DaveFest2

Extensively put...I have known Dave Prewitt for longer than I have known Dave Prewitt. I have been in Austin and was watching public access television since the mid to late 80's. I remember this cool ass show that always featured all sorts of rock music. 20 years later, I am working with this same motherfucker I was watching on tv. 10 years later I am shooting photo and writing reviews of bands at the same shows he is. And now I go to a Festival in his name, donate at the door, spend my time and energy shooting the bands, and sit behind the computer screen to tell you all about it.

Doesn't matter about awards (although he was recently recognized as one of the top 10 live music photographers in the city), but there should be one in his name for his support of the live music, rock, punk scene in Austin for damn close to 40 years now.  You should keep your eyes and ears open for Dave Prewitt and www.davetv.org . Nope, not getting paid for this, it's all my opinion - as it always is, so listen, donate, support Austin music.


DaveFest II was held at Kick-Butt Coffee (http://kickbuttcoffee.com/). A little more than your regular coffee shop. Along with a variety of coffees, they have food, beer, and music. Walking in the door reveals a pretty open space with different seating levels to your left, right, and to the back. The coffee bar is immediately in front of you on the left hand wall and the stage is immediately to your right. As I stepped in, the music was already going and the place was pretty damn packed. I found my way to Dave, said hello, unpacked my gear and enjoyed the first band.

Chasing After Alice (https://chasingafteralice.com/) is comprised of female vocals, dual guitars, bass, and drums. Along the vein of modern rock/metal this young group of players opened up fast, loud and belted out their set to the joy of the crowd standing around. Chasing After Alice had some family and friends in the house, but they were new to me and I loved them like everyone else in the space. It was a high energy set with one of the lead guitarist and bass player having such a good time interacting with each it made it great fun to be a part of the set in the crowd. The vocals were really good and fit the set and band perfectly. I can't say how long these kids have been together doing it, but I look forward to them hanging out on the scene for a while and making an impressive impact after many more live shows.

Izzy Cox and The Ghosts (https://www.facebook.com/Izzycoxandtheghosts/) mounted the stage next. It was both a moving performance and a moving performance. If you don't know, lead singer Izzy Cox is in her battle with cancer, The proof of the love for this woman, her battle, and her music, is tattooed on the inside of Dave Prewitt's wrist..."Fuck Cancer"! Illness be damned, Izzy and her band knocked out her brand of Rock-A-Billy out of the park. It was funky and fun. Izzy's voice is high pitched and shaky, whether this is from her battle or her normal style, it worked fantastic with the music. The crowd on hand adored her and rocked out to her set. I, myself, was tickled to death to see such a powerful set from such a small and frail looking woman, putting on such a big sound and set! Much love and well wishes to Izzy Cox.

Scorpio Rising (https://www.facebook.com/scorpiorising/). Ohhhhh shit! Madame Scorpio, Wonderbred, and Armando were at it again. With their brand of electronic dance/rock music, the Kick Butt Coffee space got funky real quick. Playing their exciting brand of music and having a dance contest during the middle of their set, during DaveFest, was not truly unexpected, but met with overwhelming crowd response. Scorpio Rising is absolutely one of those bands you can't believe what anybody (myself included) states about the band, you just have to make the opportunity to see and experience them for yourself!

The Beaumonts (http://www.thebeaumontstx.com/) were the absolutely mind blowing, jaw dropping moment of the evening for me. It was definitely a different swing in the musical direction from the previous bands. More Hony Tonk music stylings, than anything else, The Beaumonts were not refreshing, they were just Fresh! Tongue in cheek, dirty stories within in their songs, girls giggling and blushing, dudes laughing out loud (myself included) dirty, filthy, brilliant music! The crowd swelled and made it supper difficult for me to get my up close shots, but I did. Then I got out of there, stepped back, and enjoyed one helluva fun set. I even called my wife and swore to hear I would take her to see The  Beaumonts perform the first opportunity we could get! People, this set was that fun. I challenge you to go and not catch yourself smiling, clapping, and enjoying this band!

The final band I saw this evening was Killa MAUL (https://www.facebook.com/KillaMaul/). A Metallica tribute band fronted by none other than Austin rock Demi-God Jason McMaster, lead vocalist and guitar. Of course I loved this set, metal is in my blood and will always be my first love of any music or live show. Seeing Jason McMaster and friends destroy the room with a much loved and iconic set of music, was ecstasy! Well, that might be a little over the top, but the blood pumping, fist in the air, singing the lyrics at the top of my lungs with everyone else in the Kick Butt Coffee space was electric. Felt like I was riding the lightning...and it was great! I can only say if you are a fan of just plain, old fashioned, metal done well, find Killa MAUL doing a set near you and go. Let out your rage, your frustrations, and breathe a sigh of relief at one of the most energizing local, live sets you will ever experience from a tribute band!

My words, my opinions, and it was my fun and pleasure. Support live and local. Support DaveTV.

The photo album for the event can be found here https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1342494295802090.1073741834.239625756088955&type=1&l=2cd5ae4110

Laters

on the Cusp

So as I am temporarily relocated to the quaint little hamlet of Pflugerville, Texas i shall make the best of it. Pflugerville (the p is silent) is on the north side of Austin. So, where as I am not legitimately in the live music capital of the world, I am still surrounded by places to go and bands to see!

I have been to Hanovers (http://hanoversaustin.com/) before and taken you on the descriptive tour, but I will do it again for consistency. Located in what would affectionately be called downtown, Hanover's is just a block off of the main street. With plenty of parking,there is not much fear of having to walk to far and loss your way at 1 a.m. 

As you walk in the front door you see the building is a rectangle shape with yourself entering on the short side of the rectangle. The bar is immediately to your right and runs down the entire length, ending at the doors to go to their massive backyard area. As you stand and continue to survey, the stage is opposite the bar on your left and is of a very modest size. Easily accommodating most bands. From the small 3 piece to the funktified band with a full horn section, rhythm section, and everyone in between. There is a small dance area in front of the stage, seating at some hi top tables and along the bar. 

There is seating immediately to your left as you stand at the door and seating with pool tables farther back, past the stag on the far left back corner. All in all it is a very nice set up and great if you want to get down in front with your favorite local band or something new. 

This particular evening it was something new FOR SURE. 

I caught the last 5 songs from White Label Analog (http://www.whitelabelanalog.com/). Fresh off their new CD release, White Label Analog had the house P A C K E D! It was energetic and sharp. Even walking in on the tail end of their set had me a little sad. I wanted to be out of breath and jumping around like the rest of the crowd. It is know doubt these guys are not only a crowd pleaser, but their polished looks to keep them busy her in the Austin area and have them traveling to farther cities and pass the good jams on. It is never a bad ticket if you get to see this band, doesn't matter who's on the bill....worth it!

Speaking of worth it, thanks to my friend Dave Prewitt! He warned me about the sheer awesomeness of this next band more than a year or two ago. I have followed them on FB and even made plans to go to previous shows. My own lame ass self for not seeing them sooner and experiencing the wonderousness of SCORPIO RISING (http://scorpiorisingmusic.com/)!

What the hell was wrong with me and what the hell is wrong with you. Follow the bands link NOW and find out where they are playing next that is near and dear or far and funky, GO!!!!!!!!

Scorpio Rising is fronted by Madame Scorpio...of course! With their worker jumpsuits on, this 3 piece is so beyond comparison of most anything I have seen in Austin yet. Funky, rocking, fun, energetic, and surprising all do little justice to Scorpio Rising with what is their own brand and style of danceable rock! It was like watching a funky ass aerobics video to very, VERY good music. Madame Scorpio is the epitome of a charismatic lead singer and entertainer. It was kind of sexy, but in a naughty, is-she-really-doing-that-oh-my-god-this-is-so-cool kind of way!



I believe the bass players name is "Wonderbread", if I am to believe the back of his jumpsuit. This guy was on the stage all of less than 5 minutes for the entire performance. Moving through the crowd like a hellion robot, moving non stop, and yelling for the crowd to constantly cheer and make more noise. It was IMPOSSIBLE not to smile and scream for more with Madame Scorpio on stage and the Wonderbread peering into the crowd and moving amongst us. Just a fantastic performance.

To top it off, they even called for a dance contest among the patrons for prizes from their merch table. Yes, people danced, people won, and we all yelled for more. Although I have never been a tremendous fan of bands or people playing to looped or pre recorded tracks. Doing it right is way beyond the level of what Scorpio Rising did. It doesn't matter because it was ridiculously thrilling and fun!

Laters