The Metal Files

Nektar was in town last night at a little place on the east side of Austin called Cheer Up Charlies.  Little is the understatement of the century.  This place was tiny.  20 people inside and you’re uncomfortable, I kid you not.  No matter, they were playing there and I had to see them.  And it was FREE!  There was a suggested donation at the door and I dropped in $5.

I was introduced to Nektar’s music through Iron Maiden.  They covered King of Twilight as the B-side of the Aces High single.  Because of that I picked up their albums A Tab In The Ocean and Remember The Future.  While not my favorite prog rock stuff from that era, it was enjoyable.  And if Maiden liked them, that was good enough for me back in those days.

Prior to the band hitting the stage, I met their current bassist, Lux, and merch guy, Nicky.  A friend had conversed with Nicky earlier and discovered that he was in the seminal British punk band UK Subs.  An original member even.  Weird world, eh?

Any way, Nektar takes the “stage” (read: the floor) and the room was filled with quite a few folks who were there specifically to see them.  I was pleasantly surprised by that.  The band seemed a little annoyed by the venue and understandably so.  It was a Wednesday night in Austin and this show could have been booked easily at a more suitable venue.  Again, no matter.  They sounded really good.  The band features original signer/guitarist and drummer Roy Albrighton and Ron Howden, respectively.  The keyboardist was a German named Klaus Henatsch and on bass was Lux Vibratus, an American.  He was a fantastic bassist.

I stayed for just under half of the set as there was another show that I had already paid admission to see.  Not to mention that it was completely uncomfortable in there.   Glad I got to see some legends last night.