(7/9) Backbeat Magazine Block Party

Yes, the word on the street is true. AJ Miranda and I have merged with Backbeat Magazine from San Antonio. We are co-owners and our staff is coming with us from Red River Noise. It's been months in the making and we couldn't be more excited. We are bringing the best in live videos and national content to a organization that already does a stellar job with local coverage in San Antonio. Backbeat Austin is next and we are kicking off the first issue drop with a big block party on 7th Street this Saturday.

(6/30) Rage Against The Machine tribute at Red 7

All my friends know that Rage Against The Machine (RATM) is my all-time favorite band. They have been since I was a teenager.They were group responsible for me taking a real interest in politics. RATM was also the first band to blend hip hop and metal together and get it right. I could go on a fan boy love fest all day, but you get the point. RATM rule.

New video from Valient Thorr: "Double Crossed"

I'm a Thorrier!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see Valient Thorr again at this year's Fun Fun Fun Fest. I have seen them at Red 7 a couple of times and they are one of my absolute favorite bands to see live. What you are watching, or should be watching above, is their new video for their single "Double Crossed." You can find the song on their latest album, Stranger. You can also download the song for free from their website:

http://www.valientthorr.com/

Win free tickets for this weekend

Sleepy Sun is on tour and will be performing at The Parish on Saturday night. Details on how to win a pair of free tickets here.



For those of you who aren't so indie, Red River Noise is giving away two tickets to see the Japanese icons, Shonen Knife, at Red 7 on Friday night. Details on how to win a pair of Shonen Knife tickets here.

(8/20) Krum Bums tour kick off show at Red 7

 Hardcore punk rockers rejoice! Krum Bums are headlining Friday night at Red 7. This is their tour kick off show so make sure make this show. They'll be playing again in Austin on October 8th but why wait until then? Expect a large crowd, crazy pits and frontman Dave Tejas to climb and jump all over the place. Check out this Red River Noise live video of the Krum Bums from this year's Free Week show. Craziness!


RRN-TV: Krum Bums live at Red 7 from Red River Noise on Vimeo.

If you want to win a pair of free tickets, there is still time to add Red River Noise on Facebook here.The winner will be drawn on the day of the show in the afternoon sometime. Good luck to ya!

Friday Night Show Pick: Krum Bums at Emo's

The craziest show Friday night in Austin is easily the Krum Bums at Emo's. They are one of the best live punk rock shows ever to hit the Red River scene. They've been a band for over decade and haven't lost s step. This year during Free Week, they had a crazy show at Red 7 that our Red River Noise crew captured here in this video. It shows what a Krum Bums show is like and why you need to go to Emo's Friday night. Check it out.


RRN-TV: Krum Bums live at Red 7 from Red River Noise on Vimeo.

 To learn more about the Krum Bums, my good friend Alysha Hernandez from Austin Vida interviewed the guys last year. Read the article here:

http://tinyurl.com/yacbkt3

Also on the bill Friday night at are Hot Rails To Hell, Women In Prison and World Burns To Death. Emo's is located at 603 Red River. Doors at 9:00pm. Get there early and make it crazy night out. If you're an Austinite, it is a right of passage to see the Krum Bums at least once.

Look Mexico coming to Austin in February

Look Mexico returns to Austin again to play Red 7 on February 21st. According to their MySpace page, the show at Red 7 is a CD release show for a new album. I saw them last fall with Dignan at Emo' s. I only caught part of their set, so I am taking advantage of this opportunity to see them again. This show falls on a Sunday night, so I'm totally there.

They are touring right now in anticipation of their upcoming sophomore album, To Bed To Battle. The album is due out March 23rd on Suburban Home Records, but will be available at shows. Look Mexico is also taking pre-orders for their a vinyl release for the songs "You Stay. I Go. No Following." and the acoustic version of "They Only Take the Back Roads". That comes out on February 23rd.  (photo by Jeff Fasano)

Here's quick look and listen for those of you not yet familiar with Look Mexico. This video is for their song "You're Not Afraid of The Dark Are You?".

Look Mexico "You're Not Afraid of the Dark Are You?" HD from Look Mexico HD on Vimeo.

1/27/10 Wednesday show pick: Anti-Flag & Cancer Bats at Red 7

This Wednesday at Red 7 brings "The Economy Sucks Tour" featuring Trash Talk, Aiden, Cancer Bats and Anti-Flag. That's a pretty good bill and should make for a killer Wednesday night. I'd be lying to you if I said I was absolutely crazy about any of these bands, but they are worth seeing live.

I'm stoked more than anything about Cancer Bats actually, as I saw them briefly one SXSW and have always wanted to catch a full set from them at some point. Aiden is decent and I am not into Trash Talk, but only because I've never gave their music an honest listen.

The show's headliner, Anti-Flag, is a band I've liked for a few years now. Their a Warped Tour band, and anyone that knows me can tell you I don't mind being the old dude at Warped every summer. In fact, this past summer I was at Warped in San Antonio and got to meet Chris 2 of Anti-Flag. I didn't have an interview scheduled or anything, but we did get to chat and we liked a lot of the same punk bands. I missed their set at Warped because I was in the media tent pretty much all day, so I'm glad to get the chance to see them Wednesday.

Here's an old video from Anti-Flag for a song called "This Is The End (For You My Friend)". Most of my non-punk rock loving friends know this song because it was featured on Madden (video game) back in the day. I still like it. Give it a listen.



For more details on this show, visit Do512 HERE.

1/16/10 Saturday Night Show Pick: Riverboat Gamblers & Ume at Red 7

With a Saturday full of great choices, it is only fit that my Saturday show pick is the one show with two big local heavy hitters in two different genres. Saturday night at Red 7, both Ume and The Riverboat Gamblers (RBG) take the stage. Both are headliners in their own genres, Ume being the indie headliner and RBG the punk rock headliner. When I saw this one come to my inbox, it didn't matter what else was going on that night. Only a Rage Against The Machine or At The Drive In reunion featuring all original members could steal this Red River thunder. 

Many of you caught Ume during Free Week I'm sure, or have seen them before as they are an Austin blogger darling. Unlike most "blogger bands", Ume is worth some buzz. I am not as into them as many of the blogosphere is, but I dig their live show. I even own their Sunshower EP, which is worth picking up at the show Saturday. Check out Ume here in their official video for "The Conductor" which is on their EP.



Now while Ume is all the buzz and everything, I'm sold on tomorrow's show because I'm a huge Riverboat Gamblers fan. I last saw them in November at Fun Fun Fun Fest, but without guitarist Ian Macdougall on every song. A few of their friends and old members filled in for him. He was in a bad accident that had his arm in a cast. According to the band's MySpace and an article on Austin 360, MacDougall is ready to go. The whole band in fact, is ready to go on this summer's Warped Tour. They will be on the entire tour representing Austin, Texas punk rock once again and I couldn't be happier about it. Catch The Riverboat Gamblers now while they are in town. Check out their latest music video for "DissDissDissKissKissKiss" off their soon to be Red River classic, Underneath The Owl.



Also playing before Ume and RBG are Austin bands The Altars and Shapes Have Fangs. Get there early as this show will sell out.

1/8/10 Friday Free Week Pick: Lower Class Brats, Krum Bums & Sober Daze at Red 7

Tonight at Red 7 is probably the one show I have been really looking forward to more than any other Free Week show this year. Three of the absolute best punk rock bands Austin has to offer are playing together for this amazing show and of course for free. I almost feel guilty picking this show as I know everyone who would be interested in this show already knew about it. That's how punk rock fans are, more specifically Austin punk rock fans. Still, the best show tonight features non other than Lower Class Brats, Krum Bums and Sober Daze.

Lower Class Brats (LCB) have been around a long time and are still an Austin heavy hitter. With a loyal fan base, respect of all the other young bands and a new 7 inch to promote, LCB keep on truckin' in 2010. Even if you aren't a big punk rock fan, Austin music aficionados should at least see LCB as some sort of required right of passage. It might as well be free. They headline the show so be sure to make plans to stay out late. It will be well worth it. I'm stoked because the last time I saw LCB was when they opened for Rancid in 2008.

Playing before LCB are two sick punk rock bands, Krum Bums and Sober Daze. Both bands are personal favorites of mine and I have been following both for a few years now. Krum Bums could easily headline their own show anytime they want as they draw well on their own thanks to their crazy live sets and solid album catalog. Sober Daze on the other hand, are an up and comer that started in the punk rock house party scene. They had a big 2009 when they opened for The Vandals and got featured in Austin Vida. I posted links for you to check out below this video we captured for Austin Vida of Sober Daze at Red 7. The video is on the outside stage, but tonight's show will be inside.



Helpful links:

Krum Bums;a decade late the punk don't stop by Alysha Hernandez

Sober Daze, the next big thing in punk rock by Ian Morales

1/5/10 Tuesday Free Week Pick: Cruiserweight at Red 7

Cruiserweight photo by Wylie Maercklein

Tuesday will take me to Austin's best hardcore venue, Red 7, for a pretty good pop-punk show of all things. A genre that really blew up in the '90s and got mainstream in the early part of the previous decade, pop-punk had a real strong hold in Austin a few years ago it seemed. Bands like Dynamite Boy, Riddlin' Kids and Tuesday's headliner, Cruiserweight, were a big part of that movement. Around ten years later, when all those other bands they played with in those days are making their reunion show circuit, Cruiserweight have sustained.

It is really refreshing to me that they have sustained. In a day where most local blogger blow hards and snobby Austin music media fail to acknowledge the relevance or existence of pop-punk, Cruiserweight remains. When I see them live now a days, I see myself in their young teen and early twenty-something fans. I was around that age when I first saw them live. Those same young teens and early twenty-somethings make me feel really old when I catch their shows now, but there are always a few old fans my age hanging around to make me feel less cool. I'm also glad to see front woman, Stella Maxwell, still battles on the dance floor at the end of every set. She hasn't lost a step or her passion. If you've never seen them live, you're missing out. You'll see me there as I'll be the old guy who knows the words to most, if not all, of their songs.

I'll be talking about Cruiserweight more later I'm sure, so I'll save my rants, raves and odes to Cruiserweight for another day and an actual publiction. I know they have yet another new record in the works, so maybe they will perform some of those. I'm crossing my fingers that they are. What I will bet the house on is that they play the following classics I've posted below. If you have never seen or heard of Cruiserweight, then I strongly encourage you to watch and listen to both as well as check them out for free on Tuesday night.

"Cautionary Tale" off their album This Undoubtedly Come Out Wrong




"Yellow Lights" off their album This Undoubtedly Come Out Wrong



Playing before Cruiserweightwill be The Anchor and Buffalo's own Lemuria who are on tour. Oh and I almost forgot, O'Pioneers. They are one of my favorite post-rock or post-punk bands (depending on who you ask) that I saw for the first time in 2008 when they opened for Less Than Jake. Get to Red 7 at 9:00pm so you can find parking and absorb it all.

1/4/10 Monday Free Week Pick: Head Panic at Red 7

Monday night is the first night that will bring me to Red 7, Austin's premiere hardcore venue. With nothing else that really interests me anywhere else Monday night, an old local punk rock favorite of mine headlines. Austin's own punk rock outfit, Head Panic, is a great band for punk rock lovers to check out. I admit I haven't seen them in over a year. The last time was at Room 710, may it rest in peace. I reviewed their album, America, on cdFuse in 2008 before it made the change to Double Stereo. It was one of the better, lesser known punk releases of 2008.

Fronted by the talented Phil Bracey, Head Panic is a punk band with a bi-coastal sound that incorporates dub, hardcore and ska. They sound like a '90s punk band actually, which is a good or bad thing depending on your personal tastes. They don't have huge mohawks or skinny jeans. They probably fall somewhere in between which makes them approachable to all sorts of punk fans. They are both political and fun, while always being a good live band to see. I don't think they have taken off locally they way I thought they would, but then again they do their fare share of touring regionally and nationally. Most of the shows I caught from them were at head Hunter's and Room 710. I hope they move into the bigger Red 7 level gigs that enable them to open for bigger touring acts so more people can get exposed to them. Check out this cool widget that has some of their music on it and give them a listen. If you like what you hear, head to Red 7 Monday night and enjoy Free Week.

Free Week at Mohawk 2010

Yes! The best week of the year in the entire country and world even, is Free Week. I'll be previewing some bands and making show pics, but for now you need to check out the following link to Transmission's website about what they have going on. I can't wait!

Transmission Entertainment Free Week post

12/18 Friday Show Pick: At All Cost at Red 7

It pains me to pick this show as it is the last show in Austin for one of Austin's best metal bands, At All Cost. The were one of the few to really build a following and whom I thought were going to get bigger nationally. I was hoping they'd be responsible for bringing in more metal to Austin so the metal heads of the world can stop calling Austin "hipsterville" or "an indie town". While we do have a plethora of indie talent here, we also have a lot of good hardcore the world needs to hear. Again, at one point I thought At All Cost would be one of those to bring more hardcore attention.

Well it has been since January 2007 I believe, since I last saw At All Cost. After a few member changes a some solid albums, they are saying farewell. It is only fit that the show be at Red 7, as I really don't remember them playing anywhere else but Emo's maybe. It is like their home venue, also one of my favorite. Something cool for this sad occasion is that every member who was ever in the band will be taking the stage to perform, including Pack of Wolves vocalist Trey Ramirez. That's the way to do it if you ask me, give the fans the complete line ups and play their favorite tracks with the band that actually played them. Very cool.

Co-headlining this show will be Houston based hardcore outfit, Jonbenét.I caught these dudes once a while back at Red 7 also, but don't know too much about them other than whatever is online. They're calling it quits as well, much to fan's disappointment. I'll definitely be there to check them out as well since it's my last chance in Austin. For those of you in Houston, At All Cost and Jonbenét play Saturday at Walter's.

Also on the bill playing early will be Austin bands Radioland Murders and Set Aflame. I'll be there early hanging out to check them out, supporting local hardcore bands worth supporting. You should also get there early as this show is going to be packed and possibly sold out.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with At All Cost or just want to reminisce, check out this old school video I found on YouTube for "Death To Distraction". It pissed off a lot of people during that time. Say what you will about their politics, but their sound is killer.

Transmission Entertainment is seeking interns for 2010

Want to be involved with Transmission? They are the ones who put on Fun Fun Fun Fest as well as book shows at Mohawk, Red7 and more. They're offering internships, or, for those not eligible for an internship or looking for less of a time commitment, to join their street team. Here's the info they provided me for both:

Transmission Entertainment seeks Spring 2010 interns to help with day-to-day tasks of running a creative events agency. Transmission Entertainment is an independent Austin organization that is known for hosting and producing events like Fun Fun Fun Fest, Mess with Texas, and the Jelly NYC pool parties in Brooklyn and San Francisco. TE is also known for booking shows at The Mohawk, St. Davids Episcopal, Red 7, Club de Ville, Lamberts, The Compound, Waterloo Park, Fiesta Gardens, and many garages and backyards around Austin. Transmission is looking for a few highly capable interns to help in this effort for 10-15 hours a week.  Tasks include (but are not limited to): assisting the Transmission staff with events, relevant research for events, assisting with managing the street team, designing fliers and posters, occasionally assisting on site at events, helping us update our social networking sites, assisting with sponsorship and sales, responsibilities associated with SXSW, receiving (and reading in full) Graham William’s “People of Wal-Mart” emails, and having a lot of fun.  We want this to be educational and productive for interns, and you can expect lots of learning, hands-on experience, access to food, beverages and rock n roll, as well as many other magical things.

Details:

-This internship starts in January 2010, ends in May 2010, and is unpaid.

-College students preferred but not required.

-School credit preferred but not required.

-Must be great with online stuff and social networking sites.

-Make sure to let us know of any experience with events/booking/music industry.

-Design knowledge is a plus but not required; however we would love to take on a design and graphics intern if possible, so if that sounds like something you could do, please let us know in your cover letter.

-Let us know if you have an SLR camera/any show photography experience (we're always looking for in house people to document events and shows).

-Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel as well as Google Docs.

-Must live in Austin and have transportation to our offices (even if that’s just a great proficiency at the Austin bus systems—you just need to be able to get to the office)

Please send a cover letter and resume to Zoe Cordes Selbin, Internship Coordinator, atzoe@transmissionentertainment.com.

12/5 Saturday Night show picks: Sober Daze and Pack of Wolves

I know it's cold and we saw some snow Austin, but don't let that deter you from going out and having a good time tonight. As always in Austin, there is so much going on that is it isn't worth staying home if you can afford to go out. That's also the trouble living here...what to do? How does the average 9-5 working Joe know what to do or where to go any given night? Easy. I'll tell you.

For those of you who want to check out some local goodness, tonight is your night. It seems like there isn't the heavy hitting touring act to hang with all the Austin based talent Saturday. Again, another great reason I haven't left town and why I don't plan to. Sure Vallejo and Ryan Harkrider are playing at Antone's, Red Leaves play at The Beauty Bar, but that's too chill for a Saturday night if you ask me.

Tonight hardcore and punk rock lovers should be at Red 7 to catch Sober Daze as they open before Chicago based touring act, The Effigies. Known by many as Chicago's punk pioneers, this will be a rare opportunity to see these guys. Red 7 wouldn't just book anyone in front of them, so that should tell you something about the dudes from Sober Daze. I've said for a long time now that these guys have great potential and just kill it live. Lately they've opened for The Vandals, Fat Wrechords artist Dead To Me and now The Effigies. Start paying attention punk rock lovers. Soon you'll be seeing them headline and their cover charge will increase. This show is a great two for one, local goodness and a legendary touring act. Check out the rest of the line up and more details for this show here at Do512.

Also for the hardcore, Pack of Wolves play just around the corner from Red 7 at Mohawk. These Mexican metal heads have had quite the year. They released their debut album, Betrayer, on Arclight Records in spring, opened for The Sword in September and played Fun Fun Fun Fest last month. I'll say it once and I'll say it again. These dudes will be the next metal band from Austin to go major. I don't think they'll blow up like The Sword, but being nationally known and bigger tours are in the future for the wolves. What I am waiting for is their next record, which they are working on and is due out next year. If you love good metal, pick up the Betrayer vinyl which comes with a coded card to download the mp3s. It's good old school thrash with a little death metal touch on the vocals. It's one of my favorite local releases to come out this year.

To prove my point, check out these two videos. The first is their official music video for "Concession" off Betrayer. It's one of the better videos I've seen at the local level.



Here' an interview I did backstage at this year's Fun Fun Fun Fest last month with Pack of Wolves lead singer Trey Ramirez and drummer Adrian Carillo. Hopefully this can give you a little more insight as to what these dudes are about.

Wednesday Night Show Pick: Born To Lose at Red 7 w/Capital Scam

Born To Lose is one of my all time favorite punk bands. It is still hard to believe as good as they are that I still get to see them at Red 7 on Wednesday. Their sound is so gutter, raw but yet polished, and worthy of a mid to high level Warped Tour stage. I have been to many a Warped Tours and three fourths of the bands there don't hold a candle to Born To Lose. I even saw Born To Lose play Warped a few years ago in front of a small but satisfied crowd. Seeing them live is like reliving my early twenties all over again.

They have been a Red River staple for years now. The reason you only see their name in show listings every so often if that much of their time is spent kicking ass and taking names in Europe, a much better place for punk bands from what I hear. Everyone who loves punk that I have shared their music with has always become a big fan. When they played at Emo's this summer with Gallows, the crowd loved them. People saw me singing along to the words during the whole show, which prompted them to approach me after and ask questions about them. "Who are these guys again?" "Are they local?" "Can you send me some MP3s?"

Born To Lose

www.myspace.com/borntolose

Their current album, Saints Gone Wrong, is in regular rotation in my truck's CD player. People new to Born To Lose need to pick that up first as it is their best. If you really want to get into Born To Lose, pick up Blessed Days. The recording and sound quality isn't as good as on Saints Gone Wrong, but the songs are phenomenal. In fact my favorite Born To Lose song is on Blesses Days, a song called "Borrowed Time".

Tonight Born To Lose takes the stage with any great local punk band called Capital Scam. I have seen these guys around, I believe most recently at The Broken Neck skate park. Tonight's show is also serving as Capital Scam's tour kick off show. Expect nothing but their A-game as always. I suggest arriving at Red 7 around 9:00. Red 7 is located on 611 E. 7th, right off I-35 and adjacent to the uber hipster Beauty Bar. I couldn't find anything that mentioned the cover charge, but it can't be more than ten dollars.

For some punk rock goodness or to check out Born To Lose for the first time, take a look and listen to this video for "Saints Gone Wrong".




For more info about tonight's show and the bands, visit the following links:

Capital Scam Myspace

Born To Lose on Double Stereo

Red 7 Myspace

Krum Bums: A Decade Later The Punk Don't Stop

The Krum Bums live at Red 7 on August 14, 2009 (Bob Kinney)

My friend and Austin Vida Staff Writer, Alysha Hernadez, just published one of the best Krum Bums interviews I have read in recent memory. I have always been a big punk rock fan as many of you may know, but I'm also a long time Krum Bums fan. A staple in Austin and at Red 7, they continue on playing headlining shows here. On August 14th, they played thier CD release show for the new EP. I'll talk more about that later. You know I got my hands on one. I wish I could have made it to that show, but I was in San Antonio covering Mayhem Fest. I'll catch them when they get home from tour.

By the way, here is the set list from that CD release show at Red 7:



To find out more on the Krum Bums, check out the following Links:

Krum Bums Interview on Austin Vida

Krum Bums Myspace

Where You Should Be Right Now!

You should be at Red 7 tonight for the CD release show for Austin's own Exeter. It's a free show at a bad ass venue with cool people. There's nothing like a Sunday night show on Red River. All the fuss and wannabe cool kids from Saturdays are at home. On Sundays, it is about nothing but the music and bands themselves. It's refreshing.

For more on Exeter, visit them on Myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/exetermusic

The Riot Scene, Say Hello To The Angels & Blameshift tonight at Red 7

Tonight at Red 7 there is a great rock show going on that you guys need to know about. Local hometown favs Say Hello To The Angels and newly formed The Riot Scene play tonight with touring act, Blameshift. For those of you familiar with the Austin scene, you will recognize The Riot Scene as being made up of former Firekills members. This will be my first time to check out The Riot Scene and I look forward to seeing how they are live. I loved Firekills so I hope I can be objective.

Even if there were no Riot Scene, I'd be in attendance for Blameshift. I caught these guys last year at Stubb's indoor for some Hot Topic sponsored tour on a Monday night of all things. Having not heard of them previously, I was really impressed with their live show and overall sound. It's very approachable, post hardcore with a little bit of pop. With two vocalists, one being the lovely Jenny Mann, Blameshift offers a little something different. Jenny and Tim Barbour compliment each other well. Some of you may have caught them yesterday for an acoustic show at Hot Topic in Barton Creek. If you're like me and missed it, come out for the real show and enjoy yourself. See you there!

Say Hello to the Angels: http://www.myspace.com/sayhellototheangelsband

The Riot Scene: http://www.myspace.com/theriotsceneband



Blameshift: http://www.myspace.com/blameshift