There but for the grace of God go !....

How I came across this I cannot remember. I guess I was doing a websearch for the "Memluks" a standard variety prog-art-rock band that I used to go see in my hometown of Norman OK. Someone asked me if I knew where those fellows had ended up, but I was too young to "hang out" with the cool people back then and was of little use to him.

I did however find this fascinating profile from the Norman Transcript about a local punk rock scenester which brought back quite a few memories. I remember Terry Kim quite well. A complex character to put it mildly, but a constistant running buddy in a very small scene of music fans. (The lead singer of Death Puppy was my room mate, and I ran the Flaming Lips sound sytem for most of the punk rock touring acts he mentions.) I too was too young to get into the Boomer. I too had a radio show at KGOU, co-host of "Roots, Rock, Reggae." It seemed like we had the coolest little fiefdom of hip languishing in conservative middle America. At least for a while.

The major difference between me and Terry however is that I split town as soon as I could. I've told lots of folks that I had it pretty good there and if I hadn't had taken the chance I did to strike out elsewhere, this guy here could easily be me:

Story By Tami Watson
Transcript Entertainment Editor

Those who’ve been a part of the metro music scene over the past 20 years or so probably know Terry “TK” Kim as a musician, renegade radio host and musical connoisseur du jour.

Those who haven’t been around so long might recognize him as the always extraordinarily dressed door guy at the Deli on Campus Corner, an American Spirit filtered cigarette in one hand and a Fosters beer in the other.

Old friends, new friends and others “with style and distinction” are invited to stop by the Deli, 309 White St., after 10:30 p.m. tonight to wish Kim well before he leaves Norman for good and heads north to Colorado.

“Chez TK’s Martini Lounge,” a formal affair, will feature musical guest Lord High Octane and the Reclining Reptiles, a group that consists of Kim, Ryan Jones and Mike Byars. Formal attire is requested, and a $5 cover will be taken at the door.

“What we have planned is a freestyle lounge act incorporating the styles of George Shearing and the Jackie Gleason orchestra and with a paying of respect to the great crooners and lounge acts of the 20th century,” Kim explained. “Hopefully, we may have an impromptu of Winchester 73 featuring Michael Hosty.”

Kim said he chose the name “Chez TK” because it means “the house of TK.” The Deli was always a place he enjoyed, and over the years, it became a home to him.

“People from near and far could go there and find me,” he said.

The decision to recreate “Norman’s Only Five Star Dive” into a hip, martini lounge comes from Kim’s desire to show patrons that T-shirts and Birkenstocks aren’t all the fashion world has to offer. “I guess I’m just a black-and-white movie romantic. I think that when people look nice, they generally act nice. Plus, I believe that grunge-hippy thing has been run into the ground,” he said. “Why not give people the chance to look good and wear the clothes that gather dust?

“ When you work the door, you notice that when people go out, the ladies generally look nice, but then their dates look like refugees from an inner city basketball game,” he added. “I wanted to give the guys a chance to look good for the ladies. And gents, it helps.”

Kim grew up in Norman in the ’70s and ’80s, when bands like Iggy Pop, the Specials, the Cramps and the Buzzcocks played the now defunct Boomer Theatre.

“I was too young to get in, and my pops made sure I stayed home at night for the most part, but the first show I really remember was the Insect Lounge benefit show in ’82,” Kim said. “It featured a lot of local acts like the Memluks, I still have three copies of their record, and the Los Reactors, a new wave band out T-town, just to mention a few. The headliner was the Red Rockers.”

Kim said the KCSC alternative radio show soon went off the air, however, after Crazy Dave and the Uh-Ohs commandeered the stage and played until someone unplugged them.

At the University of Oklahoma’s KGOU, things were looking good.

“It was turning into radio free Norman, and music from all over the spectrum could be heard. People like Kirk Philmore and Jon Mooneyham had radio shows like Fear of Music and Being Boiled, which featured the cutting edge of music,” Kim said. “Soon after, Dave Fallis had a punk/hardcore show called My Tunnel, which I dee-jayed while I was going to Norman High. It was a good time for Norman. All kinds of bands played here — the Misfits, the Minutemen, Crucifix, Husker Du, the Rev. Horton Heat, Sonic Youth, Black Flag, Bad Brains — I mean a ‘who’s who’ of alternative music.” Looking back on all the musical memories, Kim said if he could resurrect a former Norman band, it’d have to be Death Puppy.

“That’s a loaded question, I must say,” he said. “For myself, I would have to say Death Puppy, because I wish I coulde see a lot of those guys today.” As for why he’s decided to leave Norman behind after all these years, Kim decided to “plead the fifth.” He did admit, however, why he stuck around so long.

“This is where I grew up. You have a certain attachment to the dirt in which you played,” he said. “Norman, despite the unrelenting clutch of corporate greed, is a great place to make friends and memories. The university atmosphere plays a great role in that. It’s like a “Cheers” environment, a one-horse town, everybody knows your name and genuinely cares about who you are. That has a great attraction for staying around. Some refer to it as a black hole — the easy-going lifestyle just sucks you in.”

Not quite teary-eyed, Kim did admit he will miss some things about Norman.
“No question. The people. I’ve traveled all over this great and vast country of ours, and I’ve yet to meet the concentration and caliber of the folks that I’ve met here — Hosty Duo/Solo ... Hosty kills me, Stoney and Travis every Monday, the Resident crew, the smoothness of Clave ... all the great music and musicians that I have had the pleasure to have met,” he said. “That should speak for itself, and I shall miss it.”

Kim said there are a few other things he’d like to say before getting the heck out of dodge, but he’d rather not spend his last few night’s in Norman in the Cleveland County cage. He also sends a shout out to those who helped shaped him into the person he is today: Ruth and Kirt of Rainbow/Shadowplay Records; the Emylyn crew; the Deli crew; Don Josepe; Papa Toto; and Joe Walden.

Although he won’t be around to see what the future holds for the town that means so much to him, Kim knows what he’d like to see happen. “I feel that Norman has such a great opportunity to become the next big music scent with all the talent, but it doesn’t have a chance to grow,” he said. “There will never be another show at the Boomer. By the way, take the historical marker off. What a joke. Campus space is being used for blood banks and churches. It has to be the weakest college town I’ve been to.“Yet, it rocks,” he added. It carries the spirit of individuality and character. And for these things, I raise my glass high and say, God’s speed, fellow Normanites. See you at the finish line.”

Youngers of Zion on the Road

I'll be headed up to upstate NY this weekend to play a wedding in Woodstock NY and then the Cantor's Assembly annual meeting at the Hudson Valley Resort, the same place that Klez Kamp his held now.

I just mention it as an excuse to show this picture of the band.

You should buy the CD if you don't already have it. It's really, really good.

Don Walser's health failing fast...

They've sent Mr. Walser home from hospice to be closer to his family this week. He's lucid and quite happy to see visitors.

So if you, like me, owe the man a personal debt I'd recommend stopping in and saying goodbye. If you can't make it in person, call Mrs. Walser if you like at 512-441-9442.

Otherwise it will have to wait till we all get to Glory.

Race relations in America.

They suck.

In my own childhood experience here in the good ol' USA, heartland Oklahoma in fact, I've been "restricted" from entry into a Golf Club, a DeMolay Chapter and even the civic swimming pool (yup, no foolin'., 1974, Stillwater OK.) . And that was simply for not being a Christian. At least I'm fair of skin tone and can pass for white as I choose.

My first out in the open race hatred came not as a Jew, but as a gypsy in fact. I spent 2 weeks touring Austria, Hungary and Serbia with the mightily dark skinned rroma brass band Boban Marcovic Orkestar. There, and simply by dint of association, I was presented little to no service in restaurants and the worst rooms in the hotel. A consistent if not benign hatred. (Think being black in Alabama in say, 1961.)

Just this last week I had the great privilege or performing with 'kosher" Gospel superstar Joshua Nelson in LA. I guess I should mention he and the majority of his band are 'colored" as he likes to say. He and his band are top-flight musicians with a deportment of impeccable professionalism both offstage and on. It was a great honor for me to be asked to come play bass for him.

However, watching him continuously having to explain his Jewish upbringing and practice over and over again was pretty damn tiring, seeing especially as the quizzing came almost entirely from fellow Jews, who in fact should know better. Worse still was the openly suspicious gaze that my traveling companions were constantly followed by while shopping up and down the public street. Black folks are probably used to such open scrutiny by now. But by golly, I'm not and it's a fairly sad statement on our society as a whole that any segment of our citizenry should be exposed in that way.

Makes me pause to consider my own stupid prejudices and how they affect the world around me.

Might ought to consider doing the same.

Refugio "Kookie" Martinez RIP

I am saddened to learn of the passing of seminal Tex-Mex drummer Kookie Martinez. I had worked with him for many years when I was a member of Santiago Jimenez, Jr's conjunto and was always suprised and impressed by his rock steady timing and ultra-tastefull fills.

Almost never credited in his many years of recording with both Flaco and Santiago Jr. Jimenez among others, his singular playing style set the standard for the genre. With his snapping 'popcorn" pop of the the snare and the "box of rocks kicked down the stars" tom fills, Kookie's personal style is what you emulated when you wanted a "Tex-Mex" conjunto feel.

Bassist JJ Barerra took over my chair in the band for the last few years and he adds these comments:

"Drummer extraordinaire Refugio Rufus "Kookie" Martinez from San Antonio passed away last night (03/31/06).

Kookie had contracted pneumonia over a year ago and it was a constant battle for him I don't know much of the details (time of death, rosary, burial) but will be finding out. He was one of the best Conjunto drummers I have had the pleasure to play with.

He had a style and technique that was unmistakable. He didn't like to play Huapangos, but after performing one I would call him 'Kookie monster' for the tremendous job he did in . Kookie played with Jimenez brothers Flaco and Santiago Jr throughout his career. I remember we played together with 'Chief' at the Continental Club a few years back in Austin,TX and there would always be drummers (blues, rock n' roll) there watching him intently.

Kookie' had 2 nicknames, the other being 'Rufus'. Many Mexican-Americans go by shortened versions of their names or pick-up some nickname from their relatives or friends. Joking around on stage he would refer to me as "el padrecito" (the priest) in turn I would sarcastically respond with... yeah, right! I guess the way I dressed or something made him think I looked like a priest. Haha

Kookie was one of the kindest and soft spoken gentlemen on this planet, with the eyes of a hawk that would pierce to your soul. Oh, and if you have a chance ask Rabbit (longtime bajo sexto player and bandmate) to tell you a funny story about how Kookie told him how he knew Santiago's every move which clued him the direction the songs would take.

Kookie got this name because, according to his wife 'Mona' ( Ramona)... "It comes from the fact that he was born on July 4,1936 and his real name was Refugio." But, how does the term Kookie enter into this? "From what I understand, in order to communicate with non-Spanish speakers the name Refugio morphs into 'Rufus'. And because of the combination of all these 'odd' factors (including that he was a Mexican-American born on Independence Day of U.S.A.) in turn it becomes kooky or kookie. It continues to 'snowball' in that he was also referred to as 'Kookie Monster', a term of endearment... not only in reference to PBS television character Cookie Monster in 'Sesame Street' but to the tremendous talent of his drumming style. 'Güero' Polkas of KEDA 1540 Radio Jalapeño has been announcing his death and referring to Rufus as 'Kookie Monster'.

Anyway, could you help Mona out by mentioning in your newspaper and emails to the community at large that, because Kookie was ill for such a long time and was short on insurance coverage, she will need monetary relief at least for the funeral services. She was at his hospital bedside for a year and a half. When I spoke to her today she said she was still about $800.00 short and was going to have to come up with the rest of it somehow.

Contributions can be sent to:
Ramona Martinez
211 Paramount
San Antonio, TX 78228
(210)435-5910"

Kookie always told me" You ever need a drummer, you just pay my gas money and beer and I'll be there." I never did take him up on his offer, but hopefully he's keeping a cold one for me when we meet again.

Adios muchacho...

The "press" had rediscovered me, evidently...

Now I play the role of "wisened Music scene veteran."

From the University of Texas' "Daily Texan." (Page 2...)

Putting the "Fun" back in Funeral...

So last weekend I was hired by my pal Tommy Griffith to meet him at the old Lutheran Cemetary in Coupland TX for a funeral gig. One of the mourners had a video camera and a great website so go here and see and hear the whole event, (Processional and Recessional have the music.)

After the ceremony, we all headed over to the Coupland Inn where we ate BBQ and played red hot Dixieland jazz for the friends and family. I didn't know the lady, but she must have been a heck of a gal, judging by her kin folk and the way she requested to be remembered.

For the record, this is how I'd like to sent off.

Mark moonlights as a Klezmatic....

Sorry for the late post, but this link just came to my attention.

When my buds the Klezmatics came to town to perform at SXSW, they drug me down to KUT Radio to help them play a set of tunes from thier new as-yet-unreleased CD project of Woody Guthrie tunes, with Irish vocalist Susan McKuean and Demolition String band's guitarist/banjo man Boo R. (I ain't seen him since they opened up for Bad Livers last NYC gig in 1999!) I played electric bass on a few tunes, where you hear Paul Morisett on tsimbl, and guitar on the last number.

Frank and Lorin tell the story of the material and we play through quite a few numbers. You can listen using RealPlayer here.(Scroll down to March 17 "Klezmatics.") Host John Ailei usualllly only has musical guest on for 30 minutes, but he kept them on for nearly 45, heaping effusive praise on the music. "I predict you all have an incredible win on your hands.." he exclaimed.

After the radio gig and copious plates of enchiladas, we all headed down to the SXSW job site and played an inspired set featuring guest vocals from Billy Bragg. People were flipping out, it was just so good a show.

Man, I gotta tell ya. I am REALLY excited about this new CD. Frank played me quite a few rough tracks from it and I predict it's a real winner. The klezmer police are not going to "get" it I'll wager, but I'm here to tell you neighbors, it's a great, great CD and portends great things for the band. They've gone from being the best jewish music band in the business to simply being one of the best bands period out there working today. Dare I say they could be a "Jewish" Los Lobos in that respect; a band that studied, mastered and then expanded a traditional music form who after 20 years of playing together then turn a corner and go on to make just great music. This material and the new CD seems to point in that direction.

Now, I ain't in the band or anything. But I'd drop everything to go play these tunes. No foolin'

Folkways 4/8/6

I'll be hosting KUT Radio's "Folkways" 10am-1pm this Saturday.
You can listen online here.

(Here's a playlist of what I played.)

Then it's off to Moravia, TX to play with Mark Halata at our annual visit to his old home town. We'll be playing the old Moravia Country Store at the intersection of FM 957 and 532 starting around 8pm until....

See you there maybe. (150 folks did and we had a fine time. Brought home some pickles as well..)

Austin Against War March, 3/18/05

I had the honor of putting together a marching band to lead the Austin Against War annual march, this year noting the 3rd anniversary of of the US Invasion of Iraq.

You can see some nice photos of the ad-hoc band here on the American-Statesman's photo archive. The first pic made the cover of the Metro section, above the fold. (Note trumpeter Oliver Steck decked out in swimming trunks and goggles for the event.)

1st Post Katrina Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Krewe of Tucks Parade

Here's a photo play of Panorama Brass Band's participation in the 2006 Krewe of Tucks Parade, 2/25/06, New Orleans LA.

Seen from the trailer prior to lining up for the parade. Yeah, man!

Here's the trailer we played on. We had 11 players on the date. For some reason, the NOPD had forbidden brass bands from marching and informed us we must play on a trailer. 

(From what we could tell afterwards, it was to speed up the parade so that the over worked, stressed out Police force wouldn't have to go into overtime. In a few short days all those cops, along with firemen and EMTs are going to be kicked out of their FEMA provided homes, not knowing where they will be sleeping.)

Scene from the trailer. Not as well attended as last year from what I could tell.

Here's Ja-Ja from Montreal on trombone and great vibes. She's the only member who looks fetching in the uniform Orange/Blue combo. Note the locals on their ladders, most of which are replacement new and not as festively decorated like usual.



I have no idea who took this pic, but here leader Ben Schenck and fellow tenor horn man Don Godwin are wailing through a fabulous Serbian numbner called "Romski Cocek" while we tool down Canal Street. Wild!

Yes, my tuba has shrunk. Now it's a tenor horn, and quite a loud one too.

That's the very capable Jon Gross on Sousaphone behind me.

The parade is over now, and we're headed back uptown.

This burned out house is right off I-10 in fact. We kept playing as we went down Magazine, in the pouring rain as it turned out, for the folks shopping the very few stores still open there.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans, pt.1

Shame, shame, shame.

We are to be ashamed of oursleves. As a nation. As a people. Shamefull and pathetic. It's all I can think about upon my return from New Orleans. I could have filled my camera with pictures like this, but frankly I was too ashamed to do so.




Six months on and this is the scene, 2 blocks off Canal, just off the parade route.

My instruments make the cover...

So me or my music may be ignored here locally, but a nice photo some of my instruments got on the cover of XLent Magazine in a story about the Folk Alliance Conference. That's my fiddle and Vega tenor banjo. I helps provide the bass (Violins, Etc.) and the button accordion (Don Leady.) I'm in good company with a Collings guitar and an Ellis mandolin, either worth more than all the other instruments combined.

More on the conference later...