Best of 2019 According to Rat Fancy/Solidarity Club

Diana and Greg are a power team. They work together on Greg’s Solidarity Club label, and together, they rock under the name Rat Fancy; this year they released the album Stay Cool via HHBTM, and it’s definitely worth your time. Since I’m giving a good deal of list making up to our friends and idols, we reached out to see what the two thought were the best releases of 2019.

Visit Solidarity Club HERE or check out their tunes in Rat Fancy HERE.

Photo by Jessica Hinkle.

 

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A Year End List from Joe Smyth of Nine Mile Records and Touring

Joe Smyth help us keep our Austin theme today, as he’s one of the folks helping get Austin acts (and others) out on the road. But, more importantly, he’s a scavenger of music news, so he’s given us a couple of great lists…one a shout out to the blogs that turned him onto great music…and the other just a general best of list. Peruse as you must, and if you have touring needs…check out Nine Mile Touring.

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Photos: The Spook School Played Sidewinder

Our friends, The Spook School have been on tour with Great Grandpa and Diet Cig. Winter tours can be fickle things, especially if you run through the southwest, shorts and a t-shirt to parkas and snow boots. In speaking with the band’s spokesperson, aka Niall, he shared a few tour anecdotes as he was warming up pre-set in his customary vest and boxer shorts. House party shows, sold out gigs, long runs cross country, actually paying rent while on the road, things are on the up for the band. We are huge fans and love their songs, their message and their shows. Though The Spook School played first, they were our headliners.

Click through for pics of the set and some notes on the bands sharing the stage…

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Show Preview: The Spook School and Diet Cig @ the Sidewinder (2/21)

Clearly this is the show pop fans have been waiting for, and you’d better get there right at 6:30 so you can prepare yourself for The Spook School. Sure, they’re the opening act, but they might just have released one of the best albums of the year in Could It Be Different. The record is insightful and biting, but also naturally charming…and no one is doing indiepop better than this band. And, they just kill it live. Hands down. Plus, you also get to see a few other way popular acts in Great Grandpa and Diet Cig…they need no introduction. You can still grab yourself tickets HERE, and once you do, get in line behind me because I’ll be rushing to the stage to sing along with the Spooks at the top of my lungs.

Show Preview: Rozwell Kid @ Sidewinder (7/25)

Date July 25th
Location Sidewinder
Doors 6:30 PM
Tickets $12 from Eventbrite

Looking for a rock show on a Tuesday night in Austin? Look no further than the loaded line up down at Sidewinder. Headlined by West Virginia rockers Rozwell Kid, your sure to be treated to a show by the main act. Personally, I’m excited for openers Great Grandpa, though their set may be short. And middle act Vundabar, out of Boston, is certainly no slouch. This is a great lineup for a middle of the week show.

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Rock Out With Great Grandpa

Seattle is often a place for guitar heavy rock music, and hometown band Great Grandpa really are no different. The band recently shared this new track “Teen Challenge” and it is a welcome bit of rock music in this sometimes diluted indie world. Guitars are heavy, drums are nice and loud, and I love the vocal delivery with the occasional Buddy Holly style hiccup. What’s not to like?

Great Grandpa will release their debut album Plastic Coughon July 7th via Double Double Whammy.

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