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.
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.
Earlier this year, Austin Vida featured an exclusive backstage interview with The Chris Perez Project at Pachanga Fest. Not surprising to the staff, we were flooded with emails about more videos, mp3s inquiries and other general questions about Chris Perez. What was a little surprising was the amount of interest given to the project's frontman, Austin’s own Angel Ferrer.
Having lived in Austin for so long now, I often forget Ferrer is a virtual unknown to many these days. No stranger to the Austin Music scene, Ferrer has been playing in Austin since the late '90s. Whether it was with his own band, the Austin Music Award-winning Ill Camino, or with local heavy hitters Vallejo, Ferrer has a reputation as one of the better rock-and-roll voices in Austin. His unique look, great singing voice and songwriting ability is what put Ferrer on the path to front Chris Perez's newest band. While that's still in development, Ferrer chooses to stay active musically.
Ferrer’s latest solo project, Angel Ferrer’s The Daylight Sessions, is not the modern rock he’s known for. The Daylight Sessions is an R&B/soul collective that is comprised of his brother Albert Ferrer and other local musician friends of Ferrer’s. Proving to be a jack of all trades, or in this case genres, Ferrer is soon to be a local headliner again. Get to know the rock, and soul, side of Angel Ferrer.
Click here to read the full interview with Ferrer and watch live video of his new band, Angel Ferrer's The Daylight Sessions.
Tonight at Lucky Lounge Austin's own Rock En Espanol rising stars, Kalua, play a free show at Lucky Lounge over on 209-A W. 5th. This year, Kalua, has been one of the hardest working bands I've known. Their album, La Novedad, came out last fall and they have spent all year pushing it. They've opened for some pretty big name acts this year including Monte Negro, Playa Limbo and even Cristian Castro. They also played Pachanga Fest for the second straight year, and at a slightly later time slot this year. They are starting to draw a pretty good crowd of their own now and I don't see them slowing down their work ethic anytime soon. The proof is their repeat victory in Burger King's "Tu Ciudad, Tu Musica" competition.
Tonight, we will get a look at what appears to be a Kalua side project. Side projects or playing in more than one band is the thing to do for musicians here in Austin. Andres Delgado (drums) also plays percussion for popular Austin rock band, Vallejo. Juan Diaz (vocals/guitar) was in the St Edward's University mariachi group, at least he was when we were both there. Diaz and Andres Acevedo (bass) play together in From The Inside Out. I don't know much about them at all, other than what I have seen on their Myspace page. I'm curious to hear what they sound like. What I do know is that Kalua is good and even those who do not speak Spanish can enjoy their music. They are a definite up and comer. Check out their latest video for single and title track, "La Novedad".
Here is the flyer for tonight's show,along with some helpful links to get more familiar with Kalua. I'll link you to the interview I did with them back in December for a January Austin Vida feature. That's when I really got to know the guys and really discover their music.
Those of us who have been in Austin a while remember The Steamboat. It is now in the Austin history books between the Liberty Lunch chapter and The South Park Meadows chapter. The Steamboat triggers my memories of growing up in Austin in the 90s when I followed bands like Push Monkey and when I saw my first David Garza show. Vallejo and The Scabs were also Steamboat regulars.
Recently the old Steamboat manager, Danny Crooks, was handling Pangaea Live. After a short stint doing that, Crooks is putting together a benefit show with some of his old Steamboat friends as you can see from the flyer. The Alice Rose also features Crook's son as a member. For only $10 advance or $15 at the door, you contribute to a good cause and see a great show.
For those of you who are new to Austin or live elsewhere ( I feel for you if that's the case), here is a great article written by Andy Langer about the Steamboat's closing:
Thursday night Austin based rock en Espanol band, Kalua, made the best of the situation they were given. They were supposed to play with Austin rock favorite, Vallejo, at Pangaea for the Pangaea Live! series. After Vallejo’s lead singer, AJ Vallejo, suffered a mild heart attack Wednesday, the show at Pangaea was obviously canceled.
Tonight's show at Pangaea is canceled due to AJ Vallejo suffering a mild heart attack Wednesday. Opening band, Kalua, is moved to Beso Cantina, located at 307 B West 5th St. The show will be free and Kalua will be giving away DVDs of their new Video, Volvere. Kalua goes on at 10:30 and Automatic Cycle opens up. The Vallejo show at Pangaea will be rescheduled. I will share that info here and on Austin Vida once that becomes available.
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.
