Thursday Night Show Pick: Girl in a Coma with Killola at Emo's

Tonight at Emo's, everything is happening. While Ra Ra Riot may be what's going on outside, the real show happens on the inside stage and for a lot cheaper. Returning to Austin are two fantastic touring acts, Girl in a Coma (San Antonio) and Killola (Los Angeles). The local opener is a cool band called Your Kisses Cause Crashes.

Girl in a Coma

www.myspace.com/girlsinacoma

Now anyone who knows me personally, or reads Ian's Music Blog regularly, knows I am a fan of Girl in a Coma. Yesterday I published a conversation with Phanie Diaz, drummer for Girl in a Coma, online at Austin Vida. We briefly chatted about what GIC does when in Austin and why they love it so much. There is also some great live video from their June show at Emo's you can check out. Thanks go to my Austin Vida crew, Angela and Ajay, for setting that up. Visit the Austin Vida Blog or check the post about it below. Girl in a Coma's great and there isn't much more I can say at this point. They are set to go on stage around midnight.

Killola

www.myspace.com/killola

The other reason I'm stoked about the show tomorrow is the chance to check out Killola again. I saw them in 2008 on a random weeknight at Red 7 with The Action Design. That night I was there to see The Action Design and zero previous knowledge of Killola. Fronted by the talented and beautiful Lisa Rieffel, Killola is a high energy garage band with hints of new wave and punk. To date, their live show is still one of the best I've seen from an unsigned band. Watching Lisa Rieffel perform is like watching the bastard love child of Deborah Harry and Belinda Carlise.

Their live show isn't the only thing that impresses me about Killola. They are a DIY marketing machine like no other. They embrace of the digital era we are in has certainly paid off. They have a website, Myspace, a blog, a podcast, YouTube Channel, and free downloads. In fact, they offer their entire I Am The Messer Album free to fans. That's how I got it. According to their website bio, they had 30,000 downloads within the first three months. That number is way higher now as months have passed since its release. What a great way to build your fan base, and a loyal Killola tattooed fan base at that. Ever see this symbol K)) ? Killola understands what record companies don't and they will succeed as a result. I'm definitely on team Killola.

While we are on the subject of Killola, they just released their new video a couple of days ago on YouTube. The video is for their song "Cracks in the Armor" off their upcoming new record. It is like a Muppet Sponge Bob mixed with rock and roll. It's kind of weird, but it's a great track. Check Lisa out and tell me you don't see a young Deborah Harry.

For more information on tonight's show with Girl in a Coma and Killola, click here.

Talking About Austin with Girl in a Coma drummer, Phanie Diaz

Girl in a Coma (photo by Adam Stockstill)

I caught up with Girl in a Coma drummer, Phanie Diaz, for a brief chat. I wanted to pick her brain about what Girl in a Coma does when in Austin and why they love it here so much. Austin certainly loves them and so do I. I will be sure and post more show info coming tomorrow.

Click here to read the Phanie Diaz chat on Austin Vida and see an exclusive live video performance.

Back To School Rock N Roll Yogurt Party

On Saturday, August 29th from 12 to 3pm, Girls Rock Camp Austin is having a Rock N Roll Yogurt Party at The Yogurt spot on Lamar. a family friendly benefit for Girls Rock Camp Austin, a non profit music education organization. It is a family friendly benefit for Girls Rock Camp, a non profit music education organization. There at The Yogurt Spot you'll be able to catch acoustic sets by Akina Adderly, Adrian and The Sickness and Girls Rock Camp band 'Rank N File". That should be interesting.

Girls rock camp is a very important part of Austin and the Austin Music scene. It is especially important for girls who face stereotypes that they can't rock it like the guys can. Girls Rock camp uses curriculum that not only provides music education for girls, but is also focused on girls empowerment. The program features music classes as well as classes in a variety of different topics ranging from zine making to music business to music history. Girls Rock Camp bring sin local musicians to work with and teach the girls. Last session the girls got work with Belaire, Ume, and my favorite...Girl in a Coma.

If you are in the area, be sure to stop by and support Girls Rock Camp. Here's more links and info:

The Yogurt Spot: 500 N Lamar BLVD, Suite 150

Girls Rock Camp Official Website: http://www.girlsrockcampaustin.org/

Adrian and The Sickness: http://www.myspace.com/adrianandthesickness

Event on Do512: http://do512.com/event/2009/08/29/rock-n-roll-yogurt-party

Album Review: Trio B.C. by Girl In A Coma

Austin regular and San Antonio natives, Girl In A Coma, have just come out with their most “Moz” like album I have heard from any modern rock group. Trio B.C., the band’s latest release on Blackheart Records, is already one of the best releases of the summer and is sure to make the top album lists of 2009 come year’s end.

Click here to read the full review on Austin Vida

Free show with Girl in a Coma, Pinata Protest & Este Vato

This week the best show in town is clearly this one here. It's at one of my favorite venues and it is FREE! You need to make sure you RSVP and come early. The real treat is going to be Pinata Protest, as they haven't played too many shows in Austin. That will change this year, but it all starts for them Wednesday. My friends Este Vato are new to the scene, but will definietly keep your attention. My friends and I caught them at Trophy's recently and liked what we heard. I don't have to tell you about headliner Girl in a Coma. I will say that if you haven't seen them before, then this is your best opportunity to check them out. They're amazing. By the way.... it's free. Did I mention it's free?

Click here to RSVP

New February Austin Vida Online Now

Visit Austin Vida to check out DJ 2DQ talking about the switch from The Beat to Hot 93, Pangaea Live, Vinyl Dharma on MTV2, Puerto Rican punk rockers, reviews, sports talk with Dennis De La Pena and more.

I Love Girl in a Coma

Friday night I saw for the second time live, San Antonio’s own Girl in a Coma. I don’t think I can express in words how much I love Girl in a Coma. I only discovered them last November at a show they played here in Austin at Stubb’s indoor with The Cliks.

At that time, I had never heard of Girl in a Coma. I remember the day of the show was my last day of finals for the fall semester and I just wanted to go downtown. None of my friends were free that night so I went down Red River by myself. I went to Stubbs to eat barbeque and found out a “girl” band from San Antonio was playing there that night for ten bucks. That sounded good to me so I went downstairs to see the show. Both bands, The Cliks and Girl in a Coma, won me over that night.

Girl in a Coma is signed to rock goddess Joan Jett’s label, Black Heart Records. They are a three piece band of Latina women from San Antonio that sing in English. They named themselves after a Morrissey song “Girlfriend in a Coma”, but oddly enough they do not sound anything like Morrissey (Side note: Mexicans from San Antonio are obsessed with Morrissey). Their sound is a blend of punk, garage rock, and melodic rock.

What really captivates me about Girl in a Coma is their combination of energy, well written music, and Nina Diaz’s (lead vocals/guitar) voice. She does scare me a little when she sings. She makes such mean facial expressions but her voice still melts me none the less. Nina’s voice is the best blend of strong and feminine that I have ever heard in a female lead rock band. I know it is bold to say that, but listen for yourself. You should find it to be true. It also doesn’t hurt that Nina Diaz is gorgeous.

Last night I got to experience Girl in a Coma’s greatness again as they played at Emo’s inside. This is after months of listening to their album “Both Before I’m Gone”, which is a phenomenal album. Despite feeling under the weather, I drug myself out to Emo’s. There was no way I was going to miss their show. Somehow I started to feel better once their set started. Maybe it was all mental, I don’t know.

It seemed that all of Girl in a Coma’s San Antonio fans made the drive up for their show. It was no surprise to me because Girl in a Coma has a loyal and devout fan base in their hometown. Their fan base is mostly young women as I saw last night, but by no means are they a “chick band”. They rock too hard and the few guys in the house were digging their set. Even the staff at Emo’s took notice as I caught them bobbing their heads a little and listening.

The crowd last night also got treated to a few new songs from Girl in a Coma. My first impression was that when they wrote those new songs, they were listening to blues and maybe some stuff from The Doors. It was a different sound for them but still very good. I look forward to anything new from Girl in a Coma, but am curious about those particular songs. According to their set list Jenn gave me, I believe they were called “Empty Promises” and “Vino”. Look out for those on this tour.

Their set did not disappoint. Rather than elaborate on that, I wanted to share with you all some thoughts I had last night. There were three differences I noticed since I last saw them in November. Lead singer Nina Diaz shrunk. By that I mean she lost a lot of weight. She also played a set with her hair down and in a presentable shirt, which looked really good on her. In November, she was heavier, had her hair slicked back in a pony tail and was in a wife beater tank with Dickies slacks. Now honestly I could care less what a band looks like, but I think these changes should help the band go forward and get an even bigger fan base. They already have an amazing sound and are genuinely cool people. I expect nothing but big things for Girl in a Coma from here on.

If Girl in a Coma is unfamiliar to you, get acquainted first with this seemingly controversial video for one of my favorite songs, titled “Road To Home”:

Standout tracks: Say, Clumsy Sky, Their Cell