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Paris, Texas locals Tyler Merriman and Chris Mead are getting ready to record their first full-length album in the Austin-based band Antiques and they’re reaching out to their friends and fans in Paris to help fund it.
Paris locals Chris Mead (front, left) and Tyler Merriman (back, right) are recording their debut album with Austin-based band The Antiques, and they are asking for your help.
Antiques bassist Sven Sorhus, guitarist Alex Woodbury, and singer Tyler Merriman met at the Texas State University music school in San Marcos. They formed the band in the summer of 2010 with drummer Zach Samuel.
They released their debut EP ‘Fire, Fire’ in the winter of 2012. Soon after, Zach left the band, leaving the remaining members to write songs and search for a new drummer.
After playing shows with a few stand-ins, Tyler reached out to Chris Mead, who was soon to finish his degree in Music Education at A&M Commerce.
“Chris and I stayed in close contact while we were in college, always hoping for the opportunity to play together again,” stated lead singer and guitarist, Tyler Merriman.
Fans of the Paris music scene may remember Chris and Tyler’s band Artless from their high school days.
Chris accepted the invitation to join the band and moved down to Austin last summer to live with the rest of the guys. Since then they have been out cutting their teeth on weekly shows and writing a lot at home.
“Having Chris so close has resulted in overflowing creativity.” Merriman continued. ”We constantly jam and develop our songs and we’re closely tuned in to each other.”
“We’re taking the Kickstarter route to help fund the album because we want it to be a quality production. Recording and mixing sessions in a professional studio are costly. Then there’s mastering, artwork, CD manufacturing, and distribution. I think it’s amazing that the internet allows us to collaborate directly with our fans and friends to create our music. Instead of being taken by a record label, we can retain our artistic integrity with the help of the people who want to hear it!”
Tyler and Chris have fond memories of getting their musical start in Paris.
“Our friends and fans were always there for us in Paris. They made us feel like, ‘Hey, maybe we could actually do this for a living’,” stated drummer, Chris Mead, about his hometown.
“Chris and I were fortunate to grow up in Paris with a sense of community. The whole town has always supported what we do as musicians, and we need them now more than ever,” Merriman stated in closing. ”We know this record will be a big step up for us and will give us a bigger name. We have a lot to prove with our first full-length, and we’re hungry for it.”
The Paris locals, who are now making their stand in Austin, could use our help here in Paris more than ever. Let’s give it to them. Visit their ‘Kickstarter’ page and see if what you can do to lend a hand. The band is offering a lot of really cool incentives for your consideration. Click here to help!
Visit the Antiques’s website and check out their music by clicking here.
www.antiquesmusic.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/antiquesmusic
Comedian Jimmy Pardo
LMAO Comedy is excited to announce that Jimmy Pardo from The Conan Obrien Show will perform saturday night at 8pm in Downtown Paris Texas. As a current cast member of the Conan Obrien Show, comedian Jimmy Pardo was in the middle of the “Jay Leno / NBC / Conan Obrien War”. Aside from doing on air segments for the show, Conan tapped Pardo personally to be the show’s warm up act. Jimmy has also been seen in a few segments of the popular Comedy Central show “Tosh.O”.
Pardo has been seen in multiple TV shows including Donna’s Boss at the radio station on “That 70’s Show” to Becker and of course late night shows like Craig Ferguson. Jimmy also recorded a 30 minute special for Comedy Central. Serving as the host for shows like AMC’s “Movies at Our House” and GSN’s “National Lampoon’s Funny Money”, Pardo was recently mentioned as a possible fill-in for Jimmy Fallon by Patton Oswalt. Currently Jimmy is the host of the ground breaking podcast “Never Not Funny” landing him in Esquire and GQ magazines.
Showtime is 8pm on Saturday May 11th. Tickets are available online at www.lmaotexas.com or in person at Girls and Cake in Downtown Paris, or by calling 903-785-LAFF. LMAO Comedy is located at 12 First St Ne in Downtown Paris.
Max Jones & the Draggin’ Man Band are at it again this weekend, playing the second to last show of their Paris circuit on Saturday, May 4, at The Depot.
Currently recording their debut album, the band is playing in support of that release, which will be in the Summer of this year. The album will feature 12 original songs from the Texas jam band.
When asked what they sound like, in a comical, hypothetical response, the band replied, “Take some Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones, put them into a jar and shake them up really well. Then take that and pour it into a glass of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Drink it, and you’re close to the sound of Max Jones & The Draggin’ Man Band.”
The show starts around 9:30pm. There’s a $5 cover at the door. The band’s next show will be at Red River Saloon on May 11. You can check out their music and download their songs for free by clicking here. ’Like’ them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thedragginmanband.
Max Jones & the Draggin’ Man Band is made up of Max Jones, vocals, acoustic guitar; Josh Allen, lead guitar, vocals; Jay Curt McKee, bass guitar; and Connor Pickle, drums, percussion.
Max Jones & the Draggin’ Man Band will host a show at Red River Saloon on Saturday, while the Paris Chapter of the East Texas Roller Derby League, offer special cocktail waitressing, receiving all tips for their benefit.
Photo by Beatrice Ardila. Click the picture to download the Draggin’ Man’s songs for free.
The Paris Chapter of the Roller Derby League is new to the group, so come out and support their cause. The Roller Derby ‘games’ happen all over, but the Paris Chapter practices at the Family Fun Center on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-8pm. If you are interested in skating for sport, go and talk ‘derby’ with them.
Check out the East Texas Roller Derby League on Facebook by clicking here, or visit their website here.
The Draggin’ Man Band is a ‘Jam Band’, featuring unique original songs and seasoned musicianship. Each of the musicians have toured the world professionally and incorporate obscure covers into the mix for the crowd.
Max Jones — a local singer/songwriter, with amazing vocals and original songs — has recently joined the group of musicians, making the outfit even more diverse than before. Max’s vocal melodies and style is an immediate crowd pleaser.
This will be their second show as a single group, and The Draggin’ Man Band’s original tunes and ‘Jam Band’ style remains consistently throughout the live show — which are infused with much more energy than any recording possible. Their live show is full of surprises and rarely do the guys do the songs in the same manner — becoming a jam band after looking up to bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, The Black Crowes, and most all blues and jazz artists…to name only a few.
Check out Max Jones & the Draggin’ Man Band on Facebook here. You can also download their music for FREE and check out videos by clicking clicking —–> here.
The show is tomorrow, Saturday, April 13 at Red River Saloon. Music starts at 9pm. Only a $5 cover for great music, drinks and support of a good cause. See you there. Red River Saloon — what was formerly Harley’s — is connected to the Ramada and their new restaurant; 3558 NE Loop 286.
Some very courageous and well respected women of Paris, Texas have gotten together with PCT’s Off Plaza Productions to bring the showing of the moving play The Vagina Monologues by Tony Award winning playwright and women’s activist, Eve Ensler.
The local showing is directed by Lisa Martin and Sydney Young.
Shown here is cast member, Kristi Martin, wearing the event’s t-shirt, which can be purchased for $15 to benefit Safe-T.
Featuring stories told by women from all over the world, the play was written to enthuse its audience and to move them towards a more open and clear view of women. As inspiring as it is, Ensler went on to start the worldwide V-Day Movement, which was began to raise awareness and funds to end domestic violence and sexual abuse against women. Since it’s inception the movement has gained over one billion activists.
Click here to read Extra! Columnist, Jenny Wilson’s, take on the popular play.
The event will be held at the Plaza Theatre in downtown Paris on April 12-14 — after Wine Fest on Friday at 9pm and 7:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. As a V-Day event itself, all ticket sales and fundraising efforts will benefit the Safe-T Women’s Shelter.
There will be a “Walk in My Shoes” fundraiser on Sunday at 5pm. This is an international walk for men, walking a short distance wearing women’s high heel shoes as an act to show support for ending domestic violence and sexual abuse against women — a walk that will begin at the PCT Brown Center for Creative Arts, 115 Clarksville Street, and end at the Plaza Theatre, just in time for the showing of the play.
The registration fee is $35 and high heel shoes may be rented for $5 (limited supply). All proceeds benefit the Safe-T Women’s Shelter.
This play is for mature, over 18 audiences only. Tickets are $10. Purchase them online through brownpapertickets.com or by calling the PCT box office at 903-784-0259.
The gallery below was shot at a dress rehearsal; click the thumbnail to enlarge.
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