Austin is this island of coolness in the middle of the hot wasteland that is Texas, or people like to think… so why do people from Austin want a statue of Danzig riding a dragon to welcome visitors to the Red River Cultural District? As much as this semi-apocalyptic vision made me laugh and, at the end, could be a great tourist attraction, this is just crazy!
According to Texas Monthly, the Red River Cultural District is the place ‘where all of the artists who’ve emerged from the city’s vibrant music community over the past fifteen cut their teeth, made their bones’, is one of the most vital music districts in the country, and is Austin’s live music identity. However, its future is right now uncertain, and Austin officials want to do something about it.
But who got this brilliant idea? James Wood, the guy who helped found rock club The Mowhawk, the booking agency Transmission Entertainment, Fun Fun Fun Fest, and the non-profit Austin Music People. If you remember correctly, Danzig’s diva behavior was in full display at the 2011 Fun Fun Fest, when he complained about the temperature being too cold, asked for vitamins, French onion soup and a Wendy’s chicken sandwich, and refused to play after hours of negotiation even though stage heaters were brought on stage with an on-site doctor! When he finally took the stage, it was almost curfew time, and Danzig got furious, encouraging the crowd to riot! What a stupid mess, which makes extremely curious the idea of a Danzig statue in Austin! And why Danzig? He is not even from Texas, I am sure there are many music legends who could represent the place much better than the Misfit frontman, I don’t get it!
According to KEYE TV, Moody ‘acknowledged the idea was mostly in jest’, and added ‘if they’re willing to do it in gold, I’ll submit it as a serious idea’. He also suggested ruby eyes for Danzig! Okay so we have to take the news with a grain of salt? Still the idea made its way to the Austin Music Commission meeting’s future goals list and the photo is there to prove it. Statues are tacky and always horrible (remember the recent Kurt Cobain one?). But Metal Injection has probably the best rendition of what could soon welcome Austin visitors, so I stole it!
