The Ugly Beats - more photos
photo by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
Paul Collin's Beat - more photos
photo by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer |
Wild Weekend Power Pop Festival
http://www.myspace.com/wildweekendaustin
Friday, August 29th, 2008
Saturday, August 30th, 2008
The Mohawk(Austin, Texas)
Beerland(Austin, Texas)
It was a small but dedicated crowd that packed the plaza that is the outdoor stage of the Mohawk to see the first Wild Weekend Power Pop Festival. Starting out with day shows over at Beerland and moving to the Mohawk for the headliners, old and new punk-poppers gathered to see new bands like Austin's
Ugly Beats, old bands like
Paul Collin's Beat, and bands doing reunion gigs like
The Pointed Sticks and 20/20.
I was able to fade the heat for one night and join in the fun, stopping by to catch the Friday night gigs at The Mohawk making it in time to catch The Ugly Beats from beginning to end. A great Austin band, the go-go boots, twangy Beatle-esque sound, and fading summer light gave the venue the aura of a late 60's beach party. It was dark by the time Nikki Corvette and her band hit the stage, continuing the go-go boots and 60's theme.
I stole upstairs to the patio to try to find Paul Collins and I ended up finding him nursing a beer and a nasty case of laryngitis. Nodding to my questions I tried to toss him yes and no softballs, but it was frustrating for both of us so in the end I wished him a good set, and headed back downstairs to catch the set by The Pointed Sticks.
Reforming after 30 years, these guys drew a big crowd from both their hometown in Vancouver B.C. as well as from around the states. It seemed everyone in the audience knew their music except for me, but I don't think anyone noticed. The crowd was so into the set, many of them ended up onstage for the bands last song.
I stuck around to catch Paul's set as well, but all the traveling and the laryngitis made his voice froggy to the point that it was painful for me to listen too. After the 6th song or so I decided it was time to go and as I headed off up the street I could hear him blasting his way through his catalog.
The Pointed Sticks At The Mohawk - more photos - photo by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer
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