San Antonio has always been a mecca for rock music. Christopher Dillard is working towards establishing a new venue, MISSION, near the UTSA campus downtown. It’s where the old Passel Studio used to be. Chris and his wife, Juanita, held an event “Kick off to a new venue” featuring bands and vendors drawing a sizeable crowd.
War on Sunday was my favorite act from the evening. They are a female, 3 piece reminiscent of our grunge forbears. Their old timey baby doll/Rockabilly motif is nostalgic and lead singer Adri Dele frails on her neon pink guitar in a distinctive banjo playing style called Clawhammer.
“Hey Jenocide was one of the vendors selling handmade coffin shelves featuring custom art, stickers and buttons of infamous serial killers. Before I knew it, the owner Jenny Luna was selling cupcakes, they were already gone.”
We talked about actor Bruce Campbell of the Evil Dead/Army of Darkness fame. We went from talking of her going to see him when he comes to town then of when I got him autograph an action figure of “Autolycus, King of Thieves.”
Bruce Campbell asked me, “You know what I’d do with that if I were you? I’d steal it.”
I was surprised to discover that one of the vendors was an old acquaintance who is now operating his own business, Alta Vista Skate Shop-City Base. They had decks and apparel up for grabs, but I think the benefit of being at the event is brand recognition. If the skaters don’t know you exist, they won’t use you!
Justin is big into philanthropy. His goal is to help people of all ages find the love of skateboarding. Independence, freedom, the lessons learned. “Skating teaches us that when you fall, you get back up, dust yourself off and try again,” he said.
MISSION is a venue that will surely get off the ground if they live by that same mantra.
