(Part of the Austin Rocks series of posts by a local about things to do and see in Austin, Texas)
It’s not hard to find good live music in a place that brands itself The Live Music Capital of the World.
That’s great for visitors because it doesn’t matter which day they’re in town, they can find someone playing. It’s great for locals like me, who know that in addition to visiting artists, there are standing gigs like Dale Watson at the Broken Spoke honky-tonk on Saturdays, or the Resentments at the Saxon Pub on Sundays.
But what about a rather off day, like Monday?
And what about something that’s not too late, since it’s during the work week?
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Bastrop TX-based blues-rock-funk Peterson Brothers standing Monday night gig. It starts at a very civilized 6:30 p.m. at South Austin’s legendary Continental Club…..
You walk in and get the back of your hand stamped at the little counter by the door. There is no charge. Yep, it’s free.
There might be a chair left, or there might not, but there’s plenty of standing room in the back and along the sides. Plus, you’ll be moving around to the music, anyway. Consider it part of the day’s step count.
Somebody will come around for drink orders. If you are a beer drinker, ask for a local brew like Firemans #4 or Austin Amber.
There’s plenty of ambiance around you….
Maybe you’ll see the woman with the cat-eye glasses munching Haribo gummies while she works the soundboard….
Meanwhile, the Peterson’s are ripping through their set list; Alex and Glenn, Jr. grinning almost the whole time because why WOULDN’T you smile when you’ve been doing this gig since you were 13 and 15 years old? They’re now 18 and 20 but still look really young.
They covered blues standards like “Got My Mojo Working” and rocked up some R&B pieces like “Got To Be Real” and I heard riffs from Marvin Gaye and “Shaft.” At one point Alex picks up a fiddle (wut?) and plays “Amazing Grace.” They can do it all.
During one song they left the stage, went all around the room and even out onto the sidewalk, never missing a beat and making us all yell and shout with their joyous love of their music….
I spoke with their Mom and Dad who sat towards the back, selling CD’s for the kids and occasionally going around with a tip bucket. Dad said, “They eat, sleep, and breathe this stuff. We’re so proud of them!”
After almost two hours, we regretfully had to leave, grab some dinner across the street at Güero’s Taco Bar, and then on our way to the car make the obligatory stop at an Austin icon painted on the side of Jo’s Coffee….
Hard to beat it for a Monday night in Austin.
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Ah, Sheila, you’re making me miss Austin now… and if you happen to be up for exploring other Monday night adventures…
They are on the road right now but back in town in August — Chris Gage hosts a regular music night at Donn’s Depot and Christine Albert hosts one at El Mercado. If you’ve not yet happened on them, Chris and Christine are well worth seeing when they play together, too: http://www.albertandgage.com/gigs.htm Americana, folk, country, singer/songwriter, and Christine adds in songs from her family’s French heritage now and then too.
Great tips, Kerry, thanks much!