Sometimes, people, you disappoint me. Like Saturday night at Cat's Cradle, a show that had all the elements of what should have been a packed house: The super-fine Minus 5, a band featuring big-name rock stars; ample preview coverage; and it was Saturday night, what else were you going to do?

Well, I guess the rain and the televised Penn State/Iowa game kept everybody away, because maybe 100 people turned out. And to the immense credit of Scott McCaughey and company, those who were there got a heck of a show. They offered up plenty of Minus 5 and Baseball Project songs, plus a handful of Dream Syndicate classics. I always forget how much I like Steve Wynn's old band; I walked in as they were whompin' the bejezus out of "Tell Me When It's Over," and it was a great moment.

I only wish you'd been there to hear it.

I've had a soft spot for Scott McCaughey ever since the night he got me out of a traffic ticket. It was 1997, the opening night of South By Southwest, and I'd just rolled into town. Jacked-up from a late flight and interminable lines for my rental car and badge, I was cruising downtown Austin in an inattentive stupor, looking for a parking place. I turned the wrong way down a one-way street, and one of Austin's finest instantly appeared in my rear-view mirror, lights blazing.

The constable walked up to the car and I was talking a blue streak -- very sorry... from out of town, just got here... won't happen again... -- before realizing that he wasn't listening to me. Instead, he was listening to what I had in the tape deck, the then-new album from McCaughey's band Minus 5. So I shut up and listened, too. About 30 seconds later, the cop nodded toward the music and said, "Not bad," then let me off with a stern warning.

Who knows what good things McCaughey can do for you? Check Friday's paper for an interview about the many hats he wears, some of which will be on display Saturday at Cat's Cradle.