930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on June 24, 2003, 11:51:00 am
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Depressing news from the Austin Chronicle this week:
Alejandro Escovedo is having problems with hepatitis C, a deadly,
still-incurable ailment that continues cropping up in musicians and revelers
of an era where decadence had few tangible consequences.
"He's doing OK," affirms friend and sometime guitarist/guitar tech Alan
Durham. "It depends on the day. If it's a treatment day, then it's really,
really bad." Durham notes Escovedo was well enough to drive into Austin
Monday to pick up his kids, but also that, "I talked to him a couple of
times last week and he could barely speak."
Escovedo, who was hospitalized in April following a performance in Tempe,
Ariz., has canceled all shows until next March, including a scheduled
appearance at September's Austin City Limits Music Festival. "He's doing
what [doctors] tell him to do," says Durham, adding Escovedo remains
optimistic because "he's found some people that are very positive they can
help him."
Help is also required in coming up with the "major money" necessary for
treatment, and to that end, the Continental Club is hosting benefits for
Escovedo Wednesday and Thursday.
Booked for Wednesday are Sin Pelo (featuring Escovedo bassist Andrew
Duplantis), Gary Clark Jr., Jon Dee Graham, Beaver Nelson, and the Gourds'
Kevin Russell and friends.
Taking the stage Thursday are the Real Heroes, Damnations, Li'l Cap'n
Travis, Miles Zuniga's non-Fastball new band, and Davíd Garza.
Cover is $15 both nights, with a jar for additional donations at the door.
Bloodshot Records is also organizing a separate benefit in Chicago, and
Durham says further contributions can be sent to Escovedo care of manager
Heinz Geissler at the Texas Music Group, 805 West Ave. #2, Austin, 78701.
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Oh, that's really a shame.
You know, I used to bartend at a place in Austin where Al was a frequent performer. I was always impressed by how gracious and sincere and humble he was. I hope the best for him...
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bugger. i had been wanting to check him out. some friends rave about him and his band.
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Some punk rock trivia:
Alejandro was in the Nuns, the band that opened the last Sex Pistols show...
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well this got me out of lurk-dom. too bad i was in Austin last week as opposed to this week.
of all the idiots on the web who beg for money to pay off credit cards, its really too bad that there's not a paypal option for the 'legitimate' needs.
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Man, you haven't posted in a loooong time.
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sucks.
great guitarist w/ mucho gusto talent.
sucks.
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i'd have to agree, i happened to catch him at iota oh a year or so ago and he was really good. kind of in that surprising type of way because he kinda just quietly walked in the room set up and then played great music...very sad about his ailment, and it seems crazy that musicians record albums for causes all over the world but they still haven't fought the hard fight for health insurance (or have they and i missed it) but maybe this is something musicians on all levels can rally around, although im sure escovedo would hate the amount of attention
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www.sweetrelief.org (http://www.sweetrelief.org) started by victoria williams for musicians without health insurance.
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good call kosmo, im glad i came straight out with my ignorance on the topic rather than acted lik ei knew and then have the smack laid down, i wonder how many "popular" artist are aware of it, as victoria williams is pretty, uh, underground?