if you're not good live then you're just not good.

Support local musicians & their health - HAAM benefit day!

2011-10-04T10:18:00.000-07:00

Besides it being National Taco Day, today in Austin is HAAM Benefit Day too!

Go out and support the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians by hitting up any or all of the businesses in Austin that are donating a portion of proceeds to HAAM to continue to provide Austin musicians affordable and no-cost health benefits. Many musicians who support and/or benefit from HAAM services are playing around town today in support for the organization, so I recommend you heading out today and buy some beer and/or food at the venues, restaurants, and stores to make your contribution.

I plan catching Quiet Company, Akina Adderly and the Vintage Playboys, Robet Ellis and Reckless Kelly in the parking lot of Waterloo Records beginning at 4:30pm this afternoon. More locals such as Toni Price, Dana Falconberry, Not in the Face, and even Opposite Day are playing too. Check out the listing of times and venues here.

Also, Google Places is having a nice little shindig down at B.D. Riley's that includes a free drink when you show the staff your Google Places app on your smartphone or Ipad. Be sure to download that here if you ain't got it already so you can have your first drink on their tab.

I'm gonna work this in too - $1 Lonestars at The Liberty on the East side. Drink and contribute! Support your local musicians and their health too!

The Black Angels play free on September 23rd! RSVP now!

2011-09-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday as I was driving myself to Georgetown, Texas to rehearsal I received an email from VICE magazine inviting me to a night of free music, free beer, and free The Black Angels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy smokes! If you didn't get the email basically here are the details:

VICE and Jansport are presenting The Black Angels are Lustre Pearl beginning at 4pm (according to the email) on September 23, 2011 in Austin. What's the deal and why are they doing this? Well, to promote Jansport backpacks of course and the kickoff starts here in Austin, The Black Angels hometown, for their Unzipped tour.

RSVP here for entry and free PBR and free food. If you miss it this time, I guess you can try to catch them on New Year's Eve when they end their last stop on tour back at Emos in Austin.

dude, just Ditch the Fest 2 / 09.17.11

2011-09-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

I ain't going to Austin City Limits Music Festival this year..again. I have been to every single ACL Music fest but this year, due to being a stage manager for a show in Georgetown, I do not have the time to split between the festival & work/tech week. I definitely wanted to see Stevie Wonder, too.

Not going either? Whatever the reason I don't blame you. Since my first ACL Music Festival in 2002, the festival grows bigger and bigger each and every year. This is a great thing, don't get me wrong, especially for a local Austin-based entertainment booking/staging company like C3 Presents. However, with that growth for a local music festival comes greater & bigger acts/band/performers....aaaaaaand within that comes more $$$ for C3 to bank on for purchase sales and sell-outs (I'm talking ticket sales here). Hell, they took $150 bucks from me for purchasing 3 three-day passes at the 'early bird' price. I got those tickets at a steal compared to what folks are selling their ACL 3-day passes for here.

According to a study commissioned by C3, ACL is expected to have $73 million dollars pumped into the local restaurants, hotels, bars, etc! You got 70,000 attendees coming to the festival that are hungry, thirsty, and don't want to walk all the way back to their car after the festival and/or wait in the long bus line. Last year the Austin Parks Foundation benefited from 2.34 million dollars in monies to have to improve the Zilker Park grounds to increase more tree coverage, an irrigation system, plant more grass, add benches, etc from C3's profit. It takes a lot of money to get the festival going, up, and running as well as keeping those that come from afar happy. And I don't know about you, but if I hadn't snagged those $50 three day passes a week after ACL Music Fest 2010 (a week in October right before Halloween), I don't think I could shell out almost $200 bucks cash for a pass or wristband even if I wanted to....

Last year's Ditch the Fest was too much fun that I hardly remember it.
This year there are more sponsors, free beer, and cheap prices to get in.
Ditch the Fest 2: presented by Luck The Poodle:

Ditch the Fest 2 has now become a benefit where most of the proceeds will be donated to the Texas Red Cross for the wildfire victims from Bastrop county. You can see as many bands as you can catch this year at 5 venues: Cheer Up Charlies, Red 7, Beauty Bar, the Scoot Inn, and Club De Ville.

What's great about Ditch the Fest 2:

local live music from bands that live or based out of Austin
local venues - a $2 per venue you can see the whole lineup or hop around with a wristband for $5 from venue to venue (except Club De Ville)
schedule of band set times range from 2pm - 2am at each venue
FREE SHINER BOCK from Birds Barbershop (as supplies last) - with 5 venues to choose from essentially if one is out you can go to the next..
local art and performance art at venues during band set times
photo booth, belly dance, screen printing, etc!
most proceeds are going directly to an organization that will benefit all of our friends, neighbors, and family members that have experienced the recent wildfire crisis (i don't see Rick Perry giving monies out of his political presidential campaign fundraisers)
it's all away from the festival, Zilker Park, and this party goes on until 2am and doesn't have to stop at 10:30pm.
no wait in line (unless you spot the free beer line and that gets crunk)
no sunscreen needed (well, maybe minimal sunscreen if you hit it hard beginning at 2pm when Ditch the Fest begins)
no overpriced $6-$8 12 oz beers - hell, you may end up watching a band(s) around happy hour
no need to worry about where you parked your car or if you can find parking (take your bike, yo!)
you don't have to lug around a chair in a bag or make sure your bottled waters stay sealed
no pat downs before you enter any of these venues
and....no annoying frat guys waiting to catch Damien Marley (or Coldplay)
oh, and no filthy dirty portapotties.

5 bucks for a wristband seems like the best bet AND free shiner?!

Bands I am looking forward to catching at Ditch the Fest 2 include:

Leatherbag (Beauty Bar)
Boy + Kite (Cheer Up Charlies)
Obsolete Machines (Cheer Up Charlies)
How I Quit Crack (Cheer Up Charlies)
The Sour Notes (Cheer Up Charlies)
East Cameron Folkcore (Red 7)
My Education (Red 7)
La Snacks (Red 7)
Mr. Lewis and the Funeral Five (Red 7)
Your Kisses Cause Crashes (Beauty Bar)
The Baker Family (Scoot Inn)
Bitter Birds (Scoot Inn)
The Midwives (Scoot Inn)
Noise Revival Orchestra (Scoot Inn)
Sideshow Tragedy (Club De Ville)
Not in the Face (Club De Ville)

Shapes Have Fangs, Smoke & Feathers, & The Ripe play (free) at Mohawk 08.06

2011-08-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

This show, "Curated by: The Black Angels", at The Mohawk this Saturday night for free (with RSVP here) will include Austin's own Shapes Have Fangs, Smoke and Feathers, The Ripe. This will be a night of free, local, southern psychedelic folk/rock from musicians you have no choice but to go check out and listen to whether you heard of them or not. (It's free so why the hell not?)

Vice Magazine and Vitamin Water have teamed up to present "Uncapped Live" at The Mohawk, with an open bar of Corona's (9pm-10pm), after making a Dallas stop & 13 other cities across the country. Other cities included in the tour were/will be Cincinnati, San Francisco, San Diego, Portland, Minneapolis, Chicago, Gainesville, Philly, New York, and more. Curators included The Thermals, The Black Lips, Against Me!, The Love Language, and The Soft Pack.

Shapes Have Fangs, signed to The Reverberation Appreciation Society (Austin Psych Fest artists), have been a local favorite of mine for 3 1/2 years now. I love their 50's throwback sound that reminds me of psychedelic surf rock. I am excited to see they are headlining this small showcase and will be thrilled to hear Smoke Like Feathers and The Ripe. Give me obscurity and droned out psychedelic sounds.

Dum Dum Girls play free (with RSVP) at Mohawk 08.12

2011-08-03T11:11:00.000-07:00

I got a chance to catch the DUM DUM Girls play during SXSW '11 at Waterloo Records this past year. I had their show on the list of "Must See" during this years SXSW lineup only to be able to catch some of the sounds from their upcoming album, Only in Dreams, set to be released on September 27th, 2011. I am a huge fan of their 2010 LP release, released weeks after SXSW 2010, called I Will Be which played out to be almost like a nice tribute to 60's girl groups with some punk thrown into the mix. I dig it. I jammed that album hard for at least 3 months straight.

According to Sub Pop and an interview with Dee Dee, the groups leader, Only in Dreams is more polished and a little more pop driven. The Dum Dum Girls, excitingly, teams up with Richard Gottehrer (The Ravonettes, Go Go's and Blondie) & Sune Rose Wagner (The Ravonettes) on this new album . Having heard most of (and love) He Gets Me High EP at SXSW this past year, I think this next Dum Dum Girls album will be excellent.
....and guess what? Look who is coming to the Mohawk next week to headline for Sailor Jerry's Austin Psych Fest on August 12th? You should go just to hear and see some of their latest & new songs from the upcoming album.

Austin's own, Shapes Have Fangs (a local favorite of mine) with UFO Club and Night Beats are scheduled to play before The Dum Dum Girls take the stage. Get there early, you know the Mohawk's capacity is less than 900? Yup, it is.

Dude. It's all free too. RSVP here, if it ain't too late.

North Loop Parlor: the local pizza place i love & will miss

2011-06-13T22:29:00.000-07:00

In 2001, when I moved to Austin, I went out in search for a 24 hour coffee shop to study in and relax that wasn't Kens Donuts (I like the place but their coffee is instant) by campus. I decided to venture off away from Guadalupe & West campus and finally found Epoch Coffee on North Loop.

I also found other locally owned stores & shops like Hog Wild, the Sign and Graphics shop, Pharas, The Musical Exchange, Monkeywrench Books, Counter Culture, and my favorite - The Parlor.

We've all done it. If you have been to the Parlor between 8pm and 11pm (dinner time) you most likely had to walk right in front of the band, playing for a damn good pizza and a pitcher of Lonestar, to get the counter to place your order. I have probably walked in front of at least 100 bands on various nights to eat a slice and have a few pints of tasty local beer. Bands like Cruiserweight, Bestview, Girl in a Coma, Red Leaves, the Offbeats, Joan of Arc, Guns of Navarrone, and a shit ton of other friendbands and local bands from around the neighborhood and Austin. It was the best place to go see free local music & eat a fresh pizza with fresh vegetables & damn good cheese (and in 2001 they were one of the few that made their pizza fresh with vegan cheese & have always had it as an option).

It sadden me to read that The Parlor North Loop will be closing due to an 'unexpected & substantial increase in rent, as well a short lease option' in 2 weeks. Although there is another location The Parlor Hyde Park, I am still going to miss the HELL out of the North Loop location. I discovered local bands like Red Leaves and even saw my hometown favorite band, Girl in a Coma, play for free. I even remember showing up to a Red Leaves show and couldn't make it inside because there were so many people standing outside due to it being at capacity inside. Singer, David, and Marcos were friends I most likely always saw busting ass behind the counter making pizza, taking phone orders, setting the band up, and keeping the music in the jukebox real and badass. I always loved that you can find handwritten song lists/albums on the back of order tickets from Jon Wayne's Texas Funeral to Modest Mouse's The Lonesome Crowded West - (sometimes there would be pictures too that corresponded to the music).

Back patio mural at The Parlor North Loop

Last time I went to the Parlor was about 2 months ago while I was on bike. Despite the newbies that have popped up on North Loop Blvd like East Side Pies Too!, The Tigress Pub, Foreign & Domestic, Blackbird Clothing, and some other vintage store that isn't Blue Velvet or Room Vintage (anyone know the name?), I always went back for a slice at The Parlor. It was the lighting (red lighting undertone), the tattoo'd pizza makers/bike commuters, free local music, and the back patio that I love to go back to. It reminds me of friends and my first time discovering The Parlor. I'm gonna miss it.

There will be music to be had still, while it lasts, pizza to be eaten, and beer to be drank at The Parlor North Loop Closing- June Farewell Music Fest 2011 beginning Monday, June 13th. I plan on making it out to catch Bitter Birds (June 17th), Wino Vino (June 19th) and the last night of the location's opening on Tuesday, June 21st to see what "Very Special Guests" will be playing at 11pm. Check out which bands are playing and make it out. Seriously. Or go eat some pizza and have some beer there. Support local businesses and let the neighborhood know you will miss The Parlor by bringing this little pizza joint, that will be dearly missed by all, to CAPACITY!!!!

Red Leaves at The Parlor North Loop

Demolished Thoughts came out today and I want it

2011-05-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

on vinyl, too.

Beck was hired by Thurston Moore to help produce Demolished Thoughts.
Thurston wrote the album over a period of 2 years and produced in Beck's studios in LA.
It's so damn good & beautiful. I lost myself when I submerged myself into it.
Go listen to it here.

SXSW FREE parties & shows for Sat, March 19th - Day 4

2011-03-03T16:34:00.000-08:00

It is OVERWHELMING to go through all of the fliers, emails, links, posts, Twitter links, and verbal recommendations of all that is coming for SXSW. There are SO many websites that you can go through yourself if you want to see what/who is playing here.

If you haven't made it through my first 3 posts and sign up for the parties I recommended for the first 3 days of the SXSW Music go here:

here for Day 3 of SXSW Music - March 18th

here for Day 2 of SXSW Music - March 17th - St Paddy's Day!!!

here for Day 1 of SXSW Music - March 16th

Ready for what's going down on Day 4 of SXSW Music? I am and you should be too if you're as serious as me when it comes to music.

Today Rachael Ray released her SXSW Feedback Party link here.
Bands to play this year include Tapes 'N Tapes, The Bravery, The Cringe, Das Racist, Royal Bangs, and Bob Scheider, and more. Rachael's SXSW parties are ALWAYS free, at Stubb's, free food, and last year they had free margaritas and daiquiri's at an open bar. This year the RSVP information says you will need a badge so you should probably click here and let them know you're coming.

Tapes 'n Tapes - "Freak Out" from Northern Outpost on Vimeo.

FYF Fest and the people/entertainment company for FunFunFun Fest will be throwing a killer free party at the East Side Drive In from 11:30am - 6pm. Looks like there may be some Sailor Jerry Rum to consume and Zigenbock as listed as 2 of the many sponsors for Mess With Texas Party. Go here to RSVP. This site/RSVP link crashed twice this afternoon because of the amount of folks who have already go their name on the list. GO!!!!!!!!! Dead Milkmen, The Dodos, !!!, Surfer Blood, Deer Tick, and more to play!

I like the name of this event that will be taking place at someone's backyard off East 11th Street. Township Records, Rock Proper & Stic-of-the-Week presents Hipster Skinny Jeans Invasion Party. You got to RSVP through this link and get ready to hear some music from Pretty Good Dance Moves, Dead Eyes, J Wesley Haynes Trio, Gemini Club, The Noise FM, and more. See full line up here so you won't miss a band/musician you wanna check out like these folks:

Over 4,000 people have RSVP to this:

I am not sure who is playing but looks like there will be FREE SHINER at this show called The Big One. Last year I had a problem with this same show due to the fact that they let in only wristbands and badges. Not sure what is going down this year but I am guessing Do512 is has a big surprise in the coming weeks as to who will be playing. RSVP here.

Urban Outfitters off the Drag always has some great bands lined up for you to check out as well as FREEEEEEE BEER!!!!! See who plays which lot and when here. No RSVP needed just show up! This website is great to read interviews from the bands who will be playing! Thank you UO! Saturday's lineup includes Beach Fossils, Josh T. Pearson, Eternal Summers, Reading Rainbow, and more. See it here.

Reggies SXSW Showcase at The Jackalope looks like a great punk/rock show to attend for FREE if you RSVP here. FREE BEER, gift bags, and a free show!

The Modern Time Machines will be having a party in my neighborhood at BackSpin Records on March 19th from Noon to 5pm. This is definitely a great place to have a show considering how much chaos will be going down in downtown Austin. Read about who is playing and let them know you are showing up. Free beer?

AMPM sound is hosting a SXSW rap/dj party from 7pm - 2am (not a day party!) at The Revolution Bar off Webberville Rd (East Austin) called Rock Versus NOT!. The Triggermen, MC Frontalot, Jesse Dangerously and more will be playing. For complete line up click here.

RSVP here for it.

If you want to see the most unique, awesome, and quirky bands I would suggest going to the 7th Annual C.A.R.P. Bizarre B-Q(Central for Art Rock Policy) SXSW showcase at The Carousel Lounge (off 52nd street) to see Opposite Day, Invisible Czars, Muppletone, Bee VS Moth, and Shaolin Death Squad. This is a great venue because the bar inside is only set up for beer but it is a BYOLiquor bar RIGHT NEXT TO Chris' Liquor - a local and small liquor store with lots of cheap and good liquor to purchase. Full lineup and schedule here.

(((Detox by Retox))) is going to be a great party to get into if you RSVP here. According to their FBpage any of the Facebook friends of Couchprofessor Fambly Austin will get priority admittance over even the sponsors guest list. Befriend them here. FREE BEER and/or liqour beverages are promised as well as some really great bands like this one:

BAMM.tv "No Badge, No Problem" Fan Appreciation party at Palm Door on Saturday is promised to have FREE BEER/food beginning at 1pm - 6pm. Ouch - looks like RSVP and tickets have been given out but I bet it doesn't matter day of - just show up.AB and the Sea, Thao & The Get Down, Great Lake Swimmers, and more will be playing!

Brooklyn Vegan and ProfoundLore Records are putting up a pretty snazzy metal music showcase with music from Combs, Dark Castle, The Body, Deafheaven, Graceyon, Batillus, Wolvhammer, Castevet, Altaar. It is all going down at Lovejoy's.

The Vibe House will be hosting a free SXSW party at Venue 222 (on east 6th street) with live shows all night and music all day. This is a R&B, hip hop, and rap event. Read more here - no specific acts listed or specifics but I did see Bone Thugs-N-Harmony at this house last year sponsored by Vibe Magazine for free so I'd say they're legit.

The Axis of Audio is probably one party I mentioned before however on Sat, March 19th The Greenhornes, A Place to Bury Strangers, Astronautalis, The Gay Blades and MORE will be playing at The Rumbler Lounge (402 E 6th Street) for freeeee!!!!! Party starts at 12pm and I would get there early if you want to see any of the big acts.

You will have to RSVP to this one here.

Next post coming this weekend featuring what apps to download for your Iphone or Android to use/abuse while you roam around downtown, east side, central, or South Austin during the week of SXSW.

Ughmazing links for FREE SXSW day / side parties

2011-03-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

I have been running across many great links for information on what parties will have who playing, what's free, where the party will be at, and the rest of the details. Below are some helpful links and databases to get you going without having to rely on all the recommended RSVP's and parties I give you.
Try them out for yourself:

Austin 360 has an EXCELLENT database here for all SXSW showcase dates. You can specify what criteria you want to pull up by date, whether there will be free beer or food, and even as which SXSW events (Interactive, Film, Music, or All) you are interested in attending that day. Thanks to Dee Toxin (she's the 3rd one down on that link) for sharing this Austin 360 database link with me!
Go here for SXSW Side Parties Database 2011.

Do512 has always been my go-to website to check out ANY and all local shows (and not so local shows) any time of the year. This year they have a nice and snazzy look/feel to their website when it comes to informing you about all official and unofficial SXSW shows. Check it out here. You will have to sign up for an account or if you are familiar with Do512 and have a login then you know how awesome and informative the website can be. All dates for SXSW have a running looonnnnng list of official and unofficial SXSW showcases. In fact, most of the RSVP links I have already put up are straight from Do512 website. They are compiling RSVP lists for the sponsors, showcases, and production companies coming to SXSW so be sure to click away. Warning: you may need an hour (at least) to go through all the information on the Do512 website.

Twin Shadow, Wavves, Bright Eyes, The Strokes, Blue October, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Middle Brother, and more will be playing a FREE concert each night during SXSW Music at Auditorium Shores. Complete lineup and set times for these bands can be found here. Be sure to figure out who you want to see and get down there early. This is an open park so you cannot bring any open containers or alchohol - at least according to this.

Thanks to the official website of SXSW you can find out free Interactive, Film, and Music events here. Open events like Gear Alley at the Convention Center downtown (DJ gear, guitars, amps, microphones, and professional music gear can be found here), the SXSWScreenburn Arcade, and the free movies at George Washington Carver Museum on the Eastside of Austin look like promising and interesting events I ain't missing.

Republic of Austin blog has posted 25 SXSW 2011 Free Party RSVP's to get you started on where/when the best FREE parties hosted by PBS and Friends, Android, Gowalla, Dixies, Village Voice, and more. All complete with RSVP links as well.

My Free Concert blog also has TONS of links and party information here for SXSW all organized for you from a New Yorker blogger.

Lastly, SCHED* SXSW 2011 Blog has BOTH official and unofficial showcases listed here by date. You can even search/skim for the band(s) you want to see, find out the venue and time they'll play, as well as any RSVP links you may need to visit before attending these FREE SXSW events.

Overwhelmed yet with all the information and resources you can use to find out where to party?
Not me....I'm just getting started.

SXSW 2011 - Day 3 of SXSW Music (links, RSVP, y mas)

2011-02-24T16:04:00.000-08:00

I am in between making spreadsheets, getting my calendar all filled out with what to do/when/where, and keeping myself as damn organized as I can be with all of this crazy information and freeeeeee shows!

Here is more for you to consider and/or go to on March 18th, 2011 - Day 3 of SXSW Music.

Sea Shepard Conservation Society is throwing a pretty snazzy SXSW party from March 16th - March 18th at Annie's West. The organization is known for supporting and stopping illegal whaling operations that happen in the ocean waters in the South of Japan. They are teaming up with popantipop to bring you a lineup from She Wants Revenge, A Place to Bury Strangers, The Photo Atlas, Colour Revolt!, and more. RSVP here for some fun!

Headhunters will get down and dirty (and probably sweaty) at this day show on March 18th from 2pm - 6pm with some awesome metal. No RSVP link but you may want to get there early so you can get in. Headhunters is small. Metal Sucks blog hosts SXSDeath:

Waterloo Records has announced some GREAT bands playing everyday of SXSW at their 6th and Lamar location. Get the lineup here for March 18th and let them know you are attending. They will have an outdoor stage set up outside with capacity at about 1500 people. If you can't get in you can always post up near Book People across the street and get your music fix. These shows are gonna be funnnnn!
Here is the lineup for March 18th at Waterloo Records:
NOON Moondoggies
1:00pm Dum Dum Girls
2:00pm Joy Formidable
3:00pm La Sera
3:30pm The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart
4:00pm Oh Land
5:00pm ...Trail Of Dead
6:00pm Cloud Nothings

Sonicbid's Official SXSW Party sounds like a banging good time. RSVP here and show up at Maggie Mae's between 11:30am - 5:30pm. Lineup includes The Seedy Seeds, Black Atlantic, Hungry Kids of Hungary, Eastern Conference Champions, and more. Full line up here. (warning: there is no indication of needing a badge or wristband so check it out before committing to a line.)

Emos Annex will be holding it down with another metal fest on March 18th. Get there early since there is no RSVP and everyone gets in. Lineup on poster here:

The First Annual Matchbox Showcase will feature several bands like The Canvas Waiting, David Ramirez, The Soldier Thread and more here at Antone's during the day. There will be free breakfast by Mel's Meals and free pizza from Mr. Gatti's. RSVP here just in case you need to be on the list before getting in.

My Old Kentucky Blog presents a nice snazzy show for free at Peckerheads, if you RSVP here, with Das Racist, Asobi Seksu, Burnt Ones, Turbo Fruits, and more. Check full line up here.

The Texas Tornado Day Party day 2 looks fun and awesome to attend. Free with RSVP here. Shows on March 18th will be at Red Eyed Fly. You can even bring in 2 friends with just one name on the list. Lineup on poster:

REDEFINE Magazine will be hosting a day party at the House of Commons on March 18th between 12pm - 11pm. This is free and you may want to RSVP here just in case since this isn't a venue (it's a Co-Op house). It is a BYOB event and if you are early enough there will be "snacks" says their info page here. Acts you can see include Woodsman, Casiokids, Brahms, Future Blondes, Moon Duo, and more.

I like Woodsman:
Woodsman - "Insects" from Ian Perlman on Vimeo.
Go, Go, GOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

St. Patrick's Day - day 2 of SXSW music (w/links to RSVP)

2011-02-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

You're back and hopefully you are ready to get down with some suggestions, bands, and day parties that are FREE to attend on day 2 of SXSW Music.

Here is what I recommend signing up for and attending on Thursday March 17th:

Last year I got to try Brooklyn Lager for the first time at their day party at Iron Gate off east 6th street. I had a blast, got really drunk, and heard some fantastic bands I had not heard of. This year Brooklyn Lager is hosting a Brooklyn BBQ party. 30 bands are slated to play on three stages with FREE BBQ!!!!! You must RSVP to get in. Bands to play: The Gay Blades, Supermachines, Black Taxi, The Dig, Weird Owl, Austin's own The Black and White Years, Michael Kingcaid (from What Made Milwaukee Famous), Butcher Bear Soundsystem, and more. There will be free beer from Brooklyn Lager, screen printing, DJ's, and even some video installations.
Michael Kingcaid cannot be missed:

Hollerado's Nacho House has a great lineup of pop music from Montreal at Beauty Bar. RSVP for an open bar, free nachos, and sounds from Mr Heavenly (modest mouse, manman, and michael cera - from Juno - on bass) Palmbomen, Superhumanoids, The Moondoggies, Hollerado, and more. You can bring up to 3 guests in for free so be sure to RSVP.
I saw Mr Heavenly at The Scoot Inn in 2010 and you may want to be ready for screaming ladies if Michael Cera shows up to play bass. It got crazy crunk as soon as they walked out on stage to play...kinda like this reaction from the crowd:

Beerland will be throwing some some great psychedelic music with Sarced Bones, Stereogum, and Chaos in Tejas during the day as well with bands
Moon Duo, TRUST, Human Eye, Fresh & Onlys, Circle Pit, Pop. 1280, Cult of Youth, Veronica Falls, Los Robertas Big Freedia, Amen Dunes, and a "special surprise guest headliner" who is yet to be unnamed. More info here and no RSVP link for this one.

Trumer Pils Afternoon Social will have their day 2 showcase of music at Klub Krucial with bands Living Things, Honeymoon Thrillers, Maren Parusel, The Lonely Forest, Guy Runner and full line up here. Free swag from sponsors and no badge required.

Off the Record: Berklee's Unofficial SXSW Party at the Lucky Lounge looks pretty fun. There will be music showcased from alumni and students that attended/go to Berklee's College of Music. No word on free anything but there will be music! Full line up here at their FB page.

Under the Radar magazine will be throwing a free showcase to feature The Dodos, The Atlas Sound (their only SXSW show), Menomena, Okkervil River, Owen Pallet, Surfer Blood and more. NO RSVP required but if you want in at the Flamingo Cantina you WILL need to get there EARLY!
Set times for March 17th:
5:00 PM: Atlas Sound (only SXSW show)
4:05 PM: The Dears
3:15 PM: Lord Huron
2:25 PM: Anna Calvi
1:35 PM: Yuck
12:45 PM: The Dodos
12:00 PM: Violens

March 18th set times:
5:00 PM: Okkervil River
4:05 PM: Menomena
3:15 PM: Telekinesis
2:25 PM: Surfer Blood
1:35 PM: Owen Pallett
12:45 PM: Hooray for Earth
12:00 PM: Porcelain Raft

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day in case you forgot and there will be an Irish music showcase to attend for free at the Seaholm Power Plant. Party starts at noon and goes until 9pm. No RSVP needed since this is an open and large venue. I can't find a better reason not to go and listen to some Irish music from all over the world including a band from Mexico City. More information here.

At Ruta Maya coffeehouse off S. Congress is slated to have some great reggae music to go check out away from the downtown chaos of SXSW with their ATX Wildfire showcase. Great thing about this showcase is it lasts the whole duration of the SXSW Music days. No RSVP or badges needed. Show up, get some coffee (or beer) and jam out. The entertainment/booking company is called Free Beer Entertainment. I bet there will be some free beer involved considering that.

click image to enlarge

The High Five! Party Party! promises to have a free Irish breakfast if you get down there early at The Elysium. Plus another chance to catch Mr Heavenly and other bands like The Eastern Sea, Young Girls, CHAPPO, Database, DJ Spooky, and more. RSVP here.

I like this flyer and The Boxing Lesson.

PENROSE presents Woodward Ave Massacre . The day party has a ton of bands (see them here) that will be playing at an unknown location (at least that I am unaware of) on 5800 Woodward Avenue. This is another one of those music showcases away from the downtown and east area of Austin.

Woohoo!!!! FREE FLYING DOG beer at Flying Dog & IGIF present Floating Fest, 2011. The party is at Lovejoy's and includes bands Braids, Idiot Glee, TV Girl, Cloud Nothings, and more. See full line up here.

The Village Voice has put out this flyer but no other information in terms of who will be playing besides Ume and Wild Flag. Their SXSW party will be at the Austin Music Hall this year from 3pm-7:30pm and will probably be a good one. The last 5 years I have been to their party I have seen some remarkable acts for free!!!! Oh, and RSVP here.

This showcase looks wonderful and ideally I would like to say that in the past 3 years I have yet to be able to stay and see the headliners play at Filter Magazine's SXSW day parties. The guestlist is limited and they always end up letting badge and wristband holders in before anyone else. By the time everyone with badges and wristbands get in you are out of luck. The venue hits capacity very soon and stays that way throughout the day and into the evening. Either way, great bands and musicians will be at this showcase. RSVP and maybe this year we can get in! let's just see what happens and play it by ear. Oh and free beer and BBQ here too.

Gigacrate always has nice showcases too. RSVP here to see some awesome DJ's play at their Unofficial SXSW Gigacrate Party.

If you hear anything or see anything else let me know. This looks like a nice St Patrick's Day SXSW good ole time to me.

sxsw 2011 - Opening Day of SXSW Music (links to RSVP/parties)

2011-02-18T13:03:00.000-08:00

We're 4 weeks down until this whole town gets filled up fast with musicians, panel speakers, corporate and non corporate record labels, sponsors, banners, rolling amplifiers down 6th street, day parties, morning parties, free taco parties, free beer parties, meet some new friends, reconnect with old friends, and hear some damn good music. SWSX is about to take over Austin.

If you are anything like me you look forward to all of what SXSW brings to Austin. I love the diverse crowds, the weather always seems so perfect, and there are so many FREE events you can go to, see, eat at, dance at, and drink at.

The RSVP links have been flooding in lately so do your best to find the shows/parties you want to go to and GOGOGOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please note all bands and links below are for Day 1 of the SXSW Music showcase, all are free to attend, and most have free beer and/or food!

This is one show I just read about this morning and I immediately was super excited about. Das Racist, Bodega Girls, Shinobi Ninja, and more at The Speakeasy on March 16th. There is no link to RSVP but if you want to be at this RapRocks!SXSW show you better get there early like I intend to do and wait it out. I am sure Das Racist will be playing towards the end of the party. It all begins at 1pm.

Also, on opening day there is this:

Show up at the French Legation Museum one the first day of the SXSW Music week. Free tacos, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Lonestar beer, and music, music, music! The French Legation Museum was one of the funnest venues to go to during SXSW last year and about late afternoon is when they venue would hit capacity. Get thurrrrr early!

Go here to see what bands will be playing at this NO BADGE event : Trumer Pils Afternoon Social with free swag given away from DVS Shoes and Matix Clothing. The party is at Klub Krucial (you know, that shady club that is always closed next to the other door at Emos - off 6th.) and goes from 12pm - 6pm. Let them know you are attending so the sponsors can be prepared to give you some snazzy stuff.

I love local Chicken Ranch Records who manages/supports White Ghost Shivers, Tiger!Tiger!, Blue Eyed Blacks, Mr Lewis and the Funeral 5, and more. On March 16th come out to Ranch By Chicken Ranch 2011 to see The Moonlight Towers, Beautiful Supermachines, Mr. Lewis and the Funeral 5, The Woggles, and Peelander-Z. There will be free BBQ and free beer while it lasts! Party starts at 12pm and goes til 5:30pm at The Elysium. Get a sampler of the bands here at CRR website. You should probably RSVP here too.

WOXY.com presents: Moonlight Towers from WOXY on Vimeo.

Sometimes big time corporations have SXSW day parties like Team Android! Add your name here to the waitlist and as soon as a ticket becomes available you can go to this event on March 13th at Lustre Pearl. If you were early enough you got a VIP badge. Open bar and free Bomb Tacos for the event.

The Full Metal Texas showcase are always my favorite to go check out to see some awesome Texas metal bands kick some major ass (and each others). This SXSW they are back and they have teamed up with Brooklyn Vegan to showcase bands like:
ALL PIGS MUST DIE
BETTER LEFT UNSAID
DRIVE A
ELYSION FIELDS
HULL
RWAKE
TRAP THEM
(I put them in caps because metal heads SCREAAAAAAM!!!) No RSVP link and no need to put your name on any list. Show up and get there early.

WOOHOO!!!! Saint Arnold Brewing Co. will be hosting a SXSW party at the Ginger Man called SXSaintArnold. Bands included in the line up are The Ugly Beats, The Freddie Steady, Thunderchiefs, Eve and the Exiles, and Al Staehely. No RSVP link or information on how to get in. I am sure there will be free beer. I really dig Thunderchiefs' sound. If you like rockabilly music and throwback to the 60's you will like Thunderchiefs.

On March 16th The Austinist will be hosting a Kickoff Party w/Twin Shadow, Cloud Nothing, Royal Bangs, Givers and Cloud Control. The party is at The Mohawk all FREE! No link to get in just plan to get there early since The Mohawk always ends up filling up fast during SXSW. You'll definitely dance to this lineup.

BAAMO's 8th Annual Florida Bandango day party at Yard Dog will feature Tampa Bay, Florida's best bands like Sleepy Vikings, The Beauvilles, Have Gun Will Travel, Poetry 'n Lotion, and The Human Condition. I love going to the Yard Dog during SXSW because 1) it gets funky packed, 2) there is ALWAYS free beer, 3) you get to see some great local art from Austin artists and 4) you get to hear/see bands you'd eventually end up drinking a beer next to at the about-to-be-floating keg. Also, apparently there will be FREE alligator chili (yum!) and Ybor-City cigars (some of Tampa City's best cigars). Hmmmmmhmmmm, tasty! Party starts at 12noon and goes til 6:30pm. Also, Yard Dog put up a list of SXSW shows they will be hosting this year here.
I do love me some Have Gun, Will Travel:

Brooklyn v The Bay will be hosting a party at Red Eyed Fly with bands Dodos, John Vanderslice, The Mumlers, Delicate Steve, and more. See the lineup & schedule of bands to play here and RSVP here. You MUST be on the list in order to attend the show. Also, the Do512 link states there will be an open bar beginning at 12 noon when doors open.

DC Does Texas at Lovejoys will end up having Dogfish Head beer as refreshments as you hear Carol Bui, Deleted Scenes, Typefighter, True Womanhood, The Caribbean, These United States, y mas. See the lineup here and catch some great Washington bands like this one:
Deleted Scenes - Ithaca from Ben Rowny on Vimeo.

Southern Hemisphere Sounds presents Music from Below the Equator day show at Aussie's Bar and Grill. Free event and make sure to RSVP here. Party starts at noon and goes til 11:30pm. Bands from South Africa, Australia, Peru, Chile, and even a local Austin band Dead Black Hearts.

SUB.CONSCIOUS x METHODS NYC presents a full day of hip hop and rap music from LA, Atlanta, NYC, and Houston & Austin, Texas acts at 6th Street bar Barcelona. RSVP here on Facebook, take a look at the lineup & schedule as well as some of the sponsors here.

I am really happy Spiderhouse will continue to showcase bands every day during SXSW for FREE!!!!!! This allows me to be pulled away from the chaos that stirs downtown Austin during the week and I get to chill out under nice beautiful trees & drink for cheap. SXSW-anso Party at Spiderhouse will feature bands from all over the world on 2 stages of fun music acts for you to see between noon and 10pm everyday. No RSVP needed just drop on by. I am a fan of New Zealand's Surf City (aka Kill Surf City) who plays on Wed, March 16th. I saw them open for Ladyhawke back in 2008.

If you want to hear some "damn good music" of shoegaze, darkwave, electro type of showcase (not to be labeled as coldwave, goth, or industrial music as their FB page states) for free make it out to Synth by Southwest: The Blacklist III at 1500 East 6th street. Art v Industry, Chant, subNatural, Reagan Jones, and more will be playing for free from 6pm to 2am. No wristband, badge, or RSVP needed. Go here to see the lineup.

Again, all shows above are day parties (most), happening on March 16th (opening day of the SXSW Music showcase) and are FREEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!

SXSW 2011: We begin here (w/links to RSVP to party for FREE)

2011-02-09T11:40:00.000-08:00

We're less than 4 1/2 weeks away until the official SXSW begins right in our neighborhood(s) and it's time to get you some information now before parties/events/badges/tickets/wristbands get sold out or filled up. I'm here to educate you first.

SXSW officially begins March 11th with the Interactive and Film festivals where you can see Lt. Jim Dangle from Reno 911 and watch trailers of the movies to premiere here. The Music festival dates are officially March 16th - 20th. Now when I mean "officially" I mean this - where you gots to drop down $700 - or $750 at a walk up rate (this is a good hundred more than my rent) for just a music badge that gives you access to all 'official' SXSW showcases, artist/label Q&A sessions and panels, free BBQ, a softball tournament, a fancy ass bag w/swag in it, some flatstock posters, and in to all the 'official' SXSW music parties. Now that price and those perks are ONLY if you want to see the music portion of the festival. If you want to enjoy the film aspect AND the music you will have to come up with at least $900 or $950 if you walk up day of the festival.

Yes, prices are absurd and frankly let me tell you this - do not spend more than $100 TOTAL the whole week of the festival if you are a local! You DO NOT need to buy a music festival pass to have fun during SXSW. I have been rolling for free the last 4 years at SXSW and have yet to purchase a badge.

If you are not a local (even if you are and want/plan to volunteer) and want a badge perhaps volunteering and/or winning a free badge from some contest in town or radio station is your best bet if you cannot afford to purchase a stinkin' badge.

If you are pretty serious about wanting to attend the Interactive or Film part of the festival I recommend you either pay for a day pass to get into the venue where the event is taking place at (they may have a cover to get into the venue or club). You are going to have to consider the capacity of the venue (to determine if you get in or not), the exclusiveness of the event (as in check to see if the event indicates "Badges Only" which means you need a badge to get in), and/or if there will be a popular musical guest/group at the event. These things will prevent you from having some "official" fun if you don't have an 'official' badge to the 'official' SXSW events.

Usually a few weeks before (last year I think it was a week before the kickoff) SXSW is set to begin, there will be an opportunity for any local Austinities interested in attending the music showcases of SXSW to gain a wristband that ranges somewhere between $140 to $180 bucks (last year was $139 online and $180 in person). This wristband is good to attend all SXSW venues and showcases with no cover charge, AFTER the badge holders are let in to the venue, and before the single admission ticket holders for that show. Access is not guaranteed, however, and again, you are let in to the venue AFTER those badge holders depending on if the venue is at it's capacity. More about local wristbands here - also, keep in mind you need 1) a credit card to purchase and 2) an Austin billing address that matches that credit card holders name/account. Oh yeah, and you can only purchase 2 wristbands at a time and they sell out quickly!

Still here? If you stayed with me this whole time THANK YOU. It's a big fucken headache trying to explain this to my friends who come in from out of town to attend SXSW or even to my friends who live here and think their Spring Break is doomed because they didn't spend it at a beach or purchase an overpriced badge to the conference.

That all being said here are some links I recommend you signing up for NOW before the sponsor/band/venue closes the RSVP links and/or reach their limit capacity. I suggest you sign up for anything and everything you think you may or may not make it to. You never know when you end up having some free time when the SXSW week comes. I definitely don't apperciate those procrastinators who end up asking me to have them as a tag along as my +1 to these events during SXSW week. Sign up for your own shit.

Here is what I know so far:

IODA (independent online distribution alliance) has put up a link to their 7th Annual SXSW Opening Day Bash on March 16th at Emos Annex (the big tent right across from Emos venue on Red River side). Gold Panda, Beach Fossils, Typhoon, True Widow, The Bewitched Hands, and Aphasia will be performing for free!!! Alls yous gots to do is RSVP. No badge is required and the party begins at 12pm and lasts til 6pm.
Also, if you have no idea who the bands are you should listen to a sample here.

This party here at Auditorium Shores is always delightful, stress free (if you get down there early or bike), and the best thing is you don't have to RSVP to any of these shows. Get ready for Man Man, Wavves, Bright Eyes, The Felice Brothers, and Blue October (meh.) will be playing for FREE!

Wavves, "So Bored" Acoustic version @ Maggie Mae's, SXSW 2009 from Marina Pierri on Vimeo.

Here is another free SXSW showcase w/2 stages you can attend without any badges or wristbands here. Book mark this link so you can go back to it to check out what bands from Seattle, S.F., LA, Santa Cruz, and Texas will be playing when they are released. The showcase is on March 18th with SFitall.

I am a big fan of The AV Club and they will have a free show on March 18th at The Mohawk that features music from Sharon Van Etten (!!!!yes!!!!), Baths, Ted Leo, Low, Small Sins, Maritime (I love these guys), No Joy (who recently came through town with Wavves and got in a car accident - with no injuries - and had to cancel their free Waterloo Record store appearance because of it), and Tristen. This is going to be an amazing show!!!! No RSVP needed now but find out who else will be playing here.

Texas Jumpstart Party has now moved their "100% free and 100% free beer" SXSW party to Hole in the Wall this year with The Midgetmen, Ezra Furman, Shilpa Ray, and more. This is seriously going to be a great show with free beer and free cover without all the mess of being downtown. Line up here and you need to RSVP to this one.

Friday, March 18th is a busy day and you will have to make decision on what show(s) are the best to split your time with or if you are like me, you will make every single band I wanna see via bike. Braids, Foster the People, Friendly Fires, The Naked and Famous, Toro y Moi (!!!), and more will be playing at Emos. No RSVP needed as of now and it looks like Scion will be hosting this party.

The good folks at Spinner released 140 free tracks from artists and musicians who will be playing SXSW 2011. Download and listen. It is worth your time to listen and learn a few more bands to show up and go support.

More to come soon and I will keep you posted as it all comes along and comes flooding in to my email. Again, RSVP for yourself and don't complain if you can't get in because you waited to long. Don't be left out and do let me know if you see any cool parties or free shit.

a FREE WEEKend

2011-01-07T15:07:00.000-08:00

The weekend is finally here and although I have been going strong on 5 consecutive nights I plan on still going out tonight. Every new band I have seen have either 1) impressed me 2) not impressed me or 3) all of the above & rocked my face off. You only got 3 more days to enjoy all these bands for no price.

Now before I give you some music recommendations and shows to catch, I wanted to share with you some hints & tips about surviving Free Week (for all you first-timers) This whole week I have found that some of my co-workers and friends keep asking what is the deal is with free week, what is free week, what do I suggest in terms of timing, bike or not, parking, etc etc.
Here's what I got for you:

1) Get downtown EARLY!
If you been to ANY shows downtown off Red River, at any point of the year, you know how late headliner bands (usually at 1am) and usually don't take off from the house until after 10pm or closer to 11pm to be able to catch the set. However, during Free Week there is an exception - YOU NEED TO GET DOWN THERE EARLY! There seem to be a SHIT TON more people going to Free Week then I have EVER seen who are going downtown at this time of the year. There are many people who are fully aware that almost all the music venues are free. Not only that but people either have bands they wanna catch, friends they gotta see, or meet another group of people thus the huge crowds down there! So, listen, do yourself a favor and show up around 9:00-9:30pm, go to the venue of the band you absolutely cannot miss and watch what other local bands are opening up. You may find another great band(s) to follow or find very interesting and are similar music style/genre as the headliner. There have been at least 6 bands lined up in one night under one bill so you will be fine waiting around with your group of friends to sitting around, drinking more beer, and/or making new friends.
2) Park somewhere off of 10th street or near Waterloo Park.
Don't pay more than $5 at one of those fancy parking lots of a bank or government building downtown. THIS IS A WASTE of BEER MONEY!!!!!!! Drive around and find a free meter or free parking spot somewhere between 10th and Red River and the Capitol building. If you follow suggestion #1 and #2 I guarantee you will be a happy music goer. A further suggestion would be load your bike and your friends bikes on the bike rack and park Red River and 15th area near Brackenridge Hospital. Your bike will get your down to the venue faster AND you have direct transportation to the next venue or band you wanna see at all the other free venues this weekend.
3) Know what bands play where and when!
This is as simple as following the hashtag #freeweek on Twitter. Search for #freeweek in Austin and you will have a ton, mine included, of tweets that will give you the details on what bands play where, when, who is giving away what, and what friends are at what venues. If you don't have a smartphone, go ahead and write them all out from here before you head out downtown so you have an idea of where/when you can go somewhere else if you failed to not follow #1 and showed up after 10:30pm this weekend. Come up with a Plan B, Plan C, and Plan D & E if all the venues you wanna be at are at capacity. Like I said, everyone is out and all shit is lose and free!
4) Bundle up and prepare to be outside for possibly the whole duration of the night
It ain't that cold but it may rain, it may be cold, you might get some beer spilled on your from it being overcrowded in the venue, you might get lost, etc. PREPARE to be outside so where comfortable shoes, rock the winter jacket, scarfs, mittens, and koozies.
5) Don't buy expensive beer
Just get a PBR or a Lonestar. There both come on tallboy cans so why even bother with anything else? If you're anything like me and hoping from one place to another you can pretty much bet these tallboys will a) get you just as drunk and b) you can save some money to eat at Stoney's Pizza or Kebobalicious.

Now let's go out & get into so music shall we?

Friday, Jan 7th
There are a lot of bands playing tonight and you really just have to pick 1 or 2 places to figure out where you wanna go and what bands at the end of the night you wanna see/catch.
I recommend heading over to Emos to check out The Lemurs, What Made Milkuakee Famous, The Authors, and even the outside show of Los Skarnales. I am a HUGE fan of The Lemurs and I haven't seen them in over a year. I am excited to hear what new stuff they have going on.

If you are at the Mohawk be prepared to be moved by some bass-y beats and almost psych-rock from Houston's own Indian Jewelry. I saw Indian Jewelry last year at #freeweek at Red 7 and they were amazing even with having only 1 strobe light illuminate their stage. They play with The Laughing and one of my favorites, Astronaut Suit.

Also see Brownout at Beauty Bar & go over to Club Deville for free pizza and Big Red! You gotta see Eagle Eye Williamson, too. HE is AMAZING live!

Saturday, Jan 8th
If you missed Red Leaves early this week well, no worries - catch them at Beauty Bar on Saturday along with Watch Out for Rockets, One Step Program, Pop Pistol, Love Hate Affair, Sundress, Black Books, The Clouds are Ghosts.

I have a great appreciation for bands that have that throwback 1960's rock and roll sound. I love me some Shapes Have Fangs and one other band that is fantastic live called Leatherbag. You have to catch this show off a East 6th Street - ND. They play with The Pons, Wiretree, and DJ Czech One. You will like this line up for sure.

I have been to five Rock the Casbah's hosted by my favorite dj in Austin, DJ Mel and all of them I paid to get in! This Saturday night there is going to be an awesome (free!) dance party you will be sad you missed come Monday morning when all your co-workers are talking about how they got down and dirty with DJ Mel. Think a HUGE dance party in the middle of the best venues in Austin, at The Parish, filled with 80's songs & jazz/r&b infused together. I sweat so gotdamn much when I go to RtC every damn time! Go dance at the 41st Rock the Casbah! I promise you after the night you will free refreshed and may have learned a couple of new dance moves from all the movers and shakers that will be there.

Earlier today I was reading through the Austin Chronicle's Top 10 album list of local bands/musicians this morning and noticed one band I have yet to see - Mother Falcon. Their album, Still Life, is an LP I see at Waterloo Records quite often and always contemplate on whether or not I should pick it up. I have heard great things about Mother Falcon and can't wait to get out at The Mohawk to check them out with Royal Forest and My Golden Cal. You can't go wrong with an accordion, cellos, a mandolin, & violists in your band, right? Say it with me "Orchestras are beautiful!".

If you are local Austin music or love it you will be out during Free Week

2011-01-03T22:37:00.000-08:00

Three nights into Free Week in Austin and I am just getting started.

Sunday night I got to catch Fatback Circus out at Red 7 along with other bands like Gods are Ghosts, Sideshow Tragedy, and Space Case. Monday night I caught Shitty Carwash, Bubbles, Deer Vibes, and One Hundred Flowers. I have been pretty happy with all selections, sets, and pretty satisfied even with the sound at these shows for the past three days. I have gone by Emos and Beerland with all intentions of catching some bands there however since all shows are pretty stacked on the bill I am finding myself having a hard time trying to catch full sets during this years Free Week.

I suggest heading out now, before the weekend, to catch at least a band or two. Never been to free week? There are many and several suggestions as to where or what to catch when downtown. No cover and all ages are welcome. 21+ always gets in free and Lonestars and PBRs at these venues are always under $2bucks.

I suggest you show up at these venues to listen to these bands, musicians, living artists, and friends play their hearts out all for free!

Suggested listening for Tuesday, Jan 4th and Wednesday, Jan 5th, 2011:

Tues. Jan 4th
Young Girls, A Sky Jet Black, Pink Sugar, Knifight at Beauty Bar if you are down with some 80's influenced techno sounds and danceble beats for your Tuesday fun.

Here is a back seat acoustic performance of the Houston band Young Girls playing in the back seat of a van while riding to Houston.

Find out what Knifight sounds like here and purchase the album too while you are at it. It's hella cheap for some pretty jamming tunes.

If you prefer some minimalist rock and progression in your music go over to Emos to check out Woodgrain, We'll Go Machete (think early Fugazi), Watching the Moon, Come and Take It, and Half Mile Fox Fur. I'll be there after the Spurs play New York.

Wed. Jan 5th
I am in love with Shapes Have Fangs so naturally I will be at Emos for a hot second or two to catch a great lineup from A Giant Dog, Shapes Have Fangs, Elvis, Rayon Beach, and Fleshlights. I SWOON over Shapes Have Fangs:

You will definitely enjoy A Giant Dog and their live performance. They slightly resemble Sleater Kinney with a little bit of Patti Smith as well.

I also saw Fleshlights back at the Casual Victim Pile Showcase produced by Matador Records in February last year.

Also, be sure to step outside Emos will be the Quiet Company, The Boxing Lesson, Smoke & Feathers, My Education, Red Leaves beginning at 9pm.
I am a big fan of Red Leaves and Quiet Company as well. The Boxing Lesson has had a new 8-song LP since October 2010 that is out called Fur State. I like their live show so much that I purchased the album at their last show at The Mohawk.
According to Red Leaves' twitter, the band will be giving away their newest EP at the show so get there early! They go on at 9pm.

Go out and see some damn music, please. Maybe tomorrow or sometime later this week YOU can give me some suggestions.

Free Week 0- Who to see on the night before you head back to your work week

2011-01-02T00:56:00.000-08:00

FREE WEEK is upon us and I am so eager to get into some good shows and see some bands I have been itching to check out but either I was 1) discouraged on cover price, 2) had something going on last time they played at these venues, and 3) even cared a shit to leave home to go stand around and hope that the band I came for can deliver.

Free Week is a time where local (and for the first time since Free Weeks inception - a not so local band) showcase at The Mohawk, Emos, Red 7, Club de Ville, Stubb's, Beerland, The Parish, Beauty Bar, and other venues off Red River. This is the time you head out to Red River, park off 10th Street, dress warm (mittens, scarfs, leg warmers, & earmuffs), and shell out at least $1.50 for a tallboy PBR to hear some bands that probably practice in your neighborhood and you just don't know it yet.

Here are my pics for the next 2 days - Sunday Jan 2nd and Mon Jan 3rd:

Sunday, Jan 2nd
Go see Fatback Circus play along side of Gods as Ghosts, Obsolete Machines, SpaceCase, out at Red 7. Also there will be an indoor show with Sideshow Tragedy, White Rhino, White Dress, and Lights Go Out.
Look for me and I will buy you a beer. I promise.

Monday, Jan 3rd
My good friend, Antone, has recently mixed, photographed, and passionately (& fashionably) slaved over making a clear & commendable EP called Ventura by the band Deer Vibes of San Antonio. The band, Deer Vibes, just had their EP debut this Saturday at the infamous Sams Burget Joint in San Antonio. Think of Deer Vibes as an experimental and ambient orchestral drone that sound like Built to Spill, Appleseed Cast, and Minus the Bear.
Deer Vibes play with One Hundred Flowers, whom I saw 2 years ago at Momos, and Bubbles at the Beauty Bar on the Lords night.

And if your don't dig orchestral with an ambient horn sounds you may want to go over to The Mohawk and see Shitty Carwash if you want to hear some raw punk and thrash. I LOVE this band live! I cannot get enough of the ridiculously loud and shouting matches between the drummer and guitarist. You will have you a ridiculous good time while wanting to continue to drink more and more Jack Daniels as you watch the bands set. You'll wish you could get back home pronto to smash your television in with a steel baseball bat. (seriously, this is how I feel EVERY TIME I see them - this is a good thing and should be considered a compliment.)

Download Shitty Carwash's entire LP called 1:30 is a little late to be playing in 7 for free here! I guarantee it's a great fucken listen!
Shitty Carwash also plays on the same bill as Hatred Surge at The Mohawk on Jan 3rd.
See Shitty Carwash play "My Cock Tastes Like Techno" here:

Best 25 albums of 2010 - Ain't No Kayne on this list

2010-12-21T14:52:00.000-08:00

This was a ridiculously great year for good and new music and I finding it increasingly difficult to agree with other top album lists from Pitchfork, Amazon, and Rolling Stone & all that other bullshit lists that include Mr. West. There is so much overload of criticism from bloggers, Facebook "likes", and Twitter suggestions this year I found myself shaking my head at the top picks for music. The only top album lists I was please with came from Waterloo Records, the continuous collective list of new albums from Indie Cafe, and the good bloggers & folks from Stark Online.

That all being said I have decided I am going to make my own list, not rank them in order, and highlight a few albums I thought you should know my opinion on their latest album (if it matters).

Here we go!

Best 25 Albums of 2010

Neil Young - Le Noise
Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt
The National - High Violet
Belle and Sebastian - Write About Love

It has been about a decade since Belle & Sebastian has released a new album and Write About Love was a surprise for me when it released in October 2010. I am a fan of this album because it is reminiscent, to me, of Simon & Garfunkel's arrangements in their 70's pop music & melodies. Belle & Sebastian are not trying to come out with a "new & improved" sound rather B&S make it a point to create these intricate melodies that are classic of the rest of their catalouge. This is a modern rock album that is pretty and potentially an album that every song could be "radio friendly".

Tame Impala - Innerspeaker
Warpaint - The Fool
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Deerhunter - Halcyon Digest
The Black Keys - Brothers
Sun City Girls - Funeral Mariachi

It really comes down to this for SCG's - you either like them or you don't. The group of guys (no, they're not girls) have released about 50 LPs and Funeral Mariachi is the farewell album of the band due to a death of their drummer, Charles Gocher, in 2007. The first time I heard an album by SCG was in my uncle's car while riding to Hondo, Texas to attend a family reunion. The album was Dante's Disneyland Inferno (reissue 2006). If you get a chance to listen to it you should - that shit is intense, wild, and can be best described as a 'cluster-fuck'. I loved it. Funeral Mariachi is the best album of experimental folk and psychedelic rock I have heard in awhile that seems to have a more friendly listen for anyone who may be hearing the band for the first time. This is a band who I am sure influenced Animal Collective & possibly did the same drugs as Ween. This album is free-form, psychedelic folk, surf-rock, that can really fuck with your mind if you let it. I recommend you let it. Let it. Trust me - it feels good.

The Black Angels - Phosphene Dream
Crocodiles - Sleep Forever
Joanna Newsom - Have on Me
Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM

IRM is Beck's creation, composition, songwriting, & production. You can hear it on every single track on Charlotte Gainsbourg's latest. Her last album 5:55 was respectfully easy listening but this album is her best vocally. This album is played non-stop whenever I ride my bike around town. Give it a listen - she is after all French hero/actor/director/poet/songwriter Serge Gainsbourg's daughter. Also, did you see Charlotte's latest film? It was nothing I expected it to be and that should be read as a good thing.

MGMT - Congratuations
Black Mountain - Wilderness Heart
Broken Bells - Broken Bells
Spoon - Transference
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
Dead Weather - Sea of Cowards
Sleigh Bells - Treats

Mixing metal with pop is what I like a lot. I saw Sleigh Bells during SXSW this year and I was blown away as I watched their live set. Fuckenamazingman!

Titus Andronicus - The Monitor

Holy shit! I was just introduced to this album by a friend, Brendan. As soon as I heard the whole album I had to get it myself. I blare the shit out of this album in my car and whenever I approach a cop at a light or stop sign I feel like I am doing something bad so I turn it down. This is the stuff you wanna hear to pump you up before getting into a fight. (at least that's how it makes me feel)

Magnetic Fields - Realism
Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Broken Social Scene - Forgiveness Rock

Let's see what happens in 2011. I'm pretty stoked about hearing new shit from My Morning Jacket, Radiohead, Battles, Explosions in the Sky, Fleet Foxes, M83, and Mogwai.

No ACL this year for me

2010-09-22T22:09:00.000-07:00

I know.....I don't even want to talk about it, but ultimately I am looking forward to not having to deal w/the bike traffic during Austin City Limits Music Festival weekend or even having to figure out how to sneak in food to the festival so that way I don't end up spending over $100 trying to feed myself lunch & dinner for 3-days at the Fest.

Besides all that I have a great friend getting married on Sunday, Oct 10th, 2010 (10/10/10). I wouldn't miss her wedding for the world so I decided to just skip it altogether and save myself ticket money, food money, and merch money as well.

I am however, seriously thinking about going to this: Ditch The Fest - local music festival in ATX. It takes place the weekend of ACL and what's best about this is that it's far away from Zilker Park!! woohoo! PLUS - it's free. You can't go wrong with this one.
Check out the full line up -

Be sure to RSVP - here.

The event also has Tangled Shark Productions, Transmission Entertainment, and Lucy the Poodle booking that guarantees and hand picks the bands playing at Ditch the Fest on 4 rotating stages, a moon walk, vegetarian/vegan vendors, and even refreshments are promised! All of this happening at Cheer Up Charlies off of 6th street.

Public Service Annoucement : Superlitebike, Sour Bridges & Harmony Gritz to play this weekend

2010-07-15T00:34:00.000-07:00

"And really knowing is half the batte!"...it really is folks!
Take a look:

And really if you were anything like me I am going to make sure to wear bright clothing as I bike downtown to check out what this Public Service Announcement is all about from 3 local bands this weekend.

I was invited over to Jackson's house sometime on a cold winter night to check out all of the three bands listed on the set flyer above. I was a little hesitant only because 1) i didn't know the guy, 2) i forgot to get singles ($1) so i could tip their friend who was pumping some free beer - who I ended up playing Caps the night after with (and getting slaughtered by him) and 3) i don't usually crash other people's parties but i heard really good things about Sour Bridges so I thought I'd suck it up.

I had never seen Sour Bridges before (members from both Superlitebike and Fatback Circus) and like any local music I made sure to listen closely. Sour Bridges caught me by surprise. Don't judge them by their Myspace page - I mean really? Who uses Myspace these days anymore? (I am currently awaiting their friend confirmation via Facebook.) You should see them play 1 night this weekend at The Scoot Inn AND guess what? They play with Superlitebike so you're kinda getting a twofer here....if ya know what I'm sayin'.

Last time I saw Superlitebike was their LP release, "Away We Go" at The Parish. I always love to see this band because of the raw energy and experiential sound they push out when they play live. Their album is very good respectfully but it's something about their live show that will not let you stand still even if you ain't drinking for the night and you're trying to play it cool (but really you're drunk and crunk).I had a great time and that Parish and show and it was awesome to watch all of their video flyers like this:

or this:
This weekend the boys (half of who make up Sour Bridges and some even dip into a little bit of Harmony Gritz) have 2 shows. Friday, July 16th Ruta Maya will host a night of good local music for 4 bands that has Superlitebike after La Guerilla (a fantastic latin-experimental band you should see!). Show begins at 8pm and goes til 2am. Cover is a cheap $5.

Superlitebike can also be seen at The Scoot Inn w/Sour Bridges the next night - Saturday, July 17th.

Harmony Gritz - the band is not like this other Harmony Gritz. I wish they had more style like that Harmony. I don't even know who that lady is...!
These boys are damn good and when I say 'damn good' I mean 'gotdamn good'. Members of Harmony Gritz consist of Fatback Circus, Sour Bridges, and Superlitebike. These here boys will be playing some really good bluegrass type of folk at Spiderhouse this weekend for the 1st Annual Bluegrass, Cuntry, Gypsy, & Gospel Jamboree. This event begins Friday, July 17th at 8pm and runs until Sunday, July 19th until 10:30pm. Tickets are available at Spiderhouse. Prices are Friday=$5, Saturday=$10, Sunday=$10 OR the deal maker here is for $15 you can go to see all bands from Friday - Sunday night. Music ends at 10:30pm all nights due to noise ordinance.
You can see bands like Clem & Clyde's Whiskey Business, Frank Smith, the Marmalakes, and more. (I will be here for sure.) More to come on this festival....

Be sure to make it out this weekend. There is a lot of great music to hear, see, and support.

And another PSA from David Lynch this time :)

Austin elementary kids singing/playing The Beatles

2010-05-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

It was a typical Wednesday for me with these exceptions - I was listening to a Twin Sisters EP and Dylan's Blonde on Blonde over and over again.

Diana said she was going to go to Freddie's Place during lunch to see the student she tutored/mentored throughout this school year. She said they were going to be singing Beatles songs as a performance and asked if I wanted to go.

First I said no and then gave it more thought and realized I could definitely dig students singing the Yellow Submarine and Oh La Dee.

Here is proof we went (look for us around the :15 second mark).

The kids were so precious to watch and it was such a nice day outside. It was also a relief to know that elementary music class includes one of the best bands in Becker Elementary's curriculum - The Beatles. :)

This is another reason why I love Austin and ALL of the kinds of live music/shows available to see.

Pachanga Latino Festival - another festival I won tickets too.

2010-05-23T13:31:00.000-07:00

Twitter - i love utilizing you day, checking up on you in the morning/lunch/and all those unexpected i-feel-like it times, updating you with what I am doing, and allowing you to win me free tickets/contests and a keeping me updated on free cool shit around Austin. You truly are fun and I want to keep this kind of relationship going, please. I think I like you so much I might find other ways to have you (i.e. app on my phone, feed to this blog, etc, etc.)

i won tickets to Pachanga Latino Festival thanks to twitter and the austin statesman.

When I had the chance (and when I wasn't too distracted & mesmerized by the artists and their set) I took some pictures. Most of the time I was dancing so I could care less about my camera.

Girl in a Coma (San Antonio, Tx):
Alright - I am a huge Girl in a Coma fan and have been seeing these gals...well...shit...since I remember seeing these girls play their first time at Cavalcade at Jefferson HS. I think I was there to see my sister perform (i had graduated a year after) and of course a Cavalcade wouldn't be complete with at least 3 or 4 bands that deprived of our friends/peers/students who went there. I even ran into an old high school friend at Pachanga Fest.

They played a very sultry stylistic cover of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" then later in their set included a Girl in a Coma version of "Come On, Let's Go" by Ritchie Valens and fast tempo cover of Selena's "Si Una Vez" (btw which i was singing my heart out on). AND they did "Walkin After Midnight" by Patsy Cline (which ended up as my favorite cover they played). They have a new EP out which are all cover songs including those 4 stated above. After contemplating why they would make an EP with just covers I read about it: Adventures in Coverland.

I also found this:

David Garza (Austin,Tx)
I saw David Garza about 5 yrs ago at the Continental Club during a happy hour on a Wednesday night. I had a date that we were to meet at Gueros and decided to calm my nerves across the street in a place I knew was comfortable enough for me and had live music. (I'm not a fan of Gueros - location is great but prices are laughable). I immediately drew to him because of his acoustic latin fused with classical guitar style and his poetry. He has a beat poet and a very bold and political lyricism in his music whether acoustic or electric. There were about 40 people at the Continental that day. He was amazing then and even now after seeing him open up (acoustic set) for Girl in a Coma he keeps rocking it like he did that happy hour I first saw him at.

I have a friend that waits on him (as in a waiter) at The Blue Star Cafeteria during the week. When he told me this I remember him pronouncing his name "Day-vid Garza" and when I corrected him and said "?.....oh you mean, DaVEEED Garza?", he turned beet red. I felt a little embarrassed I corrected him.

And he had a black eye too. Reason is unknown at this time.

It was pretty awesome to see David with a full band and his energy was addictive. he had me dancing and singing at this song.

Bombasta (San Antonio, Tx)

This band first caught my eye first as I read the small description of Bombasta from the Pachanga Fest map and schedule: "...the sound of a generation who grew up on both hip hop and cumbias, Rocksteady and rancheras, soul and salsa." And from San Antonio, eh?

Yes. There was a trumpet player that brought the mariachi flare & sustained high notes, a trombone player, 2 guitars, a bass, a dj mixing table, keys, and drums. These guys were awesome! I think there might have been a saxophone too. I hope to catch more of these guys in the future. I caught the tail end of their set and was definitely proud there was another sound deriving out of San Antonio that isn't horrible cheap metal.

Grupo Fantasma (Austin, Tx)

These guys sell out every time they have a gig at Antone's & every time they play at Waterloo Records for an in-store performance it is packed to the back of the DVD section.

Grupo Fantasma played to a overcrowded patio at Pachanga and had everyone, I mean, everyone dancing their day away. There was not one person NOT moving their head, shaking their hips, or swaying side to side. Every time I go to a show of theirs I cannot explain to you what comes over me - I just gotta move and shake it as hard as I can. They are leaving Texas to tour their new album "El Existential".

Hacienda (San Antonio, Tx)

These guys are another proud moment I had while at Pachanga. First off these guys opened up for Dr. Dog and The Black Keys. They were discovered by Dan Auerbach when their 6-song demo landed in his hands. Their cover of "She's Got a Hold on Me" was definitely a highlight for me since for awhile this was the only song I had of Hacienda. Read more about their starting points here.

Think The Beach Boys meets The Black Keys and a little bit of Jimi Hendrix. :)

Bomba Estereo (Columbia)
This band caught me by surprise. I read a really good interview of Bomba Estereo about 3 wks ago and head one song by then at that point - Fuego. When I saw they were headlining at Pachanga I started flooding myself with all of their songs and youtube videos. I couldn't wait to see them. They put on one of the best live shows I have seen in awhile. Li Seumet, vocalist, reminds me of a Colombian Salt-n-Peppa mixed in 90's female rap essence along with a bass drowning psychedelic funk.
They have a cumbia feel that just feels natural and smooth with all of the different guitar harmonies. The drummer was too good!! With the fast tempos, slows & stops the drummer was changing styles, sticks, and sequences so often i thought that surely not every single drum beat was being composed by him. It was such a diverse Colombian sound. Seeing this band live blew my mind. I kept dancing until my hips were sore and although we all wanted another song and shouted "Orta, orta" (even after they played their whole album) we didn't get one because of the Travis Co noise ordinance.

They play one last time before heading back to Colombia at end of an ear today at 5pm! You better go. You won't know what you're missing.

the music that makes me say "holy shit, this is good!" as i drive the music i find - part I

2010-04-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

I had to load up the MP3 player and anytime riding or driving I am listening to new stuff all of the time. I have a few to share with you. Listen and enjoy because if you haven't heard of this stuff yet then you need to.

Little Fish - I read about this band here Stark Online. I was impressed of the sound & the voice of the singer, JuJu (Julia Sophie) - she reminds me a little of Juilette Lewis mixed with the lyrical attitude of Courtney Love with that Patti Smith poetic flare. It's great stuff. An album, Baffled and Beat, is due out sometime in May. I recommend hearing "Darling Dear" a few times and tell me what you think. You can get the link from here. Sounds a little like the White Stripes, a bit of of Dead Weather, and Patti Smith most definitely.

Megafaun - I started off searching for Megafauna and ended up finding out about Megafaun in as pure accident. Megafauna is a local Austin female led group that sounds similar to Joanna Newsom with some hardcore Black Sabbath and Metallica local flare. I dig their sound and have enjoyed 2 of their local shows. Megafaun is a different band...made of mostly men and 1 female trumpeter (along with other odd instruments at times too) that have more of a folksy North Carolina guitar feel good band. Check out a couple of live tunes here. My favorite video is Volunteers.

Sleighbells - I discovered this band on Record Store Day via a Coachella sampler CD that Waterloo Records had in their free section. "Crown on the Ground" got me through my Wednesday this past week. I heard it at least a dozen times while running. It kept me going with the bass and it was just an addicting song to listen to as you are trying your best to hit 3 miles after a long dreadful day from work. It doesn't look like they will be coming through Austin anytime soon but they are on tour with Yeasayer and just that fact alone should make you want to check out this band. They've been playing in my stereo non-stop for weeks.

Other tunes that keep playing on and on: Tallest Man on Earth, electrelane, Harlem (new Hippies album) and Local Natives which are coming to Waterloo Records for an in-store show (free) on Friday, April 23rd at 4pm. Get there early if you plan on going.

Citizen Cope - tonight - SOLD OUT SHOW @ Stubb's

2010-03-12T08:46:00.000-08:00

....my (paid) Spring Break begins today after 3pm and I am pretty stoked!

I am starting it off with Citizen Cope tonight at Stubb's. I am amazed that this show is sold out tonight. I have yet to pick up his latest album, Rainwater LP, but according to our receptionist at work, Melissa D, she says it's "great!". I am going to take her word for it. She snagged tickets for the show too.

(Pic by Manuel Nauta - the great IT guy where I work)

Besides having a girls weekend with my best friend, here are the other places I plan to be at (a few pre-SXSW stuff).

Friday March 12th:

Where: Moonshine Patio & Grill - Nokia SXSW Party
Why? "Free beer and snacks" claims Do512.com

Where: SXSW New Media Boutique Crawl in the 2nd St District
Why? Great discounts, champagne, goodies, chocolate covered strawberries, some pre-lunch, y mas!

Where: Girls in Tech at Fogo de Chao
Why? Chat it up with like-minded woman while sharing appetizers and drinks. I am in!

Where: @ Red7 - Hive Awards - RSVP required
Why? Awarding those unsung internet heroes. This might be interesting and it is right by Stubb's!

Where: @Malverde - "Computer Luv" SXSW Interactive Party
Why? I love computers and this place is swanky! Its free too, no RSVP required.

There are a few options lined up for us.

Check back tomorrow for tomorrow's schedule!

SXSW Round 4: RSVP for free parties - there are a ton! Dr. Dog, Minus the Bear - all free to go to!

2010-02-22T11:20:00.000-08:00

Okay, I am fallen behind in providing you the RSVps that I have been signing up for. So catch up and RSVP to these now!

here is a great website by Austin360 with a breakdown of what day parties are/where, and even links to RSVps. Check it out.

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: Billions & Ticketfly Presents Fat Crooked Unwound
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Where: The Mohawk
$?: None
What's Promised: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings! + many more!

When: Wed. March 17th & Fri March 19th
What: BD Rileys Music From Ireland
Time: 8pm-1pm on March 17th & 11am-5pm on March 19th
Where: BD Rileys
$?: None
What's Promised: great Ireland bands & probably free beer too. Just show up.

When: Wed. March 17th
What: Terror Bird Media & Force Field 3rd Annual SXSW Day Party
Time: 12pm-6pm
Where: Red 7
$?: None but show up early - this show will reach capacity fast!
What's Promised: Neon Indian, Real Estate, Oh No Ono, etc

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: Full Metal Tx 2010
Time: 12pm-6pm
Where: Emos Main & Emos Jr (right across from Emos on Red River)
$?: RSVP here but show up early - this show will reach capacity fast!
What's Promised: preview of Black Sabbath & Rush's new DVD, Iron Age, etc & special guests that they won't release til the week of.

When: Sat. March 20th
What: ALTPRESS SXSW Day Party
Time: 12pm-6pm
Where: Emos Main & Emos Jr (right across from Emos on Red River)

$?: this show will reach capacity fast! Look at the lineup!
What's Promised: Circa Survive, Sum 41, The Rocket Summer... find more here

When: Thurs. March 18th & Fri. March 19th
What: Other Music SXSW Lawn Party
Time: 1pm-7pm
Where: French Legation Museum (802 San Marcos St)

$?: free and there might be free Magic Hat beer since they are listed as the sponsor
What's Promised: Thurston Moore, The Antlers, etc.

When: Tues. March 16th
What: The Mind of Adi & Couch Professor Ent - Day Party
Time: 8pm-?
Where: Chupacabra

$?: $3 entry w/RSVP at DO 512 website / Free Lonestar
What's Promised: Peter & The Wolf, Car Stereo Wars, The Frontier Brothers, etc. Read flyer

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: Consequence of Sound Indie Party
Time: 12pm-7pm
Where: The Compound - East Austin

$?: Free admission & no RSVP required
What's Promised: Surfer Blood, and more - read flyer

When: Wed. March 17th
What: Paste Magazine - Day Party 1

Time: 11:30a-5:30pm
Where: The Galaxy Room - 507 E. 6th (I think its the old Bourbon Rocks place)
$?: Free admission & RSVP required- SHOW UP EARLY - this will be a packed show
What's Promised: Fightened Rabbit, Roxy Erikson & Okkervil River, Roman Candle, Giver, etc

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: Paste Magazine - Day Party 2

Time: 11:30a-5:30pm
Where: The Galaxy Room - 507 E. 6th (I think its the old Bourbon Rocks place)
$?: Free admission & RSVP required- SHOW UP EARLY - this will be a packed show

What's Promised: Shearwater, Fanfarlo, The Middle East, etc

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: All Your Friends Are Here - Supply Demand Music Presents - Day Show

Time: 1pm-6pm
Where: Dominican Joes - S. Congress
$?: Free admission & RSVP here- I am excited about this show!

What's Promised: Dosh, Paleo, and more

When: Fri. March 19th
What: Hexadecagon Show w/Octopus Project

Time: Shows at 7:30pm & 9pm
Where: Rooftop at Whole Foods Market - S. Lamar location
$?: Free admission- this show looks awesome!
What's Promised: Octopus Project surrounding an audience of 600 people (that's the max on the rooftop) with 8 speakers & visual performances. I am down! read more about it here

When: Sun. March 14th
What: Buffalo Exchange SXSW Day Party

Time: 12noon - ?

Where: Buffalo Exchange - 2904 Guadalupe St

$?: Free!
What's Promised: No bands listed at this time but they always have free beer & great local bands.

When: Wed. March 17th & Thurs. March 18th
What: Gigacrate SXSW 2010

Time: 9pm-2am

Where: Beso Cantina -307B W 5th St
$?: Free! RSVP here now!
What's Promised: Bands, bands, and more good bands!

When: Thurs. March 18th
What:Banyan Branch - SXSW Day Party
Time: 3pm-6pm

Where: Max's Wine Dive
$?: Free! RSVP here

What's Promised: Some good bands & probably good drinks!

When: Thurs. March 18th
What: Muzzle of Beers - SXSW X MOB Day Party
Time: 11am-5pm

Where: Habana Calle

$?: Free! You gotta email Muzzle of Bees for entry.
What's Promised: Milwaukee's finest indie music! :)

When: Fri. March 19th
What: Gorilla V Bear - SXSW 2010 Mexican Summer

Time: 12pm-7pm

Where: Emos

$?: Free! Show up early, you gotta .
What's Promised: awesome bands - see flyer

When: Thurs. March 18th, Fri. March 19th, and Sat. March 20th
What: Filter Magazine SXSW Day Parties - Showdown at Cedar Street

Time: 1pm-6pm

Where: Cedar Street Courtyard

$?: Free! Show up early, you gotta .Look at the lineup! RSVP
What's Promised: Dr. Dog, Delta Spirit, Minus the Bear, Mike Snow, and more

SXSW RSVP Round 3 - A few More for Ya to go to

2010-02-10T10:54:00.000-08:00

They keep coming and coming

When: Wed. March 17th
What: IODA SXSW Opening Day Bash
Time: 12pm - 6pm
Where: Emos Annex
$?: None RSVP here now!
What's Promised: Great band lineup & no need for wristbands or badges. You get in free, yo!

When: Tues March 16th
What: From the Mind of Adi and Couch Professor Ent
Time: 8pm - 2am
Where: Chupacabra Cantina
$?: None - you gotta sign up at Do512 as a member before you can RSVP. Its totally worth it because there is a special SXSW edition on events and parties.
What's Promised: An amazing lineup of local and national acts. This will be killer.

When: March 20th
What: Mr. T & Mrs. T and Rachael Ray's Feedback
Time: 11am - 4pm
Where: Stubb's BBQ
$?: None - you gotta get there early (see flyer)
What's Promised: Last yr I went to the RR party and there were free drinks GALORE & amazing food & pots/pans they were giving away. The line to get in was riduclously long so you will have to get there early, folks! The flyer says "Hot band, hot food, &cold drinks!"

stay tuned...

SXSW RSVP Round 2 - You best be RSVPing if you plan on drinking (free)

2010-02-09T13:26:00.000-08:00

I got more for ya and these invites and RSVPs aren't stopping folks.

Be sure to act fast on these RSVP's or else you won't be getting in and meeting me at these cool parties.
(All are free!)

When: Sat. March 21st
What: Lawyers 4 Musicians party (see flyer above)
Time: 1pm-6pm
Where: Momo's off W 6th Street
$? None - get there early/no wristband needed or badge
Even lawyers can hang out and party hard.

When: Sat March 13th
What: Mellow Johnny's BBQ & party (Lance Armstrong's bike shop)
Time: 2pm - 11pm
Where: Mellow Johnny's 4000 Nueces St
$?: None - bring your bike though! There is an Urban Ride planned! RSVP Mellow Johnnys
Whats promised: BBQ, free bee, and a nice bike ride.

When: Tues. March 16th
What: RxSW Self Medicated Film Expo
Time: Noon to 2am (see flyer below)
Where: The Belmont
$?: None - RSVP to count yourself in
What's promised: 13 hrs of short films from all over the world; No Cover, Cheap drinks

When: Thurs March 18th

What: Do It To It 3

Time: 8pm - 2am

Where: Silhouette (718 So Congress)

$?: None - Must RSVP to this email

What's Promised: See flyer & lineup at this link

When: Fri. March 19th

What: Village Voice SXSW Party

Time: 12Noon - 5pm

Where: La Zona Rosa

$?: None - you have to get to this party early for entry! No RSVP link or email

What's promised: Superchunk, the xx, the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, and Surfer Blood

When: Thurs. March 18

What: The Bay Area Takeover 2010

Time: 11:30a - 6pm

Where: Beauty Bar

$?: None - RSVP here now!

What's Promised: Great bands read line up here

SXSW RSVP Round 1 - 5 parties to RSVP to

2010-02-02T09:47:00.000-08:00

So SouthXSouthwest is around the corner and approaching fast. I cannot believe we already made it through 2 days of February!

I have been receiving emails, tweets, texts, and verbal invitations to parties, shows, and free events all over Austin. I wanted to be able to give you a heads up on some of the stuff I have received and make sure you get yourself informed and signed up for these parties.
Now most parties are RSVP only, some aren't, some require you to just show up day/night of, and others have you pick up fancy passes to attend. Either way, click the link, email and/or follow the instructions I give you to get yourself at some of the best and coolest SXSW parties now. (warning: if you wait til the last minute or week of SXSW these parties will hit capacity and will not allow you entry if you are not on the list).

March 13th 6pm-8pm
Who: Mozilla has a party?! Yes indeed - RSVP here.
Where: @The Cedar Door - 201 Brazos St
$: None - RSVP
What's promised: Drinks, mingling, and find out what's new for Mozilla this yr. (First 250 guests only allowd entry).
Should I get there early: Yup

March 14th 10pm - 1am
Who: Mashable MashBash SXSWi
Where: @Buffalo Billiards
$: None - You must RSVP to this one. Also, be sure you know who you are taking. They ask for names, Twitter handle, and emails of those attending.
What's promised: This is sponsored by Sony & Cliqset. 3 hour open bar, lost of networking, and even Wi's set up. Lots of prizes too.

March 15th 9pm - 2am
Who: SXSW10 Geeky Beach Party
Where: @Aces Lounge
$: None - RSVP here. As of this post it says Early Bird passes are sold out (which were free) but I will update you on when they release more tickets. They will release more spots too. Aces is huge!
What's promised: Free drinks, swag, and networking with other geeks

March 16th 8pm - 2am
Who: Art Disaster No. 10
Where: @Beauty Bar
$: None but you gotta RSVP and get your name on the list. This show will reach capacity so show up early!
What's promised: Lots of good bands like Sunset, Bright Light Social Hour, and Lachi (and more bands). No word of free drinks.
Here's a flyer for this show:

March 18th 12pm - 7pm Day Show!
Who: Consequence of Sound & Sled Island's SXSW Day Party
Where: @The Compound
$: Just RSVP
What's promised: A nice lineup that is not announced yet.

RSVP if you wanna come hang out at all the cool free parties!

NYE Austin Events - which one(s) will you be at?

2009-12-23T09:52:00.000-08:00

So Xmas is right around the corner and I keep thinking about what I am planning to do for New Years.

Here is some events that are happening around Austin and a brief description of what's going down at each one of them.

You know those crazy rock n rollers Conquistador Inc? Well they have rented out the Salvage Vanguard Theater for New Years Eve and throwing it down for Brave New World New Year's Eve party. Stay tuned for official lineup. I know Conquistador Inc will be playing for sure and they ain't a band you want to miss. This is a guaranteed fun time. RSVP here.
Price: Unknown

Black Joe Lewis at the Honeybears will be playing to an already SOLD OUT show at Stubb's. If you already got your tickets to this snazzy even then lucky you! Enjoy the overpriced beers, free slamming bbq buffet, and toast me on with that free champagne at midnight. For those not fortunate enough to throw down on $60 tickets for this one, you still can have a listen if you go sit in the creek by the Austin Police Dept parking building with a 6 pack of Miller High Life. Take the old fold up chair to sit in. Pros- no cover if you do this and Cons-you might be approached by random people so hide that 6 pack til you're ready to drink.
Price: sorry buddy, scalpers might be on hand day of show but I wouldn't pay more than $40 for these tickets.

If you have never been to First Night Austin then get ready! This is a mostly free event that showcases all of the culture, music, and exciting talents that this city has. All is going down on Auditorium Shores with illumination shows, a Vespa raffle, and even a parade.

Not into the partying mood? I read that there will be a First Night New Years Eve Run sponsored by the good ol local folks of RunTex. This unqiue 2 mile run begins at 10pm on the South First Bridge. This is a great way to start the year off on the right track! (I wanna do this)
Price: unsure - when I register I will be updating this post.

Did you happen to check out Broken Social Scene at SXSW at the recently-turned-venue the Live at Seaholm warehouse? I did and it was amazing.

Rare Magazine is having their own NYE party called Uncorked 2010 with Flosstradamus, Shiv, and Car Stereo Wars. I have been to MANY Rare events and they always impress me with their endless amount of free booze and cool magazines to accompany my free drink(s).
This sounds like a great night with opportunities to reserve a table for you and your friends (which I recommend) and see some bad ass fireworks.
Price: $75 each ticket

Couch Professor Entertainment is throwing a nice little party at The Parish called 2010: A Dance Odyssey. For the first 100 people there will be 2 free drink tickets given to those who want to stand in line early. Chipotle burritos & Austin Daily press will be giving food away if you get there early. (You know that food doesn't last long when it's free, yo.) It definitely has a great lineup of music (I wanna see Missions): Zeale, Missions, The White White Lights, Prepmode, Markus (with a K), DJ Czech One
Price: get your tickets early for $18 or be a procrastinator and shell out $24 for a ticket at the door

Momos has a great lineup to ring in the new year with Belleville Outfit. I have heard of these folks from my office mate at work. Their music is addicting and Warren Hood is just as good. Momos has a great patio, lots of outdoor space, and an amazing view of West 6th street (and the tall condoes in that area).
Price: None listed but Do512 is having a giveaway for free tickets.

The Continental Club is going to feature T Birds and the Breaks this year. This sounds like a guaranteed fun,dancing time filled with a room of sweaty people and hardly any room to really get your dance on. Jade Idol will open up for the gals and girls of T Birds and the Breaks.
Price: Probably over $10 for sure. get there early!

As more comes my way I will update the post.
Where you gonna be at?

I will be here.

Free Week in Austin - lineup annouced from Tranmission Ent

2009-12-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

I have been going to Free Week in Austin for going on 6 years and every year more and more venues annouce they too will open their doors up to Austin for no cover charge and showcase local bands. It just used to be Emos who did it but now it seems like all live venues in Austin are getting on board.

Transmission Entertainment made their annoucements and band picks for Free Week. Of course, all bands are donating their time & efforts for this week so you have to understand that these bands are in it because of how popular Free Week has become.
If you are in a band that is playing this Free Week at any of the Red River venues - way to go! This Free Week is going to be a smaller version of SXSW but think more localized.
Free Week is Jan 1 through the 15. Venues such as Mohawk, Emos, Beauty Bar, Red Eyed Fly, Club Deville, The Parish, and possibly Stubbs (inside) will charge no cover those nights to hop in, see a band, and not have to worry about having wasted 5 bucks for some crappy band.

The bands I definitely will make it a point to see: The Obsolute Machines, Paper Shapes, the Thieves, Iron Age, Missions, La Snacks, Eagle Claw, Many Birthdays, PJ and the Bear, and Fake Book.

Here you can find the full press release from Graham Williams, who started Transmission Entertainment, on what bands they selected to play the time during Free Week.
Here is the poster:

For those bands not picked up by Transmission Entertainment, let me know when you are playing and where. I am going to make it out all of the venues I can during this long week regardless.
Transmission Ent can be so hoity toity.

There are other venues that always have free music and you should support regardless: The Parlor (North Loop), The Carasouel Lounge, Poodle Dog Lounge, Creekside Lounge, Headhunters, Plush, and that's all I got for now that I know is always free.

I think that Free Week is a good marketing tool to figure out what bands you should book more often depending on the amount of people they bring in to their show & how much they ring in at the bar. It's clever and I don't blame anyone if they are using this strategy. Hell, I use it.

No FunFunFun for me

2009-11-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

No I didn't go to the FunX3 Fest this year but I wanted to. I just didn't want to spend oodles of money on this festival (if I had it, I would've though!) because I spent oodles for ACL. No worries though, I am going to cover what those FFF festers didn't see that weekend.

Friday night, Nov 6th, I was able to catch Colourmusic at the Scoot Inn. Man, was this a ridiculously packed show and boy was it a good one. I was happy to have heard some new Colourmusic I had not heard. They really know how to put on a show and did it oh so well that I am forever hooked on these guys. They have a 7" out called, Yes!, but I was unable to snag one at the Combo Plate party. It was the official pre-party for FFF. Although they guys did not play FFF, I heard they played last year though, I was happy to have caught them up close and personal. These guys come straight out of Stillwater, Oklahoma. Like the other best bands I truly admire - Other Lives , Evangelicals , Fatback Circus, are from the same good ole state, Oklahoma as Colourmusic so it was a given that I was not going to miss this show.

I also got to catch Neiliyo which is a huge hit act around the Austin music scene nowadays. I remember seeing him at his start and he is still rocking patios, parties, and girls panties to date! He too played at FFF and even saw a guy dressed up as Neiliyo for Halloween this year at Speakeasy's! Ha. Good stuff! You gotta catch Neiliyo at his next gig or few. He'll make you dance til you bleed/sweat. No seriously - his energy will make you bleed. Neiliyo will be opening up for Mickey Avalon on Nov 13th at Emos. Check out one of his gigs here.

Same night I saw Fatback Circus play at The Belmont off of west 6th streetish. It was a good night for the boys. A huge crowd danced and made this party worthy enough to be an Official Unofficial Pre-Party for the November month. (Screw FFF pre-parties!) These guys are always exceptional live and I am not going to go into too much detail about FBC again (I feel like I am always giving them the exposure they gracefully deserve) but I just want to say that when the cover Led Zepplin (which is very rare) they make me wonder why in the hell aren't these guys playing FunFunFun Fest or even ACL?! Geez, someone pick these guys up, PLEASE!

There was so many free shows the FFFF weekend that it was hard to be in several places at once! I wanted to catch the Local Music is Sexy show at the Mohawk on Friday but since Colourmusic was a priority and Fatback Circus as well, I ran out of time. I missed Girl in a Coma, Recover, Consider the Source, and a bunch of other local bands that came through the weekend.

Sunday, November 8th, I ended up at the Hole in the Wall to catch Conquistador, Inc. The crowd from FFFF filtered their way to the Drag to enjoy the delightful sounds of Conquistador, Inc. I must say, this was a great show and a great way to end my weekend. These guys always make me laugh with their lyrics, merchandise pushing, and witty comments before and after each song in their set.
After Conquistador, Inc I got to catch half of set of Machine that includes Chase Gorman & Jonathan Christ. The name, Machine, captures their sound. One gentleman divides his time playing on the keyboard and hitting up sound machines and playback machines. The other guy is strictly machine. They got 2 tables covered in beat box machines and boy was I having a good time. Every person at Hole in the Wall count not resist bobbing their heads to the sounds and mix Machines was playing. You gotta check them out.Their myspace does not have any dates of when they play next but be sure to check them out when they update it. There is even a cool documentary that was made about their music and their recording. Think Aphex Twin meets Cut Chemist & a little bit of Jurassic 5. You gotta listen.

Last night, Tuesday, I attended the Hori Smoku screening about Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins, considered as the grandfather of modern tattooing. It was an excellent documentary done by Erich Weiss (who attended the screening and did an excellent Q&A about the film and the cast) that features interviews, commentary, photographs, and more from Ed Hardy, Mike Malone, and Zeke Owen. Of course, Mr Collins' poetry was featured throughout the movie from letters and correspondence done between Ed Hardy and Norman Collins. It was fascinating. Afterwards the official afetrparty took place at The Jackalope on 6th street with free drinks/rum all night long. It was great! I was a happy attendee!
I got to catch Woven Bones in all of their rawness of musical instrumentation. They definitely had a Stooges feel to them as I watched them underneath Sailor Jerry posters and to a crowd that kept boozing it up on the free rum. I had never seen these men and boy was I happy to be able to hear a raw rock-n-roll band after watching the Hori Smoku movie. Woven Bones was complimentary with the raw, authentic, and subdued theme from the movie. I read they are heading out on a West Coast tour beginning December so check here if you want to see if they are coming to a West Coast town near you.

~~Next shows up to catch next this week:~~
Bestview at The Parlor (North Loop) on Wed. 11/11
Fatback Circus at Club 1011 in San Antonio, Tx Thurs 11/12
Fatback Circus at Club Deville in Austin, Tx Fri 11/13
Screening of Blue Movie w/(((sunset))) performing at the Independent Studios Fri 11/13
Muchos Backflips, Opposite Day at the Scoot Inn Fri 11/13
Til We're Blue or Destroy (in-store) at End of an Ear Sat 11/14 6pm
Sideshow Tragedy at the Ghost Room Sat 11/14 9pm
El Perro Del Mar (in-store) at End of an Ear Sun 11/15 3pm

Let me know where you be going!

Conquistador Inc & Virgin Whores @Head Hunters 09/24

2009-09-25T14:29:00.000-07:00

Last night, despite how crappy I was feeling, I braved my body aches and soreness to go catch Conquistador Inc at Head Hunters. I have seen these guys about 3 times now and every time I find myself cracking up during their set while listening to their songs because of their originality and find my hips a'hoppin to their beats.

Songs like "Put Your Mouth On It" and "Lisa Nowak" are defintiely some crowd favorites. "Lisa Nowak" is one of my favorites from the band that is written after the female astronaut that drove from Houston to Orlando with latex gloves, a black wig, ammunition, a hooded tan trench coat, a hammer, black gloves, rubber tubing, in Depends.
"Minor Rectal Bleeding" is another great song that has great bass lines and fun keyboard melodies and an audience participatory section that brushes up and tests your spelling abilities of the words minor rectal bleeding. (I nailed it every time, suckas!).

A.G (guitar/VOX), Frank (keyboard/VOX), Dave (bass/VOX), and Dylan (drums) all do us a favor in providing dance-y good ole rock and roll on any night at any venue about the subjects the band claims they only write what they know.

Conquistador Inc can be found on Facebook and at the dates below.

You've got to check them out and listen carefully when you are at their show. You are guaranteed to have a dancing good time and smirk every time they spell out M-I-N-O-R-R-E-C-T-A-L-B-L-E-E-D-I-N-G.

They are worth a catch and are definitely being picked up at some really cool gigs around Austin.

Here are their next gig dates:
Tonight - Sept 25th @ Scoot Inn 9pm

Oct 8th @ Carousel Lounge

Nov 8th @ Hole in the Wall

Nov 20th @ Beauty Bar

Before Conquistador Inc, I got to catch the last few songs from the band straight out of Minneapolis, Minn - The Virgin Whores, who according to me, is total unfiltered punk. These guys had a small but healthy dancing crowd at Head Hunters. I was amazed at their ability to take one word, "Wasted", and use that one word throughout the whole song! It was a great song and made me feel like I should be drinking shots up on stage along with the singer, Johnny Soxxx.

At one point while I was chatting outside with the guys from Conquistador Inc, Soxxx came running out of Head Hunters with his wireless mic and sang to a street full of people on Red River while spitting 5 feet away. When you have a wireless mic, leopard skin tight pants, chains around your belt, and 10x bigger than me with a black banana w/spikes, and in a band called Virgin Whores - well, I respect you and applaud you for wearing those pants & singing to the Austin Red River crowd - you are brave, Mr. Soxxx.

Check these guys out if you get a chance and they are coming to a town near you. I bet you will dig them and want to get "Wasted" over and over again with these guys.I had fun popping my cherry with The Virgin Whores, even if I was outside looking in.

Throw Me The Statue w/The Brunettes & Nurses (Mohawk 09/11)

2009-09-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

This post is a little late but I wanted to cover this show anyway since I was given a pair of free tickets from Austin Town Hall.

First up on stage at the Mohawk were the Nurses. Now these guys are ridiculously good and I was super impressed with their sound and HUGE audience they had for being the openers of the opening band, The Brunettes.

the Nurses - Aaron Chapman, John Bowers, and James Mitchell, from Portland, Oregon know how to make some really great and rocking psyhedelic music filled with hints of pop and lots of rock-n-roll in the mix. I could not get enough of these guys! I regrettably missed their set but caught the last few songs. "Catepillar Playground" is an amazing song that will not get out of my head nor can I stop imagining all of the 3D sounds that hit me like a wall while I stood in the waaaaay back of the Mohawk straining to see these guys in action. I gotta see them again when they come into town. There weren't even posters left on the walls at the Mohawk for these guys after they played. All those hipsters tore them off before I could read their new album name, Apple's Arce.

Next up - The Brunettes representin' New Zealand. I was dancing this whole set by a non-rotating fan in that muggy room at the Mohawk when these folks took the stage. Happy hand claps, triangles, and even a glockenspiel made the crowd move and all the tough guys dance around like little school girls. I especially loved the song Red Rollerskates and their cover of Lovesong by the Cure was absolutely sweet and smooth to hear on a rainy 09/11 night. I swear The Brunettes have a new album that they have released on their own despite being signed to Lil' Chief Records and later I learned they belonged to SubPop in 2005. Look out for these guys and gals because their poppy go lucky sound was addicting like red Popsicles on a hot summer day.

Throw Me the Statue took me by surprise. I wasn't sure what I was expecting but I definitely didn't think I would become a HUGE fan after seeing these guys, much less listen to Creaturesque over and over again. From Seattle, front man Scott Reitherman sang his heart out on the opener "Ancestors" and sweated a few buckets (I mentioned earlier that there was no rotating fan inside the Mohawk so only a few guys were hogging the air) on those in the front row. "Ancestors", a song appropriately about Austin, Texas is definitely an ideal song to hear while riding your bike down Guadalupe on a Sunday afternoon - it makes you feel right at home.
Throw Me the Statue's new album. Creaturesque is all around a great album that makes you dance, clap your hands, and wanna give the guys next to you high fives for their high kicks during some of these songs on this album. I picked up my own copy of Creaturesque after the show and was able to compliment the band in person while they stuck around and talked to some of their fans. They were great live and the energy these guys had was so addicting that I could not stand still for very long after their first note.

Songs I couldn't stay put while standing super close to the front and my ears are still kinda ringing even 6 days later: "Hi-Fi Goon", "Waving at the Shore" and "Conquering Kids".

Thanks again to Austin Town Hall for opening my ears to three more GREAT bands that were VERY, VERY excellent live! :o) Great sound at the Mohawk that night too! Kudos to the front of house sound man!

More pictures by Rory Collins:

Guns of Navarone (Mohawk 09/16)

2009-09-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

Last night I was invited out by Nathan from Fatback Circus to check out his friend Colby's band - Guns of Navarone. This 4-piece band had it's 2nd show in their music career and what a find to be booked at The Mohawk especially when Scion was sponsoring the bands that played this night. Also note that GoN are NOT a reggae dub band. There is currently another band out in this big ol world with the same name and they are definitely not as good as GoN I saw at the Mohawk last night.

The Guns of Navarone is the title of a book by Alistair McLean on WWII and later became a movie based on the novel. According to Wikipedia, the name Navarone is said to be taken from the Bay of Navarinon located in Southern Greece. The synopsis according to Wikipedia is defintiely compelling enough to add McLean's title to my list of books to read.

Despite the horrible and unmixed (& horribly blended or lack thereof) sound, courtesy of the slacking-at-the-sound-board sound guy, Guns of Navarone definitely struck me as a great band that has streaks of Built to Spill and The Promise Ring sound but add more of a country-folk style to those 2. The lyrics are plentiful and the melodies made me move and anticipate what other sounds/songs they had up their sleeves. To a nice crowd for a Thursday night at the Mohawk, including a constant screaming girl, Guns of Navarone definitely kept the Mohawk moving and nodding our heads to their beats. I even saw a number with a mandolin and these guys don't mess around with their slew of various guitars. I look forward to seeing what else these guys can do and catch them around town at other venues...hopefully with a sound guy who knows what the hell he is doing. (my ears are still ringing and not in a good way).

~~I am not sure when they play next but I will update with their next gigs as soon as I find out.~~ Guns of Navarone play at Red 7 on October 18th. Mark them iphoners and calendars (if you're old school like me).

Ween in Colorado! awesome sound, going down

2009-09-08T14:28:00.000-07:00

First off, I had never been to Colorado.
This place has GREEN grass that is always wet in the mornings, doesn't break easily, and smells really really good! The trees are the tallest I have ever seen in my life and the mountains!!!!! oh man, the mountains were beautiful and looked fake!!!!

As a Texas gal, I don't think life could've gotten any better this past Labor Day weekend. It was definitely the best show I had ever been to. The Red Rocks Ampitheater was amazing too. I couldn't believe my eyes when we drove closer to the theater for some tailgating fun and pre-gaming in the parking lot. Man!!!! I was at a loss with words.

Ween is amazing live! I was definitely schooled while staying with a friend of some friends on what songs are great and what songs are absolutely amazing.

The Meat Puppets opened up for Ween and I must say, I was a little impressed by their ability to rock out. They went off! I think they sounded great on that stage and was a good act to open for Ween.

On to Ween - first off, amazing! Their light show alone was ridiculous and the sound was clear and precise. I heard them from three different areas in the amphitheater - 5th row, 33rd row, and house top. It was a bit windy up at the top so the sound would get carried away into the Denver skyline but I didn't mind. The best sound was defintiely 33rd row. The best view was house top where you could see the skyline and Ween making the crowd move and pump their arms in the air. The drummer was really great! I learned that their set list was all over the map and had many songs from The Pod being played. The newer stuff was my favorite for sure and was anticipating Awesome Sound song but it made the set list. The encore was amazing and fog, fog everywhere!!!!!

I wish I had my camera to have taken pictures but before the show I ran off into the restricted area of the red rocks and had some fun taking in the fresh air and red scenery while my friend played his newly purchased 1970's $20 clarinet. I was sad my camera and phone was locked in the car we hitched a ride in because everyone was in the venue already holding it down on row 33.

Ween amazed me and I think I am now a big time fan of their music. I was happy to have seen them live before really diving deep into their albums. After all if they ain't good live then...well, luckily Ween was EXCELLENT live!

I need to catch Ween if ever they come have another tour again (I heard many fans at the show say this was their last one). I can definitely tell you I will be back in Colorado again for sure. That place is addicting.

Long live Ween!

The Belmont, Brad, and 2 dollar beer

2009-09-02T00:25:00.000-07:00

I am just in from The Belmont tonight. I was invited out by a dear friend and taken to see his dear friend, Bill, play with a couple of other guys. Bill had some really awesome songs about Keystone Light all paired with a nice banjo sound :)! Bill was great!

First off, you ever been to The Belmont? This place is swanky and the fact there is hardly ever a cover and the inside of the bar makes it a place I could definitely hang out and throw back a few beers. The inside has this 60's mobster era feel with vinyl pierced backseated boothes and palm trees outside on the bottom and top patio. The area in front of the outdoor, silver lined stage is easy on the eyes and small enough to where it's got an intimate feel.
i am telling you. this place can kick some ass live if you have the right band!

word on the street is Fatback Circus will be playing at The Belmont come October on the Thursday before ACL Fest! Nice eh? I believe it is the Perfect Pants CD release party. i am there, yo!

As my dear friend and I walked closer to The Belmont we realized the sound was bouncing off the Chase building and the parking garage across the street all the way into our ears even 3 blocks away. This place has a nice board, sound system, patio, and great seating!! the 2 buck Lonestars were definitely nice and I would've stayed more but apparently they ran out of Lonestars.
boo. I kinda think they were lying.

Also, I got a card with an invitation to a Thursday night at The Belmont for Ladies Night. Now, I will tell you that as a feminist I hate any kind of promotion for wet t-shirt contests, "ladies night" or strip off's but The Belmont was nice enough that.... well, I think I am down with coming with 5 of my friends and getting a free beer or drink w that card the waitress gave me! anyone wanna accompany me? (although I think I might have to bring ladies....either way, I have some wigs.)

Brad from Juniors off of 29th street - yeah...i liked your charm, accent, and the fact you are a beer monkey. :o) sorry I called your Greg but I swear that is what you said. Let's find each other again soon! :o) We were cut off by your friends and mine too.

Let's sit on stage at ACL!.What do you say?

2009-09-01T15:12:00.000-07:00

Austin City Limits Music Festival is just around the corner. I cannot wait!!!

Yeah Yeah Yeah's just got added to the line-up after the Beastie Boys dropped out due to Adam's diagnosis.
I know Karen O and the guys will definitely rock Austin out that night. Heck yeah!
Last time I tried to check out the YYY's, I was working ridiculous hours while at 666 Flags and wasn't able to make it to Stubb's to watch such a monumental band.

So, ACL Facebook is having a contest to win Friday VIP seats on stage! All you gotta do is figure out what top 5 bands you wanna see on Friday, make a custom schedule for the bands you wanna catch on the ACL website, then post it on the ACL Facebook page! I already did it so why don't you increase our chances of getting that special spot on stage so I can be your best friend forever and we can intently watch some of the best acts to play Austin City Limits Music Festival from the best spot at Zilker Park.
do it!
you know you wanna....

here are mine:

Mel's Top 5 MUST-SEE (I ain't missing these) Friday Bands:
1. Yeah Yeah Yeah's (awwww yeah!)
2. Andrew Bird
3. Dr. Dog (i can never get enough)
4. Daniel Johnston (hi, how are you?)
5. Blizten Trapper

http://2009.aclfestival.com/85283/schedule/2009/10/02

because i go to so many shows

2009-08-30T20:53:00.001-07:00

I often have much to say about the shows I go to here in Austin. I have so much to say that I have decided to post and blog about the shows, openings, album release, in-stores, and festivals I go to. I won't promise much but my personal opinion and if I seem to offend anyone just know that my intentions are to report what I hear so please, don't get butt hurt about anything I post. Feel free to comment and tell me what you think. I strongly encourage your feedback, suggestions, rebuttals, and words.

That being said, screw you and your band. If you're any good then you will prove it to me live.
(yeah that's a threat)