Over the Rainbow

Yes, the title has nothing to do with the fact this is a year end review...it just came to mind while I was writing.

It was another fun year for Live Music In Austin. As I look back I once again surprised myself at what I saw and where I went. Made new friends, listened to new music, and enjoyed some favorites.

I saw 47 bands from January to December. 32 brand new bands I have never seen before! That was a surprise. Of the 15 venues I lurked around, 6 were brand new places to me... Meh! I have worked harder and been to more new places before. But the question remains...How many new places did YOU go to last year where you had never set foot in before, to enjoy some live music?

I only saw two bands multiple times last year.

Apparently the One2One   (http://www.one2onebar.com/) remains at the top of my list as most frequented, with The Rattle Inn (http://rattleinnaustin.com/) coming a very close second - and it was new to me!

As I look back, I realize this is the first year where I have not done any photo or review of a national touring act. There were definitely some touring bands I saw, but SXSW always brings new faces.







It was a great year for a variety of music again. From some metal sounds at The Dirty Dog (https://www.dirtydogbar.com/) of Silvertongue Devil  (https://www.facebook.com/silvertonguedevil666/) and Fear Control (http://www.fearcontrol.net/) to the country sounds of the Zach Willard Band (http://zachwillardband.com/) at Wagners Backyard   (http://www.wagnersbackyard.com/) and The Cody Bryan Band  (http://www.codybryanmusic.com/) at The Rattle Inn. There was the Pop/punk music from   Forever Starts Today (https://www.facebook.com/FSTofficial/) at The Lucky Lounge (http://www.theluckylounge.com/) and the scandalous sounds of The Dead Love Club  (http://deadloveclub.com/) at The Mohawk (https://mohawkaustin.com/). A lot of American type sounds with The Warplanes (http://www.thewarplanes.net/) at the One 2 One to wild hip hop of Boombox ATX at the same place.






















So to sum it up, I averaged experiencing just a hair over 2 new bands every 3 weeks, 1 new venue every 2 months. I averaged listening to live music every 10 days and I was at a venue supporting the live music scene better than every 2 weeks as well...and you know what, I did pay to see some of these bands. If I got in for free, I spent my money at the bar, bought a CD or a hat. Better than that most of the shows were FREE.

 

I will tell you this, if you are gonna spend money at the door to see a band, the One2One remains my hands down pick for supporting live and local with the best sound system, and 100% of the door goes to the band(s)!

no need to start a war

This is part of the thrill I have about the music scene in Austin, sharing it with someone. My wife joined me this evening for a great double bill. After checking out the first band for the evening we took a 45 minute drive and headed BACK into Austin for some super bad ass late night sounds.

The venue is the One2One (http://www.one2onebar.com/). Built for sound, built for the show. The One2One is the premier small venue in Austin. Located just 3 minutes from the electricity of the downtown entertainment district, The One2One is located on S. Lamar in an unassuming little strip mall. But boy is this place anything BUT unassuming. Owners Gregg and Destinee Ware have built what many local musicians praise as the legacy to The Austin music scene of old (think Steamboat - if you don't know you don't get it don't worry about it). Just pick any night and you are sure to be thrilled by a performance and the great sound.

I didn't just randomly pick this night. Oh No! After seeing two of this bands members do a small acoustic set, I knew I had to check out the whole package. And not only am I happy I had the opportunity, but doubly thrilled my wife could join me. The band…ahhh well they are The Warplanes (http://www.thewarplanes.net/).

Walking in the doors of the One2One at midnight and being happy the band hasn’t started might seem like an oddity to you, but you are just going to have to come to Austin and see what this is about.

The Warplanes dove onto the stage minutes after midnight. The music is ridiculously hard to pigeon hole, much like many other bands in town. If you are not straight up country or rock/metal or rap then you have that “Austin Sound”. The Warplanes embodied this with the group of guys on stage. A lead guitar, an acoustic guitar wielding lead singer, a keyboard/rhythm guitarist, bass, and drums. It wasn’t quite country, it had a kind of rock edge to it, sweet harmonies, and a front man with attitude. Yes Sir! The Warplanes are pure Austin.

They were exciting to watch. They were fun to listen to. The crowd was entertained and fixated, and the crowd stayed for the whole show - a super hard thing to do for a band playing that midnight slot. The Warplanes had all of us dancing at one point. On command the lead singer had us clapping along. The lead singer was playing to the crowd and enjoying it like a little kid on Christmas...all smiles. He was climbing on the drum riser, jumping, and singing. It was amazing fun for a late night out.

With my wife, with some friends, with family, or solo, I will attend a Warplanes show any chance I get. Guess you should too. Look them up.

Laters

Two guys and a guitar

It's been a while, but I feel like I have some performance reviews to share with you.

On the request of a friend, I went to a local sports bar called Doc's Backyard (http://www.docsrestaurantsunsetvalleytx.com). It is a nice sports bar with seating inside and out, and of course plenty of televisions. The food is good and the prices are to be expected for a sports bar, but the food is very good! Outside, the seating is mainly near the bar. However there are some tables farther away from the bar, near the very large playground. That's right! Bring your pets AND your kids. Watch the game, have some good eats, and let the kids run, play, and wear themselves out.

In a small area, just between the table seating in the bar area and the table seating by the playground, is stage. Quite unassuming, if no one is up there using it, but perfectly placed if there is entertainment.

This particular early evening was Aric Garcia and Issac Routh. Two of the four members of a local band the Warplanes (http://www.thewarplanes.net). Doing a little set with Isaac on guitar and lead vocals and Aric on percussion, harmony vocals, and working the board. These two guys filled the air with fun and great sounds.

Even though a large part of the crowd dancing and having a great time were under 4ft tall, there was no doubt the great tunes and harmonies from these two guys and a guitar were resonating through everyone listening. Aric and Isaac rolled through many familar songs with their own slight twist and flavor. and the originals were as electric as you can get without the full band experience.

Aside from all of the love the kids gave Aric and Isaac, this was not a kids show. It was just the perfect music for a beautiful Friday evening during Happy Hour! No questions about it. Look these guys up on Facebook or under the whole bands name, The Warplanes. Seek them out and find them around the town. GO see some GREAT, inspiring, live and local music. Without a doubt I will make a point of finding them doing this type of set up again and I hope to enjoy it with you. I plan on sharing it with my wife and my dad next chance I get.

For a small taste check out this small clip of Aric and Isaac doing a mind, blowing and stunning acoustic version of Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd.





Laters