Listen: "Muerta" EP by The Boxing Lesson

The Boxing Lesson are Austin's self-proclaimed "space rockers" that have been flooding my inbox for the past few years thanks to a relentless work ethic and a nose to the grind publicist. They are more of a psychedelic rock band than anything, but they do incorporate electronic elements into their music. They also do a good job incorporating progressive rock breakdowns. Lastly, lead singer Paul Waclawsky looks like he's the lost older brother of actor Ryan Reynolds.

(4/29) Violent Soho at Emo's

Thursday night when all you faux hipsters will be wearing your best Urban Outfitters to Stubb's for the Phoenix concert, I'll be at Emo's watching one of my favorite new bands, Violent Soho. These Aussies are out to prove grunge and anything Sonic Youth(ish) still kicks ass. Speaking of Sonic Youth, they are even on Thurston Moore's label, Ecstatic Peace! Records. They are touring to support their self titled album before making their way to Lalapalooza this summer. Violent Soho will be playing with Austin's own, The Boxing Lesson and Red Falcon. Now watch this video, turn it up and get your face rocked off!

1/3/10 Sunday Free Week Pick: Quiet Company & The Boxing Lesson at Emo's

I almost hate making this show as my Sunday Free Week pick, but I couldn't help it. Both Quiet Company and The Boxing Lesson are what my friends and I refer to as "blogger bands". Every hack job of a blog in Austin has mentioned both bands periodically last year, but in this case the coverage or mention is well deserved. Both bands, while on the same bill, are completely different. They couldn't be more different actually.

Quiet Company is a young Ben Folds Five style indie band, some even referred to them as a "piano rock band". While they do have a piano and it is prominent in their music, I don't see them as a piano rock band. They are like a indie pop band for adults. They have intelligent lyrics, take their music seriously and an obvious desire to "make it". They've played a lot around town and regionally this year, improving every step of the way. I saw them in spring, summer and fall in 2009. They were their best in the fall, which is no surprise. Their most recent album, Everyone You Love Will Be Happy Soon, is a good album. I only really loved a couple of songs on it, but I can see why people like it. As with many bands, seeing them live is the way to go. Seeing them for free is the best way to go fro new fans or casual listeners. To give people who are new to Quiet Company an idea of what I just wrote, here's their video for my favorite Quiet Company song,"It's Better To Spend Money Like There's No Tomorrow". I dig the Iggy Pop sounding, "Lush For Life" intro.



Also on the bill for this Free Week show at Emo's is Austin's most blogged about psychedelic indie band, The Boxing Lesson.This band grew on me last year. They were talked about so much on the local blogosphere, largely in part to the arrest of their drummer at the time and because they have one hell of a publicist. Now they don't even have a drummer, their down to just two. If you are just seeing this band for the first time, notice how lead singer Paul Waclawsky looks like an older, bearded Ryan Reynolds. 

I reviewed their album, Wild Streaks and Windy Days, on Double Stereo and was only mildly satisfied with what I heard. Like the Quiet Company album, there were only two songs I liked enough to keep in my iPod. That being said, I enjoyed them a lot more live than on CD. Somehow they managed to open for a lot of headlining touring acts I checked out and I saw them five times. I never left the room during their set except maybe if the bar or bathroom was outside. Something kept my attention, maybe the synthesizer sounds. I do dig synths. Check them out live Sunday and maybe you can tell me what it is. For those not familiar with The Boxing Lesson, check out their video for "Brighter" off of Wild Streaks and Windy Days.
 


Also on the bill for this great Sunday night Free Week show are Corto Maltese and Many Birthdays. Doors are at 9:00pm. Enjoy the show.

Wednesday Night Show Pick: The Boxing Lesson at Mohawk

Tonight at Mohawk, three cool bands will be taking the stage. Austin's own The Boxing Lesson will be playing with Sian Alice Group and My Education. Mohawk is one of my favorite venues in town, but inside can get a little crowded sometimes. Damn those noise ordinances!

I have not seen My Education live yet, as I only recently got a hold of some of their music. They seem cool, but definitely a band I have to be in the mood for. I feel the same about The Boxing Lesson, although I admit they have gotten better since I first started seeing them live. They have definitely grown on me and I look forward to new recordings coming up from them in the near future.

Sian Alice group is the headliner, as well they should be as they are the touring act coming all the way from The U.K. I have some of their songs on file and dig their sound when I'm writing late at night or just wanting to hear something calm in the background. Their sort of art-indie rock is just soothing at times. I'm looking forward to checking them out live.

I posted some links for you to give a listen to and educate yourself. You could just take my word for it...and I wouldn't blame you. Mohawk is where you want to be tonight.

Sian Alice Group(photo by Ben Rayner)

www.myspace.com/sianalicegroup

The Boxing Lesson (photo by Manuel Nauta)

http://www.myspace.com/theboxinglesson

My Education (photo by Farley Bookout)

www.myspace.com/myeducation

Check out this great song from Sian Alice Group for their song, "Close To The Ground". You can find more specific show info here at Do512.

Von Iva, The Boxing Lesson, Monument To No One & Gliss at Emo's

So after listening to the Gliss album and reviewing it for Double Stereo, I thought I'd let you all know that you can catch Gliss with Von Iva, Monumanet to No One andThe Boxing Lesson at Emo's this Thursday night. They will be playing on the inside stage. Doors at 9 pm, show at 10pm. Click here to to purchase advance tickets.

Check out these vids to familiarize yourself with the bands real quick:

Von Iva


The Boxing Lesson


Gliss:


Monument To No One:

The Boxing Lesson album review on cdFuse

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..

Click here to read full review on cdFfuse