Deficit of Wonder

So there I am with my knees against the stage at Brick and Mortar – the stage is no more than 18 inches off the main floor. Two of the most amazing musicians I have seen in a long time start blistering into a set of songs that blow my mind.

The best part of seeing Taipei Houston live is that Layne and Myles are brothers and their chemistry is undeniable. Without even looking at each other, they create ebbs and flows in their set that much more seasoned bands would not be able to manage. 

This entry isn’t going to be so much about their music, because they played every song off once Bitten Never Bored and then played Eleanor Rigby again. I’ve covered most of their sound in an earlier entry and don’t want to bore you with the details of how much I love hearing them live.

Here is a video I took (VERY POORLY) of the band performing one of their live songs. I plan to buy a decent point-and-shoot camera and a small mic, so hopefully the quality improves in the future. Until then, here you go: https://youtube.com/watch?v=k0kQkhXgIcI&feature=shared

No. The reason this entry is vital is because of what happened AFTER the show. I got to see Christian perform his set. I got to see Fauxes blow my mind with their sound. And I was lucky enough to be one of MAYBE 100 people (and I think that is a generous guess) in the room to watch what is undoubtedly going to be a very successful band start their musical journey.

The show ended shortly after 10:15 that night. A lot of the headliners I see at punk and hardcore shows don’t go on stage until 11:00 p.m., so I am not in a huge hurry to leave. I stroll over to the merch table and and strike up a conversation with the lady selling shirts. I bought a shirt from the band and asked her if she knew if they are going to have a physical release. “I don’t know for sure. I think so, but you’re going to have to ask them.” OK, I think weird. How can I do that? 

Let me break into this story to tell you all that until very recently, the kinds of shows I’ve seen live, the musicians absolutely do NOT mix with the fans after the show. My experience until then was, for the most part, larger, more well-known bands who play in larger venues and stay in the green room after the show; maybe they sign an autograph or two on their way to the bus. But no mingling (without extra VIP tickets). So I am not expecting what I see next. Layne Ulrich walks out from backstage and starts talking to some friends who were there for the show.

Layne freaking Ulrich is RIGHT THERE!. I run back over to the merch table and buy a poster from the event. I ask to borrow her Sharpie and I slowly, hesitantly walk up to Layne.  I don’t know what to say. This young man, young enough to be my son, is already among my favorite performers. I am that music nerd who doesn’t know how to express how much I love the band, and I never want to be that guy who fanboys bands. So I usually don’t talk to them and I leave them alone. But I decide to start by telling Layne that I saw him and his brother open for the Melvins in San Jose a few months back. Layne looks at me and starts to smile. “We saw you out in front of the club as we were unloading our gear” he says. I’m floored. How did he remember that? I know I did because I’m one of those musical junkies who remembers encounters with artists. But I’m just some dude. I reply and tell him that I haven’t stopped listening to their music since that night. Then I broach he subject of physical media. “Are you guys going to release vinyl or maybe a CD in the future?” I ask.

Layne tells me they’re pressing some vinyl and it will be out in a few months. He tells me that they’ll have some at their next gig. 

“Where are you playing?” I ask.

He tells me Taipei Houston is playing with a band called Narrow Head at August Hall in SF. I immediately go to my phone and look up the venue and date. Tix are already on sale so I buy one on the spot. I thank him for his time and ask him to sign my poster. He does happily. I have never in my life asked for a selfie with a band member (an “Ussie” in Ted Lasso parlance), but I felt compelled to ask. Layne agrees. 

I go over to Myles, who has since come out of the back. I wait patiently for my turn to speak and tell him that Layne told me about the gig in February. I’m stoked to already know they’re playing again and ask him to sign the poster as well. He agrees and now I have the full band – all two of them. I politely ask if he’ll take an “Ussie” with me. He also agrees.

I tell both brothers I look forward to seeing them in February and exit the Brick and Mortar. It’s still not even 11:00, which is bizarre. I listen to Once Bit Never Bored the whole way home.

The very next day I head off to Michaels and buy a frame for my autographed poster. Now it hangs proudly on the wall.

What a night. When these two become superstars – and it’s WHEN, not IF, cuz they’re insanely talented – I am going to have this memory.