Sky Saw: Music, Fashion, Life

Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 Guarantees Fun!

2010-08-04T18:15:00.000-07:00

Austin, TX -- A press conference with Fun Fun Fun Fest founder Graham Williams and executive team members James Moody (Transmission Entertainment, Mohawk) and Johnny Sarkis took place at Wyndham Garden Hotel today. Conducted in sharp business attire, “Fun-Sultan” and local comedic genius Matt Bearden led the rare sit-down opportunity and welcomed attendees before giving the floor to Sarkis and Moody. The directors of “Research and Design for Fun” and “Marketing and Research for Fun” led an engaging Power Point display which gave more insight into FX3 Fest’s beliefs and primary objectives.

After a slide show of empowering feel good images, Sarkas went over a brief list of bullet points denoting FX3 Fest’s notable recognitions including an “annual increase in beards while maintaining a strict ‘no jam band’ policy.” Moody continued the presentation with a break-down of fun people were having in the categories of Stage Diving, Air Drumming, and Partying/Good Times.” We’re predicating an exponential growth of awesome this year and we’d like for you guys to prepare for that too. We found that these festivals are becoming at least 22.3% more fun, year after and year and this year is no different,” said Moody. “Stage diving is forecasted to increase at least 100% in 2010… this data is directly related to the Black Stage. We do think increases in air drumming will happen at the Yellow Stage.”

With Fun Fun Fun Fest in its fifth year, a concern for fun levels had initially risen amongst the team but Moody has voiced a vow to protect the essence of fun. “We’re concerned about fun in our future. And we’re in for supporting a bail-out for fun, we want to invest in a stimulus package so our grandkids kids can experience fun. Amen.” Apart from stand up comedy, activities including Live Action Wrestling, a Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest and an Air Sex Contest have been added to the bill.

After a round of applause, Moody handed the microphone to Bearden who announced a handful of acts before full lineup sheets were passed around the room. Concluding a Q&A session was a moment of silence for the late Ronnie James Dio. Attendees were invited to nosh on chicken wings, jelly donuts and cold tap water located in the back of the room.

Fun Fun Fun Fest will be held November 5-7, 2010 at Waterloo Park. The 3 day fest kicks off on Friday at 6 p.m. with legendary Weird Al Yankovic headling. Other distinguished acts include DEVO, MGMT, Bad Religion, Mastadon, GWAR, Slick Rick, Cold Cave, and Dirty Projectors. Limited Early Bird tickets go on sale TODAY.

FUN FUN FUN FEST 2010 COMPLETE SCHEDULE:

ORANGE STAGE:

Devo, MGMT, Weird Al Yankovic, Dirty Projectors, Hold Steady, Deerhunter, Man Man, Cap'n Jazz, WAVVES, Polvo, OS Mutantes, Ariel Pink, Kaki King, Dum Dum Girls, Appleseed Cast, Margot and Nuclear So and Sos, Best Coast, Crocodiles, Toro Y Moi, Magic Kids, Junius, Woven Bones, Royal Forest, Indian Jewelry, Mother Falcon

BLACK STAGE:

Mastodon, Bad Religion, GWAR, Suicidal Tendencies, The Vandals, Dwarves, High on Fire, The Gories, Snapcase, Floor, Municipal Waste, Strike Anywhere, The Bronx, Ringworm, Valient Thorr, Jeff The Brotherhood, Kylesa, OFF!, The Briggs, Power Trip, Eagle Claw, Peelander Z , Hatred Surge, Black Congress

BLUE STAGE:

RJD2, Slick Rick (performing "great adventures of"), A-trak, Yelle, Deakin (of Animal Collective), Delorean, Big Freedia, Designer Drugs, Dam- Funk, Dominique Young Unique, Devin The Dude, Invincible, Butcher Bear and Charlie, League of Extraordinary Gz, DJ Nick Nack, Pharoahe Monch, POS,Jean Grae, Black Nasty, DJ Bird Peterson, Crew 54

YELLOW STAGE:

Cold Cave, Monotonix, Mariachi El Bronx, Live Action Wrestling, Punk Rock Story Time with Joe Sib (spoken word), New Movement (live sketch comedy), Air Sex Contest (presented by Alamo Drafthouse), Live Stunt Show, Veggie Hot Dog Eating Contest, Visual Assault Video Shows, Stand Up Comedy with: Matt Bearden, Altercation Punk Rock Comedy tour and many more.

The Big Pink- A Brief History of Love

2010-02-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

The Big Pink first caught my attention with their single "Velvet," a dreamy collage of industrial beats amidst a droning guitar shred. I played it over and over and over until I got my hands on the debut album A Brief History of Love, which became an automatic favorite. While being more reminiscent of Jesus and the Mary Chain, the band took its name from country soul rockers The Band’s debut album Music from Big Pink. The duo consists of multi-instrumentalists Robbie Furze and Milo Cordell.

The first track "Crystal Visions," brings out the shoe gazer in everyone. The memorizing track explodes into a psychedelic explosion of phase-shifting, echoed guitars and a repetitive bass riff which initially reminded of a Black Angels show I attended a few years back. A pervading warped, chilly, haunted ambiance lingers throughout the track’s hook-heavy reverb.

Third track and first single of the album, “Dominos” commences with rhythmic propulsion of drumming followed by the elated, yet heartless chorus “these girls fall like dominos, dominos… these girls fall like dominos, dominos.” The lyrics allude to the fact and unfortunate pleasure of breaking hearts. Despite this, every song on the album has a different take and angle of love, from starlit romance to destructive desire.

The last track, “Count Backwards from Ten,” begins with someone’s heavy foot on the distortion pedal but quickly unfolds into a cascading melody of sadness. Oddly this track is unlike all the others in that it sounds less industrial machine made and more like something Oasis would put out. Regardless, this album proves to be a modern masterpiece and an honest ode to the greatest feeling in the world, love.

The Big Pink will be playing here in our backyard at the Parish, Thursday, April 8 with a Place to Bury Strangers. Buy yo’ tickets here.

Manfest '09

2009-12-06T08:25:00.000-08:00

So, this is how a centaur pees? Via Gary Gaston

Fun Fun Fun Fest only a week away!

2009-10-29T23:21:00.001-07:00

In less than a week from now, Fun Fun Fun Fest or the “Greatest. Festival. Ever,” as dubbed by credible music blog the Brooklyn Vegan will take over Waterloo Park. The ultra cool hipster’s wet dream features acts such as Crystal Castles, Of Montreal, Ratatat, Cool Kids, HEALTH, Atlas Sound and Les Savy Fav to name a few. This year’s highlights include Danzig, formerly of the Misfits, recently reunited 1970’s Detroit punk rock band DEATH and alternative rockers The Jesus Lizard, who originally formed in Austin back in the 80’s.

The fourth annual music fest which encompasses the notable genres of indie rock, punk, and hip hop has hosted performers Murder City Devils, Bad Brains, Dan Deacon, Cadence Weapon, MGMT and Atmosphere in the past. The brainchild of former Emo’s talent booker Graham Williams was actually conceived by accident. “I was booking for the club one weekend and a bunch of tours that were hitting Austin at the same time. We couldn’t accommodate them and neither could any other club in town it seemed, so I teamed up with my friends at Alamo Drafthouse, whom I'd done a few events at Waterloo Park with, and we rented the park to have a show...more bands were added and it ended up being a fest by default,” said Williams.

Since its beginning in 2006, the fest has added comedy, a fourth stage and tripled in artist count, bringing the amount close to 90. Also involved in the project are James Moody, owner of the Mohawk and Michael Terrazas of Club DeVille who are also partners in Transmission Entertainment, local music booking and promotions company. The trio met while Williams was trying to find a venue for a band that wouldn’t play Emo’s. He called around to a few places, including the Mohawk and the dialogue with Moody and Terrazas (who is also an investor in Mohawk) just grew from there.

“The partners of Fun Fun Fun Fest are me, Graham and Michael, but we involve everyone, from our stage managers and our bookers Joe, Rosa and Brendan, our sponsor guy---we all vote and talk about bands that would be good. Graham is sort of the final say so because he started it. He’s the founder, but we all work together,” said Moody. Transmission Entertainment was formed almost out of necessity, because the progressive underground music market wasn’t being serviced. “We started it as a market need for local bands and up-in-coming bands,” said Moody. “We wanted to service that market of really talented struggling musicians and no one was really doing it and that’s how we started.”

Before making his home Austin eight years ago, Moody resided in 15 cities. “My dad was in the Air Force and he kind of dragged me all over the world... Germany, Nebraska, South Dakota, California ( a couple times), four different places in Louisiana, lived in Seattle,” he said. Like Williams, Moody also began his music career route by booking gigs for a club in Ruston, Louisiana. “The owner kinda said, “what are the kids listening too?” so I booked some what they called at the time “alternative,” but we don’t use that term anymore.”

We had the chance to ask both Williams and Moody a couple of questions about the festival and here’s what they had to say.

CC: What is your future vision for FFFFEST?

GW: I don't know… the concept has to stay the same from the style of music we book and the mix of genres--the whole scene within a scene concept. I could see it growing a bit, but I know it'll never be TOO big...and I don't want it to be.

JM: To be great at the middle, like to be a solid-medium sized fest. We don’t ever want to be a sort of big, huge fest, because it’s already been done and it’s being done well. We want to try to hold on, as closely as we can to that intimate experience of seeing a really big and talented band in a relatively small environment.

CC: What are some of the highlights this year, which acts are you looking forward to the most?

GW: Man, that's tough. I don't mean to pat myself on the back to hard, but this year is pretty fucking awesome. I mean there are so many bands I want to watch and so many playing at the same time...off the top of my head: The Jesus Lizard, Gorilla Biscuits, Destroyer, Crystal Castles, Pharcyde, GZA, DEATH, Mika Miko, Torche, Les Savy Fav, Buraka Som Sistema, etc, etc.... I'd say 75% of the acts I want to watch this year.

JM: Oh Danzig for me, just because I grew up with Misfits. Jesus Lizard getting back together is huge because David Yow is crazy and always puts on an insane show. Les Savy Fav, Pharcyde and one of the biggest stories, DEATH.

CC: How do you remain energetic throughout the weekend?

GW: I eat healthy; I try and get some sleep. I don't drink, so that helps. It's tough, because aside from all the set up and running the show, we also have all these big after parties at night during the festival, so we're out super late every night too and then back down there crack of dawn.

JM: I use a lot of tools, things like booze, Red Bull, gum, friends, popcorn, candy, coffee… Amongst all those things I tend to make it through plus we work all year for this, so the adrenalin alone gets me through the weekend, but I always crash real hard by the time Monday rolls around.

CC: Any advice for people who aspire to work in the music scene?

GW: You have to do it because you love it or want to do it, never because you think you'll make a ton of money. It's like playing music, being an artist, etc… if you do it right and because you want to do it and it's something you believe in, it usually works out. I think too many people go into it thinking it's going to be like any other job, but it’s not.

JM: You gotta fight for it; it’s a labor of love. You may never make money in it, but that’s not what it’s about. Those that make money in it are very few; but if you can make just enough money in it to make a decent living and pay your rent, then your blessed and lucky and that’s what you should fight for being able to do what you love and live in a place like Austin… those are my goals. Stay committed to it and it’ll happen, but also, make sure your goals are more around the music than around the business… then you’ll probably do well.

CC: What's currently rotating in your CD player? (What are you listening to?)

GW: I've been listening to DEATH a lot and that new Phoenix is the jam too. Been playing Negative Approach on my iPod a lot since they're playing a FFF afterparty and it's got me in the mood. And for some reason I've noticed me playing "Tim" by the Replacements a bunch these past few weeks. Not sure why, but it's been on regular rotation and all that. The Burn 7" I've played a good amt lately for some reason as well. The new YYY’s is underrated… Oh yeah, that Mayer Hawthorne record is really good too.

JM: I’ve been listening to Fugazi, School of Seven Bells….The new Dinosaur Jr. is amazing. I’ve been listening to the Junior Boys, Murder City Devils and rotating some more Danzig into my system just to get ready for November.

Tickets for the two-day festival are still available and you can purchase them HERE.

Review: Dino Jr. & Built to Spill

2009-10-28T16:59:00.001-07:00

Disco Doom, a relatively unknown band from Zurich, Switzerland was the opening band for Saturday’s 90’s indie explosion at Stubb's. The Swiss rockers were a perfect addition to the full lineup with their mixture of instrumental distortion, exploding atmospheric rhythm, mesmerizing guitar vibrato and down-tempo vocals. Second on the list were Dinosaur Jr.’s bassist Lou Barlow & The Missing Men, which were sort of a back-up band for Barlow’s solo stuff. Serving double duty, Barlow mostly played songs off his new record Goodnight Unknown which was released earlier in the month. Despite stopping and restarting the opening track twice, the rest of the set ran smoothly.

Following were notoriously loud alt-rockers Dinosaur Jr. Fans unequipped with ear plugs found themselves covering their ears more often than not as guitarist J Mascis’ distorted sonic waves boomed loudly over the three Marshall quad cabinets behind him. Almost from the beginning, a rowdy mosh pit consisting of mostly younger men slamming and shoving into each other occupied the front of the stage. “Murph is sick, he has the flu” announced Barlow over the microphone which loud applause from the slew of varied demographic of younger-aged and “back in the day” fans. The crowd went wild when the trio played “Feel The Pain,” off their 1996 release Without a Sound, the band’s most commercially successful album. “I Don’t Wanna Go There,” off the new album Farm concluded the deafening performance.

Before Built to Spill, the evening’s headliners, came on stage, Chicago based poet Thax Douglas recited a few lines inspired by the band. Douglas is a notorious “rock poet” who has read poetry before other notable acts including Andrew Bird, the Arctic Monkeys, Guided by Voices, The Flaming Lips, Of Montreal, Wilco, The White Stripes and Modest Mouse to name a few. He has since moved to Austin and has been spotted around town reading poetry for acts such as Sunny Day Real Estate.

Several minutes later, Built to Spill emerged from the darkness and commenced with “Three Years Ago Today,” a track from their latest release There is No Enemy. They followed with crowd pleaser “Distopian Dream Girl,” which solicited dancing and singing from fans. Front man Doug Martsch uttered “thank you” almost after every song. Mid-set, guitarist Brett Netson went into a political rant stating that “tonight is the 80th Anniversary of the American Stock Market crash, we’re in the second” while he pointed at the apartment complexes around the venue. He then said, “the next two songs are for the Texas Liberals.” The first of the two was “Wherever you Go,” a very jam and spacey melodic track off their 2006 release You in Reverse followed by “Planting Seeds” off of recent album There is No Enemy.

“We’re going to have to skip a song,” announced Martsch before going into “Big Dipper.” After finishing and thanking the audience, the band walked off stage only minutes to return to a crowding chanting “one more song, one more song.” “Stop the Show” from the band’s third album Perfect from Now On was the encore. The distorted chord progressions, swirly-psych riffling and upbeat drumming were a wonderful exit piece for a night of mind-blowing and eardrum busting music.

All photos by Ed Lehmann. Go to AustinExposure.net to see more.

Why There Are Mountains- Cymbals Eat Guitars

2009-10-08T16:20:00.000-07:00

Why There Are Mountains is the independently released debut for indie rockers Cymbals Eat Guitars. Heavily reminiscent of Built to Spill, Pavement, and early Modest Mouse, Cymbals Eat Guitars encompass that familiar indie 90’s era with their slow disheveled strummed verses and loud boisterous choruses. Forming in 2005, the quartet hails from Stanton Island, New York and consists of lead vocalist/guitarist Joseph D'Agostino, drummer Matthew Miller, bassist/vocalist Neil Berenholz and keyboardist/vocalist Brian Hamilton.

The first track entitled “And the Hazy Sea,” erupts into an explosion of noise rock and screaming, but quickly defuses into a more passive melodic harmony only to skyrocket back into an outburst of guitar-saturated bombast. The song moves into a pattern of quiet, hushed moments followed by clamorous intervals. The back and forth bipolar rollercoaster ride concludes with an intensely layered concoction of distorted guitars, almost inaudible vocals and gentle cymbal tapping. This track is also the album’s debut single.

“Indiana,” features a Polyphonic Spree melody gracefully accompanied by D’Agostino’s nasally adenoidal vocals. This track is probably the most upbeat and “happiest” of the album with its poppy composition of soft piano and bubbly guitar.
Despite being engaging and convincing, transitions between songs of the album are seemingly non-existent. While many of the tracks sound like they’ll lead flawlessly into the next song, they usually don’t and are often followed by a track which is completely different from the preceding.

The album’s concluding track “Like Blood Does” starts off tranquil and slow-paced, but like most of the other songs mutates into an orchestration of loud vocal resonance, guitar distortion and prolonged reverberation. The crazy instrumentation lasts 40 seconds which is long enough to take someone for a ride mentally.
The band, which is currently on tour with the Pains of Being Pure at Heart played the Mohawk a few weeks ago. While we were unable to attend, we heard that they absolutely killed it!

Why There Are Mountains drops next Wednesday, October 14th.

The XX

2009-09-28T14:08:00.001-07:00

XX is the debut album for The xx, a South West London quartet who aren’t even old enough to drink in United States. The four 20-year olds met at Elliott School in London, whose notable alumni include Hot Chip, Four Tet and dubstep producer Burial. The band consists Romy Madley Croft on vocals and guitarist, Oliver Sim on vocals and bass, Baria Quershi on guitar and Jamie Smith on sampler.

The album's opening number is a 2 minute instrumental prelude into this dreamy pop album. The song is reminiscent of something you’d hear on a Pure Moods CD commercial with its new age guitar riff, tribal drum beat and chanting. “VCR” begins with a toy xylophone melody which is quickly joined by a down tempo guitar rift. The album’s second single “Crystallized,” is undeniably the album’s stand out track; commencing with a gradually increasingly high pitch “oooh” sound which becomes almost uncomfortable until interrupted by an arpeggio of guitar chords. “Islands,” is the most upbeat track of the entire track which offers some sort of hope for love.

“Fantasy” is a sensual, yet disconnected reverb heavy track that seems to serve no real purpose other than an introductory to the sultry “Shelter.” The only thing perpetual about “Infinity” is Sim’s persistence in pleading Oliver to “give it up.”Oliver repeatedly refutes with a soft, almost desensitized “I can’t give it up.” The last track entitled “Stars” begins with a heavy bass line which seems like it’s going to go in the Talking Heads’ “Psycho Killer.” After a few strums, the beat is abruptly consumed by a sequence of three piano notes which play over and over throughout the song.

This overtly sensual and slow-strummed album encompasses a theme relating to relationships, feelings, and love, and has become a personal favorite. I look forward seeing The xx when they open up for Friendly Fires at the Mohawk on Thursday, November 19. You can buy your tickets at the door.

Back to the drawing board, literally.

2009-09-17T19:39:00.000-07:00

I used to have my own comic strip in my hometown newspaper and in the college paper at Texas Stae. I kind of stopped drawing for a while because when it becomes a job it often isn't fun anymore. Anyhow, I've decided to start drawing again. I'll upload NEW and old in the coming days.

Monolith Festival-Sunday

2009-09-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY

The sun radiated through the early morning clouds and light drizzle for the majority of day two at Monolith, which hosted a crowd sporting more neon than an American Apparel display window.

Rahzel, virtuoso beatboxer and former member of The Roots began his routine at the Esurance (Main) Stage at 2 p.m.

A line of almost 40 people long formed outside the Woxy Stage set up in an interior room of the venue’s lower deck, in hopes of catching indie-electro duo Neon Indian---which filled to capacity 30 minutes before show time. The band originally hailing from Brooklyn recently re-located to Austin. They are scheduled to play an ACL after show at Emo’s and Fun Fun Fun Fest.

During that time, garage/prog-rock group Monotonix of Tel Aviv, Isreal rocked in nothing but 70’s short shorts and chest hair at the Southern Comfort Stage. The setup was one which took place within the audience. Even before finishing the first song, singer Ami Shalev stage-dove into the crowd and gauchely crawled and climbed on enthused hipsters. Banned in several venues around the world including Flamingo Cantina located here in Austin, the trio are notorious for their over the top antics which include setting things on fire, beer spitting, climbing on bars and over-zealous interactions with fans.

Following the energetic performance we sat down with guitarist Yonatan Gat, singer Ami Shalev and drummer Haggai Fershtman.
CC: What’s the origin of name Monotonix?
HF: Too long to describe it, it’s a very complicated story.
YG: When Haggai went to art school, when he was a teenager, everybody thought he was retarded... It’s just his lip went to the side a little bit. And he would say the same thing over and over again and everyone would say “you are very monotonic” and then we added the “x,” because he couldn’t say ‘x’.
HF: This is the real story.
YG: It’s the first time we tell anybody.

CC: How did you snap out of it?
YG: He got a chicken bone stuck in his throat once and Avi gave him the Heimlich and ever since he stopped being a “retard.”
HF: Monotonix! Monotonix… I could say the ‘x’.

CC: Where have you performed and what are your favorite and least favorite venues?
HF: Austin is one of the best!
YG: Austin is fun. We played good shows at a place called the Mohawk, we played SXSW. One of the venues we don’t like is Flamingo Cantina because we’re banned from there.

CC: How much lighter fluid do you go through in a tour? Usually you light your drums on fire.
AS: Depends. Sometimes if it’s too crowd, we can’t use the lighter fluid. We have to talk to the venues, fire is sensitive issue.

CC: What kind of access do fans have to your music?
HF: Combination of many things. Record company… iTunes, Myspace.. We have a Twitter that someone we don’t know is doing.

CC: Someone you don’t know is tweeting for you?
YG: We have a fan twitter.
HF: Yeah, he’s twittering! Haha…

CC: Israel is pretty far away. Do you have a US home base?
AS: We have friends that we love, they love us and we see them while we’re touring. But home is where the heart is, like Frank Zappa’s song.
Quite the opposite of their crazy, raucous stage personas, the trio was reserved yet charismatic. They are scheduled to play Emo’s (outside) Friday, September 25. You can buy tickets HERE!

Check out this amateur video we got of them at Monolith!

The Glitch Mob dropped dope beats on the Esurance stage while one of this year’s most anticipated acts Passion Pit rocked the Southern Comfort stage. The pavement slab in front of the stage vibrated and shook throughout the set, especially during the dance-y number “Sleepyhead.”

MSTRKRFT canceled their appearance at Monolith due to an untimely illness. Replacing them on the main stage were French alternative rock band Phoenix. They opened up with "Lisztomania,” the first single of their upcoming album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. In spite of the slow start, the band had the entire venue dancing with their jaw-dropping performance.

Concluding the evening were experimental-progressive rockers The Mars Volta. They commenced their powerful set with “Inertiatic ESP,” off their 2004 release De-Loused in the Comatorium. Their stage set featured an array of psychedelic colors and patterns on the rock wall behind them. They ended with “Wax Simulacra,” the first single off their fourth studio album The Bedlam in Goliath.

Monolith Festival-Saturday

2009-09-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

The third annual Monolith Festival was this past weekend at Red Rocks in Morrison, Colorado. The two day fest was undoubtedly a hipster’s wet dream with acts such as Girl Talk, Passion Pit, Phoneix, M. Ward, Of Montreal, and Neon Indian to name a few. Despite a downpour of intermittent showers and temperatures in the upper 40’s on Saturday, indie-fans congregated for what has to be the biggest catalog of indie acts at one venue.

Pains of Being Pure at Heart played at the Southern Comfort stage amidst steady rainfall. In spite of the low temperatures and cold rain, they remained ardent and even joked that they were the ‘Rains of Being Pure of Heart.’

Ok Go played on the larger stage sponsored by Esurance. Mid set, Damian Kulash stepped over the railing into the rain with his guitar and told the crowd that this would probably be the only time they’d see him literally playing in the rain.

Meanwhile, Hamilton Leithauser of The Walkmen crooned tracks off the You & Me album on the upper level Southern Comfort stage. Almost like lightning the mellowed-out crowd broke into a dance at the start of “The Rat,” the hit single from the band’s debut album Bows + Arrows. Following The Walkmen on that stage was iron-masked DOOM, whose set up took longer than 30 minutes due to technical difficulties.

After a raging set, the masses made their way towards the main stage where Girl Talk, aka Greg Gillis remixed and mashed up samples ranging from Missy Elliot to Flashdance to the Jackson 5. Rain poured heavily throughout the set while presumably over 100 fans crowded Gillis on stage.

Ending the evening were the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. While the audience had thinned out to almost a 3rd of the seating due to weather conditions, the confetti, extravagant stage décor, and Karen O’s multi-color bell sleeve romper were more than enough to rock the house. Among the songs played were "Heads Will Roll," "Zero," and “Maps.” The encore was "Y Control.”

Here’s some amateur video we got of the YYY’s performing Black Tongue:

All photos courtesy of Mary Rehak. Go here to see more shots from the festival. We'll have a recap of Sunday at Monolith up shortly...

Find of the week

2009-08-26T20:53:00.000-07:00

I came across a good find the other day. After a few listens I came to the conclusion that the four tracks were from a long lost Pink Floyd and Leonard Cohen collaboration. ...I'm just kidding. The artist solely known as Gary W. put forth 4 tracks from his debut album.

The first track commences with a futuristic sound which quickly dissolves into a soft tangy guitar riff. Gary’s, cigarette smoker vocals transpire an emotion of devastating lost love.

“Remember me,” exhorts the pleading question of recognition. The singer inquires “Do you remember, Do you remember loving me? Do you remember, do you remember me?” The slow pace track offers soft guitar picking and subtle cymbal tapping.

The third track, “Wonderful Things,” is the catchiest and more uplifting of the other tracks. It inhibits an almost innocent and juvenile attribute.

“You are you are,” reverts to the dark corner of a broken heart. The lyrics are admiring of the muse, but clearly express the singer’s distress. A Pink Floyd-esque electric guitar solo commences midway through the track and blends with the sorrowful vocals.

To listen to these songs, click HERE.

Hot, hot, hot stuff...

2009-08-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

I accidently ripped off Donna's face when I removed the price tag. Although I colored it in w/ crayon... You can barely tell.

From the Future- Lord Scrummage

2009-07-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

From the Future is the first full length debut for experimental trio Lord Scrummage. The Detroit based band is made of Conor Edwards, Alex Lauer, and Ben Christensen, all current members of indie rockers Benny Stoofy.

The term “scrummage” stems from the genre which refers to a collective group of musicians in the Detroit music scene who share an underground experimental sound.

The first track entitled “W.W.D.D.” takes world music to a whole different level with its infused tribal drums and hindu sitar rifts over faint female vocals. Despite being a mere 2 minutes, the track proves to be an appropriate instrumental interlude into an experimental cough syrup world.

The melodic instrumental arrangements in “Clyd Moop How Did You Know,” further propel the listener into an abyss of laser lights and imaginative space rock.

“Abe Lincoln’s Skeleton,” is a mind altering substance in the form of 70’s science program keyboards and haunting vocals that highlight the plaintive psychedelia of the piece while remaining an organic layer in the fabric of submersive consciousness.

The track “Captain Rat,” begins with an ambient Final Fantasy piano riff admist lyrics about animals before transporting the listener to a simulated Rainforest Café experience topped with bird squawking, lion roaring, insect buzzing goodtime. Like many of the tracks on the album, the analog-synth clouds billowing around barely lucid vocoder vocals offers the listener an escape from the “real world.”

Truthfully, Lord Scrummage is the equivalent of licking an entire LSD sheet and finding yourself sitting between Dan Deacon and Deastro at a Black Moth Super Rainbow show.

Moondagger- Deastro

2009-06-16T12:15:00.001-07:00

Moodagger is the full-band debut by Deastro, real name Randolph Chabot. Hailing from Sterling Heights, MI, Chabot began writing music at age 13 and recorded three previous albums in his parent’s basement. Now 22 years old, Chabot has become notable for his live performances.
The recently released album is a euphoric, synth-driven neon fantasia of swooning dream-pop fitting an epic videogame soundtrack category, particularly one which would incorporate or house a Final Fantasy or Space Harrier theme.
The first track entitled, “Biophelia,” commences with an 8-bit beat, similar to an old school Final Fantasy IV Super NES start menu loop. The ambient intro transforms into an electro-pop synth cantata permeated with incessant drumming and rocket blasting sirens. “Toxic Crusaders,” details the self-acceptance of a mutant do-gooder born with one eye who pleas for his love to be reciprocated. The track incorporates a toy piano whose simple melody conveys a juvenile innocence. “Pyramid Builders,” is a starry-eyed instrumental piece fusing an array of rhapsodic futuristic loops and beats. The eighth track
“Daniel Johnston Was Stabbed In the Heart With The Moondagger By the King of Darkness and His Ghost is Writing This Song as a Warning to All of Us,” remains to have the longest title ever, coming in at 29 words!
The 14 track album includes two bonus tracks, “The Shaded Forests (Gift Giver’s Version),” and “Tree Frog.” While “Tree Frog” sounds similar to the other tracks on the album, “The Shaded Forests,” stands out in that it sounds more fully constructed; created and performed by a band rather than just a keyboard and computer.

Clues- Clues

2009-05-28T07:38:00.001-07:00

“Clues” is the self-titled debut album for Montreal indie poppers Clues. Brain child of ex-Unicorn Alden Penner and ex-Arcade Fire member Brendan Reed, the quintet includes multi-instrumentalists Ben Borden, Lisa Gamble, and Nick Scribner. Forming in 2007, Clues has established a following despite the use of any social media promotion such as Myspace, Facebook and Twitter.

The album's opening track, entiled “Haarp,” is reminiscent of early Flaming Lips circa Clouds Taste Metallic. An incomprehensive lyric begins the song but is quickly disrupted by the clash of a sole cymbal followed by rumbling guitar distortion. Penner’s falsetto vocals peak in periodically throughout the track, setting a steady tone for the dense layer of guitars and drumming that saturate the album.

“Remember Severed Head,” begins with an almost robotic instrumentation subtly joined by a clanky marching band drum beat before churning into a very “Unicorns” sound lullaby. The lyrics “who here wants to sleep in the dragon’s mouth, who here wants to feel” are also sung on the album’s eighth track, “Cave Mouth” which sounds more like a refined version of “Remember Severed Head.”

A tedious piano riff formulates “Perfect Fit,” one of the album’s catchiest tracks. “Elope,” is the LP’s longest and softest track---a serenity level comparable to that when listening to Simon and Garfunkel is sure to transpire. Penner’s quiet vocal amidst soft organ and gentle guitar strumming is a change of pace for the album before resuming into the funkiest album track, “Cave Mouth.”

Clues will play in Austin on June 10th at The Independent, a new 300 capacity venue on E 5th St. and I-35. If these guys are as fun as their debut album, their live shows are not to be missed.

"Dancing Guy "shakes it in San Marcos

2009-05-26T12:59:00.001-07:00

Todd Andrews, aka “The Dancing Guy.”

By ASHLEY CASS
News Reporter

Sunglasses, visor and an iPod are a few of the tools of Todd Andrews’ trade, which consists of dancing for an apartment locating company on Aquarena Springs Drive.

Locally known as “Dancing Todd” or “The Dancing Guy,” Andrews began his dancing career at Liberty Taxes going on four years ago and moved to Little Caesar’s before he caught the eye of Jason Tarr, owner of Great Locations, the real estate company.

“I used to dance in front of Liberty Taxes and managers would drive up to me, give me their card and offer me jobs,” Andrews said. “The manager of Little Caesar’s came up to me and offered me a better paying job, so I started working there for about a year and then Jason Tarr got a hold of me and said he wanted me to work for him.”

With the incentive of more money and a flexible schedule, Andrews began working for the Great Locations in 2007.

Before moving from San Diego to San Marcos, the “Dancing Man” was involved in a fatal multi-rollover accident at age 16, in which he was pronounced DOA, dead on arrival. Resuscitated and revived, Andrews suffered full paralysis on the right side of his body, which he overcame through seven years in rehabilitation.

With a substantial insurance settlement in tow, Andrews moved to Texas in 2004 to find a home.

“I moved to Texas because the housing market was better and the cost of living was lower,” Andrews said. “I really love this town.”

While capable of driving back and forth to work and home, Andrews continues to visit a rehabilitation center in San Marcos.

“Basically I’m kinda still in one, in general,” he said. “I just go over to shower, eat and they take me home. That’s all I need them for and I drive to work and I drive to my house.”

With numerous commercials, interviews, YouTube videos, and even a larger than life billboard, Andrews is well known and recognized by San Marcos residents and Texas State students.

“I was standing in line at the H-E-B and this woman told me she saw me on TV,” Andrews said. “It’s pretty common that I get recognized. The students here come up to me and always say, ‘Hey you’re that dancing guy.’”

Texas State student Liliana Hinojosa recalled her early memories of moving to San Marcos and seeing the dancing man in action.

“I remember when I first moved to San Marcos, I saw Todd dancing on the sidewalk and I asked my friend what that guy was doing,” Hinojosa said. “She responded with ‘That’s Dancing Guy! He’s always dancing on that corner.’ It seems like that guy is always dancing. Besides on Aquarena Springs, I’ve seen him shake it at Nephews. He’s a San Marcos novelty. I can’t help but smile when I see him.”

Currently on repeat on the “dancing man’s” iPod is Country Singer Trace Adkin’s “Got My Game On.”

Said Andrews, “I’m a big Trace Adkin’s fan. His music makes me dance. So, that’s what I listen to when I’m outside shaking it for all the drivers.”

Great Locations Vice President of Operations Julie Hutchins said Andrews’ cheerful demeanor is consistent around the clock.

“Todd always comes into work with a positive, ‘ready-to-work’ attitude,” Hutchins said. “He’s just as energetic off the streets as he is when he’s waving to the cars. Since Todd joined Great Locations, we’ve provided him with outlets to grow his personal reputation while promoting our company at the same time.”

Said Andrews, “I enjoy this gig. I get a lot of respect from people. That’s what I do for a job. Who else would go out there and shake their thing?”

Prayer for Animals- Swell (preview)

2009-05-19T11:25:00.000-07:00

Prayer for Animals
…from the upcoming LP Swell
www.myspace.com/prayerforanimals

The four-track album is a preview of Prayer for Animal’s upcoming summer release Swell. Hailing from Mansfield, Texas (with the exception of the drummer) the band is now based in Austin and consists of Brent Sluder on electric piano/organ and vocals, Jeremy Jenkins on bass, Ryan Gitman on drums, John Pitts on guitar and slide guitar and Adam Brisbin on guitar and vocals. Both Brisbin and Pitts split lead guitar duties while Brisbin and Sluder split vocal duties.

The first track “Recollection,” contains a psychedelic Doors-y, Thirteenth Floor Elevators element permeated with vintage guitar tones. “Neutral Bees,” a melodic fusion of rock, blues, captivating vocals and poetic prose--- “Neutral Bees don’t sting unless they eat, heaven found a reason yet to sting,” is the probably the grooviest track of the album. The experimental guitar riff featured in the track compliments Sluder’s whiskey soaked vocals suitably and creates a 1970’s feel. The concluding track, “Brains,” begins slowly with a soft tambourine jiggling, slide guitar picking and progresses into an explosion of psychedelic rock.

This short preview sells elevated expectations of the full-length album which is set to release this summer- embracing a cool late 1960’s-early 1970’s epoch and being a perfect choice to put on at chill get together.

The album’s art is simple and consists of a coffee brown fabric decorated with flowery paisleys pasted onto the white surface of the case. The interior flaps include the band’s name in a bubbly design and the four track titles etched in back pen; the back is plain.

The Bright Light Social Hour-Back and Forth

2009-05-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Bright Light Social Hour
Back and Forth
www.myspace.com/thebrightlightsocialhour

Back and Forth is the third EP release for Austin based rockers The Bright Light Social Hour. Like its predecessor "Love Like Montopolis," the album only consists of three tracks one of which is “Back and Forth-Part Two,” a catchy tune and undeniable crowd pleaser which even has its own video. Their first EP “Touches,” had five songs on it. Formed in 2004 with the inclusion of original and current members vocalist/bassist Jack O’Brien and vocalist/guitarist Curtis Roush; keyboardist and vocalist A.J. Vincent and drummer Joseph Mirasole have since joined the group.

The first track entitled, “Back and Forth-Part One,” serves mostly as an instrumental prelude to “Back and Forth-Part Two,” the EP’s standout track. The 2 ½ minute ambient keyboard line and soft cymbal tapping adjusts into the gateway bass and drum riff for “Part Two” two seconds before it ends. “Back and Forth-Part Two,” continues where “Part One” leaves off but manifests a polka-esque kuitar beat and rock guitar riff. A placid innuendo at the beginning, Roush sings “I’m going back and forth, been going back and forth, been going back and ahh I want you feel everything that I feel….” Only is it apparent what the song is really about when the song goes into the fourth verse--- “I’m going in and out, then going in and out, then going in and out, I just don’t know what to do—to move with you.” Midway through the song, O’Brien adds some Spanish lyrics admist Roush and Vincent’s soft “ooohh oohhhs,” which is preceded and concluded by the ‘back and forth’ chorus. The third track, “Rhubarb Jam” begins with a sound bite reasoning why the wind blows hard before a titillating bass riff commences a loud explosive jam which mellows out halfway into a cool jazzy groove.

The album art done in light and dark shades of yellow and pink features the image of female caricature demonstrating an expression of sheer pleasure-head titled back, eyes closed and mouth baring upper teeth. The band’s name and album title is printed on the lower left side of the cover.

The Bright Light Social Hour

2009-05-14T10:49:00.000-07:00

I was hanging out at my apartment after work yesterday and was watching ME television when The Bright Light Social Hour's video for Back and Forth came on---what an energetic fun song/video. So convincing that I decided to go see the BLSH at the Parish last night. I caught the last song of the second opening band, The Frontier Bros but didn't see much to form a complete opinion. I really dug BLSH's set; I'd classify it as electro jam if there is such category. The bassist Jack O'Brien reminded me of Earth, Wind and Fire's bassist Verdine White in that he had a permanent smile on his face the entire time. Regardless, here's the video to their catchy song Back and Forth:

Birds Barbershop "Comin' At Ya!" Grand Opening 3-D Party, May 8th!

2009-05-01T08:04:00.001-07:00

Birds Barbershop is having a Grand Opening bash Friday, May 8th from 9 to midnight for their new location on 1902 S. Congress.

Free performances from indie hip-hop superstar Astronautalis, local boat party enthusiast Neiliyo and the Dj-ing skills of Andy (the Mouth) all night long.

Birds will also be providing a free 3-D photobooth, video installations and plenty of 3-D glasses to properly view the shop's mural by local artist Luther Himes.

Complimentary Drinks will be provided by Sweet Leaf Tea, Tito's Vodka, and Lone Star Beer. Visit birdsbarbershop.com or call 445-0500 for more details.

Toast - The Mad Science

2009-04-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

Toast
The Mad Science
http://www.myspace.com/toastband

The Mad Science is the first full length studio album for progressive fusion band Toast. Hailing from El Paso, Toast relocated to Austin in an attempt to expand its fan base and venue prospects. Consisting of James Pate on vocals, guitar and samples, Vincenzo Loechel on vocals and drums, and Russell Dobda on vocals, keyboards, and saxophone, Toast is notable for live improvisational performances. Guest musicians on the album are John Brown on bass and mandolin, Leah Zeger on violin, Tony Alexander on tenor saxophone, and Lea Dobda on trumpet. Appropriately, Toast is very similar and evocative of Los Angeles based jam band Particle.

The album is an experimental journey encompassing a multitude of schizophrenic tempo changes, unbridled improvisations and themes including politics and philosophy. The first track entitled “Twilight Mischief,” is a hushed instrumental jam charged with Afro-beat rhythms and sporadic guitar riffs. The almost seven-minute track allows the listener’s brain to wander through a world of melodic jazz progressions and unsullied rhythm. The third track, “FroSho,” begins with former president George W. Bush stating that the economy is in the “midst of a major financial crisis.” A prevalent theme included on the track points blame on Wall Street for the financial collapse. Impetuous squalls of saxophone, busy percussion, whirling keyboards and vertiginous guitar digressions echo throughout this blame game of a track.

“The Dub,” embraces a world feel with its reggae influenced riffs and ambient guitar which dabbles and drifts into a funnel of drone effects. The track’s foundation is titular to the title of the song in that “dub” is a form of re-mixed reggae music. “The Joker” is a quick paced string ditty that differs from any other tracks on the album exemplifying the fact that Toast embraces a maniac diversity. The Mad Science is a conglomeration of rigorous talent, psychedelic euphoria and jam-tastic funk.

The album’s cover art is a myriad of layered guitars, flowers and trees atop of what appears to be surgeon dressed in a suit holding a martini glass or upside down Erlenmeyer flask. The light colors are almost translucent and create the layered effect. The foldout portion of leaflet includes the lyrics of several of the songs.

The Boxing Lesson-Wild Streaks and Windy Days

2009-04-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

The Boxing Lesson
Wild Streaks and Windy Days
http://www.myspace.com/theboxinglesson

Wild Streaks and Windy Days is the first full-length album for Austin experimental rockers The Boxing Lesson. Initially formed in Los Angeles, the band’s frontman, Paul Waclawsky, relocated to Texas, where a new lineup assembled. The trio put out an EP entitled Songs in the Key of C in 2006. A lush psychedelic spaceship of rich synth and echoing guitar, the band consists of Waclawsky on vocals, guitars and triwave picogenerator, Jaylinn Davidson on synthesizers and vocals, and Jake Mitchell on drums and samples. After the completion and release of the album in 2008 Mitchell was sentenced to federal jail for conspiracy to manufacture marijuana. Kevin Sparks currently serves as touring drummer for the band.

The first track, entitled, “Dark Side of the Moog,” commences with a deep melodic guitar interlude that sets a tone of out-of-this world ambience and spiritualized psychedelia. Waclawsky’s vocal tone sounds almost forewarning or intuitive of something bad to come. He advises the listener to “face your fear before you turn out the light, come in darkness, kiss your kids goodnight.” Before the minute long experimental sound outro, Waclawsky wallows in ghostly vibrato vocal, that “on the dark side you can sell your sins, on the dark side you will never win.”

The album’s fourth track, “Hopscotch & Sodapop,” is an awkward, over-poppy, out of character, complete 180 from the other tracks on the album. Apart from that being the only track I’d skip, the only possibility is that Hanson and The Boxing Lesson were being produced with the same computer and the two band’s tracks made an accidental switcharoo. “Hanging with the Wrong Crowd,” begins with a quick drum cymbal tapping and integrates with 8-bit computer game samples before bursting into a heavy rock guitar riff accompanied by harsh accusations towards a “loose girl” hanging with the wrong crowd: “you get around, everyone knows you get around.”

Another track, “The Art of Pushing Me Away,” is a soft stratospheric spacey jam that exudes a melancholy theme of rejection. The concluding track, “Wild Streaks and Windy Days,” which also shares the same title as the album, encompasses a music box sound is reminiscent of something David Bowie performed in the movie Labyrinth.

Wild Streaks and Windy Days is a blissful album perfect as a chill at home companion.

AmpLive-March Murder Sampler 2009

2009-04-29T15:44:00.000-07:00

AmpLive
March Murder Sampler 2009
http://www.myspace.com/amplive

Despite following the typical fashion of reviewing a local or Texas band, I received this cool four track CD sampler at a free SXSW party that the artist AmpLive was playing at. Impressed not only by his modesty and down to earth nature, I noticed that everyone in the room was dancing to his cool mashups and mix-ups. Better known for his Hip Hop project Zion I, the Bay Area DJ and producer has collaborated with Del the Funky Homosapian and remixed tracks by Radiohead and MGMT. The first track titled, “Gary is a Robot,” begins with 8-bit Nintendo beats accompanied by a robot voice declaring that “Gary is a Robot,” who’s got it all in the aspect of money, cars, girls, cloths, looks, and luck. The violin instrumentation at the end of the track sounds hauntingly like the theme of a Final Fantasy videogame. “Get Served,” features clever raps amidst over redundant beats and slow lean tempo “get, get, get served,” lyrics. The song features all sorts of samples and sound effects, which seems to offer a fresh angle every time you hear the song. Saturated with bullhorns and gunshots, “Lose Ya Head,” the sampler’s third track, is an upbeat dance version of a Zion I and Too Short track Amplive used in his remix of Radiohead’s “Nude.” The concluding track, “It’s On,” features female rapper K. Flay-a less street Americanized version of European rapper Lady Sovereign.

While the CD art is bland and came in a clear plastic, the twenty minute sampler is a fun album for rushed pre-gaming activities.

Future Clouds and Radar- Peoria

2009-04-29T15:41:00.000-07:00

Future Clouds and Radar
Peoria
http://www.myspace.com/futurecloudsandradartx

Besides being the name of an Algonquin Indian tribe in the United States and largest city on the Illinois River, Peoria is the title of the Austin indie rockers Future Clouds and Radar’s sophomore album. The band is made of Robert Harrison on vocals and guitar, Darin Murphy on drums and vocals, Hollie Thomas on keys and vocals, Joshua Zarbo on bass and vocals, and Kullen Fuchs on trumpet, keys and vocals. The band formed in 2006.

The first track, entitled, “The Epcot View,” begins with a twangy guitar riff and transforms into a hypnotizing lure into the rest of the album. “Old Edmund Ruffin,” is a soft melody.

At the 54 second mark, the third track, “Feet on Grass,” —a whirlwind of instrumental “synthy” futuristic keys accompanied by upbeat drum beating — sounds like it should be on the Neverending Story soundtrack. “Eighteen Months,” is the album’s most upbeat track saturated with groovy go-go guitar and trumpet. More of a cheesy retro bar theme, Harrison repeats the lyrics “I spent eighteen months buried alive,” over and over throughout the song.

The concluding track, “Follow the Crane,” contains a romantic lounge element with its tap, tap, tap cymbal sounds, melodic drumming and cool jazz piano riffs. Midway through the track a mess of noise effects of sirens, sci-fi sounds, dog barking commences only to be silenced by Harrison’s vocals followed by a solo of eerie piano playing. The melancholy piano notes are accompanied by ghostly “ah ah ah ah” vocals at the posterior of the track. Truly a schizophrenic experimental mess of Oasis vocals, Beatles-esque ambience, and experimental Pink Floyd progressions, Peoria is a cool chill out album.

The album’s cover features three big stripes of an American flag with a large amp in the foreground and the band’s name in uneven lowercase font.

Tuen- The Living Sound

2009-03-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

Tuen
The Living Sound
Rosebuds Records
www.myspace.com/tuenmusic

Tuen, roughly translated into “Love” in Vietnamese consists of John Holden Forrest on vocals, guitars, keyboards and percussions, Ben Belin on drums and percussions, and Kacy Ray on bass. The Living Sound released in 2005 is the first full length CD for the Austin alternative rockers.
The first track entitled, “Trying to Achieve,” begins a rhythmic guitar riff which is promptly interrupted by a whistle and joined by Forrest’s almost forced raspy vocals. Sounding like a dryer more alternative version of progressive rockers Umphrey's Mcgee, Tuen’s tracks encompass a funky jam element. The fourth track, “Friends,” is about Forrest’s kindergarten friendship with best friend Simon as depicted by the linear notes. A bass heavy song, the track is suggestive of a carefree juvenile experience---“I don’t care about tomorrow; I just want to stay with you and dance away all my troubles.” The track, “Beautiful Things She Said,” is a rollercoaster of down-tempo and upbeat progressions that range in both instrumental levels and vocals. Commencing in almost a whisper, Forrest’s vocal range reaches a plateau midway but quickly alters to fit the tempo of the song. The album features two bonus tracks which are not listed on the album’s track list and un-named due to a failure in my iTunes inability to connect to the internet. The funky alt album is great for a hang out at home with friends slinging beers soiree.

The album cover features vintage black and white stamps from all over the world varying in values; some of the stamps have been post-marked. Images of horses, athletes, flowers, old-fashioned buggies, multi-sail boats and Wright brother-esque airplanes make up the stamp designs. Most of the stamps include the name San Marino, the world’s oldest republic. The band’s name is displayed in small, red digital font on the lower right side. A picture of the band mates clad in long sleeve collared shirts graces the backside of the CD. Inside the insert is a black and white photo of the trio among two art pieces on the other pages done by Cray, a single name that listed on the outer left of the Thank yous. Song symbolism and meanings are included on the back of the second and front of the last page. A color photo of Forrest and Belin rocking out graces the posterior of the insert.

Robbie and the Robots- Todaysterday

2009-03-13T13:39:00.000-07:00

Robbie and the Robots
Todaysterday
Jacket Weather Records
http://www.myspace.com/robbieandtherobots

Released in 2005, Todaysterday is the first and only full-length album (so far) for pop-punk alternative rockers Robbie and the Robots which consists of Robbie Doyen on guitar and lead vocals, Aphyr St. James on djembe and backup vocals, Levi Cory on bass and backup vocals, Jesse Hodges on lead guitar and backup, and J.R. “Mojo” Juica on drums. The 10-track album which centralizes mostly on relationships and partying encompasses a splash of genres from pop to punk to rockabilly to rock throughout. Incredibly witty, Doyen’s lyrics are clever, well-written and rhyme.

The album’s first track entitled, “Symbiosis,” is a soft ballad with a repetitive “na na na na na na na,” chorus. Commencing with a psychobilly guitar intro “Drug Free Sabbath,” is an album anthem which evidently gets its name from Doyen’s professed lyrics- - “I don’t smoke crack on the day of the Lord, I don’t smoke crack on the day of the Lord.” The track is a dancey number which is likely a crowd sing-along favorite with its upbeat tempo and easy lyrics. “Naked,” focuses on the joys of being young, dumb, and driving “naked with the top down.” There’s a notable rockabilly feel and Chuck Barry-esque guitar amidst the lyrics “drugs are better than people. Take a pill, take a hit, take a puff, take a sip, yeah, drugs are better than people.”

The album art, which appears to be a drain of some sort with the album title trailing in a downward spiral motion, was created and designed by Doyen. Created on a grayscale, the design is bland and simple. A female robot caricature also created by Doyen is featured in the insert. A picture of the band taken by Sarah Grace Lanz graces the back of the insert.

If Robbie and The Robots are as delightful and fun as their album suggests, the results are undeniably a rockin’ good time.

SMTX 78666- SMTX 78666

2009-03-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

SMTX 78666
SMTX 78666
http://www.myspace.com/sanmarcoscompilation

SMTX 78666 is a 19-song compilation featuring original songs from local bands The Jared Francis Band, Scott Biram, Robbie and the Robots, Eleven Fingered Charlie, The Cari Hutson Band, Kallisti Gold, The Jocks, The Subtle Creeps, The Word Association, The Wailing Walls, The Hatchets, Grant Ewing, Bernie Calcote Blackwater Gospel, Rockus Circus, The AK47’s, Chancla, Fambly and Apse Affinity.

Intended as a charitable cause and the brainchild of Robbie Doyen, lead singer of Robbie and the Robots, SMTX 78666 includes a variety of genres, including bluegrass, rock ‘n roll, hip hop, ska, punk, metal and blues. Partial proceeds of the CD go to AFFTER (Advocates for Fibromyalgia Funding Treatment Education and Research) in an attempt to fight the disease that afflicts Doyen’s father. Fibromyalgia is thought to be second most common rheumatic condition in the United States, affecting two percent Americans, according to John Hopkins University research.

The first track “Texas Beer” by Jared Francis Band, recalls the greatness of living in Texas - the best part being Texas beer. Comparable to American rock band O.A.R, the Jared Francis Band reminisce about their time in Texas and refute the experience of moving to Oklahoma - “Gray skies, Texas Rain - ain’t nothing better to ease my pain. Oklahoma is fading fast. San Marcos, Texas, you’re right on track.” The upbeat guitar and funky bass make the track one of the more jammy tracks of the album.

The foot tapping track entitled “Whitehouse Blues” by Scott Biram characterized by fast riffs and Biram’s rye soaked vocals is a banjo-picked yodeling good time. “Up in the Scene,” the Hip Hop Remix by Robbie and the Robots begins with emcee Omari Kamua laying down rhyme atop funky electric guitar and pounding bass. After a minute, Doyen begins with the lyrics “my favorite band is playing up in Austin and I’m going to go.” The poppy garage Texas country band’s lyrics are simple but clever.

Another standout track is “Snake Eyes” by the hip hop group The Word Association. The down tempo groove contains some profanity but keeps a perpetual harmony in its looped bars and numerous singers dropping rhymes. The track begins with a sole member rapping the lyrics “if you take a young man, put a microphone in his hand and push him as hard as you can - you have an artistic weapon. We have ten,” and concludes with several of the members chiming in “no surprise, you rolling dice with snake eyes. No surprise, you rolling dice with snake eyes.”

“All Night Ramblin” by Grant Ewing is a notable blues track featuring soft cymbal tapping, rolling guitar riffs, and the theme of drowning the blues with a night of alcohol “slamming.”

“Misguided Confidence” by the AK47s begins with ravage raucous screaming and Hot Topic-esque metal rock guitar riffs and drumming. While most of the lyrics in the song are difficult to understand, the track further proves that there’s something for everyone on the compilation. “Chancla” by Chancla which translates into flip-flop depicts the story of a boy disciplined by “number one tool of Latina mothers for discipline.” Featuring a few words in Spanish, the comedic song tells the story of a young boy being asked to make a chicken pot pie and throwing out the “basura” and getting lost in playing “Pacman” instead of doing his chorus.

The album artwork done by local artist Bonner Fowles depicts a laid back river floating experience on the San Marcos River which folds out into three part gatefold. The inner sleeve is simpler with tree leaves adorning the upper outer corners encircling the artist names, song titles and band website. The inner back tray features a girl tubing with a beer and cigarette in hand encompassing the overall theme of the album - river floating and house parties.

SPACE CAMP- FREE Party

2009-03-09T23:31:00.000-07:00

Birds Barbershop is hosting a FREE party Cut Off Your Hands, King Khan & The Shrines and NASA, among others.

Frisbee Dan: A San Marcos treasure

2009-02-24T11:46:00.000-08:00

Frisbee Dan is out at Sewell Park just about every day, decorating the sunlight with his singular Frisbee technique. Photo by Christina Zambrano.

By ASHLEY CASS
News Reporter

Through numerous interviews, YouTube videos, a handful of commercials and even a t-shirt, Dan Barry, known to most as “Frisbee Dan,” has risen to San Marcos celebrity status throughout the years as a fixture at Sewell Park.

But Dan Barry’s true hook is his finesse with the Frisbee, a flair for teaching his craft to the young, and his useful presence in the park as sort of an unofficial guardian of the peace.

Every day, without fail, during prime hours in the scorching daytime, Barry can be found at the park tossing his customized Frisbees until sunset. Clad in black short shorts, a white sun hat, rec specs and close to half a bottle of sunscreen, Barry has played Frisbee at Sewell Park for almost 20 years.

Barry jokes that he’s more of an “eye sore” than an “icon.” Regulars at the park enjoy that humor, to say nothing of the show he puts on most every day.

“I think he has great technique, and I’ve never seen him drop a disc or miss a catch,” Texas State student Vanessa Monahan said. “Frisbee Dan is an icon. He’s like the Leslie Cochran of San Marcos, minus the drag.”

Hailing from Akron, OH, Barry arrived to San Marcos in 1986 as a rehab therapy patient at Tangram Rehabilitation Center after suffering a severe head injury from jumping out of a moving truck.

Excelling in horticulture, he was released from Tangram four years later and staffed at the facility for eight years, helping to treat other injured patients.

“I was trained by a horticultural specialist who got their horticulture degree from A&M,” Barry said. “I was really good at it and I sifted through recovery period quickly, and now I’m a certified licensed landscaper. The only reason my parents chose Tangram was because it had nursery work or landscaping, and they knew I enjoyed to do that kind of stuff, since I had already been doing that.”

Even before his accident, Barry enjoyed playing Frisbee, a hobby he and his brother shared during their years as landscapers in Ohio. With more than 35 years of Frisbee playing experience, Barry said he can “can hit a walking person yards away without any effort on a windy day.”

Sharing his throwing method with numerous Texas State Ultimate Frisbee athletes, Barry has developed a more efficient technique.

“Stance, grab, wrist release, quick release,” Barry said. “Pop it quick. The slower you throw it, the worse it flies. Some people don’t have any eye-hand coordination. You have to have some sort of hand-eye coordination. If not, you won’t be able to do it. If you have a boyfriend and don’t have a problem backhanding him, you’d be great at Frisbee playing.”

Barry, who customizes his Frisbees with colored duct tape embellished with a star logo, says the process is tedious and time consuming but worth the effort.

“It takes me three hours to set all the tape, but doing this will reinforce the center to kick it, tip it or do whatever to it without it breaking,” said Barry. “I have guys come back here five or 10 years after getting a disc from me and they still have them intact.”

Texas State Graduate Assistant for Outdoor Recreation Steven Campbell, whose workplace is on Sewell Park, sees Frisbee Dan on a daily basis.

“I think he’s a San Marcos legend, a staple part of the atmosphere at Sewell,” Campbell said. “He’s a friendly character and gets along with the students well. He watches out for the folks in the park - reports anything detrimental.”

Local progressive fusion band Ars Poetica pays homage to Barry with its track entitled “Frisbee Dan.” The 2:15 minute song is an upbeat orchestration of jazzy piano, happy guitar riffs and whispery brushed drums featuring the lyrics, “All the grass in the park, from the day to the dark - he’s no ordinary man, Frisbee Dan. And when you ask why he do what he do, he says ‘I love it,’ why don’t you love it, too.”

Olive Street-Review

2009-02-24T11:07:00.000-08:00

Olive Street
Olive Street
www.olivestreetrecords.com
Beginning as house mates in San Marcos, Olive Street formed in 2006. The inspiration behind the band’s name came from their living location’s side street name. The band consists of Kyle Mylius on keyboards, Lindsey James on vocals, acoustic guitar, organ, Jah Wilkinson on drums and Bel Stuart on bass guitar and backing vocals.
The self-titled EP, which was released earlier this year, features four tracks. Bringing a new detail to folk-rock, Olive Street’s front man Lindsey James sounds hauntingly like Connor Oberst while the band’s resonance is reminiscent to that of the Counting Crows.
The first track entitled “Dealbreaker,” is a soft tune resounding guitar pickings, slow drumming, and melancholy piano haunting through the quaver of James’ voice. The pain behind James’ voice is not only evident in the quivering of his vocals but through the thoughtful lyric writing---“I didn’t know what I was putting you through... I don’t think I could be with you, it was a dealbreaker baby.”
In the EP’s second track, “Sea of Mesquite,” James’ tone is more aggressive and mildly suggestive of Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas husky voice droned with background guitar and a piano suggestive of a lounge theme. “They Grow Like Weeds,” includes more upbeat piano, easy drumming, and solemn guitar lines hemming the underlying theme of solitude for the characters in the song. The album’s concluding track, “Shapeshifter,” cultivates a sorrowful mood and incorporates an unnamed female vocalist echoing on some lyrics. Towards the end of the song however, the song becomes faster paced and louder only to return to its slow, dawdling pace in the last 50 seconds.

Henry & The Invisibles-Review

2009-02-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

Henry & The Invisibles
Henry & The Invisibles
http://www.myspace.com/henryinvisible
More notable for his live performances, Henry Roland, front and sole member of Henry and the Invisibles produces live loops on the spot to create a soulful, funk-tastic experience that guides the crowd through an orchestration of electronica and fusion. The one man band’s Prince like vocals suit the incorporation of looped guitar, bass guitar, percussion, keyboards, and household items such as pots and cans, coffee-cans, and water jugs well. With serviceable falsetto funk and glassy-eyed soul rock, Roland’s unhinged 1970’s nostalgia meets with non-stop dancing and grooving.
The self-titled 6 track-EP featured on Roland’s site, http://sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=14383, Sounding almost identical (with a more down-tempo element) to Jack Johnson’s intro to “Upside Down,” Roland’s “Power of Ten” transforms after a few bars of the recognizable beat into something more funky and fresh with Roland declaring that “it’s getting funky, it’s getting funky, it’s getting mother funky.” The second track entitled, “How You Livin’,” is a slower tune which recalls the ‘Purple One’s’ sexy sultriness. Roland’s originality and experimentalism entwined with a rhythmic element becomes more and more prevalent throughout the progression of the tracks. “Only Humans,” is resonant of alternative rockers the Pixies in its down-tempo alt. guitar riffs, vibrating bass and echoing vocals. “Sing a Song,” the standout track of the bunch is a live performance which includes tambourine jingling and soulful cooing. Almost like church, “Sing a Song,” list life’s importance’s “one world, one heart, one love” and asks, “If we can all sing a song, then why can’t we all get along?” Midway, Roland rips into a funky bass guitar solo. The last track, “LoveJam A.K.A. The Gospel” is also a live track and the longest at 8:21 minutes. The encompassing theme of Love is ubiquitous and central not only through Roland’s repetition of the word, but in the lyrics.

Okkervil River to Play Free Show at St. Edwards

2009-02-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

Start Time:
Monday, March 2, 2009 at 7:00pm

Location:
In front of main building

Street:
3001 S Congress

More Dan Deacon news

2009-02-17T11:31:00.000-08:00

The King of the Hipsters will be playing a show Friday, April 17 in Burnet, TX at Longhorn Caverns. The showcase will be in a cave, as confirmed by the man himself via facebook.

Tickets are only $15! Click here to score!

Dan Deacon's Bromst

2009-02-17T11:20:00.000-08:00

I've been hearing a lot of buzz around Dan Deacon's forthcoming album Bromst, the followup to 2007's Spiderman of The Rings. While the album art has been compared to Phish's Round Room the album's mp3 content is described as “much darker” “mature,” and “organic," also definitive of the cover art. The album drops March 24th.

Clay Nightingale-The River and Then the Restless Wind

2009-02-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

Clay Nightingale
The River and Then the Restless Wind
http://www.myspace.com/claynightingale

The River and Then the Restless Wind is the first self-released EP for local folksy Americana act Clay Nightingale. The band consists of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Daniel Schaetz, Barry Walker on guitar, Jeremy Whiteon on keyboard/ glockenspiel/percussion, Joe Trent on pedal steel/guitar/percussion, Drew Schaetz, drums, vocals, and Dave Yelacic on bass.

The symbolism behind the album’s title refers to the San Marcos River popular in many recreational activitiesm, and the oldest San Marcos bar, The Restless Wind, which is located right off the square on North LBJ. Titular to the album’s title, the theme of all the songs on the EP include the subject of drinking or floating on the river. Sounding like a puree of the Silver Jews, Townes Van Zant, and The Hold Steady, Clay Nightingale embodies and exudes a timeless alt-country sound.

“Eureka” features soft percussion, doo-wop guitar, a rich country twang and a church bell sound effect. Schaetz vocals, mildly sprechgesang with a down tempo rhythm may suggest that he is unable to hit high notes. However, it remains essential to the entirety to the album. Missing Missing sweet, sleepy and indicative of a broken heart throughout. Schaetz is accompanied by female vocalist Stephanie Briggs, who chimes in on certain lyrics to show mutual emotions.

The duo croon in harmony, “I sure miss missing somebody, I sure miss missing somebody. If I could only miss you,” in the last stanza of the track. “The Bar is a Wonderful Place” is a playful ditty about the joys of hanging out at a bar personified by country riffs and a drunken circus-esque drum rhythm.

The album art is plain and brown, with the band’s name and album title printed in front. The back features a snapshot of two individuals who are most likely in the band clad in hair-rocker garb.

Clay Nightingale is currently working on their second album, which is set to be released mid-year. The River and Then the Restless Wind is the perfect album to hear at a dive bar which believably can be found on the jukebox at the Restless Wind.

The River Hymn- The River Hymn

2009-02-13T09:27:00.000-08:00

The River Hymn
The River Hymn
http://www.myspace.com/riverhymn

The River Hymn is the full length self-titled EP for experimental rock gospel-esque group The River Hymn, which consists of Morgan Bierlein on vocals/synth, Colin Colby on guitar, Justin Filor on fretless bass and Miles Landry on drums. Comparable to a more soulful Beth Gibbons (lead singer of British trip hop group Portishead), singer Morgan Bierlein’s ethereal vocals are complemented nicely by penetrating bass riffs, mesmerizing guitar and rhythm drums.

The album begins with “In The Water,” an instantly inviting and dreary track evocative of an early Janis Joplin cut. Bierlein’s emotive, whispery vocals see-saw from a soft gentle cooing to a climactic howl throughout the track. “One Eye Open” begins with soft guitar riffs a low key bassline, stiff rheumatic drums and Bierlen crooning “she’s passed out in the passenger seat again, with one eye open.”
Midway Colby, goes into an unsettling epic guitar tangent which convenes with Bierlein’s abrupt wailing almost instantly. “Procession,” is an instrumental piece that remains actual to its title by coming across sad, yet sexy, and provoking a mental image of a funeral procession. The track begins and remains consistent with the slow drumbeats, weepy accordion and melancholy guitar riffs.

The art featured on the eight track album is made up of five intertwined owls atop edifice-like rocks in the three sole colors of red, white and black. The band’s name is on the bottom right in all caps. The back of the album, also consisting of the before mentioned colors, features a female statue flanked by three shadows, which appear to be bears or rabbits. A flock of birds flies across the “bears” and statue.

Free Phish Download

2009-02-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

Click HERE to get a free mp3 of the newly reunited band who'll be kicking off their tour Friday, March 6 at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton Virginia. The feautred download is "Harry Wood" performed at The Clifford Ball, a landmark concert event that drew more than 70,000 fans to upstate New York in August of 1996.

Image Via Internet.

More SXSW showcases

2009-02-11T11:33:00.000-08:00

-Thursday night (that's March 19) showcase at Stubb's will feature 3oh!3, Katy Perry, Meat Puppets, Gomez, Andrew Bird and Ben Harper..
-The Arc Angels and Explosions In The Sky will headline two Auditorium Shores shows on March 20 & March 21 for FREE.
-M. Ward will be back at SXSW this year to plug his new album Hold Time.
-VICE Records has Emo's locked down for Saturday night's showcase, which will host King Khan & The Shrines, Black Lips, Japanese Motors, and The Sonics.
-The Decemberists will headline the NPR showcase at Stubb's with a song-by-song preview of new album The Hazards Of Love complete with special guests.
-Glasgow's Camera Obscura will showcase their forthcoming 4AD album My Maudlin Career with an official show.
-Echo and the Bunnymen have been reported by various outlets as playing an official showcase at Emo's on Wednesday, March 18th

PJ Harvey at SXSW!

2009-02-11T11:29:00.000-08:00

British singer and songwriter PJ Harvey and collaborator John Parish will showcase at SXSW March 21 in support of their new record 'A Woman A Man Walked By,' which will be released ten days later on March 31. Other acts on the bill include Indigo Girls,White Lies, Razorlight, and Parachute.

The Meaning of Life and Reason of Being

2009-02-05T19:02:00.000-08:00

The Answer

Travel By Magnet-Falcon Buddies

2009-01-28T00:48:00.002-08:00

Falcon Buddies
Travel By Magnet
http://www.myspace.com/falconbuddies
Travel By Magnet, is the first EP by experimental, progressive quartet Falcon Buddies, consisting of Dieter Geisler on keyboard/guitar/vocals, Morris Ramos on guitar, Ian Eskander on bass and Victor Tizoc Trevino on drums. The album is truly a multi-instrumental art pop electronic explosion of psychedelic fuzzed-out garage rock which could easily be a blender frappe of Guided By Voices, Flaming Lips and Yeasayer.
"Bedsheets," begins with melodic piano and quickly escalates with serrated guitar riffs, swaggering bass, and light cymbal tapping. Geisler's vocals on this particular track draw similarities to Interpol's lead singer Paul Banks singing style but transforms through the progression of the EP. "Skaldabeast," is a dreamy triumph of schizophrenic vision which evolves from mere chanting to a psychedelic precision of Geisler bellowing, "I don't want to be afraid of this anymore, I don't want to be afraid of this anymore. I don't want to be afraaaaid." The last track entitled "To Red is Vain," is an 80% instrumental track which features what seems to be a whole band inclusion of vocals in "Ohhh ohhh ohhhhh ohhh" reiterated mid song. The track is suggestive of Yeasayer's 2080.
The album art is interesting and a bit difficult to understand. A close up of what seems to be cotton or synthetic stuffing graces the cover atop a bubble wrap and shipping manila envelope---a hook like object protrudes from the cotton/stuffing. The inside flap features a close up of red, yellow and blue wires held together by a little plastic clip. A great album to listen to while trying to gain inspiration for an unconventional painting or drawing.

Big Life-Three Leaf

2009-01-28T00:48:00.001-08:00

Three Leaf
Big Light
Pitchdark Productions
www.threeleafmusic.com
http://www.myspace.com/threeleafmusic
Big Light is the first self-produced debut album for San Marcos bluegrass-root-rockers Three Leaf. The quartet which consists of singer/guitarist Chris Brennand, multi-instrumentalist Jared White, bassist Kent Chandler, and drummer/percussionist Zac Catanzaro formed in 2000.
"Take What You Want," is a folksy ballad permeated with rootsy banjo riffs which reiterates the lyrics "steal what you need, use your nails, use your teeth and you will go far" through the song. Listening to the lyrics one would realize it's about growing up, getting caught in a corporate American dream and forgetting who you are. The album's second track entitled "Raw Monkey" is central to Three Leaf's sound incorporating fast guitar riffs, melodic banjo strumming, beat-crazy percussion, and Brennand's wailing vocals. The standout track "Opportunistic," is a well developed upbeat track about a band on their way to stardom. "Flagwave Shadows," the tenth and last track of the album is a slow paced tune consisting of melodic guitar and soft drumming which escalate towards the end of the song while Brennard croons, "love will leave you in the end, beautifully broken in."
The album cover which is mostly black features an illuminated cutout face. The posterior of the album reveals how the image on the front was created with a backlight. The focus of the album isn't on jamming or really on bluegrass, but more on the songwriting and arrangements. Comparable to a more eclectic, rootsy Yonder Mountain String Band album with the inclusion of percussion and drums, Three Leaf's Big Light is perfect to pop into the stereo on a chill evening or quiet night in.

The Couch-The Couch

2009-01-28T00:46:00.000-08:00

The Couch
The Couch
http://www.myspace.com/thecouchmusic
The Couch is the self-titled EP for San Marcos rockers The Couch which consists of lead vocalist Taylor Wilkins on guitar, Matt Adams on bass/backup vocals, Jud Johnson on drums/backup vocals. Reminiscent of The Black Crowes with a splash or two of the White Stripes, The Couch encompasses a soulful orchestration of instruments while maintaining a contemporary rock/funk sound. The album's first track "The Sugared Jubilee," reveals the band's ability to rip into the musical abyss with burning guitar riffs, penetrating bass lines and incessant drumming. "Marvin," begins with a Pulp Fiction sound bite from the scene in which Vincent Vega, played by John Travolta asks backseat passenger Marvin his opinion and 'accidently' shoots him in the face and begins to bicker with partner Jules Winnfiel (Samuel L. Jackson.) While the lyrics are not titular to the song's title, the track's wailing guitar and piercing bass compliment Wilkins' whisky soaked vocals nicely. The album's concluding track, "The Pauper, Pope and the Stoned," opens with some sort of vibrato psychedelic sound which fades abruptly when Wilkins's begins to sing. Beginning with an upbeat tempo and transitioning into to a more jam rock anthem midway, Wilkin's sings about disregarding behavior during drunken stupors and repeats the lyrics "stop drinking, stop drinking by yourself" over and over with Adams and Johnson as backups---easily the standout track and most rock of the EP.
The album art features a caricature of what appears to be Arsenio Hall shouting "THE COUCH," sketched by local artist and University Star cartoonist Doug Pollard. In honest opinion, The Couch is a great album to put on during a pre-game before a night out on the town.

New find from the old...

2009-01-14T21:34:00.000-08:00

Digging around old music, I found a noteworthy album entilted Oar by former drummer for Jefferson Airplane and acid casualty Alexander "Skip" Spence. The solo album was released in 1969 and recorded six months after Spence's release from Bellevue Hospital. While the album consists mostly of incoherent ramblings and lyrical musings, the "turn on, tune in, drop out" sound is prevalent.

Pavement could reform for Coachella 2009

2009-01-13T12:04:00.001-08:00

According to numerous music blogs and online magazines, Pavement, the American Indie Rock band hailing from Stockton, CA could be reuniting for Coachella 2009. Guitarist for the estranged band Scott Kannberg said that the band's booking agent has been in the talks with Coachella festival chiefs. Apparently, the decision stands on the right price. Coachella's headliners for 2008 were Roger Waters, Portishead and Prince.

Learning Secrets 5 Year Anniversary this January in Austin

2009-01-10T11:51:00.000-08:00

Hercules & Love Affair, Pat Mahoney, Ian Orth and Jeramy Neugent will all be spinning at the Beauty Bar on Saturday, January 31st.

To get in FREE, you need to RSVP here:http://www.uptheantics.com/learningsecrets

First batch of SXSW acts

2009-01-08T12:21:00.000-08:00

All I have to say is Primal Scream! With eleven albums under their belt and recent new album, these guys will definitely bring something special to "The Live Music Capital of the World".

8Ball & MJG (Memphis, TN)
Akron/Family (Williamsport, PA)
Al Kapone (Memphis, TN)
Alina Simone (Brooklyn, NY)
Amanda Blank (Philadelphia, PA)
Amber Smith (Budapest, HUNGARY)
Angry vs The Bear (Essex, ENGLAND)
Anthony Snape (Sydney, AUSTRALIA)
ARABROT (Oslo, NORWAY)
Arc Angels (Austin, TX)
Asher Roth (Morrisville, PA)
Asobi Seksu (Brooklyn, NY)
Astrid Williamson (Shetland Islands, SCOTLAND)
B.o.B. (Atlanta, GA)
Banda de Turistas (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Bar-Kays (Memphis, TN)
Bavu Blakes (Austin, TX)
Ben Kweller (Austin, TX)
Benny Gallagher (West Wickham, ENGLAND)
Black Cherry (London, ENGLAND)
BLACK SKIES (Chapel Hill, NC)
Blaqstarr (Baltimore, MD)
Blue Scholars (Seattle, WA)
Bomba Estereo (Bogota, Columbia)
Brick Bandits (Philadelphia, PA)
Buck 65 (Halifax, NS)
Buraka Som Sistema (Lisbon, Portugal)
Candy Coated Killahz (Toronto, CANADA)
Cashier No.9 (Belfast, IRELAND)
Casiokids (Bergen, NORWAY)
Charles Hamilton (New York, NY)
Choc Quib Town (Bogota, Columbia)
CHOO-CHOO (Bern, SWITZERLAND)
Chris T-T (Brighton, ENGLAND)
Come On Gang! (Edinburgh, SCOTLAND)
Crystal Method (Los Angeles, CA)
Crystal Stilts (New York, NY)
Damero (Berlin, Germany)
Dananananaykroyd (Glasgow, Scotland)
Dave Alvin (Los Angeles, CA)
David Garza (Austin, TX)
Dead Prez (New York, NY)
Dekadens (Bucharest, ROMANIA)
Dirtblonde (Liverpool, ENGLAND)
Division Miniscula (Matamoros, Mexico)
Doctor Krapula (Bogota, Columbia)
EBONY BONES! (London, ENGLAND)
Ella (Bristol, ENGLAND)
Empire ISIS (Montreal, CANADA)
Explosions in the Sky (Austin, TX)
Flood of Red (Glasgow, SCOTLAND)
Franki Chan (Los Angeles, CA)
Free Sol (Memphis, TN)
Futumomo Satisfaction (Tokyo, Japan)
Gabi Almedia (Sao Paolo, Brazil)
Gary Clark Jr. (Austin, TX)
Grimy Styles (Austin, TX)
Hacienda (San Antonio, TX)
Hickoids (Austin, TX)
Ida Maria (Stockholm, Sweden)
Insite (Mexicali, Mexico)
Invincible (Detroit, MI)
Jokers of the Scene (Ottawa, ON)
Kap Bambino (Bordeaux, France)
Kid Sister (Chicago, IL)
Killer Mike (Atlanta, GA)
LA Riots (Los Angeles, CA)
Los Fancy Free (Mexico City, Mexico)
Madi Diaz (Nashville, TN)
Manana (Basil, SWITZERLAND)
Mandi Perkins (Los Angeles, CA)
Mexican Institute of Sound (Mexico City, Mexico)
Micachu (London, ENGLAND)
Midnight Youth (Auckland, NEW ZEALAND)
Mika Miko (Los Angeles, CA)
Mike Badger (Liverpool, ENGLAND)
Mistah FAB (Oakland, CA)
Monokino (Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS)
Moriarty (Montreuil, FRANCE)
Motel (Mexico City, Mexico)
Mundo Livre Sa (Recife, Brazil)
My Crew Be Unruly (Baltimore, MD)
My Federation (Hove, ENGLAND)
Nacho Vegas (Gijon, Spain)
Nacional (Glasgow, SCOTLAND)
NAVEL (Erschwil, SWITZERLAND)
Outasight (New York, NY)
P.O.S. (Minneapolis, MN)
Pato Machete (Monterrey, Mexico)
Peter Bjorn & John (Stockholm, Sweden)
Peter Rosenberg (New York, NY)
Port O'Brien (Cambria, CA)
Primal Scream (Glasgow, Scotland)
Reflection Eternal (Ohio/New York)
Rob Quest (Houston, TX)
Sage Francis (Providence, RI)
San Quinn (San Francisco, CA)
Scribe (Christchurch, NZ)
Shad (London, Ontario)
Shawn David McMillen (Austin, TX)
Simplifires (Mexico City, Mexico)
Soulico (Tel Aviv, Israel)
St. Vincent (Dallas, TX)
Suzy & Los Quattro (Barcelona, Spain)
T Bird & The Breaks (Austin, TX)
Tanya Morgan (Brooklyn, NY)
Temposhark (London, ENGLAND)
The Beat Poets (Belfast, IRELAND)
The Carrivick Sisters (Devon, ENGLAND)
The Courteneers (Manchester, UK)
The deBretts (London, ENGLAND)
The Deep Dark Woods (Saskatoon, CANADA)
the Devil Wears Prada (Dayton, OH)
The Everyday Visuals (Boston, MA)
The Knux (New Orleans, LA)
THE MOOG (Budapest, HUNGARY)
The Pepper Pots (Girona, Spain)
The Sonics (Seattle, WA)
The Temper Trap (Nth Fitzroy, AUSTRALIA)
thecocknbullkid (London, ENGLAND)
Thee Oh See's (San Francisco, CA)
This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb (Pensacola, FL)
Tittsworth (Washington, DC)
Tommy Tee (Oslo, Norway)
Toy Horses (Barry, WALES)
Twilight Hotel (Winnipeg, CANADA)
Virgin Passages (London, ENGLAND)
Volodja Balzalorsky (Ljubljana, SLOVENIA)
WAZ (Los Angeles, CA)
We Have Band (London, ENGLAND)
We Should Be Dead (Limerick, IRELAND)
White Lies (London, ENGLAND)
Whitechapel (Knoxville, TN)
Willem Maker (Turkey Heaven, AL)
Willy Joy (Chicago, IL)
Yarah Bravo (New York, NY)

Earle Brown dates

2008-12-21T22:46:00.000-08:00

Local San Marcos blues rock band Earle Brown made up of Evan Styles on vocals and keyboard, Jeff Mills on drums, Mick McGuiness on backup vocals and guitar, Scott Morgan on backup vocals and percussion, Dan Irwin on bass and Chris Blacon on backup vocals and guitar have two show dates on their calendar. The six-piece is reminiscent of San Francisco rock quartet Tea Leaf Green with a twist of Black Keys. I’d highly recommend you check them out! For being around less than five months, they totally rock!

Tuesday, January 20th at 10:30 pm at The Triple Crown
Back to School/Inauguration Day...
Come early and see Our Favorite Colors open at 9:00 pm
$2 you-call-it's until 11:00, and cheap drinks afterwards.
$5 cover at the door.

Thursday, February 26th at 10:00 pm at The Gray Horse
Cheap Beer, No Cover, and a 2 hour set.

www.myspace.com/earlebrown6

I'm so last season....

2008-12-16T01:04:00.000-08:00

In the midst of getting lost in school books and papers, I've found that I'm no longer sporting any of the "deck fashions." Real popular amongst the local "bike kids", who are the adolescent youths who permeate the streets on fixed-gear roadbikes equipped with Deep V's rims are Toms and canvas Champion Oxford Keds.
While I'm sure they're paying full-price for these cheap Wal-mart chic shoes which probably cost close to thirty at Urban Outfitters, they're as cool as unisex tri-blend jersey deep V-neck t-shirts from American Apparel that you can get for a cool $22. These easily crafted tees that might as well be modified fruit of the loom undershirts REMAIN a hot must even in this cold weather.
Anyhow, if any of you bump into Santa tell him I want this:
A pink track frame on non-machined lime green velocity deep-v's.
Thanks in advance!

New M.I.A. w/ Blaqstarr

2008-11-04T14:55:00.001-08:00

The video only cost $9.95 to make!

A few words from David Byrne

2008-11-03T22:30:00.000-08:00

I received an interesting email from David Byrne's fanlisting today about his ideas and thoughts about politics and the importance of voting. Here's what the man himself has to say.

Pardon the bulk mailing. I Can't Vote. I am an immigrant with a Green Card and, therefore, I am not eligible to vote in a federal election. FYI - I can get drafted (luckily, Daniel Berrigan burned my draft board's records) and I pay taxes, yet I cannot vote for President. On Election Day, I see my neighbors heading to the nearby elementary school to cast their ballots. The voting booth joint is a great leveler; the whole neighborhood - rich, poor, old, young, decrepit and spunky - they all turn out in one day.

But most of you can vote. What can I say? The Republicans have made us less safe than before 9/11, bankrupted this economy, started an illegal war they can't - and don't intend to - finish, removed what sympathy (after 9/11) and respect the world had for the US, and have robbed US citizens of many of their basic rights. Global warming? What's that? Science and education? Investment in our future? No, thanks - we'll stick with a good 'ole hockey mom. Ignorant, and fucking proud of it, as is always the case.

Although it looks like a shoo-in, it ain't over 'til Florida. And there are plenty of racists in this country who will vote against their own best interests. So please, get to your local elementary school, post office, town hall, or whatever, and cast your vote and make this a country we can all be proud of. We can get out of this mess, and life can be better than it is.

David Byrne
NYC

Yo Majesty- Futuristically Speaking… Never Be Afraid Review

2008-11-03T12:58:00.000-08:00

Yo Majesty

Futuristically Speaking… Never Be Afraid
Domino Records
www.yomajesty.com
http://www.myspace.com/yomajesty4life

Black, Christian, lesbian rappers from Tampa, Florida? A distinctive description of Yo Majesty made up of Shunda K. (Lashunda Flowers) and Jwl B. (Jewel Baynham). Until recently the project had a third member, Shon B. (Shon Burt) who is no longer apart of the collaboration. The hip-hop duo released their first EP in 2006 and toured alongside CSS and The Gossip in 2007. Futuristically Speaking… Never Be Afraid is the duo’s first full length album. Yo Majesty formed six years ago when gospel singer Baynham met Flowers, a track star turned rapper, at a gay club in Tampa. Despite broking up for several years, during which Baynham renounced her homosexuality, married a man after a tryst with Islam, later to divorce and reclaim her lesbian identity, Yo Majesty has populated a significant underground following. A blender puree of Missy Elliot, 2 Live Crew and Salt & Pepper, the gutter mouth duo spit filthy tunes about “getting your ass on the floor” and “busting out windshields.” A hip hop party ghetto electro party up debut, Futuristically Speaking… Never Be Afraid encompasses a ‘futuristically speaking’ out of this world sound with its oozy beats, electro riffs and infectious bass lines.
The album’s aggressive opener “Fucked up,” merits an immediately effective restraining order. Seemingly, a contradictive masochistic love song which suggests schizophrenic manic desires in a love/hate relationship. An irate Shunda K bawls “I can’t live without you, so, do you want to fight me/ because I want to fight, fight you. I want to break all the shit in your bathroom.” Snarling mike in mouth she declares “I can’t stand the way you breathe, but I like the way you fuck me,” and inquires, “you want me to get away from house? Love you!! You want me to get away from your car? Love you!! You want me to get away from your dog? Love you!!” Title track, “Never Be Afraid,” is a catchy synth-and-percussion beat groove which reiterates the lyrics ‘we will never be afraid, we will never be afraid, we will never be afraid,’ over and over before, within, during and throughout the speed rap. Reminiscent of something Missy Elliot has produced, the album’s dance-y bump and grind track, “Club Action,” effortlessly incorporates F-Bomb bleeps and demands the listener “to fuck that shit.” The funky “Party Hardy” follows suit with the progression of the party-starter album and serves as a perfect ‘get up and dance’ tune. A stand out track for me, I can’t help but sing along every time I hear it--“I really want to go to the party, yo, I got a flat tire and my gas is low.”“Booty Clap” is a fast paced electro-infused tune produced by critically acclaimed UK House duo Basement Jaxx. The apt wordsmiths demonstrate their tongue-twist abilities in the concluding track “Take It Away,” amidst the energetic Miami bass and old school 8-bit beats. A ‘G-rated’ version of the punchy, X-rated lyrically driven album seems implausible - even without lyrics, the beats and bass lines remain excitingly dirty. In doing initial research on the band, it’s been mentioned by several music sources and blogs that while Yo Majesty’s in studio work is good, their live performances are even better! Their boisterous and unruly stage presence is worth every cent of the admission price.

Highlight Track: “Club Action” Track 11

Album Grade: 7/10 (increments of .5)

Ashley Cass

Brazilian Girls-NYC Review

2008-10-20T14:18:00.000-07:00

The Brazilian Girls
New York City
New York City, the third album for NYC based Brazilian Girls reveals a more intercontinental sound than its predecessors. Unlike their 2006 release Talk To La Bomb, NYC strays away from the typical electro and formulates more of a lounge sound. Multilingual frontwoman Sabina Sciubba incorporates Spanish, French, Italian and every other language she speaks which attributes to the album’s world-savvy flair. The album which packs numerous styles and sounds into one sitting leaves little room for a cohesive progression---a schizophrenic overload of jazz, cabaret, electro and jazz.
The critically acclaimed band extend their signature, multi-lingual sound with the help of renowned Senagalese musician Baaba Maal as a guest vocalist on "Internacional," and American jazz musician Kenny Wollesen on numerous tracks. The album entitled NYC pays homage to the city which the band first got their start. The album’s first track, “St. Petersburg,” is reminiscent of the bands international percussion-driven beats and cool jazz undertones. Sciubba coolly inquires “do you like my accent?” “Good Time” the album’s essential dance sing-a-long features happy synthesizers, lively guitar riffs and a peppy drum beat. "We just want to have a good time, tonight. We just want to have a good time all the time," sings Sciubba. “Nouveau Americain,” which translates from French to “New American” is a hypnotic track permeated by Pan-African drumming and melodic vocals.
While NYC’s sound varies greatly between tracks, the album remains a feel-good chic album that will keep the listener on a rollercoaster of both up and down-tempo grooves. This album is cooler than a ham sandwich and side-dish of shitake mushrooms.
4/5

Halloween comes early

2008-10-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

This week's Sarah Palin moment of the week...

Bands I've Seen (and number of times)

2008-10-14T23:36:00.000-07:00

Forgive me for bragging, boasting.. etc. But I'd like to have this online for reasons of convenience. Anyhow, I'd like to see at least 15 more before the year's over.

Widespread Panic- 17
Ghostland Observatory-5
Spoon- 5
The Flaming Lips- 4
Grupo Fantasma- 3
Radiohead-3
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers-3
Dave Matthews Band- 2
Cake-2
Neil Diamond- 2
Three Leaf-2
Holy F*ck-2
Kings of Leon-2
Wilco-2
Amy Cook-2
Mickey Avalon-2
Dave Matthews & Friends- 1
The Strange Boys-1
Band of Horses-1
David Byrne-1
The Ugly Beats-1
The Boxing Lesson-1
Stereolab-1
Handsome Furs-1
The Kills-1
The Eagles-1
Balmorhea-1
Santana-1
Tokyo Police Club-1
Tilly & The Wall-1
The Presets-1
Cut Copy-1
The Fratellis-1
The Muslims-1
White Denim-1
Atmosphere-1
Del the Funky Homosapian-1
Justice-1
Vampire Weekend-1
Devotchka-1
Aesop Rock-1
Thievery Corporation-1
No Age-1
Abe Vegota-1
King Khan and the Shrines-1
The Jaccuzi Boys-1
Sound Team- 2
Aqualung- 1
Bjork-1
Lcd Soundsystem-1
The National-1
The Arcade Fire-1
Yo La Tengo-1
The Killers-1
The Faint-1
Jaguar Love-1
Zap Mama-1
Midlake-1
Regina Specktor-1
Bloc Party-1
Kaiser Chiefs-1
Cold War Kids-1
Queens of the Stoneage-1
Bob Dylan and his Band-1
The Bravery- 1
Buddy Guy- 1
Robert Randolph & the Family- 1
Rebirth Brass Band- 1
Cher- 1
Of Montreal-1
Pattern is Movement-1
Loren Dent-1
Cyndi Lauper- 1
Elton John- 1
Mission from Burma- 1
She Wants Revenge- 1
I Love You, But I've Chosen Darkness- 1
Shakira- 1
Ov7- 1
Ha-Ash- 1
Galactic-1
The Walkmen- 1
Phil Lesh & Friends- 1
Chicago- 1
Earth, Wind & Fire- 1
Rachel Yamagata- 1
Keane- 1
Nic Armstrong & the Thieves- 1
Ozomatli-1
Damian Gong Marley-1
Tv on the Radio-2
Built to Spill-1
Los Lonely Boys-1
The Rolling Stones-1
Morrissey-1
The Racontours-1
Gnarls Barkley-1
Steve Miller Band-1
Parliament Funkadelic-1
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah-1
Elvis Perkins-1
Matisyahu-1
Jose Gonzales-1
Brazilian Girls-1
Massive Attack-1
The B-52's-1
Pet Shop Boys-1
Sons of Hercules- 1
The Black Angels- 1
Car Stereo Wars-1
Crowded House-1
Artic Monkeys-1
Stephen Marley-1
Foals-1
The Jellydots-1
Key-Man Marley-1
Ian McLagen & Bump Band-1
Stephen Marley-1
M.I.A.-1
Clap! Clap!-1
Van Halen-1
Dandy Warhols-1
Ringo Deathstar-1
Moe.-1
Eisley-1
Liars-1
Rihanna-1
Kanye West-1
N.E.R.D.-1
Lupe Fiasco-1
Steve Winwood-1
Broken Social Scene- 1
Jack Johnson-1
Sharon Jones and Dap Kings-1
The Cool Kids-1
Spank-1
Suptnik Monroe-1
DJs:
Paul Van Dyk- 1
Paul Oakenfold- 1
Infusion- 1
Tiesto-1
Dj Shadow-1
Dj Logic-3
Max Graham- 1
The Chemical Method- 1
Gabriel & Dresden- 1
James Zabiela and Nic Finaciulli-1
Benny Benassi-1
M.A.N.D.Y-1
Ferry Corsten-1

Oxblood Masquerade Music and Arts Festival

2008-10-14T21:40:00.000-07:00

The fourth-annual Oxblood Masquerade Music and Arts Festival, produced by Austin-based promotions company They Will Come Productions will be held October 31-November 2 at The Ball Farm, a 62-acre venue located 25 minutes from downtown Austin in Lytton Springs. The event which used to be called Melody & Josh’s Halloween Bash stemmed from the mastermind of Josh Ball, event organizer. “Initially, it was just a big party about 125-130 people in attendance and Funkotron performing. But now it’s grown into something larger,” says Ball.
The event which gets its name from the oxblood lilies that grow throughout the venue’s area will feature a 36-band lineup, local art, food vendors and beer. Festival attendees will be allowed to bring their own food and alcohol. Due to liability, alcohol brought is to be consumed in the designated campground area only ---no kegs or glass bottles are allowed. Vehicles occupied by minors carrying alcohol are prohibited from entering the campground. Ball highly recommends that festival attendees facilitate the free campsites. “We emphasize camping to minimize drunk driving, it’s free for all, although you can’t get back into the ground with a one day pass,” says Ball. “Campers must be attendees in order to camp on the grounds. We aren’t letting any outside guests use the campsite.”
The community based event which promotes the sharing of fans among the bands, previously relied on word of mouth advertising but has extended its promotion to radio, internet and flyers. “We expect at least 2,000 to attend,” said Ball. Texas State Senior, Bryan Wasetis who attended last year said that he first heard about the event through his friend who had attended the year before. Wasetis further stated that the Oxblood festival is an enjoyable way to discover local music and have fun with friends. “Instead of doing the conventional Halloween thing in Austin, my friend who had gone the year before suggested we go to Oxblood instead because it would be more fun,” said Wasetis. “Oxblood is revolutionary in how it supports the local music scene. I had an incredible time at last years, a great mix of people and good times.” Bands on the bill include local favorites Three Leaf, Funkotron, The Olive Street Band, Green Mountain Grass, The River Hymm and Word Association to name a few.
In support of the going green trend, all food and beer will be served in compostable containers and the main stage will be run by solar power. All attendees are encouraged to wear costumes in lieu of Halloween.
For ticket prices, complete line-up and more information visit www.oxbloodmasquerade.com.

It's Britney, bitch....

2008-10-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

Britney's new single Womanizer, for her upcoming album Circus was featured on 20/20 Friday night. While the shower scenes were edited for content, the song and video are sure to be instant gold. I like the 4/20 reference in the video. See if you can catch it. She's back! Here's the unedited version:

Sarah Palin Remixed

2008-10-12T14:20:00.001-07:00

Our weekly Sarah Palin fix.

Maya Preggers!

2008-10-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

A very pregnant M.I.A. took the stage with rapper T.I. and N.E.R.D., last night in Brooklyn, New York at the Diesel xXx Rock & Roll Circus. The Sri Lankan rapper who recently got engaged to Benjamin Brewer , the son of CEO and Warner Music Group Chairman Edgar Bronfman Jr., had been said to have cancelled her summer tour due pregnancy rumors.

Thievery Corporation-Radio Retaliation Review

2008-10-09T20:12:00.000-07:00

Thievery Corporation
Radio Retaliation
ESL Music
www.thieverycorporation.com
www.myspace.com/thieverycorporation

Radio Retaliation is the fifth studio album for Washington D.C. based duo Thievery Corporation, which consists of deejays Rob Garza and Eric Hilton. While the album is the follow-up to 2006 album Versions which consisted primarily of remixes and their popular 2005 release The Cosmic Game, which rose to No. 1 on Billboard's Top Electronic Albums chart and sold over 150,000 copies in the United States, Radio Retaliation falls short of its predecessors. Despite the incorporation of numerous world guest singers, the down-tempo, ambient, lounge theme remains central and really doesn’t present anything new or out of the ordinary. Often categorized as “world music,” Thievery Corporation remains true to this notion through the inclusion of Brazilian, Nigerian, Middle-Eastern, Afro-rhythm, and Latin beats. Guest musicians joining Hilton and Garza on the album include Anoushka Shankar, daughter of renowned sitar player Ravi Shankar, Slovakian violinist and vocalist Jana Andevska, Brazilian singer Seu Jorge, award-winning Nigerian afro-beat star Femi Kuti, and "Godfather of Go-Go" Chuck Brown among others.
“Sound the Alarm,” kicks off the album with an emergency alarm sample which lasts about 18 seconds and fades into an energetic reggae dub ordering to “sound the alarm, order the attack.” The album’s second track entitled “Mandela” featuring Shankar is an instrumental manifestation of rich drum beats and sitar strumming which transcends into an innovative acid-jazz funk jam. “Radio Retaliation,” the title track features reggae singer Sleepy Wonder who sets forth the political agenda of Thievery Corporation---“50,000 watts of Thievery hit them like poison darts, and watch the whole system what them build up fall apart.” The last track entitled “Sweet Tides,” featuring vocalist LouLou, is a sweet soft boss nova tune that provides a perfect ending to this “chill” album.
The CD comes in a rustic cardboard packaging enveloped loosely in a poster fold-out insert. The leaflet itself measuring 20” x 30” when unfolded contains the lyrics of each song randomly placed along the front and back. The artwork consists of a large Rasta-colored bulls-eye on both sides, surrounded by cut and paste images of electronics, music equipment, cameras, bullets, pixilated people, and infamous quotes from the likes of Timothy Leary, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Hunter S. Thompson, Joe Strummer and numerous others. In addition, a footnote included amongst the other quotes implicates that “the quotes and images assembled on the enclosed poster collage are intended to convey a transformative political and social message” and are in no way intended to represent the significance of Radio Retaliation but of Thievery Corporation itself. Interestingly enough, the deliverance of their message is subtle and doesn’t outshine the music.
While, I wasn’t a fan of Thievery Corporation until I saw them live a few months ago in Austin, Texas, I’ve come to realize that their live performance is much more captivating than their studio work. Whereas, you’d typically hear this style or type of music at a lounge or coffee shop, Thievery Corporation has reinvented the genre into something more appealing to the masses. I was blown away by their stage presence which included a belly dancer clad in archaic Arab garb, an array of backup musicians and guest singers Federico Aubele and Seu Jorge. The gravitational effect of the music was prevalent in the crowd’s endless dancing and celebration of being “one.”

Highlight Track: “Sweet Tides” Track 15

Album Grade: 6.5/10 (increments of .5)

Ashley Cass

Electric Mayhem every Wednesday at Lucy's

2008-10-08T16:52:00.001-07:00

Funk, punk, indie, electro, pop, house, hip-hop, mainstream are only some of the types of music being played at Lucy's on Wednesday nights. While typically referred to as "Hip-Hop Night" by the local scensters and hipsters in San Marcos, Lucy's General Manager Brian Scofield says he dislikes the term because it doesn't really describe the encompassing theme or agenda. "I don't really like the term 'hip-hop night' because I think it is too narrow a description of what Electric Mayhem play."

When one thinks Electric Mayhem, instantly an image of the Muppets house band comes to mind, unless you're a college student at Texas State University. Electric Mayhem, made up of resident deejays Chief and Dj Crown real names Greg Williams and John Crownover have played a significant role in San Marcos nightlife for the past six and a half years. The duo who adapted their name from Dr. Teeth and The Electric Mayhem grew out of former musical venture Liquid Stereo Project, a seven piece hip-hop group. On the eve of one of Liquid Stereo Project's performances at Lucy's, one of the members had a family emergency which resulted in the show's cancellation. In an attempt to fill in last minute, Williams and Crownover volunteered to deejay and Electric Mayhem was born. Despite a slow start, the duo began to gain steady popularity through word of mouth by the end of the summer in 2002. By 2005, Lucy's was hitting max capacity every Wednesday which continues to date. Texas State Junior Veronica Sanchez says she's been going to see Electric Mayhem every Wednesday since last year. "I started coming because I used to see the advertising for 'Electric Mayhem at Lucy's' around town and friends just kept telling me how much fun it was," says Sanchez.

Both Williams and Crownover, who hold other jobs during the day, sample all types of music which include rock, old funk, soul, and reggae. "We play a variety of music. About 75% are personal tastes and maybe 25% is what we think people want to hear. We try to be an alternative, we play what we feel comfortable playing," says Crownover. Williams says the duo find their music through the use of XM-radio, Myspace, music blogs, and magazines. "We get our music from sources that most people get their music, we use music that an open-minded crowd appreciates," says Williams. Philosophy major Hannah Jordan enjoys the varied genres Electric Mayhem play throughout the evening. "They keep it real diverse. I never know if I'm going to hear James Brown or M.I.A.," says Jordan.

The duo is incredibly appreciative to all of the members of the crowd who come out and enjoy themselves. "This is our 'bread and butter, we just have a blast when we're up there," says Williams. Crownover reiterates his and Williams' gratitude to the people who attend and says that he wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

Fixed Gear Bicycles

2008-10-07T09:11:00.001-07:00

My first stand-up package... I hate my hispanic accent, but oh well!!

Fun Fun Fun Fest

2008-10-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

The second annual Fun Fun Fun Fest will be held at Waterloo Park in Austin, Texas, November 8th and 9th. This year's eclectic lineup features retired punk band
Dead Milkman whose sole reunion performance will take place at the event. Several of widely anticipated acts include The National, Atmosphere, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Dan Deacon and Clipse to name a few.

FINAL LINEUP for 2008:
Stage 1: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The National, Atmosphere, Minus The Bear, St. Vincent, Black Angels, Trail of Dead, Deerhoof, Rival Schools, Islands, The Annuals, Bishop Allen, Centro-matic, Black Heart Procession, Frightened Rabbit, Spinto Band, Parts and Labor, Colourmusic, Experimental Dental School, 27, Til We're Blue or Destroy, Paul Green's School of Rock, Ume, Black Joe Lewis

Stage 2: Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Neil Hamburger, Tim Fite, Magnetic Morning (adam franklin of Swervedriver, sam fogarino of Interpol), Kevin Seconds (of 7 seconds), The Revival Tour w/: Chuck Ragan (of hot water music), Tom Gabel (of against me!), Ben Nichols (of lucero), Tim Barry (of avail), The Cynics, The Ugly Beats, El Paso Hot Button, Walter Schreifels (of quicksand, rival schools, GB, YOT), Coldtowne Comedy Hour, Pepi Ginsberg, Altercation Punk Rock Comedy hour, Frank Smith, Matt Beardan, Chris Fairbanks, Dragon Boy Suede, Golden Arm Trio, Grampall Jookabox, spot & Albert, James Petralli (White Denim)

Stage 3: Bad Brains, ALL, Dead Milkmen (reunion/only show), Adolescents, Integrity (only US/worldwide show), Bouncing Souls, Swingin Utters, DOA, Killdozer, Cromags (jam), Scared of Chaka, Young Widows, Leftover Crack, Trash Talk, World Burns to Death, Krumbums, Mammoth Grinder, Cute Lepers, Bitter End, High Tension Wires, Born to Lose, Camp X-Ray, Municipal Waste

Stage 4: Clipse, Z-trip, Dan Deacon, YACHT, Grupo Fantasma, Kool Keith/Dr. Octagon, Dengue Fever, Brownout!, Franki Chan, Toxic Avenger (paris), Hawnay Troof, Starlynx/bigface, Richard Henry, J*Davey, Shane Tyson, The Octopus Project, Zeale & Phranchyze, Terp 2 It

Tickets can be purchased here!

Mad Decent Tour date in Austin!

2008-10-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

The Mad Decent Tour featuring Diplo, Abe Vigoda, Boy 8-bit, Telepathe and other special guests will be making a stop in Austin at Emo's Friday, November 7th.

You can get your presale tickets to the event here.

Fey as Palin continues to boost SNL ratings

2008-10-06T09:00:00.000-07:00

Tina Fey's reprising role of Alaska governer and Republican Vice President hopeful Sarah Palin has continued to boost ratings for NBC's "Saturday Night Live". With a viewership of 7.4 rating, ratings jumped 23 percent since last week's episode. The skit featured special guest star Queen Latifah as debate moderator Gwen Ifill. Here it is in case you missed it:

Cool Hand Luke

2008-10-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

Hello friends, I just wanted to share with you my first "real" cd review for Stereo Subversion.

Check it Here!

Radiohead Reckoner Video

2008-10-01T14:35:00.000-07:00

Radiohead has decided to use an animated feature directed by Clement Picon, who is one of the winners of the Radiohead Reckoner video contest, as the official video for the track. The video is pretty cool and depicts the rise and destruction of a futuristic world.
Radiohead - Reckoner - by Clement Picon

The Walkmen- You & Me Review

2008-10-01T10:47:00.001-07:00

The Walkmen
You & Me
You & Me, the fifth album and follow-up to A Hundred Miles Off exhibits The Walkmen ‘s evolving sound and style. While the album is sulkier and gloomier than its predecessors, it puts the band’s lyrical genius forthright. Unlike the success of their first album, Bows and Arrows, which features hit single “The Rat,” You & Me is slowly gaining popularity in the indie world. An introspective analytical proverb of interpersonal experiences, You & Me explores the human emotions of lust, love and heart-break.
A burning bass riff and melodic drums compliment singer Hamilton Leithauser’s whiskey soaked voice nicely on the album starter entitled “Donde Esta La Playa,” which translates from Spanish to “Where is the Beach?” The mention of a one night stand on the track sets the mood and encompassing theme of the album. “Flamingo (for Colbert),” a melancholy instrumental piece which serves only as a filler between the first and third track provides nothing more than carefully crafted musical noise. The album’s standout track “In the New Year,” a heartfelt emotion of self-induced optimism is conveyed by Leithauser proclaiming that “it’s going to be a good year, out of darkness and into the fire.”
It’s great to see a band such as The Walkmen experiment with a darker undertone and lamentation of words. You & Me truly proves to be an engaging masterpiece for the brokenhearted and barstool depressed.

8.5/10
Ashley Cass

Interpol's "Slow Hands" used in new Armani ad

2008-09-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

Ohhh, Josh Hartnett is lookin' oh so hot.

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin

2008-09-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

In case you missed it Saturday night, you can watch it
here. Tina Fey's impersonation of the Alaskan Governor and Republican VP was dead on. While the McCain camp was unhappy about the bit and called it sexist, Palin "thought it was quite funny, particularly because she once dressed up as Tina Fey for Halloween," according to spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt.

A real music reviewer position, oh boy!

2008-09-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

So I just finished my first CD review for Stereo Subversion, an Indiana based music blog which I feel is a step closer to achieving some sort of notoriety in the music industry. While I was assigned a Christian Rock band, something which I believe may have been some sort of test, I think I owned it! Instead of automatically putting my biased opinion forward, I explored the genre with an open-mind and ears.

Check it yo!
Cool Hand Luke
The Sleeping House
Lujo
www.coolhandlukeonline.com
www.myspace.com/therealcoolhandluke

A progressive follow-up to their sophomore album Fires of Life, Cool Hand Luke continue their devout journey with The Sleeping House. After an extended four year hiatus and a new cast of members, the Nashville-based Christian band deliver a powerful and thought provoking message in their spiritual orchestration of intelligent lyrics and profound instrumentation. Founding member Mark Nicks (vocals/keyboard/drums) explores new musical territories alongside Joey Holman, in place of guitarist Chris Susi and Casey McBride, in place of bassist Brandon Morgan. Unlike previous releases, the songs on the new album carry a more aggressive, deeper, darker undertone.
Implicative of this is the album’s first track “Fast Asleep,” a slow-tempo experimental groove that employs deep piano progressions and cascading electric guitar. Serving as an ambient intro, “Fast Asleep” provides a connective lead in for “Cast Your Bread,” a soulful, heartfelt track interwoven with Bible versus from the books of John and Mark. Nicks’ soothing tenor vocals in “The Mirror”-- a song about a contemplative, conflicted persona Nicks sees in the reflection of a mirror--match perfectly with the foundation and dynamic of The Sleeping House. In the song, Nicks implores the Lord for individual guidance as well as for a girl who “turns on the T.V. to escape for free.” The well-constructed cry for help serves as the standout track and further exemplifies the band’s musical abilities.

Written on piano first, the twelve track album showcases Nicks’ divergent lyrical approach that ranges from the descriptively transcendent to the introspective contemplative nature of all humans. The soft, soothing sleep-provoking tracks live true to the “sleeping” theme with the exception of the ending track “Wide Awake,” which begins with soft redundant piano riffs and escalates to penetrating guitar and cymbal noise, leaving the listener anything but asleep.

The album’s art is pretty impressive and features an eight panel fold-out consisting of a diver’s underwater exploration drawn in an Aeon Flux fashion.

While I’m hardly a fan of Christian Rock and found it somewhat difficult to put my biased opinion aside and listen to the album without an “Eww, Christian music” attitude, I put forth my best artistic judgment and realized that music is more than the listeners interpretation. Despite the get rich/sell out scheme seasoned by most bands; it seems quite the opposite for Cool Hand Luke. Rather than implementing their remarkable musical talents to something more conventional or mainstream, Nicks sings about something more meaningful and personal. Nicks remains faithful and beseeching of the Lord’s presence throughout the entirety of the album especially in the track “The City Prevails”---Don’t be silent… Please, God, don’t be silent. From a questioning, to a pleading stance to a helpless desire, Nicks’ second to the last track, “The House” sets forth the message of necessity with the redundant lyrics “You, O God, I need you. You, O God, I need you.” Perhaps, more than anything, this retrospective album is just a personal outlet of devotion for Nicks and rest of the band.

Highlight Track: “The Mirror” Track 05

Album Grade: 7/10 (increments of .5)

Ashley Cass

Finally Out!

2008-09-10T22:01:00.000-07:00

Limited to 1,000 pieces and solely available on her website, M.I.A.'s fashion designs have been available since yesterday. Ranging between $75-$210, the line features only four types of hoodies, several colorful, yet plain design t-shirts, one type of legging and one style of romper. While supplies are thought to sell fast, the creative designs fall somewhat short from Maya's personal style.

Viceland.com

2008-09-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

One of the pictures I took for a NylonMag photo-op mysteriously (cough, cough.. I know you who you are) made it on VICELAND.COM as a fashion DON'T.

Check the the reader input here.

------ Forwarded Message
From: Ashley Cass
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:41:36 -0500
To:
Subject: misuse of image.

To Whom it May Concern,

It was brought to my attention that one of my photography subjects was added to your website on your Do's and Dont's;
while I was somewhat upset by this because it was in my personal collection, my subject is enjoying the attention.
Yet, I'm quite interested in knowing how you obtained it.
http://www.viceland.com/int/dd.php?id=1428

Regards,
Ashley Cass

On 7/15/08 11:25 AM, "Vice Intern" wrote:

Hi Ashley,

Sorry for the mix-up, your picture was submitted to us through email back in June by a person who claimed it as theirs. Let me know if there’s any other questions I can help you with.

Best,
Thomas

--
Thomas Morton
Associate Editor
VICE
97 N 10th St, Suite 204
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718.233.3651

4 Stars for Top Ranking

2008-08-30T15:46:00.000-07:00

Derided as an M.I.A. knockoff, Santogold's mixtape TOP RANKING collaborated with Philidelphia based DJ Diplo has proven otherwise. The album has been well received by fans and was given a 4-Star rating by Rolling Stone, as well as an 8 out of 10 review by music heavyweights Pitchfork Media. The 35 song album features 12 of Santogold's original tracks as well as a versatile array of hip-hop, new wave, classic rock, indie, dubstep, and reggae tracks.
Late Night (Unstoppable Mix) - 3-6 Mafia

M.I.A. coming out of hiding?

2008-08-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

Despite retirement plans, M.I.A., has hinted to Entertainment Weekly Magazine that she may consider coming out of hiatus. The 31 year old Sri Lankan rapper's new found fame came from her song "Paper Planes" being featured on the 'Pineapple Express' movie trailer. While she regrets the early retirement, Maya Arulpragasam, real name, has posed for Marc Jacobs and has been working on her own line of clothing which has not yet been released but can be viewed on her website.
The line includes bold and colorful bomber jackets, leggings and T-shirts, all reflective of the rapper's own style.
Paper Planes - Diplo Street Remix ft. Bun B & Rich Boy - M.I.A.

Acl Night Shows posted!

2008-08-13T20:13:00.000-07:00

Aftershows for The Austin City Limits Festival went on presale earlier today.

The Artists that will be performing at venues around Austin during the September 25-28 week include: Manu Chao, David Byrne, The Butthole Surfers w/ The Kills, Mugison, Gnarls Barkley w/ CSS, The Black Keys w/ The Black Angels, G. Love & Special Sauce, Jamie Lidell w/ Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears, The Swell Season w/ Bill Callahan, Drive-By Truckers w/ Shooter Jennings, Heartless Bastards w/ Dead Confederate & Wax Fang, Car Stereo Wars, Okkervil River w/Man Man & Crooked Fingers, Jose Gonzalez w/ Neva Dinova & McCarthy Trenching, Jakob Dylan and The Gold Mountain Rebels w/ Back Door Slam.

If you missed the presale, more tickets will be available to the public Saturday, August 16 at 10 A.M. Get Them Here

M.I.A + Santogold= Get it UP

2008-07-19T09:43:00.000-07:00

"Retired" artist M.I.A. teamed up with Santogold alongside Gorilla Zoe and collaborated on a song called Get it Up remixed by Radioclit! The track is pure genius. Beginning in sirens and Streetfighter game soundeffects, the trio lend their vocals to the tribal indian chant and drum-beatesque track which can be found on Santogold's upcoming mixtape Top Ranking.

Check it out here: Get It Up

King Khan and the Shrines

2008-07-07T23:22:00.000-07:00

A voodoo resurrected James Brown playing alongside the 13th Floor Elevators would be an appropriate comparison to King Khan and the Shrines. "The Supreme Genesis of King Khan and the Shrines," title of their current tour album, proved to be true to its name this past Sunday at Mohawk in Austin. While King Khan has collaborated and recorded under the numerous names of The King Khan & BBQ Show, The Spaceshits, The Sensational Shrines, King Khan & His Lonesome Guitar, and The Ciaoculos; this is the first time the 9 piece band has toured the U.S.
Sporting a black long sleeve button down, retro nylon pantsuit, cobrasnake staff in hand, King Khan made his entrance from the balcony, through the crowd and onto the stage with his personal pom pom cheerleader. While his entrance was less grand than his exit, Khan made it a point to get up close and personal with the fans by parading around through the crowd several times. At one point, Khan made all the surrounding people "get low" and crouch for a significant amount of time.
The band's energy was incredible and frontman Khan kept the crowd in stiches. Aside from his colorful personality, Khan's lyrics and commentary left room for laughs and gasps. “It’s gonna get nasty tonight,” commented Khan during the show. And indeed it did, in a gospel inspired sec Khan went into detail as to how he "enters his baby". While his story is a bit too crash and inappropriate to repeat, Khan was so creatively descriptive that he left little room to the imagination. Stripped down to tight-black undies, gold cape and a plastic helmet, Khan made his exit to "No Regrets" through the crowd preceded by the band's saxophone player at the end of the show.
No Regrets - King Khan & The Shrines

Borderline Obsessed.

2008-07-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

In the past several months my fascination with David Byrne, former Talking Head, has grown immensely. Upon seeing his name on the Aclfest lineup a few months back, I immediately purchased my ticket. Disregarding of the major headliners, or lack of, I specifically bought the ticket just because he was going to be there. I'm not saying or insinuating that I'm going to stalk him or anything crazy like that, I just truly appreciate all the artistic expression he's contributed to the world.
I've been listening to his 1981 collaboration album with Brian Eno, titled My Life in the Bush of Ghosts.
Regiment - Brian Eno/David Byrne
I can only describe it as an instrumental ambient pop-rock third world sampling of the ages... This album was definately ahead of its time, and I'm looking forward to Byrne and Eno's upcoming collaboration and tour.
In consistancy with the temporary infatuation, I also checked out Stop Making Sense, a highly acclaimed concert movie featuring the Talking Heads. Shot in 1983 during the Speaking in Tongues tour, the film was notable for its state of the art audio techniques.

In further, True Stories and Ile Aiye: The House of Life are both monumetal in Byrne's directing career and are must-sees.

No Age

2008-07-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to go see No Age , a garage post-punk duo from L.A. I really enjoyed the show. Both Dean and Randy had huge smiles on their faces as the energetic crowd moshed and headbanged. If you throw Boston based post-punk band Mission for Burma and alternative rock-band Sonic Youth in a blender you'd get No Age.

Another band I was extremely impressed by last night was Austin based band The Strange Boys. Ryan, the lead singer implenets bluesy Chuck Berry vocals to the band's retro Cali beach sound. Definately, a must check out. They'll be playing a couple of show in the Austin area as well as ACL.

Thievery Corporation

2008-06-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

So, my friend Tati from Laredo invited me to go see Thievery Corporation with her last night in Austin at Stubbs. When she first made mention of the band and that they were coming to town, I was willing to go just to put them on my "have seen" list, but I wasn't too thrilled since I hadn't really heard them before. While we lost each other in the crowd before the show, we managed to meet up during the last song after me and Lindsey got off stage. Yes, off stage. We had been walking around the side bar area looking for Tati and Marge and the security points to us and motions us to follow him. In my mind, I thought I had managed to look too messed up (even if I hadn't been drinking) and was going to get kicked out of Stubbs again like at the Wilco show a few months back. But to our dismay he pointed towards the stairway on the stage. All I can say is woooow.
Apprehensive about the whole Thievery experience initially, I was blown away! These guys rocked the venue! Everyone was united and dancing! The musical style of the Washington D.C. based duo consisting of Rob Garza and Eric Hilton could only be described as worldly bossa nova with a dub, Iranian-Brazilian lounge flair. Apart from their supporting band, they had a belly dancer on stage as well as Brazilian songwriter Sue Jorge. All in all, the sold out show was spectacular in every way imaginable. Being so in tune with the music reminded me of my whole Radiohead experience.

Boy George denied Visa

2008-06-24T11:19:00.000-07:00

Having just bought tickets last night to Boy George's August show at Stubbs in Austin, I'm troubled to hear the former Culture Club lead man was denied a U.S. Visa. According to CNN, the pop star was denied a Visa by U.S. immigration officers because he faces trial in London in November for charges of false imprisonment relating to an incident back in April of 2007. Boy George, real name George O'Dowd has several U.S. dates on his upcoming tour. His management and attorneys are currently trying to sort out this mess.

5 Bands You Need to Check Out, Yo!

2008-06-24T00:37:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to remain on top of my recommendation game, here are 5 bands you need to check out if you haven't already. While they've been in the loop and on the scene for a while, some of you may have not yet heard of them or decided to check them out.

1. The Cool Kids- A hip hop due from Northern American States Michigan and Chicago. These guys have opened up for M.I.A. and have played at both the Pitchfork Media Festival and CMJ MusicFest. They first caught my attention when they played the Gorilla Vs. Bear Party during SXSW.

2. No Age- The LA experimental group will be playing in Austin Tuesday July 1st--their noise rock style is something to be appreciated. Colin Greenwood of Radiohead has been said to be an advocate of the band. He was sporting a No Age tee at Radiohead's Dallas, Texas show.
The Eraser

3. Crystal Castles- The Toronto based duo consisting of vocalist Alice Glass and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Kath released their self-titled album Crystal Castles this year. The full-length LP features the song Crimewave which was collaboration with American Noise Rock band Health.

4. Holy Fuck-The electro-experiemental band hailing from Ontario, Canada opened up for M.I.A. at her Austin show a few months back. They've played several festivals including Coachella, Vegoose and SXSW to name a few.

5. Beach House- This indie rock duo from Baltimore, Maryland implement soft lyrics and somber organ to their second full length album Devotion.

Gila

New Girl Talk

2008-06-23T23:46:00.000-07:00

In following the footsteps of Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead, Dj Gregg Gillis aka Girl Talk is allowing his fourth album to be priced by fans. Fans are encouraged to name their price for album just released last Thursday entitled Feed the Animals. The sample based includes an array of song samples from the past and present, the list of artists sampled are numerous. Some of the songs and artists featured in the track Give me the Beat include Gimme More by Britney Spears, American Girl by Tom Petty, Crank Dat Soulja Boy, Renegade by Styx, Kiss by Prince to name a few. Girl Talk even samples Brian Eno's An Ending (Ascent) remixed with Lil Wayne's Lollipop in the post-terrier portion of Shut the Club Down. The album is awesome! You need to check it out. Name Your Price Here!

NylonMag: What are you lookin' at?! street beat...

2008-06-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

Several pictures I took today to submit to a nylonmag photo-op... I think they came out killah.

Santogold

2008-06-16T23:42:00.000-07:00

In the past weeks, I've heard a lot of buzz about Santogold. While her debut album was released in April, it wasn't until recently that I heard about her.
Santogold, real name Santi White, is being called the new M.I.A., respectfully so if now retired. Santogold's attire and vocals are very similar to the retired Sri Lankan performer. She attributes the similiarities to having the same influences as Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam (aka M.I.A.) and working with some of the same people. Check out the single I posted below. The vocals sound hauntingly familiar... hmm.

Santogold Creator (vs. Switch and FreQ Nasty).mp3 -

Austin Bands and misc music news...

2008-06-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

I need to be more dilligent about writing on this thing, however I've been pretty busy with work. Okay, I'm totally lying, I've just been too lazy...

So apart from feeling a tad out of the loop, I got to check out this band called The Boxing Lesson at Beauty Bar in Austin on Thursday. While the place wasn't too happening as it usually is on days such as Friday and Saturday, the band was really good. Their sound is somewhat difficult to categorize since it seems each song varies in genre. The song Muerta can only be described as Pink Floyd's Dark Side of Moon with a hint of Parliament Funkadelic's Maggot Brain. Dark Side of the Moog has a Bowie feel to it, only darker. Upon arriving from their tour of the West Coast, The Boxing Lesson will play the following Texas Dates:

Jul 5 2008

10:00A

Exit Music Festival @ Waterloo Park

Austin, Texas

Jul 18 2008

11:00P

TBA

Austin, Texas

Jul 24 2008

10:00P

Double-Wide

Dallas, Texas

www.myspace.com/theboxinglesson

Another worth-mentioning band is Austin's The Black and White Years, a modern more-updated Talking Heads. I really dig their songs Power to Change and and Broken Hand, which were actually produced by former Talking Heads keyboardist Jerry Harrison. While I haven't seen a live shows of theirs yet, I intend to catch one of upcoming Texas Shows. If they're as fun as they sound, this act will blow up.

Jul 3 2008

10:00P

Emo’s w/ Andy Rourke of the Smiths

Austin, Texas

Jul 5 2008

12:00P

Exit Fest - Waterloo Park

Austin, Texas

Jul 26 2008

9:00P

The Aardvark

Ft. Worth, Texas

Sep 27 2008

12:00P

Austin City Limits Festival

Austin, Texas

http://www.myspace.com/theblackandwhiteyears

Since I'm writing about Austin Music, I thought I'd mention White Denim, a trio whom I first read about on Gorilla VS. Bear. This act first broke out at SXSW 2007... I really like their song ShakeShakeShake--prevalent bass and quirky guitar riffs repetitive "shake, shake, shake" lyrics. Their next Texas date is September 27, 2008 at the Austin City Limits Festival.

http://www.myspace.com/bopenglish

In other music news, M.I.A., Sri Lankan rapper and vocalist, is reported to have retired. Throughout her performance at Bonnoroo this past weekend, she kept telling the crowd that she was retiring and at the end thanked them for coming to her last performance. Mathangi Arulpragasam, real name, announced her engagement to Benjamin Brewer, fellow musician and son of Warner Music Group Chairman and CEO Edgar Bronfman Jr just two weeks ago.

Hercules and Love Affair

2008-05-26T11:34:00.000-07:00

Despite the terrible headache I have right now, I must say I had a really good time last night. In addition to that, I think I learned a lot about myself and others. It's sort of weird to just say that without providing any sort of exposition or basis, however me and Rachel (a really cool girl I sat next to in Philosophy class my first semester at Texas State and reminds me of Laredo friend Cindy) figured it all out. Basically me and Rachel decided that we're all going through what our parents went through. Since we're made up of two separate entities our lives are paved for us, however, different scenarios or emotions experienced by our antecedents are picked and implemented---that's why abuse and fucked up shit happens in cycles. I also think we're strongly swayed and enforced by the actions of others--that's why environment is important during childhood, etc. But my belief is all too vague and far-fetched, but I thought I'd make a light intent to describe Rachel and I's deep conversation from last night.

Anyhow, going back to this party... I had an amazing time. It was a "pool party," but when I was the first loser to arrive with a bathing suit I realized that "pool party" meant party by the pool. I guess I take some things too literally? I was a bit taken back by this but regardless, I did make it into the water after Mike Robbins, the guy pictured to the left (he looks like a young Gary Busey) got in. Some girl was trying to coerce Mike to get in because she wanted to get in (me and Brian thought she wanted him, really), but Mike didn't have any boxers on underneath his jeans so he was walking around asking people for their underwear so he could borrow them. I told Mike that if he jumped in with his jeans I'd follow lead. Mike is one of my dear friends who's honest and sincere about his ideals and emotions. He does what he feels right, even if it's just at the moment--I admire him for being so unique and disregarding of what people think. But enough of an ego boost for Mike, I've made some really good friends here at college and I'm so happy about that and being that last nights party was full of them made it all the better. So anyways, in addition to the free booze and pool, there was a dj, a strobelight, a projection screen and Veronica fire danced--I included video of that. Being that everyone was either really drunk or high, made the anxiety level amongst the crowd thick and unrelenting, especially when Veronica started twirling the fire around Hannah J. and Petty, the birthday celebrants.

Anyways, I'm going to start showering and getting ready for work but I wanted to share with you the musical group Hercules & Love Affair; their sound can be described as experimental funky electro disco. I really dig them and think you should check them out if you're at interested in the type of music- http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=93813071

Got some kicks

2008-05-25T18:45:00.000-07:00

So, I bought Reeboks 25th anniversary series tennis shoes today and I just can't wait to sport them... I've always enjoyed tennis shoes, however not to the extreme of becoming a collector. In my youth, my mother would give me and my brother each a $100.00 bill (maybe bi-monthly) and she'd allow us to buy whatever. Not having a job at the time, and being given such a large amount of cash (then), I'd have the capability of buying almost anything I wanted! Instead of saving the money or using it to buy clothes, cd's, makeup...etc... I'd blow it on funky/weird/loud tennis shoes! Several times I went to Joe Brand or Dillards and bought the weirdest shoes I could find. Of coarse being that I bought them at either store, I'd end up spending the entire amount on one pair. Now that I make my own money and pay more bills, I'm more wise about how often I buy and spend on these types of shoes, but I'd say I have at least 12 pairs of them. I usually wear my funky stuff to work where I get numerous compliments from co-workers and customers---I guess I like the attention.

In consistency with my intention, here's a couple of cool worthwhile shows next weekend...

Fri. 05/30
The Black Angels @ Emo's
Grupo Fantasma @ Mohawk
The Archibalds @ The Parlor
Big Head Todd and the Monsters @ Stubbs

Sat. 05/31
Car Stereo Wars @ Beauty Bar
Prayer for Animals @ Trophy's

Sun. 06/01
Centro-matic @ End of an Ear (free)
Dresdan Dolls @ Stubbs

There There

2008-05-25T17:40:00.001-07:00

The title of this blog is Sky Saw, the title of a Brian Eno track. It's an enjoyable ambient little number that really doesn't make sense, but it's easy on the ears. Give it a listen if you'd like, I provided a link to a short clip.
http://www.last.fm/music/Brian+Eno/_/Sky+Saw

All the clouds turn to words All the words float in sequence No one knows what they mean Everyone just ignores them

Being that I really enjoy writing and feel the need to tell people of the occurrences and happenings in my life, I felt rather compelled to start this blog. Lindsey (my roomate) once pointed out that I use my facebook notes as a blog... Um, yeah I do. I guess instead of blabbing off to an innocent bystander about my ideas, troubles, concerns or views I'd rather write about them and the people who are interested can either read or pass.

However, instead of writing about frivolous things such as dreams, let-downs and relationships, I think I'm going to use this blog to write about things I'm truly passionate about--music, fashion, trends, people, experiences. All in all, I'm using this blog to develop a stylistic writing technique which I can use in my future career in Journalism. Hope you enjoy it.