Austin Sound Check

You’d expect irreverent, comical music from a band called The Laughing. Fortunately The Laughing’s forthcoming EP Jungle is much more than that. The lead single, Canopy has jangling guitars and a low-end groove that is instantly catchy. It’s so good, I’ve got a free MP3 of Canopy for you here.
The Laughing is a band to see now, while they’re still in small venues. They’ve already played with Tapes N Tapes, MGMT, Yeasayer and Tokyo Police Club. It won’t be long before we see them on bigger stages.
You can see The Laughing live at Club Deville tonight, along with Cari & …read more

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We all know what’s been going on in Iraq, but two filmmakers are bringing the world a story that the news isn’t reporting. Heavy Metal in Baghdad is the story of an Iraqi metal band called Acrassicauda. Playing heavy metal in a Muslim nation was probably no easy task to begin with, so you can imagine that the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 didn’t improve things much. Heavy Metal in Baghdad documents Acrassicauda’s trials and tribulations as they try to stay together amidst intense chaos and upheaval in Iraq.
You can see Heavy Metal in Baghdad for free, courtesy of …read more

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It’s no secret that The Boxing Lesson is one of Austin’s local rising stars. Their album Wild Streaks & Windy Days has been warmly received by local critics and fans alike. I even featured their song Dark Side of the Moog on Feedback Vol 1.
You can win your own copy of Wild Streaks & Windy Days courtesy of The Boxing Lesson and Denny’s Allnighter. Also included in the prize pack are a signed drumhead and drumstick and a couple sweet t-shirts, all pictured below.

Denny’s Allnighter program is a pretty cool deal. The band hosts afterparties at Denny’s while they’re on …read more

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The 2008 Fun Fun Fun Fest lineup was released yesterday evening on Austinist.com. Check out the full lineup included stage assignments here. Tickets are $59.99 for a two-day pass. That’s a slight increase over last year, but not bad at all.
Some of my personal highlights are below.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The National
Atmosphere
Minus The Bear
Trail of Dead
Sleepercar
Til We’re Blue or Destroy
Shearwater
Magnetic Morning
The Revival Tour (Chuck Ragan, Tom Gabel, Ben Nichols, Tim Barry)
Bad Brains
Dead Milkmen
Flipper
Adolescents
Bouncing Souls
DOA
Krum Bums
Cute Lepers
Born to Lose
Clipse
Z-Trip
Dan Deacon
Grupo Fantasma
Franki Chan

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Indie pop outfit Annuals has announced fall tour dates in support of their sophomore release Such Fun, due out October 7th. The outing includes a stop at Waterloo Park for Fun Fun Fun Fest on Nov 9th. Annuals are touring with Minus The Bear, another Fun Fun Fun Fest artist.
The full lineup for Fun Fun Fun Fest will be released this Thursday, August 21st. Previously leaked performers also include Dead Milkmen, DJ Z-Trip, DOA, Dan Deacon, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Atmosphere and Deerhoof.
Full tour itinerary and video for Annuals’ Sore below for your viewing …read more

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Last Friday I saw She Craves and 6 Pack Deep at Emo’s Lounge. It was a fun, high-energy night all around. I have hand it to to 6 Pack Deep, who covered Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name. Pulling off Tom Morello’s parts on trombone, trumpet and saxophone is no easy feat.
She Craves is featured on Feedback Vol 1. Be sure and download your free copy here.
My friend Kristin over at Karmalized took the incredible picture you see below. See the full set, after the jump.
For more info: She Craves // 6 Pack Deep
6 Pack Deep

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Kyle Schutt, guitarist for The Sword, will appear on Talking Metal Live tonight at 7:15pm EST. Topics of discussion are sure to include The Sword’s time in Europe with Metallica and their upcoming tour with Clutch. Visit TalkingMetalLive.com to stream the show live.
Below, for your viewing pleasure, is video of The Sword’s Iron Swan live in Istanbul.
For more info: The Sword // MySpace

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Austin hardcore outfit Method of Destruction (M.O.D.) has caused quite a stir in Lansing, Michigan. According to local CBS affiliate WLNS, Mac’s Bar owner Chuck Mannino and his family were threatened with physical harm if the M.O.D. show was not cancelled.
Mannino also told WLNS that prior to the death threats, local activist groups contacted him regarding “offensive, unpolitically correct … racist and homophobic lyrics.” Mannino agreed with the activists concerning M.O.D.’s lyrical content, but did not cancel the show, stating that he often books bands that are not to his personal taste. It was only after the death threats began …read more

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To be fair, I find something exciting in the Austin music scene just about every week. However, this week the cream of the crop is playing both in local and roadshows. There really is something for everyone, but too many hard choices must be made. My Morning Jacket or Nas & Talib Kweli is an impossible dilemma. Which would you pick?
Full recommendations below for your viewing pleasure.
Wednesday 8/20
The Cool Kids (w/ DJ Mel & Free Sol) at Emo’s
Definitely a hip-hop throwback, Chicago’s The Cool Kids take the old and make it new. Think 80’s Beastie Boys meets 00’s hip.
Death Is …read more

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Last week, the first edition of our new mixtape series Feedback was released. Feedback Vol. 1 features some of the best in Austin music today, so be sure to download your copy here.
We’ve even got an exclusive Full Service b-side called La Pieta that you can’t get anywhere else! The full track listing is below. You can visit the original post here to read about each band and find links to their websites.
1. The Boxing Lesson – Dark Side of the Moog
2. Built By Snow – Underneath
3. Spin Alley – Harlem Rose
4. Full Service – La Pieta
5. She Craves – …read more

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