Show Preview: Carl Sagans Skate Shoes + Vampyre

carlsaganIf you’re living in Austin, you might be tired of that old “Austin music is dying” retort; I know I am. So how do we stop it? You go out on Thursday and support local bands! Tonight you can catch Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes headlining over at Vegas, fresh off the release of their excellent self-titled LP. Plus, help put a little money in the pocket of Vampyre, who are about to head out on the road, which is the hardest part for Austin acts sometimes. Oh, and did you know Foreign Mothers have been back at the live rock lately? Well, they are…and they play on this bill tonight. All kick started by the fire burning of Sherman’s March. So come out to Hotel Vegas tonight…show starts at 10 PM.

**There’s also word that a tour-only cassette will be available at tonight’s show!

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ATX Spotlight: More from Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes

carlsaganWe’re just around the corner from the release of the new Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes LP, and we’ve got another blistering track for you to enjoy this morning. It begins ominously, with this huge semi-metal guitar drop. But, seconds later the song is jumpstarted, and the lyrics are delivered in a punishing form that matches the energy of the guitar’s speed. Listen closely, as the guitar work has these little intricacies in the recording that really illustrate how creative the band is within the confines of rock n’ roll; there’s little guitar stutters, pop-centric chords and pace changes, all which change the momentary structure. The heavier bands in Austin often get overlooked, but these guys are ready to make themselves known to the masses. Look for the self-titled LP viaSuper Secret Records on August 19th.

ATX Spotlight: More from Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes

carlsaganIs that new self-titled Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes record out yet? Man, I loved the first single, but this new is just ridiculously rad; it hits hard, but also has an artful touch to it that harkens back to the the noisy creatives of 90s rock. There’s a brash bark in the vocal, giving the tune an edge, but ultimately, the guitar work steals the show. Chords are carefully woven in and out of distortion, crashing at times with an emphatic punch. It’s heavy, it’s clever and its damn good; look for the effort from Super Secret Records on August 19th.

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ATX Spotlight: New Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes

calrsaganIt comes as no surprise to folks in Austin that Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes should be our next big local export, as the band have been taking over this town show by show. Today they dropped a brand new single off brandishing their wall of noise and punishing vocals. For me, what’s always been impressive is the underlying pop sensibility in the band’s sound, coating their melodies with distortion and brooding bass lines. The band’s about to release their self-titled effort on August 19th via Super Secret Records; it’s time the rest of the world took note!

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ATX Show Spotlight: Xetas Record Release @ Hotel Vegas (TONIGHT!)

XetasIn a week with several great local releases (Zoltars/Quiet Company included), you’ve got to show up tonight to catch the ballsy rock display that Xetas continuously bring to the stage. The work they’ve put into The Redeemer completely catches their live energy, harnessing it into a ball of fury that’s ready to destroy your Apple headphones; you’ll likely want to hear this record on the best stereo possible.  Go out to Hotel Vegas tonight, as they band will be joined by other local heavy-hitters, Spray Paint, Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes and New China.  And if you can’t make it out to the show, grab the album from 12XU; you won’t be let down, I swear it.

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