Austin Sound Check

Rock en Español is a genre that has grown to encompass many things, including strictly Spanish language bands along side bilingual bands who blend musical cultures. Los Angeles band Monte Negro is a prime example of the cross-over potential of bilingual bands who mix not only languages, but style and influences to produce a sound that is distinctly American and Latino.
Drawing from Columbian, Mexican and even Reggae influences, Monte Negro fuses modern alt. rock into their songs and people of all backgrounds have taken notice. After their 2007 release Cicatrix was released to rave reviews, the band was signed to …read more

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A unique battle, pitting digital DJs against their analog brethren will take place this Saturday at the Art Institute of Austin. Thirty-two competitors were chosen based on originality, flow, technique and sound quality, and will compete in head-to-head battles.
Digital DJs (aka laptop DJs) will face traditional analog turntablists, with both sides able to incorporate one supporting artist (rapper, singer or dancer) into their performance. The single-elimination contest is comprised of five rounds, with the first four being judged by none other than T-Solo, DJ BigFace, Dinky D and DJ Vee Dub. The fifth and final round will factor audience reaction …read more

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Following up on a story I brought you last week. The Live Music Task Force meets tonight to present their recommendations to the City Council. In a message posted on MySpace, Beerland owner Randall Stockton emphasized the importance of Austin music industry types attending tonight’s meeting.
Hey folks,
The Live Music Task Force is presenting their recommendations to city council tomorrow, Wednesday Oct. 29 at City Hall, 301 W. 2nd St.
It is extremely important that Austin’s music community attend this meeting as this is the outcome of all that noise ordinance news you’ve heard recently. If the music community makes a strong …read more

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Fansaw (noun):
1.  A kind-hearted active listener with a dedication to and belief in the healing power of rock… who brings a friend!
2. A dedicated fan of Full Service, Austin’s premiere rock/reggae/metal band.
I’ve been a fan of Full Service for much longer than I’ve been writing this blog. Legions of Fansaws have flocked to Full Service since their days as a three-piece, as heard on 3 Will Ride Forth. Lately, Full Service has garnered a lot of well-deserved attention due to their outside the box / guerilla-style Takeover Tour. For those of you who are new to the FS game, …read more

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Austin-based C3 Presents is rumored to be producing Barack Obama’s Election Night Party at Grant Park in Chicago. This is the same location where C3 holds Lollapalooza annually. Jim DeRogatis of the Chicago Sun Times and  the Austin American-Statesman have been unable to get the Obama Campaign or C3 Presents to comment on this developement.
Dubbed Obamapalooza by the press, all eyes will be certainly be trained on Grant Park on November 4th. Though somehow, I think C3 Presents involvement will be the least of anyone’s concerns.
Image Courtesy Shepard Fairey

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It’s Halloween week in Austin, which means all the best in local and regional talent make their way to the stage, in the mix with choice touring acts who know this is the best time of year to stop in Austin. Check out this week’s recommendations below for everything from psychobilly to pop punk to lounge, latin and hardcore rap.
Monday 10/27
Horrorpops @ Emo’s (outside)
Female-fronted psychobilly goodness. They’ve been at it since 1996 and never been better.
Tuesday 10/28
Hellogoodbye @ Emo’s (outside)
Indie pop for the text messaging masses. Check out their DVD entitled OMG HGB DVD ROTFL.
Wednesday 10/29
Dubb Sicks @ Flamingo Cantina
One …read more

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With this weekend’s Thriller world record attempt, it seems the entire city of Austin has Thriller on the brain. Including Mayor Will Wynn and local DJ Car Stereo (Wars).
Car Stereo (Wars) has released a new remix of Thriller to celebrate the event. Listen below and click over to Imeem to download your copy for free.

Thriller (Remix) – Car Stereo (Wars)

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Sleepercar, the new project from At The Drive-In / Sparta frontman Jim Ward, has dropped out of their performance at this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest. In a statement posted on MySpace, Ward said:
hey gang-
so, people have been curious about the fun fun fun fest in austin nov 8-
we had to drop off the festival because of the coldplay tour, but will play austin on november 17th at the mohawk outside stage-
thanks- just wanted to clear that up- see you soon-
-jim
Can’t really fault them for dropping the Fun Fun Fun Fest date. Coldplay is a good excuse, don’t you …read more

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The Mayor’s Task Force on Live Music in Austin released a draft of a report that will be presented to the City Council on November 20th. Among the recommendations made in the report:

Creation of a city level Music Department
Redefinition of live music districts and venues
Better communication within Austin’s live music industry
Require venues to use city-qualified sound engineers
Ease downtown parking concerns for gigging musicians

Read the full story in today’s Austin American-Stateman or online. What do you think of the task force recommendations?

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The Sword’s video for How Heavy This Axe premiered on MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball 20th Anniversary special this week. The Sword used the video for How Heavy This Axe to pay tribute to Black Sabbath’s videos for Iron Man and Paranoid. Check it out below and tell us what you think.

The Sword
New Music

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