Japanther at Chain Drive

I gotta tell you folks, I am quite intrigued by this listing for the Japanther show at Chain Drive on Wednesday night. I remember Chain Drive used to have punk shows quite regularly and then it became something that just happened during SXSW. If you're not familiar, Chain Drive is a gay bar but not just any gay bar. It's what one might call a "bear & leather" bar. It's not unusual to see a man, who looks like an off-duty Santa Claus wearing a leather thong and chaps at the CD.


Japanther - Radical Businessman video via YouTube

It should also be mentioned that the Cowabunga Babes are on this same bill, which might mark the first time women will be inside the Chain Drive. I'm not sure where they set bands up in there. That should be interesting as well. If the show is inside the bar takes up most of the space in one area, not to mention it's incredibly dark.



Cowabunga Babes - Hot Babez video via YouTube

We're already intrigued with the space itself for this concert, and the fact that women will be there is of note but the other intriguing element is the inclusion of Best Fwends on the bill. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan, but talk about a genre-hopping set of artists.


Best Fwends - Smooth Jazz Blanket video via YouTube

Oh yeah, one last helpful bit of info regarding the Chain Drive the drinks are cheap and strong but you get faster/better service with cash than credit. Although, I suppose that last part is almost always true at bars. Still, you should keep it in mind. Show up with a $20 for drinks and you should be covered, with money left-over.

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Yay Friday! Whatcha Doin' Austin?

Wow, so we haven't talked all week! What's been going on, dear reader? Have you had a great week in indie-rock? There's definitely some good shows for you to check out this weekend. Tonight you could kick it classic-alt-styley with Living Colour at Emo's. You could also party down with the dude-bras and hipsters at the Mohawk for a little Best Fwends-hosted, possibly-awkward dance-party. For my money though, I'd hit La Zona Rosa for a great local bill featuring The Soldier Thread, Wideawake, and Alpha Rev. The Soldier Thread go on first so get there between 9 & 10 if you want to see them...and you do, want to see them.


The Soldier Thread - Run, Run video via YouTube

I was surprised and confused when I first learned that Alpha Rev was local to Austin, I was also surprised they played so often. Then I realized, that I was thinking of fellow indie-rockers Mercury Rev but there is no connection.


Alpha Rev - Stars of Wonder video via YouTube

Alpha Rev has been doing there thing for over a decade, last fall they signed with, Disney-owned, Hollywood Records. I'm not going to judge them based on their label, but it is a bit jarring to visit their label page and see the other artists on Hollywood. It also, pretty much, explains why I kept hearing Alpha Rev during commercial breaks on my fav Disney-owned answer to the CW, ABC Family.


Alpha Rev - Phoenix Burn video via YouTube

Oh and just to tie this whole thing together, that band Wideawake has actually had their music featured on the CW itself. Their tunes have been used on One Tree Hill, and even...wait for it...Dawson's MF Creek y'all. That's old-school, that's nostalgia-worthy, that's pre-CW that's when it was the WB. You know you still have a dancing frog doll kicking around somewhere.


Wideawake - Maybe Tonight, Maybe Tomorrow video via YouTube

If nothing I've mentioned so far piques your interest, you can always catch local-legend, Alejandro Escovedo at the Continental Club. The dude played with MF Springsteen y'all so expect lots of soccer-moms in attendance and/or creepy old guys w/young girlfriends. *shudder* He's playing the Continental tomorrow night too if tonight just doesn't work for you. BTW, did you know Sonic Youth released an official bootleg of their April '86 performance at the legendary Continental Club? Thanks Wiki, you have so much useless info that I need.

Here's another Soldier Thread performance, this one is a Radiohead cover.


The Soldier Thread - Videotape video via YouTube

Don't get me wrong, I love them BUT the snarky comment re:Best Fwends ie. the whole Awkward thing; check this out:


Best Fwends - Todd P. Comes to Austin Promo video via YouTube

That's all I'm sayin'.

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