The Most Underrated Band at ACL

There’s probably tons of bands showing up at Austin City Limits this year who feel like they’re spot in the line-up might not be what they deserve, but I think in the case of Pinback, the festival organizers got this one right.  Sure, you’ve got bands like the Cure and Depeche Mode who’ve obviously earned their spot, but I don’t think anyone deserves a midday slot (or higher) more than Pinback.

The group has released 5 albums and a slew of EPs in their 15-year-spanning career; my personal favorite is Blue Screen Life.  They’ve got a sound that probably falls in line with well orchestrated math rock, though they also have a tendency to wrap their instrumentalist inclinations around beautifully crafted melodies.  One minute they’ll have your feet tapping and your head lightly bobbing, then they’ll turn it around by calming things down with great harmonies.  There’s not a lot of bands who can cover their musical territory either, having worked hard to move in and out of various genres under the indie realm.  Plus, the guys involved are in various other bands such as Goblin Cock and Three Mile Pilot, so you’re not likely to find a band with such an incredible pedigree, including a few of the headliners!

They play both Fridays at 3:30 on the Bud Light Stage.  Here’s a jam.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/09-Your-Sickness.mp3]

Download: Pinback – Your Sickness [MP3]

Psych Fest Preview: The Growlers

thegrowlersOne of the great things I love about Austin Psych Fest is the way the festival is slowly branching out beyond your stereotypical psychedelia into related territory.  This is the perfect case for Cali’s The Growlers, who do have some lineage, though I think their recent efforts put them well outside that spectrum.  Honestly, this is the highlight for the festival in my opinion; I’ve been jamming to their most recent record Hung at Heart since it came out earlier this year.  It has a definite California feel, especially in the bright ringing of the guitars, which is probably how they fit into the festival.  Or maybe it’s that organ hanging out on the record.  

Regardless, if you’re going to be making it out to the festival this weekend, then this should be one of the acts you check out, and if not, then you should at least fall in love with their record.

The Growlers play Sunday, April 28th at the Levitation Tent at 10:30 PM.

[audio:https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/1-01-Someday.mp3]

Download: The Growlers – Someday [MP3]

Psych Fest Watch: Bass Drum of Death

bassdrumYet another small festival in Austin has grown into something much bigger than we ever thought it would and now Psych Fest is ready to stake a claim with the festival cool kids in town.  As we usually tend to do, we’ll be previewing some of the artists playing the festival with a few spotlights on bands we think you should pay attention to.  Today we’ll kick things off with festival artist and ATH approved Bass Drum of Death.  Follow the jump for more.

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ATH + PPI + No Play Music = SXSW @ the New Movement

newmovement_webWe’re really happy to be teaming up with yet a bunch of other rad Austinites to help promote a great little day show over at the New Movement Theater on 7th and Lavaca…its close to all cool happenings.  Bryan over at Pop Press International is the big organizer, and he’s gotten some great bands together, including traveling acts and local acts (we’ve got rep our town bro!). There will be adult beverages from Adelberts and Lone Star, free tacos til they’re gone and more…so show up and have fun. Click on for more info on the show! Read more

ATH & SXSW: 3 to Watch Part 4.

sxsw-&-athSo close! Yet we’re so far away.  Okay, not really…SXSW is officially upon us, and shows are sprouting up all over the place.  Personally, I’m freaking out.  So many incredible bands that I want to see for the first time, and so many more that I would gladly see a hundred times over.  Here’s a list of a few acts that I haven’t actually caught yet, so I’ll be seeing them for the first time…SXSW is the first time to lose your band cherry. Read more

ATH & SXSW: 3 to Watch Part 2.

sxsw-&-athWell, it’s that time of year again; your liver hurts just thinking about it, and your Excel program has never seen so much action since Windows 98 first came out. Let’s put all that anxiety aside and concentrate on some really rad bands that are going to be making it our way in the next few weeks. These are three of the bands I’m most excited about seeing, and I have a feeling that I’ll see one or more of them at least twice…I’m just that guy.

More shows are popping up by the day.  Keep your ears to the Internet for the coolest party info.

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Austin Free Week: Weekend Highlights

It’s time for Free Week to come to a close, but Austin isn’t going out without making a final bit of noise for you all. There’s two days left of free rock n’ roll, so this is your last time to take advantage before you have to start paying to see all these great bands. With two days left I’m going to toss out my ideas on where you should find yourself Friday and Saturday night.  Don’t forget to tip your bartender! Read more

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