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Strange Brew
5326 Manchaca Avenue
Austin, TX 78745
Sundays: 7:00 PM
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9:13 PM, May 19, 2013


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Scores

Dry Hump to Daft Punk	78

You're Gonna Need a Bigger Mouth	65

Obama Care Not	50

I Quizzed My Pants	50

Don't Eat the Oleanders!	47

Game of Scones	43

We Need a Ringer	43

Army of One	37

MCM	6

Look, I never said it was an interesting story...

The R-U-E

For those of you who were not with us at Strange Brew this week, first of all, where the hell were you? I missed you terribly.

Secondly, I promised that the blog tonight would be the story of the night I saw Billy Idol. So here we go:

This story takes place way back in the year two thousand five, a year and a half after I moved to Austin. Back then, I was dating a girl who worked for a certain major international music/film/interactive festival (I won’t mention the name, but you won’t get there by going North-by-Northeast, if you follow). Since she worked there, I got a free Plutonium badge (I’m not exactly sure what it was called, but I know it was an element that starts with “P.” Phosphorus, maybe?), which I thought was going to be awesome until I realized that, because my girlfriend worked for the festival, she would be, well, working during the festival, so I had to take in everything basically by myself. I didn’t mind that so much, in hindsight; I saw a lot of great movies and several truly unforgettable concerts (yes, I was at the “secret” Beastie Boys concert. Yes, it was among the greatest shows I ever saw, or at least I assume it was. I was on some pretty potent psylocibin mushrooms at the time, so my memory might not be a terribly reliable source. Anyway).

On one night of the festival, the headlining act at Stubb’s amphitheater was Billy goddamn Idol. I’m not a huge fan of Mr. Idol’s oeuvre, but I know the hit songs and actually really like a couple, and the band playing right before him was the Donnas (a band I really like), so I hoofed it over to Stubb’s.

When I’d woken up and gotten dressed that morning, it was 67 degrees in Austin. By the time the Donnas went on stage (around 7 PM), the temperature had plummeted to a truly brisk twenty-three degrees. That’s below freezing, for those of you keeping track. At the time, every pair of shoes I owned were Converse Chuck Taylors, which are great shoes, but as you may know, they’re made of canvas. These will both be important factors later, so remember them.

The Donnas put on a great show, if you cared. They were fun and kinda raunchy; at one point, (apparently) some guy near the front yelled out “show us your tits!” to which the lead singer replied, “show me your dick!” and, after a brief pause, added, “that is so not worth my tits.” They finished their set and had cleared their gear by 8:15. Billy Idol was slated to start at 9 PM. I started to walk out to the street, figuring that I’d go grab some food and warm up before Billy Idol started, but the line had grown by that time and was stretched all the way down to 7^thStreet, and the guys at the door said they couldn’t guarantee re-entry, even to a Plutonium (or maybe phosphorus) badge holder. So I stood. And waited.

And waited.

Billy Idol’s crew took 90 minutes to set up their gear, so the show didn’t actually start until 9:45 PM. By this time, I had lost feeling in my face and, I realized, my feet. My canvas shoes, coupled with the fact that I’d been standing still for an hour and a half, meant that everything from the ankle down was completely numb. At this point, I decided that I only really wanted to hear him play “Rebel Yell,” and that I would leave immediately after that song.

He opened with “Dancing With Myself,” then went into a song from his *new* album (did you know Billy Idol released an album in 2005? Neither did anyone else at that show). His third song was “White Wedding,” and I realized that I might be waiting a bit longer than I’d hoped.

Billy Idol played for Two. And. A. Half. Hours.

“Rebel Yell” was his third encore, by which time, I was so cold that I could no longer feel anything below my waist. My hands were red and chapped, my lips were so dry they were cracking, my nose had been running like a faucet for almost 3 hours. I was exhausted, lonely, hungry, thirsty, oddly sweaty (given how cold it was), and above all else frozen to the bone.

It was at that moment, at nearly 30 minutes past midnight, that I decided that I hate Billy Idol and anyone who looks like him.

Except Spike from Buffy.

Thanks to everyone who came out this week! I’ll see you all next week, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel!

Be good to yourselves and each other,

--Chris

Strange Brew
5326 Manchaca Avenue
Austin, TX 78745
Sundays: 7:00 PM
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8:07 PM, May 12, 2013


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Scores

Game of Scones	63

Mind Numb Wiggle Worms	52

Undynamic Duo	50

Happy MILF Day	47

Who says you can't go home again? Wait, we said that? Whoops...

The R-U-E

For all of you who missed it, please allow me to fill you in on what happened this week:

I AM RONIN NO LONGER!

After five long, listless months, I have wandered the streets of Austin, feeling a deep, abiding sense of ennui. Can one still be considered a Quizmaster if one is currently master of no quizzes? So much of my identity is contained in that job description, but is something a job if one is not working? If said “job” exists only as a technicality? For five harrowing months, I tried to find the answer to those and many more questions.

But then they said, “Hey Chris, Strange Brew is finally through with their renovations and want to bring you back!” and I said “Fuck this deep thinking shit, I’m back in business, baby!”

So thank you to all who made it out for our triumphant return! And to those of you who have not yet taken in the majesty of our new night in the new room, what are you waiting for? Get your ass on down here!

Sundays! 7 PM! See you then!

Be good to yourselves and each other (damn, it feels good to write that again),

--Chris

Strange Brew
5326 Manchaca Avenue
Austin, TX 78745
Sundays: 7:00 PM
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9:06 PM, December 27, 2012


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Scores

Flatearthers in Space	70

The Three Brewsketeers	55

Where Did the Wall Go?!	50

Texoilvania	50

I Hope the Fiscal Cliff Has a Water Slide	42

"Auld Lang Syne" is an old Middle English phrase that means "I hate this fucking song"

The R-U-E

For those who were not in attendance tonight, allow me to recap the highlights:

HOLY SHIT THE ROOM IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT NOW.

Seriously, look through the photos. I doubt any of you would recognize the place anymore. It looks amazing. However, we won’t be on the “Lounge Side” anymore, as that space will be used for music on Thursdays now. We’ll be on the other side… just as soon as they get it built. Which brings me to highlight number two:

There won’t be any quiz at Strange Brew for about 6 weeks.

Yeah, I know, it’s sad. Believe me; no one is going to miss this quiz more than I will, and no one will be as excited when it returns as I will. Keep an eye on the Facebook page (link below) for updates.

2012 has been a truly interesting year. There were plenty of ups and downs, but most importantly for me, I got to start this amazing quiz at this incredible venue. I look forward to what 2013 has in store for us! But since I won’t see you until after it’s over, BUY TICKETS FOR GEEK BOWL! If I don’t see you there, I’ll see you shortly thereafter at Strange Brew, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.

I fuckin’ love you guys. See you in 2013.

--Chris

Geek Bowl VII tickets are on sale at www.geekswhodrink.com

Keep track of the quiz on Facebook! www.facebook.com/strangebrewGWD

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