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CITY SCENE By
Thom White Sonny’s Vintage Everything is more colorful once you enter Sonny’s Vintage -- “It’s like psychodelic, duuude…” I’m not in a position to give away all the secrets behind Sonny’s Vintage, and reveal just how he comes up with all this great vintage clothing and musical gear, but it’s clear Sonny’s been in the business of cool for a long time -- and he’s got sources. Here you’ll find items that once were cool, and others that will forever be. Sonny’s has got unique “virgin vintage” that you won’t find anywhere else. Ladies, I especially urge you to browse through the variety of “never before worn” vintage designs at Sonny’s -- you’re certain to make some surprising finds. They also do a brisk business in hats, specializing in fedoras and “newsboy” caps. So fellows - why not get a little class? Protect your noggin from that Central Texas chill and your eyes from the blinding sun, and pick up a hat at Sonny’s. The classic musical equipment for sale at Sonny’s is also “one of a kind.” The owner’s been playing guitar and harmonica in various bands since he was a kid, and he’s got the music gear to prove it. There’re old-school studio microphones, film cameras (“built like a tank”), and musical instruments of all kinds in scattered showcases. There’s a mandolin by some hand-held cameras from the 1960s; and there’s a saxophone near the portable reel-to-reel tape player/recorder. Yes, recording on magnetic tape is alive and well at Sonny’s Vintage. I’m not talking about cassette tapes -- this is the “reel” deal, the kind of equipment that top sound engineers of the latter 20th century used to make all their classic rock ‘n’ roll masters. So for any of you audiophiles out there who are fed up with these new-fangled electronic files of 0’s and 1’s, these mp3s posing as real music; if you swear by the superior sound quality of 1/4” 3M/Scotch tape recordings, you must go over to Sonny’s Vintage (he’s centrally located, a short drive from wherever you’re reading this) and load up on tape players and reel-to-reel recorders before they run out. Just drop by Sonny’s Vintage and you’re sure to make a worthy discovery. 2928
Guadalupe #104
Hanover’s Hanover’s is a German public house in the center of historic Pflugerville. Once just a “Podunk” town on the northern edge of Travis County, Pflugerville’s getting to be “big time” these days, and so’s this place. Hanover’s features a large outdoor area (Biergarten) along with some traditional German volleyball courts. They have live music and some refer to this place as a “honky-tonk.” You’ll find much of Pflugertown’s alcoholic party-down population and a lot of wise guys here as well. Everyone has a good time at Hanovers, and sometimes things get “crazy” and they have “co-ed pole dance” competitions, but only after the ladies have ingested a serious dose of alcoholic lubrication. Karaoke is a big thing at this German Hoffbrau. Tonight, a mysterious cowboy in bright red MC’s the event. One guy does Death Metal renditions of country-western favorites, to a mixed reaction from the crowd. Some people found his monotonous metal croak extraordinarily irritating, while others “gave respect.” I’d never seen anyone do Van Halen’s “Hot for Teacher” (with the extended instrumental sections, it’s never been prime karaoke material) but with the new popularity of virtuoso air guitar, one guy was able to convert the song into a pretty entertaining act. So if you like to drink excessively, consider Hanover’s as your new dive of choice. And remember: Pflugerville is not as far away as you think. 108
E. Main Street
Southside Flying Pizza Pizza visionaries imagine Southside Flying Pizza as a “small Neapolitan-style pizza shop” where you can pick up “traditional hand tossed pizza.” In the Cola Wars, this place is a partisan for neither Coke nor Pepsi. Southside Flying Pizza has opted out and they choose to serve Royal Crown. The advantage of being a free agent in the soda world is that their dispenser features premium IBC Root beer (normally available only in a bottle). The walls are plastered with prints of 1970's country and rock posters by artist Michael Priest, recalling concerts at old-school Austin venues like Armadillo World Headquarters and Manor Downs. Renaissance paintings beneath the glass tables display the art and culture of "La Bella Italia." If you arrive at the right time, you might spot large numbers of Vespa aficionados who congregate here to eat pizza. This is definitely a good place to get a bite of Italy. 2206
S. Congress Ave. |
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