Wednesday, June 9. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer | Fronted by James Murphy, DJ, and co-founder of dance-punk label DFA Records, the collective known as LCD Soundsystem has lit up the UK charts for the past couple years with hit songs like "Daft Punk Is Playing At My House" and "Drunk Girl" . Attracting a solid following in Austin, the band showed up in the drizzling rain to pack Stubb's amphitheater last night for a sold out set. Luckily the rain had cleared by the time the band went on, and with rented mirror balls (the bands own giant ball wouldn't fit through the stage doors) and smoke machines they turned Stubb's into a massive disco for the night.
The crowd might have been wet but they weren't disappointed as the band riffed it's way through a tight set, with Murphy looking more like an everyman getting ready to target weekend yard work rather than a rock star and creative genius. With slashing guitar work by David Scott Stone adding an edge to the pounding beats of Pat Mahoney and Matt Thornley on drums, and the synth work by Nancy Whang and Gavin Russom, the band has a distinct sound live that's like a younger fresher Talking Heads and their music is easily as addictive. Great show, definitely worth seeing.
Opening the show was Brooklyn based Holy Ghost! who put on a good set on a cramped stage, but it was hard for them to spark much enthusiasm from the crowd in the intermittent showers.
Click here to check out the rest of the LCD Soundsystem pics.
Click here to check out the Holy Ghost! pics.
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Wednesday, May 26. 2010
 | by Rhonda Meredith - Contributing Writer & Photographer
In 1997, the last episode of “Married With Children” aired, the Green Bay Packers beat the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, the Dow Jones closed over 7,000 and Fuel’s original drummer Jody Abbott left the band. Since that time, Fuel was a band in its evolution infancy.
In 2006, the last episode of “That 70s Show” aired, the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, the Dow Jones closed over 11,000 and Fuel’s original singer Brett Scallions left the band.
Now in 2010, Fuel is re-fueled to ignite a new generation of fans and satisfy the original “Fuelies” that have been waiting patiently for their beloved Brett Scallions to return as the frontman. Scallions has now created a lineup that will bring Fuel to a successful new beginning.
| “The lineup I put together for Fuel is not meant to replace or diminish what any of the original members created. Just the opposite, it is to give our fans a live destination, and to keep the Fuel name alive for a new generation to discover," says Scallions.
In addition to Scallions (vocals), rounding out the lineup is Brad Stewart (from Shinedown on bass), Ken Schalk (from Candiria on drums) and Yogi (from Buckcherry/Wallflowers on guitar).
Fuel recently made a tour stop at Scout Bar Houston and performed to a packed crowd. It was good to see that nothing in the performance had diminished over time. Scallions was right on with the vocals and the new lineup seemed like they had been playing songs like "Shimmer", "Bad Day" and "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)" for a very long time as they had the same rocking quality now as they did then. Read more about Fuel’s new tour on their website, Myspace or Facebook!
Check out photos from the concert HERE. |  |
Thursday, May 20. 2010
         
 | by Rhonda Meredith - Contributing Writer & Photographer
Houston rock band DEV ELECTRIC opened the show for Fuel at Scout Bar Houston last week. The members of DEV ELECTRIC used to be in Glass Intrepid. For twelve years, they were a Houston favorite and performed at Buzzfest, Warped Tour and opened for numerous national acts like Papa Roach, Breaking Benjamin and Three Doors Down for example.
But now, with a new name and equipped with their extensive knowledge of what it takes to be successful, DEV ELECTRIC is poised to take Houston over with their impressive new venture. They are bursting back on the scene armed with a new cd loaded with songs that are familiar as well as catchy. This is sure to make diehard Glass Intrepid fans happy and easily win over new fans at each and every show. Without a doubt, it was awesome performance of pure rock and roll energy.
DEV ELECTRIC is Bryan Scott (vocals), Kyle LeBlanc (bass), Raf Rivera (guitar), and Stu Legge (drums). The band has signed with Silver Tongue Management (John Gomez/John Moyer of Disturbed) out of Austin, TX.
If you missed DEV ELECTRIC at Scout Bar, Fitzgeralds or House of Blues, save the date for Warehouse Live, RocBar or even June 12th where they will be back at Scout Bar Houston opening for The Veer Union!
Keep up with the show dates and band information on Myspace and/or Facebook.
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Sunday, May 16. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer | Rock lobster anyone?
For those lucky enough to be in the sold out crowd gathered at Austin intimate La Zona Rosa that and many other B-52s hits were on the menu, though with enough of their later material that it couldn't be referred too as 80s night.
It was a distinctly older crowd that packed the venue, though many seemed to have brought kids as small groups of teens and pre-teens could be seen in the audience. Everyone had fun, even though it was crowded and hot, and I found it difficult to not sing along with the band, as did many others. In fact as I headed out for the night I trailed a couple women who wandered off to their car singing "Roam". It's always fun to see a big act in a small club, rather than something like the Erwin Center, I wish it would happen more often. For a look at the set list click here.
Austin power pop fav's The Ugly Beats put on a strong opening set that fit well. It's good to see them on a larger stage.
Click here to check out the rest of the B-52 pics.
Click here to check out the Ugly Beats pics.
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Friday, May 14. 2010
 | by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer
Illinois natives Chevelle pulled into Austin's Stubb's BarBQ Wednesday night to a venue packed with fans ready to hear the crunchy bass lines and brooding lyrics that characterize their music. With a darkly lit stage the band rumbled its way through a set heavy in hits like a 69 with with headers, pipes and glass packs. Chevelle is touring the states through the end of August so now would be a good time to catch them.
Openers Nico Vega put on a spectacular opening set followed by After Midnight Project. Nico Vega has established a large local following with their shows at SXSW and other events.
Click here for the rest of the Chevelle pics.
Click here for Nico Vega pics
Click here for After Midnight Project pics
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Thursday, May 6. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer
Kingston Jamaica native and true "roots reggae" all stars, Frederick "Toots" Hibbert brought his band the Maytals to Austin's La Zona Rosa last night and despite a late gate and late start still managed to keep their fans happy.
Contemporaries of the Wailers, the Maytals catalog goes all the way back to the early 60s' and it was great to see this legendary band work their way through their classic hits. Touring the states til early June, this is a must see.
Opening for the Maytal's were Florida based Johnny King and the Solrockers who sounded quite a bit like Little Feat.
Click here for the rest of the Toots and the Maytals pics.
Click here for Johnny King and the Solrockers pics
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Wednesday, May 5. 2010
 | by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer & Photographer
With a 9pm start for a 3 band show it was a late night for a Monday for both staff and fans at Austin's La Zona Rosa, but the the crowd still turned out to see Kentucky's latest hot export, Cage The Elephant.
A 2007 SXSW breakout band still touring supporting the release of their 2008 debut album on EMI, they are being propelled along right now on the strength of their monster single "Ain't No Rest For the Wicked".
Known for their frantic stage shows, Cage The Elephant didn't disappoint its fans and seemed to attract some interesting attention, with Terry Lickona from Austin City Limits being spotted in the crowd, perhaps scouting for a future show appearance.
This would be a fantastic band to see on the PBS show, but if nothing else you can check out this great band yourself, they will be touring small clubs coast to coast through the end of June. This will be one of those bands that 10 years from now you can say "yeah I saw them at a little club".
Opening the show were Nashville's AutoVaughn and Portlands Morning Teleportation that both put on solid sets.
Click here for the rest of the Cage The Elephant pics.
Click for AutoVaughn and Morning Teleportation pics |  |
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. |  |
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.
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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Monday, March 29. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer
Pioneer thrash metal band Megadeth made a long overdue stop in Austin Texas, led by founders Dave Mustaine on guitar and vocals, Dave Ellefson on bass, as well as former Jag Panzer guitarist Chris Broderick on lead and long time drummer Shawn Drover. Plowing through their hits to a sold out crowd that spent their time either chanting along or moshing, Megadeth pushed their show close to the curfew after a long encore.
With the Stubb's packed to the gills, the pit did get pretty hairy for a while, with an endless stream of black t-shirted bodies being ejected, only to re-enter the streams of surfers and moshers and appear again. It's been a long time since Austin had a headline thrash band (one of the big 4) visit a big venue and the crowd took every opportunity they could to make the most of it.
Opening for Megadeth were Testament and Exodus, beyond legendary thrash metal bands in their own right. It was a special treat to see Testament making it's first Austin appearance since reforming.
Click here to check out the rest of the Megadeth pics.
Click here to check out the Exodus pics.
Click here to check out the Testament pics.
photos by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
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Monday, March 22. 2010
by Jeff Barringer - Staff Writer
GWAR closed out a busy festival week in Austin Texas, with an outdoor set at the Mess With Texas Festival Saturday night. Despite winds and temperatures that more resembled winter than spring in Austin, thousands of GWAR faithful turned out to get drenched in "blood" despite the chilly walk back to the car.
GWAR did not disappoint, with copious quantities of GWAR goo blasting from the stage, caught by the wind it coated most of those in the front with a fine even spray mist while those of us closer to the stage still managed to catch the blasts full force. Even then many photographers chose to bail than face a full out GWAR assault and at times it did seem they were battling the press.
Though cramped into a somewhat small stage GWAR still managed to find room for the whole band as well as their inevitable props and weaponry. Still part of the stage act were the "Blood Cannon" as well as the Micheal Jackson and Barack Obama props. Missing was the 20 minute opening video sequence shown their last tour though, but with the temps hovering in the upper 30s with the wind, that proved to be a blessing.
Click here to check out the rest of the pics.
photos by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
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Thursday, November 19. 2009
Click here to check out the rest of the pics.
photos by Michael Hurcomb - Staff Photographer |
Brand New with Glassjaw
November 21st, 2009
Kool Haus
Toronto
Glassjaw, the very influential post hardcore band, are very interesting to see live. Playing to the audience seems like an afterthought to them. They quartet faces each other as though they were jamming in a garage, making constant eye contact with each other, and with the bass players back facing the audience the entire set. Singer Daryl Palumbo breaks away from the rest to dance, jump and interact with the crowd. The eager crowd doesn't seem to see any of this as bad showmanship. From their reaction this band can do no wrong. Definitely work checking out - especially if you've wondered what Rage Against the Machine would sound like if they were heavier and more experimental.
The Kool Haus holds 2500 and most bands play their for one night. Brand New packed it both nights in a row! And their fan-base is a perfect storm of emo teens & collar popping young adults, all willing to shell out $ for as much merch as they can get. Jesse Lacey could have been Robert Pattinson based on the crowds screaming reaction to him. It's been a long time since I've looked over my shoulder in the pit to see the girls singing and crying tears of joy at the same time. This pop punk / alternative band are still reaping the success from the release this fall of their 4th studio CD "Daisy" (reached #6 on the U.S.) chart. I really enjoyed the sound textures in their material as well as Jesse's ability to command a crowd. His ability as a lyricist paired with Brand New's songwriting talents will ensure prolonged success.
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