Vote for Zlam Dunk to win The Recording Conservatory of Austin's 5th Annual Unsigned Artist Competition.

photo by Sara Strick

Zlam Dunk are one of my favorite bands. I've followed them avidly since their early days. It still baffles me that they aren't bigger than they are or kicking everyone's ass on Warped Tour. Only youth, talent and a shit ton of energy drinks can birth such a high energy group of dance punks like these dudes.

Keep on eye out for Tactics

Tactics is the side project of Brett Thorne and Ross Bennet from Zlam Dunk. I saw this video online today from their first show back in December at Mohawk. Damn I wish I would have gone. Not only were they playing on the same bill as This Will Destroy You (f*cking epic!) but Tactics actually sounds good. I need a record and to check them out.

In the interest of full disclosure, Brett Thorne is a friend of mine. That being said, our friendship has zero influence on my opinions of the bands he plays in. In fact, if I thought they sucked I'd have a blast teasing him about it. Trust me, I would and I'd be really mean.

Tactics perform at Beauty Bar tonight. Click here for the details.

The Action Design return to Austin

The Action Design is band I met and discovered in 2008 after they did their first real tour. I remember they played an outside show at Red 7 with Under The Gun. The first thing I noticed was that the singer was front woman "Agent M" from Tsunami Bomb. The guitar player was also from Tsumani Bomb. While The Action Design is pretty good, I was bummed to see Tsunami Bomb was no more.

The Action Design still have punk elements to their music, but they went a more indie-electro route with their sound. It's not the indie-electro stuff you'd see all over the indie mags or blogs, but more Alt Press style if that makes sense. The group is currently on tour supporting their album "Never Say". Check out the video for their single "Landmines" here:



Also on the bill are one of my favorite local bands, the dance punk rockers Zlam Dunk. La Snacks is the headliner. Get to Mohawk at 10:00pm to catch the whole show and get your responsible drink on. To learn more about The Action Design, check out my interview with the band from SXSW 2009.

The Action Design Interview on Double Stereo

(3/17) Red River Noise Day Party at The Parlor North Loop

Tomorrow when all the big music fest stuff starts, make sure to get up The Parlor North Loop for the best day party of your life! Some of my most talented writer and photographer friends are starting a new blog called "Red River Noise" and we're kicking it off with some a bang. Like a mixtape that never slows down, this line up is high energy. Form local heavy weights like Zlam Dunk and Bright Light Social Hour, to San Antonio sensation Hydra Melody and crazy touring acts, there is something for everyone cool.

Zlam Dunk Tour Video 09

Zlam Dunk Tour 09 Edit from Daniel Garcia on Vimeo.

The dudes from Zlam Dunk just sent this to me this morning and it got me totally stocked for what's happening on March 17th. More details to come on that very soon, or you can read the Do512 Blog and find out.The kids, they love Zlam Dunk. The kids, they go 'Zlam crazy!

Can't Stop Thinking About Zlam Dunk!

I saw Zlam Dunk last night at The Parish. They opened up for Bright Light Social Hour. Talk about a killer line up! Zlam Dunk is one of my favorite local bands, local being out of San Marcos as they are Texas State students. Their fans are loyal, enthusiastic and wild. It totally reflects the spirit of the band. If I were a 20-something student, I'd want to be in that band. I'd want to be the hype man with the mic and tamborine. He looks like he has fun.

12/22 Tuesday Show Pick: Horse The Band and Zlam Dunk at Emo's

If you've never seen Horse The Band live, you're clearly afraid of intense shows and kids going absolutely ape shit. The L.A. based electro-prog screamo outfit is something else. To compare them to someone local or familiar, imagine Built By Snow and Zlam Dunk having a child who is constantly on Red Bull and won't sit still. Their Nintendo samples and "fuck the system" attitudes are a definite ear turner. I've read some write ups where they've been described as "Nintendocore". There are no casual fans of Horse The Band, which is one reason I love them.

What can get lost in the whole insanity that is their live show is the fact that they are creative dudes. They took a genre that tends to have cookie cutter crap bands and found a way to be original. Horse The Band is something I'd listen to regularly, but I'd go see them live any day. Fair warning to anyone who hasn't seen them live before, they do often play in their tighties.

Horse The Band

Currently Horse The Band is touring to support their October release, Desperate Living. It is very "Nintendocore" and falls in line with something Fall of Troy or Attack Attack would have made, only with their own distinct sound. You need to give it a listen, even if just to satisfy your curiosity about "Nintendocore". While you're listening to the songs on their MySpace, read the part in their bio about labels and what they think of tour managers. Hilarious.

Zlam Dunk (photo by Sara Strick http://youngsailor.wordpress.com/)

Also playing at Emo's Tuesday is one of my local favorite, Zlam Dunk. These young dudes from San Marcos are bringing the dance back punk to the forefront of the Austin scene. They haven't been around long, but they've been around long enough to make some noise. Having made their name playing along side other young bands like Driver F, Zlam has developed a loyal fan base. They're so loyal in fact, that they travel to every show and constantly scream and chant along. See them on Tuesday as an added bonus. They leave to go on tour soon, so catch them at Emo's if you can. In fact, catch them on this video my good friend Ajay Miranda shot in fall of 2008. They kick azz.



To check out the complete line up and purchase tickets, visit the post for this show on Do512 HERE.

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

Saturday Concert Pick: Eyes Set To Kill at Emo's

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:

Eyes Set To Kill on Myspace

Eyes Set To Kill Official Website

Eyes Set To Kill on YouTube

Full line up and info on Do512

New Myspace Profile for Zlam Dunk

Gwizsk Design (GKDN) just launched a rad new profile for Austin's own, Zlam Dunk. The profile was designed with an 80s color scheme of neon pink, white and blue. It is the same colors used on the 80s skate board classic, Thrashin. If you haven't heard of Zlam Dunk or seen their show, check out their calendar while you're checking out the new Myspace page. Make sure to come to their EP release party on May 29th at Stubb's here Austin.

As an added bonus, here's a video my friend Ajay shot of Zlam Dunk when they played The Dirty Dog. His blog, "NITES, is a great source of video performances of the Austin music scene. Check out the video here:

Nites21: Zlam Dunk from Ajay Miranda on Vimeo.

Click here to check out Zlam Dunk on Myspace

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!

My First Free Week Pick: Built By Snow & Zlam Dunk

What's up everyone? After you recover from all the New Year's stuff, the real fun begins with Free Week. There will be many free shows (for 21 and up, small cover for under 21) all over downtown at venues like Emo's and Red 7 just to name a few. My first Free Week show I'm recommending to you is Built By Snow at The Mohawk. On the bill with them is my new favorite band, Zlam Dunk, and The Always Ready. I'll be out and about all week, discovering new bands I like, learning about bands I don't like and enjoying my current favorites. See you on Red River.