Some of the material you’re about to read will smack of datedness. The chronicles that Chris “Grizzle” Gregory lays out below came about a month ago, but if there’s anything that’s more interesting than reading about what someone loved last week, it’s going back even further in time to get the same thing. This time, it’s just weeks, but the Golden Bear frontman will likely give a read through and remember that week as fondly again, forgetting why it meant something to him. He tells about the week of the Austin City Limits festival, which happened during the middle week of September in the band’s hometown. It was stupidly hot over those days and yet, the air-conditioned room at Maggie Mae’s gave Gregory the coolness needed to wear his customized sport coat as the band opened the Saturday night Paste magazine showcase, with a dynamic performance on the downtown stage a few hours before The Decemberists played on the rooftop. The suit coat that Gregory sported featured a bear head in sparkly rhinestones, a unique touch that was as desirable and quirky as the five-piece’s popsmithery. Gregory was like a piñata upon impact throughout most of the band’s set, spinning wildly and attacking the microphone and the lyrics of songs from the band’s latest record, To The Farthest Star. Where did he get all of that energy? Probably from all the carbo-loading and distance running he’s been doing. He’s a guy with his head on straight, even when he’s turning it dizzy. Without a doubt, Golden Bear is one of the best little heard of, pure pop bands coming out of the great state of Texas. It’s a distinction we used to reserve for a group called Chomsky. R.I.P.

One — I really loved playing at Antone’s Wednesday night to a big crowd containing lots of old friends who I hadn’t seen in ages. We got to meet the rapper Bavu Blakes, who I saw open for the Roots at Gregory Gym at UT while I was in college. I loved hanging out and doing boy band poses with the other guys for the photographer before we played. Ordinarily we wouldn’t be posing like Jordan and Donnie, et al., but the photographer was taking like a shot a second and told us to just “go with it”. And we did. All we needed was a fan blowing our hair back.

Two — I loved eating at the best BBQ place I know of, called “Cele Store,” right outside of Pflugerville, TX with some friends on Friday. It is close to where they filmed “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” It is always a little like stepping into another dimension at Cele Store. There are cans of food and 20-year-old deodorants on the shelves (as it was once a real general store), and the foundation is uneven. All the waitresses have Texas hair and they serve the food on a big piece of wax paper on the middle of the table, and even sometimes call you “hon’.” Cele Store has been around as long as BBQ, and I think my favorite thing there would be the ribs or sausage.

Three — I loved finding out that our drummer Andy and his wife Heather are going to be a dad and mom, respectively. It made me happy, overwhelmed, tearful, and very envious of that little kid. I have a plan to enlist all of our offspring to someday take over the family business when we all die. Golden Bear: The Resurrection.

Four — I loved getting to do a long run Saturday morning on one of the more pleasant (non-steamy) days we’ve had recently. My mind and body and soul were all very grateful. It prepared me for the night that laid ahead. I am looking forward to running a marathon in February. I like to pretend I am either Rocky Balboa or Steve Prefontaine (or Jared Leto as Steve Prefontaine) to pump myself up. I’ve been running for about seven years pretty regularly, and I finally decided I wanted to try a marathon. I usually run in my neighborhood by Burnet Rd. and Ohlen Rd. or at Town Lake when I have the time to spare. Town Lake is definitely my favorite.

Five — I loved playing with The Decemberists Saturday night in Austin with a bunch of my favorite people who I rarely see in the crowd. We let the Gold Flow that night. I was told by several people in attendance that we all really seemed to be having fun that night, and that we were really “on,” which are compliments (esp. the latter) that most bands love to hear. But the main thing is, like I said, we let the Gold flow, and brought it so hard that we couldn’t be contained. Looking forward to ACL week next year.

Golden Bear MySpace Page
C-Side Records