Centro-matic Dispatch July 2010 – Bastrop. TX 78602

Good summer to ya’ from the banks of the Colorado.  Happy to report on some things here in the camp that should make for a solid second half of the summer.

NEW EP:
There’s a new release coming up for September.  “Eyas” is comprised of seven additional songs (six previously unreleased) we recorded during the Dual Hawks sessions, including our take on Lionel Richie’s “All Night Long”.  Matt Pence has floored us again with his documenting, mixing and mastering, and the release will feature our old friend Mark Ray’s artwork.  Songs included on this one are:

Christmas ’83
No, They Ain’t Mine
Cracking Of The Seal
Liquidation Heart
Water 4 Legs And Lungs
Inhabitants
All Night Long

WILL J./ELLIOTT McPHERSON ART SHOW IN BIRMINGHAM, AL:
Elliott McPherson and I will have an art opening on Sat. August 7th at The Bottletree in Birmingham, Alabama.  Elliott plays guitar and sings for one of my long running favorite bands, The Dexateens.  He is also an upstanding gentleman and master cabinet craftsman.  During his free time he builds beautiful light boxes and shadow boxes.  I’m bringing a few new baseball paintings I made earlier this year.  One is of Dock Ellis tripping real hard on acid en route to throwing his no-hitter in 1970.  The reception is from 5-8pm, and the show will be up through August 31st. Music later that night includes The Glory Fires and Henry Dunkle.  Elliott’s art can be seen HERE.

Also, Barry Wittenstein’s piece on current doin’s in the baseball art world was released July 14 on mlb.com.  He kindly included a couple of my paintings in the gallery.  The article is HERE.

NEW WILL J. TEXAS SOLO SHOWS:
Wednesday August 11th – Dallas, TX/Renfield’s Corner.  This show begins at 10pm sharp w/ no opener.  This is a unique and new territory for one of our shows, and to make things better it is also a FREE show.  No admission will be charged this night.

Thursday August 12th – Austin, TX/The Ghost Room w/ Austin Collins (solo).

NEW CENTRO-MATIC SHOW:
Centro-matic will be reuniting with our old friends The Toadies at the annual Dia De Los Toadies Festival on Sat. August 28th.  We are elated about these circumstances for rock and roll communion.  This year it’s in New Braunfels, TX at Whitewater On The Horseshoe and also includes Black Joe Lewis And The Honeybears, Heartless Bastards, Sleepercar and a bunch of other great bands.  Come out early for sufficient swimming, maximum farmer tan opportunities.  More info right HERE.

LIVING ROOM EXPERIMENT GOES WEST:
Anders Parker and I will be heading out on another acoustic living room tour in September.  The eastward springtime jaunt brought us so much unbridled joy that we had to see what the west might have in store.  Dates will be announced soon.

THANK YOU, ANIMIC:
Thanks to my Catalan friends, Animic for the musical treasure shared last month.  We all convened in the village of Collbato, rehearsed up a bunch of music for four shows, and it yielded some big and enjoyable sounds.  There is a full documentary in the works on this project.  I’m thankful for the friendships forged and the songs shared.  Check out their music and sonic offerings HERE.

Thanks for the time and hopefully we’ll see you out there soon.  Harvey Pekar, may you rest in peace.

-Will J