10.13.06-Gypsy Ballroom:Dallas, TX

Even though I haven't lived in Texas for several years now, I always feel like I'm coming back home when we play here, especially in Dallas since my family now lives in the area. I talked to my sister about why Texans are so proud about being Texans, and it is not always so clear. Were we brainwashed from an early age to think that this is the best state?

We do have only one star on our flag . . . so does Puerto Rico. I know PR is not a state, but a territory; regardless, those a some proud people . . . ask mi suegro, my father-in-law.

However, Texas does have a unique history, that is, once being its own country and also its being a part of Mexico. Its culture is diverse and so is the landscape (hills, deserts, beaches, big cities, etc); it may not as beautiful as other parts of the States, e.g. Oregon, Washington, and Tennessee (ha ha ha!). I'm sorry to admit. Nevertheless, I'm a proud Texan, and always will be.

Before the show, Darren and I hung out with Jason Hibdon, a good friend and our old monitor engineer. We went down to lower Greenville street and checked out some thrift stores. It was an interesting ride as Jason jerked us around in his little pick-up truck, as Texas as it gets.

As far as the show went, this was by far the most enjoyable Dallas show Mute Math has ever played. The Gypsy Ballroom was packed, and the crowd, as usual big D audiences go, showed big love.

My favorite part of the set came during the end of "Break the Same" when Darren took his bass drum off his kit, handed it to someone along the front row, jumped on top of it as people held him up, and he played his little clicky/clicky part. I was floored to see Darren doing his thing as he floated on the crowd. He was crushing them with not only his drums, literally, but with his charisma.