Stop For No Way Jose - The Venice Beach Sessions

No Way Jose "The Venice Beach Sessions" (EP, 2002)
(Out of 5)

A few years ago, when I first stumbled upon a description of No Way Jose's EP, The Venice Beach Sessions, I was a bit underwhelmed. I hated the terms "power pop" used to describe a punk band. I kept thinking about the so-called punk bands from the 90s who rose to fame on the pop charts. Some of them were good, but most of them annoyed me. I wasn't a big OffSpring fan back then either, but more into classic Punk, mostly from the East Coast and the U.K. So of course I had a few doubts about a punk band from L.A.? X and The Avengers are cool classic bands, but I kept thinking: Will this CD be about choice waves and bikini clad babes? Stereotyping aside, L.A. Punk was no longer underground cool or hip, unless you were into A.F.I. So my expectations were lowered but I liked the eye-catching, d-i-y stop sign. Superficial, I know, but interesting art work, like a good book cover, is what helps sell an album.
Although I wasn't impressed with the overall sound quality when I first listened to the CD online a few years ago (Slow dial-up maybe?), I bought it because I loved the do-it-yourself/indie core/esthetic of No Way Jose's Venice Beach Sessions. This is what makes an excellent d-i-y punk EP. To hell with technical prowress, it's about having fun with the music and making a good record of it. No Way Jose has done this. To risk triteness - this CD had me hooked at the namesake track. A few diehard Punk fans may dismiss the Sessions EP as just another forgettable pop/punk CD, but even The Clash's London Calling has its naysayers and it's still considered one of the quintessential punk albums. I'm not comparing the two artists or albums, but this EP has the heart of major label produced LP. It is the quirky mix of danceable latin, rock and ska that will have even a hardcore fanatic bob his (or her) head with approval. My personal favorite tracks are Was She, She Drives You Crazy, and Enough. (Which I listen to on repeat often.) Venice Beach Sessions does make reference to scantily clad women (See Stripper), but no surfing references (Whew!). It was the best $10 I ever spent, and I think it's a steal now at $6.(:0) This "heavy power pop punk" EP made me fall in love with Punk Rock all over again.

No Way Jose:
Jose Cruise - Vocals, Guitar
Omar Villegas - Bass
Sam Pow - Drums
Listen to new music @ MySpace.com.

~ DIY-Danna

Electroclash Is Dead: A KOOP Radio Benefit

Tonight I'm attending a dance benefit for KOOP 91.7 radio at Club Deville in Austin, TX. The DJ/Electronica music of electroclash/Larry Tee will spin, among other dance tracks. DJ line-up includes Ear Candy’s Jennifer and Jennifer and Self Help Radio’s Gary. Check out the cool poster and get more details @ KOOP web site.~ DIY-Danna

Here's the 411:

The Event: electroclash is dead. KOOP is throwing a benefit dance.
Place: Club Deville - 701 Red River Austin, TX
Time: Saturday, April 16th from 9 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

Austin's Bob Marley Festival In Progress

Each year thousands of Bob Marley fans congregate at Auditorium Shores in downtown Austin, TX for a weekend celebration of the legend & the man, his music & his message of hope, peace, and love. The 12th Annual Austin Marley Festival will feature locally and internationally known bands as diverse as the fans of Marley.

Remembering Bob Marley's Music & Message

According to Ginger Cowles in the Austin American-Statesman the time is perfect for "Jammin' in the name of Marley". A one day pass is just $7, plus a food donation. Not a high price at all to hear entertaining reggae, ska, and rock bands pay homage to Marley's legacy. This festival of good reggae vibrations benefits the Capital Area Food Bank. Contrary to one report, Bob Marley is not alive, but his music and spirit is more alive than ever in these challenging times. So people get ready - get up, stand up - celebrate great music and give to a worthy cause. One love. ~DIY-Danna

Event: 12th Annual Austin Marley Festival

Time: Noon - 10 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, April 16 - 17, 2005

Place: Auditorium Shores in Austin, TX

Cost: $7 1-Day or $10 2-Day Pass, Plus 2 Non-Perishable Food Items for the Capital Area Food Bank

Plenty of parking is available, and most of it is free.

Some of the bands performing this weekend:

Az-One
Five Ton Chicken
Grimy Styles
Mau Mau Chaplains
Shantytown Undeground

For more info go to: www.austinmarleyfestival.com.

New Blood on Austin Radio!

One typically hot and humid October night in Texas I heard a band from New Jersey: New Blood Revival. This was all thanks to winning a couple of guest list spots last year on KGSR's Dread Beat Club to hear another band play that night @ Flamingo Cantina.


NBR @ Another Austin Hot Spot

NBR's sound is a stunning mix of hardcore metal, thrashing punk, and rock-steady ska, and I fell in musical lust with their amazing guitarist. They were wild on a Monday night...
I heard a DJ/staff pick @ 101X this week from New Blood Revival's latest CD, Nice Girls. Finally! I can boast about hearing NBR live - long before 101X decided to play "He's No Good For You". Does this mean I'm cool now?

~ DIY-Danna.

P.S. Check out this indie band's amazing music @ MySpace or PureVolume.

The Genius of Bernie Worrell on Earth

I was one of many forunate music lovers who viewed the documentary Stranger: Bernie Worrell on Earth Monday night and heard his interview Tuesday with KLBJ 93.7 FM.
I love Bernie Worrell's music from the P-Funk days (Parliament-Funkadelic and Talking Heads most of all, but I enjoyed hearing his compositions and live performances in the movie.

I Love Google, Too...

He's playing April 12th & 13th at Flamingo Cantina and April 14th at the Continental Club in Austin. Mr. Worrell will be present at Tuesday and Thursday screenings of the award-winning documentary Stranger at the Alamo Drafthouse (Downtown).
About the keyboard/clavinet genius of Bernie Worrell: It's cool to think he would've been featured on KMFA 89.5 (the local classical station) instead of KLBJ 93.7 , Jammin' 105.9 (booooooo!), BEAT 104.3... and probably the hip-hop station HOT 93.3 (sampling) if he hadn't sneaked out the house to hear a band he would later join. He learned piano before the age of 4, composed a symphony before he was 10 years old, and was going to be a student at the New England Conservatory of Music at age 16. But P-Funk happened instead. It blows my mind... But what really blows my mind is his playing - the bold invention and virtuosity of his music. By commercial standards he is a failure, but by the standards of brilliance and timelessness, he is a success. If most artists and fans have compared him to Beethoven or Jimi Hendrix, then who cares about money. I think feeling appreciated for your music here and now, and knowing you will have a legacy after you're no longer on earth is worth more than a billion dollars in the bank. I've been listening to a lot of P-Funk, Talking Heads, and Gov't. Mule. Maybe it's time I checked out Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains and Bernie Worrell & The Woo Warriors. I keep wondering why Bernie and avant-garde artists like Massive Attack, Moby, Tricky or Bjork (or even the more mainstream Beck) haven't collaborated. Now that would be like a musical acid trip.
OK... time is ticking. Time for a cup of chamomile, soft classical music - and a good book to drool over. Literally.

~ DIY-Danna

P.S. Read more about the keyboard legend's visit @ The Austin Chronicle.

Burden Brothers and C.C. Adcock @ Swamp Romp & Crawfish Festival This Saturday!

Do you love crawfish & good music? Even if you hate crawfish and alligator-on-a-stick (like me), aren't Cajun (like me) or can't claim a Louisiana heritage (which I can), you shouldn't miss the musical treats. It's The 12th Annual Louisiana Swamp Romp & Crawfish Festival in downtown Austin, TX this weekend - Saturday, April 9th. And guess who's playing the little fest this year? The awesome Burden Brothers, the mind-blowing C.C. Adcock, and many other great funk/soul, jazz, rock, and zydeco bands. That's right. You will be rocked & rolled as well as fed fine Cajun cuisine. The Burden Brothers seem to love Austin. Maybe it's because we love them too. They've been getting a lot of radio play as a "Homegrown Artist" on 101X. Perhaps they'll move from Dallas and settle here? Or is it wishful thinking for Austin fans?... Anyway, check them out and a host of other great musicians this weekend.

~ DIY-Danna

Important Info:
Time: Sat. Apr. 9th. Starts 10:30 am and lasts 'til midnight

Place: Downtown Austin, TX, 4th & San Antonio St. Parking Lot

Price: It's $8 for adults at the gate and free for children 8 yrs. old and under(when accompanied by an adult, of course). Don't worry there's free parking around the park, and in the 4-story garage on San Antonio (between 3rd & 4th Streets).

Go to Road Star Productions for more details and directions.
Laissez les bon temps roulez!

HOLY CA$HCOW! La Snacks Signs With Cashcow Records! And More Good News...

******This blogger will serve as an unofficial article hub for diy-music, currently under major reconstruction until 11:59 PM (CST) April 15, 2005******

Good news! I may see and hear one of my favorite bands from SETX (Southeast Texas) - La Snacks this year. The band is formerly known as La Snacks: We're Big In Japan. (Which is what they should name their upcoming CD.)
They tour this Summer thanks to an indie label based in California and College Station(?) - Cashcow. As much crap as people give California for exporting musical crap (with a few exceptions) I have to admit that the Texas (and Austin) music scene lacks the support of indie labels compared to other regions in the U.S. Yes, Austin & Dallas have good live venues and recording studios (FYI: La Snacks recorded in the Sweat Box - Austin, TX) but I wish there were more quality indie labels. Follow me on this tangent: In a parallel universe I would have the cash and connections to start an indie label that promotes 5 or 6 great local bands. My fantasy indie label would be called Quintessence or SixthSense Records (some kind of new age-sounding name) and include artists representing my favorite genres - indie rock, punk, hip-hop, neo-soul, reggae, and electronica. Does anyone feel me on this? I can't be alone in wishing for more good music and less... fodder. I'm a silly dreamer, but maybe if I keep complaining loud enough - or just shut my pie hole - someone will have the gumption and moolah (get it - Cashcow, moolah?) to support good bands like La Snacks to replace these corporate lackeys playing humdrum music.
Fortunately there are some organizations that support local indie artists in Texas. Two of them are in SETX: Local Music Guide and Southeast Texas Art & Music Review (SETMAAR) . The other is based in my hometown: Austin Indie Alliance. Yipee! Although the infant indie music scene could use a little (or a lot) more encouragement and interest in SETX, there is hope for both music scenes to reach the rest of the world. The only indie rock label in SETX (that I've heard of lately), SETX Records, wasn't "diversity-minded" (does that sound too "P.C."?) enough to sign La Snacks. But in this label's defense, they were smart enough to sign Sivan. Ultimately things work out the way they should - usually for the best in my Pollyanna world view. Cashcow Records is a better fit for La Snacks' eclectic indie/alt sound. I also like their labelmates, Sworn To FunYou can listen/download a sample from the forthcoming CD @ MySpace.com. After you listen comment or send an e-mail and tell me: Who is "Hunter S. Thompson".* Hmmm... That name sounds familiar...

Look for La Snacks at a city near you this Summer...

~ DIY-Danna, a.k.a. "That Weird Zine Grrrl"

* Whoever comments or e-mails me about this blog/article first, with the correct answer to the pop culture trivia pop quiz : Who is Hunter S. Thompson?, will win a free La Snacks CD. You can collect this prize June 9th @ Redrum in Austin, TX.

DIY-Music Zine's Official Blogger Is Finally Here!

I kept searching and it finally paid off. And simply because I was doing online research of a band I wish to feature in future zine update - Nelson Saga y Arma Del Alma. Now I can rant & rave subjectively about the Austin music scene that I cover objectively. Cool. DIY-Music is still under reconstruction, but you can view the old site here until April 15th and read about some talented (and sometimes overlooked) bands across Texas. I cover mostly self-releasing and indie label artists/bands in Austin and across the "Bluebonnet State" (Have you seen the lovely wildflowers this Spring?... Wow.) But I don't mind crossing borders because that's just my style - I love music. Period. Full-stop. Now I just have to figure out how I want the blogger to look...