Party Ends

   Clap! Clap!  was in peak form for their last show ever at Emo’s on Saturday night.  As each song passed they would comment on how it would be the last time they would ever play it and lo, it was a sad realization.  The audience and I all got a little verklempt as we talked, danced and drank amongst ourselves to the show that was just like buttah. Who will show us how to clap on the beat?  Who will display innovative ways to clap to said beat? Let’s just be thankful for all the special moments that Clap! Clap! left us. And with that, I hope that at one point Austin’s largest band will continue to live on within our hearts and minds. I think sharing my grief will help me ease my burdens.
     
   The set closer “Clap! Clap!” especially hit home. These guys on stage for four years bragged to everyone about how they loved to dance and to clap more than anybody- and now they are parting ways never to unify in clapping synchronization ever again? Everyone in the band is pursuing other interests and projects and the band vows to keep fans in touch via the internetz.  

   A brief list of special Clap! Clap! memories:
* Playing Chris’ 21 first birthday party at an empty space next to ilovevideo that concluded in a full on TABC raid.  
* A whole bunch of different members including a fellow who might have been jesus.
* Playing the KVRX prom in the rain.  
* Driving to San Marcus to see the band and once again becoming extremely grateful for Austin.  
* Headlining the first ever partyends sponsored Draft Sessions out at Independence Brewery.
* When they first started and wore black, green and white and ties like a ska band.
* The endless innovation of clapper Doug Hanshaw’s clapping technique including what my friend Will coined as “the reverse throwup” and “the helicopter clap.”

  PartyEnds.com presented two shows with the group but must have attended almost every single Austin show since 2004, seeing them at house parties, Emos inside/outside and on an high note at Fun Fun Fun Fest among just a few.     

  Let’s just be thankful for all the special moments that Clap! Clap! left us. And with that, I hope that at one point Austin’s largest band will continue to live on within our hearts and minds.  

 MP3: Clap! Clap!- Talk Shop (Featuring Chief from Word Association)