The Rebellion lives

Dozen Street (https://www.facebook.com/DozenStreet/) is located on...Well...12th St. On the corner of 12th and Chicon in Austin, Texas. As a tourist I don't believe you would wander in here unless it was purposeful.

Dozen Street Bar is located in a row between a couple of other businesses and is a Shotgun style bar. As you walk into the narrow room, heading towards the back, you pass a couple pool tables and the restrooms on the right. The wall on your left is an interesting collection of 12x12 tiles of all different sorts which have to see in person to appreciate it. As you progress farther into the club, the bar is also on your right past the bathrooms and the stage is to your left in the back corner with a seating /lounge area directly in front of it next to the bar. The is also an out door area for smoking or relaxing away from the music of you so choose.

This night's musical selection was a two piece out of New York, SIRSY (http://www.sirsy.com/). Comprised of Melanie on Drums and vocals, as well as backing herself up on bass and flute... Yes! You read that correctly. The band is rounded out with guitarist Rich Libotti, who does bass as well. They tour constantly and traverse the U.S. like champs.

The first thing I noticed about SIRSY is Melanie's beautiful smile! It is absolutely infectious and fantastic. Smiling and laughing throughout the entire performance. She just makes you happy you are there.

SIRSY's music is pop/rock based. Libboti's grooves and guitar work is uncompromising! Mixing his pedal work with his rhythm and lead solos are solid. The frightening thing is how great Libboti's work is and it takes back seat to Melanie and her performance work. By the way, the title of this blog is a nod to Libboti's guitar itself - go see them perform and you might get the back story! 

Although it was a small intimate crowd, SIRSY'S performance was even more stellar than the first time I saw them on a short set and large crowd. Every single person in the house tonight laughed with the band, cheered, clapped, and danced in their seats or across the small space in front of the stage. Although they did play a cover or two, the crowds enjoyment came directly in response to their amazing originals. It was an exciting performance to behold and for just two people to pour their hearts, souls and sweat out for this crowd like they did, I can't imagine you having a better time than a SIRSY performance!

Oh my God... And that smile!

Laters

Pulling back the curtain

Looking back on the past year for Live Music In Austin always seems to be an eye opener.

Once again it seems like most main genres of music were heard and seen by Live Music In Austin and Live Music In Texas. We almost made it a full year as well. Starting from Jan.5th all the way to Dec.20th. It was a 349 day journey.

There was, and will always be, my local favorites - which interestingly enough, seem to be everything in the VMG and Lordship Ent. stables! Thanks guys for doing your part in trying to keep the live music scene in Austin 'Live' and full of music. I also fostered a bigger relationship with The Dirty Wormz founder and brain child, Thomas Chapman - a.k.a Smackola. There is a large video project that we are working on. It is not only deep in the mind of Smackola, but a take on the music scene from then, to now, to the future.  Look for it later in 2016.

As for the blog, the reviews, and the photos. As a year in review it went something like this...

There were 11 new venues I went to. Not necessarily new to Austin, but definitely new to me. First time setting foot in places like Threadgills Saloon, Uncle Garys, and The Rusty Mule. From Pflugerville to Gruene Hall, from Dallas to San Antonio, I covered a little ground.

There were 23 local bands that I saw, listened to, took pictures of, and wrote about, for the very first time. From Call Me King to Scorpio Rising, it was pop, rock, country music nirvana proving that Austin really should keep the title Live Music Capital of the World. All politics aside, still proud to be part of this city and do what I do to try and spread the word to the world - and you locals also.

I was also lucky enough to photo and review 20 touring acts, many of which I never thought I would see, much less get up close to shoot. From the ultra amazing stage performance of Mushroomhead, to the cool Americana sounds of Lachlan Bryan and the Wildes. My 2015 also included seeing and hearing Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts. I was honored to have been apart of that due to the kindness of Sean Claes from INsite Austin.

With 28 blog posts written in 2015 it boils down to this -

Just under 1 new venue per month, almost 2 new bands per month, and more than 2 blog posts per month, I may not be on the level of Dave Prewitt from Dave TeeVee, but DAMMITT!! I love Austin, I love the Austin music scene, and I will keep on doing this.

Live Music in Austin has 4 blog posts cooking for January alone. Within that are 3 bands I have never seen before. I still have a week to go! If you see me out and about, tap me on the shoulder and say "Hi!", let me know you have seen the blog, read a post, and saw a band I talked about.

Laters

The last straw

My final evening at SXSW 2013, and it was spent at the Heart of Texas Rockfest, located on the corner of 7th and Neches. It was free to get into, but a donation was requested. Two stages, side by side, and non stop rock and roll for hours upon hours. After leaving our Bungalow (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2013/03/it-was-rainey-for-sxsw.html) on Rainey St we made a quick pit stop at the corner of 6th and Red River to retrieve one of the cameras from Angel Skye (apparently the crowd was WAY to damn wild at the Woe is Me show.)

Walking into the Texas Rockfest (http://www.texasrockfest.com) was like a veritable Who's Who of Austin, Texas music royalty. There was a TV personality, Dave TeeVee (https://www.facebook.com/DaveTeeVee), his royal highness MC Overlord (http://www.overlordmusic.com), radio personality Patrick Davis ( http://www.atxafterdark.com), and the KINGS of Austin ROCK - Vallejo (http://vallejomusic.wordpress.com)! Pretty damn impressive AND WE DIDN'T NEED BADGES!!!!! I can't say that the music was diverse because it was, after all, Texas ROCKFEST!

We had the pleasure of hearing 5 different bands with styles ranging from 'what the fuck is this shit' to Mexican metal. I will write up the performances in the order we saw the bands and it starts with 'What the fuck is this shit?!'




Indofin (http://www.indofinmusic.com/) had just gone on stage when we arrived. Sounding like something between metal or punk and a little bit of confusion mixed in. My regular blog readers sometimes bust my balls for being 'too nice' or 'perpetually positive', well sorry, that's not gonna happen here. It didn't sound rehearsed, there was too much talking between songs, and just seemed like they weren't prepared. When a producer, a manager, and a videographer all remark (at different times and no where near each other) about the things I mentioned, about the quality, or musicianship...somethings up! I really don't know if these guys 'got it'. In the festival setting every band has their 30 minutes to bang out the performance, show the audience who you are and what you are about. That is the time to bring your 'A' game. I really did try to like them and really did try to hear something in the music that would make me tell you go see them or that I would want to see them again. Sorry Brother...not this one.

Liftoff (http://liftoffband.com/The_band.html) is from Canada and these guys really put on a performance. Using the full stage to their advantage with dancing girls on the speakers, lighting effects, and a front man who was pretty damn charismatic. This band really attracted your attention. There was not a lot of conversation in the crowd while they were onstage as it seemed the audience was pretty struck by them. There was, however, a little conversation at the end of the set. It seems there was a pretty interesting resemblance to the lead singer of one certain 'Green Day' band that didn't go unnoticed by some in the crowd. The music was not exactly the same as that, but definitely had the same kind of 'damn the man' feel to it.  Good stuff my friends, check them out.


Treetop Sailors (http://treetopsailors.com/band.htm) sailed onto the stage next. I have been asked several times to go to a show of theirs. I have, sadly, never really made the opportunity to go. As fate would have it, the best part about seeing them here, I was with my heartbeat...and she LOVED them! No doubt about it, these guys are freaking awesome! The lead guitar is pretty fucking outstanding and the lead singer/keyboard player is, well to be frank ...get the fuck outta here! Blues rock with a heavy, HEAVY, accent on the rock portion of that statement. It is a kind of raw and grungy sound, but so unbelievably polished. DUDE! Really, the amount of talent to make yourself sound raw while being that tight is mind boggling. My girlfriend was just amazed with the lead singer, his look and the sound of his voice. While I was sneaking around and took pictures, I did manage to slide up next to her at one point during their set. She grabs my by the arm and shakes me "Oh My God! These guys are great! Why didn't you tell me about them before?" AHHHHH the excitement and enthusiasm. Thankfully they are a local (for now) Austin band, so now I get to go to more of their performances with the stamp and arm shake seal of approval from Ms Cruz. Watch out guys, we'll be seeing ya!

Vallejo (http://vallejomusic.wordpress.com/) are The kings of fucking Austin, Texas Rock-n-Roll! This band is the epitome of fun, excitement, energy, and enthusiasm. They DO NOT know how to stop once they get on stage. They are the utmost professionals and they are musical divas onstage. Absolutely and unequivocally! They mug for all of the cameras in the audience, while they are doing their set. They will point you out in the audience, acknowledge you and make you feel like the rock stars they are up on stage. The music is non stop infectious with their Latin infused grooves underlying that rock and roll blood as they pump it through the crowd. This has been and will ALWAYS be one of the 2 premier rock bands to go see in Austin when it comes to a GREAT live music experience. I have always taken every opportunity to go see them, I have not seen them near as much as I have wanted to, and now I beseech you...GO! Seek out the fun and rock and roll that is Vallejo! and if you can't then here is a video from that show to hold you over http://youtu.be/3GDgwqSis_g.



Seis Pistos (http://www.seispistos.com/) was the final band we saw before an early, but exhausted exit from Rockfest. With the lead singer doing a lot of Spanish speaking and really horrible broken English, I thought it was a joke. HELLLL NO! These guys are straight up from Mexico, but they are great proof that rock music has no boundaries. The music had this definite and irreverent 'I don't give a fuck' attitude, but they were serious. Mixing some old classics with their new style, it was actually impressive. I really liked it. In fact, I would say that I loved it. Metal is metal no matter where you go in the world. Nope, I couldn't understand a damn thing the singer was saying (even his hilariously shitty English), but it was great. It was great in every way that rock music should be. Powerful, driven, and in the end, gracious that you were there to witness it and appreciate it. They were kind enough to pour their souls out for us and I will definitely be kind enough to go see them again!


Laters

New blood!!!

Red Eyed Fly ( http://www.redeyedfly.com/home.html ) was eerily empty on the front side this particular week night. Bartenders standing and staring as you walk through to the club to the stage out back...a little creepy and surreal. But outside, sweet!

Sinsored ( http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sinsored/212112798852805 ) was onstage and who I came to see. Punk music in its most raw and youngest form. I can say that it was not what I expected and better than I imagined. Missing only the first couple of songs but catching a half hour of performance was cool. Basic standard four piece as you would think. I really dont know their ages, but that doesnt matter. I have seen other bands that were older and where just starting out as well, so age...mehhh! It is how you handle yourself onstage and the crowd that I am there for.

I will provide feedback in this public forum 'cause I would like to see these kids grow, get better, and kick some more ass. Also, I can look back at this blog in the future when they are stars in their own right and compare that future gig to this first view.

Practice, practice, practice. The tunes and the sound were unmistakeably Punk! No doubt, not this bullshit pop punk on the radio (that I do listen to anyway) nor is it that '70's 'punk' sound. Sinsored is more hardcore punk and if this is what you like, this is what you will get. Raw, unapologetic, gutteral, shredding punk. No D-Beat (although that may come) , no feedback between tracks (maybe you guys should try it), just punk.

It is summertime and I would hope these kids were in the living room (fuck the garage it is too damn hot) for a couple of hours A DAY practicing. They need it. As stupid as it sounds to some of you, they need to tighten up their songs to be able to play the great, sloppy, punk sound and be good at it. A little off key on the vocals here, some off tempo licks there..ehhh...just practice.

I liked the fact that the bass player was the MC for the band. In between songs he was culling they audience for responses, "first time at a show of ours? How many have been to all 4 of our shows so far? go get a free demo CD!" Nice glad someone in the band is taking control of the audience, part of putting on a good show..;.not just playing your music. The audience is there for the live part of it. Otherwise we would put your shit on in the car and play it really fucking loud!

The frontmans voice was surpisingly great for the body it came out of, with his "Outsiders" style (check THAT reference Dave Tee Vee!) and constant smile, it was really great for the music. Don't know about the 'singing' on the slower track they did, but for everything else his voice is what will make or break these guys as a good punk band.

Look them up at their FB page and go try something new in Austin.

Laters