Feb 29: Duckhorn Tavern

Here we go again. Time to be crazy. Our futile attempt to make everyone forget about their troubles for a few hours. I'm listening to Marvin Gaye's album "What's going on" and I'm blown away how it soothes me better than any drink, drug, or living thing. I hope to have the healing powers as he does tonight. I've already learned that our set up is being delayed to the venue being rented out for another event. Hope they don't mind a late start but I'm jonzing to play tonight. So I guess it's gonna be another unknown comedy show again. Without warning we've got a comic show happening between our sets. The room was being used until 9:30 so I have no idea how we're supposed to pull off this crowded room set up. Our production people were a bit disgruntled having to operate in another crowded room. Can't say I don't blame them. At least we've got a crowd already so maybe tonight we will be off to a nice start. The last comedian died a horrible death. His jokes went over live a fart in church. Poor dude.

However, when we hit the stage the place was on fire. The room was packed with people watching and dancing. This cat(I think his name is Larry) brought out a table full of friends to come see us. He even sported a little bling and a seriously pimp'n ass hat. I've got nothing but love for anyone who is down for the team. It was so nice to have a good vibe around me tonight. This is one of those nights that I don't want to end because I don't want to fall back into the darkness of "normal" life. I guess the reality for me is that if I don't get my dose of limelight I'm incomplete. Sad ain't it? Not for one a minute. My life is pretty damn cool!

Magz
Dyfunkshun Junkshun
www.funkparty.com

Feb 27: Buddy Miles - R.I.P

While surfing the web I was once again kicked in the nadz of reality that I must be getting old. Another one of my musical influences has crossed over today at the age of 60. Best known for his work with Jimmi Hendrix and the Band of Gypsy’s, I first heard him sing the song “Changes” on the live Band of Gypsy’s album. The group's lone self-titled album chronicled a New Year's Eve 1969/1970 concert at New York's Fillmore East, and is hailed as one of the best live albums ever. To anyone who reads this journal, check out a copy of the Filmore East album and see if it inspires you to open your mind

As it’s done for me on so many lonely drives home after a show. Rest in peace, Buddy!



Magz

Dysfunkshun Junkshun
www.funkparty.com

Feb 22: Lubbock, A Long-Ass Drive

So we packed the family in a rented 12 passenger van for the seven hour drive to Lubbock. As I walk out of the house to the van I realize that the gray-haired bitch that I call winter is still around because it's cold out here! We all took a day off from the job so we can make the trip. We're all loaded up and it's 8am... 8:30... 9:00.. C'mon, Junior! This one of the first times in a long time we've all traveled together. It's amazing. No fights, arguments, or disagreements. The family is a peaceful one. Or maybe we're all told not to let ego get in the way of the task at hand. Either way it's nice and quiet, and a bonding experience for us all. Some of the cats who usually ride in the "Smoking" car got to experience Big K's skilled driving ability, "Oh man, it's the wind!"

Along the way we stopped in Brownswood to grab some grub. Good old fashioned country food at a place called Underwoods. Haven't seen one of these in a long time. By the looks we're getting from the staff they ain't accustomed to seeing colored people as customers. We have so much time to gaze at the landscape then suddenly we're looking at the giant wind turbines. These things are huge.

After 7 hours we've finally made it, let's see what there is to do in Lubbock ...nothing! I guess they likes it that way. I did stumble upon the Buddy Holly memorial and a monument honoring Waylon Jennings. Two West-Texas greats. Outside of that, all we did was lay around at the venue. It was on the 14th floor of a bank and you could see forever in this vast flatland. That's all we did tonight. The gala ran way overboard so we helped ourselves to the open bar over and over. We may have played an hour and a half total tonight to maybe 15 people. After it was over we signed a few autographs (I still get surprised when someone asks but hey, I'm honored). Maybe they wanted to get the signature of the brotha who made it up to the 14th floor with out the cops chasing him. After that we went to the hotel and crashed. I know, boring! When I woke I didn't even feel as if I played at all. What a pity. Well, I guess every night can't be an off the chain party.

The only thing to do on the ride home is look at the vast open cotton fields. Somebody's getting paid. At least I have time to listen the iPod and check out some really cool videos. I never get much time to sit and enjoy some music so this is a real treat. Check next week's journal. Maybe somebody will drunk and naked, besides me!

Magz
Dyfunkshun Junkshun
www.funkparty.com

Feb 16: Pignettis, Killeen

I'll be referring to tonight as the official Brother Magnum Jubilee! I will be celebrating my birthday tonight because the day of my birthday we happened to be off. Don't worry my people. All of the naked debauchery one could ever imagined took place on my birthday (and boy was it wild!) so I don't want you to think I'm getting old or anything.




But to me the ultimate measure of celebration takes place on stage since that's where I call home. Now unknown to us they had a comedy show get the crowd warmed up for us. Nice to know these things in advance. These cat's were funny but a bit cruel for bar patrons who came to see a band. I tried my best not to laugh at people who paid money to see us but some of it was just so damn funny I couldn't help myself.


Truth be told, I'm more interested in Gooch's hand shadow show. "Can I see a show of hands?!" This way no one gets offended and he never uses the "N" word (No band tab). Enough of that already.






We're sounding tighter than ever lately. It feels like putting on my favorite shoes whenever we play. Just comfortable. One thing about this town Killeen (or at least this club) is that the women are mad wild! Everyone wants to buy us drinks all night. I'm grown enough not to drink them all because I'd be down for the count for sure.



At the end of the night the bar manager grabbed my wireless mic off the stand when I wasn't paying attention and convinced the whole club to sing happy birthday to me. As corny as it was I was still blushing. Or maybe it was the tequila? I don't know if that was the case but what I do know is tonight was cool.

Now where were you again?

Magz
Dyfunkshun Junkshun
www.funkparty.com

Feb 11: Somebody say "Movie Star?"

Just shot an interview for a national film series documentary about the Austin Music scene and how it’s changed due to the economic influence. I had so much to say but never really got around to saying much due to a few technical problems and my own self-censorship. It’s too easy to say one thing and it winds up being misinterpreted in the edit. Not that I’m one to hold back when someone asks me about something I’m really passionate about. I just never got around to it.

Austin was so cool at one time but the economic corporate influence really jacked this city up because so many cool music venues are dying due to increased rent and large corporate interest. Not that it’s a bad thing but I wish he had a better balance. I do my best to support places like Ray Hennings Heart of Texas Music and South Austin Music. I buy lot’s of equipment from these guys because they’ve always treated me like a friend more than a number. Those are the types of things I really wanted to say in the interview but never got that deep into it. I asked to come back a talk more about the austin music scene and I hope they have me back. Anyhow, I watched some of the documentary and it’s awesome. I can’t wait to see the final edit.

More on this later, peeps!

Magz

Feb 9: UT Sorority Bash

Alright! It's Saturday night and I really need an attitude adjustment. I feel like I need a bath in some tranquility water. Everything around me is irritating the hell out of me. Maybe tonight's show will shake off these blues. Tonight we're another University Sorority formal. Should be interesting. Everyone else seems to be dragging today as well. Maybe it's in the air. Well enough on that. As always, a few laughs with the boys and I'm feeling like my old self again. In true college spirit everyone showed up late so I had my way with the nut bowl (now that didn't sound right). We sat for an hour and ate the cashews out of the bowls on the table. Ain't no way in hell I'll eat after a bunch of frat kids because lord knows where those dirty little hands have been. I was stoked to find this plastic rat that wound up on my pedal bag in Galveston at Mardi gras. Let's see how long he lasts before I lose him. They all seemed to arrive at one time and most of them were feeling no pain. They would walk up to me and scream in my face, "AHHHHHHHHHH!!! Dysfunkshun Junkshun! We love you guys!!!!" As much as I love that I couldn't seem to handle that tonight. Once we played they hit the dance floor and continued partying. Two songs later was followed by a drunken sorority girl on stage gyrating and trying to sing in my microphone. I let her have her fun but decided after hearing her scream another off chorus song in my ear it's time for her to go. It was strange tonight because they all seemed so much more reserved than they were in the past. Almost as if it's cool to wear a bow tie and be a conservative. Some of them actually dressed like Tucker Carlson. Ya know, that ass-hat conservative dude? What dicks! Some of the young republicans must have borrowed Daddy's Texas Flag vest ... I guess we're getting old because we were getting really irritated tonight with every antic they pulled. The band was much too sobre to even laugh. It's one of those Circle-Of-Life kinda things ... I'm sure I was drunk and out of control when I was a college freshman. Hell, I'm drunk and out of control while I'm writing this.

And the official count of how many girls fell over the monitors and onto the stage: 8

Magz
Dyfunkshun Junkshun
www.funkparty.com

Feb 8: Merkaba

The week end has arrived and it's time to make the doughnuts. Another dark, dismal stage. How 'bout some lights Big K? This is beginning to Look like my bedroom lately. Dark and empty but ya never know what to expect. Tonight my wish was granted. We had an enthusiastic hard partying group of dancing people. We all were in great spirits and most of us were still draped in Mardi gras spirit with lot's of beads.
Canning Thursday night at the Belmont was a damn good idea for this band. We're in better shape when the week end arrives. Hook was dressed like a disco chef and we had dancing girls in our face all night. We saw lot's of familiar faces and we were paid cash out the door.

This night felt good people! Gimme more.


Magz
Dyfunkshun Junkshun
www.funkparty.com

Feb 2: Mardis Gras !!

On the road to Galveston today to play a Mardi Gras celebration. It will be our third time playing this event. I just love this show. I knew things were off to a great start when I stopped to grab some hot tea at Starbucks and ran into no other than Larry the coffee guy. If you watched my video on blog on youtube you know who I'm talking about. He always puts a big smile on my face with his humor. The sun is shining and the tea was free so again I give a "Big Up's" to Larry the coffee dude.

Now the drive to Houston was a pure tension-filled, wrong-exiting, massive toll-fee-paying, headache-causing pain in the ass! By the time we made it to sound check I was ready to go off the deep end. I could really use a few moments of peace and tranquility. But this is Mardi Gras, so that's not going to happen. I want for a walk walk down the street where the parade is but this year it's been re-routed. Last year they charged $20 just to walk down the street where the beads were but this year it's free. How kind. Without the funding they've cut back on the vendors and entertainment. It looks much more hometown this year. Ya know, boring? I guess that's good if you live here but I want the big scene baby. It was weird this year. You walked down the street and stood under balconies of fat people who threw beads at you like you were a monkey in a zoo begging for peanuts. It looked like a metaphor for what this countries becoming. I had enough of that action, or lack of action. They even made flashing for beads a crime. WTF?

So back at the venue we were treated with open bar and open food privileges. Believe it or not, some people want to stick you in a small room as not to mingle with the royalty and give you peasant food. Not these people! They treated us like rock stars all night. Now these two cats had to get love from me because the entire night they shucked and fried oysters...for eight hours straight. ! That's a shucking long time but Damn, they were tasty! Next year, I'll make sure Waiter #1 either opens his eyes or smiles!!

I took so many pictures with so many people. It felt good that they wanted to make the band part of their memory of a big night. Showtime was off the chain because our full sound system coupled with some extra lighting made us look bigger than life. And tonight we were. We hit hard and we hit them repeatedly. They've already said they want us back next year so I have every intention of making next year's show into a beer-drinking, oyster-swallowing, bead-grabbing, wind-breaking experience for all. I bet you wanna be there too? That's Right, Son!

St. Magnum
Dyfunkshun Junkshun
www.funkparty.com