Thursday nights in Austin are always interesting. Typically, Thursday nights are mostly college students and other younger types. The tourists don't usually arrive til the weekend and the older crowd who live in Austin usually wait til the weekend to get funky. So Thursdays, at least on Red River where most of the clubs are that we go to, are special cuz what you have are the hard-core music fans that simply must go out and get some! Last night was such a night. The plan was to go to Room 710 to see The Shim Shams, The Cooties and finally, the headliner, Attic Ted. Missed the first band and caught most of the Cooties. They were a pleasant and simple 3 piece that harmonized well and had a catchy flavor about them. The ties rule on the guys and the schoolish uniform on the bassist, the only girl, was subtle. Went across the street to Red Eyed Fly during their set to check on some other acts and came across The Hosty Duo, a guitar and drum combo that played like an old time reality check. He strummed the strings and the drummer spanked the skins, painting a picture of reality with a musical twist. I really enjoyed these guys. Finally, it was time: Attic Ted. If you don't know this band, it's time you met them. AT is a musical cacophony of mesmerism, combining an organ, drum, sound effects, cello, a free floating trumpet and the best guitar licks this side of the South Coast. The masks they wear, oh the masks... I'm not sure of the signifigance of the masks, but each member wears a papier-mache mask that, I suppose, represents a certain aspect of the band. But the music...the organ just does it for me, providing that gospel, velvety, churchy feel that is the underlying theme. Hypnotizing, the organ and guitar provide a rhythmic cadence that is simple, and yet, it takes you there, wherever "THERE" is for you. There...You know, that place where you are not here. THERE. I like to be there. The cello is a new addition for the band, and she is complementing beautifully. The drummer, faithful and sure, provides the backbone, smashing and powerful, yet not overdoing it or heavyhanded. Just right. The sound effects give the music a post-mod rush of technology-fueled adrenaline, challenging the listener to classify them. I've attempted to classify them here, and, I believe, have not succeeded. They really do defy classification. They wear masks, play organ rock, sing about old men and spiders and provide a forum for the audience to also be Attic Ted: they bring along several extra masks and encourage folks to put them on and dancedancedance!! At 130a, I was tired, and AT tried to finish. After their last song, the crowd called out for more and would not take no for an answer. The last song was "transformer" and it was the capstone. Of course, I filmed the whole thing. AT is based in San Marcos, a little south of Austin, and we welcome them to Austin every time! Thanks, guys! So, tonight is the Dicks show, first in a while, I believe. Don't know yet about Saturday night. Though I got the paper, I didn't read it. Yet!