Levitation Festival – Wrap Up

And just like that, Levitation 2022 has come and gone as fast and powerful as a Slift guitar interlude. With absolutely no remorse for ear drums, the entire billing unconditionally brought their fucking A game. Earsplitting, breakneck, and with style points in spades, this years fest was one for the record books. 2 nights of Gizz, 4 nights of the Osees, La Femme and Black Angels closing things out, what is not to like? If you were following along, your ATH crew enlisted amongst the thronged masses in the Red River Cultural District this weekend to get a massive dose of culture. We spread out as much as possible over the weekend and below are our major takeaways and favorite shows you should be listening to and seeing live if you get the chance. Until next time, hit the jump.

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Levitation 2022 – A Preview

Maybe you’ve heard about this thing called Levitation Festival going down this weekend in Austin? You haven’t? Well your boys at ATH are here to help with a little Festival preview and guide as you head out to the shows starting on Thursday. The number one thing to remember is — pace yourself, drink tons of water, and wear comfortable shoes. Okay that was three things, but you get the idea. Hit the jump for some nightly recommendations and tuneage.

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Top Albums of 2021

Honestly, I’m pretty over lists at this point. They’re arbitrary and don’t really reflect anything but someone’s tastes, except here where they reflect the tastes of three individuals…because that’s how we roll. So, take this list with a grain of salt. These are the records we thought were the best, which mostly just means these are the ones we listened to on repeat throughout the year! Feel free to leave a comment on what you think we missed, or why we’re dumb; we love good comment trolls.

Also, because this list is really about crediting the art that made us happy, we wanted it to make you happy too, so we included purchasing links where we could. Read more

Show Pics: Ministry @ Industrial Accident Screening (4/19)

As I mentioned in the preview, Wax Trax! had quite a bit of influence on my music in my late teens and early twenties. To that point, metal never flirted with my new wave. Industrial changed that. Wax Trax! was the conduit to the bands that had distribution in Europe, but no outlet in the states. That record store along with venues and musicians in Chicago invited over bands like Front 242, KMFDM, Laibach and others and then incubated new projects like Ministry and Revolting Cocks. Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records documents the rise and fall of one of the most independent labels and record stores. The story goes like this: An openly gay couple, Dannie Flesher and Jim Nash, from the midwest moves to a shady neighborhood in Denver to open an amazing record store, they snap and move to Chicago, grow to love and champion bands via a record label, foster a “sound” and ultimately fall apart because of the necessary, but unpleasant parts of the business before being lost prematurely.

House of Vans hosted an event tied in with Record Store Day in Austin for fans of the label with a screening of the movie, a show featuring Cold Cave and Ministry and brought along a ton of merch from the barn archives (see the movie). Pics from the event, Q&A and performances to follow.

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Show Preview: Ministry with Cold Cave (4/18)

I will be among the lucky ones to watch Industrial Accident: The Story of Wax Trax! Records before Cold Cave and Ministry perform live. Wax Trax! was massively influential on me bringing bands like (aside from the aforementioned Ministry) Front 242, Revolting Cocks, A Split Second, KMFDM and My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult to my ears. We tweeted out info on RSD about the move/concert combo tix when they were available. Now, if you have the will and are more interested in the concert than the movie, you can still be mong the free GA admission people to attend the show which will feature Ministry doing all late 80’s and 90’s set. Register your RSVP HERE and get in line at Fair Market now.

Show Preview: Divine Fits @ Stubbs (10/31)

Date 10/31/12
Location Stubbs
Doors 7pm
Tickets $20 @ Frontgate

Tomorrow is everyone’s favorite spooky holiday and a great way to celebrate would be heading over to the Divine Fits show over at Stubbs.  With one ATH crew member already verifying that the supergroup can pull of one hell of a live show, this is sure to be a must see show.  Oh and let’s not forget that ATH approved band Cold Cave is providing opening support, so now I just don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t be here.

We’ve also heard that a costume contest is going down along with some horror movie snippets between band performances.  I’m in.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/04-Divine-Fits-A-Thing-Called-Divine-Fits-Would-That-Not-Be-Nice.mp3]

Download: Divine Fits – Would That Not Be Nice [MP3]

New Jam from Cold Cave

Okay, so it’s not a new jam obviously, as it was recorded awhile ago as a B-Side for the Cold Cave‘s latest effort, Cherish the Light Years. It’s a heavy-handed dance jam, precisely what we’ve come to love from the group in the last few years.  For me, it sounds like a dark-edged Depeche Mode, rooted in the history of 80s, but obviously it’s got that modern twist.  Admittedly, there’s nothing new and sparkling about this song, nor the style, but it’s a jam I felt would kick off your Monday in the right manner.  Hope it does you justice.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Cold_Cave_-_Believe_in_Our_Blood.mp3]

Download:Cold Cave – Believe In Our Blood [MP3]

Funx3 Fest Preview: Cold Cave

Well friends, Fun Fest is officially upon us this weekend and it’s time to take a bit of a closer look at some of the bands that we’d recommend you check out.  My co-writers and editors have already brought you some choice picks and battles so I guess it’s now my time to turn the spotlight on a band that’s got me amped up for this weekend’s events.  Cold Cave seem like an obvious choice.  Follow the jump for more on the band.

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