Dirty Doomsday

Playing host to yet another bad ass Austin based event, Come and Take It Live   (https://www.facebook.com/comeandtakeitlive/) continues to make their mark on the Austin music scene at the place to see and be seen.

Located on Riverside Dr in South Austin, just mere blocks from the hustle of the down town music scene sits this landmark of a venue.

As you pull up, the giant neon lit sign begs you not to know where you're at! Depending on the event, the parking can go from "Bad ass spot." to "Holy Fucking shit...get an Uber!" Outside is a very nice little seating area for smoking, conversation, and some good eats from the food trailer there. As you walk in the door you are greeted by a very nice divider that displays some of Texas' awesome history and an awesome piece staring you in the face. To your left, the club opens up to a large U shaped bar and the stage farther back against the far wall. There are 3 different areas to view shows; from down in front on the floor, a second level by the merch and sound booth, and then a loft - VIP area with its own bar.

This particular night Come and Take It was hosting an event a few months in the making and what seemed like what the rap/hip hop community seemed to be needing - Some validation.

George Vondoom vs Smackola

The artist thirsting for the title vs the lifetime acheivement

The rapper building brand and fan base vs The Brand not a band with fans that defy boundaries

I can make this very short, but probably won't. What I can say is this should simply be left up to those lucky people in attendance.

It was two completely different shows. There was no battle. The style of Vondoom and the style of Smackola are simply on two different planes. I will not go into the genre stylings between the two. I will just go to the performance.

Vondoom (https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeVondoom1/) had a performance, artistic piece of his show set. The long intro with the mysterious figure and his dog. The epic entrance from Vondoom and into his set he went. The whole set, overall, was more of an artistic expression. Either you got it, or you didn't. But what he did do was keep the eyes turned towards him as he plowed though each of his songs in his 45 minute set. He was like a man possessed.

Smackola (https://www.facebook.com/SmackolaDWZ/) came out on stage, checked himself in the mirror and then just threw down. He was the man called out. He was the champ. He didn't have to prove himself, he simply had to to entertain. He did. This was not an artistic set. It was the "I'm gonna come out and do my damn thing!" He did. But remember this is a different style, beat and tempo. It can't be compared. Just can't.

Depending on your expectation and your personal preference and taste  one would suit you better than the other.



Yeah Smack is the lifer and has built a brand from his band. The fans have a name, his music has the heart and soul of that old school rap, with the new world edge.



But Vondoom, 20 years in the game persistance, polishing of the craft, and some kid is gonna by knocking on your door.

I will qoute both of these damn fine artists and performers...nah..I'm gonna steal the remark.

If this was a Rap battle

The City of Austin Texas, the fans of hip hop, and all those in attendance were the winners.




Laters

not on that other shit

It's on The Mothership. I took a ride on this ship when it sailed with "Now you can Boo me" and here we are with...

Nite Owl (https://www.niteowlhiphop.com/home) Hip Hop to make you proud. What I mean is this...IF you like Hip Hop and Rap, the real classic shit. The kind with the bass that makes you nod your head like your neck is broke. The lyrical story telling, clear and sharp. Fun beats and rhymes, with the whole dance floor jumping...

Then you need to pick up "When the Smoke Clear" - by Nite Owl here - https://niteowlhiphop.com/album/653369/when-the-smoke-clear This album starts out clean with the opening track "Who am I" which carries a surprise in the middle of the track. Excellent music writing and scoring. I had to listen to the track twice before I realized it was one track not two short ones. Genius and tricky.

Running right into the "Same old Story" we get straight into the deep. The passion and the story telling of Nite Owl. No, there isn't really any anger in this track but you feel his confusion and pain. Speaking of events and tragedies in the recent past. It is the track that anchors and directs the feel for the rest of the album.

"Here We Go" and "The Mothership" bring that fun vibe back to the album. OH! and then you get to that O N E track. THAT track. The laid back piece, with that nice little groove, and then the cool flow of Nite Owls voice is only topped by the cool sexy voice that does the chorus. This shit is gold.

This second half of the CD is not stop story telling of life, youth relived, and a movement and issues I will never understand but can appreciate. "BLM" nearly melted my speakers. "Once Again" and "Time" culminate into "Something Brand New".  And finally Nite Owl tells it all in "Current Affairs".

Let me lay my opinion on you like this  - when Jay Z was young and had stories to tell with wicked smart rhymes and amazing beats. When Eminem was young and angry and trying to prove himself.
Nite Owl is neither but the soul of true Rap and Hip Hop lies within him!

When the Tour stops here

The spotlight shines!

Krizz Kaliko, from StrangeMusic, stopped here in Austin supporting his recent release. The show was at the Flamingo Cantina. I was stunned at the tour stop location as I had seen Krizz not that long ago with a label mate at a much bigger venue. Well, I am glad I was stunned, as this worked out perfect for this tour stop.

On the local side of the ticket was local bad ass hustlers SSB - SuperSmash Bros, performance genius Vondoom, and the man with the hands Ndeo - The Blindsider. This first part of the night hit like a heavyweight boxer...3 straight to the head.

All 3 of these local acts have very different music and rhyme styles, which is excellent for the entertainment value of your ticket. Outside of this fact, the rhymes are all strikingly similar, with their deep stories and well thought out ideas. The back and forth of SSB, the single man onstage with the deep connection to the streets in Ndeo, and the man who had the MC of the tour exclaiming over and over "That was not just rap. That was fucking ART!" in Vondoom.

All 3 of these acts can be seen on a pretty regular basis in Austin. Doing local shows with other  local performers or warming up the stage for a touring act, SSB, NDEO, and VONDOOM. Take advantage OR take a moment and go check out one of these 3 groups, OR any other number of local performers and help keep our local music scene alive and vibrant in Austin, Texas.

As for the touring acts on this night here we go.  

Neema was the MC, host, and a performer of the tour. His set was shared with some other performers making it interesting and fast paced set. He earned  much respect from me for doing it all. He was even kind enough to shake hands  me and my son after the show and gave my son a CD. It was his birthday present from me to take him to see Krizz Kaliko, and that happened. It was a very cool moment.

Izzy Dunfore was another touring performer. You know him, he's 'the rapper with his microphone that looks like a gun.' Although his set and the premise behind his performance seemed a little hokey, but you know what, that shit stuck in my head. I remember him, his style, and his expressions. It was actually a pretty smart set! The dude is a genius.

















TZK was the next part of the touring set. I loved this guys style of rhyme as it very much reminded my of the Juggalo family. Along with Slo Pain, these two sets were pure Whoop Whoop! If you know, then you know.

Krizz Kaliko, now that man put on a show! The music was old stuff, new stuff, and even some of the shared stuff he wrote for his label mates at Strangemusic. Krizz Kaliko can sing his ass off and was a dancing machine as well. Leaving this evening with my son brought me a new appreciation for the Strangemusic family, and made a fan out of me for Krizz Kaliko!

This whole evening was some good shit as an overall performance for the evening, and of course, kicked ass with the local performers turning up the heat to start it off.



Laters

2017 Year in review

Another year, as I look back, which has surprised me. Although I may not have made as many posts as I would have liked to do, there were still a lot of shows I attended and new places discovered. So let me summarize and then give a little more insight.

Shows attended - 52
New Venues (places I stepped into the very first time for a show) - 20 
New local bands (bands I experienced for the first time) - 43 bands

Total number of bands seen - 105 (this does not include some of the locals I saw more than once).

Speaking of locals more than once Cody Bryan Band and the Michael Dillard Band take the honors for the bands I have spent the most time with. Click on their names to go to their respective pages. Check them out, go to a show, buy their music.

From 3Ten@ACL to Zilker Hillside Theater, there were definitely some fun, great new places I went to and experienced. In the heart of Austin's Entertainment District there was the Bat Bar, Hotel Vegas, and The Liberty. I really love the vibe and set of of The Liberty. Inside has the bar to the right of the main entrance. Keep to the left and there is the stage side, which has a really weird set up - you walk right in front of the stage (which is on a lower lever) and then up to the seating area. Outback is an amazing little seating area with a food trailer and some good grub!

Attending The Austin Hip Hop Awards was a highlight and an amazing way to start 2017. In addition I was lucky enough to go to CD release and listening parties for Super Smash Brothers (SSB), Vondoom, Big Don, Black Heart Saints, MC Overlord, XII, and Cody Bryan Band. Click on any of the names to go to their page to order some music.

Once again I attended shows for Rap, Texas Country, Rock, Metal, Blues, and a little Funk Shui Planet (one of my favorites from SXSW 2017 - in a parking lot completely Funking up the place. They were great, but they are from California so you will have to look them up.

Overall, it was another great year for the live music scene in Austin and a good year for Live Music in Austin. Thanks for peeking in on me.

2018 is shaping up to be a blast again as it is just the 18th of January and I am 3 shows in with a national touring show under my belt.

Laters

You ain't Know?

WELL NOW YA DO!

MC Overlord (http://www.overlordmusic.com/) has been wrecking the live music scene in Austin for a hot minute. The players he has walked with are stellar. The list of musicians he has influenced, worked with, performed on their stage, our shared his with, is mind blowing. He is humble about what he does and how he does it and he defends his friends, musical compadres, and the music scene with an  attitude and vigor that gives people a reason to be scared. A decades worth of music awards and a lifetime achievement award under his massive arms gives you a reason to pause and listen when he speaks, musically or literally.

The new, WAY over due disc by MC Overlord - 'You Ain't Know' (available on all platforms) is a thing to behold. Better than the rest and a definitive departure from his previous 2 efforts. You Ain't Know may prove to be his crowning jewel. With VMG behind this and a funky attitude and approach to the new music from the Legendary DJ Crash Da Scratcha (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009971946550), it should be a great source of enjoyment for anyone who touches it and listens to it. There is an intensity in this disc that out weighs the previous efforts. I can't put a specific finger on it, but it's there. Now, let me take the approach that you are unfamiliar with MC Overlords prior music, never been to a live performance, and don't know the accolades.

This is a hip-hop CD in it's purest, greatest form. It is head bobbing, in the car, turned up to 11, slipped down low in the seat, hip-hop music! The first time through provides some of those smile inducing moments as you listen. A chuckle for some of the song outros and some of the skits in between tracks. Then you listen to it, again. You play it again, and you listen to it, and again.

The production and the little samples and loops of some OLD O L D School funk reek of DJ Crash. It adds to the comfortable sound, wraps your ears around something that you think you have heard before, and makes you play it again. Then you hear it again, and realize the lyrical content, the storytelling, fun, funky, challenging, and ballsy is pure Overlord. Still and always clean, but a little on the edge of scandalous.

Then you realize the overall polish on the disc is only a finishing touch which is a VMG stamp. The players, guitars, and co conspirators on this disc is ONLY topped by a live performance.

I purposefully and willfully am staying away from talking about the individual tracks. I have some definite favorites and a couple that make me scratch my head. I can appreciate the talent that pours out of the speakers from everyone involved in making this one finally drop. I hope you enjoy and put it in your rotation.

If you haven't seen him live, and don't have a previous disc, the last line is simple to write..















YOU AIN'T KNOW!!!
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/mcoverlord3
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/you-aint-know/id1218637312




Laters

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....

To the Wormhead in you

This is more than another post, this is a heads up. If you are in a band and you are trying to move to the next level, you will want to follow me on this.

I did a blog post about The Dirty Wormz at Spinners Live a while back. I believe it was actually for Smackola of The Dirty Wormz supporting a new song and the newly produced video starring Boxing champ Roy Jones Jr. (http://livemusicinaustin.blogspot.com/2014/03/spin-this.html).

This post isn't about becoming a fan of The Dirty Wormz (although you should) it is about Smackola of The Dirty Wormz approaches, believes in, and sells The Dirty Wormz brand (http://dirtywormz.net/).

First about the performance. Spinners Live (https://www.facebook.com/spinners.live.73) is located on the Southbound side of IH 35 as you are entering the Austin City Limits from the north. Unassuming and located in a little micro strip mall, if you don't GPS it and don't look, you will miss it. The venue contains two sides, the sports bar & grill, and the live side - for parties and live shows. The live side is pretty much a long rectangle. The bar is immediately on your left when you walk in and runs a third of the way down the wall. There is a stage immediately to your right when you walk in door that takes up the majority of the short end of the rectangle. As you look all the way down the venue, it is pretty much open with a mix of tables, chairs, and sofas spread out and along the walls. The bathrooms are located all the way to the back.


This night onstage brought 2 openers and the headliner, George Vondoom and Nubia Emmon. With Special guest, DJ Versus keep the crowd entertained, The Dirty Wormz know how to do it.

DJ Versus (https://www.facebook.com/djversus512) had the lights going, the video projection, and of course, the music. Once the house music switched off and went to DJ Versus, you could tell the vibe changed in Spinners Live. From everyone standing around kind of ho hum, to everyone now moving...we had waited long enough. It seemed like DJ Versus was doing the video music, as the projections looked to be the artists videos. Spinning a wide variety of tracks from old school rap to brand new cuts, everyone was getting ready. I thoroughly enjoyed the mixing and fill that DJ Versus provided. However I did have one gripe. It was also echoed by the bartender that I was hanging out with...why all the PG versions of the songs. The show was 21 and up, but it appeared the tracks were either edited or radio versions. It wasn't bad at all, it was just very weird not to hear Jay Z tell us he had 99 problems but a       ain't one. I will assume there was a reason. Otherwise i have always said, play to the crowd, play for the crowd.

George Vondoom (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010396653591) was the first act up. The two guys rolled right into their set with a very interesting intro. It was attention getting for sure. The crowd looked like they were into his set and there definitely appeared to be more than a few fans in the house. If I have to criticize, I have to. With the crowd enjoying the set, it seemed off by just a little. Nothing that I saw anyone around me getting pissy about. It was a fast set and there was no bullshitting around on this.

I know there is a talent in writing and performing the music, but when you are singing, rapping, or playing over your own track, even with a live mic...it seems like a let down to me. The unfortunate truth is I know the huge amount of work it takes to put on a live production, with that, I give George Vondoom huge props.

Nubia Emmon  (http://www.nubiaemmon.com/) was the slam dunk moment of the night. I knew something was up when when local super producer Ter'rell Shahid (https://www.facebook.com/terell.shahid) was in the house with his beautiful wife. Nubia Emmon was a stunner with her voice and to the edge of the stage performance for the crowd. Although she sang to tracks, she definitely did it live. There was nothing to hide here. It was all voice. The crowd new it and felt it. The stunned silence the crowd stood there in was only broken by there swaying back and forth. It was a mesmerizing performance.













When I saw Ter'rell after this performance. I exclaimed with eyes wide open and jaw gaping "You knew about her?" With no words, Ter'rell simply nodded his head yes and smiled a very big smile. Son of a bitch, what a smoking hot find in Nubia Emmon. Go see her preform and wrap your head around this woman doing it with a live band...and there are only a select few players that could back this girl well!

The Dirty Wormz (http://dirtywormz.net/). What can I say about this band that I haven't said before...probably alot. So let me make this quick. On the rare occasion, The Dirty Wormz are to appear with a full band...it is a MUST SEE production! Like several other bands here in Austin, this group is balls out, 'Top of the Food Chain' (https://youtu.be/bbAg_-ELjsQ). Sorry for the corny ass reference, but if you haven't seen them live, you don't know and you don't get it. So you need to get it!

This performance was with the core members, Smackola, DJ Crash, and Mr. Swift. The lights, the performance, and the music. Here is where I start preaching to anyone and everyone reading this that is in a band trying to make a name for themselves. This shit was rehearsed, rehearsed, and then rehearsed again. This was not a rehash of every performance they have done for 20+ years. It was a new mix, a new set list, and just new. Take note, listen, and learn.

Here is the summary of what I mentioned in the intro. I will be doing an interview with Smackola very soon. This will be an Epic interview and will be released in several parts. The discussion will range from the state of the Austin music scene today, where we see it going, what you the fans and the players can do. We will also discuss brand and image. THIS, my friends, is what can make you. Local, national, world wide! Listen to the worm and learn.











We will start promoting this video very soon. Watch for it. Until then












Laters