Smash this

So I received a message there was going to be a CD release party at Elysium. What the fuck, I must attend. Not really knowing or caring who was on the bill, I had to go and give my respect to Austin music.

Elysium (http://www.elysiumonline.net/) is located on Red River between 7th and 8th St in the downtown entertainment district of Austin, Tx. Painted all black on the outside with an outdoor patio/smoking area, the club seems very ominous. As you step into the narrow opening and pass to the right, the club opens up it to a fairly large room. Divided in half with the left half representing the dance floor, DJ booth, and stage and the right half representing the lounge with a large, long bar running against the right wall. The bathrooms are located to the far back right with a pool table. Yes, the bartender has been there for 15 plus years, knows his shit, doesn't take any shit, and is super fucking cool.

For this evening there was a nice gathering of juggalos, as well as other fans of the Austin rap scene. Initially, like on any given night, it started out kind of quiet and the opening act delayed their start by almost 30 minutes. At that point, Pyskodynamix took the stage and kicked the evening off with there style of rap. The 3 guys on stage were in the right frame of mind. Putting on a show with the performance for the early crowd. It didn't take long before Psykodynamix had all of the early risers in front of the stage and enjoying their set.

Next up was Dubb Sicks (https://www.facebook.com/DubbSicksMusic/), and this performance was sick! The man rolled up into the club minutes before the first performance, set up his merch table just in time to take the stage. Dubb Sicks was captivating. This muthafucka took complete control of the crowd. He was drawing everyone in and using the crowd to drop his flow. I was inspired by how bad ass he was and how much fun he had just simply fucking around with the crowd. Off the stage he jumped, into the crowd he crept, soliciting info from one of the females, and back onto the stage for the next song. Fan of rap or not, if it is about the show and the performance Dubb Sicks is the Odessa, Kung-Fu, Lone Ranger champion!

On deck next was SHSM (https://www.facebook.com/shsm2/). They rolled up to the mics with their brand of hatchet music. With that Juggalo love, it was pretty easy to enjoy this duo. I can say this as I go way back to some of the origins of what a juggalo is. SHSM handled the theme and style like champions. It was a fun set and they were super intense. For the show bill with the other bands, there was not a better band to have in this spot.

I never, expected, swear I didn't see him on this list, and was stunned when he took the stage. Austin Hip Icon Smackola (http://dirtywormz.net/) took control of the crowd, took control of our minds and proceeded to raise us up. Smackola was fresh on the stage with material from his new album "The Thomas Brookz Project" and handled the crowd and his performance like the lifetime showman he is.  Although I can't swear there were many in the house in tune with his level of rhymes and story telling, he still elevated us to the top of the Glass Sky. You can't leave a Smackola performance without questioning the world, the media, and your beliefs. It is beyond entertainment, it is deprogramming with heavy beat and rhymes to match!

Ahhhh and then SSB - Super Smash Bros 512 (https://www.facebook.com/supersmashbros512/) commanded the stage. This was their show and they came out with every intention and the mad skills to show us why they owned the night.  I had the opportunity to catch SSB WAYYY back in the beginning, several years ago. This was not that band. This was years of experience, confidence, and hustling their trade and craft. This was a tight performance that flowed. They worked off each other like a well oiled machine. It was flawless and at the same time loose and fluid. The album "More Stories To Tell" (https://play.google.com/store/music/album/SSB_More_Stories_to_Tell?id=Biw37762kzjrpqxhqfwl7v54sai&hl=en) is out and available for purchase. Find Aray and Hack on the web, but don't just pick up a copy of their new disc ... check these two men out at a show, listen to the underground, and don't be surprised when Austin, Texas produces the next big thing in Rap and it is out own SSB!

The full photo album is located here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1411083015609884.1073741835.239625756088955&type=1&l=d8bce89e57











































Laters

 and how do you end your party....

Sunrise on the Wake Up Call

The home of great music and amazing good times on South Lamar...One-2-One (http://www.one2onebar.com). Located in a humble little strip center with plenty of free parking and easy quick access to and from downtown, the One2One is home to great music pretty much every night of the week. It's always good, the staff is always friend, and the whole live music vibe is to die for in there!

The "to die for" event this particular evening was for The Michael Dillard Band (https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDillardMusic/) release of their debut, full length CD - "Wake Up Call". I reviewed the disc here (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2016/10/is-this-your-wake-up-call.html) and you can pick it up at their website...or better yet...AT A SHOW! Or here

https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/michaeldillardband

Putting on a release party can be anywhere from the same old same old to the full blown cake and balloons. Somewhere in-between you have someone who cares so much  about the live reproduction of the new disc you end up with 13 people on stage! Uber Epic! In addition to the normal players for the Michael Dillard Band, there was added an extra guitarist, two percussionist, 4 strings, and brass. I always thought the One2One had an pretty damn nice sized stage until I saw this...

and this...

As for the performance itself, an undertaking of this size is bound to have some hang ups and hitches. For this show it was a solid 30 minute delay. Dude! You're killing me smalls, you're killing me! With that complaint aside, the band took the stage and proceeded to rock the packed and overflowing house. With people standing shoulder to shoulder inside and waiting outside The Michael Dillard Band reproduced their debut CD in what seemed like effortless and glorious fashion.

It is very difficult to describe how amazing this perform was in whole. The subtleties of the strings and keys with the percussion just rolled together with the stunning vocals of Michael Dillard himself. The crowd was proof of this. Very few words in the house, all eyes up, and mouths open. At the end of the first, song the split second silence was followed with the stunned crowds collective roar and applause. It was over, it was done, the ice was broken. Putting all of that bad ass stage talent to use seemed easy with the great songs behind it. The crowd stayed fixated until the end. I know this because it was a MASSIVE Pain In The Ass trying to move around and take photos. It was a  performance to be proud to say you were there.






The rest of the night just poured out of the speakers, into our ears, and warmed us all at joy for Michael Dillard and his band. The overall, collective effort for the song writing, story telling, and performance will not be reproduced again. If you weren't there take a moment, buy the album, look the band up and make amends.




Laters

Kicks like a

The Rusty Mule (http://rustymule.wix.com/the-rusty-mule) is located on Hwy 290 just passed the 'Y' in Oak Hill, Texas. Basically on the edge of Austin going west on 290. It is strictly an outdoor venue. Seating under the trees, a nice little stage for musical entertainment. It is kid and pet friendly until about 9 out 10, which is fine and makes sense to me (having an 8 yr old at home). Overall the place is gorgeous and serene.

 

Unfortunately the parking is hideous so be prepared, don't drive your 'nice' car. In fact. ..drive the truck. It is basically a dirt road with lots of wash outs. The beer service was terrible AND they were running out. I would hope and like to blame that on the crowd that turned out for the performance this particular evening. The future will tell.

 

The performance was The Cody Bryan Band and opener Brett Hendrix.

 

Brett Hendrix (http://www.bretthendrixband.com/) was up solo. Just the young man and his guitar. Although his set seemed to be filler for the majority of the crowd, I listened. As far as performance wise there is not a whole lot a man can do to entertain when it is just him and the guitar.

 

What Brett did, he did well. His mix of originals and covers was as it should have been. What did catch my attention was the covers. He did own them. There were some that he did to which I did not recognize as a cover until the chorus. Have to compliment him for making his time on stage his!









 

 

Headliner and boys of the hour was the Cody Bryan Band (http://codybryanmusic.com/main.php). Doing this little shindig to celebrate the release of the band's new EP CD. The performance value of this band had just gone up and up. With very little change to their line up, it's not  a surprise the charismatic lead singer has learned how to play to the crowd over the last few years.














 

 

The music on the new CD - Small Town Noise  (http://codybryanband.tumblr.com/post/122973816201/are-you-ready-our-ep-small-town-noise) is fun. The band performs it well and the whole performance comes off polished. It's nice to see how the hard work is paying off for these guys based on the rowdy sing along crowd.
 

 

 

 

Laters

 

Another bad creation...

Proud to have gone to another CD release party for one of Austin's local, coming up, Rap performers - Drastik. Former lead singer of rap core band Drastik IV, now branches out for his solo debut - Dreams of Coming Up.  You can check out the album review here - (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2014/07/dreams-of-coming-up-drastik.html).

This CD release party was held at Empire Control Room (http://empireatx.com). This was my first trip there so lets talk about it. Located on 7th street, in between Red River and IH 35, on the same side as police headquarters. Empire Control Room has a fairly unique set up. In the front door is the bar area. On the left hand wall is a fantastic row of coin op , stand up, video games to the right is a long bar. There is a doorway on the right hand side that leads to the stage area. Directly to the back is a doorway that leads to a very nice deck out back.

The stage area is either unfinished on purpose or is currently under construction and still has some work to go. The stage itself is a long stage, but fairly shallow and a tight fit for a full band. The sound is awesome, loud, and bass heavy...perfect for a rap show. The lighting is currently being supplied all around the club area with many projectors. Very cool for the effects as seen in some of my photos from the show, but pretty lame for seeing the band on stage. Like I said, it appears to be in the works.

Now for a CD release party, and this was a party. Drastik (along with his beautiful wife) made damn sure all of the guests this evening were taken care of very well. There was a raffle for a prize for presale ticket holders, lots of food, and cake. Yes, seriously! I have NEVER been to a CD release party that was an actual party. What an impressive job and I hope everyone in attendance, realized and thanked the hosts!

Casino (https://www.facebook.com/CasinoATX?fref=ts) and Chef Greezy (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chef-Greezy-Kuntry-Fried-Entertainment/121338897893132?hc_location=timeline) were the first two performers up. I really like the tag team format that they did when they hit the stage. Casino, up first, spittin his rhymes. Then he was joined on stage by Chef Greezy who jumped in on a song or two and then the show just flowed right into Chef Greezy's set. Chef Greezy was joined on stage by another rapper as well who contributed to the vibe. The crowd was totally down with Casino and Chef Greezy's rhymes, hands up, and enjoying the rhtym and the rhyme. Smoking weed, weed, weed, weed. Lets get high, lets get fucked up and smoke some weed. Ehhh

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Giovanni Tha King (https://www.facebook.com/gtkmusic?fref=ts) was up with his spin on the rap game. Doing more of a Dub step style music and putting down the rhymes with such power, he had to tell the sound guy to turn down his mic, this shit was fucking awesome. Giovanni Tha King was fun to watch and laid down some great rhymes. I thought I heard him say he was from Waco, don't know, don't care...just definitely want to see this guy again. I would highly recommend Giovanni Tha King any where in Austin. Here is another artist who I would love to see again with a much longer set. Also want to get my hands on some of his music as I would jam his sound for friends at my house with no problem.











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Kevin Jack (https://www.facebook.com/kevin.jack.3950?fref=ts) was the hardest working man in the house on this particular night. He was the DJ all night long for the pre show music as well as doing the music for all of the performers this evening. Kevin Jack was the last performer up before the main event. Here was another powerful and entertaining set. Pulling the crowd all the way up to the front of the stage, Kevin Jack even broke down the moves for one of his songs and had the whole crowd doing the Judo Chop! This was the perfect set to get the crowd worked up and right into headliner Drastik.

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Drastik (https://www.facebook.com/drastikmusic) finally came on stage with Kevin Jack continuing his duties as DJ for the evening. Drastik rolled into his set with just him and the DJ and several new tracks. New stuff, not on the newly dropped CD, i thought was a genius way to open the show. Come on, you have to anticipate that the majority of the crowd has the new disc and heard it at least 10 times, so why not kick some new, NEW shoot to open the show?


After a few songs with Kevin Jack, Drastik called the band up on stage, then it was ON! A drummer  who is so unbelievably talented and charismatic, it is scary that he is local and not nationwide on a tour with the likes of #ButhcherBabies. A guitarist and saxophone player joined the band on stage as well and it was mind blowing! Drastik jumped into the tracks from the debut CD and it was completely impressive.

Drastik continued on with his set, keeping the crowd front and center. He even jumped down off the stage to join the crowd for one of his tracks. There is not much of a question in my opinion and that of the crowd on hand, Drastik's debut CD, CD release party, and live performance is a hella experience. Glad I was there. Lucky you when you get to see for yourself at one of his upcoming shows.

Laters

#GetWrecked - a seedy release party

It was a seedy release...party! Okay, it really wasn't that seedy, it was more like a CD Release party! and another damn fine event held by my friends at the One 2 One (http://www.one2onebar.com/) on S. Lamar.

The Cody Bryan Band (http://codybryanmusic.com/main.php) have broken out with their debut CD in great fashion. A Twitter campaign (@codybryanband, #getwrecked, #wreckme), a Facebook contest to create the 'WRECK ME' adult beverage starring their own sponsor Dripping Springs Vodka (http://drippingspringsvodka.com/index.php/a-few-of-our-favorite-things/), the winner was Dripping Springs vodka and grapefruit juice - YES that shit will get you wrecked for damn sure, and even an appearance on the local television morning show Good Day Austin (http://www.myfoxaustin.com/story/22194212/cody-bryan-band). All in all I would say it was a great night, great fun, and a great album!

The blog about this performance is going to be wrapped up in this story as I go along, so enjoy the tale of "#GetWrecked".

I posted a blog write up a short time ago about the Kenny Chesney show for the debut of the Austin360 Amphitheater (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2013/04/shared-experiences-kenny-chesney.html), what  I didn't talk about (and owe a write up for) is the after hours experience. The Cody Bryan Band was performing at The Saxon Pub at 11 pm that same evening. Not knowing what time the Chesney show would end and more importantly could we make the drive and make it worthwhile? Yes, Yes, YES!!! Out of the A360 Theater we flew and to S Lamar we went. Walking in the door and chatting with the doorman for a hot second and there we were. With only a song or two into their set, we proceeded to enjoy.


Here is where the #GetWrecked part comes in...

So, some beverages at the A360 Amphitheater and then a few more at Saxon, I had to make the trip to the men's room. To the back I go, OH WATCH OUT! THERE ARE STAIRS! Yeah, I know this, but my feet decided "Ehhh, what the fuck! We are just gonna skip that step right there. YEAH , that one!" I missed the step and down I went...the wreckage to my right knee will live on the Internet forever here (http://livemusicinaustin.tumblr.com/post/47373837615/this-is-getwrecked-codybryanband-show-talk). I posted that on Tumblr and then Tweeted the band with the hashtag #GetWrecked...Taaaa Daaaa! there it is. With the debut album called 'Wreck Me' and the fun at their sneak performance at the Saxon.... it was inevitable, it was funny, and most importantly it fits and makes sense.


Moving forward to the CD release party at One2One. Definitely a favorite place of mine. Easy to get to, whether it is your starting point for an evening or the stopping point. There is ALWAYS great music, low cover charge (it's for the bands so don't bitch), and the staff is wonderful to deal with. Tonite we (two)stepped  in the door to catch the tail end of Moonlight Social (http://moonlightsocialmusic.com/). I wrote about them (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2011/08/hot-sauce-and-moonlight-social.htm) from August of 2011. That's right, damn near 2 years ago! Although it was somewhat a fluffy write up, the statements I made are true and have happened. The band has grown up on the road quite a bit. Polished up the sound and really can turn the crowd now. It was wonderful. The music and lyrics are paired wonderfully. The chemistry is stunning, the band enjoys being on stage for a crowd,  and this evening there was a great crowd to appreciate their appearance. With a really good video under their belt and a cool debut album, Moonlight Social is in a great position to move up, on, and forward.

Cody Bryan Band took the stage after a short intro from longtime friend of Cody Bryan, AJ. The band took their turn in the spotlight. No, this is obviously not their first performance, but lets just say it was their birth. All of the other performances were the sonogram pictures leading up to this moment. I posted a ridiculously long comment on their FB page after this debut show and will repeat some of that now.


The journey for Cody Bryan Band has been just that, a journey. In fact, as I mentioned, it has started with this night. The original incarnation was Aimless Gun. With an EP release February 13, 2010 at One2One on 5th St and then a full length album there after. Aimless Gun was a rocking band. HOWEVER, from the first time I heard them, the live performance that ASkye wrote a blog about (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-best-fourth-of-july-on-3rd-ever.html - you really have to reread this one..I am prejudiced...it is an awesome write up!) July 2010, to the release of the Aimless Gun full length album. Everyone I talked to asked "Are they country?" "NO!" was always the definitive answer. The truth now comes out, although Aimless Gun was a rockin band, it had the spirit of country music and somehow we all knew.

With the announcement that the name would change, the addition of keys (Cole Gramling),  and a new album would follow of...GASP!...country music. It was inevitable and now it is fun. One of the most fun and entertaining nights in quite a while. With Ms Cruz snapping the pictures, it was easy for me to watch the crowd have every bit a good time as I. It was a packed house, hard to move around in, but damn if they weren't dancing down in front. AND Yes, I enjoyed a spin with my girlfriend.

I love it when a band does their thing onstage and are joined during the set by a special guest. For all in the audience, it was the beautiful vocals and beautiful looking Jennica Scott from Moonlight Social, joining the band on stage for a tune or two. WOW! Not only has the Cody Bryan Band really learned from all of their performances, grown from the experiences over the last few years, and polished the sound to diamond like qualities, but with the addition of female vocals...MAN THIS IS SO PERFECT! I am glad that she joined them onstage. From a fan perspective I am saying we (I) want more of that on a regular basis. Take some of those old Aimless songs, re-tool them, add some female vocals, and work them in! As a friend of the band...add some female vocals in and work it into the show! For me it is all about the live performance, and that would be fantastic.

For the CD 'Wreck Me' (Amazon, iTunes, and Waterloo Records), do yourself a favor, go pick up your copy. Listen to it, enjoy it, and I dare you to single out 1 song as your favorite...not gonna happen! As I listen to it on repeat, I am trying to figure out which song is going to be their first hit single. Will it be the title track 'Wreck Me', the wedding song 'When we were made', or the weekend anthem 'That's why God made Saturday night'? Take your turn, enjoy the tunes and cast your vote for favorite on the Cody Bryan Band FB page.

Laters


all photos by Mariza Cruz