Most of you are already aware, but if not, today is the last day that the original Red River location of Emo's will be open. While there is the shiny new Emo's open on Riverside, it's just not the same, and never will be. The end of an era, that brings many of us a bit of sadness. When I first heard of the pending closure, I didn't really think about it much. Maybe it was my built in defense mechanism developed from mourning the loss of another landmark venue in which I spent countless hours in musical [...]
Former Mighty Lemon Drops guitarist and songwriter turned producer/engineer David Newton, has resurfaced as a player once again with his latest outfit David Newton & Thee Might Angels and just released the Paint The Town EP. I have to admit that my interest in some of the new music that is coming out these days has been fading in favor of revisiting some of the older stuff that occupied my time. The Mighty Lemon Drops were definitely a favorite of mine for awhile until they disbanded in 1992. Happy Head, World Without End, [...]
The influence that Echo & the Bunnymen have had on much of today's modern music, is probably well understated and in many cases not even recognized. I had the opportunity to see these guys in San Diego with Gene Loves Jezebel and New Order..yep, I walk with a cane and qualify for social security. Well, the E & B are back, and are plotting a short North America tour to play two of their classic albums back to back, Crocodiles and Heaven Up Here. Check out this clip of the band performing "Stars are [...]
I've never actually experienced a flashback, and one would think that of all people, I would be the ideal candidate for such occurrence. You might think by visiting here on a regular basis that I grew up on a steady diet of guitar driven rock and punk, but there are years when this guy spent many an hour on the dance floor putting in some serious dance time. Pre-rave, X fueled nights that found this kid, bleach blonde hair, black wear from head to toe, eyeliner and cigarettes, breaking out some serious moves in the clubs. A severe 180 from [...]
Ronnie James Dio passed away yesterday after a bout with stomach cancer at the age of 67. The small package that delivered a powerful voice for many a band including Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Elf, and Dio, was also credited with the launching of this symbol that we all know so well.. Another legend from my youth disappears..
The thought of what song(s) that you might want played at your funeral was brought up today by a friend, and as I found myself searching through my completely unorganized collection of music for a specific Uncle Tupelo song, I pleasantly revisited "Fatal Wound". For those of you not familiar with Uncle Tupelo , the band played a large part in fusing traditional country sounds with a rock approach, fueling the alt-country movement in the early 90's. Hands down, one of my favorite bands of all time. The band achieved a reasonable amount of commercial success signing [...]
Jawbox is one of those bands that I have always been clearly aware of their existence and the fondness that many of my friends harbored for this D.C. post punk band that found the heart of it's success in the early 90's. The D.C. scene a proud breeding ground for many a D.I.Y. band in the 80's and 90's. A proud label for many fans that led to the unfortunate backlash when Jawbox left the indie label Dischord for the major Atlantic to record the 1994 release For Your Own Special Sweetheart. Now that we've all grown [...]
I've found that listening to WOXY Vintage on the weekend is a nice escape from the constant barrage of new music (not that I'm complaining) and a nice venue in which to rediscover some of the music that I tend to forget about sometimes. A track from the Matthew Sweet's 1991 release Girlfriend sparked a memory that resulted in me putting the album on for a couple of spins reminding me how much of impact this recording had on me at the time. In those days, discovering music was a [...]
I think that most of us would agree (or maybe not), that Neutral Milk Hotel 's 1998 release In The Aeroplane Over The Sea is one of the classic releases in indie-rock history and the story that followed only ads to the album's status and curiosity. As the album's success thrust the band into the spotlight, singer/songwriter Jeff Magnum uncomfortable with the situation that he found himself in, began to withdraw from the public eye, eventually dissolving the band before the end of 1998. A few acoustic shows, and guest appearances is all that Magnum has managed [...]
I've experienced some great connections with amazing albums during periods of my life when those songs or records connected in ways that only, as a true music fan can relate, make perfect sense. It's a pretty snobbish statement for sure, as I'm sure that plenty of music fans connect on their own personal level with many a song and album for sure. The Afghan Whigs were a band that were as talented as many of their counterparts during the early 90's, but never did receive the recognition that they really did deserve. Maybe because the material was too [...]
I know that Fun Fun Fun Fest 09 is still months away, and we've only been allowed a peak at to what's instore for us this year, but if there is one reason to plunk down your hard earned cash this year for the festival, it's Jesus Lizard. I cannot stress how excited this guy is about this show. The reunited band, is currently on the road bringing the sweat, energy, rock, and glory it's so well known for delivering on stage. Here's a couple of videos from the Pitchfork Festival, in which the band performs "Nub" and [...]
The reunion has been confirmed on Idolator, and now Austin 360.com has confirmed an Austin date for the reunited Sunny Day Real Estate. The tour starts on Sept 17th just 2 days after Sub Pop reissues the bands second release Diary on both vinyl and cd. Oct 7 sees the band stepping on the La Zona Rosa stage here in Austin, Tx. Sweeet! Normal 0 [...]
I would be a bit more excited about this news if we hadn't already been notified of the band's scheduled performance @ Fun Fun Fun Fest '09, but it should get the blood going for many of those in the cities listed on this tour. The return of The Jesus Lizard to the stage is sure to be one of the highlights of the year for myself. It's gonna be mean, nasty, and a hell of a lot of fun. Hopefully David Yow is still got it in him, to pull off the crazed madman performances that he is so [...]
Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 photo: Courtney Chavanell It seems just like yesterday, but 2006 is almost a lifetime away in an industry that changes as frequently as your facebook updates. 2006 was the year that one of Austin's more promising punk/indie bands decided to call it quits. To most, The Arm probably doesn't even ring [...]
Hopefully, you feel the same way that I do about some of your favorite records. In a time where the music listening public moves away from listening to albums, and it becomes more about the song, I hold on to the hope that the art and the pleasure of a band's work as a record aren't forgotten by the music fans. My favorite recordings hold a special place in my heart, not only for what is etched on that vinyl, or disc, by the artist, but for what they represent as a time, place, or person in my life. They [...]
My Bloody Valentine produced one of the most memorable and historic albums of my music listening years, as well as for many others that have come to understand it's significance and place in modern rock-n-roll. There were no hit singles on this record, the songs don't necessarily stick in your head for days on end, but it felt like something that was completely different, but no so much to turn us off. By industry standards, it was a quiet statement by a band, that left a impact on music fans that has survived the test of time, and still resonates [...]
I didn't think that I was going to be this excited for the show, but I'm pretty stoked. Part of it, is that my talented partner/photographer will be shooting the event. And it's a rare opportunity to see a band that I might never have the op to see again. A band that put out a record, that was a staple for me back in the day. MP3> My Bloody Valentine 'I Only Said' MP3> My Bloody Valentine 'Blown A Wish'
I'll admit that I haven't been much of a fan of the solo work of the former front-man for the Smiths, who calls himself Morrissey. Some of the early solo material sets well enough, but over the past few years, I've chosen to relish in the genius of the collaborative effort called The Smiths. A simple name, which simply contradicts the incredible library of artist Brit-pop/indie-rock that these four lads accomplished over the time that they were together. Lucky enough for me, and with the assistance of some, I found myself in attendance of the Morrissey show last [...]
My introduction to the great band The National. A friend recently mentioned that he knew folks that didn't like The National because they thought Matt Berninger's vocals sounded too much like the guy from Crash Test Dummies. I can't say that I quite get that comparison, and will admit that I did own some Crash Test Dummies at some point. What the most when first listening to this record was Berninger's lyrics. There's an honesty in his poetic portrait of ordinary life that easy to relate to, and subsequently, is extremely comforting. A fine introduction to what shall be [...]
After the break-up of Austin's noise rock/punk outfit Scratch Acid, David Yow relocated to Chicago and formed The Jesus Lizard with Duane Denison and former Scratch Acid bassist David Wm. Sims. Noise rock/post punk/alternative were used to describe the band's music, which featured Yow howling like a tortured animal at times while forming lyrics that painted the darkest of images. The band was known most for it's live shows, where Yow was known to flail around the stage recklessly, expose himself, and inevitably end up in the crowd. The band's career spanned a little more than a decade, [...]
Sonic Itch Music
Music Alliance Pact – February 2012
Skrillex Uses Satanic and Homosexual Influence to Win Grammys
Listen: Usher x Diplo – Climax
A-Trak - "Round of Applause" / "Where My Money At" (MP3 Download)
Lightships: Electric Cables
