12/16 Wednesday Show Pick: Subrosa Union and Driver F

Wednesday night at Stubb's indoor is a great local show, sort of the best of the best if you will. Two great young Austin bands with two distinctly different styles, Subrosa Union and Driver F, will play together on on bill. When I saw this listed online it was another no brainer for me for my Wednesday night pick. It is also affordable too as advance tickets are only $8.

I've talked about Subrosa Union on my blog here before, but briefly they are a dub-reggae ska band somthing to the likes of Sublime. They are a three piece originally from El Paso but have called Austin home for a few years now. They play all over town, from Stubb's to bars like the Chuggin' Monkey. They are real road warriors also, having gone as far as the Middle East to perform for our troops overseas. Lead Singer Michael Anaya has a great voice, especially for this genre. For more on Subrosa Union, read their interview on Austin Vida here.

Driver F, Wednesday's other feature artist, is another good young Austin band. They fall more into the pop-punk category, but not in the sense where you'd see too many bad tattoos or uber tight jeans. Their music is catchy and very easy for fans to sing along with, but has a few more adult elements a lot of pop-punk bands don't have like horns and grown up lyrics. Just as I write that, I'm staring at the back of their latest album Chase The White Whale and looking at the ridiculous song titles that have nothing to do with the songs what-so-ever.

Driver F

That album by the way, could have easily been the best local release in 2008 on many people's lists if they weren't so weird about selections. You ever hear the expression "blogger band"? Driver F couldn't be one because they don't qualify for Paste Magazine or Under The Radar. It could be for several reasons, but mostly because they aren't ultra indie. I'm not knocking those publications or indie music, as I love them all, but mainly pointing out that the group and album deserved more local buzz than it got.

Currently Driver F is still working on their next album, which is one album I'm dying to get my hands on once it comes out. They either haven't decided on a title or aren't leaking it yet, but I'll keep you posted. I just hope they have normal song titles and stick pretty close to the formula that's worked over the years for them. If you go to Stubb's Wednesday, you will get a hear some new songs I'm sure. If you're new to Driver F, check out their video here for "Temple of Doom", an Indiana Jones reference no doubt that has nothing to do with the lyrics int he song, but enjoy anyway.



For advance tickets or more info on the bands, visit the following links:

Purchase advance tickets

Driver F on MySpace

Sunday Night Show Pick: Driver F at Emo's

Driver F is one of the best young bands to come out of Austin in a long time. They were all the buzz last year when their album, Chase The White Whale, was receiving much critical acclaim. Critics young and old seemed to enjoy the pop punk sounds of these young Woodlands natives who now call Austin home. They lost a little steam this year in terms of buzz, but not in terms of energy or winning over new fans. Having been so busy with other projects, I have yet to make it out to one of their shows this year. Shame on me indeed.

Driver F in the studio

www.myspace.com/driverf

I admit, I know of couple of the Driver F dudes personally. Tyler and (W)Andy were classmates of mine at St. Edwards. In fact I sat by Tyler almost all year before I figured out he was in a band. I got wind of it when checking out information for a Cruiserweight show, another local favorite pop punk band of mine here in town. It was funny because 1) I had no idea Tyler was a rock star, even though he has the perfect personality for one and 2) the video for their single, "Two Words Mr. President: Plausible Deniability", nearly had me spit out my drink as I was watching for the first time. What's up the song title you ask? I have no idea. They just picked random stuff and named their songs that way I guess. It is still one of their best songs and it gives you a good sense of what Driver F sound like. Think pop punk with brass, but not ska brass. Check it out:

Driver F - Two Words, Mr. President: Plausible Deniability from dane hurt on Vimeo.

To learn more about tonight's show and about the other bands on the bill, check out the post on Do512 here. You'll also enjoy Zlam Dunk. They're dance punk craziness is one of the best live shows around for those who like young, loud and crazy.

Driver F is currently in the studio working on a new album due out next year. When I asked lead singer Tyler Welsh about it, he said "All I can say is we are really working hard on demoing new songs right now and getting ready to record to have a new album out before next summer. Who knows we might play a couple of them at the show". There you have it. Check 'em out.

Helpful Driver F Links:

Driver F Facebook

Driver F official website

Driver F Merch on Double Stereo

Double Stereo Launch Party

Your Invited March 19th - 21st @ Tiniest Bar in Texas | Free and open to the public | All ages welcome
RSVP to sal@cdfuse.com for complimentary drinks and such during the show.

Artists from Universal Motown Records, Myspace Records, Equal Vision Records, and Rumblefish including After Midnight Project, Nico Vega, The Photo Atlas, and Loch Lomond.

Plus, Austin standouts White Ghost Shivers, Driver F, The Mother Truckers and more!

It's the launch of Double Stereo. We think it's awesome and so will you. Pass it on!

Driver F & Zlam Dunk at Stubb's Friday Night

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!

Cruiserweight CD Release Show at Emo's

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 Cruiserweight concert.

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 Maxwell and 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: