I hate to admit this to the world, but I find most hip hop to be stale and cookie cutter these days. Everyone seems to be using the same producers and the art of story telling has gone the wayside. In the large field of copy cat rappers and whack MCs, only a few can catch and hold my attention. Last year I fell in love with the sounds of 88 Keys and The Cool Kids. This year I think Canadian MC, Shad K, is taking over. His new album, The Old Prince, helped me rediscover what I love so much about hip hop.
Hey Ocean! is a cool indie soul hybrid from Vancouver, British Columbia. They were here in Austin for SXSW this year and played one of the Musebox showcases. After reading more about them online, it appears they have created quite a buzz for themselves in their native Canada. Soon they will have the music blogosphere buzzing stateside as well with their sophomore effort, It’s Easier To Be Someone Else.
Gwizsk Design (GKDN) just launched a rad new profile for Austin's own, Zlam Dunk. The profile was designed with an 80s color scheme of neon pink, white and blue. It is the same colors used on the 80s skate board classic, Thrashin. If you haven't heard of Zlam Dunk or seen their show, check out their calendar while you're checking out the new Myspace page. Make sure to come to their EP release party on May 29th at Stubb's here Austin.
As an added bonus, here's a video my friend Ajay shot of Zlam Dunk when they played The Dirty Dog. His blog, "NITES, is a great source of video performances of the Austin music scene. Check out the video here:
One of my favorite rappers, Rob G, is going to be in town this week with a fellow Houston rapper Trae Tha Truth. You can catch him in Round Rock or Austin, depending on your schedule and location. I can't wait to hear the album, "Both Sides of the Fence". I was wondering what Rob G was up to since I last heard from him.
On February 19, they will be at Piranha Records in Round Rock at 6:30.
On February 20, they will be at Music Mania at 5:00.
The Boxing Lesson is an Austin based rock band that could very well be the bastard love child of Pink Floyd and any indie rock band. Over the past year they have become an Austin staple of sorts, playing everything from Free Week to weekend gigs at Emo’s. They have gotten a lot of buzz and press around town, but all the Pink Floyd references had always kept me from being interested. After seeing them live for the first time at Antone’s recently, I finally got a hold of their album..
Some of Austin’s best local talent was recently featured on an Austin Week segment of some sort on MTV2. I missed it because I stopped watching MTV2, or anything MTV, a long time ago. When I do peek at video channels on rare occasions, it is usually Fuse or one of the Spanish music networks, which are not all that great by the way. When I heard that MTV2 was doing an Austin week, I was thinking it was going to be along the lines of another Real World Austin, Jack Ass, or some other dumb downed garbage. Instead, they were showcasing great Austin talent. One of those bands was The Story Of. After learning they were one of those featured bands on MTV2, I wanted to see what the buzz was about.
Love She Wrote is another member of what I refer to with my friends as “Generation Fall Out Boy”. That is good or bad depending on your musical preferences. If you hate what the Warped Tour has become these days or despise bands will overly colorful t shirts and skinny jeans, no need to keep reading. If you like young, high energy bands with catchy hooks then perhaps you should give Love She Wrote a listen.
Two hot young cdFuse artists, Driver F and Zlam Dunk, will be playing Friday at Stubb’s. They will be playing with Austin rock group, Spin Alley, as they release their new album entitled Victims. I have not yet checked out Spin Alley, so I look forward to seeing them for the first time. From what I hear on their myspace page, its sounds a little like 311 meets Faith No More.
I have seen co-headliners Driver F and Zlam Dunk many times this past year. Neither band ever disappoints me. Both bands are young and very high energy, but my comparison stops there. Both are worth checking out, and here’s why:
Driver F has the best album release of 2008 with Chase the White Whale. Don’t believe me? You can listen for yourself here on cdFuse or view their praise on the Driver F myspace page. All those critics and publications can’t be wrong. In addition to their great CD, their live show is the best it has been right now. They always had that “it” factor, but lately they sound more polished.It is a great blend of keys, horns, guitars, and energy. The horns don’t over power but compliment the vocals of Tyler Welsch and (W)Andy Lane. Even your mom will like Driver F.
Zlam Dunk is the hottest young band on the scene since Driver F. Having only been together since last spring, they too continue to improve their already exciting live show. Since they don’t fit a specific genre, I call Zlam Dunk’s music “dance punk”. It is certainly punk enough to mosh to, but hip enough to make you dance. There are lots of drums, keys, guitars, a tambourine and even the quintessential cowbell….because we all need more cowbell. Let me warn you though, their music and live show never slow down. You know when some bands play a couple of fast tracks and slow it down for a song or two? Not the Zlam Dunk guys. This band needs ritalin, but even that probably wouldn’t work.
If you don’t like mosh pits or crowd surfers, avoid the front and post up with me at the bar. I'll see you there!
Texicana is an album that could only have come from a Texas band. Bocastria’s unique mixture of influences, which include everything from rock en Espanol to Tejano, make Texicana an interesting listen. You’ll hear everything from melodic guitar hooks, edgy vocals, soft harmonies, keys and percussions. It is tough to really pinpoint what genre of music Bocastria fall under other than Latin rock. Songs are sung in both English and Spanish, reflecting the culture of the band and their hometown influences.
What's up everyone? After you recover from all the New Year's stuff, the real fun begins with Free Week. There will be many free shows (for 21 and up, small cover for under 21) all over downtown at venues like Emo's and Red 7 just to name a few. My first Free Week show I'm recommending to you is Built By Snow at The Mohawk. On the bill with them is my new favorite band, Zlam Dunk, and The Always Ready. I'll be out and about all week, discovering new bands I like, learning about bands I don't like and enjoying my current favorites. See you on Red River.
If you’re anything like me, you too occasionally yearn for some good old 90s alternative. It is the music of our youth, the music that defeated hair metal and the era that brought us Candlebox. Everyone remembers their mega hit, Far Behind, with that signature guitar intro and all the other memories of 1993 that come with it. Well with their new live CD, Alive in Seattle, we can temporarily relive the bands greatness…
We just received the upcoming release, Mega, from Austin’s own Built By Snow. Mega is set for a January 20, 2009 release, but I got an early listen this week. Having followed Built By Snow for some time now, I was not surprised or disappointed by what I heard on Mega.
If you are looking to fill the Amy Winehouse void in your life and Duffy doesn’t quite do it for you, then check out what we got in the mail recently at cdFuse. The newest release from Nikka Costa, someone I consider to have one of the best voices in music, will easily fill that void.
Halloween in Austin is always a good time. Downtown gets more crowded and crazier than usual. People come from all over Texas to see all the crazy costumes and especially for the Halloween parties happening all over town. This year for Halloween, I was at Emo’s for a pretty big and important Cruiserweightconcert.
Other than being Halloween, last night for Cruiserweight was the CD release show. Last night’s show, (which included Zlam Dunk, Driver F, Mondo Pr!mo and The Pink Spiders) was also drummer Yogi Maxwell’s farewell show. You read that right and the flyer tells no lies. Yogi is not going to be playing shows with them anymore….so they claim. After all, he is a Maxwell and knows all the songs. We will see how long that lasts.
Now I know this is the part where I usually talk about the other bands that played and what I thought, but tonight was all about Cruiserweight. This year, starting with Free Week at Emo’s back in January, I always caught them by accident really. In other words, I was at shows in which they played but was not there for them but rather for other bands that headlined. In addition to Free Week, I saw them play with Driver F at their CD release show at Stubb’s, and then again at Emo’s for the Dynamite Boy Reunion show in April. Finally, with the release of their new album, it was their turn to headline and for a blog feature.
When I arrived at Emo’s The Pink Spiders were in the middle of their set. I saw lead singer Stella Maxwelland her brother/guitarist Urny Maxwell in costume. Stella was dressed as a sexy Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz while Urny was in his little Tin Man hat. For a while there, before they took the stage, I thought that was their only costume. As I and everyone else at Emo’s found out, they had other costume’s on hand for their set.
After setting up, the first Cruiserweight member to take the stage was Urny, all dressed up in his black t-shirt and Slash wig. He even had the big black hat. After he came out, playing the Welcome to the Jungle riff that starts the song, the other members came out in full Guns n Roses costume. During that same time I was wondering how they were going to pull a GnR set with only four members. That questioned was answered when I saw a guy dressed as Izzy come out to play with them. I could be wrong, but I believe it one of the guys from Dynamite Boy.
After a minute or so of teasing the crowd with the Welcome to the Jungle riff, the rest of the band broke into full song and Stella came out as an awesome Axel Rose. She had Axel down to the core, in her long red haired wig, red skin tight pants, shades and black t shirt. She even took on his persona, cussing at everyone and calling the other bands “pussy bands”.I loved it. No other local band in any genre I have seen has as much personality as Cruiserweight.I know a few that come close, but not like Cruiserweight. They also covered Sweet Child of Mine and went backstage to change for their regular set.
After all was said and done with the GnR bit, Stella was back in her Dorothy costume ready to go with a pumped out crowd. They brought their usual high energy and entertaining sets, performing new tracks off of Big Bold Letters as well as old favorites. There was also their older hit singles like Yellow Lights, Goodbye Daily Sadness and Cautionary Tale. Good songs do not get old, as myself and everyone there still enjoy them. The most fun part of every Cruiserweight set I have been to is Stella’s dance battle with whomever is bold enough to challenge her.
Last night Cruiserweight was on their game. It was the best performance I have seen from them in years. Being that they are going on tour starting this week, that polish should carry over to the rest of their tour dates. If you are outside of Austin and are reading this, do go check out Cruiserweight live (minus Yogi now) but practice your moves first.
As far as the album goes, see what I have to say about it on CD Fuse where I do my exclusive album and video reviews.Speaking of videos, word is that Danger Films was the film crew last night taping everything for a live DVD. I can’t wait to see that when it comes out. In the meantime, I got some low grade point and shoot footage of Cruiserweight’s GnR bit. Check it out:
Tonight I went to Stubbs (indoor) for local Latino indie rock band, "Maneja Beto". Translated literally, it means "Beto Drives" in case you were wondering. Maneja Beto is a rare blend between traditional Mexican cumbia and indie rock. I know that sounds weird. Those aren't really two genres that merge often. In fact, I have yet to find a marriage of Mexican cumbia and indie rock that is better than Maneja Beto
Maneja Beto is not anything new to me personally. I have seen them twice before and know that their music is amazing. However, I made a special trip out to Stubbs tonight because Maneja Beto will soon be on hiatus. That's right. They will not be playing many shows after tonight for a long while. That being said, I made it a point to come out to Stubbs to see them tonight to review the show and help spread the word about Maneja Beto.
For those not familiar with Maneja Beto, let me break it down for you. Their sound is unique. When I mentioned cumbia and indie rock coming together through them earlier, I was merely scratching the surface. They sing in Spanish but sound nothing like any other band you've heard, local or mainstream. They blend the keyboards and feedback with guitars. They merge two voices, Bobby Garza and Alex Chavez, with musical harmonies not yet touched by most Latin Alternative bands. Melodic is another word that comes to mind when I listen to their music. You really do have to listen for yourself.
Are they energetic and exciting live? Honestly, no. Are they fantastic musicians? Yes. Are they original and creative? Yes. When you go to a Maneja concert, you won't find the large crowds (yet) or a mosh pit. You'll see an older mid to late twenty's and up crowd dancing to the cumbias and nodding their heads to the indie songs, like my personal favorite of theirs, "Apertura". I know this because it has been the same crowd at all three shows of theirs I have been to.
Tonight was no different. The crowd was small but enthusiastically into their music. Truthfully I have seen bigger crowds for worse bands at other local Red River joints such as Red Eyed Fly and Headhunters. They don't deserve such mediocrity and low turn outs. Maneja Beto is too good of band. They recently entered a Myspace Latino sponsorship contest and lost to a bunch of gimmicky Pussycat Doll clones.It just goes to show that smut and boobies are still valued by the general Latino public over creativity.
With the recent release of their most recent EP, "Maneja Beto", they should be gaining popularity. All five tracks are worthy of being a single and make for a good listen. Again, the tracks won't pump you up, but they won't put you to sleep. Their music, I figured out, is for the music snobs of the world to appreciate. The idiots who like the spoon fed, over saturated garbage of Mun2 and MTV Tres won't like it. Those who look for something different, creative, unique and Latino will love Maneja Beto.
Maneja's music can currently be heard on M.E. Telvision's "Sonido Boombox" and new internet radio program "Rock y Roll Radio". If by some miracle you read this blog on Friday the 27th of June, Make plans to see them open for Alejandro Escovedo at The Continental Club on South Congress. They are cool guys, great musicians, and offer a unique product. You will not be disappointed. Check out this video from Pachanga Fest put out by Guanabee.com:
Ian is a graduate of Round Rock High School and attended St Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. In 2008 he joined the team at Double Stereo (formerly CD Fuse) as their Blog editor where he reviewed concerts, albums, and did interviews for the popular music site.In January 2009, he became the Editor in Chief for Austin Vida. In 2010, with the help of some of his most talented friends, he launched Red River Noise. "Ian's Music Blog" is also one of the few blogs selected to be a Do512 All-Star.
On any given night of the week he can be found in downtown Austin on 6th Street and the Red River live music district.
I hate to admit this to the world, but I find most hip hop to be stale and cookie cutter these days. Everyone seems to be using the same producers and the art of story telling has gone the wayside. In the large field of copy cat rappers and whack MCs, only a few can catch and hold my attention. Last year I fell in love with the sounds of 88 Keys and The Cool Kids. This year I think Canadian MC, Shad K, is taking over. His new album, The Old Prince, helped me rediscover what I love so much about hip hop.
