What’s aHappening Austin? Weekend Show Spotlight

austin-skyline-mark-weaverAs rock n’ roll season heads into full swing, it’s time we all take advantate of the many shows that are coming our way in the next few months before SXSW hits us hard.  Surely you know Ty Segall is playing at the Mohawk on Friday night with Ex-Cult and OBN IIIs, but what else is going on in town?  Well, in case Ty isn’t your taste, or you can’t make it, here’s some other show suggestions for a pretty solid weekend in Austin. Read more

Show Preview: Language For All Benefit @ Mohawk (11/18)

Date 11/18/11
Location Mohawk
Doors 7pm
Tickets $10 @ Frontgate

Those still looking for a great show to attend on Friday night, for a good cause I might add, should point their attention to the show going down at Mohawk benefiting the Texas School For the Deaf.  The lineup includes a plethora of ATH backed Austin bands in the form of Freshmillions, Dark Water Hymnal, Gold Beach, Great Nostalgic, The Pons, The Sour Notes, One Hundred Flowers, and Anam Milá.  We also hear that some great merchandise will be on sale and games will be going down as well.  More information on how you can support this great cause can be found over on the TSD Foundation website.  Count me in!

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/01-Spirit-World.mp3]

Download: Great Nostalgic – Spirit World [MP3]

Show Preview: The Pons @ Scoot Inn (8/25)

Date 8/25/11
Location Scoot Inn
Doors 9pm
Tickets $5 @ Door

It seems like this week is chock full of some great local shows going down, and a headlining show by The Pons at Scoot Inn is a great place to start.  Joining the ATH favorite locals on stage are fellow Austin up and coming bands Black Books and Dark Water Hymnal.  We give this show the ATH stamp of approval.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/the_pons_-_wherever_you_are.mp3]

Download: The Pons – Wherever You Are [MP3]

Show Preview: Midgetmen 9th Anniversary @ Mohawk (5/20)

Date 5/20/11
Location Mohawk
Doors 8pm
Tickets $8 @ Door

It’s been a great week so far for local shows, and we see no reason not to continue the Austin artist fun at Mohawk on Friday night.  Headlining and putting this whole thing together to celebrate their 9th year together are Austin’s very own rockers The Midgetmen.  Never the type to half ass anything, the boys have a stellar local show lined up featuring La Snacks, San Saba County, The Blistering Speeds, The Pons, Shells, Through the Trees, and The Sour Notes.  Also expect some tasty free beverages provided by Treaty Oak Rum and Graham’s Texas Tea.  Be there Ausinites!  While we’re at it, here’s the opening number “Beer’s Gone” to the Midgetmen’s new album Loud Enough.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/01-Beers-Gone.mp3]

Download: The Midgetmen – Beer’s Gone [MP3]

Show Preview: The Rumble @ Beerland (4/13)

Date 4/13/11
Location Beerland
Doors 9pm
Tickets FREE!!

It’s time once again friends for another Rumble down under at Beerland in Austin Texas on Wednesday night.  Our lineup this time around is stacked with some local talent in the form of Bridge Farmers, The Pons, and Leatherbag.  We have been into all three of these bands for quite some time and feel like some of you need to get on board quick like.  Also don’t forget that this event is totally free so you really have no reason not to be there.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/girlinthewindow.mp3]

Download: The Bridge Farmers – Girl in the Window [MP3]

Show Preview: The Pons @ Ghost Room (12/11)

Date 12/11/10
Location Ghost Room
Doors 9pm
Tickets $6 @ Door

One of my favorite and highly underrated local bands The Pons are headlining an all local show at The Ghost Room on Saturday night.  You’ll also get promising locals Stereo is a Lie and Red Falcon adding to the fun.  Chilling at a great venue like Ghost Room on Saturday night and checking out some great local music sounds like a plan to me.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/the_pons_-_wherever_you_are.mp3]

Download: The Pons – Wherever You Are [MP3]

The Pons @ The Ghost Room (6/26)

Date 6/26/10
Location The Ghost Room
Doors 8pm
Tickets $6 @ Door

One of my favorite up and coming Austin bands The Pons have a show lined up at The Ghost Room on Saturday night.  The local band will be joined by fellow promising local acts Stereo is a Lie, Wiretree, and Search For a Signal.  If you want to see the next big thing in the Austin scene, I suggest you make it out to this one.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/the_pons_-_wherever_you_are.mp3]

Download: The Pons – Wherever You Are [MP3]

Frantic Clam EP Release @ Beauty Bar (1/14)

FC_011409_web

Date 1/14/10
Location Beauty Bar
Doors 9pm
Tickets Free-$5

We’ve made it well known on our little webby site that we are big fans of local boys Frantic Clam and their musical stylings.  So here’s another chance for us to plug them and for you to see them live at Beauty Bar on Thursday night.  This show is to celebrate the release of the band’s new EP which serves as a teaser to the previously mentioned upcoming LP LolitaFellow locals MoTel Aviv, The Pons, Candi and the Strangers, and DJ Chzech One will all be on hand to join in the fun.  You’ll also find a photo booth sponsored by Trevor Ray and free Treaty Oak Rum(while supplies last).  Admission to the event is free before 10pm and only $5 after that ($3 with an RSVP on Do512).  Check out sponsoring website Two Groove for more info on the event.  How bouts some olllllld school FC below?  Geez we knew about them like wayyyy before you did.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/frantic_clam-richard_cory.mp3]

Download: Frantic Clam – Richard Cory [MP3]

Austin A2W: The Pons

theponsAfter a long lapse in Austin artist to watch features, we return this week with a spotlight on local band The Pons.  Some of you out there may remember this band under their old name Lalaland, which was changed to the much more grown up sounding Pons moniker a few years ago.  Not only did the band change their name after one release under Lalaland, but a former member also dropped off the roster to form the now 3 piece Pons. Fast forward just a bit to the new decade and the band has already released their debut LP In the Belly of a Giant in 2008 along with a few compilation CDs and mixtapes.  That debut long player is an album that we are unfortunately just now getting our hands on, but better late then never they say.  On the debut you’ll hear lead singer Thomas Mazzi sounding like a mixture of Jakob Dylan thrown in with a young Phil Collins.  Musical stylings of The Pons are generally related to 90s alt-rock, and one can easily see that comparison after a few spins of In the Belly of a Giant.  I’ve really taken a liking to the band because they remind me of a time when things were a bit simpler.  When a bass, guitar, drums and some vocal harmonies were all you needed to make music.  None of this backing track, electronica mumbo jumbo that we’ve grown accustomed to.  No, none of that.  Mazzi, along with Ruby Painter on bass and Steve Sanders on drums, create simple guitar driven jams with full, emotional and harmony laden choruses.  Good shit for you simpletons.  Keep an eye out for these guys in 2010 as talks of a sophomore LP are already in the works for the new year.  In fact, a few rough mixes of those new tracks can be heard on The Pons EPK.  Be sure to check out last single “Wherever You Are” below to decide if The Pons are for you.  Also, don’t forget that the band is playing free week at Stubbs this Friday along with Leatherbag.

[audio: https://austintownhall.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/the_pons_-_wherever_you_are.mp3]

Download: The Pons – Wherever You Are [MP3]

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