Long live the '90s!!!! Sponge is coming to Austin to play a show at Red Eyed Fly this Thursday.This is one of the most underrated bands of the early '90s. I discovered them in middle school on a random visit to CD Warehouse one day (remember those?) in the used section. I picked up the album Rotting Pinata for the title and popped it into the CD players they used to have out at these listening stations. I instantly fell in love with it. Later I heard them in the movie Chasing Amy and haven't heard much from them since. Still, Rotting Pinata is one my top one hundred lists for best albums of all time.
I didn't think I'd ever get to see Sponge in concert, but now I get to sort of see them. The lead singer, Vinnie Dombroski, is the only original member. Still, I'm so there. Still wondering who Sponge is or can't remember who they are? Listen to "Plowed" here from the YouTube clip. It's a classic:
Advance tickets are available for the show on Frontgate Tickets here.
Stone Sour is back with a new album and there is a listening party for it here in Austin this Tuesday at Red Eyed Fly. Stone Sour is fronted by Corey Taylor, who also is a vocalist for Slipknot. They are harder radio rock with some agnst and heavy riffs mixed in. If you haven't heard them, and like hard rock that isn't too rip your face off, give Stone Sour a listen. Here is their new video for their single"Say You'll Haunt Me" off of their new album Album Secrecy:
Something even better for those of you who attend the listening party....
The Red Eyed Fly agreed to give away a pair of tickets to see popular '90s alt-rockers, Sponge, who are playing this Thursday. I'm hoping to check it out.
I just thought I'd let you hardcore music fans know about some new album release listening parties happening this month at Red Eyed Fly. Pantera is re-releasing one of their oldies but goodies and System of a Down's Serj Tankian releases a solo album. I'm stoked about the Pantera album as I'm curious about any remastering or bonus tracks or whatever else may come with the release. This also gives me a reason to post the "Cowboys From Hell" music video.
If you have been on YouTube recently, you can't not come across another Lady Gaga cover song.Most are terrible amatuer attempts at YouTube fame, but occasionally some are pretty good. The last one I posted was from indie singer-songwriter, Lissie. She had a band and guitar for that one.
This one is just a voice and a piano. It comes from one of my favorite pop-punk bands, The Material. Some may have caught them on MTV a few years ago or maybe even played their songs on the video game Rock Band. I saw them at The Red Eyed Fly in 2008 and have followed them ever since. The video above is lead singer Colleen and Jon (who normally plays guitar) on piano. It just goes to show, everyone goes Gaga for Lady Gaga.
Remember in my blog intro when I said I rarely watch MTV2? Well, last summer they got me when they had this Mountain Dew sponsored battle of the bands. It was the first time in a long time that I actually was glued to MTV2. I enjoyed watching something that was actually about new music. Well, as good as the groups that made it on to the show were, the only group I remember was the runner up. The runner up was this San Diego, California based group called "The Material". What caught my attention was their awesome cover of One Republic's "Apologize".
I know what my friends are going to say already when they see the video and The Material's Myspace page. I have a female lead singer fixation of some sort. Sure that's part of it, but not the selling point. The band or individual artist has to be talented and cool. Being backed by a good band helps too. The Material has all of that,what the industry refers to as "it".
Colleen, the lead singer, has a great voice. Its sweet enough for your girlfriend to like but rock enough not to suck. Her voice is perfect for the pop rock genre they fall under. With songs such as "The Truth About Reality" and "Moving to Seattle" , they are hard and edgy enough for them not to be labeled a guilty pleasure. I think my man card can stay in my wallet for now. I mean if it is cool enough for me to dig Paramore or Cruiserweight, then I can dig The Material with no problems. If I were a music director or producer of a CW show, I would have used a song of theirs already on Smallville or a One Tree Hill episode already. The Material has the perfect sound for those audiences. Now that the fact that I know that may be grounds for revoking my man card.
This summer my wish to see The Material live will come true. They will be playing at The Red Eyed Fly on Red River with my friends The Banner Year. I am not sure who else is on the bill with them yet. They are scheduled for Tuesday, July 22nd and are the in the middle of the bill somewhere so people will have to show up early to catch them. It will no doubt be one of the best middle bill bands you will ever get to see. Fellas take your lady. Hopefully they perform their cover of "Apologize". After all, it is what got my attention in the first place. MTV2 owes them a thanks for that because I always seem to pass that channel by 99% of the time.
Anyway, I wanted to conclude this blog by sharing their video they viraled around on a Myspace bulletin. Check them out, comment, and show them some much deserved love or hate. If you are hearing of them for the time, you're welcome. That's what this blog is for.
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.
