Thursday, April 29. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer
With an early gate of 6pm I was surprised at how quickly Stubb's filled up to capacity but fans of Canadian prog rockers Coheed & Cambria had lined up early to secure a spot near the stage. A sold out show, the line stretched all the way to to interstate before the venue opened and it was jam packed by the time I squeezed my way to the pit.
I was late and had missed the first opener but I was glad I made it in time to see the second, Pennsylvania based Circa Survive. Fronted by former Saosin vocalist Anthony Green, they laid down a blistering set, that almost had trouble keeping up with the energy of Green's frenetic dancing(imagine overheated grasshoppers on a meth binge) or his Perry Ferrell-esque vocals. I want to see these guys again when they come back as headliners.
Coheed & Cambria's set started out rocky when frontman/guitar wizard Claudio Sanchez first guitar was out of tune and his mic refused to work. Angrily tossing the guitar offstage Sanchez then ran and jumped into the audience and sang along with them while the techs worked out the bugs. Returning to the stage he was handed another out of tune guitar but eventually got it worked out and rapidly the hair was flying again as he raced through his catalog.
Click here for the rest of the Coheed & Cambria pics.
Click here for the Circa Survive pics. |  |
Wednesday, April 28. 2010
Tuesday, April 27. 2010
The Stables at Karma Lounge in Oshawa, ON April 22nd, 2010 by Myles LaCavera - Writer & Walid Lodin - Photographer - club.kingsnake contributors
The Stables stood in defiant juxtaposition to all around them; crammed on the tightly packed Karma stage it appeared that the band might not get to play their set after a painstaking house sound system delay. Patient in their plaid Wrangler button ups, set against the slick modern set of Karma trend, the Stables seemingly willed the PA into working order and probably would have played without it if they had to. That’s the thing about The Stables and their alt-country hash; they don’t need the bright lights of some posh hang-about to win you over. These three guys would be just as comfortable playing the deck at your cottage, and probably blow you away there just as easily.
Despite a small gathering of local fans the band set up against a crowd set upon seeing USS in all their manic folk-hop glory and as the hockey stick and wash tub bass, illuminated banjo, and suitcase kick drum (yes, a real suitcase) decorated the stage there were more than a few eye brows raised through the blue collar crowd. But from the opening notes of their set The Stables were snapping necks and the “what the hell is this?” flipped to “what the hell is this!?!” on mass.
Ripping through tracks off of a self-titled disc that is currently testing the endurance of my car stereo including “I Let You Down” made great use of their iridescent banjo, and created a small stomping circle in the middle of the crowd. The band rotated instruments, each taking a turn on guitar, drum kit and bass, and showed just how talented these three really are with none looking out of place wherever they played. The Johnny Cash era bass-walk of “Underneath The Tree” reminded us all of how folk was meant to be played, with enough honesty and sweat to win any crowd over. It was evident that The Stables love what they do and are close to mastering one of the most elusive tasks in music, and that which every band should strive for – getting simple right. A track like “I Believe In Bigfoot” made for a hilarious sing-along and burned up with some fine country picking, and whiles “Ball And Chain missed its parlor piano it missed none of its Band-like charm.
Comparisons to Bob Dylan’s old mates shouldn’t stop there as “What’s A Man Gotta Do?” and “When The Morning Comes”, disappointingly left out of their raucous set, come close to what Helm and Co. might have offered up as B-sides to Big Pink. Heartbreaking harmonies provide no comfort to an anti-hero faced with a hard life on the lamb in “When The Morning Comes” and stands as one of The Stables’ best tracks. “Darkness” is carried by a sorrowful fiddle, soft kit-work and lyrically haunted by an unnamed and ever present danger. What is best about the disc is that at every turn it insists that it will play well live, and The Stables proved that Thursday night. They may have thanked Cuff The Duke in their liner notes but if I were Cuff The Duke I’d be looking over my shoulder because The Stables are coming, and possibly coming soon with a follow up disc. Oh, and they play a wicked cover of The Vaselines’ “Molly’s Lips” like you’ve never heard. So, pony up and get into the Stables.
Friday, April 23. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer
It's almost like the rains in April are giving way to more road shows than flowers around Austin, though there are plenty of Bluebonnets to enjoy as well.
Although not technically a road show nor technically the is it the first look at Austin's new Backyard "The First Look Festival" May 1st at The Backyard in Bee Caves will be the first chance for many to scope out the new digs and listen to a whole slew of great local artists including Carolyn Wonderland, Gary Clark Jr., Malford Milligan, Omar & The Howlers, Suzanna Choffel, W.C. Clark and many many more. The same night Nashville Pussy makes a stop at the Red Eyed Fly, and Norah Jones makes the first of a 2 night stand at Stubb's BarBQ.
Cage The Elephant plays La Zona Rosa on May 4th, followed by Toots & The Maytals the next night. Alexisonfire is at Emo's also on May 5th, Dax Riggs is at Lambert's BBQ May 6th and the same night the Gipsy Kings are out at the Backyard. Ben Folds brings his piano to Stubb's May 7th, and that same night British legend Graham Parker plays the Cactus Cafe.
May 7th also starts the Rockabilly Festival out at the Nutty Brown Cafe with Lee Rocker and The Blasters followed the next night by "the killer" Jerry Lee Lewis and Junior Brown. If your not in the mood for rockabilly Blue October plays Stubb's on May 8th as well. | 
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| Cannibal Corpse and Dying Fetus bring the pain to Emo's on May 11th. Chevelle pulls into Stubb's May 12th followed by Cypress Hill the next night. Also May 13th A Rocket To The Moon and Mayday Parade are both at Emo's, and Cowboy Mouth is at Antone's.
The B-52's raid La Zona Rosa May 15th followed by Minus the Bear on May 16th. Also that night Toad The Wet Sprocket plays Antone's.
Hard core stalwarts M.D.C. play Red 7 May 21st while the metal returns to Emo's May 24th with Job For A Cowboy and Cattle Decapitation.
On the other side of the musical planet Cute Is What We Aim For plays Antone's on May 26th, followed by Robert Cray on the 27th. The Indigo Girls are at La Zona Rosa May 29th and last but not least Barenaked Ladies are at Bass Concert Hall on May 31st.
photos by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
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Thursday, April 22. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer
I first heard of George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic in 1976 when as a 7th grader I read a review of their show at the Armadillo World Headquarters in the Austin American Statesman. The writer (maybe Joe Nick Patoski or Ed Ward?) described the shows carnival like atmosphere, the outlandish costumes, and stage props like their mothership like it was some funkified Feliniesque acid trip. If I recall correctly Bootsy Collins was still with them, and the writer went on to describe this funk meets rock meets soul sound that in time actually turned into it's own sub genre known as "PFunk".
Well it's now 2010 Bootsy is long gone from the band, the band has gone through literally generations of costumes, and the mothership has probably been put out to pasture somewhere, but PFunk and it's progenitor George Clinton have survived well into the 21st century. They still have lots of costumes, lots of props, and they still put on a show that can be described as some funkified Feliniesque acid trip. At times they must have had 20+ performers onstage, playing music that ran the gamut from screaming hard rock guitar solos to pure Motown. You would be hard pressed to find a more interesting and exciting stage show by any performer, and at 2 hour plus, the fans more than got their moneys worth. See them soon! You won't be disappointed .
Click here to check out the rest of the pics.
photos by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer | 
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Wednesday, April 21. 2010
| by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer
It was probably just coincidence that Slightly Stoopid booked Stubb's during the un-official "4/20" holiday but that didn't stop the band from celebrating the occasion and even NORML had an information booth at the show.
Fans had been lining up since early afternoon to celebrate with the band at their sold out Austin gig and by the time gates opened the line stretched far into the distance. People finally worked their way into the venue to find opening act Del The Funky Homosapien doing yeomans work getting the crowd reved up for the headliner.
By the time Slightly Stoopid hit the stage the crowd was more than warmed up. Fronted by Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald, along with their percussion and horn sections, Slightly Stoopid played a solid tight show plowing through their catalog of songs that goes all the way back to 1996. I think few fans of the band left the venue disappointed after their 90 minute plus set. Look for Slightly Stoopid to tour again starting in June and connecting up with Cypress Hill for another tour in July and August.
Click here to check out the Slightly Stoopid pics.
Click here for Del The Funky Homosapien pics.
photos by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
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Monday, April 19. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer
Fresh from his weekend set at the Coachella Music & Arts Festival, Primus frontman, noted author, and now purveyor of fine wines, Les Claypool made Stubb's BarBQ his first stop on a long spring and summer tour that will see him at a number of other festivals as well as solo gigs.
Ostensibly supporting his 2009 solo release Of Fungi and Foe, Les just seems to enjoy touring and playing for his fans especially in Austin, this being his 6th time to play here solo in 5 years. It could also be that he wants to get the word out on his new Purple Pachyderm Pinot Noir, though nary a drop was to be found in the merch booth.
Drawing a solid crowd despite the overcast skies, cool temps, and chance of rain, Primus shirts were much in evidence in the crowd as Les plowed through his catalog of solo work stopping now and again to throw in a cool cover. Reaching all the way back to his Sausage album Les fired off crowd favorites from Purple Onion and Of Whales And Woe as well as songs from the last disc.
Opening for Les was the Bay area DJ duo Beats Antique whose swirling ethereal trancelike songs can either set you dancing in a primal way, or lull you off to sleep depending on your mood or mode.
Click here to check outthe Les Claypool pics.
Click here to check out the Beats Antique pics.
photos by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer | 
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Sunday, April 18. 2010
After the storm the skies cleared and Jamaica's Mighty Diamonds put on a sparkling performance to cap Saturday night's festivities at Austin's 17th annual Reggae Festival benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank.
Click here to check out the rest of the Mighty Diamonds pics. photos by Jeff Barringer Staff Photographer |  |  |  |
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer
Cloudy skies, rain, and mud proved to be minor annoyances to the hard core follower of Jah that braved the conditions at this years Austin Reggae Festival.
With skies that sometimes let the sun peak through, but often didn't, and were like as not to open up with torrents of rain, festival organizers scrambled to cover equipment, adjusted stage schedules, and did what it took to keep the music flowing.
Saturdays' schedule was interrupted by a deluge after a shortened set by Austin natives Roots Revealers, and the water caused technical difficulties which delayed the start of the headliner, Jamaica's Mighty Diamonds, by a half hour. Those who stuck around til the end were treated to a fantastic set by the pioneering reggae band, though to get close to the stage you had to navigate an ankle deep mud bog.
Sunday had organizers spreading hay over the mud and muck in an attempt to prevent the grass from being damaged but as our pictures show they may have their work cut out for themselves. The show did go on Sunday, albeit 3 hours late but that still didn't seem to faze the crowds.
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Thursday, April 15. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer
Despite getting a personal invite today from GWAR leader Oderus Urungus I won't be able to attend the CRACK-A-THON in New York City that starts tomorrow, at least not personally, but I will be following along on the live broadcast at crackathon.tv.
According to the press release "The CRACK-A-THON is a brand new piece of performance art: GWAR's very own variety show- a twisted version of The Jerry Lewis MS Telethon or the Carol Burnett Show, except with crack...lots of crack.
It will be hosted by Oderus Urungus and co-hosted by Balsac The Jaws Of Death. CRACK-A-THON will feature interviews with celebrities from the art and music world, (Such as Andrew W.K., Jamey Jasta, frontman of the punk-metal band Hatebreed and more recently Kingdom of Sorrow, Lloyd Kaufman of Troma, the legendary Jimmy Gestapo from the band Murphy's Law, Mecronos from the band DETHRACE, NYC artists Joe Simko and Tara McPherson and many many more!)"
For the complete schedule and more information on the CRACK-A-THON or if your in NYC this weekend and want to attend for FREE check out the web site at http://crackathon.tv/
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Friday, April 2. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer
Austinites looking for a post SXSW fix didn't have to wait long with the big Megadeth show at Stubb's last week, but for those not lucky enough to get tickets to the sold out gig, there are lots of other road shows coming to whet your appetite.
Metalheads can continue polishing their moshing technique at Hammerfalls gig at Emo's with Echoes Of Eternity and Havok on April 7th or if your looking for something a little more mainstream, Kenny Loggins is at The Paramount on the same night. Ani DiFranco plays the Paramount April 9th, the same night Spyro Gyra stop at the One World Theater.
Elton John will be returning to play the Frank Erwin Center on April 10th, the same night blog fav's Vampire Weekend do a sold out gig at Stubb's, and if you still can't find anything to do there is the Swamp Thing And Crawfish Festival the same night with Papai Mali, Dr. Zog and more downtown.
Pat Metheny plays the Paramount on April 14th, the same night Old 97's and Ben Kweller are at Stubb's. Acid Mother's Temple brings the noise to Emo's outside on April 17th, while metalheads can catch High On Fire on the inside stage (if they can cram in).
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Primus frontman and club kingsnake fav Les Claypool brings his solo tour to Stubb's April 19th, Slightly Stoopid plays Stubb's the following night, followed by George Clinton and PFunk on April 21st.
Tiësto will be playing the Austin Music Hall on April 23rd, Steve Forbert plays the diminutive Cactus Cafe on April 24th down on the UT campus, while comedian Steve Martin brings his banjo and a band for a bluegrass set the next night at the Long Center on April 25th. ZZ Top plays the new Backyard April 25th and we are really hoping for an invite to see the new venue.
The metal gods smile again over at Emo's on April 26th with Overkill. Evile, God Dethroned, Vader, Warbringer and Woe Of Tyrants. The next night Sonata Arctica Mutiny Within and Powerglove play Emo's, and then on April 28th Awesome Color plays Emo's, if your not at the Coheed & Cambria gig up the street at Stubb's. Phoenix plays Stubb's the following night, April 29th, and ending the April calendar at Stubb's with The Dead Weather.
photos by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
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