Water Street, Ste D, Corpus Christi For information, www.treehouseartcc.com The Art Museum of South Texas 1902 N Shorline Blvd, Corpus Christi Throughout December Christmas Around the World . H-E-B and the Junior League of Corpus Christi join with the Art Museum in celebrating the 2012 Christmas Tree Forest with a free family day! Dec 8, H-E-B is providing goodie bags and books for the first 750 children, and the Junior League will provide tours of the Christmas Tree Forest. Free admission the Christmas Tree Forest. The musem hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 1-5. If you just want to go vote, tell them at the door. Otherwise you will have to pay admission to visit the museum. The admission is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors and active duty military; $4 for students (13 and older) and children under 12 are free.

Art Center of Corpus Christi College Art All Stars, Silver Cup Show and Henry Cardenas.

The opening reception for these shows will be on November 30 from 5-7pm at The Art Center.

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November 30-December 31 100 Shoreline Dr, Corpus Christi For more information, call www.artcentercc.org

884-6406

or

K Space Contemporary The Apocalypse Show: possibly the last show ever November 30-December 15 415 D Starr Street, Corpus Christi Is 2012 the End of Times? Doomsday? Armageddon?

Well, if this is indeed “The End” my friend, K Space Contemporary has a “Final Countdown” for you! “The Apocalypse Show” is a huge group exhibition of artists from all across Texas and features their unique takes on the end of the world scenario. It’s also K Space’s 5th Anniversary this year so please come down, experience a fantastic show and help us party like it’s “1999″!

The 5th Annual Ornament Show - Original hand-made ornaments by local artists. Great ideas for unique gifts and/or a chance to get a mini-artwork by your favorite artist. Many of these mini-artworks can be displayed year-round.

For more information, kspacecontemporary.org/ Corpus Christi Ballet The Nutcracker December 8 & 9, 15 & 16 American Bank Center, Corpus Christi A classic holiday favorite featuring a marvelous cast of over 100 with lavish scenery, dazzling costumes, and exciting characters. For more information: corpuschristiballet.org Corpus Christi Symphony Home For The Holidays December 8 Performing Arts Center, 6300 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi

ART

Home for the Holidays is our beloved tradition featuring music of the holidays. For more information: ccsymphony.org A Christmas Carol December 1, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, & 16 1 Bayfront Park, Corpus Christi The annual telling of this Charles Dicken's Christmas classic!

Aurora Arts Theatre Winter Wonderettes November 16 – December 23 5635 Everhart Rd., Corpus Christi This seasonal celebration finds the Wonderettes entertaining at the annual Harper's Hardware Holiday Party. When Santa turns up missing, the girls must use their talent and creative ingenuity, plus some great holiday tunes such as "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," "Jingle Bell Rock," "Run, Rudolph, Run," and other seasonal favorites, to save t h e i r h o l i d a y p a r t y . www.auroraartstheatre.com Art Museum of South Texas The Art Museum of South Texas is a wonderful place to tour during a leisurely afternoon around downtown Corpus Christi. www.visitcorpuschristi.com Corpus Christi Museum of Science & History Tour the oldest shipwreck that was found nearby in the Gulf of Mexico and share the adventures of early explorers as you stroll among treasures from word-famous shipwrecks. www.visitcorpuschristi.com

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Things To Do, Places To Go Backwoods Saloon 1540 Sun Ray Rd, Ingleside, TX Live music every weekend!

Blue Marlin Saloon 3006 E Surfside Blvd, Corpus Christi Live music every weekend!

Brewster Street Ice House 1724 N. Tancahua, Corpus Christi Throw down Thursday’s with Badlands FM! Cowgirls Saloon 1701 S Brahma Blvd, Kingsville The place to be in Kingsville!

Dr Rockit’s Blues Bar 709 N Chaparral, Corpus Christi Featuring Live Music Every Night! Genres include Texas country, rock, reggae, and of course blues! drrockitsbluesbar.com Elements Lounge & Nightclub 4223 S Alameda St, Corpus Christi Come experience an upscale dual venue that will leave you speechless!!!

Executive Surf Club 309 N. Water Street, Corpus Christi Live music and great food, what more could you ask for?!

Frontier Saloon 9709 Leopard Street Corpus Christi Live Texas Country Every Saturday Night!

Come watch your favorite NFL teams and NASCAR on our big screens!

Garage Bar & Grill 15013 Northwest Blvd, Corpus Christi Thursday night poker; Country and Southern Rock on the weekends!

Happy Daze Hookah Lounge 201 N Woodlawn, Alice TX Entertainment on the weekends!

Harrison's Landing 108 Peoples St T Head, Corpus Christi Where Corpus Christi Goes to Unwind!

House of Rock 511 Starr Street, Corpus Christi Great shows all month long!

As compiled by Tamma Hicks

Jamison’s Sports Pub 4528 Weber Rd, Corpus Christi Come watch the Cowboys and the Texans on our big screen TVs! Jack Ash’s Drinkery 4334 S Staples, Corpus Christi Live music every weekend! Come check us out!

Los Cabos 9601 South Padre Island Dr. in Flour Bluff, Corpus Christi Live music every weekend!

Molly McArdle's Irish Sports Bar 4201 McArdle Rd., Corpus Christi, TX 78411 Karaoke Bar, Sports Bar, Bar !

The Mug Room 5114 Carroll Lane, Corpus Christi We feature live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday!

Roper’s 4653 Everhart Rd, Corpus Christi DJs spinnin’ your favorite tunes all night long!

7 Brothers Saloon Highway 181, Normanna TX Live music! Don’t want to drive home? Stay in our RV Park!

South Texas Ice House 6601 Everhart Rd, Corpus Christi We now have live music on Fridays and Saturdays! Best burgers in town – Try one and you’ll see!

Sugar Shack 106 N Fulton Beach Rd, Fulton DJ/Karaoke on Thursdays and Live music on Fridays & Saturdays!

The Texan 3625 South Staples Street, Corpus Christi Live music is always free to bar patrons and the range of music is diverse, everything from punk to honky-tonk.

Theo’s Billiards 5815 Weber Rd, Corpus Christi Free pool every day until 7 pm!! Don’t miss DJ Dus on Illectronic Thursdays!

VFW Post 3837 12030 Leopard St in Northwest Corpus Christi Are you looking for a great room for your next event?

Give us a call!

Vick’s Place 7136 FM 666, Mathis Ice cold beer, live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and Jam sessions on Sundays!

Outta Bounds Sports Lounge 1402 Rodd Field Rd, Corpus Christi Texas Music Mondays and Fridays Rockin’ Locals! Football Season!

This is the place to go to see your team play!

Whiskey River Nightclub At the corner of Staples and Holly, Corpus Christi The party never ends at Whiskey River.

Free dance lessons every Tuesday!

The Office 1210 South 6th St., Kingsville, TX Live Music, pool, darts, and big screen TVs! Politics Bar 7426 S. Staples, Suite 215, Corpus Christi We're only hard to find the first time! Located behind the Whataburger and CVS near Yorktown and Staple.

Zeros Hard Rock Club 6327 McArdle Rd, Corpus Christi Like us on facebook and never miss a show! Facebook.com/ zeroshardrockclub

REVO Bar & Grill 3739 E Hwy 44, Alice Brand new and open 4pm to 2am!

Revolution Bar & Grill It’ll Do Saloon 2306 Airline Rd, Corpus Christi 4125 Gollihar Rd, Corpus Christi Featuring Clarissa Serna on TuesLive music every weekend! Come check us out! days!

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Tarpon Ice House 321 N. Alister, Port Aransas Live Music, 2 bars, pool, darts, big screen TVs, WIFI, and a beer garden!

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ENTERTAINMENT

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Writer’s Block

By Forrest Lee Jr.

Wish I’d Written That Song How many times have you said... why didn't I think of that? Or... man I wish I wrote that song.

This happens to me on a daily basis, sometimes several times an hour. I don't listen to the radio most of the time unless I'm driving. But when I do... there are always hundreds of ah dadgummit! I should have come up with that...

What's even worse is when you DID write it... and now you're hearing a version of "your" song on the radio. Granted the lyrics are changed ever so slightly and the tune is a bit different. But say you pitched you're song to a big publisher in Nashville...

6327 McArdle CC TX 36oz Big A$$ Beers $4 Check out all our shows: Facebook.com/ZerosRockClub

illa Van

Sug ar

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Scars Heal In Time

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next thing you know, you'r e watching some videos on the tube, and some bald guy in a baseball hat is singing it , and it says he wrote it in the final credits!

Furiously, you make accusations that this artist "stole" you're song and tell all you're Facebook friends. and everyone else who will listen, as you cry in your Lone Star, sitting at the bar.

We'll I've had this feeling many times, though I know there are probably 1000 other writers who had the EXACT same idea. And probably 100 of them who like the same chord structure. And at least 10 of them who live in Nashville... down to the one lucky bastard that got the baseball cap wearing singer to cut it. Oops... My bad... It says he wrote it himself. (I'm quietly laughing inside).

The thing to remember is that no matter what you think, chances are nobody "stole" you're song... Believe me, it does happen, but if you're worried about it, you'll never get anything cut. I've known several paranoid writers that will NEVER get a song cut because they are afraid that it's going to get ripped off. And the other thing to remember about this article... never accuse somebody of stealing you're song, even if you think it's true. Unless you have direct proof, this can come back to haunt you. Nobody will ever want to write with you, and publishers will never accept a song submission from a writer that says they had their songs stolen. Keep it to yourself... you will get over it.

Funny story, but I HAVE had my songs stolen. Blatantly... Many years ago I had written an album worth of songs, Metal and Grunge (before we called it that) for my band Equinox, (yeah that name had probably been used before as well). Anyway, a friend of mine moved to Seattle... next time I saw him, 'round about 1990, he brought a cassette tape over, and it was his new Continued on band named "A Rock And Roll Band” page 21 …(not very original). But as I looked

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Famous Music Tribute Is a Surfer’s Gift The Story Behind the South Texas Music Walk of Fame: Special to Steam Magazine

By Sue Donahoe Visit the WaterStreet Market in downtown Corpus Christi and you can stand on (or next to) Christopher Cross, Selena, Rosie Flores, Freddy Fender, The Reverend Horton Heat and dozens of other great Texas musicians. You can even lie down in the courtyard and pose next to the beautiful star of your favorite South Texas music maker.

Then slip into one of the fine restaurants on the block and raise a glass to your favorite “star” - and to the surfer who made it all happen.

Brad Lomax grew up in San Antonio and as soon as he could drive he began frequent treks to Corpus Christi and to Port Aransas so that he could surf. He worked his way through college waiting tables in a Houston seafood restaurant…and he found his calling. He loves to feed people. It gives him great joy to put delicious food in front of people. And he loves to surf.

So he left a potentially lucrative finance career in Houston, moved to Corpus, dove headfirst into debt and opened the WaterStreet Oyster Bar. The restaurant was an instant hit and weekends were always overcrowded so he opened a Mexican food restaurant on the same block. It failed. People came to WaterStreet for his fabulous seafood and there simply was no substitute. So he opened a sister restaurant, The WaterStreet Seafood Company. The two have identical menus – but the Seafood Company has a quieter atmosphere. Lomax married a Corpus girl, Liz, who handles all the esthetics for all their shops and restaurants and they raised their family on

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that block.

And he surfed.

He opened The Executive Surf Club with a menu of ice cold beer, shrimp baskets, and enormous burgers – to satisfy the appetites of hungry surfers. The club expanded, added a stage and began offering live music, mostly from local acts. Many of Texas’ legendary artists played their first Corpus gig at the Executive Surf Club (including Robert Earl Keen). It has been a highly respected venue for developing regional talent for decades.

In 2003 Lomax began planning the 20 year anniversary of the Water Street Oyster bar. He asked Surf Club Records manager Sue Donahoe to help him think of something permanent and special he could give to the City he loves.

Together they founded The South Texas Music Walk of Fame. This tribute honors Texas music makers, from San Antonio – south, with beautiful, ceramic tile stars. Each star is hand crafted by Aloe Tile. Currently 56 stars wander through the courtyard and over 90 are still on the list of possible, future honorees.

Anyone may nominate a South Texas Musician who meets all other criteria.

Inductees may be part of history or part of today, they may represent any genre of music, they must have provable, documented evidence of their contribution to the region’s music legacy, and Continued on 18 they must be good citizens. Nomina-

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Quick Read

35 DAYS

(Read time 0:47) / J. Michael Dolan

There’s only thirty-five days left in 2012. It’s time to lock yourself in the studio, bolt the office door, barricade your team inside the creative space and don't come out until it’s finished! Only allow food to come through the door and handwritten notes to come under it. Unplug the TV and block out the Net. Tell your friends and family to leave you alone—until you give them the green light.

from J Michael Dolan

When Procrastination suggests a “petty” to do list, flush it down the toilet!

When Distraction whispers “it’s time to check your email,” give him the finger!

When Doubt wants to turn and run the other way, “sprint” toward the finish line!

STEAM Magazine is proud to have J Michael Dolan as guest feature columnist.

He will inspire as well as give you something to think about. His stories maybe short, but we have always found them to be deep. This month’s focus is on working together - as they say work smarter, not harder!

ALL TOGETHER NOW

(Read time 1:03) / J. Michael Dolan

When I was the hot-shot, top dog, head honcho, know-it-all, smart-ass publisher at MCI, "proofreading" was everything. A few days before we launched a new publication, book, magazine or website, it was a frantic last ditch effort to "proof, proof, proof!" And then “proof” everything again...and again! The goal of course was to find every error before the deadline—found most, not all.

Therefore, I always appreciate it when someone sends me an email saying there's a problem with my site, a typo in my blog or a glitch in my email. Most don't do that because they assume that others will tell me or I'll find out soon enough—not true. After it’s launched, the best and only feedback comes from you, my crazy, genius readers.

What if your video, or music, or website (or product, or service) had a flaw or glitch? Wouldn't it be great if someone from your trusted tribe took a minute to send you a quick email pointing it out BEFORE it went too viral? As opposed to...well...saying nothing? (A good reason to keep growing your tribe.)

The President recently said, “We're all in this together," and love him or not, he’s right. Back in the day, if you noticed a typo or a glitch in someone’s website, or if a competitor or rival screwed up, it was easy to stand by and egoicly criticize or gloat, or simply not bother because we assumed “others” would point it out—or perhaps we just thought it wasn’t our place to say anything.

Now, with things being so transparent (which is a good thing), instead of assuming others will speak up or take care of it, we have a profound opportunity to raise our level of consciousness, kick our integrity up a notch and watch out for each other, because we really are in this together.

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A profound choice is now staring you right in the face: spend the last 35 days of this year “resisting,” OR, give it 200% and get your project/life/biz right where you want it by 12/31. You're an artist, an entrepreneur, this is the life you’ve chosen—honor your mission. Just put on your gloves, get in the ring, and come out swing’n!

“I could not finish the book I started. The closer I got to the end, the stronger the resistance...the more different ways I’d find to screw it up.” —Steven Pressfield, “The War Of Art.”

PLAY BIGGER

(Read time 0:17) / J. Michael Dolan

If you tell the truth, you’re probably playing too small. Don’t ask yourself, ask those around you. If you’ve really got the goods, they’ll tell you you’re very capable of playing a much bigger game. Fear keeps us in the small box—the comfort zone, where there are only limited options. Courage lifts us out of the box, where ALL possibilities exist.

No less scary, just more opportunity. Be courageous, up the ante.

Looking for more information and words of wisdom? look no further than…

ENTERTAINMENT

Www.jmichaeldolan.com

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EXECUTIVE SURF CLUB

309 N WATER STREET CORPUS CHRISTI TX 784001 361-884-SURF (7873) WWW.EXECUTIVESURFCLUB.COM

ECHO ECHO ECHO

...

December

Tuesday Nights: $2 Pint Wednesday Nights: Open Mic

Thursday Nights: Mixing It Up DJs and Live Music!

Friday Night: Live Music 7 Another Level 14 Bar Nutz 21 Flashback 28 Scarecrow People

Saturday Night: Live Music 1 Matt Hole & the Hot Rod Gang 8 The Weekenders 15 Brian Keane 22 Max Stalling 29 Aloha Dave & the Tourist

10% off Your order

No cash value. Expires 12/31/12

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R I’ve got to ask - “Reverend”?

Are you really a Reverend? Let me guess someone dared you, so you did it online.

M Well Rev Fred, y’all know him from Hobo, used to host the open mic at House of Rock before me. When I met him I had to ask if he was really a reverend, “yeah, of course,” and he told me what he did. I went home and looked it up and thought, “Cool. Why not,” so now I’m a reverend.

It’s cool, it’s fun, and it’s always a great question to answer.

R Tell me about Echo.

M There are three of us that have been playing together for about 8 years, but only actively gigging and writing songs for about 4 years as Echo. The core is a three piece (me on guitar and vocals, Roman Garza on guitar, and Cody Strong on drums), but recently we’ve added keyboards, Gary Graves, and bass guitar, Alex Hernandez. Actually, we didn’t have a bass player until we were recording and we just got so used to it that we had to have it. I classify us under psychedelic-rock, alternative rock, and metal.

R So if you’re writing and recording, does that mean there is a CD or two or three?

M Just one, ECHO. We released it on April 20 2012. It took us about a year to get it done. Some friends of ours have a studio, Compass Rose. We had been talking and recording some stuff with them for a while, when we finally got serious and decided to do a big project together. Jamie Del a Rosa and Ruben Estrada both engineered the CD and Loop Studios did the mastering.

R Did you guys use a lot of technology while recording?

Not techno stuff, but getting different sounds out of you do?

M No, not really. We haven’t really gone in to do that, but we’re talking about it for the next CD. Actually, there is one song that my brother did some chanting on and we recorded it over the phone because he was in San Antonio.

R That’s cool. Is it an Indian chant?

M No, actually it’s Japanese.

R I know you guys are all busy. You work at House of

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Rock (running sound, booking, and open mic). So how often are you guys doing shows and are you looking to tour?

M Yeah, we all are really busy outside of Echo and we used to play at least once a week and often two or three times. So we’ve been spreading them out a bit more and focusing on those gigs. And because we’re so busy getting a tour put together has been difficult. We have played all over CC, down to Kingsville, a bunch of the smaller towns in the area, and up to San Antonio.

R Are your shows all original?

M We do original, but every now-and-again we’ll throw out a cover or two and we improvise a lot. We have five covers that we do and lots of jam songs. We like to jam, it keeps the music fresh.

R So are you guys recording a second CD soon?

M Actually, we’re in the process of writing and developing new material now. We’ve been playing the songs from ECHO for so long that now we mess with them.

You know – same chords, same words, new sound. We just have fun with them, so now it’s time to get serious and move on. We should have a couple of the new songs ready for our next show with Peace and Quiet, glass in the Sky, The Fly Emirates, Resz, and the Micro-Phonics on December 28th at the House of Rock.

R Besides at your shows, where can people get your CD? M Right now it’s just Facebook.com and shows. We should be at CD Baby soon and I’m talking to a couple of the stores in town, but watch our Facebook for updates. We also have t-shirts done by Invision Graphics that you can get at our shows and Facebook.

Facebook.com/echocc Next show - 12/28 at the House of Rock

By Rusty Hicks

steamtx.com

B: Likes- Fans, jamming with the band, camaraderie with my band and others, good times, and the experiences. Dislikes- Lack of sleep. Boredom at times. The 30-15 minutes before show time... ask anybody that still gets excited to play...it's the worst.

M: Just for fun! Fill in the blanks...

Without music, I would be __ B: hunting and fishing more.

I write songs because __ B: I love it, it's my favorite thing to do and I do it almost daily.

Support live music because__ B: bands are nothing without fans.

Here's are Brian's upcoming shows: Dec 6 Brewster Street Icehouse - Corpus Christi Dec 7 The Tap - College Station Dec 20 Blue Moose Lodge - Hou-

Burke’s Chemistry 101 Brian Burke 's music is country with a contemporary sound all its own. His unique style and great stage presence means you can always count on having a good time at a Brian Burke Band show! His current single and title track is "Chemistry" from his recent EP release, Chemistry. I caught up with Brian and asked him a few questions...

M: How would you describe your music?

B: Original, heartfelt, stylistically- all my influences converging into my own unique style of country.

M: Who are your influences?

B: My influences are all over the board. From country artist from the 70's and 80's all the way to John Mayer and everywhere in between. I’m just a music nut in general and I take a little from everything.

M: When did you realize you wanted to pursue a career in music?

B: My parents said I knew every word to George Strait at the age of 2, got my first guitar around age 8, and wrote first original song at age 15 so...I'd say 2 years old. In all seriousness... music is my thing. I don't want to do anything else. Where and what I do with it is up to God. M: Where do you call home?

B: Dallas but born in Tyler, raised in Houston, college in College Station, then college in San Marcos, then Fort Worth and now Dallas. Austin is my next prospective home as of now. So I haven't missed too much of what Texas has to offer.

M: Do you have any favorite cities and venues you like to play?

B: Hurricance Harrys in College Station, Brewster Street in Corpus Christi, Texas Music Theatre –in San Marcos, and Wormy Dog in Oklahoma City. For the most part a venue is only as fun as you make it.

M: You have a favorite song you like to sing at live shows?

B: Usually whatever is newest. But no matter how the show is going...good or bad...when we get to “Dancin Tune" it's go time.

M: What do you like & dislike about being on the road?

vfw Post 3837

361-241-0600 12030 Leopard St NW CC TX 78410 Facebook.com/calallen-vfw-post-3837

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By Melba Burch

Upcoming Events

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11/30 Glen Mathews

and SweetFire

12/8 VFW Christmas Party with Allen Pollard

T Kaye

12/16 Toy Drive!! Toys for Tots!

12/21 Borderline Band

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Free Live Music Every Wednesday with Ray Crittendon Looking For a Hall For Your Next Event?

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tions can be made at Surf Club Records or by emailing the committee through sue.donahoe@att.net.

Freddy Fender cut the ribbon on the first six stars in June of 2004.

Each year an additional six stars are added and every ribbon cutting ceremony is filled with magic moments and golden photo opportunities. Always the first full weekend in June, the celebration includes concerts in the Executive Surf Club and events in Surf Club Records.

Surfing is now a part of the weekend’s events, because in 2005 Lomax found The surf board builders shop inside the a way to give still another wonderful gift to Corpus, he opened the Texas Texas Surf Museum.

Surf Museum. Located inside Surf Club Records, this amazing attraction is the only Surf Museum in all of Texas and can hold its own next to any surf museum in the world. Both attractions celebrate their birthday on the first weekend in June. Both are located just one block from the bay at 300 N. Water Street.

For information call Surf Club Records (361) 882-2364.

Corpus is lucky to have this surfer!

Steam Magazine will be featuring artists from the South Texas Music Walk of Fame in the next several issues. Readers will hear inside stories about rare, golden moments and will see interviews with many of those who’ve already been Rosie Flores & her Star, Taken from honored and with a few “still on the list”. And Steam Magazine will be the first Sue Donahoe’s book Never Heard of to announce the names of the 2013 Inductees! …so Watch This Space for ‘Em: Austin’s Music Explosion 1994-2000 STARS!

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I created “the turtle with the lantern” as an idea I have for a Children’s book about an old weathered turtle that roams the earth, and his shell is an intricate labyrinth of houses and caves. This turtle never stops and his light is always lit.

This turtle is a more polished version of me, because like everyone who wants to living in this world of evil and doubt, you always have to keep the Martin Molina continue thought of hope alive. Hope is the lantern and even though, for some moments of our life, our “lantern" may seem dim, we must always maintain its flame. The homes on the back of the turtle are the places where our memories, SLEEPY FACE (right) fantasies, and thoughts live. We never lose them, although sometimes we neglect them; they make 3-PIECE (below) us who we are. We can never stop our journey through life. We can never stop our struggle and the

By Martin Molina feeling that the lives of our families, our friends, and the world rests on our shoulders. These experiences that we have connect us all. Sometimes they make us feel a lot older than we actually are.

My studio is full of paintings and my mind is full of ideas. I am glad to be a part of something like Steam Magazine. I don't consider this opportunity as another notch in my belt; I consider it another member of the colony of accomplishments that will live forever in my shell. ~ Martin John Molina, 2012 Find more information and see more of his incredible work at martinmolinaart.com and Islander Art Gallery on Weber Rd.

THE TURTLE WITH THE LANTERN By Martin Molina

BIRTHDAY CARD SHARK By Martin Molina

WHEN HARE-E MET SHARKY, By Martin Molina

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Write’s Block Wish I’d Written It at the credits on his new tape he was so proud of, it said all songs written by this guy (I won't mention his name) but I wrote every one of them! And I had proof. Every kid in my high school had a copy of the original recordings of every song on his tape from 2 years earlier, from my band. I was so pissed off I can't even tell you what I wanted to do to this guy! Anyway, the songs never generated any income, and probably never will. But that did make me a bit gun shy about sending songs to a publisher... heck if a so called friend could rip me off, what's to stop a big company?

This is precisely the reason publisher don't accept unsolicited material. So next time you think you can just send a song to George Strait, remember that unless its requested... it will immediately be sorted and thrown in the trash bin from their mail room.

So the moral to this writers block is: 1. Don't block yourself from the chance of getting a song published. You can't win if you don't play the game. The risk involved is worth the reward, when somebody does cut your song.

2: If you believe you have a good song, and its perfect for a specific artist, ask permission to send it to them, their A&R rep, or producer.

3: And when you hear something on the radio that sounds just like a song you've written, remember there are only about 1000 other writers out there trying to write the same thing.

So there are 1000 other writers out there feeling exactly like you do. (I thought of it first doesn't apply).

4: Protect your investments, your songs. Before sending anything to anybody, make sure you e-mail an MP3 of your demo or work tape to yourself... And, ah, your mom. (My mom wants to have a copy of everything I write). It will make mom happy, and you'll have dated proof of when you wrote the song in the event that it does get pilfered.

5. Keep writing!

Hopefully this information will help you somehow.

Forrest Lee Jr & Rusty Hicks @ Clicks Paradise

Forrest Lee Jr is a singer/songwriter, guitarist, and producer in Nashville, TN. He co-manages Loretta Lynn’s Coal Miners Daughter Recording Studio. His songs have been released by several recording artists, and used in hundreds of films and TV shows.

www.ForrestLee.com

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t s a o C 3rd ie d o o F

By Tamma Hicks

Alan Kruger, Then & Now

It’s Too Big For The BOX!!!

So let me tell you about

Authentic New York Pizza

this amazing pizza and Italian meal 5838 S Staples, CC TX 78413 we had just the other day! As we were (361) 986-1151 driving up I tell Allene, “Look at the parking lot! It’s after lunch and the lot Join Us for Lunch and Dinner is still full! Mmm, this is going to be or Order to Go! good!” … When you walk through Tues-Thur 11am-8pm the door your senses are fully awakFri & Sat 11am-9pm ened – your nose going crazy with the wonderful aromas, your mouth waterSun 12pm-6pm ing as you watch Maria try to close Check Our Online Specials! the box around a pizza that is too big EatMorePizza.cc and for it, and your eyes become saucers as you think, “I want that!” Then you facebook.com/authenticnewyorkpizza eye catches Alan next to the pizza ovens tossing freshly made dough and you know it is going to be your pizza!

Mmm, so good!

Alan Kruger, along with wife/partner Maria, opened Authentic New York Pizza a year ago and has been busy ever since! Alan is an accomplished chef; European trained with 41-years of professional cooking experience on Long Island! Alan is first generation American; his mother was from Sicily Italy and his father, Bavaria Germany. What gets you though is his, and Maria’s, New York accent – It really gives you the feeling that once you’ve stepped through the door you’re not in Texas anymore!

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Another thing you notice is that Alan and Maria know so many of their customers, if not by their names by their orders! As people walk through the door, Maria is already writing tickets for the “usual”. One group of businessmen came in announcing they’d brought a “new regular” and assured the guy that he’d be a regular before he finished his meal. When they left, the “new guy” promised he’d be back with the family! And people aren’t just dining in but they are calling in for carry out… and they’re from all over the area – Corpus Christi, Orange Grove, Alice, even as far away as El Campo!

There is a sign on the wall that best describes Authentic New York Pizza: Good food, Good friends, Good times! As we sat down at our table we realized not just how friendly and hospitable the staff is, but the customers too. Alan and Maria walk through the dining room checking with customers and chatting like old friends, even if you are just meeting them for the first time – like us. Alan has set up a kids’ area with old school DVDs playing and games. It was like sitting at a big family get together! A gentleman we met at the table next to us, Fernando, told us that he comes in up to 5 times a week and has the fish which is a special not on the menu. All he Give us a call to book your tells Alan, “Surprise me” and that’s what he gets – an awesome, mouthmeeting, banquet, and watering, eye-popping dish! This time Holiday Parties! it was a baked fillet with mozzarella, spinach, olives, and lemon! I can’t tell 5838 S Staples, CC TX 78413 you how excited I was when Fernan(361) 986-1151 do offered me a sample!

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You never know who you’re going to run into at Authentic New York Pizza! Here’s Nate, Hobo Band, picking up a Sicilian pizza from Maria.

There are a few good pizza places in town, but none are artisan style and authentic New York like this. The difference, according to Alan, is Italian Buffet! in the dough! “It’s more like bread. I make it fresh and hand toss each one so the bottom is crusty with a bread ring that raises, not thick or thin crust – just the perfect medium. Then I add sauce, which I make every morning, and other toppings. Take the meat-lovers: I use my homemade sausage that has spices on the outside not just the inside, peperoni imported from Italy, my homemade meatballs, and full circles of Canadian Ham – it has more of smoked flavor than the bacon. And each pie is made by hand so even though you and the customer behind you order the same thing the pies may not look identical. Everything is made to order, even pizza-by-the-slice! That is artisan style Authentic New York Pizza!”

It’s very obvious that Alan and Maria Come Celebrate With Us! love what they do and you will too!

Thanks to everyone at La Playa Cafe for Authentic New York Pizza’s their generous hospitality and awesome 1-year Anniversary! cuisine.

Monday, December 10 Steam’s Menu: 5pm—8pm We had the lunch buffet: Fresh green 5838 S Staples, CC TX 78413 salad, Chicken fried steak in Alfredo (361) 986-1151 sauce, Homemade sweet Italian sausage in marinara sauce, Chicken caciatore, Homemade hot Italian sausage in marinara sauce, Herb roasted chicken, Eggplant parmesan, dessert, and a drink. All for just 7.95, including tax!

We also couldn’t resist taking a meat-lovers pizza to go! And it really was…

Too Big For the Box!!

Authentic New York Pizza has the perfect room for

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LOCAL ARTISTS MUSICIANS WRITERS

RoseHill

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Martin Molina CHOPSTICKS TAKE PRACTICE (right) SIBLINGS HAVE A NNIGHTMARE (left)

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Never Heard of 'Em: Austin's

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by Sue Donahoe

Reviews: CD/Show/Book

I came across HOBO’s latest live album, Live at Billy’s Ice, recorded at a show in New Braunfels early last year. I have to say that this album is simply a live recording of HOBO doing what they do best. If you have never heard of HOBO then you need to add that to your to-do list and cross it off as soon as possible. HOBO has become a Corpus Christi staple and they are hard to miss. Their “honkadelic” sound is a footstomping mix between folk, rock, blues, and country. They sing about anything from cold beer to the ghost of a dead dog and they sing it well.

These gentlemen are not weekend warriors when it comes to performing. You can catch them on the fourth Wednesday of every month at the “Hump Day Hot Dog Hootenanny” at the House of Rock for free hot dogs and a great show.

You might have heard them playing on the “HOBO Express,” the DTown Tram that takes art lovers from place to place during the monthly ArtWalk throughout downtown Corpus. They also frequent the Executive Surf Club, Billy’s Ice, and plenty of other fine establishments in South Texas. They even played a concert for the students at Dawson Elementary and have been known to play a house party or two.

What sets HOBO apart from so many other bands is that they don’t try to “rock,” and their shows don’t need to be “epic.” They offer a simple and fun time with no frills—they don’t need gimmicks. HOBO is hilarious, the music is rough-around-the-edges greatness, and they might even offer a true insight or two. Live at Billy’s Ice is a perfect example of what they do every time they play. “Huisache” makes me laugh every time I hear it, “Old Tomatoes” has a very dark humor reminiscent of satirical piano player Tom Lehrer, and “Time, Love, Money” is about a truth that all lovers need to hear every now and then. If you have ever seen HOBO live then you will really like Live at Billy’s Ice, and if you haven’t then check it out anyway.

Available at: Surf Club Records in Corpus Christi (in store and online), facebook.com/txhobo, texashobo.bandcamp.com, txhobo.podomatic.com, myspaace.com/texashobo

Music Explosion 1994-2000

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It seems that I often start off talking about being from Seattle or the Pacific Northwest, so as for no surprise, here I go again… Being from Seattle, born and raised, I thought that’s where music started and ends. Look at all the great artists we had – Jimi Hendrix, Heart, Ray Charles, Alice in Chains, just to name a very few – but since moving to Corpus Christi I have found that Seattle is just a rainbow over the very broad landscape of the ever changing music scene. And that is why I picked up Never Heard of ‘Em: Austin’s Music Explosion, 1994 – 2000 by Sue Donahoe.

As we all know history is written by the winners, the guys that finish first, and the ones you hear on the radio. It forgets about all the people that work so hard to be one of those guys but never quite make it to the top. Fortunately for them, and us, there is Sue with all her memories, writings, and photos to take us on a journey down 6th Street and other Austin highlights as well as getting to know these hard working musicians. Never Heard of ‘Em is such a fun read! Sue and, her late husband, Mike’s adventures with Local Flavor, their shop on 5th Street because no one on 6th Street wanted to take a chance on ‘em, had me giggling out loud. Then while reading about the in-store performances at Local Flavor, all I could think was, “Where did they put ’em?” Anyway, this book is loaded with pictures, magazine articles, and bios documenting six exciting years in Austin’s music scene. And Sue was right, I’ve never heard of most of ‘em. — Tamma Hicks

Sue Donahoe, July 2012 Book Release

Available at: neverheardofem.com, Surf Club Records in Corpus Christi, facebook.com/never-heard-of-em, and of course in San Antonio and Austin!

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Open Every Day 4pm—2am

FR N IER SAL N

9709 Leopard St. Corpus Christi

78410

361-241-3969

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Entertainment Line-Up

1st Hobo / 8th Borderline Band / 15th Johnny Kiser 22th Mikey Rivera Jr / 29th Johnson Grass Karaoke Every Thursday hosted by Holly Adams

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