Should I Leave the House Tonight?

Well, here we are. I'm dusting some digital cobwebs off of Austin Bloggy Limits because there's a bunch of good shows happening this weekend and if I don't post about them, I'll forget everything I wanted to see. Places you may or may not see me this evening include: Beerland, Hotel Vegas, Cheer-Up Charlies or My Couch.

All of these venues offer an array of positive reasons to attend the festivities they are hosting this evening. Beerland has Jonly Bonly, Trustees, Party Girl and Borzoi tonight. These bands may not be household names to you but they all offer the sort of visceral, authentic rock 'n roll experience I desire and deserve on a dreary night like tonight. Also, I've really enjoyed what I've heard from Put Together, the new LP from Jonly Bonly and I want to see those songs performed live.



Hotel Vegas also has a killer line-up tonight, which also features local bands with brand new records. Spray Paint's new LP, Clean Blood, Regular Acid, won't be released until next week but you can stream it right now via Stereogum and I have a feeling it MIGHT be available for purchase at tonight's gig. The Rebel is performing tonight in support of their new LP, K Rot, which you purchase online or in person right now. Tonight's Hotel Vegas gig isn't listed as an LP release show for John Wesley Coleman because he already did that but his latest, The Love That You Own is also a new release. Damn y'all! What's with all the new releases in September? All this talk of new releases made me lose track of the line-up, which also includes Ghetto Ghouls and Marriage. If you're accustom to very sterile, controlled concert experiences you should come to this show just so you can see how rock is supposed to be experienced.



Tonight's show at Cheer-Up Charlies ALSO features lots of great Austin bands with recent music releases. This show explores the more pop-music leaning side of Austin's rock music scene, which I'm also a big fan of. If my suggestions up to this point have seemed a bit "noisy" to your delicate aesthetic, then this venue might be a more appropriate choice for you this evening. There are THIRTEEN bands on the line-up for this event but at this point several of them have already performed. If I end up here tonight, I'll want to be there by 9:30 to catch Growl but the line-up is solid from top to bottom.



The fourth option I presented was My Couch, which features the ability to sit around in my underwear watching pre-recorded television, movies, access to pre-purchased beverages and snacks including alcohol. It does not require me to ride the bus, find a parking spot, deal with rain, make awkward conversation or walk. So, as you can see there are lots of excellent ways for me to spend my evening. What are you up to tonight? Should we do shots? Did you notice I started this post with the idea of highlighting stuff happening all weekend but then I only made it through tonight? You're welcome.


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Flesh Lights 7" Release Show

Hey remember me? I used to write a music blog, now I just send out the occasional tweet. What's new with you? JK, don't care. On the real though, I got a sweet new job downtown and I've been so obsessed with making salads to pack in my executive bag that I've abandon you. I still love you dear reader and I want you to know that there is a can't miss show happening at Beerland tomorrow evening. Put on your tight jeans, grab some cash for the door and perhaps some ear protection because it's gonna get noisy and you might get beer "spilled" on you. A new 7" from Austin's-own Flesh Lights is the main cause for celebration but each band on tomorrow night's line-up is worth your time and attention.



I'm new to team, The Dead Space but from now on I'm one of their most vocal supporters. Before their latest single appeared in my Soundcloud stream a week or two ago I had no frame of reference for this band, who has actually been playing Austin for several years. By the time the breakdown hit at about the 3 minute mark of Behind the Wall I was ready to build a shrine to this band. Tomorrow night will be my first time seeing them in a live setting and I suspect it's going to be even better then sitting at my computer listening to them via earbuds. The jury's still out on that one though.



Rounding out tomorrow night's bill at Beerland you'll find Ditch Witch and Xetas. I have not seen Ditch Witch play but I caught Xetas opening for Protomartyr a few weeks ago and they are pure energy. If you're used to indie-rock shows with self-conscious nerds who spend most of their set doing the 1000-yard stare, then you have to be at this show. This line-up is raucous, loud and everything else you want in a real rock 'n roll show.



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FunFunFun Fest Nites Preview: Chapter 24

FunFunFun Fest starts tomorrow y'all!! I have that Christmas eve feeling and I'm already in my footie pajamas. If you haven't picked up your passes yet, you may do so TONIGHT down at Club De Ville starting at 6pm. You can also buy tickets down there if you've been procrastinating. Tonight's the only night you can get into the Nites shows without a wristband but I'd recommend you just grab your wristband and then head next door to catch Ty Segall and The Coathangers at the Mohawk. Or, maybe, skip down the road to Empire Automotive for a DJ set from Passion Pit. You could even enjoy the Check Yo Ponytail DJ's across from Empire at Beauty Bar. That Nites link above has the full listing or you can see what I recommend by checking out my schedule on the FunFunFun Fest website.

Speaking of the Nites shows I want to draw your attention to one of the last after-shows of the festival. It's actually the Sunday night after the festival and it's going down at Beerland. One of my favorite bands from SXSW 2011 is in Austin all the way from London and their sound is bratty, jangly, fast and perfect. They don't play shows in the U.S. very much, so don't miss out on a rare opportunity to see a totally unpredictable performance from Chapter 24.

Chapter 24 - You Said video via YouTube

Chapter 24 are actually touring with Thee Oh Sees right now, so that's who is headlining the Nites show at Beerland. They play second, so I'd expect them to start around 10:15 or 10:30. I have to work early the next morning but I'm still going to be there. As far as I know, Chapter 24 is still unsigned in the U.S. but you can listen to their EP on Spotify if you want to get a little preview. There are only four songs on there and half of them are in this post, I think you should just join me at Beerland on Sunday.

Chapter 24 - Blisland to Cry video via YouTube

Sunday. Chapter 24. Beerland. Be there!

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When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth: LP + Tour

My favorite local, doom-rock outfit, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth has a new album coming out in June. Lucky for us, we can buy Peaced about a month earlier than our European counterparts for we live in Austin, or at least I do, I don't really know where you're sitting. Anyway, here in Austin, at Beerland, tomorrow night the Lil Dinos will be kicking off their tour. In celebration we'll get some beer (when in Beerland, do as the Beerlandites) and we'll pick up their newest album so we can rub it in people's faces. Oh how we will laugh and gloat.



By the way, if tomorrow night is your first time seeing When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth BRING EARPLUGS!!! Seriously, you are not too cool to hear things in the future and trust me, in the grand tradition of Spinal Tap their gear will ALL be on 11. Also, without earplugs the sound will wash out, which is sort of part of the effect but it's nice to hear notes. Here's a VERY dark video I shot of the Lil Dinos at Red 7 during Free Week. Incidentally, this song is on the new album.


When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth - Selected for Jerry Duty video via YouTube

I also wanted to mention that those of you who are already familiar with When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth may not have realized that they are no longer the huge sprawling collective they once were. They have focused their sound and their roster. This updated press photo should give you all of the relevant info.



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Golden Boys, TV Torso, Aoki, Yaks

This is a pretty last minute post about the Golden Boys show at Trailer Space Records tonight but I wanted to mention it. It's inside, so no need to worry about the rain. It starts at 7 and ends at 10 or earlier so if you have other plans or need to wake up early you can still do those things. Also, it's free so you can still buy yourself and that special someone something nice. You can also purchase anything you see whilst in the Trailer Space but don't get too decadent I mean you are at a free show, you're probably not Donald Trump or anything. Last week Golden Boys had the crowd packed tight into Beerland for a $5 cover, this week we rock out with them fo' free. Their Myspace page classifies, Golden Boys as "Rock / Psychedelic / Country". The Austin Chronicle called them "...real Texas punk rock". I'm going to up the ante and call their sound "Bloggy-Approved".

*This is the area where I would normally embed a video for you to hear the above mentioned band. Alas, I could find nary a video of the Golden Boys. They may be out there but you try searching that phrase. Instead, I shall put a video for an artist mentioned BELOW the break. Whoa!*


TV Torso - Live at the Scoot Inn video via YouTube


I need to hear more from TV Torso I'm always whining about how I want a record player because a lot of local artists release their music on vinyl first and/or exclusively. Well, last week while I was perusing the selection at End of an Ear I decided to look through the bin full of 10" vinyl and what did I find? TWO, different, 10" offerings from TV Torso and at least one, but I believe both, offered Mp3 download code w/$5 purchase. So, don't give up if you don't have a record player. Buy the record anyway, it may have an Mp3 or CD with purchase and then you'll already have a collection going.

In any case, TV Torso will be playing at Beerland tonight as part of the WOXY residency series. Or something to do with WOXY maybe not the residency I feel like that's something else. Generally these things cost $5, a nominal fee. I feel like having WOXY around is very good for Beerland. It's a great little rock club, very intimate setting for seeing a band. It's certainly not fancy or anything but they've booked some really good shows of late. Not to mention they managed to get Surfer Blood almost secretly back in the fall, take that Transmission! Just kidding, luv u Trannysmission let's play dice sometime.


Surfer Blood - Swim video via YouTube

I had to randomly put that Surfer Blood video in there to get my normal flow back. Steve Aoki is in town tonight as well. If shakin' your ass off with some dranks is how you get down on a Thirsday night then you should definitely get yourself over to Republic Live on West 5th. I know, it can be weird that far away from Red River but fear not, dear reader, you'll be dancing through crowds bumping into hipsters trying not to spill your martini Lone Star in no time.


Steve Aoki - I'm in the House video via YouTube

Lastly but not leastly as far as I knowstly, we've got hipster-delegates from Brooklyn in town. They go by the name of Wild Yaks you may have caught them at previous SXSW? If not, your chance is tonight, over at the ole' Scoot Inn. I'm thinking it's going to be on the inside stage. What do you think?


Wild Yaks - River May Come video via YouTube

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Tonight, Tomorrow, and the Next Night ight ight ight

Live at Beerland in Austin, TX weighing in at...ok I think that's far enough. Are you going to any of the 3-night mini-fest that is the CD Release party for Casual Victim Pile: Austin 2010? I'm thinking I might go tonight. Beerland is a good place to be on a rainy night, it's quite cozy really and the outside area is covered with lots of good people watching. Downside to the outside area? People trying to get your attention/change/cell-phone usage/etc from the sidewalk region. Back to the show, as I mentioned it's a CD release party, the CD is a compilation via Matador Records if you're a blog-geek you already know all about it. If you're not a blog geek, the pertinent information is this: A)Casual Victim Pile is an anagram for Live Music Capitol. B)The compilation has 19 tracks, 17 of which feature Austin artists. C)It's a nod to a similarly-themed compilation of New York bands, which Matador previously released.

Here's something from tonight's headlining band to give you a taste. The full info is below the break and from what I can tell it's going to cost $5 at the door.


Follow That Bird! - Where They Rest video via YouTube

So, this whole affair will be going on for 3 days but be aware that Beerland is small and Matador is popular so bar service will be slow and standing space will be valuable. Get there early to stake your claim and/or drop a big tip early so the bartender remembers you later.

Here's the way they've chunked the bands together for the different nights:

Tonight

Follow That Bird!
Dikes Of Holland
Kingdom Of Suicide Lovers
The Distant Seconds
The Persimmons


the Persimmons - Love at Seven/I Can Only Love You Once a Week video via YouTube

In case you're wondering the above video is your standard house-party in Austin, TX. Take that, places that are satisfied with an iPod DJ house-party!

Friday

Woven Bones
The Young
Wild America
Flesh Lights
Elvis
The No No No Hopes


Woven Bones - Your Sorcery video via YouTube


Listening to Woven Bones always makes me feel like I'm in a Bret Easton Ellis novel, vampires in the valley and all that dark, L.A. stuff.

Saturday

Harlem
The Golden Boys
Bad Sports
Love Collector
The Stuffies
Lost Controls


Harlem - Scare You video via YouTube

Wow! What a great video of Harlem who shot that anyway?

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Bloggy's Whiskeytown Beerland Bonanza

So I saw Surfer Blood at Beerland last night and I can pretty much guarantee you didn't. I would say there were maybe 40-50 people, possibly fewer I'm a bad guessturbator, and y'all missed out as far as I'm concerned. At this point the guys only have about 10 songs so their whole set was only about 40 minutes but it was 40 minutes of indie-pop bliss. Think Weezer meets Vampire Weekend but not really all that precious or twee. The T-Shirts they were selling at the show reference Joy Division, which I don't see as being coincidental either. They certainly didn't remind me of Joy Division very often but there are those key guitar tones, which definitely point to their influence.

Speaking of the merch booth, I was psyched to see they were selling their full length LP, Astrocoast, which isn't due to hit stores until January. I bought a copy from the lead singer who told me this was Surfer Blood's first visit to Austin but they plan to "Take over SXSW" in March. Last night's show was day 4 of 45 that the band will be on the road so be sure to check their page linked above to catch 'em in your part of the U.S. of A (holes).

There aren't official videos out yet, at least not to my knowledge, but I want y'all to hear a song or two that I didn't post already. So, apologies for the pseudo-video but I want you to hear studio quality-ish.


Surfer Blood - Swim video via YouTube

I didn't catch all four bands who played Beerland last night but I did see the Cowabunga Babes. Their set was really fun and even inspired a few hipsters to break out in some nifty sock-hop dancing. To me they sounded like a messier, updated version of the B-52's and I like me some B-52's. However, I feel like they either need to tighten up or go more overboard with the sloppiness. Either be slick and polished or be the drunkest house-party band ever that's your call Cowabunga Babes but in the meantime keep rocking 'cause that was a fun-ass set! Just for the record though, I think Harlem are the current Austin crown-holders for drunkest house-party band and that's a good thing here.

[This is where I would put another Cowabunga Babes video but I already posted the one that they have at the moment and it doesn't feature the full band.]

I suppose I should explain this post's title a bit before I sign off here. I'm not much of a drinker but when I go to a show at a bar I will buy a drink of two. I'm also very frugal, shall we say, so I have been buying Lone Star when I go downtown. Well, recently I discovered that if I don't call my liquor I can get a tall Whiskey and Coke for roughly the same price as a damn Lone Star. At Beerland a tall Whiskey and Coke was $4 and a tall PBR was $3, you do the math! But stay away from the meth!

Here's one more from Surfer Blood, then I will leave them alone until SXSW.


Surfer Blood - Fast Jabroni video via YouTube

Oh, and in case you hadn't heard the hype yet/thought I was pulling this band out of thin air...


Nylon.Tv - Best New Bands: CMJ Pt. 1 video via YouTube

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Surfer Blood at Beerland

Those in the know, know that Surfer Blood made big waves at CMJ Fest last month. Get it, waves? Anywho, they'll be rolling through Austin, playing Beerland on Wednesday night. Something tells me if you can't make it, they'll probably be back next month anyway. That's usually the cycle here in Austin, the buzziest bands seem to roll through every month playing progressively bigger venues, so catch 'em next month at Red 7, then maybe Emo's. Probably by the time March rolls around and SXSW is in town they'll be showcasing at Stubb's or something. To be honest, I haven't even heard their songs yet, I'm just going with the typically "Pitchfork Band" career trajectory. Oh, and I used my Delorean to check out SXSW 2010 the Fader Fort is ridic in 2010!


Surfer Blood - Floating Vibes video via YouTube

So, what do we think? I'm thinking the name Surfer Blood was quite fitting. It maybe, wasn't as upbeat as I thought but I suppose that's the Blood part of their name. It's a little gothy, shoe-gazy, garage-surf-esque-ish. They don't have any "official" videos yet, like I said these guys are on the verge y'all. We're like the only people in Austin who know about them so far, just you and me kid. Aren't we cool? Oh, and if you do show up at Beerland for Surfer Blood and you want to buy them some shots to show your adoration, make sure you know who's 21 and who's not. These fellows are youngins y'all!


Surfer Blood - Christian Pagan video via YouTube

Aww, that last one was pretty...unless you really pay attention to the lyrics, which were kind of dark. The band's debut album comes out in January and their bio says they hail from West Palm Beach, Fla but we won't hold that against them. It is surprising though, if you've ever spent time in Florida then you know what a cultural vacuum that place is. Good for you Surfer Blood way to make hooky, jangly, indie-pop whilst surrounding by shallow and/or elderly people.

Cowabunga Babes will also be playing Beerland with Surfer Blood Wednesday night. I haven't seen them perform yet, but they had a show at Beauty Bar the other night and word on the street is they effing killed it!


Cowabunga Babes - Babysitter video via YouTube




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Thursday Night Shows

Bowerbirds are playing the Mohawk Thursday night, with local opener, Martin Crane. All I know about Martin Crane is that there is some affiliation with the band Brazos. I also know that Martin Crane was also Frasier's dad. Bowerbirds have been making ripples in the indie-blog world but I don't think the big buzz for them has started just yet. I've heard them on Sirius XM radio and I really enjoy it, definatly has potential to appeal to a larger audience. So I'm going to officially endorse them as Bloggy-approved.


Bowerbirds - In Our Talons video via YouTube

Free Mp3's courtesy of Dead Oceans Records, thanks.

Free Mp3 ---> Bowerbirds - Northern Lights

Free Mp3 ---> Bowerbirds - Beneath Your Tree


I also, want to mention a show that's going on at Beerland Thu night. My pals in When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth are about to go on a west coast tour so I think you should check out their live show before they pile into a van. Apologies for the video re-post but it's all/the best video I could find featuring the Dinos.


When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth - It's Not the Heat, It's the Humidity video via YouTube

If you do head to Beerland tomorrow you'll also have the chance to catch Daniel Francis Doyle. I think that's one of those names that sounds more famous than it actually is. That's a tip for you, dear reader, use three names and earn more respect and/or become infamous instead of famous. :-/


Daniel Francis Doyle - Your Cursive video via YouTube

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the touring support act for Bowerbirds at the Mohawk will be Megafaun. They're based in the Raleigh-Durham, NC scene and they play really nice roots-style music with Banjo and everything! Think J. Tillman/Fleet Foxes/Bowerbirds. :-)


Megafaun - Beloved Binge video via YouTube

Megafaun is also very Bloggy-approved. In fact I am heading to End of an Ear right now to pick up their album, Gather, Form & Fly. I really like what I've heard so far. I don't really like the artwork for the new album though, just sayin'.



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