Big Time fun

The last blog post of the year. Although I really didn't quite hit the circuit like I wanted or feel like I should have, let me end the year like this! At the One-2-One. With two amazing, Bad Ass bands. 

So let me refresh you. The One-2-One is on S. Lamar, Austin, Tx. Just 2 minutes from downtown. Free parking. Great sound. Why have you not gone after all these years of my writing about this place? Walk in the doors and you are greated by a very large stage directly opposite the door. The bar is to your right and extends half the length of the venue. It still has the best damn sound for a small venue in Austin!

A quick word, if that is possible for me to do, about 80H Project. These guys finished this night out with amazing music, laughs, family in the house, and friends onstage. 80H project is the brainchild of the one and ONLY Ady Hernandez. One of the most solid musicians, guitar players, vocalists, and harmonizing bands leaders in Austin... and we wish him well on his upcoming comedy career!  

Joining him onstage and making this project stellar, is an amazing line up of talent that are all spectacular on their own, but here... mind blown! 

80H Project is a fusion of Latin rock and music for the soul. About half way through the set 80 H was joined by one of the most multi talented, make you want to quit music, musicians Austin has the pleasure to call a son if the city, Kevin Flatt. Fresh off the road from Arlington, Kevin jumped up onstage to make the sound more than complete. 

Keep your eyes on the calendar and catch the 80 H Project for the few times they make appearances here or even in Nashville.

And now for the Big Time words, specifically Hector Ward and The Big Time. WTF! Although I have actually hung out with Hector on several occasions at a few different bars.... this was, shamefully, the first time I got the Big Time experience. What an experience it was! I sat and watched as Hector pretty much played the guitar without a pick. Just hand strumming the shit outta that guitar. Damn fine soun, and what a great voice. He was backed with a stellar horn section and spot on rhythm section. His rock/Latin fusion sound carried through your earholes, into your brain, and made your ass and feet move. 

It was great music, performed with smiles on stage and a vibe anyone could appreciate. This isn't a - back ground musical performance - from some band that is playing - while you have cocktails with friends, kind of band. Hector Ward and the Big Time demands your attention. The stories he tells in his music is worth every ounce of your attention. Best of all, just get up and dance. Dance like no one is watching, dance like you care about the music. But most of all, enjoy Hector Ward and the Big Times music. 

Happily I reported this to my wife when I got home. Explaining to her there was still tons of life and amazing music in the Austin music scene. And our new journeys, starting the new year, new decade should begin with Hector Ward and The Big Time.

I'll see you there! 

Laters 

The Real Sim

Well that is a little odd. I mean, if it was the fake sim then it would be a sim - ulator....just saying.

Lucky me. I have this music blog which allows me to share my musical journeys and opinions with the world. All with the hopes of someone reading about a band and then going to a show. I have also been running a livestream for a year (as of the writing of this blog). The show is called Three Beers and a Whiskey available on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/threebeersandawhiskey , check it out. Besides the shameless self promotion, it has a point in this blog post about the music and performance of Sim Ross.

Our second episode of the show was with Sim Ross and his band The Laughing Heart. I was introduced to the man, band, and music by then guitarist and friend of mine, Sonny Bihl. Without ever seeing the band perform, and only on the recommendation of my friend and a downloaded copy of the album 'Mothers DayBlues', I enthusiastically had them sit with me and chat. Besides being great, down to earth, and very humble men, their acoustic rendition of several of their songs from the album were stunning. Here is 'Winding Rivers' ( https://youtu.be/ydBlbzBg0Kk ). It was not to long after that where I had the pleasure of catching them twice. Once at a venue that will remain nameless - because of the shitty sound production that evening - and the second time at one of my all time favorites, the One2One (http://www.one2onebar.com/).


Sim Ross (https://www.simrossmusic.net) is originally from Ohio. Lucky us here in Austin, he made the journey and cut his record, Mothers Day Blues, here. His Americana sound has just enough edge on it to be rock and roll, and enough soul in the music to be blues. Of course I think all great American music is based on the blues, I just think Sim Ross elevates it to another level, and makes it REAL personal. His voice has that great raspy sound. Between gargling with glass and drinking sandpaper, you might be able to imitate Sims unique voice and sound. It is amazing and perfect with the originals he does.



The One2One was really the perfect spot to check out Sim Ross and The Laughing Heart, an intimate setting with a great sound system. The band was fantastic. Kicking off with the first track from the disc, 'At the rate I'm going', it proved to be a nonstop tour of storytelling through music. As much at the title song is my favorite, the live rendition of the song 'Paradise' is killer.





It was a stunning set of music that was non stop, top to bottom. No question and doubt I will go to many more Sim Ross shows. You should too. Check out his website, look him up on FB. It is without question that is a great way to start a high energy evening. An even better way to top off the night. Do the live music scene and yourself a favor, go see Sim Ross and The Laughing Heart. Tell him I sent you, and have a water on me.



















Laters

fresh refresh

Probably won't be the last post of the year, but pretty damn close.

This will be a review of some sort. I am going to diverge from my normal chatter about how much fun the audience had and how the band interacted with them. I am just gonna touch on two bands that I have reviewed before, but you will just have to read on.

I didn't do a review of The Warhorses (http://thewarhorsesmusic.com/) when the played recently in Austin at The Rattle Inn. Simply put, it was their last performance in Austin with Guitarist Sonny Bihl. Sad day, but spectacular performance. They just let Sonny call out the songs he wanted to do. It was fun and spontaneous. For now that really doesn't matter. In the (near) future I can hope we will get to see them again with a new line up and maybe some new tunes. I will try to keep up with them and let you know when Austin, Texas will get a first look at the new Warhorses. 'Til then here are some photos from that night. I'll post more to FB.

The other band I recently saw which I have previously spoken about at length is the Cody Bryan Band (http://www.codybryanmusic.com/).

It was another fun night with these guys. They were just coming off of a high note playing for a larger size arena with several other acts. This night was just a small intimate crowd. What was exciting and spectacular is hopefully a lesson for all. They changed up their set! It was fantastic and fun. Just like seeing them for the first time. There were many new songs they did. There were a couple of mainstay's they keep for the fun of it, BUT they threw in and mixed it up with many older tracks we hadn't heard in a while. Once again, made to be very proud of the local boys done good!

As a fan of the local music scene and many different bands, it was just a great feeling to have something new and fresh thrown at me (the crowd). I don't know how hard it is to do a different set list regularly, but as a paying (and sometimes not) member of the crowd (and usually a fan of someone I am going out to see)...I DON'T CARE. The best bands in Austin become lame as shit when it is the same damn set list each time you see them.

For the crowd and and fans of the Cody Bryan Band it was inspiring and refreshing to enjoy a performance for what it was...Live Music! I appreciate and loved the performance for what seemed like a whole new band. I hope some of my other friends and members of bands around town might read this and take heed. We, the crowd and audience, will ONLY love you more for it!


Laters

It was a Midnight Drive

Lucky Lounge (http://www.theluckylounge.com/) on a Thursday night in Austin, Texas. Like I have said and will continue to preach...there is always something to do, music to experience, and fun to be had in Austin ANY day of the week. Tourist or local, come join the fun in our great city.

Located on 5th St just off of Congress, the Lucky Lounge is just that...a lounge. A long shotgun style venue. You walk in the front door with a small seating area in the front and then a long hallway that leads to the main body of the club. As you walk down the hallway the bathrooms are on the right and a area for merch on the left. When you enter the main room it is a little over double the width of the hallway with a long bar on the right, a raised VIP seating area up, behind the bar on the far right. To the left are some small two seat, hi-top tables lining the left wall to the stage, which is at the very end of the long room. Right in front of the stage is a small area to stand/dance for a show, with a sofa and some more seating to the left. It is a lounge.

As I walked in I was hearing a very sweet voice and an acoustic guitar. Kayla Way

 (https://www.facebook.com/KaylaWay/) was onstage doing her thing. Kayla had a few folks in the crowd for an early Thursday evening, even a local guitar celebrity was taking in and enjoying her sound. Kayla's sound is ALMOST what you would expect from that singer/songwriter sound, BUT there was something a little different about her. A wonderful smile, a good stage presence and the interaction with the crowd. Kayla Way's originals are perfect and fun for an early evening and when she did a cover, she owned it she did'nt karaoke it! The crowd grew towards the end of her set and this is where her sound changed ever so slightly...more edgy. It seemed like she was ready to drop the current sound and timid girl demeanor for a just rock out moment on us with one of her newer songs. 

I did speak with her briefly after her set and am happy to say she has an EP coming out very soon (possible beginning of the new year). Kayla proudly told me that everyone can expect this to be a little more rock and roll then her previous venture. I look forward to it and you should look forward to seeing Kayla Way around town.

Next up was Todd Pate 

(https://soundcloud.com/todd-pate-1). Nothing like traveling with your own fan club. There were definitely a few more people here than with the prior performer and they were all cheering on Todd and his pretty cool guitar skills. This was another singer/songwriter performance. It was not that Todd was unique with his voice, his songs were original and his singing voice was strong. The crowd loved what he was doing. The previously mentioned local guitar hero and I where really stunned at what Todd did with his guitar. Not just playing acoustic, but using a whole damn peddle board for effcts. It sounded great, but different enough to garner our collective attention. I cant's say if this is just big balls doing this, or just genius, but it was impressive enough. Although I am not sure if Todd is local, look him up anyway.

Leather Leaf (http://www.leatherleafrockband.com/) was the dramatic turn for the evening. Jumping from acoustic singer/songwriter to a metal band was pretty harsh. It was also pretty damn fun. Leather Leaf does the rock/metal thing with a female lead, Melissa Madnezz (https://www.facebook.com/melissaklopf). This woman barks out the songs like a champ, commanding every single song brilliantly. It's as if Ozzy and Grace Slick had a love child and lucky for us, she is the singer of Leather Leaf! Leather Leaf's performance was half and half covers and originals. Doing their originals like they were platinum hits and doing the covers like they were their own, it was definitely a pleasure to be in the crowd for this performance. Even more so watching some of the younger folks in the crowd taking it in, singing the choruses, and moving to the beats. It was definitely smile inducing.

The Midnight Drive  (https://www.facebook.com/themidnightdrive/) was up for the headline spot of the evening. This is where my invitation came from for this night of new music.

I have always told folks about the great thing about Austin music. The bands go out to see and support each other. You never know who you will see on stage, and you NEVER know who you are going to be sitting with and talking to in the crowd. More than once I have experienced and heard the story of others hanging out in a venue, talking with someone, and then they interrupt the conversation by saying "Hey! It was nice talking to you, but I have to go. My band is up next." Leaving me/you/the unsuspecting tourist to think "WTF!!! Who was I just sitting with and talking to?" Yes, I knew I was sitting with the absolutely beautiful, smiling, and newly married wife of The Midnight Drive's drummer, BUT I had NO idea who the dark, beautiful, mysteriously silent and shy young lady was that kept coming to our table. It was moments before show time when the drummer brought her to the table and introduced her as the lead singer of The Midnight Drive....palm to the forehead moment for me. 

The Midnight Drive is a band that does some amazingly fun music. Danceable, catchy songs, great melodic drifts with some interesting guitar work going on underneath it all. The crowd was totally on their feet for the entire performance. Having a good time and cheering along, even if they didn't know the words, like myself. Although I stay away from comparisons as a personal decision. I would rather you go and catch it and make up your own mind, but I am happy to give you a genre for a band. The Midnight Drive has done an amazing job of creating something all their own...PopPunk goes Surfer! 

The Midnight Drive does their sound well, the crowd is in on the secret, you should be too.

Laters  

Soul Giants

Battling it out with friends in Austin, Texas on any night, trying to figure out where to go listen to live music, is the greatest thing. I took my preferred route and Dave TV () took his. Nothing but love in watching, listening, writing about, and supporting live and local!

So off to my happy home away from home which never lets me down, The One2One Bar (). Tonight was a double feature for me. Two great local bands with whom I know the players, I know the game, but have never seen perform. BAM! Doing it right tonight.

But first quick nod of respect to The One2One. This is a GREAT venue for music located in South Austin. It is a brilliant design of a club. 4 walls, a great stage, and a bar. How about that? The thing is you don't get it unless you go experience it. This place was built for the performance! NO apologies here for short words on a great venue, I have written about this location before and will again. Look back at some of my previous posts if you really want to see the great things I have said about The One2One...otherwise read on.

The Jack Burton Trio () is fronted by Jack Burton and his beautiful wife. Jack plays the guitar and his wife does the co vocals duties, but his voice is the "WHOA". For that funky, soul, rock, type of music, Jack's James Brown-esque voice is right on the spot. His lively personality throughout the entire performance only begged for people to be dancing and having a great time. The interactions that Jack Burton has with the rest of the band and the high amount of respect he has for his bandmates just pours out into the crowd. It is a performance which overflows with excitement and enthusiasm.











Oh! "Bandmates?", you ask. There is Jack Burton and his wife...one more would be a trio. NO! This is Texas math and all you have to know is that it sounds great, it feels good, and it is fun! Quit counting members and count on a great time with The Jack Burton Trio. With residencies around town, there seems to be no reason or opportunity for you not to take of piece of this soul mans giant voice and personality home with you, weekday or weekend.

Following up to a performance like was the properly placed Curtis Lee (). The man with the silky smooth voice and the bluesy sounding soul music which just pulls at your heart, your tears, and then makes you smile. His lead guitarist, here, is the talented and every moving Ady Hernandez. This duo is pretty damn potent. Curtis Lee probably doesn't need a PA for his voice as it carries and carries and carries. Curtis Lee music is a little more on the soulful side, but it is bursting with life and pulls your feet ahead of you onto the floor.



This was another performance where the crowd couldn't stand it and danced the night away. As the music of Curtis Lee and his band ebbed and flowed, the crowed moved on his vocal directions and his interpretation of life...through music. This was a seriously powerful and moving performance. Curtis Lee, like Jack Burton, knows his band and knew the crowd. Letting the power of his performers lead the crowd through the solos only left everyone breathless enough for Curtis Lee to wrap up his performance in stellar fashion. An uptempo tune about a girl, love, and the crowd singing along.

For the city of Austin and the music scene as it stands, it is diverse and attractive. It is fun, it is multi cultural, and it is always happening. And these guys are Soul Giants for what they do, how they do it, and what you feel like when they are done.

Laters


p.s. - Thanks Cari Hutson St. Marie for supplying me with the title on this one.

Willards got Skills

Pflugerville has really started to pick up the live music scene recently. With the new additions and remodels, PTown is offering more options for the locals to catch some good music almost any night of the week and every weekend you can definitely find something worthy of driving up the road from Austin, or out your front door if you live there.

Wagners Backyard (http://www.wagnersbackyard.com) is one of these places. Not only providing a pretty damn outdoor area to hang out in, but play some yard games and card games. With a very respectable stage outdoor you would almost not realize there is a stage inside also. Just as you walk in the front door of Wagners, the stage is immediately to your left. Although it would be great if the stage faced towards the back yard or was arranged in a slightly different fashion, it still provides humble little spot for a band to kick it and a few folks inside to enjoy.

My wife and I purposefully wandered in this particular evening to catch the Zach Willard Band (http://zachwillardband.com). I believe these guys hail from the Cedar Park area. We were surprised and pleased they were hanging out and playing some music this evening. With an extremely pleasant, large, building sized doorman working and chatting with us, The Zach Willard Band provided the music for great evening.

The Zach Willard Band is a 4 piece with Zach doing vocals and guitar work, he proved to be an entertainer. There was a large group sitting at the table in front of the stage and having a great time. It was great how Zach worked the crowd and made this show special and unique. Obviously I can't say if the band has performances like this every time they hit the lights, but I will tell you to go find them and enjoy this style of uptempo country music.



For me, the thing which left the biggest impression about the show was one little portion, where front man Zach Willard was soliciting info from the crowd. He the crowd to  several different things to him. Location, events, sports teams...you get the idea. He then proceeded to weave together a song right in front of the crowd. It was fucking awesome!

Stop by Wagners Backyard, drink a beer, play a game, watch a game, and if you plan it right enjoy and support live local music.

Look up the Zack Willard Band and have a fun time, sing along, and make memories.


Laters

The Sun is rising on Sundown

The Rattle Inn (http://rattleinnaustin.com/). Located within the entertainment district known as 6th St, Austin, Texas. The Rattle Inn provides your basic needs in a honky tonk bar. It is a bar, it has a stage, and you can really enjoy some great music...up close. For a bar there is not a whole lot of BANG. An outdoor seating area as you walk up. A nice sized room when you walk in the front door. The stage is directly in front of you with the bar on the wall to the left. Some seating around the perimeter, but it's kind of obvious this place is a bar...with a stage.

And on the stage,this evening, was something new for me. Although some of the players were familiar to me, Sundown Revelry (http://www.sundownrevelry.com/) was a wonderful new experience. These guys came to play rock an roll, not metal, just Rock! With a song list of originals that was just as impressive as their live energy, these guys are easy to make you put your belief in the fact that Austin is live music!

The band is a 4 piece with the lead singer doing guitar duties as well. A drummer, a bassist, and another guitar player fill it out. And fill it out they do! Although this particular gig was a week out from the insanity that is SXSW, there was still a moderate crowd. The GREAT thing was Sundown Revelry had every persons attention right after the first song. Crisp guitar work, a lead singer with a great voice, Sundown Revelry is that rock band you wanted to go see, but didn't know who they were, or where. Now you've got the inside. This is one of those great bands to meet friends at the show, or center your night around the performance.

While plowing through an hour plus set, the band managed to do massive respect to the police as well as STP and a couple of other covers. The even had someone from the crowd cheering obnoxiously for a song from the SpaceJam soundtrack....shake my damn head. All the while belting out their originals and making every person in the house want more. What was terrible, is the band proving...when you are having fun time flies! It was such great music, performed well, and received by the crowd even better than that. Sundown Revelry positions themselves to be a great breakout beast here in Austin. Don't take my word for it, but take my word for it. Go catch them and be prepared to see the sunrise on Sundown Revelry!

Laters

Like water

When it's that near perfect mixture of music, crowd, and booze...it flows like water. The music is just right for the crowd. The mixture of rock, country, Americana, and originals just come together perfectly...and the crowd loves it. The drinks flow like water. The social lubricant of our adult lives keeps the good times rolling. Time. The time just moves on with a seamless performance so the next thing you know...3 hours have gone by in a blink. It all flows like water.

 The unexpected Friday night performance is always fun. I wanted to stop by, but didn't know if it would really happen. It did! The stop was in the pouring rain in Pflugerville, Texas. The place was Uncle Gary's Bar. The band was American Gypsy Band.

Uncle Gary's Bar (http://www.unclegarysbar.com) is on the side of the highway at the far back end of a parking lot. I was looking for it while I was in the parking lot and still didn't see it until we walked right up to it...then it was 'Oh! This is it.' Understand it was 8:30 at night and raining like Hell so the description of the outside is definitely tainted. A modest porch out front was crowded as Hell, all the smokers were doing their thing and trying to stay dry.

As you walk in, the venue is the size of a small house. The bar is immediately to your left, the stage is at the back in the right corner. Bathrooms are past the bar on the left and next to the stage. There are some stairs that lead up to a small balcony and seating area above the floor. Apparently there is an area out back too, but it was to wet to go out there and I didn't care 'cause I don't smoke.

The house was jam packed this evening and everyone was having a great time with the American Gypsy Band (http://americangypsyband.com) doing their thing on stage. My title paragraph should really bring home the sentiment and crowd loving fun of this band. A four piece with the lead singer doing some acoustic work occasionally. Their mixture of cover tunes spanned a huge swath of musical genres to the delight of the crowd. There was no dance floor and it was packed with girls and couples dancing to almost every song. The crowd was singing along (appropriately, not annoyingly) and there were not to many moments where folks were just sitting. American Gypsy Band spectacularly wove their originals in with the covers to the point that you couldn't tell and didn't care.

As far as a performance goes and for a crowd pleasing time. You can't go wrong with a night of American Gypsy Band. Check them out, look then up, and plan on it. BTW..here is a cool ass video of them performing some Bob Marley (https://youtu.be/CPDEWBOpLVo).

Laters

Don't play with fire, dance to it!

The White Horse (https://www.facebook.com/WhiteHorseATX) in Austin, Texas is located east of IH35 in between 6th and 5th on Comal. I saw the sign, but drove by it the first time mistaking it for some little bistro with outside dining.  The entrance is located on the south side of the somewhat nondescript building (except for said area out front). Once you enter it is fairly large inside. The typical rectangle shaped bar.

As you step into The White Horse and look down the length of the club the bar is long, to you left, and runs the greater part of the length of the club. Bathrooms are to your immediate right and the stage is in the far right corner on the long side of the wall. There are a couple of doorways that let you walk through a rather large, unassuming empty space of the club to go outside - said bistro area. It is actually a rather large side yard of The White Horse the has a few tables and a food trailer. this is where you can enjoy a bite to eat from their food trailer (and the food was quite good) or have a smoke.

Back the inside. Several bands were performing this particular evening...Liv Mueller, Delaney Davidson, Robert Allan Caldwell's DAD Jim, The Flametrick Subs (why I went!).

Liv Mueller (http://www.livmueller.com) was haunting and beautiful. Her music reminded me of Twin Peaks (the TV show). It just sounds like it should be the sound track life. Her voice is just sweet and singular. They cool thing is what she did on stage by herself. It had me pause my conversation and stand slack jawed watching her perform. It was the sound of her voice, her guitar work, and the working of the loops, to make it all pretty damn close to breathtaking. 

Although the crowd was very light, it seemed the majority in attendance were just as enamored as I. Now I will tell you I have my sour opinion of the single artist that does this thing with the loops to make a performance or a show, but there have been several performances I have seen recently that were done very well. This was one of them. It wasn't cheesy, it wasn't a joke...it was a performance. Not only did Liv do this impressively, but I was then blown away by...

Delaney Davidson (http://www.delaneydavidson.com). Uhhmmm, so this is really weird. I make the Twin Peaks reference about Ms. Liv Mueller and then as I am pulling the web info for Delaney and WTF?! The first thing I see is a reference to Delaney's music and David Lynch. DAMN! It seems like there is some common thread running through this show. Delaney had the same set up as the previous artist. Himself, a guitar, and his loop equipment. Musically done like a genius. Wicked, eerie, and astounding is the best way to describe Delaney's ability and performance on stage. 

There were more people in the crowd now, pushing towards the stage. I did not mind as this just shows his creative genius with his voice, his guitar, and the ability to entertain. Once again, proof to me that talent is only limited by the universe.

Robert Allan Caldwell's DAD Jim (https://www.facebook.com/robertallancaldwellmusic). This was the shock and surprise performance of the night. No Drums. A banjo, a mandolin, a guitar, and a washtub bass. Oh YES! I said a washtub bass. Robert Allan Caldwell's band DAD Jim stepped on stage and immediately you knew this was going to be different. But Different in the most amazing, musically bad ass way. Roberts lyrics and whole performance is just a rowdy middle finger to Nashville, in the most fun way you could imagine that being done. 

The performance of everyone in this band sharing the solos and the spotlight, made for crowd cheering, dance floor packing good time. And yes, the washtub bass was UNDOUBTEDLY the show stopper of the evening.  It was thrilling to watch that young lady tear that shit up. The how and why someone could do something that musically provocative with a washtub, a stick, and a piece of rope...you HAVE GOT TO GO SEE DAD Jim!

The Flametrick Subs (https://www.facebook.com/flametrick.subs)! THIS is a band to see. A performance to experience. Yes the other bands were good this evening, but Hell be damned if the crowd didn't know this was the performance to see and experience. The exciting performance of The Flametrick Subs is knowing Hell chewed up a Rock-A-Billy band and spat out this Psycho Billy 3 piece of divine musical entertainment. The ambiance of the stage presentation, the words, the music, the crowd... It is a sight to behold and an experience you will not soon forget.

The Flametrick Subs just have that devil may care attitude with their performance and it shows up in the crowd. With folks dancing where there is no dance floor and the crowd howling and singing along... It is the premier throwback party that would make devil himself proud.

Laters

Mayhem Festival wrap up

The main stage wrap up for the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival (http://rockstarmayhemfest.com) 2014, Dallas, Texas.

Trivuim, Asking Alexandria, KORN, and Avenged Sevenfold were the featured bands to round out a long day in the Texas sunshine. I have to say sorry to Trivium. As much as I wanted to see this performance, after hearing and seeing them for the first time on a Sony PSP game (Infected - check it out with a killer soundtrack for a video game), I missed out. Sucks to be me.

Asking Alexandria (http://askingalexandria.com) followed up with a very cool set. No question that some of the younger fans (teens) were thrilled for this one. I recognized a few songs from my daughter's music collection, but the performance was energetic. No doubt AA was playing it up for the Dallas crowd. It was a very satisfying set musically and performance wise. Being able to compare this set to a previous set they did at a smaller, indoor venue in Austin, I will say this... The next time Asking Alexandria is in your town playing a club or similar indoor venue GO! Outdoor festival stage, not so much. They can definitely be a band to continue to watch and follow as they continue to kill these live performances.

KoRn (http://www.korn.com). Are you effing kidding me? Celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut album, it was kick ass. I am very happy to say THIS IS the way a live performance should be! KoRn opened with one of their big hits, and just continued to roll through their set like champs! They made it exciting to watch them onstage with the lights, the different stage levels, and the guys in the band constantly moving around. The mixture was just right for a live music performance. Best of all, the set list didn't leave you asking "what about 'that' song?" Running on all cylinders, KoRn's live performance experience was in its full glory. The new upcoming tour should be pretty amazing, and even more glorious with KoRn doing a full set and being able to pull out all the stops.

Avenged Sevenfold (http://avengedsevenfold.com/news) wrapped up the night with their hot set, like they were on fire. Literally! Flames shooting up from the back of the stage, the fire constantly burning, the fog and smoke engulfing the stage. Images of Hell, death, skeletons, and prisons, what more could any metal fan want. Oh yes, music! A7X rose to the challenge and blew up the night for a performance that was worthy of a headline spot. They played for the crowd and seemed to have fun doing it. This is all so very important as that will always translate into a good time for everyone in attendance. 

Once again, I thank the folks from Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival for the good time, great music, and exhausting day. Another one on the books and I look forward to next year.

For all you reading, look for the announcement of who is going to be on the tour. If there are 3 or 4 bands that you want to see together in one place, the ticket to ride is well worth it. With all of the excitement, energy, and music music that is a festival experience, go!  The hella good thing is you will probably find someone new to listen to, become a fan of, and rock out to!

Laters