Looking for something cool to check out this weekend? Let me suggest checking out Cincinnati indie rockers, Pomegranates, at Mohawk. Given that Cincinnati was the city I lived in before moving to here in '95, I have a special place in my heart for their bands, the Reds and of course Skyline Chili. While it is no secret indie isn't my genre of choice, I do find myself liking a small handful of bands from time to time, especially after going through the over abundance of press releases I get on a daily basis. These guys caught my hear some how and I think indie lovers will dig them.
Don't let the cool weather keep you inside this weekend as this will be at Mohawk's indoor stage according to their official website. Playing before Pomegranates will be Oh No Oh My and A Tiger Named Lovesick. Get there by 9:00pm to catch the entire show.
Brooklyn "etherealists" School Of Seven Bells are in town for a headlining show at Mohawk. This is one of the indie bands I actually listen to and like. Their style of indie is very mellow without being folky or weird. They have a unique sound with a lot of sound effects and melodies going on all at once, but they totally make it work. I do have to be in the mood to listen to them, but their music is relaxing. I bet they are good live. you should o check them out tonight if you are looking for something to do because you didn't get tickets to any of the ACL after-shows. Take a look and listen to this music video for their song "Half Asleep."
If you like what you heard, learn more about School Of Seven Bells from my interview with Alejandra Deheza on Red River Noise here.
The Denton, Texas based pop-punkers, Bowling For Soup, will be playing at The Parish this Saturday in Austin with The Dollyrots. We are giving away tickets on Red River Noise. Visit this link to find out how you can win a pair: http://tinyurl.com/29bpz98.
Just because "Latin Music Month" is over, that doesn't mean the party stops. It begins again this weekend with Este Vato's CD release show at Mi Casa Cantina on 6th street. It is a very well put together showcase that includes some of San Antonio's best acts, Mexican Step Grandfather and Pinata Protest. It is sure to be packed inside the Mexican Cantina style bar tomorrow night. Also, Este Vato's debut CD is pretty damn good. My only qualm was that it was only seven songs. Make sure to stop by and pick it up. The show is free unless you're 18-20, then it's only five dollars. Check out this clip of Este Vato last year at Red 7 we captured for Austin Vida. Be ready to get your cumbia on!
Be sure and check out my review of Este Vato's debut CD here on Austin Vida:
Bassekou Kouyate is Malian musician who has jammed with the likes of Bonnie Rait and Bono. Of course Bono, right? Since 2005, Bassekou has led Ngoni Ba, the first-ever group built around four ngonis, a string instrument made of wood or calabash with dried animal (often goat) skin stretched over it like a drum. They are all played by his family members. Bassekou Kouoyate & Ngoni Ba will be in Austin for a show on April 17th at Stubb's (indoor).
One of my all time favorite old school soul songs is "Ain't No Sunshine" by the great Bill Withers. I credit my dad for introducing me to Withers at a young age. I think Withers often gets lost in the shuffle these days with all the other fantastic soul artists of his era, but there isn't a person alive that doesn't know and love "Lean On Me". Some of his other classic hits include "Just The Two of Us" and "Lovely Day". Now you know who Bill Withers is right? Yeah, that guy...
My good friends at Blastro are celebrating their tenth anniversary this Saturday at The Belmont. Blastro is an Austin based video production company that is responsible for all the great Ya'll Wire country vids and Roxwell videos you've seen online. They work with Austin Vida for big Latin events and shows, along with some 101X radio personalities for Roxwell. Their imprint on not only the Austin Music scene but the music scene everywhere has been made. Even before I got to know the crew over there, I was a fan of their website for their great live concert videos. If you haven't seen their videos yet, you're missing out on some great stuff.
Performing at The Belmont for Blastro will be Austin's own Alpha Rev. Their a good band for this event given the venue and their mass appeal to general audiences. In fact, the only live anything I've seen from Alpha Rev was on Rowell, which remember is the same people as Blastro. Rather than describe them this time, get the full Alpha Rev experience in this video Blastro filmed at La Zona Rosa.
Austin rockers, Vallejo, will be releasing their new Acoustica album this Saturday night at Saxon Pub. In case you hadn't really seen the poster above, you get a free CD with admission. How cool is that? More bands should do that. If you don't make it out Saturday, then Acoustica will be available to the public on the 26th. I know this isn't going to be all the blogger buzz, but anyone interested in Austin music and its history should check out Vallejo at least once as a right of passage.
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.
After getting my aggression out at Red 7 on Friday, I'll be ready for a change of scenery and venue Saturday night. Saturday is a feel good night that should lead you to get your last bit of Free Week fix at Mohawk. One of my favorite bands, local or non, is T Bird and the Breaks. I've talked about on here before, but in case you're visiting for the first time, they are a blue eyed soul band that sound something from your mom's old record collection. If you like Black Joe and the Honeybears, Brownout, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings or just some good old school soul music, then you will love-love-love you some T Bird and the Breaks.
As for your worries about it being cold and this show being on the outdoor stage, fear not. Mohawk has outdoor heat lamps and the wall surrounding the outside area blocks wind for the most part. You can always hang out inside by the bar and inside stage to catch some more Free Week goodness, but come out when T Bird plays. I know there is lots to do and see Saturday night, but seeing T Bird for free at Mohawk is a must. They don't play Red River too often as they usually do the Momo's, Antone's and Continental circuit. If miss them Saturday, catch them at Hole in Wall over by UT campus on January 23rd. I'm glad to see they are giving love to the old Hole in the Wall, a venue I admit I never go to enough.
For some quick and brief T Bird and the Breaks goodness, click play on this widget and turn it up. I also posted a couple of links below for you to explore if you wish.
I hope you guys got to check out Amplified Heat at Emo's Friday Night. If you were at Beerland, I hope you saw Sober Daze, a crazy ass punk rock band I've been following for a few years now. Well if you are like me and took the day to recover and rest Friday, then Free Week starts for you on Saturday night. For those of you in clouds or from out of town, Free Week is where the best venues on and around Red River waive the cover charge. It's like five bucks or so if you are 18+, but still a great deal none the less. It goes from January 1st through the 10th. I'll pick the best of the best of stuff to check out that may not be on the average readers' radar. Let the Free Week picks begin....
Get downtown early at Emo's to check out Mike Wiebe of The Riverboat Gamblers and his side project, Ghost Knife. I saw them open for Mike Herrera's Tumbledown this past fall and they sounded good. They aren't as punk-ish as The Riverboat Gamblers, but in the same realm of taste for fans. Think post rock and indie with a slight hint of hardcore. Weibe has a great rock voice, so you already know they are good. You won't be able to find them on MySpace or online anywhere that I know of. When I last spoke with Mike maybe a couple of weeks ago, he was showing me his stitches in his left hand and telling me about Ghost Knife. He told me he hadn't made anything for it yet as far as online stuff. So, you have get to Emo's early as Ghost Knife opens.
The Lions (photo by Katrina Hercules)
After Ghost Knife finishes, I'm heading over to Mohawk on 10th and Red River to see one of my favorite local rock groups, The Lions. They're kind of a '70s throwback to the time when psychedelic, cock-rock was king. I've heard older folks call it "camaro-rock". Either way, it's bad ass. I am listening to their album, My Generation, as we speak. Some of you may have even played one of their songs on Guitar Hero called "Heavy Metal Lady". That song doesn't appear on My Generation, but it still rocks. Check out this clip.
Playing before The Lions are local rock bands Vinhomudeh and Eagle Claw. Don't let any kind of cold weather keep you home. Mohawk has those tall space heaters and the wall around the outside stage blocks the wind pretty good. Also, it's Free! Free! Free! So get there and support good local live music. For more Free Week selections, check in again with soon. I'm always available by email for questions and/or suggestions.
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.
With so much going on downtown tonight, and so many people to watch, it can be difficult to decide what to do. I'm not into the whole "being seen" scene. If you see me at an "it" event, it is because there is a band or DJ I want to see. Otherwise, I can do without the photo booths and hipsters. I am not speaking ill of that stuff, I'm just saying it isn't my thing.
My thing really is and has always been hard music, whether it be hard rock or hip hop. Even though I don't really consider myself a metal head, I love a lot of metal. I think metal is the perfect genre for a holiday like Halloween, which is supposed to be about scary stuff and horror movies, not hipsters and zombies. The best Halloween show in my humble opinion, is happening at Trophy's tonight with non other than Pack Of Wolves.
The members of Pack Of Wolves are no "Johnny Come Latelys" to the scene. Lead singer and guitar player, Trey Ramirez, was once a member of At All Cost. Alec Padron, bassist, is actually the bassist for Latin indie group, Maneja Beto. Adrian Carillo, drums, also plays with the western-indie band Western Ghost House. Tyson, the other guitar player, used to be in Games In Theory.
Recently Pack Of Wolves opened a show at Mohawk for one of my favorite bands, The Sword, in which they impressed many a metal heads. With a new album in the works, their 2010 should be better than their 2009. They do have a few shows left this year after tonight, but Trophy's is such a cool spot that it is worth taking advantage and avoiding the down town crowd. Many who go out tonight, aren't the people who typically go downtown for shows anyway. They are there to see the freak show and check out the chicks in slutty costumes. Go to Trophy's and enjoy some good metal if that's your thing.
Here's the music video for "Concession" of their album Betrayer:
Playing tonight at Trophy's with Pack of Wolves will be Curse The Heavens, Newlywed and Baron God. Trophy's is located at 2008 South Congress Ave. Doors at 9:00pm and show starts at 9:30pm. $5 gets you in. For more on Pack Of Wolves, check out my interview the band I did for Austin Vida here:
Tonight at Antone's, one of my favorite artists is performing an Official ACL Aftershow. Dan Auerbach as you probably know already is the front man for the Akron, Ohio duo, The Black Keys. Auerbach recently put out his solo record earlier this year called Keep It Hid. It immediately became one of my favorite albums not only of the year, but favorite albums period. It is the best indie-blues record I have heard and I listen to it when I want to relax late at night. It will be great to finally see him live.
Backing up Auerbach is one of my favorite local bands who may not be local at all very much longer, Hacienda. A group of four Mexican-American musicians from Boerne, Texas, the guys from Hacienda have been backing him for a while now. Auerbach was a producer for their own record, Loud Is The Night. They recently joined with musician Patrick Hallahan to form "The Fast Five". So now, it's Dan Auerbach and The Fast Five. Whatever right? It's good music either way you spin it and it's still Dan Auerbach.
Make sure that if you were not sure which show to go to tonight, to head to Antone's. He won't be in Texas playing again anytime soon, as he hits the road until December 9th according to his Myspace page. For those of you who have yet to hear Auerbach or know who Hacienda are, check out the following video of Dan Auerbach and The Fast Five performing "Mean Monsoon" off Keep It Hid.
Also taking to the stage tonight will be Rodriguez and White Dress. Get there at 9:30 or as soon as you can come over from Zilker park. For more on tonight's show, visit the following links:
Tonight at Stubb's indoor is your chance to check out one of my favorite Latin artists, Alex Cuba. I first learned of Alex Cuba through my friend Angela's program, Latino USA on NPR. Hostess Maria Hinojosa interviewed Alex and then played a couple of songs. Having loved what I heard, I got the album immediately. At the time it was his latest album called Humo de Tabaco, which translates to Tobaco Smoke.
It was funny because my favorite track on the album that I couldn't stop jammin' to was a song called "Dramatica Mujer".What is funny to me is the song features American pop star, Jason Mraz. I'm not into Mraz really, but he's tolerable at times. I loved Mraz's his recent rendition of a song he did with Mexican pop star, Ximena Sarinana, called "Suerte". It was a Spanglish remake of the same song with Colbie Caillat. If Mraz keeps pulling this Latin duo act, I may end up liking him one day.
Anyway, back to Alex Cuba...
He's no stranger to Austin. He's performed a buzz worthy set during SXSW in 2008 and did the Studio 1B performance at KUT. I have yet to see him live and look forward to tonight. He is touring to support his latest album, Agua Del Pozo. It is an amazing album, full of Cuba's signature Latin soul, jazz, funk and traditional Caribbean music stylings that won me over the first time I heard his music.
If Alex Cuba is completely new to you, then let me give you a brief background. He was born in the small Cuban town of Artemisia, right outside of Havana. He now lives in Canada, where he won a Juno award in 2006. he has his record label, called Caracol Records. For those of you who have the latest Nelly Furtado album, Mi Plan, he had a hand in that (pun intended). There's plenty of great and interesting info I left off, but you get the idea.
Here's a little video taste of what his style sounds like. Plus, check out that amazing 'fro. It is his signature look. The video for the title track to Alex Cuba's latest album, Agua Del Pozo.
Here are some helpful links regarding Alex Cuba and tonight's show:
This weekend in Austin we are blessed with not one, but two back to back nights with Alejandro Escovedo at the legendary Continental Club on South Congress. Escovedo is a music icon and a real genuine dude. I only hope I'm half as cool as he is one day. I admit I didn't much care for his music until Boxing Mirror came out, but wasn't totally won over with his latest album came out, Real Animal.
The first time I got to see Alejandro live in concert was at the legendary Gruene Hall in Gruene (pronounced like "green") right outside New Braunfels in 2008. It was also my first time seeing a show at Gruene Hall. My dad and I went and had a blast. Afterward, Alejandro stayed and signed autographs, took pictures with fans, etc. I bought my vinyl copy of Real Animal that night and had him sign it. I snapped this photo with him for the scrap book.
Just to briefly touch upon his music for those who don't know, it is very modern rock meets alt-country. It leans a little on the American side at times, but then kicks ass '60s rock style. He is an old school punk rocker, world traveled and made what is being called his "debut to the world" by sharing the stage with Bruce Springsteen. He often gets comparisons to The Boss more than any other known artist. Although I don't agree with the comparison, I know The Boss's fans will no doubt love Escovedo.
He does draw, and forgive my honesty and age here, an older crowd most of the time. There's always a few of us 20 something, in the know music geeks in the crowd. I am hoping that changes over time and believe it will as more people hear Real Animal and attend his shows. You may even get to hear him cover "All The Young Dudes" or see him share the stage with some talented musician friends of his.
When I was surfing around for a good live clip to embed in this post, I came across some great live footage on Vimeo of Alejandro performing "Always A Friend" live at SXSW this past March. Turn it up and give it a listen, then thank me later. There's some helpful links for the show as well as my interview with Alejandro I did this spring for Austin Vida. It was one of the highlights of my career.
Hailing from Tempe, Arizona, Eyes Set To Kill is my concert pick for Saturday night in Austin. They are playing today at Emo's as part of the Back II School Fest featuring headliners Drop Dead Gorgeous and local dance punk sensation, Zlam Dunk. Eyes Set To Kill is one of my favorite screamo or hardcore bands that I just recently discovered last year while randomly surfing the web. I don't remember what I was searching for or how I came across them exactly, so I guess it was fate. We'll go with that for now.
Besides being bad ass musically, Eyes Set To Kill are very "easy on the eyes" with co-lead singer Alexia Rodriguez and bassist Anissa Rodriguez. Yes, they are the infamous Rodriguez sisters who only last year were featured in Revolver Magazine's "Hottest Chicks in Metal" column. I got to interview the ladies as well as their male band members about it recently. Stay tuned for that coming your way soon.
Anissa & Alexia Rodriguez
It was funny too because every guy at the show this summer couldn't stop talking about how hot these ladies were. While that may be true, I hope people can get over that and actually listen. Alexia's softer vocal stylings compliment Brandon's (lead vocals/keys) hardcore screaming very nicely. It makes them appeal to a wider audience, one that prefers hard screaming and one that prefers hardcore bands with singers. It rocks hard either way you spin it and their live show is awesome.
Checkout this clip from Austin Vida from Eyes Set To Kill at Emo's. In this clip Eyes Set To Kill performs their single "Heights" off their current album, The World Outside.
Also on the bill as I mentioned in the intro is one of my favorite local bands, Zlam Dunk. These guys have one of the best live shows in town. Their dance meets punk rock percussion style has been steadily winning over new fans with each show. Don't miss Zlam Dunk. They will only get bigger and get more expensive to see. Take advantage now.
For more on Eyes Set To Kill, checkout the following links:
This Saturday night at The Flamingo Cantina is a Joe Strummer Birthday Bash put on by Conexion Rockera and is my Saturday pick. Yes, you can still catch this show after Bat Fest to keep the party going. If Bat Fest isn't for you, this is your show.
There are some cool bands on the bill, but the real treat for me is Austin punk rockers, The Sweethearts (pictured above). I have seen them a few times, both Emo's and Stubb's indoor. Their style of punk is reminiscent of early No Doubt with more of an edge. I think even the casual punk fan would dig The Sweethearts. Give them a listen on their Myspace. I have some info and links for you below on the other bands on the bill as well. Happy Birthday Joe Strummer!
The Jungle Rockers are a garage rock band from right here in Austin, Texas. I have seen their name listed plenty of times walkign down Red River. The Austin Chronicle and Austin Sound have shown The Jungle Rockers some love before. From what I heard on their Myspace, it sounds very 1950s greaser, Rat Fink era rock. It's not my usual musical preference but it isn't bad. I'm glad to see people keeping that sound alive and well.
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.
