Re-living My Youth Through Music

Getting old sucks. Settings, tastes, trends, and excuses changed, body parts don't work the way it used to, things I used to enjoy no longer enjoyable, and daily life is ever-changing so quick in a nanosecond I can't keep up fast enough. No matter how hard I look forward I go back into those reflective days of "Yeah things were better way back then." Music is no different. I still have my CD album collection and once in a while I would pop one in to listen wondering if it still sounds good to this day. When tickets to Everclear 30th Anniversary tour went on sale last month I immediately bought a ticket to it. Funny thing I never owned Everclear album to this day, but I remember their songs of Santa Monica, Everything to Everyone, and A.M. Radio. Their songs were played on the radio or MTV's dying years of music videos. I'm sure we all heard at least a song from them once. Supporting them are The Nixons, who I remember for their hit song Sister, and Fastball, who I will remember for The Way as well owning their debut album All the Pain Money Can Buy. I grew up in the 90s heyday of alternative rock. Time to re-live their music live in person.

The day of the show was on Tuesday in Odessa. On the day of the show the city of Odessa hit with a disaster when a main water line broke leaving the city with no water for a good two days. The concert was in limbo til the venue announced in the afternoon it will go on. Off to The Ector Theatre I go. When I got there I realize most of the crowd were like me: mid-30s to their 50s. Even few brought their teenage kids to the show. Can't beat re-living the music you grew up to and have your next generation kin enjoy it.

The Nixons started out with a 30 minute set which included Baton Rouge, their new single Kaleidoscope, cover of Elton John's Rocket Man, and finishing with their big hit Sister. Met the band after their set while Fastball was setting up theirs. Purchased their newest EP album Kaleidoscope and got three of the four members to sign the sleeve as well getting my picture taken with guitarist Jesse Davis.

Up next is Fastball and they started with Fire Escape. They were way off on the song but built back up and played well on the remaining set with Outta of My Head, You're An Ocean, and The Way. Tony Scalzo looked impressive playing the guitar. Their set ended with a cover of Z.Z. Top - Thunderbird.

Then the main band of the show Everclear. Only founder and singer Art Alexakis is the original member of the current incarnation of the group. I got in the pit and up close before their set started. They came on playing their hits as how it should be. Got the groove and getting lost in their music rocking, moshing, swaying, jumping, and dancing with a random woman. The set ended with their breakthrough hit Santa Monica.

I had a fun time and for a few hours I feel very young and wonderful again. The next day I go back to reality and watch the world die. Yeah.

Enjoy the video footage I shot. Yeah.

Dirty and Desperate! The Fall of Wrestler Andy Dalton

(Note: this is about independent wrestler Dirty Andy Dalton, not the NFL quarterback with the same name)

For over a decade then DFW independent wrestler "Dirty" Andy Dalton was making a name of himself in the Texas indy wrestling scene with his old school brawling style. He made few spot appearances at Ring of Honor, MLW, and WWE as well a tour in Japan.

Then came his downfall in June of 2020. The wrestling scene have their #SpeakingOut moment and Andy Dalton became one of many named with multiple allegations. Each allegation against him reveals a disturbing pattern of him being abusive and manipulative towards women. The abuse in forms of emotional and sexual with threats of violence. Another post feature a text screenshot of him being very unappropriated to a minor. He sealed his fate admitting to the allegations and screenshots that got posted thus blackballing him from wrestling scene as feds immediately cut ties from him. You think it was over, but no, it was just the beginning. Reportedly a week or two after #speakingout he made calls to promoters trying to get a spot when feds want nothing to ever do with him. He tried to return to the ring wearing a mask hoping no one would notice him, but not one fed would bite. At live AEW taping there was third party account of him trying get welcomed in the wrestling circle while being there as a paying fan. He was burying and talking trash towards talent behind their backs. Very recently on his Twitter he insulted AEW newly signed woman wrestler Athena. On another post he disrespected the recently retired and former MPX owner Steven Kirby. It drew a giant blow back against him that he set his Twitter account to private. Dalton was desperate to get himself back into wrestling when no one wanted him to ever step back in the ring. Then he somehow pulled a wool over everyone.

He convinced a wrestler to give him a match in Alabama. The wrestler thought he was doing him a favor. Once video footage from the match made rounds the wrestling community appalled how a fed booked him on a show as well someone wrestling him. He posted a bloodied picture of himself from the match, not only put himself over, but it pretty much mocked everyone that told him he's done from the industry forever. Despite the negative response the fed shockingly didn't care if they booked a guy who should never be in the ring ever. Meanwhile his opponent of the match received a huge backlash that he announced he's stepping away from the ring and who knows if he will be back. It sucks because his opponent is good guy that made a mistake.

Dirty Andy Dalton, despite being a good in-ring wrestler, is a dirtbag behind the curtains. Once got outed he desperately and selfishly tried to get back in the wrestling industry when 99.9% refuse to go near him. Once he got that .1% to get him back in the ring he caused more damage just like he did to those women. One wrestler said it at best. He's a parasite. Dirty Andy Dalton you can go fuck yourself.