Vote for Zlam Dunk to win The Recording Conservatory of Austin's 5th Annual Unsigned Artist Competition.

photo by Sara Strick

Zlam Dunk are one of my favorite bands. I've followed them avidly since their early days. It still baffles me that they aren't bigger than they are or kicking everyone's ass on Warped Tour. Only youth, talent and a shit ton of energy drinks can birth such a high energy group of dance punks like these dudes.

Best soundtrack I've heard in a while: "Californication: Season 4"

I was sent this a while back and I am kicking myself for not getting into it sooner. I normally don't care much for soundtracks of shows or movies I don't care for. That combined with my lack of time these days let things slip by sometimes. Don't let this one slip by you.

Joe Sib's performs "California Calling: A Story Of Growing Up Punk Rock"

Joe Sib is one of my favorite music personalities. He is co-owner of record label Side One Dummy Records, Wax frontman, and host of punk rock radio show "Complete Control" which airs in seven cities across the country including Austin alternative station 101X on Sunday nights.

Listen: "69 Gunz" by Rival Schools (Ad-Rock remix)

Rival Schools have enlisted Ad-Rock of the Beastie Boys to do a remix of their song “69 Guns.” What more do you need to know?

Owl City on cover of June edition of Alt Press

I didn't see this one coming. There must be a lot of young, snotty scene kids pissed off about this one. Oh well, AP will make up for it in July's Warped Tour issue.

New album from Weird Al

YES! I love Weird Al and just wanted to share this news with you all.

Social Distortion "Machine Gun Blues" trailer

This is the trailer for the new short film from Social Distortion for "Machine Gun Blues." I'm told to go to http://www.voxbloc.com/share/machine-gun-blues to demand the movie premiere and free show in Austin. The city with the most votes will win a free Social D performance and premiere of the short film "Machine Gun Blues." Whatever I have to do to get Social D back in Austin, I'll do. Mike Ness is my generation's Johnny Cash with ink.

Watch: "All My Friends Are Junkies" by The Young Things

The Young Things are a New York City  based band who first met in London. They have this sort of throw back garage-pop sound that I can see a lot of people liking. Bloggers will buzz about this band if they aren't already.

Watch: "Doctor Don't Know" by K.Fly

San Francisco based rapper K. Fly released her new music video for her single "Doctor Don't Know" last week on YouTube. This artist has grown on me. I've picked up her free mixtapes off of her website and have really enjoyed them on my ride to work in the mornings. She's like Missy only white and sort of hipster.

My favorite SXSW 2011 discovery: Adebisi Shank

A lot of people have either asked me in person or emailed me about what I saw at South by Southwest this past March. I never got around to answering those emails because I just get really busy sometimes. My apologies to those who emailed, but I'll answer the question in this post for everyone.

Watch: "Ode To The Bouncers" by Studio Killers

Studio Killers are an electronic music collective comprised of Cherry, Goldie Foxx and Dyna Mink - virtually based in East London. I recently googled them after I saw their cool new animated music video for "Ode To The Bouncer".

Preview: The Rumble Austin (April edition)

The Rumble Austin showcase series is a great way to hear local bands for FREE. This is what the non-Red River rats and Austin scenesters need to take advantage of. I'm not a fan of every local band here in Austin, but the ones I do love I discovered during Free Week (an entire week in January of free shows) and at other various low cost or free shows. Why more people don't do the same in this town is beyond me. Playing for free is a gift to the public as far as I'm concerned, and I love gifts.

Watch: "Love and Leave" by Scattered Trees

I do not like when people use Star Wars to get attention, yet every time I see a band go there I immediately get suckered in.Why? I'm a Jedi.

Kobe Bryant in music videos?

I'm no fan of Kobe by any means, but props to him for being the best player in the game and his own empire. Can't knock the hustle for real. Recently I saw Bryant in this Chinese hip hop video that's been circulating around the blogs and "Facey Spaces".

Many of you younglings out there may not know this, but Kobe is no stranger to music videos. I remember him rapping (yes, you read that correctly) in a Brian McKnight video back in the '90s. I posted both videos for you to check out.

Watch: "Jackie Come Lately" by Heavy Young Heathens

I think this is the next vinyl album (or two) that I'm going to purchase. I found this group in my iTunes downloads from last year and am kicking myself for not having listened to Heavy Young Heathens earlier. The video I posted above debuted on MTV Hive last year and I never got a chance to post/share. Better late than never.

If you like what you hear, Heavy Young Heathens have free mp3s on their website here.

Ke$ha coming to Cedar Park Center in August

Here's something for the 2nd-4th Street crowd to get excited about. All you mainstream pop listening, Bobby Bones loving, Domain shoppers of the city rejoice! Practice your sweet dance moves in the mirror and perfect the fist pump by August 3 as the Get Sleezy Tour hits The Cedar Park Center. LMAFO and Spank Rock join headliner Ke$ha. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 8 via Ticket Master.

Watch Ke$ha's music video for her single "Blow" below:

Watch: "Powergolve" by White Mystery

White Mystery are a brother and sister garage rock duo from Chicago. I have their self-titled debut and am really looking forward to their new album coming out in April, Blood and Venom. Currently there aren't any scheduled tour stops in Austin, but I'm sure they will come back around to play Beerland again this year.

Watch: "E.T." by Katy Perry ft. Kanye West

It's hard to believe this is the same young woman I met at Warped Tour just a few years back. I am not a big fan or anything, but Perry makes good pop music. I was impressed with her new video for her single "E.T." with Kan-yeezy.

The song is blah, but the video is well done. If you like the song, it is available on her latest album Teenage Dream. Video directed by Floria Sigismondi.