Plax Annouce Debut Album

If you’re looking for a new Austin supergroup to adore, then Plax is the latest to cull members from various bands to form a new entity; they’re spawned from members of Skeleton, OBN IIIs, Spray Paint and Sweet Talk (all bands we enjoy!). Their sound is a fast paced bit of post-punk, fueled by the semi-growl of Victor Ziolkowski. This song is spastic and jittery in all the right places, while the quick drum work gives a sense of pace to the tune. The band will release Clean Feeling on Super Secret Records on August 11th.

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Meet Vertical Vice

Austin’s Vertical Vice is sure to perk up your ears, as members of the new project have played in such heavy hitters as OBN IIIs, Jonly Bonly, Bad Sports…and just about every rad rock act in town. They’re heading out on a short Midwest jaunt through Dallas, Kansas City, Tulsa…and an Austin date at Cheer Up Charlies on Sunday night. We have our first listen today to the band’s Promotion Tape, with the lead single illustrating a nod to acts like Dead Kennedy’s, but with a more artful delivery. I love Jason Smith’s vocals as he seems to casually deliver the line “do it again do it again do it again” while Orville rolls pounding drums through your speakers and the guitars stutter step to the finale. Come out to CUC on Sunday to get your hand on the tape…but if you’re not in Austin, pick up the Promotion via bandcamp right HERE.

Banger from Bad Sports

badsportsWhile we’ve long been fans of Bad Sports (and that’s not changing), I think this is the heaviest or hardest hitting track the group have released. It makes sense too, seeing as the group is comprised of members of Video and OBN IIIs. It’s as if the vocals on this tune were geared to incite a riot, almost barked out as orders, rather than sung. Personally, I’m in love with the bass line in this tune, bouncing quickly along to the pace of the guitar work; listen for the nice guitar solo too near the 2 minute mark. Want some rock n’ roll? Can’t get better than this…look for their new Living With Secrets EP via Dirtnap Records real soon!

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ATX Saturday Show Spotlight – 12/19

Austin, I love you.The weekend is filled with Holiday parties and various shows celebrating such a time, but Saturday night is where you’ll find your money best spent; there are two incredible shows that are must sees in my eyes. On one hand, you’ve got the 12XU XXXMas Revue at Beerland, featuring Sweet Talk, OBN IIIs, Flesh Lights, Xetas and more; it’s important to note that all those bands have at some point been at the top in our year end lists. While that’s a rock laden show, a block away you can indulge your pop fandom by hitting up Moving Panoramas, Ramesh and Young Girls over at Barracuda. A few of these acts are on our label (with a new Young Girls LP on its way), so you know we’ll be there…though considering the line-up, I’m looking to bounce back and forth all night long.

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ATX Spotlight: OBN III’s Strike Again

obnYou know ’em, you love ’em, we love ’em: local rockers OBN III‘s. They’ve been making the Austin scene a little more rock and roll for a good deal of time now and they’ve returned once more to hit us over the head with a great rock tune. “4KD” is nothing but gnarly; blistering guitars shred through from the start, and the vocals match this tone while complimenting the fast paced drums. Though a straightforward jam, you can’t help but enjoy the edgy simplicity the band brings to the song. This track is perfect for blasting through these intense summer days. Take a listen.

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Busy Thursday Night in Austin

ramThere’s really only one show you NEED to go to.  That’s the Ramesh album release over at the Belmont, which kicks off at 7 PM.  I’ll be there, smiling, and hopefully selling LPs.  But, for those of you who aren’t into Ramesh, which I completely respect, there’s tons going on tomorrow night, so here’s some places you might want to find yourself.  Read more

Austin Spotlight: Jonly Bonly Unleash New Single

jbIf you did what was right last week, you picked up the excellent Put Together LP from Austin’s Jonly Bonly.  The band, if you haven’t caught wind,  is the project of Jason Smith (formerly of OBN IIIs) and his buddy Stephen Svacina (Sweet Talk).  As always, Jason just kills the guitar licks on this tune; they’ve got an old school rock n’ roll feel while drawing some similarities to modern acts such as Parquet Courts.  This album’s filled with really sharp guitar playing, energy and a cock-sure attitude; you should head over to 12XU Records and pick it up now!

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Thus Far….Albums of 2014.5

docIt’s still rather early in the year to start talking about best records of the year and what not, but as we’re midway through 2014, every one is doing it…so why not join in the fun.  But, with this in mind, remember that these lists are arbitrary, and if anything, pretty meaningless in the long run; you never know if your thoughts will change in six months…and really, they’re just like, our opinions man.  We’ll have two sections…one for national albums and another section of Austin albums released up to this point in 2014.   Read more

Austin Spotlight: Another OBN IIIs Single

obnThis song probably no longer needs an introduction from us.  If you’ve been reading our site you know we’ve got nothing but praise for local act, OBN IIIs.  Long has the band blown us away with their live shows, but the work on their newest album, Third Time to Harm, should illustrate to everyone that the group is more than just a hot live act; they’ve got killer songs to boot (we’ve known that for a long time).  I think this song captures the rock appeal while still showing a penchant for lyrics that you’ll want to scream while you’re jumping up and down at their shows. Pick up their new record on May 27th via Tic Tac Totally.

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