Caveman and Ra Ra Riot this Friday

It's a rainy Friday night in Austin, Texas. It's going to be sweaty out there. The roads are going to be moist. That's right, I said moist what's up now? You could throw on some band-aid-sized shorts, put on a pair of boots, grab that vintage purse with the ridiculously long leather tassel and see what's happening down on 6th. You could throw on some Juicy Couture and Uggs and make it a Red Box night. You could do a Suburban Pub Crawl: Cheddar Bay biscuits and drinks with umbrellas at Red Lobster, breadsticks/cheesecake and Wine at Olive Garden, Blooming Onions and beers at Outback then finish things off at Club Applebees obviously. Those are pretty much the only things a person in Austin could possibly do tonight. You decide.

Oh wait, you guys, I just thought of a couple more things you could do.


Caveman - In The City video via YouTube

Bloggy Favs, Caveman return to Austin in support of their brilliant, self-titled, sophmore LP. That news in and of itself is enough to inspire the purchase of tickets (at the door) for this show at Emo's. But there's more to it than that.

You see, the reason Caveman are back in Austin tonight is to support Ra Ra Riot! I'm not saying it's their fault BUT I feel like the last time Ra Ra Riot played Austin, it also rained. This show is inside, there is on-site parking and it's NOT DOWNTOWN ON A FRIDAY NIGHT. Just throwing that out there.


Ra Ra Riot - Dance With Me video via YouTube

If you're a musical loca-vore then you need to be at Red 7 to bid Markov adieu. Yes, you read that correctly tonight's appearance on Red 7's inside stage is the band's last scheduled appearance as Markov. Find out what makes Markov Austin's best post-rock band. I can use present tense until their set is over tonight! Oh, and did I mention that Markov's final show is FREE?!?! Because it is.



There's probably some other stuff you could do tonight but I don't want to hear about it.

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Markov CD Release Show

Tomorrow night is a big night for local-band Markov. It's a big night because they are playing a support slot for a band they love, The Bronx but it's also a big night because they are celebrating the release of their new EP, The Flatlands. The Flatlands is six songs of melodious, driving, post-hardcore music that seems to go by in a flash. It's the perfect stop-gap between records and definitely shows growth from the band's previous release, This Quiet, which was already one of the best local releases of 2010. If you're looking for something to do Friday night, Markov at Red 7 is the thing to do. Tickets are only $12 if you buy them today but they'll be $14 tomorrow and don't underestimate fans of The Bronx, it's quite possible this show will be sold-out tomorrow.


Markov - Red Ocean video via YouTube

If you're trying to plan out your Friday night, I'd try to get to Red 7 by 9:30 for Markov's set. Also, it's an outside show so plan accordingly.


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You're on the Guest List

What started with a single club (whose original location is now closed) has spread throughout the Red River district and beyond. That's right, as you should know by now, it's FREE WEEK! Think of it as a small-scale local music festival with Austin bands playing for free at all sorts of venues, I didn't write about the first two days of free week but let me highlight a couple of shows to round out your week. Tonight, I recommend you head on over to Skinny's Ballroom to check out Leatherbag. Skinny's is fairly new to Austin's music scene so this will be a great way to welcome them into the free week fold.


Leatherbag - Living in the Dark video via YouTube
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On Wednesday night I would head over to ye olde Beauty Bar where the Manateam Group will be hosting a split showcase with the folks over at Giant Steps. You'll find 5 up-and-coming Austin groups at this showcase, including Tactics.



I'd also recommend you check out Equals' headlining set over at Antone's Wednesday night. That's the benefit of free week, you can hop around and see sets from several band and several venues without paying a cover!



Thursday night, I'm all about Antone's as I love those indie-piano-popsters of Oh No Oh My. I somehow neglected their album, People Problems, when I was doing my local, best of round-up last month so I want to be sure to highlight their headlining performance this week.


Oh No Oh My - So I Took You via YouTube

Friday night has a ton of great shows, you really can't go wrong no matter where you end up. You could see OBN III's at Beerland. You could also head down the street to the Mohawk for a set from Calm Blue Sea. Travel slightly north and east for Zlam Dunk at The Annex at 1808. Get your post-rock on at the Scoot Inn with Markov, with La Snacks on the same bill. If you haven't been to Emo's east Riverside location yet, you can see Quiet Company and Speak there on Friday night. Or you can stay slightly off the beaten path and enjoy the cozy confines of Lambert's for a set from Mice and Rifles.



Saturday night also has as great line-up of performances including a couple of repeat sets at different venues. If you don't cram yourself into the hostile armpit that is Beerland, on Friday night for OBN III's then I highly recommend you catch their Saturday night set at the lovely Mohawk. Also, if you missed Quiet Company's at Emo's East on Friday night they play, the very intimate, Swan Dive on Saturday night. Bloggy favs, TV Torso will be playing the Ringo Deathstarr at Beauty Bar, Fresh Millions at the Parish, What Made Milwaukee Famous at Antone's, Megafauna at Flamingo Cantina, La Snacks and The Cocker Spaniels at Skinny's, and Guns of Navarone at Scoot Inn.



Sunday night is your final night to not pay a cover charge, bringing 7 nights of free-ness to a close. I don't recognize as many bands playing Sunday but you can find free music at: Mohawk, Antone's, Red 7, ND and Beerland. So, there you have it, FREE WEEK! If you want to see more info, I always like to use Show List Austin. You can also find a great write-up by our brothers of the blog over at Ultra8201. Have fun out there, don't drink and drive and make sure to tip your bar-staff.

By the way, almost every link I posted for these bands will bring you to their Bandcamp page where you can listen to their latest releases. Enjoy!

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Not To Be Missed Thursday

Hey y'all (read in Paul Deen voice), there are a few essential happenings tomorrow night that I wanted you to be aware of in case you feel like getting off the sofa. They are varied in nature and location so you'll have plenty of choices if you can drag yourself away from 30 Rock. The first event I want to mention features gratis booze so you'll want to head over to the event page A.S.A.P. and R.S.V.P. so you can get your drink on. This event is sponsored by some of our favorite Austin groups/companies, including, the always effervescent Glitoris who will be bumping some tunes whilst people tour and explore Austin's Paramount and State theaters. The above events link will give you all the down and dirty about prizes, contests and the like.

Meanwhile over on Red River, our Knuckle Rumbler friends are hosting Alabama's-own Yelawolf at the Mohawk. You may recall that I had a brief chat with Yelawolf during SXSW this year in which we discussed the state of the global economy, financial derivatives and other important matters. If you want to get down with some Alabama trunk-music tomorrow night you better snag yourself a ticket, word on the virtual-street is they're almost gone!


Yelawolf - In This Club video via YouTube

A few blocks away from Yelawolf two of my favorite Austin bands will be tearing up Emo's inside stage for a mere $5. That's right Markov are, once again, joining forces with Zlam Dunk to melt your collective faces. Wait, there's more. Not only do you get Markov and Zlam Dunk for your $5 bill, you can also catch Say Say Say, Paper Mache and Equals. All in all a fantastic bill of local artists with lots of promise.


Markov - Jaws of Life video via YouTube

Or if you INSIST on seeing some touring indie-rock bands you could hit Emo's outside stage for Black Lips and Vivian Girls. That promises to be one of the messiest looking and sounding 1-2 punches of indie-rock you'll ever experience. I DARE you to be drunker than those bands before they start performing. Actually, don't attempt that, their livers are seasoned since they, pretty much, get paid in booze. Tickets are still available for that show if you're interested. I've seen both artists perform in the past and the shows were fun but I feel like Vivian Girls have an, almost, entirely different line-up from when I last saw them?


Vivian Girls - I Heard You Say video via YouTube

So, that's what I've got for you tomorrow night. I wouldn't judge if you decided to sofa-surf instead but you DO have options if you want to leave the house.

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So Much Friday Goodness!

As if we don't have enough to worry about with SXSW right around the corner I almost forgot it's a typical Friday night in Austin packed with good shows to go see. I mentioned yesterday that my favorite, local, post-punkers, Markov are playing a free show at Red 7 with Zlam Dunk. However, for those of you not down with guitar music you also have some pretty bad-ass options to choose from. For instance, the LEGENDARY Digable Planets be to rap what key is to lock and they are performing at Venue 222 right in the heart of 6th street madness. You can still get $15 tickets to that show or if you're feeling like a baller they have VIP tickets for $50. Doors for the Digable Planets show open at 8p and the first, of four, acts goes on at 9p.


Digable Planets - Rebirth Of Slick (Cool Like Dat) video via YouTube

Speaking of bad-ass/legendary hip-hop... happening right next door to Red 7 at Beauty Bar, Stones Throw Records' own Peanut Butter Wolf will be spinning for FREE. This event is listed as "video/DJ" so I expect there will be some technological wizardry allowing images to go with the music, I know it's like the 21st century or some shit. However, since this event is both free and hipster-approved I would get there early if you expect to get in. If you love standing in lines looking good then just show-up, ya know, like, whenever.


Peanut Butter Wolf - Time-Lapse of PB Djing w/DVD's video via YouTube

Meanwhile a few blocks away back in guitar-music land blog-stars The Walkmen will be playing a headlining set to a bunch of people who would rather chat with each other than listen at Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater. The Walkmen's most recent LP, Lisbon didn't make my best albums of 2010 list but it came damned near close and I enjoy their music so much that I once went to a Cake concert because The Walkmen were the opening act. That's devotion right there people.


The Walkmen - Angela Surf City video via YouTube

Tickets for the Stubb's show are still available and will set you back $18. Local bad-asses, TV Torso will play the first slot with The Head and The Heart as the meat of your rock 'n roll sandwich.


The Head and the Heart - Down in the Valley video via YouTube

Holy ish! Didn't that The Head and the Heart song remind you of Ryan Adams at least for a minute?!?! I HIGHLY approve!

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Markov/Zlam Dunk at Red 7 Fo Free!

Now y'all know that I love free stuff and you know I love Markov, well tomorrow night those two loves combine! That's right you can catch local, post-rock outfit Markov at Red 7 and all it will cost you is your physical presence! Not only that, but in addition to Markov, you can also catch a set from another local, Bloggy-fav, in the form of Zlam Dunk. I'd like to take credit for this unholy alliance of bad-assedness as I introduced a member of Markov to a member of Zlam Dunk, although in reality they already had a show booked together at that point, but for creating-my-own-reality reasons I'm still going to take credit.

Red 7's doors will open at 9:00p Friday night for this event and as you can see on that handy/cool-looking poster you can expect to see FIVE bands performing, so I'd expect the music to begin by 9:30 at the latest. I'm not, precisely, sure about who is playing when but I'd expect my homeboys from Markov to start slaying shortly before midnight with Zlam Dunk taking the headlining slot around 1am.


Markov - Rain Inside video courtesy of 'Nites Blog via YouTube

As I mentioned above the break, in addition to getting Zlam Dunk and Markov at Red 7 tomorrow night you will get THREE additional bands (still for free). As I mentioned I'm not sure of who is playing when, but here are the other bands on the bill:

Artificial Heart,
Skyscratchers, and
Grenadier

I haven't seen these other bands perform before but the links I posted above are to Bandcamp and MySpace pages, so you can hear and/or download music from them there. Here's an older video of Zlam Dunk to tide you over until tomorrow night.


Zlam Dunk - Vice video via YouTube

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Zlam Dunk CD Release Party Friday

If you have yet to see Zlam Dunk perform live, then this Friday night you best be clearing your calendar to check out their CD release party at Emo's. I saw this, super-energetic, local band open up for Fang Island earlier in the year and I can assure you they are worth checking out. I also have it on good authority that the majority of the band will be finishing up at Texas State as soon as finals are done this semester, which means they'll most likely be hitting the road in support of their new LP. In otherwords, if you don't see them this Friday you may not have another chance for quite awhile.


Zlam Dunk - Ghost Woman video via YouTube

As if, Zlam Dunk weren't enough reason for you to hit Emo's Friday night, Bloggy-favs Markov will also be performing. They're album, This Quiet, has been making critical waves locally since its spring release and they stole the show at the Friday night FunFunFun Fest kick-off party at the Mohawk. They bring the melodies with a tight, technical skill-set cranking out post-rock perfection in three-minute bursts.


Markov - This Quiet video via YouTube

Sandwiched between these two outstanding, local band is Freshmillions whom I have yet to see but have heard great things about already. Tickets for Friday night's show are still available and will only set you back $6, purchased in advance OR $8 at the door. If you're under 21 you can still get in to see these great, local acts but you'll have to pay $10. Sorry kids.


Freshmillions - Hot New Jam from '73 video via YouTube

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Lil' Dinos & Markov @ Red 7

Have y'all seen this video from local band, When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth? It's pretty hillarious, and I'm not totally certain but I don't think I hear any acoustic guitars, brushes on drums OR accordian in this tune. In case you can't tell it's a visual reference to Nirvana's legendary Unplugged performance. These guys have been playing around Austin for quite sometime and have established a name for themselves here. They'll be doing a west coast tour in August but you can catch em at Red 7 tonight.


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


There are several other bands on tonight's bill but I mostly want to highlight When Dionsaurs Ruled the Earth and up-and-coming hard rocker's/metal-punks Markov these guys just got a nod in the Chronicle as a band to watch. To be honest they are a lot heavier than the sort of music I USUALLY get into. But sometimes you just need a truly visceral, loud music experience ya know?


Markov - Divine Credit video via YouTube

The band that is actually headlining Red 7 tonight is called Double Dagger and to be honest I know nothing about them really so this video is my first exposure to their music as it probably is yours as well.


Double Dagger - Luxury Condos video via YouTube

So it looks like tonight's show at Red 7 is going to be a seriously METAL experience. So rock your asses off but DEFINITELY bring some earplugs. For real y'all protect your senses 'cause these venues downtown don't mind making your ears bleed. Especially at a metal show, where you know all the amps are going to be set to 11 (ala Spinal Tap)

And if metal's not your thing, there's hip-hop next door at Emo's with Talib Kweli, as I mentioned yesterday.

I must say, I don't know who does the posters for Markov but they are pretty effing sweet. I wonder if there are physical copies or just virtual flyers? Check it out...



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