Tag: chaos in tejas

Chaos in Tejas Preview: Screaming Females

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UPDATE: Apparently Marrissa had to cancel due to illness, but we’ll leave this up because we love the band. We’re just a few short days away from Chaos in Tejas, but we still have a few bands we think should be on your radar. Screaming Females is one such act, and one that you surely have to be aquainted with by this point…but if not, here’s the good word.

The New Jersey trio have been working tirelessly since o5/06, with five full lengths to their name–including this year’s excellent, Ugly LP. There’s all kinds of ways you can label the band, from punk to garage to perhaps metal (if you consider their recent tour with Tragedy), but the band has one key element that makes them something entirely unique, something you might consider a spectacle; they have Marissa Paternoster.

Marissa is probably one of the most unassuming women in rock n’ roll, that is until you catch the band live.  She stands about 5 foot tall, average fashion sense, almost shy in appearance.  But, when she steps onto the stage, something transforms her into one of the most powerful women in rock n’ roll.  She slings her guitar around as she furiously strums, and that voice, dear lord that voice.  I remember the first time I caught the group as they were opening for Ted Leo a few years back (and you all know I love Ted) and she almost blew Ted off the stage.  This by no means indicates that Jarrett and Mike (the other two) don’t own their instruments as well, but if you’re looking for a live performance that will change the way you look at music, then you don’t need to go any further than by watching Screaming Females.  I promise you, if you want to catch one band, it’s this one.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screaming-Females-Expire.mp3]

Download: Screaming Females – Expire [MP3]

Chaos in Tejas Preview: The Clean

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We continue our Chaos in Tejas coverage with one of the bands that I’m most excited to see, New Zealand’s The Clean!

Anytime you listen to some jangling garage pop track, or off-beat power pop, the odds are, that band was influenced by the Clean, who’ve been releasing songs since 1981; their first single is the track we’re featuring below.

They didn’t actually release a full-length album until almost a decade into their career, instead compiling tons of singles to release as compilations on the legendary Flying Nun label in their home country.  But, disbanding and focusing on different groups, often incestuous groups with other NZ acts like the Chills, saw them sort of sputter out, barely making the radar outside of their island home.  Hopefully, that all changed when Merge released their album, Mister Pop, a few years back, bringing the band some new fans.

For me, I say start with the Anthology, as that was my first introduction to the band many years ago; it’s got tons of great singles waiting to be your favorite track.  Within those songs you’ll see the energy and wit that defined the group’s sound, leading them to be one of the most revered, yet underappreciated acts, of all time.  I’ve never seen them though, and I know it won’t be the same as watching them back in the day, but just to hear some of these songs live will further complete my life as a music fan.  They’ll definitely be worth your time.

They play at 11 PM at Club Deville on Saturday, June 2nd.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/03-Tally-Ho.mp3]

Download:The Clean – Tally Ho [MP3]

New Song from Var (formerly War)

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This song has been floating all over the Internet this morning as the Danish group formerly known as War changed their name to Var–you might also know about the group already due to their relationship (read: participation) with Iceage.  There’s a really throbbing electronic element to this track, and while I realize that the vocals are not the most pristine, there is some element of this song that keeps me coming back.  I don’t know, there’s some tribal element in the demi-chant, and I just want to play the song loudly here in my little office. Hope you dig it, and who knows, maybe they’ll play the track as a pre-cursor when they come to Austin next month for Chaos in Tejas.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/20120504_specials_yourarms.mp3]

Download: Var – Your Arms [MP3]

Show Preview: Tragedy (w/ Screaming Females) @ Red 7 (5/4)

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Date Friday, May 4th
Location Red 7
Doors 900p
Tickets $10 from Transmission

Tragedy, Criaturas and Impalers typically play a harder bit of rock n’ roll than what we generally cover over here at ATH, but I wanted to toss this up so as to spread a little more love on one of our favorite acts, Screaming Females.  The band is on the road, touring to support their recent album, Ugly.  Not only has the album (and the band) won lots of praise, but they have perhaps one of the strongest front women I’ve ever seen at the helm. Marissa Posternoster comes in a tiny package, but man, what a punch.  You’ve got to see her belt out the licks to completely understand, so even if you’re not into the rest of the line-up, you need to stop by and see Screaming Females. But, don’t fret, the group will be back soon for Chaos in Tejas–we’ll have more on that later.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Screaming-Females-Expire.mp3]

Download:Screaming Females – Expire [MP3]

 

Super Rad Jam from Royal Headache

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I’ve known this number was coming down the pipeline for a bit, and I just couldn’t wait much longer to share it with you!  Royal Headache is an Australian quartet destined to break out with their blend of joyous garage-soul fusion.  Royal Headache is fortunate to have their self-titled album picked up for US release by the always excellent folks over at What’s Your Rupture; they’ll have it ready for you on May 8th.  There’s this infectious energy in album track “Girls,” be it the steady pop streaming guitars or the playful crooning of Shogun on vocals.  We’ll all be fortunate to witness their invasion in June, after they stop by Austin to play several  Chaos in Tejas dates.  Get ready to fall in love with rock n’ soul.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/RoyalHeadache_Girls.mp3]

Download: Royal Headache – Girls

Chaos in Tejas Highlight: The Beets

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With so many acts in town this weekend, it’s not easy picking out the best, but for Saturday night, I had it easy, as The Beets are going to be here, playing over at Beerland.  If you haven’t heard of the band, you’ll probably find that their recent album, Stay Home, off of Captured Tracks is as good a place to start as any.  If you’re looking for that lo-fi spirit with a bit of humor, then you’re going to have to be out there having fun with these guys.  In my mind, it has a softer spin on what the Dead Milkmen seem to have perfected during their hey-day.  There’s twanging guitars, simple hooks, and the band always poke fun at themselves.  It’s definitely something that can win people over, and careful listening will probably leave you and your friends to each have your own favorite song, arguing through the night about which was best.  It’s simple, they all are, so we’ll see you at Beerland Saturday.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/02-Dead.mp3]

Download: The Beets – Dead [MP3]

Chaos in Tejas Highlight: Lower Dens

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Of all the bands playing at Chaos in Tejas, this is one that I recommend for pretty much everyone, not just those that are looking for punk rock goodness.  Lower Dens features Austin’s own Jana Hunter, and a solid backing band.  It’d be easy to focus on Hunter’s vocals as something beautiful to focus on this Friday at Emos, but the band is so much more than just that.  There’s this dense sound filled with guitars, often a bit fuzzy, and minimal drumming; it’s like if you wanted to find a darker version of Beach House.  If you haven’t gone and listened to their latest record Twin-Hand Movement, then you’re doing yourself an injustice; you need that record in your collection.  So if you’re looking for that one show that is solid, yet not necessarily loud, then you’ll need to find your way to see the group on Friday night.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/lowerdenstealights.mp3]

Download: Lower Dens – Tea Lights [MP3]

Chaos in Tejas Highlight: The Spits

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The first band in our installment of highlights for the wonderful Chaos in Tejas is The Spits.  They’re a Seattle punk group who’ve released four LPs and a slew of compilations and 7 inches.  Listening to them, I get this old Misfits feeling, though I’m sure that’s just wishful thinking on my part.  They’re known to don costumes on stage, such as in this picture, and you’re guaranteed to get fast, dirty punk rock that’s going to have you bobbing your head, jumping up and down, or at the very least, tapping your toes.  The band will be playing their darkness punk at Red 7 on Thursday, along with some great acts ( a few from Austin) like TV Ghost and High Tension Wires.  For those with a passion for the harder edge, this is a great night to kick off the festival, so be sure to show up early and get your punk on with the Spits.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/01-Tonight.mp3]

Download: The Spits – Tonight [MP3]

New Single from The Beets

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If you haven’t listened to The Beets latest release, Stay Home, then you’ve probably been missing out my friends.  But, have no fear, as they’re giving away another track from the album called “Dead.”  It was already one of my favorite tracks, but it just has this oddball quality to it that gets me, sort of reminding me of the Feelies.  Don’t listen to me, listen to the Beets! You can grab their latest from Captured Tracks right this very minute, and if you live in Austin, you’ll be able to catch them in June at Chaos in Tejas!

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/The-Beets-Dead.mp3]

Download: The Beets – Dead [MP3]

Chaos n’ Tejas Preview: Ty Segall

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As the Chaos in Tejas festival comes into Austin this Wednesday, its high time we take a closer look at our heavier, faster brethren. Our first suggestion for your ears is the garage rock wunderkind Ty Segall.  He’s having a busy year already, producing the 7″ for Brilliant Colors, then he’s got his own album Melted which hits stores next week.  Such a busy schedule might lead one to think of the recently vacated spot left by Jay Reatard (RIP) wherein he dominated (like it or not) the garage rock scene across the web.  Ty’s next in line, and in fact, has already sort of taken over.  You can check Ty out this Thursday, May 27th at Red 7.  Here’s a tune from his new album as well, in case you need more convincing.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Caesar.mp3]

Download: Ty Segall – Caesar

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