XIII on 13

Walking in the doors of Texas Mist (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Texas-Mist-Live-Music-Venue-1115-Old-Bastrop-Road-Atx/790417254426441?hc_ref=ARRYd4yQHZAmBDx7X-PJYXGh5Bt4AKucKzQErj3uVk4Nn3TSYAgFTxq81bhRlnj1WW0) for the first time... is like this... remember that hall... You know the one your dad or grand dad used to go to... the VFW Hall... yeah that one. It's like that, kind of, but the music is wayyyy better and the bartender doesn't smell like coffee and Vicks Vapor Rub.... and yes, I tried to sniff him and he wasn't haven't none of that shit.

Texas Mist for the most part is just a big open room. You walk in the door and the bar is immediately in front of you to the left. The bathrooms are farther back as well as an exit to go out back for smoking or hanging out. To your right is the open area and the stage, which faces the bar. Lots of tables scattered around with a mix of seating.

There were several bands on the bill this evening. I caught the last few songs of one band and the entire set of the next band. Both were good, but there was little love from the crowd for there respective performances. So little, in fact, That I am done with blogging about their performances.

Now, Before I get into the review of the headliners performance let me talk another paragraph about the sound. As a fan of Austin music I am all about the performance, the impact, and the venue. The venue plays a large portion of any show, because if the club sucks or something about it, that will taint your night and impact your impression of the band(s). The sound here was pretty terrible. There was a blown speaker that kept making a popping noise all night...annoying. The sound person that evening acted like she could have given two shits less than nothing for being there or the bands on stage, super annoying. There was no urgency or hustle in anything she was doing. Worse than that to me, is a great that seems to be a great disrespect to the bands who are performing and the crowd that is paying, FUCK NO! 

On with the show.

XII (https://xiiiasylum.bandcamp.com/) was having this grand party for the release of their new album. I do not have a copy so can't and won't comment on it here. Follow there link (www.facebook.com/xiiiasylum) and get a copy though...I will. This band is such a great surprise for being local. I saw this band a mere week earlier opening for a large national touring band and was so impressed by the performance, I decided to do it again to see a full headlining set. I was not let down nor were those in attendance with me. From the presentation of their merch - super important if you want to 'brand your band' to their stage presence, this band is acting and thinking big time and it shows in their performance. The lead singer does an eerily great job of being, not just the center of attention, but the front man down on the ground and in with the crowd. The audience loved the entire performance. Those that were sitting outside were drawn in. Those inside that were sitting were standing, and all of us were pushing up to the stage. 

I can tell you for a local metal band, the lead singer has a vision what he wants to perform and how. He nearly carries this off perfectly. With a touch more of rehearsals and coordination of an actual stage show - these guys stand to take the place of the reigning Gods of performance metal in Austin, The Dirty Wormz and take us another decade into bad ass, fun rock shows here in Austin!

Laters

Mushroomhead 2017

with special guests Slop Musket, XIII, Ventana, and Unsaid Fate.

I have been to this venue a couple of times already. I actually went there a few times before it was this particular incarnation. But this night was the first time I walked through the door with the brand on the outside, proudly displayed for all to see...Come and Take It Live! (https://www.comeandtakeitlive.com/)

There is plenty of parking all around the building. As you walk up to the entrance there is a large fenced in area for smoking and enjoying some grub from the food trailer to the right. As you walk in there is the ticket counter immediately in front of you and the large main bar to the right of that. This is where it gets interesting. As you face the bar from the entrance, the large stage is to the far back left of the bar, bathrooms are to the right behind the bar and there are some steps to your left that lead up to a second level viewing area and a merch sales area behind that. As you walk up the steps, to your left and almost behind you is a flight of stairs that goes up to the next level.

Up here is another bar to you left, in front of you, as you reach the top of the stairs. There is a VIP lounge area back behind you that has sofas and some additional seating and overlooks the stage. Where the bar is has a long halfwall that allows you to look down on the stage and the crowd below. There are also a couple of very nice Jack Daniels pool tables. There is also a hidden room that is called the 'Skybox'. This sweet little retreat is actually over the top of the stage on the side. This  allows for some pretty good views of the onstage antics. The skybox can seat about 5 people comfortably, and more if you are comfortable with the crowd.



In all, for its quirky, different levels and areas, Come and Take It Live allows for a great view from just about anywhere in the house.

On the bill for this night of music were two Austin bands opening for three road bands. Slop Musket (http://slopmusket.com/) was up first to open the night. Of course it always has to be a tough spot to be the very first. Not everyone has arrived. The crowd is just starting to get their drink on, it's just generally tough. There was about 25 or 30 people down on the floor when Slop Musket took the stage. With their different style of rap and rock, Slop Musket powered through their short set. As entertaining as they were, it was super difficult to get a grasp on their set in general...and there was just not a whole lot of feedback from the crowd. I am sure I will run into them again and hopefully be able to give a proper review for their set.

XIII (https://www.facebook.com/xiiiasylum) was up next. Tell you what, the crowd had swelled enough to pay attention. And it took all of 35 seconds from the start of XIII's set for the small, growing crowd to react with cheers. Although they opened with a cover song, it was still a pretty fucking epic and ballsy jump off. The great thing is their sound and set didn't change much. Rolling into there originals XIII kept it high energy and exciting for the crowd and myself. Credit to the band for doing a great job of hyping themselves and their upcoming CD release show. It was musically bad ass enough and interesting enough that I made plans to attend their event.

Ventana (https://www.facebook.com/VentanaBandOfficial/) was the first of the three road bands to hit the stage. Costumed and on point, Ventana laid into the now warmed up crowed. Here was another band with an energetic front man and dueling lead vocals to make the crowd start to break into a sweat and start a circle pit. The little snippets of sound intros to a couple of their songs where quite charming as I caught myself laughing at some in the crowd who didn't know it was a recording or didn't get the joke and poke at politics. Of course if you have not seen Ventana live you wouldn't know. The solution...go see Ventana, for the love that is All-American, Apple Pie, and all that other fucking shit.

Unsaid Fate (https://www.unsaidfate.com/) came out onto the stage with a pretty much packed house and ran with the set. With the vocals by the show stopping Jackie LaPonza, Unsaid Fate just blistered the crowd. even greater than the musical part of the show was how great Jackie was in being completely interactive with the crowd down in front. At one point she even snagged a fans phone who was filming and ran around the stage capturing the magic from the stage perspective. All in good fun of course as she handed the fan back his phone when she was done. There is a souvenir that goes down as once in a lifetime. Unsaid Fate charged through their set, barely giving the fans time to rest or catch their breath. It was just perfect. To build on what had come before, and prepare the crowd for what was about to happen, Unsaid Fate definitely has a new fan here!

Mushroomhead (http://www.mushroomhead.com/)! YES! This is my fourth time seeing them. It is absolutely worth it EVERY SINGLE TIME. The stage production is always different. The set list changes and stays fresh, but keeps some of the great tunes in a different order than the last time you saw them. In all, Mushroomhead puts on the show of all Muthafuckin' shows! It's loud, it's bright and flashy, and completely non stop energy. Even when the did a little homage to Prince by doing a super clean and tight opening of 'When Doves Cry' the crowd never stopped screaming. Mushroomhead pounded us with the sound and presence for over an hour and when they were done....they were done. No need for an encore if you kick it to the crowd like Mushroomhead does!

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

Got some 'Head at the Dog

Mushroomhead is on the 'Devils Be Damned' Tour. Damned that we be, as they stopped in Austin at The Dirty Dog on 6th St.

The Dirty Dog (https://dirtydogbar.com/) sits on 6th street, Austin, Texas. Located only a few blocks to the west of IH35. As you walk into the Dog, there is a nice sized seating are with tables by the street side windows and access to the bar. The bar is a large 'U' shaped bar. As you continue to walk forward, deeper into the venue, you see a very nice size stage to the left in another, larger open area. Sometimes there are tables here, and some nights it is cleared out for a band. The venue continues farther back with bathrooms to the left behind the stage and an area for the bands to load in and out with their equipment. 

The staff has always been excellent. So, if one of your favorite rock bands is on tour and stops at this location in Austin, don't be afraid to buy your ticket and go. As far as local music or happy hour, it is still a great place to pull up a chair for an adult beverages and quite a few TVs with most sports on, most of the time.

I have already seen Mushroomhead and had the fantastic experience of interiewing J Mann and Skinny (look up the interviews on my Soundcloud page). So I somewhat knew what to expect from them, but this is how the rest of the night started.

Tonight was a touring stop for 5 bands and one local group opening, Call Me King (https://www.facebook.com/WeAreCMK/timeline). These were the lucky guys to draw this opening slot. Though 6:45 on a week night is a tough time to pack a house, Call Me King took the stage and was not daunted by the small group of rock fans who had gathered early enough to enjoy this band. With a mixture of covers and some really kick ass originals, Call Me King wasted no time and had very little chatter.









The ominous task of opening for a national touring act and playing to the early crowd really didn't seem to faze these guys. At least it wasn't apparent, as we the crowd saw. There were a couple of cringe worthy moments for me, though. Doing cover songs sometimes is a must when you are in the lights, but own it, don't Karaoke it. I loved their cover of TOOL, but their System of A Down has got to go or needs a ton more work. I looked around as that song seemed to come apart and there were a few others in the crowd that seemed to wince at it as well. BUT THE ORIGINALS, killed! The phenomenal thing I took away from this show starting performance, was the high pitch screaming/gutturals from the lead singer played off really bad ass against the devilish gutturals of the bass player. I think there is an under used member of this group in the bass man. The whole 30ish minute spot was enough to make me look forward to seeing the name on another bill and look forward to what time and more experience will unfold for the band that is Call Me King!

Amerakin Overdose (https://www.facebook.com/amerakinoverdose). This was the stunner of the whole damn evening for me. Knowing what to expect from the headliner is one thing (because that is usually who you went to see), but sometimes you get REALLY lucky and discover something else bad ass and new. Amerakin Overdose was it. Yes! It was a combination of the costumed freaks that were onstage and the brilliant mix of rapcore/metal. I don't care if I am the last guy on the planet to hear of some band, but it is still good when I hear it.

The crowd apparently thought so as well. After being thoroughly warmed up and got our blood pumping by locals Call Me King, Amerakin Overdose came onstage and seemed to demand we spill that blood. It was a sonic punch to the eardrums and visual kick in the eyes. Every bit of their set was none stop insanity. As for a national tour opener, I don't know if it is pure brilliance that Mushroomhead has Amerakin Overdose in that spot or fear of the stacked bodies if Amerakin Overdose slotted right up against Mushroomhead. The Devils be Damned with this one.

Unsaid Fate (http://www.unsaidfate.com/). I have always thought and believed and band shouldn't bring any of their shit to the stage. Because if the crowd doesn't know...we don't know. WAIT A DAMN MINUTE! The drop dead gorgeous lead singer of Unsaid Fate walks out onstage and rams the first song through our tiny little ear holes like she doesn't give a fuck. THEN, she goes on to tell us she is struggling with a cold that is killing her throat. In this circumstance it was such genius move to tells us, because that made the whole crowd appreciate every word she sang afterwards. IT WAS VICIOUS! Unsaid Fate brought an intensity that was just cold blooded. The crowd ate it up and I chalked up another new band on my belt as a "Oh Hell Yes!" the next time they roll through the central Texas area.

Weaving an intricate story with her music and her band, September Mourning   http://www.septembermourning.com/) appeared onstage as a vision in white. Okay! That was pretty corny, but you weren't there so shut up! September Mourning, as a band really put the 'Performance' in their part of the show. It seemed like a monumental task to take in both the music, the story, and the visual presentation, but it was a well played out well. September Mourning's set seemed to have the crowd eating out of her hand, like leading cattle to a musical slaughter. If you want a show with your metal music at a live performance, September Mourning has got to be put VERY high on your list.

MORTIIS (http://www.mortiis.com/) came out on stage as the final performance before the headliner. Although the majority of the crowd was packing in and getting ready for the headliner, it seemed as if there was something missing with this performance onstage. Mortiis was definitely putting forward the passion in the performance, and the crowd was down with the sound. It simply came to this when their set was done. Several fans of Mortiis, who came to this show to see them, were disappointed, exclaiming "OH MY GOD! I really wish I would have stayed home and
watched their videos!" Ouch!

Mushroomhead (http://www.mushroomhead.com/main/). You know, what more can be said about the complete and utterly explosive power of a head line band that comes out and blows the fuses in the first 5 seconds?! That's right! Just quit reading and go outside right now!



It was spectacular!
















I have been around when bands have blown speakers, but not shut down the whole damn thing.















Well, the staff at The Dirty Dog had it fixed quick, within just a few short minutes, and Mushroomhead launched into the hugely successful single "QWERTY" (and it is very easy to type on the keyboard). The crowd went nuts. I was yelling. It became an insane asylum. Mushroomhead plowed through their set, minus the recently departed Waylon (and he wasn't missed musically), like they were damned and being chased by the devil himself.

With the floor a writhing pit of insanity, it seemed worth being sad to not be down in front for this performance. The crowd told the story of a crazy successful performance. Non stop from the band fed to the non stop crowd. Even reaching back in time to tracks from XX, the crowd was thoroughly satisfied with the entire performance. I saw fathers and sons in the audience cheering. Husbands and wives with their horns up in the air. There were even brothers in the pit, killing one another and all who dared enter. Mushroomhead has mastered the art of a theatrical metal performance for the new age!

Laters