Emo's done did a good thing starting Free Week all those many years ago. With it's growing popularity every year, it has a tendency to remind us of our rock and roll roots, and what we love about the Austin music community.
After carefully studying the schedule (thanks to Showlist Austin!) and weeding through the insurgence of Facebook Events on my home page... here are my picks for this year.
Saturday, January 1
Red 7 - Outside: Car Stereo (Wars), Parking, Gobi, Politics
Inside: Yuppie Pricks, The Distant Seconds, Mistress Stephanie and Her Melodic Cat, Jesus Christ Superfly, Blowhole
Car Stereo (Wars)
Austin's very own version of "Girl Talk"; Car Stereo (Wars) will mash up the jams we remember from years past and perhaps some new shit we can look forward to hearing more of in 2011.
The Distant Seconds are Stem and Leaf pals. They braved the cold last year at our SXSW day party and managed to keep the enthusiasm (even though not nearly enough beer had been consumed yet). Their driving beats and catchy guitar and keyboard melodies have proven to get any party started.
If you've never seen Blowhole... what can I say? If you like songs about tits and coke... and dudes who seem to be having a good time singing about tits and coke... you'll dig it.
And I mean really.... How can you not want your first show of the year to be with Jesus Christ Superfly?
Sunday, January 2
Mohawk - Amplified Heat, The Hi-Tones, The Boxing Lesson, Black Forest Fire
The Boxing Lesson
If you're still reeling from the raucous at Red 7 the night before... stop by Mohawk on Sunday night to get some more. Slightly more polished with the 60's pop and R&B influences on this bill, this Lucy The Poodle and Frenchie Smith Records Showcase has a stage presence of rock and roll that I often times miss. The kind of shows that were fun because it was loud and nobody really knew if what was happening was cool or not. It wasn't even a matter of cool. It surpassed that. Shows that were a bit rougher, a bit looser, and drove it home with intensity.
The highlight of the showcase is The Boxing Lesson ,who have proven their lasting presence in Austin with the technical arrangements between guitar and synths, shine in their live performance. You can sense the love and fun for their band that Paul Waclawsky and Jaylinn Davidson display every time I have seen them.
Monday, January 3
Beauty Bar - The Bubbles, One Hundred Flowers, Deer Vibes
OK, I realize this is for my own show with One Hundred Flowers. While this may seem like self promotion, I choose to look at it in a different way. We made this blog to talk about what we like, but we also made it to talk about things we are doing.
That aside, I am truly excited about this bill. We are lucky enough to have gotten Deer Vibes to open and The Bubbles to close. We're just the mushy marshmallow filling stuffed between their chocolate cookie crust. It's going to satisfy your sweet tooth, trust me.
Red 7 - Sober Daze, Bike Problems, Medium Head Boy
(Inside) Moon, Sad Accordions, Distance Runner, Love at 20
Bike Problems
If I was given the option of choosing which first world problem I'd have to endure for the rest of my life... it would definitely be Bike Problems. Made up of perhaps the three sweetest people in Austin, they are infectiously adorable and play punk music the way we remember it being played growing up.
Tuesday, January 4
The Parish - Stereo is a Lie, Motel Aviv, New Roman Times, Final Exam
New Roman Times
This bill was brought to you by everything you loved about the new music movement that started in the 80's. Post-punk pop anthems, synths, droning bass, dark and atmospheric twists. The fact that real men can pull off wearing anything - including leather pants and unbuttoned silk shirts. Morrissey taught us that. They may even spring for the fog machine!
Also, who can pass up a free event at one of the best rooms in town? It's kind of pricey normally... so take advantage. Unless they stopped doing it, they have a "grab" special. For the same price of $3, they grab from a tub of random beers. Aim high and hope for the Fosters!
Wednesday, January 5
Mohawk - Marmalakes, Danny Malone, Little Lo, Dark Water Hymnal
Marmalakes
OK, I like to rock and roll. It's true. But I also like thoughtful, intricate, and technically perfected pieces like the four that make up this bill. All of these acts are worth catching, so you may have a hard time prying away to catch any other shows.
The Dark Water Hymnal
Beerland - Easy Tiger, St. Philistine, The Bubbles, American Sharks
The Bubbles
If you're still on the punk rock party bus, check out the show at Beerland. It's likely that Easy Tiger and The Bubbles have been inducted into residency here. Their member's various projects and following tend to make it a sure thing that if they're playing a free show at Beerland on a weeknight it will be a fun time. Regardless of sound, what Beerland does have that the more polished venues don't, is personality. Their staff are pretty much the sweetest and the clientele is always rowdiest. Mix that with clamoring guitars and everyone in the room shouting the catchy choruses and hooks, and you have a recipe for excellence in my book.
Thursday, January 6
Emo's (Outside) - Ringo Deathstar, The Carrots, The Ugly Beats, The Hi-Tones
(Inside) - Yellow Fever, Missions, Spells, Silent Diane
Yellow Fever
If there is one thing I love about Austin it is that the scenes are pretty eclectic. There are so many talented people residing in this town that it keeps things interesting when events like this happen. You can have a showcase that spans across three influential decades and appreciate them all the same. I agree with the assessment the A.V. Club wrote here:
http://www.avclub.com/austin/events/free-week-ringo-deathstarr-yellowfever-the-carrots,218726/
Chain Drive - Boonesboro, Bubbleface, The Mole People, Attic Ted
Boonesboro
If you're maybe looking to stay off Red River, you can cozy on up to the secluded location of the Chain Drive. Words can not express the joy in the room when acts Boonesboro and The Mole People play to it. Quite possibly two of the most entertaining, enjoyable, and seriously genuine bands in Austin, TX -- don't worry. They're not just intoxicatingly cute. They back it up with the talent. It's good, solid tunes to get down to. Trust me. The only thing that could make them more fun is if they played at a leather daddy bar.... OH! WAIT! I am so there.
Friday, January 7
Club Deville - From the Mind of Adi's First Friday Frolic with DJ uLOVEi, DJ I Wanna Ber Her, One Hundred Flowers, Stereo is a Lie, Monarchs, Erin Ivey, Eagle Eye Williamson, BK & Mr. E
This particular showcase, put on by Adi Anand, is for AMP. An acronym that stands for Austin Music People. They are a highly important group of people whose only interest is to protect the natural resource that Austin has to offer -- the people. You can read more here about what they aim to do to make sure that the best interest of the city is being spoken for by those of us in this community who make it the unique destination that it is.
http://austinmusicpeople.org/about.php
This event will have complimentary Big Red Retro sodas & Complimentary pies from Home Slice Pizza! Plus giveaways from Howler Brothers! Yay!
Emo's - What Made Milwaukee Famous, The Lemurs, Ovenbirds, Salesman, The Authors
The Lemurs
Um.... DUH! That's all I need to say about this...
Saturday, January 8
Mohawk (Outside) Mother Falcon, Royal Forest, My Golden Calf
(Inside) - My Empty Phantom, Milk Thistle, Obsolete Machines, Missions
Mother Falcon
This is also another DUH reaction.
When going to see Mother Falcon it is key that they are on a stage that not only fits the orchestral pop group, but also has the ability to give them the quality of sound needed to hear the layers and intricate details of the arrangements. It's challenging, but I have faith that the Mohawk won't disappoint.
Another act to catch is Royal Forest. You may not recognize this name but you may recognize their old name, Loxly. Same dudes, same songs. New name.
Royal Forest
Sunday, January 9
SLEEP! No, don't shit yourself. Not the psych-metal band that everyone and their little unborn stoner babies love. I mean the act of. I will be sleeping on Sunday, so let me know if I missed something epic.
I hope that my picks have helped you narrow down your rock and roll options. It's what I'm here for.
CHEERS! and Happy New Year!
Man, so much good stuff! I'm really bummed that I'm going to miss Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
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