Cover Songs

Throughout my music career, I have rarely played covers.  I would learn a song or two as practice, but I have always been one to perform my own music on stage.  Not that my songs are better, I just would rather focus on my own material / the band's material.  I can count on one hand - the covers I have played at gigs with various bands over the past 15 years.  (1) Warsaw by Joy Division, (2) Working Man by Rush, (3) Sonic Reducer by the Dead Boys, and (4) Angel by Massive Attack.

With Stockhausen & The Amplified Riot - we started off playing a few covers at rehearsal: Discipline by Throbbing Gristle, and a mellow, krautrock version of Down In The Hole by The Rolling Stones.  But none of those songs were ever performed at a gig.

So, at my most recent gig at the Black Magic Social Hour, I decided to break out two covers in one set: I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) by Hank Williams, and Roy Rogers by Western Threads.

I decided on these songs because I wanted to try my hand at performing some country / honky tonk songs... just something different.  The rest of the set was mostly new material from the upcoming album and one track from the first album.

Overall, a well-rounded but also slightly confusing set as a few people pointed out to me afterward.  

And yeah, that's a hollow body Gretsch G5120 guitar I'm using... boy howdy, does it howl and hollar!!

Thousand Helmets: version 2.0

I know the importance of safety while either riding my bike or while on a skateboard, but I was never keen on the styles available.  Not that safety NEEDS to be stylish, I just found the dominate bicycle helmet styles to be a little too… I don't know... weird?  And then Thousand comes along and I was immediately sold on their aesthetic.  So, if you’re shopping around for a helmet, I’d like to recommend Thousand helmets – but only their latest version (aka 2.0).

I bought my first Thousand helmet (Speedway Crème) in August 2020.  I instantly loved it: comfortable, solid, and looked cool.  At the time - we were still in the arms of the pandemic and even though I didn’t see a lot of people out and about, I definitely didn’t see anyone in Houston wearing a helmet like this.  More importantly – I was doing exactly what Thousands’ marketing was hoping to achieve: wearing a helmet, but also, doing it in style.

Many riders have more than one bicycle and I am no exception.  I have one at my apartment and one at the house where my sons live.  So, I decided to buy a second helmet and just keep it at the house so there’s no excuse for NOT riding.  The second helmet I ordered was in Stealth Black (#2 in the photo below) and is a good quality helmet, but didn’t feel as solid as the first one.  After examining the two helmets side-by-side I found that my perception of the “solid feel” of the first helmet was due to the straps that are used.  #1 uses vegan leather straps, which are slightly stiffer / thicker than the all-fabric straps used on the Stealth Black.  The difference in the thickness of the straps allows the plastic harness in the back of the helmet to move up and down a bit more.

I presume it is more of an aesthetic thing to use the different strap materials as the brown vegan leather wouldn’t look as stealthy on a black helmet with a blacked out logo.  It didn’t bother me too much that the back harness moved around more freely (but still stayed secure while on your head), but I noticed it.  If I didn’t have the two helmets side-by-side, I would have never known the difference.

After a few more months of riding and increasing my distance / stamina, I decided to upgrade my helmet to one that had a higher safety rating.  Again, I ended up back with Thousand but this time, I purchased their Chapter MIPS helmet.

When I received the new helmet, I tried it on and immediately did not like it.  I had never worn a MIPS helmet before, so I can’t fault Thousand.  The helmet wobbled quite a bit on my head, which is understandable as the MIPS design is like a cage inside the helmet that allows the exterior of the helmet to move / rotate in case of an accident.  However, the wobble was distracting and I felt like the helmet was going to slide off my head.  The MIPS design inside the helmet was nice and snug but that exterior shell moved around too much while riding.

Thousand was quick to respond about my concern and offered me either a refund or an exchange.  At this point in my post, I want to note that Thousand have been consistently quick and friendly with my questions and concerns.  So, I decided on an exchange – I ordered (basically) the same helmet as before but in navy blue.  My plan was to give my stealth black helmet to a friend who needs a helmet and just have the two.

However, when helmet #3 arrived, I noticed something was off.  The black plastic harness in the back was attached a little closer to the center of the helmet, which made the helmet feel too snug, even when the adjustment wheel was fully loosened.  Also, I noticed the trim around the bottom of the helmet was not fully attached, so I added a little glue to the inside and now it’s secure.  Neither of these are deal killers, but it was weird.  So, I kept helmet #2 and was planning to give #3 away… but then my friend bought himself a helmet (after I kept bugging him to do so!)… so now I have three helmets and decided just to keep #3 in a box until someone else comes along that needs a helmet.

All was going just fine until……. Thousand announced version2.0 of their helmets!  They claim that the new helmets are lighter and have better ventilation – which is appealing to me as it’s really ding-dang hot here in Houston for most of the year.  So, why not give it a try?

Enter helmet #4 from Thousand!

Right away, and I mean right-out-of-the-box right away, this helmet felt great!  It felt more secure… solid… but also familiar.  However, the white trim was also a loose like on helmet #3.  What’s up with that Thousand?  Anyway, I had the Gran Fondo Texas ride coming up so I took this helmet with me to give it a go.

Straight up, the vents on top are better positioned for air flow to your scalp.  Version 1 was good, but I felt a major difference with the airflow using the new 2.0 version.  Also, there’s a “howl” that occurs with version 1 from the air vents when you’re gaining speed (or hit with a strong head wind).  That howl is the sound of the air going across the air vents on top.  With the new design, that howl is gone.  The internal pads are good too, although they are on the thin side.  I would recommend Thousand consider adding a second set of internal pads to each helmet as the pads will wear out before the helmet does – as is the case with my #1 helmet.  I noticed that the pop-lock hole feature on the back is slightly bigger than version 1.0.  Oh yeah, and the new versions have a small “shelf” on the back so you can magnetically attach a bike light – although (as of this post) those lights are not available and it’s not clear if future purchases of this helmet will include the bike light like the MIPS version does.

Bottom line – I’m impressed with the improvements on version 2.0 of the Thousand helmet and I recommend it over the original version.  I implore Thousand to keep an eye on the quality control as they have a great product.  #4 will be my main bike helmet for now!  I'm keeping helmets #1 and #2 (mainly to be used for skateboarding) and donating #3 to a local bike shop that's active in the biking community.

TLDR: please use a helmet when either bike riding, skateboarding, or rollerblading.  These helmets are great for those sports. 

Noble Coyote Coffee Roaster – Mapendo (Congo)

Oy!  I'm a wee bit behind on my posts this month, but with so much has been going on, I haven't made time to sit and type it all out... so, let’s start with some coffee!

Today, I opened up a bag of beans from Noble Coyote that are from Congo.  I’m not familiar with Congolese beans, but I'm a fan now.  Here's an outstanding blog post about these beans and their cultivation.  

With the first sip of this brew, I was like, oooooooh yeah!  Right away, I’m tasting dark cherries in the front with a finish of (stay with me here) graham crackers.  Yeah, graham crackers because I can taste that honey, cinnamon essence. It’s mild but definitely not boring.

Noble Coyote says it has a bright and zesty finish…. And yeah, I would agree.  It’s a wonderfully smooth roast that I would not dilute with any creamers or sugar.  Definitely not sugar as it has a natural sweetness that is pleasant.  Also, because of its natural sweetness, this coffee would also be outstanding as a cold brew.

Yellow Dog Coffee Company (Norman, OK) + skateparks + gigs

While I was traveling last week, I could not resist the urge to buy some locally roasted coffee.  So today's post is about some beans from Papua New Guinea roasted at the Yellow Dog Coffee Company in Norman, Oklahoma.

The bag doesn't indicate much about the beans, but from my tasting notes, I suspect it's New Guinea Arona.

As soon as I poured my first cup, I noted the coffee was mellow on flavor and texture.  It starts with a citrusy, floral essence and then finishes with a honey note.  Interesting!  I would say that this coffee is pretty bright with a clean finish.  If you like your coffee with a strong, bold character, then this coffee is not for you.  However, I bet it would go great as a latte.  You know, it reminds me for the Peruvian coffee I reviewed last month from Noble Coyote Coffee: light body and mild flavor.  So I would rate this coffee as polite for an afternoon break.

Besides looking for coffee - I also played several gigs (the main reason for this recent adventure) and checked out numerous skateparks while in the north Texas / Oklahoma region.

I had a fairly aggressive schedule lined up with gigs and skateparks (see previous posts) and I am quite amazed that I was able to hit up five of the six parks on my list:

• Lewisville Skatepark (Lewisville, TX) 
• Northeast Community Park (Frisco, TX)
• Vandergriff Skatepark (Arlington, TX)
• Blake Baldwin Skatepark (Norman, OK)
• Roanoke Skatepark (Roanoke, TX)

Of the ones I got to skate - my favorites were Lewisville and Roanoke.

Lewisville gets high praise because it's a big, roomy park with a wide range of features.  Beginners to experts can find something to love there. I got to the park early (9:30am) and was the only one there for two hours!  By the time I left, two moms showed up with their small children and scooters... but I imagine the place gets much busier later in the day.

Roanoke gets high praise from me because it has several unique features as well as plenty of space for all level of skaters.  Definitely not as large as Lewisville, but still roomy.  Check out this video from Braille Skateboarding where they explore the park.  Actually, it was because of that video that I specifically sought out the park while I was in the region! 

Unrelated side note 1: I had also made a note to visit the gravesite of Townes Van Zandt in Dido, Texas - but I just ran out of time... which I'm sure Townes would appreciate.

The Blake Baldwin Skatepark was interesting in that they used natural rock formations as part of the obstacles / features.  A very cool idea.  

Oklahoma is well known for their red dirt and its ability to permanently stain everything red.  The stuff is not like the dirt found around Houston.  No, this stuff is kind of clay-like.  So... when you skate over it... you might be in for a surprise on how your board has stayed put while you continue falling forward!

Which brings me to why I want to give a shout out to the locals at the Blake Baldwin Skatepark... they brought brooms!  Someone brought a small PA to blast hardcore, punk, and metal... but there were also two brooms sitting next to the PA... and skaters would randomly pick one up to sweep an area to skate.  It was endearing and awesome to see that level of community.

For those who like data, here's how the parks I visited measured.  I have North Houston on the list because I stopped by there while on my way home... but also because it's interesting to note its size:

• North Houston Skatepark - 78,000 square feet (second largest skatepark in the United States)
• Northeast Community Park - 47,000 square feet  ("second largest in Texas")
• Lewisville Skatepark - 33,000 square feet
• Blake Baldwin Skatepark - 20,000 square feet
• Roanoke Skatepark - 20,000 square feet
• Vandergriff Skatepark - 7,500 square feet  

On my way out of town, I made a quick stop at Guestroom Records to drop off some tapes and check out their vinyl.  Highly recommended shop... they even had the Neu 50 box set!!!

Unrelated side note 2: Sadly, I discovered that the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster in Norman was closed (apparently, for quite some time).  

So yeah - the gigs!  Ha ha... guess I should mention those too while I'm here.

It may sound contrived or "playing it safe" when I say that all five were awesome... but yeah... all five gigs were great and absolutely worth it.  The show in Norman at The Deli got posted in the printed city music & arts newspaper!

I've finally purchased a clip-on tuner and removed the trusty Boss tuner that would normally be taped to the folding table where the drum machine sits.  (reminder: I need to find a tuner that is re-chargeable via usb)  As far as I can remember, I've never been a multi-pedal player.  I'm not trying to be an elitist about it, I'm just kind of busy with trying not to mess up the songs I'm playing by trying to remember which pedal to turn off/on!

I also got to say... many times while I'm watching bass / guitar players with loads of pedals... I never hear a significant difference when pedals are switched on / off unless it's something like a phaser / delay / etc... something that drastically alters the sound of the instrument.

So, if my guitar + amp is not giving me the sound I want, I will go out and find the right combination.  When I played metal and punk - I normally used a Mesa Boogie or a basic Marshall.  These days, it's a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV.  The amp is plenty loud and can effortlessly go dirty or clean and all points in between.  I modified the circuit board as there are well documented issues with this amp and the values / placement of capacitors & resistors.  Nothing crazy complicated... but I will make a note to post about the mods in a later entry.

And finally... I had left a three-star rating for a place in Farmer's Branch, Texas called The Diner. The food was (at best) okay and the service was slow.  So, three-stars as a reminder to not go back.  Apparently, they had something to say about my rating:

Ha ha ha, fuck those guys.

But... the next time you're in Oklahoma, come visit my valley!  Let me know what it's like because all I know about it is from this highway sign.

Tre Stelle Coffee Co (Dallas) + Gig & Skate

It's a new week and time for a new bag of beans!

I'm back on the Yirgacheffe train this week with a fresh bag from Tre Stelle Coffee Company, based in Dallas but has its roots in Eritrea.  I found Tre Stelle while on a recent tour with the band.  The morning I was leaving Dallas, I stopped by Benny's Bagels and picked up some road snacks as well as a fantastic bagel with lox.  Tre Stelle has several great reviews for their coffee and their beans - and it was along my route - so I stopped by to relax with my bagel and coffee.

And oh damn - both were great!  I think the regular drop they were serving was a Central American blend - which had a great balanced flavor and paired well with my bagel w/ lox.  However, I knew that I was out of Ethiopian coffees at home, so I picked up this bag before hitting the road again.

For the record - all of my coffee is made using either a Moccamaster KBGT or a Chemex Classic carafe. 

So, I would describe this coffee as having zesty fruit notes in the front with a smooth milk chocolate finish.  It feels like velvet on the palette - so it's an easy yet energetic brew.  It's so easy that when I finished my mug, I was kinda disappointed.  No, not kinda... I was sincerely disappointed that it was already gone.  Now I have to wait until tomorrow morning to enjoy another travel mug of this coffee.  Que será, será.

With a new mini tour coming up this month - I've decided that instead of hauling my bike with me, I'm going to bring my skateboard and hit up several skateparks along my route.  I might seek out another coffee roaster too, but I have a good stock now after my recent family trip to Fredericksburg, Texas.

While I was in the Woodlands, Texas about two weeks ago, I skated at the North Houston Skatepark - which is the second largest skatepark in the United States and the largest in Texas.  For this trip - I'm hitting up the Frisco Skate Park (another super large park), the Roanoke Skatepark (featured in this video) as well as TheDailyShredd in Oklahoma City, which is an indoor skatepark!  I've been posting reviews of the skateparks I visit on Google Maps - mainly so I can keep track of the various parks I visit during my travels.  I use Strava to track my progress on my bike rides and hikes - but it doesn't work as well with skateparks since I'm not traversing over a lot of terrain. Plus, I tend to keep my phone off me when I'm skating.

Whole Lotta Shakin Going On

Got a crazy busy month ahead of me!

This weekend, I'm participating in the Pedaling the Prairie ride with several members of the Saint Arnold's Bike Team - along with a few hundred new friends joining in on the fun.  Last weekend I rode 66 miles and I've already forgotten how terrible I felt after the ride.  How much I was regretting the ride by the mid-way point.  How much I wanted it to be over when I had another bridge to crest while riding against the wind.  Yup, I have totally forgotten all of that and I'm ready for the next one.

And then, the following week - I'll be up ion the Woodlands for my annual coursework on my professional certification.  I'll be taking time in the evenings to hit up a few skateparks in the area - making sure I make time on Friday to skate the 2nd largest skate park in the world!

THEN - I'm on a short tour in the Texas/ OK area with my band.  I'm super excited for the tour because I'm running low on coffee (I always pick up a bag or two while I tour) and I'll keep working on the new material that I'll be recording in May in Chicago.

And finally - of special note - I'll be riding in a Gran Fondo being held in far north Houston.  This will be my last big ride before the Texas MS150.  Yowza!!!

Ceci n'est pas un vélo.

Ah yes, the treachery of images. And yes, I have picked up skating again (after a 30 year pause) so I can enjoy cruising around the skateparks with my sons - one of whom is getting better each time and the other son... well... he'd rather just chill.  :)

When I was 10 and living in Jacksonville, FL - I used to skate and/or surf almost every day.  While I was not that great at it, I enjoyed cruising on the pavement and riding the surf.  I didn't think of it as exercise, just a fun thing to do in the days before the Internet.  In high school, when I lived in DC, I would skate around the city with friends and zip through the halls of the underground tunnel system under the government buildings... while also not getting caught by security.

Now that I'm back on the board, I wanted to find something to just kick around on that had simple graphics and made in North America.  I knew there had to be some quality buildings in the States and I'm willing to pay a little extra for their craft.

The Snake Farm "Boom Stick" deck I picked out is made in Mexico by PSSTIX and is 8.375 x 31.  I thought about going for a 9" wide  deck, but it felt a little too wide... like a plank!  and the 8" wide deck my son rides feels a little too narrow for my feet... so this one fits that sweet spot I was looking for.

I had my eyes (and feet ) on a super clean and beautiful WKND deck, but the shop didn't have the size I was looking for.  Next time!

The trucks are Indy Stage 11s and I'm riding Spitfire F4 wheels, 54mm, 99 dura.  Overall, this set up is fantastic for me.  I'm not doing any tricks (yet)... just learning to stay on the board and go up/down ramps without falling face first.

I will be at a work conference next week on the far north side of Houston and I plan on checking out the North Houston Skatepark as it's the second largest skatepark in the world.  What the hell?! 

Near Death Experience (let's do it again!)

This past weekend, I had signed up to ride in the 40-mile course of the Tour de Houston.  And that was my intention when I got to the starting line on Sunday morning... but... it's only 20 more itsy bitsy miles to ride the full 60-mile course.  Right?

So yeah, I rode the whole dang course and while it seemed like a REALLY bad idea about 35 miles into the ride, by the time I crossed the finish line, I felt super happy and accomplished about the ride.  66 miles!

I was surprised by my average speed because nearly the entire time down to the lake, I was battling a strong head-wind - it got to the point where I simple put my head straight down and pedaled without looking up - just following the lines on the road to ensure I wasn't going into a ditch.

The ride back to the starting point was a completely different story in that the head-winds were now behind me and I was freaking GOING!  Once I hit that stride, my confidence boosted and I was pedaling like no tomorrow. The route went super close to the house where my sons and their mother live, so once I got near, I sent a message and they were out there to cheer me on!  It's important for them to see their parents active in community events as it's a healthy way to share our enthusiasm.

During the ride - when I wasn't being smashed in the face with head-winds - I had a fantastic, hard rhythm going through my mind (I think it was inspired by The Notorious B.I.G.) and I did my best to capture it via a voice memo.  I'm going to double track the drum machine for the demos I'm making - recording a second take in a different part of the room - so I can experiment with getting a bigger tone.

Also, for the record - my trousers are not ripped on the sides in the photo of me with my sons.  Those are zippered vents on mountaineering stretch trousers.  I find these much better (and durable) for bike riding and skateboarding than the Castelli pants I also picked up.  The Castelli pants are nice to look at and feel good, but don't have that durable feel to them... I'll have to post about the two later.  

After the ride, I went home, showered off, and then rewarded myself with my favorite comfort food - Indian food!!!  Dahi puri and a masala dosa along with a mango lassi (see pic below).  I went to one of my favorite spots, Honest Indian Food, and just quietly enjoyed the amazing food.  Went home and - basically - passed the fuck out.  Hopefully I can get on the drum machine this week to try and capture some of my rhythm ideas.

Since I almost died on this ride, I felt that I should try again... like this upcoming weekend... in Hempstead, Texas at the Pedaling the Prairie event.  This time, I'm feeling ambitious and signing up for 54 miles.  Ha ha... guess I'll see what happened when I reach that half-way point.  :)

All of this bike riding is leading up to the massive 150 mile ride that is the Texas MS150.  I did the ride last year and felt an euphoric sense of accomplishment when I was done.  I believe I'm far more prepared for this year's race than last year as I now know what to pack and what to leave behind.  Last year - I carried a back-pack with my bike tool, extra snacks, extra shirt, and some other stuff.  I didn't realize that at each stop, I could load up on what I needed (even minor bike adjustments) without carrying a bunch of stuff with me.  I'm on the Saint Arnold's Bike Team again too.

Oh yeah - my sons and I went to go check out Doomsday Wrestling this past Saturday night at Urban South Brewery.  I mean... how could I NOT take them.  Live-action wrestling with a bunch of characters is the stuff dreams are made of.  They enjoyed it even though it got REALLY loud inside.

That remind me, I should check out some Urban South brews the next time I'm at Beers Looking At You.  And now, here's a few more beauty photos from my day at the races!

At the finish line - death or glory!!

Dehi puri and masala dosa

Coffee & Bikes ;)

This weekend - I'll be riding 40 miles in the Tour de Houston and also checking out Doomsday Wrestling with my sons!  But first, how about some coffee?  

The last time I was in San Antonio, I stopped by Black Laboratory Brewing as I enjoy their stouts after a long bike ride.  While I was there, I also picked up a bag of their Ethiopian coffee that they have used in some of their beers - which I think is a brilliant idea to have both available.

First - the beer!  Their Vanilla Joe Coffee Stout is truly a beautiful brew.  It's made using Costa Rican coffee, which is an excellent choice for a smoother drink.  I find Costa Rican coffee has a bright, honey-like profile that's great for lattes, so blending it into a stout beer is a good choice in my book (blog).  And yeah, this beer delivers the goods.  It's smooth and delicious, dark but not heavy - as in filling.  A fantastic brew that deserves your attention.  :) 

Since I'm a fan of Ethiopian coffees, I couldn't resist picking up a bag of their light roast.  The Ethiopian Sidamo Natural is not a bean I'm very familiar with, although it's (apparently) commonly used by coffee shops.

I find the flavor profile of this bean to be not as robust as a Yirgacheffe (not many beans are) but still gives a distinct character... almost like a dark red wine feel. I also pick up hints of vanilla and smooth milk chocolate.  I'm not so sure about making a cold brew out of this roast... I think I need something a bit stronger for that... but overall, this is a great light roast for your morning routine.

Speaking of mornings... this Sunday I'll be biking 40 miles (maybe more if I'm feeling it) in the Tour de Houston!  I participated in this event last year as my first ever bike "race" and I loved it - although it was fucking grueling due to strong headwinds. This year, the route goes from downtown to Clear Lake, which is going to be great as I've taken that route before with the Saint Arnold's Bike Team.

I didn't pick up a bike jersey for this ride... but I might do it anyway as they look pretty slick this year.  But more importantly, I'm excited to be riding again and being a part of a larger effort.

I kind of wish I could listen to music while I ride as I want to keep listening to my latest demos of songs that I'll be recording in May.  Still a lot to do with these new batch of songs!

Noble Coyote Coffee - Cenfrocafe co-op

Today is a great day to post about my new coffee love!

While I was in Dallas a few weeks ago, I picked up a few bags of beans from the highly regarded (and highly recommended) Noble Coyote Coffee Roaster in Deep Ellum.

Side note 1: While on break from the tradeshow I was attending, I was actually looking for Elevate Coffee Trading Company - which, according to Google Maps, is located at Main Street Garden Park.  However, that site is a pop-up location and not an actual storefront.  When I called the number on the website, Michael from Elevate answered and schooled me on the Elevate site situation - but then... Michael took the time to text me a few excellent recommendations of places to go check out for coffee and coffee beans!  That's pretty amazing customer service.

Side note 2: Noble Coyote is right around the corner from Rainbow Vomit and Deep Ellum Brewing Company - both are worth checking out while you're in that area.  Okay, back to the story.

I picked up a couple of regular sized bags of beans and then saw this little sampler from the Cenfrocafe co-op from Peru.  Aaaand... since my Dad was born in Cajamarca, Peru - I thought it would be neat to check out coffee from his home town. 

 

This is a light, smooth coffee that does not have a strong flavor profile.  It definitely has that milk chocolate thing going on - but I'm not picking up the green apple essence as noted on the bag.  For sure, it's a creamy and light brew without a lot of character.  

This can be either good or bad, depending on how you like your coffees.

If you're the type that enjoys adding creams and flavors to your brew - then this coffee is PERFECT since its flavor profile is smooth enough to blend with anything you throw at it.

However - if you're a straight black no chaser kind of coffee drinker, then you might be disappointed with the lack of strong character from this coffee.  It's good, but leaves me wanting something with a bolder, more pronounced profile.  I'm glad I tried the sampler version of this coffee - since it's from my Dad's home town, but it's not a bean I'll be returning to.  

Instead, I have an AMAZING coffee that is on my list for the next time I'm in Dallas and/or in Austin and what follows is the object of my desire for today's post.

While I was walking around downtown Dallas, Michael from Elevate recommended that I check out the Bernie Bean Coffee Company - located just outside of the main downtown area.  While at the Bernie Bean, I picked up a cup of their Costa Rican coffee (labeled as Don Flor Coffee) and it was... religious!  I loved it so much, that I went back the next day to get another cup.  While chatting with the barista - she mentioned that they get their roasted beans from the Greater Goods Coffee Company in Austin and that the Don Flor is a re-label of Greater Goods' Take Me Home.  I didn't think to ask why Bernie Bean doesn't buy from a Dallas-based roaster, but I'm grateful that I now have a new roast to hunt down and "bring home"!  (see what I did there?)

TLDR: Peru - 0, Costa Rica - 1 

Back to back gigs in the Houston area? Sure!

Unexpectedly - I have two gigs in Houston this weekend that just fell into my lap a few weeks ago.

I had planned to take February off from gigs so I could focus on writing new material and get into shape for upcoming rides.  But since both shows are in Houston in one weekend - why not?  I'm going to use these gigs to test out new music that I'll be recording in Chicago in May.

Dana Ives are New Orleans and have a fantastic post-rock sound.  Hard to say exactly who they remind me of, but they have that mid-90s Matador / Merge Records style that I'm happy to see come back into style!  

I haven't performed at the 19th Hole (Spring, Texas - just north of Houston proper) in many, many years - so I'm curious to see what's new in that area.

On Sunday - which is also Superbowl Sunday - I'll be performing at a place called The Compound which is in the East End of Houston.  I *think* I've been there once while on a bike ride around the End End - and it reminded me of the markets I used to go to in Matamoros, Mexico / Brownsville, Texas.  Lots of good food and a weird / wild assortment of stuff for sale.

The bands for the Sunday show are mostly hardcore and punk - but I'm kind of floored that two are from Greece!  Like... how did THAT happen?  I'm pretty hyped to be part of this line-up even though I'm not really a hardcore / punk band.  Hopefully they like what I'm doing so I can go tour in Greece one day!

My next series of gigs are at the end of March - so I'll still have a lot of time to keep working / fine-tuning music as well as get several more bike rides in.

The Bike That Stole My Heart (State Bicycles)

While it may not be the fanciest bike out there, it's perfect for me. ☺  As of today's post, I’ve logged 1,700 miles on it and every mile on my road bike from State has been rewarding.

Backstory: When I was much younger, I used to take apart (aka destroy) my toys as I wanted to see what was inside... what makes these things do what they do so effortlessly?  I grew to appreciate the work that was inside the toy as well as the work that went into the exterior.

Fast forward a few decades and I'm now taking apart my guitars and amplifiers - not only because I want to see what's behind the curtain, but also because... well... sometimes stuff breaks.  After taking my gear to a repair shop a few times, I felt the need to do it myself.  So I did... and it was exciting!!!

Inside the guitar, I found a little self-contained universe of wires, magnets, capacitors and controllers.  The problem I faced when trying to repair and/or replace parts of guitar and amplifiers is that I never actually understood WHY they were in there to begin with.  I vaguely understood how this collection of things processed signals and worked their magic. 

So I asked repair techs and my engineering friends to share some insight (explain like I'm 5) and that's when the "why is this here?" and "what does this do?" questions turned into understanding and appreciation of how these miracles of electrical engineering worked together. 

Fast forward again to the 2020 pandemic and I'm stuck in my apartment looking at my bike.... I've got a bunch of tools and I'm feeling a little restless. So... I decided to take apart my bike and see how this thing works!  

After watching dozens of YouTube videos by Zach Gallardo and Park Tools, I tackled each piece of the bike to learn about bike maintenance and repairs.  And, much like with working on guitars and amps, if I couldn’t figure it out, I could take it to my local shop and get a pro’s opinion.

Here’s a look at the original specifications of the bike as received and then a note below of the upgrades.  Perhaps this will be helpful to anyone searching up this information in the future.

State Bike – 4130  (as of 2020)

• Cheng Shin Tires (CST) 700x25c
• Cheng Shin Tires (CST) tube 700 x 25/32
• JOOD Handlebar - 25mm wide.  600mm across. 
• KMC Chain - 96 links  1/8"
• Langhang Crankset - 46 teeth 130bcd
• Tri Diamond freewheel - 16 teeth
• Wellgo M248DU pedals
• Brakes - unknown, no markings.
• Gineyea bottom bracket - 103mm wide, 68mm bottom bracket width
• Wheel bearings – unknown. 6000RS

As of today's post, here’s what’s on the bike now

• Specialized - Armadillo Elite 700 x 28 tires
• Goodyear bike tubes (can’t recall the specs) – presta valve
• KMC – K1 (wide) chain
• Chromag - Scarab pedals
• Shimano - Ultegra BR-R8000 Brake Calipers
• Thomson Masterpiece Setback Seatpost (27.2)
• Thomson Seatpost Collar (28.6)
• White Industries - 16t freewheel
• Appleman - 2XR Crankset - 155mm
• Wolf Tooth - 110×5 BCD, 42 tooth, Drop Stop-A
• Kogel - BSA30 (cross) bottom bracket
• Acer – 6000RS ceramic nitride bearings

I plan to go into details about these upgrades (or "upgrades") over the next few months because I'm weirdly nerdy about this kind of stuff.

TLDR: I like to take things apart.

Porch Culture Coffee (2nd bag) and a new Grateful Dead live album (Dave's Picks 45)

Yes!  A new bag of coffee is ready to be opened and enjoyed at my home.  Let's dive in!

Today I am posting about the second bag of coffee I picked up in Tyler, Texas at Porch Culture and its name is as much of a mouthful as its flavor profile: Aurelio Villatoro Campamento Alto from Guatemala.  Here's a link to the coffee grower and his farm.  Guatemala coffees tend to be smooth and rich, so I was curious about this roast for a milder coffee experience.

Right away I noted that this coffee truly delivers.  It is smooth and has a melted chocolate feel with dark berry tasting notes. There's nothing complex about this roast but that doesn't mean it's boring.  I recommend not adding anything to this coffee such as milk, sugar.  Nope.  Just enjoy it straight up as it's a smooth and pleasant brew without an acidic bite.  Well done!

So while I'm digging the coffee, I'm also digging hard on the latest release from the Dave's Picks series by the Grateful Dead.

I've been listening to the Grateful Dead for a few decades now and was lucky to catch them in DC at RFK on July 13, 1989.  Even though my first show was in the late period of the band, I truly admire and enjoy the 70s era best... specifically late '71 to early '78.  So, when the announcement came out about the dates for the Dave's Picks #45 - I was ready!  

What sells it for me from the 70s are the beautiful tones and feel of the songs that they would play.  This set lacks the here-goes-nothing sonic experiments from the 60s and early 70s, but the playing is absolutely top notch with very, very few songs repeated over two nights.

I love listening to the Dead because I like their pace. Their songs never get too fast and sometimes their music blends into the background to the point of being sonic wallpaper.  But that mellow vibe of their songs, their playing, their sound... it gives me comfort during long drives on the road or when I'm just chilling at home.

Also, because of their pace, I tend to hear Grateful Dead's music in my head while I'm riding my bike to keep my cadence at a reasonable and steady pace.

Speaking of touring and races... I have three major bike rides coming up in March and April as well as a mini tour getting scheduled for late March.  And then in May, I'm back in Chicago for more touring as well as studio recording.  Yikes!

TLDR:  Guatemala coffee is good and I love The Dead!