Wurstfest | Alex Meixner

The major travel season for The Alex Meixner Band concluded with the annual Wurstfest Texas trip. The band was really excited for the events, especially with the addition of Mikey Kramar from California on brass, accordions, bass and vocals to the stellar lineup that included Matt Tolentino on sax, clarinet, accordion, ukulele, tuba and vocals and Ed Klancnik on super drums.
We kicked off with our party in Canyon Lake- organized by the Riekers and Cases. It’s always a good time playing out by the pool in the picturesque setting…. Never knowing what kind of alphorn contest will ensue….For some reason the drunk monkey was pretty tame this year, but a fun time was had by all….
I was honored to mc the opening ceremonies of Wurstfest again—and lead the countdown to the biting of the wurst, along with musical soundtracks by The Alex Meixner Band and the Comal Community Band. From there we went over to the Big Tent and led off a raucous night of entertainment alternating with those crazy huggie bears of Austria— Die Hohberg Buam. The audiences were extremely enthusiastic and just exemplified everything I love about entertaining! Matt Tolentino might have even gotten a few phone numbers by all of the mentions of his singleness!! J
I really should blog this festival on a daily basis as there were so many highlights. Despite some midi accordion malfunctions, this was definitely the best audience reaction I’ve ever had at the festival. Thanks to Terry Cavanagh for his technical assistance as well as Berndt and TJ- the sound men extraordinaire— we had a blast presenting medleys of up to 70 minutes long(!!!!!), as well as the rest of our repertoire. Selections from the latest cd, Family Tradition were well received, as well as new features by Mikey (playing the button box with a wine bottle), Matt (in total tribute to Linsk Minyk in “The Last Polka”- singing “On the Road Again”) and Ed’s stupendous drum solos…. Not to mention—I think we now hold the record for the fastest chicken dance ever….
I can’t begin to thank everyone that was there or assisted us in producing the shows—but please know I appreciate everything that was done for us this year, as well as in the preceding 10 years. I look forward to returning for many more!!!!
We actually will have pictures and videos coming soon!!! Stay tuned to the blogs for proof of the mayhem!

In the meantime—I get a little time off, and a few nice gigs—including a trip out to Pittsburgh with the band on Nov. 23… Hope to catch up with some friends in western PA soon!
alex

Last Wednesday, Robert A. Nowotny caught my set at Wurstfest and wrote this awesome review. Check out all the other Robert’s other reviews at www.NeedToVent.com

Somehow The Weather Channel failed to mention the biggest hurricane to hit Texas since Ike. Maybe it is because this super powerful force of nature blew in from Allentown, Pennsylvania and not from the Gulf Coast. Yes, I said Allentown, PA — the home of one Alex Meixner, arguably the most dynamic, electrifying musical performer working today. If Alex’s energy could be harnessed to an electrical grid, he could power all of Central Texas for a year.

And speaking of Central Texas, that’s just where we most recently saw the Alex Meixner Band perform — at the venerable New Bruanfels Wurstfest, a ten–day celebration consisting of beer and sausage and beer and potato pancakes and beer and kartoffel and, well, you get the idea. Oh yes, and music, too, where every evening as many as three bands play simultaneously in separate musical venues situated within the Wurstfest grounds. That’s a lot of music, but, for ten consecutive years, the one band that packs them in to capacity, performance after performance, has been headlined by Alex Meixner.

Step aside Whitesnake, Metalica and Twisted Sister — Alex possesses a stage presence and exuberance and kinetic energy that makes you guys look lame and tame in comparison. Lederhosen never looked so hip.

Backed this year by three highly talented accomplices, the Alex Meixner Band set a new standard for fun, zaniness, musicality and perspiration. Phalanges flew faster than a hummingbird’s wings when Alex literally attacked his button box while belting out a truly eclectic array of unexpected tunes, all with a “Meixnerian” slant that had everyone, including the usually sedate fans of Lawrence Welk Champagne–style Music, cheering wildly and forming Conga lines as long and spirited as any during Carnival in Rio.

Examples of Meixnerian “Loony Tunes” include “The Devil Goes To Munich,” an exhilarating adaptation that Charlie Daniels must surely salute along with that other Daniels fellow, Jack. Or how about Sachmo’s “When The Saints Come Marching In,” featuring Alex’s amazing vocals successfully emulating America’s beloved Ambassador of Good Will. Or Iron Butterfly’s “In–A–Gadda–Da–Vida,” where Alex is accompanied by one of the band members playing a Ukulele — a dad gum Ukulele! Want another example? How about Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music, White Boy,” a groovy, irrepressible rendition performed on a Siwa & Figli accordion.

Bet you never thought you’d see that…

(More information on the Alex Meixner Band, including a schedule of their upcoming appearances, can be found at www.alexmeixner.com)

The Best Fest is Wurstfest!

Review from Wurstfest!