Kill The Critic Returns!

Prodigal sister Kill The Critic returns with a preview/review of Charles Potts' Magic Windmill Band. Check it out!

Cry Blood Apache Become The Searchers

Wanted: New Bass Player - and Master Tapes*?

I spotted Kaspar Glass and Hans Hinrich of Cry Blood Apache before a Zom Zom's performance at Emo's last Wednesday, I even spoke with them briefly, and all seemed well with my favorite new band of 2005.

But then I read a blog this week, announcing the departure of Endal Louis Passou, the hot wig-wearing bass player.
The news left me in shock, and disappointed that yet another band was struggling with creative differences and the direction of the music. And I looked at the roster of CBA shows yet to come, and became disheartened.

Read the official news at Cry Blood Apache's MySpace Blog.

Yes, the band is going in a new direction, with less new age elements (i.e., flute) in the mix. I could hear the change before the last show I attended - two months ago at an east side warehouse converted into an art space. Kaspar Glass' eerie flute was one of the things that captured my attention when I heard them live and listened to CBA's first full-length album, Performing Diversion Acrobatics. It was noticeably missing during this art space performance.

Performing Diversion Acrobatics
Cry Blood Apache
2006 Ghetto Pagoda, Awthum, Blackk Wainbow

Available through the band's official web site, or at your favorite local record shop.

But the flute isn't the most interesting thing about listening to CBA; I enjoyed the meditative noise of the title track, and the "schizo" dance rhythms throughout the album.

Oh, yeah - and I loved the bass lines.

There was an almost funky element to the bass guitar, and Passou was the only bassist I thought of when it came to filling out the annual AC Readers Poll for Best Bass Player. It saddens me that he's no longer with CBA, but if they could no longer agree on how the band should sound, then it's best to move on.

I wish them all the best, and can't wait to hear what the new bassist (or bass synth player) sounds like. They are currently looking for a replacement one who fits into their "IBM" sound - "Intelligent Body Music".

Read my interview with Cry Blood Apache (Feb. 2006 Whoopsy!) - go to listen.to/crybloodapache and click on the "Interview" link. It's longer than this blog, but there are some good quotes from the band.

*Addendum: While typing this blog I was fact checking at the band's MySpace blog and it saddens me to have just read that Endal Passou has allegedly stolen the master tapes before his former band's upcoming live album release.

~diy-danna

Cry Blood Apache Links:
myspace.com/crybloodapache
listen.to/crybloodapache (the official web site)

The Before Pic:

Foto: Mark Mulligan for DT Week

Addendum: The new bass player looks a lot like Passou, oui?

Cavedweller and Ryan Anderson at The Parlor

Cavedweller circa 2004 at Trophy's. Ever wish you had a time machine?

Friday 9:00 pm
August 25, 2006

The Parlor
100-B E. North Loop
Austin, TX

After deciding to write a preview for Cavedweller's next show in Austin, I thought, "What can I write about one of my favorite local performers, Cavedweller? That he has spoiled me for other guests after his performance on KOOP's "ATX Live"?"

It was a solo performance, because the tiny studio couldn't fit his live band. We started off playing one of my favorites from Cavedweller's latest album, The Best Version of Gloria Ever There Was, "Can't Cook Down". Although I had witnessed an electric CD release party with his band the weekend before, I didn't know what to expect when he picked up his acoustic guitar that afternoon in that cramped space, then removed his keys to avoid the additional percussion.

It felt like a private concert.


Cavedweller. No, he's not in a gang.

There's something about his voice that is soft but strong, sexy even... He's got a way with a phrase that reminds me of Jeff Buckley. Forget that comparison. And scratch the obvious similarities to Syd Barrett and Devendra Banhart - Cavedweller simply has an almost indescribable, understated yet surprisingly powerful voice that delivers imaginative songs. (And you should hear him whistle!)

Cavedweller's love of rock 'n' roll is evident in his latest release, The Best Version... with indirect tributes to the history and myth of a Bob Dylan song (It's All Over Now David Blue") and cleverly worded references to bands like Steppenwolfe ("Steppingwolfe").

Read more about how wonderful the album in the August issue of INsite.
But it's better to buy the album at stores like End of an Ear and surprise yourself. Then experience Cavedweller live tomorrow, or next Thursday - August 31st at Room 710. (See Music Recommended in this week's Austin Chronicle.)


Ryan Anderson

I'm also excited to hear Ryan Anderson live for the first time. I'll admit to never having heard about him until an off-the-air conversation with Cavedweller. He seemed so excited about his show with Anderson, telling me I should come. I could tell he really meant it; and when I heard Anderson courtesy of MySpace.com, I was impressed. After doing a little digging, I learned that Trains Take Away Old Friends, released last month, is full of thoughtful tracks that may just be irresistable enough for me to ask for a copy to review.

In the meantime, I'll have to settle for a live performance of songs from the new album.

Poor me.

Go early to get a good seat - and order pizza and beer for dinner!

~ diy-danna

I almost forgot to mention that Cavedweller will perform with a slightly different line-up since 2004: Matty Nichols on bass guitar and Preston Dukes on drums.

For The Record

Cavedweller
The Best Version of "Gloria" Ever There Was
Business Deal
Released July 2006

Soon available at most local, independent record stores; on sale now @ Business Deal.

Cavedweller Links:
cavedwellermusic.com
myspace.com/cavedweller
Business Deal

Ryan Anderson
Trains Take Away Old Friends
Bi-Fi Records
Released July 2006

Available online through the Bi-Fi store, and probably at your local record store.

More Links:
ryanandersonmusic.com
myspace.com/ryananderson
Ryan Anderson's Artist Page

Get Him Eat Him - Double The Pleasure This Saturday

Elevator music at Emo's?

This is a live music preview: Get Him Eat Him (Providence, RI) invades Austin, TX Saturday August 19, 2006 - first on your community radio station, KOOP 91.7 FM's "ATX Live" (co-hosted by yours truly), and then at Emo's with the Evangelicals of Norman, Oklahoma. Two hip Austin bands, The Lemurs, and Black Before Red, open the show.




Click on images for a full view.

The virtual posters I fashioned the other day were inspired by the bands' myspace sites, and I'm quite proud of my handiwork, considering the technical limitations of freeware and my own lack of graphic design skills.

The show at Emo's in Austin promises to be electric. Indie rock, new wave, soul, with electronic elements that won't overshadow the raw, organic power of guitar, bass, drums, and vocals.

Breaking Live Music News: I just heard on 101X that Emo's is expanding! There will be a branch of the club outside Las Vegas, Nevada. Half the booking will still be done from Austin. My fingers are crossed for my favorite local musicians who tour out west. It should be a treat for indie rock & hip hop fans over there.

Oh - get a sneak preview of the bands playing Emo's this Saturday:
Get Him Eat Him is from Providence, Rhode Island, which is also the home of Brown University, The Farrelly Brothers, and sandwiches...

The Evangelicals aren't preachers but they want to save our souls with rock 'n' roll.

The Lemurs are from right here in the 512. I've never heard them live, but have an inkling I'm gonna enjoy their performance...

Black Before Red is another awesome, locally based band.

~ diy-danna

What I'm Listening to now: New music from The Mars Volta on 101X baby! Further proof that sometimes local radio doesn't suck.

About The La Snacks CD Giveaway That Never Happened, etc.

La Snacks' last New Orleans fling.

I owe that one listener an apology for not playing the La Snacks song and giving away a copy of Brown Orange Black Gray. It's a long, complicated story. But good news: I'll be giving away that same CD next month during the membership drive.

Moving on to other news: My next blog will show off my creative graphic design skills using freeware. (Why do I suddenly feel like Napoleon Dynamite showing off his latest drawing of a Liger?) The latest e-fliers I designed feature a band I'm interviewing on "ATX Live" this Saturday. It will be more like a listening party than an interview since I already talked with the band in January, which is alright with me. I won't mention who they are right now, but I'll give a hint: I'm "Not Not Nervous" about talking with them and plugging their show at Emo's. Google the phrase in quotation marks, and the club, and maybe you'll come up with the correct band name.

Whoa - while I'm thinking about the show this Saturday, I should mention that the DIY/ATX Events Calendar is up and running smoothly. If you're a musician or live music lover reading this, please submit your gig or show you're attending through next month. All you have to do is go to the calendar page, and click on the date to enter and post. It's that easy, and your show may get a plug on Saturdays at KOOP 91.7 FM from 4:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon (central standard time).
Feel free to pass info about the calendar to your musician or live music lover friends.

Let's keep each other informed and build a better music community here in Austin, TX.

~ diy-danna

La Snacks CD Giveaway Today on KOOP 91.7 FM

Defacing your photo means I really love you.

Listen to Austin's community radio KOOP 91.7 FM after 4:00 pm (cst) today for a track from the La Snacks CD Brown Orange Black Gray. After I start playing "Roman Yell", be the first caller at 512-472-KOOP (5667) or toll free 888-917-5667, and the album is yours!
I had an extra copy laying around and will gladly mail it out of state if you like what you hear today.
(There's a cool fan story behind the still shrink wrapped extra copy that I may share with the winner...)

"Roman Yell" is featured in a new video, now available for your viewing pleasure @ myspace.com/lasnacks.
Check it out!

diy-danna

La Snacks photo (l-r):
Joe - Guitar
Jamey - Drums
Trey - Bass
Robert - Vocals

Save The Awesome Cool Dudes Tomorrow Night

Originally posted as a MySpace.com bulletin by diy-danna:


This isn't what happened...

A Beerland Benefit for Awesome Cool Dudes
Saturday, August 12, 2006

Music fans are temporarily deprived of one awesome band from Austin, TX. While on a U.S. summer tour Awesome Cool Dudes were victims of a robbery. On Tuesday July 25th their van was stolen outside a club in Charlotte, NC. The dudes were not physically harmed and got their van back, but valuable music equipment is gone. They were forced to cancel the remaining dates and return to Austin.

Fellow musicians are getting together to perform and raise money for Awesome Cool Dudes at Beerland. The line-up of performers will include: Ralph White, Best Fwends, Daniel Francis Doyle, Atarimatt, Oh, Beast!, and Friday After Dark.

Awesome Cool Dudes Stolen Gear Benefit
10:00 pm
Beerland (www.beerlandtexas.com)
711 Red River
Austin, TX
Saturday, August 12th

More show details TBA online and on KOOP 91.7 FM ("ATX Live" Saturday 4-5:00 pm cst), or go to www.savetheawesomecooldudes.com to help out now.

These musicians are really awesome. Check them out this
Saturday!

Awesome Cool Dudes are:
2 Nates
1 Cory
1 Jay
+
1 Brandon
The official web site: www.awesomecooldudes.com

~ diy-danna

What's New with DIY-Music, DIY Revolution and Me, DIY-Danna

Don't worry - real local music news, previews, and reviews are coming soon!






Find out why I posted these three pics in forthcoming blogs.

This is Danna Williams. a.k.a. diy-danna, and I want to apologize for not keeping this blog up to date. Due to personal and professional issues, I neglected this site, and it needs to be revived. A lot of great things have happened since January to me as a writer and music lover. My interview with Imogen Heap made the cover of Hyperactive Music Magazine's March/April issue, just in time for SxSW. Check it out at my new web site: Imogen Heap Speaks for Herself.
And I got to meet and talk with three talented young men from Sunderland, U.K., Field Music. They officially became my favorite new pop group from across the Atlantic during SxSW. I'm still interviewing musicians (everyone from Assacre to Zykos), writing articles and cd reviews, and of course hearing good music right here in Austin, TX.

DIY Revolution is still at MySpace.com, but will be limited to posting MySpace group member events only. The concept of the magazine, diy revolution, has made way for the birth of something new and different - the directory. Of course, the name is subject to change. There are a few people I need to consult with regarding operation and design. The online zine will be available in blog form no later than October through my official web site - diydanna.org - under the Quintessence Music link. Still under construction, Quintessence will be a directory itself, cataloguing mostly local artists and events.

I'm on the radio now, learning what it takes to be a host and dj on KOOP 91.7 FM's "ATX Live" (Saturdays 4-5 pm cst). To avoid becoming overwhelmed with writing, announcing, and attending local events, I devised a way to keep it all in check and provide a valuable service to local artists, musicians, and entertainers - an events calendar and message board!

This is the abbreviated music version of a bulletin and blog posted at MySpace this week:
Local Musicians, Promoters, Managers, Record Labels, Collectives, Organizations, and All DIY/Indie Music Lovers:

HELP!

Yeah - I'm calling for your help!



I'm a music journalist and radio dj-in-training based in Austin, TX overwhelmed by local music at MySpace.com. Visiting each and every local solo artist, band, label and collective (whew!) @ MySpace to get info for print, online and radio updates is very time-consuming...

Many of you know soloists or bands I don't, so I've started a calendar and message board for you to post shows, courtesy of diydanna.org.

Feel free to submit your upcoming music and music-related events or messages through the new site, or directly to

DIY/ATX EVENTS CALENDAR

or here if you want me to post it -

MUSIC MESSAGE BOARD/FORUM.

It's easy to use. Just click and submit!

You can also join diydanna's myspace group and post your events right here!
diy revolution

(By the way, the services I now provide through my web site and MySpace is free, with no spam or solicitation involved.)

The rules of the calendar and forum will be posted shortly (i.e. no spam, obscenity, etc.) but if you have any questions in the meantime please e-mail me - diydanna@yahoo.com.

Please re-post to spread the word to your friends!

Thanks for your support!

♥ & Music,

diy-danna
a.k.a.
Danna Williams
Local Music Lover & Writer

I'll be hitting on the art, film and theatre communities soon.

Some TV too!

Maybe I'm biting off more than I can chew at the moment, but I'm already seeing positive results with the DIY/ATX Calendar!

~ diy-danna

SxSW Music Fest List Update by Angrybot.net

Whoa - check this out: A user friendly list of soloists and bands appearing at SxSW @ angrybot.net. The list at www.sxsw.com is a bit of a jumble compared to this neat html friendly list. Please note that this list is subject to change. I'm just happy I will see Zom Zoms @ SxSW after missing them last year. (OK, it's official - as of 5:25 PM I crossed the line from music blogger to bonafide groupie.)
There are more than a few bands I'm eager to see this year. Let's cross our fingers and hope all the V.I.P.'s don't freeze us commoners out of shows. On a positive note, there will be more unofficial showcases this year with bands you would expect to see and hear at SxSW. makes me wonder about a selection committee that chooses Peaches over my favorite band from Houston, TX - Bring Back The Guns. Someone sent me a link to her web site, and I was like, "Wow - Peaches is the German Lil' Kim - only she's really terrible!" I tried to listen to her duet with Iggy Pop, but couldn't get through the first minute without wondering if Iggy had lost his F@#!ing mind. And that seemed like the best song on the her web site. SxSW really has lowered its standards. And don;t let me get started on The Tuna Helpers. I really tried to like them when I first heard them at Room 710. I really tried. But I guess I'm not a real woman. Everyone I talk to loves them. But I just don't. I'd rather listen to Adrian & The Sickness or Ignitor. Now those chicks rock!

How to Celebrate Friday The 13th

Happy Friday The 13th! Aww - I didn't forget this special day. *faking tears of joy*

If you are feeling oppressed by this dry, sunny, gorgeous unholiday weather like me and are stuck indoors (due to the allergy known as cedar fever), I recommend renting a movie like "Freaky Friday" (both versions) and "Friday The 13th" - the first one. And listen to a cool radio show online from 8:30 to 9:30 PM (cst), hosted by a MySpace friend of mine, Marinho. He plays a great mix of indie rock, experimental and popular music in English and Spanish. Here's Marinho's blog: SONIDOS EN EL AIRE, and the show link: http://www.edomexico.gob.mx/portalgem/tvmex/

If you aren't a severe allergy sufferer and love good local music, check out Ivison tonight - they open for Dexter Freebish at Momo's in Austin, TX. If you live outside the live music capital and are able to enjoy the weather wherever you are, support your favorite local musician. And if you don't have one, adopt one - or an entire band!

That is all.
~ diy-danna
P.S. No, one more thing - read my "sister blog" Kill The Critic for weekend music previews.

Asamov - The Trailer Mix Tape (Part One)

My plans to do "battle" type reviews for Kill The Critic have been postponed. But in the meantime I will do a quick review of the cd that came before the now critical and popular acclaim.
Paraphrasing some of my own words from diy revolution the group @ MySpace.com (and future zine):
ASAMOV [Pronounced Az - em - mahv] is A powerhouse hip hop group from Jacksonville, FL with a new album out, And Now, featuring J-Live and Little Brother's 9th Wonder. But before the official debut, these dynamic MCs/DJs released a limited run of cds intended as an effort to appease impatient fans. It worked and won over new listeners like myself.
I first heard Asamov at MySpace, and was lucky enough to get a copy of The Trailer Mix Tape, a full-length teaser and pleaser. I'm now hooked on the dope beats and rhymes produced by these four MCs... Honestly, I haven't been this excited about a hip hop album since I first heard ATCQ's masterpiece Low End Theory.
At the moment I'm stressing over other music-related material, so I will continue this blog, possibly sometime tomorrow, with a complete review of Asamov's prelude to a hip hop masterpiece.
~ diy-danna

Psych! I'm ba-aa-aack!!!

Last night a totally d-i-y band inspired me to stop sitting on my rotund moneymaker and start blogging about music. Not for profit or to establish a writing career, but for fun! *you gasp in disbelief* So "stay tuned" for the 411 from this blog and the "sister station" www.killthecritic.blogspot.com

COMING VERY SOON:
Uncleared Samples - Online music only reviews of Paperwork Media Artists
The Mix Tape Battles - Cry Blood Apache vs. Asamov (Kill The Critic)
Listen to these artists first and make up your own mind.
Laters!

My Last CD Review @ DIY-Music!

The decision was made about a month ago - to split up CD and live show reviews, or rather, have a different p.o.v. in preparation for defining the look of my future zine (and eventual magazine). I thought it would be best to end blog reviews of CDs altogether since I'm doing reviews for other print and online magazines (for legal and personal reasons). So I'm pulling the plug on the CD blog reviews.

But on second thought, that's too extreme. There are a lot of CDs I wouldn't be reviewing in magazines or other web sites that would probably get ignored. So instead of killing the CD reviews I'm officially splitting one blog into two. DIY-Music will be dedicated to "objective" live shows and behind the scene reports of indie/underground/d-i-y music. And one "CD of the Month" review. Kill The Critic will be dedicated to honest and entertaining CD reviews, from brand new releases to classic reissues. Occasionally I'll put my two cents in about live shows. So Things That Go Pop is my last review on this blogger. (Check them out below! :-) I'd like to thank them and the other artists (you know who you are) for supporting this site. I've had a few loyal readers who encouraged me to make the move to print media and I thank them also. No thanks to the spammers who "cleverly" waste space in my comments sections. Ha-ha.

It has been fun, and I'll continue to blog about live shows and house parties I dare to attend from Austin, TX. This is supposedly the live music capital of the world, after all.

I will have at least 4 new music reviews posted at Kill The Critic this month. Check that out!

~ diy-danna

Things That Go Pop - LP

Things That Go Pop
ST
©2005 Self Released

(out of 5)

I sum up this first full-length CD from Things That Go Pop in a phrase: An infectious confection of danceable guitar and electronic pop. And what's so bad about that if it sounds this good? It's a revolutionary concept that has seemed to escape popular commercial radio - good music with thoughtful lyrics. There's probably something wrong with you if you listen to Things That Go Pop and aren't moving some part of your anatomy - if you're able. I'm not ashamed to admit, I danced in my "office" for a good 20 minutes - nearly half the length of this album. But it's just not the synthesizer & drum-driven beats that will get to you. Listen to the musicianship and harmony of guitar, keyboard, and the solid songwriting, and you've got one great indie pop/rock record to rotate in your stereo. There are 4 members in this band, and three share lead vocal duties. You would think this would confound the listener, but it only makes the CD worth listening to even more.

My last CD review was a bit long, so I won't bore you with a track by track detail. That's about as exciting as detailled billing for your cell phone. Here are highlights instead: A strong team (or is it teen) spirit song, "Teenage Plastic" introduces us to the dance party vibe that is sustained through most of the album. It also makes you aware that they do make a fuss about the lyrics. Yes, it's sweet electronic dance pop, but there's a little medicine in it. The follow-up "Bright Colors" is a definite trip, with loopy synth and catchy beat. I was on my feet dancing to the beat then. My personal favorites were "Backbeat Testament" and "Lorraine", for completely offbeat reasons. It reminded me of the old new wave music from the 1980s, with smarter electronica. The kids would probably call this Smart Pop or something like that. I'm dating myself, but the latter track reminded me of The Romantics hit "Talking In Your Sleep". Just a bit. The vocals were earnest and slightly awkward, to good effect."Backbeat" is about the sinful(?) seduction of a dancebeat. Some of the songs are not danceable, which makes a good mix. A good example? "She's Too Sexy". It's lo-fi, low key indie pop with honest lyrics and earnest delivery. It's almost sexy. There weren't really any duds, but one track, "Reason 2 H8 U" was somewhat redundant with the drum & synth combo. However, the guitar and vocals were excellent. The last track completely surprised me, in a good way. It may not be the case for some listeners, but the title alone had my attention - "Love Song for The Revolutionary". It was like coming down from a dance high. A serious song that indicated the end of the party. And like every party, every good CD must come to an end.

~ diy-danna

DJ Request Picks: "Bright Colors", "Backbeat Testament", "Lorraine", "She's Too Sexy", "Rock & Roll Leisure Class", "So Nouveau".

A revised printed version of this review will be available in INsite Magazine's Back-2-School issue, on stands September 2, 2005. Used by permission ©2005 diy-danna publishing, inc.


Things That Go Pop are:
Jared Kolarik - Hyper Vocals, Guitar, Roland SH101
Josh Batschelet - Heavy Vocals, Bass, Roland MC-09
Andy Klier - Moody Vocals, Reason2 - Computer/Keys, Guitar
Jeremy Ridge- Keeper of Rhythm (Drums)

Listen to the band @ MySpace: myspace.com/thingsthatgopop.
Official web site: www.thingsthatgopop.com

CD Available at Waterloo Records August 30, 2005.

The Total Foxes at the Carousel Lounge & Ars Ipsa Gallery

The Total Foxes

with

O'Doyle Rules
Dover Drive

August 2, 2005
The Carousel Lounge
1110 E. 52nd Street

(Out of 5, because it would've been better with a friend.)

also with

Arab League

and a special appearance by

Texas Roller Girls

August 6, 2005
Ars Ipsa Gallery
503 San Jacinto
Austin, TX

(Out of 5, because it was a darn good show.)


I made sure I got to The Carousel Lounge early to interview frontman/huitarist Jerm Pollet. There is a little bit of idol worship involved in this blog that must be explained. When I was a co-ed Gal's Panic was all the local rage. Punk Ska was hot in the mid 90s, and although they captured this sound, their songwriting was original. Even the atypical cover songs in "I Think We Need Helicopters" won me over. The Carpenters. Twice. Fast forward 10 years and a lot has changed. Jerm Pollet the artist and the man has matured in some ways, yet retained his youtful spark. This fine balance comes across in his live performances. Jerm insists on a party-like atmosphere wherever he performs, and his bandmates Stacy Hoobler (drums) and Gary Newcombe (bass) seem to thrive in it. Tonight The Total Foxes is short one fox. Gary is out sick. But the show must go on! And they still rock the party! Frontman and guitarist Jerm has made the Carousel his signature event, with a witty, laidback charm that encourages audience participation. He's the host of the entire musical carnival, plus he fills in for Mr. Richard Dawson with a round of Family Feud at the end of the night. Following The Total Foxes was the hard rock/punk sounds of Dover Drive. I noted a lot of t-shirts, and a nice tour following. There were a few fans turned away and pissed off by the no one under 21 allowed policy, but the host. It's not exactly my style of music to party to, but I loved the energy and dynamics between these band members who were on the final stop of their national tour. I was more impressed with O'Doyle Rules, although they claimed it was a weak set. The lead vocalist Scott (a former member of another Jerm Pollet band, Missile Command) was wearing a Beatles shirt, and for more notalgia, they played a remarkable cover of the Violent Femmes mega-hit song "Blister in the Sun" (b.k.a. "Big Hands"). This less than stellar performance still proved why they received a Houston Press Award for Best Indie Pop/Punk upon their return home. Congratulations...

A friend of mine got word first about The Total Foxes performing again, this to benefit a local art gallery, Ars Ipsa. He wanted to see the band Tuesday night with me, but his radio show had recently moved to a drive time slot, and he wasn't sure he'd have the energy to stay up so late. I assumed Jerm was performing solo - a performance art type event from what I read - but was pleasantly surprised to see all three foxes ready to rock. For an art gallery with no seating arrangements, there was a nice turnout, and the missing member from the last Carousel ride, Gary, impressed me with his melodic bass lines. A band was practicing above, but the quirky & catchy punk pop of The Total Foxes drowned them out. THey made room for a hip hop group called Arab League. My friend was not impressed, and declared it was racist for them to dress like Arabs, fake beards included. He compared it to blackface. I found it to be shocking at first, and could see from his p.o.v. But I tried to keep an open mind and listen to the music, the lyrics. My good friend is not a hip hop fan, so he was more interested in talking with one of the roller derby queens of the awesome Texas Roller Girls league (and who could find fault with that?). But I was impressed with the message and heart behind the lyrics - even the politically incorrect ones. For an ultra-liberal who watched Bill Maher's "Politically Incorrect" religiously, my companion surprised me by not paying much attention to the words. Yes, some of the music and beats were a bit routine. And "HipHopistan"? (Come on...) but overall, I liked Arab League's willingness to be critical of our country's Middle Eastern policy and war of terror. Please note the exchange of pronouns. War = violence. Violence is terror, no matter who's on the receiving end.

But enough about politics. I liked the second show and thought it was for a good cause - promoting art in Austin.

~ diy-danna

Listen to these bands @ MySpace (or e-mail a complaint to):
The Total Foxes - myspace.com/thetotalfoxes
O'Doyle Rules - myspace.com/odr
Dover Drive - myspace.com/doverdrive
Arab League - not found

UPDATE: The Total Foxes are on a tour of Austin! ;-) They have a new bass player too, Boy Cory. Hear him at The Carousel Tuesday, August 16, or visit thetotalfoxes.com or their myspace page for other "tour" dates. Check out the new CD, "Retirement Community" available at fine record stores like Waterloo, Cheapos and End of an Ear.

Live At The Parish - Dance Disaster Movement

Dance Disaster Movement

with

Kill Me Tomorrow

Glass Candy

The Parish - August 5, 2005

214 6th Street (Upstairs)

Austin, TX

Unfortunately I only spoke with one of the musicians performing tonight, briefly, but I did record my first concert on MD thanks to RadioMike's generosity and technical assistance. In fact I'm recording it from purse to PC for MySpace right now! I had never heard of Dance Disaster Movement (DDM), Kill Me Tomorrow or Glass Candy before, but there was something appealing about Austin Chronicle listing under Recommended Music for the week of August 4 -10. Read it aloud and it sounds suspiciously like a fan. For a professional music critic, this is considered dangerous. Reverence for the talent is acceptable. Gushing is not. This is just my impression. It was the first thing I read, and I jumped on it after some other plans for the evening fell through. It was the best thing that could've ever happened to me musically. Socially it was suicide - no date to enjoy it with (booh-hoo). But it wasn't a pity party once I caught the suprise opening act - a trash synth punk band. (They wore garbage bags and electrical tape to make it crystal clear what they sound like.) It wasn't great music, but it was more entertaining than the "toothless pop punk" playing on the radio these days. I still don;t know the name of the band. Or the name of that 70s psychadelic rock meets synth band that I actually enjoyed. They even dressed the part. The burping synthesizer dude with the drooping mustache and dread-like black hair (was he for real?) was actually so annoying he was cool. Yes, he had the colorful open-neck Polly & Esther shirt with chains. Groovy. But I digress with the fashion report....
The synthesizer player was his grooviest when interacting with the audience. At one point he jumped off stage, danced around this pretty girl and jumped in the nearest waste receptacle (a bright euphemism for trash can). I was hooked on Glass Candy. But they weren't Glass Candy, although one of the members played with them later that night. Confused? Me too. Let me explain...
Since I was clueless about who was playing and how they sounded assumed the first band dressed in black garbage bags was Kill Me Tomorrow. In fact I misled a conservatively dressed woman who was also flying solo when I announced that she missed the first band. I think she gave me the evil eye when the actual first act on the bill took the stage, or maybe when I whipped out the MD-R as I noticed the next band setting up was obviously not DDM. I intended to record the headlining performers, but my impulsive nature took over. Good thing, too. Glass Candy - the real Glass Candy - was good. The vocalist reminded me of Blondie. Just a little bit. With programmed synthesizer in the background she got the crowd hype. A few members from the first two bands were dancing at the front of the stage. I don't care what those diehard retirement home metal rockers think - synthesizers rock. This band proved it by linking tasty synth pop with heavy guitar and drum rock. Can't we all just get along that well? I can't list particular tracks. (Just listen to my first monotone, bootleg live recording @ www.myspace.com/diyrevolution August 21). Gwen Stefani could take lessons from this chick. explained that two bands joined in because they didn't want to play competing gigs - or something like that. (Damn earplugs.) After listening to the jagged sweetness of Glass Candy I think the rest of the former No Doubt should sue Gwen's ass. She's got the money from the Bananas song. Forget The Killers, The Bravery or whoever you've been listening to lately. I like their soft new wave rock vibe, but it lacks a certain edge that I'm hearing from Glass Candy. OK - you now know where I stand with this band.
Kill Me Tomorrow was more challenging to my ears. Thanks to a couple of alcoholic beverages I was getting a little sleepy. The trippy Gong-like music wasn't helping either. So I sat down on the comfortable side bench and pretended to medititate. The Gary Oldman look-alike lead vocalist/percussionist/synth ops man woke me up with the beat of a drum at the end of the sound check. The melodic blass player, a blond lady with skunk streak bangs (who also reminded me of Blondie), and the frenetic guitarist kept up the pace with the intimidating but talented drummer. It's not the best recording, but listen to the sound check on the second track of the concert @ MySpace for proof that this is a bad, bad man. His vocals are grating, and the a lot of the rhythms he pounded out were not easily danceable. Yet he got the crowd moving, and he dad my complete attention. This is definitely not synth pop. The second brief song had an almost pulsating hip hop beat with erratic guitar riffs, and I thought I was in love with the man for a moment. The rest of the audience probably had the same reaction. Dark primal synth would be the best description for Kill Me Tomorrow. They sounded almost improvisational at times, which may frustrate - or annoy - some listeners. For other it's a primal dance experience worth hearing. The only way to describe it: Kill Me Tomorrow is a land bridge between the continental divide of Experimental American Rock and European Ambient Techno.
With Dance Disaster Movement I had a few preconceived notions from the description in the AC that were completely dismissed with the opener. Keyboardist, guitarist and human synthesizer Kevin Disco and drummer Matt Howze continued the primal dance beat. It was symphony of organ-like notes and heavy beats. I was expecting funky, quirky dance rhythms, and two guys dressed all in white doing the centipede or breakdancing across the stage. Oh, there was a little of that. Mr. Disco & Mr. Howze were in fabulous form. With the second song it was evident that this would be a beautiful disaster. The dissonant keyboards and driving drum beat had me as mesmerized as the vocalist almost chanted the lyrics. He played to the crowd with the holes in his valentine t-shirt. (Was that a red thong underwear peaking out the back of his trousers?) And there was even crowd participation with the audience (myself included) chanting along "Way-oh!" (or something like that). Then it became a pep rally for the anti-sports league. More audience participation? I didn't know where this was headed with the chants, and I was a bit skeptical. But the music soon had me not thinking so much, which is sometimes a good thing. By the end of the show, DDM delivered an electric performance that rivaled the best traditional indie rockers.
Hearing these bands live I felt as though I somehow belonged to a community of outcasts and aliens, which is easy to feel in a land of homogenization that frowns on differences that aren't automatically marketable to the masses. Today's punk has become re-packaged and gone pop. Some of it is actually worth listening to, don't misunderstand me. But planned suburban living to escape the undesirable elements (?) of urban dwellings, generic strip malls and witnessing people talking on cell phones in front of cashiers taking their orders has an alienating effect. This definitely comes out in the varying forms of musical expression with all of the bands that performed tonight. The result was unifying the music and the listener. It was people connecting through music in a world of hardwired and wireless extremes. I'll let Dance Disaster Movement have the last words in this blog review:
"Hey. Let it move. Make it right. Dance. Dance. Dance. Dance.
Lift up, take a stand. Revitalize. Dance. Dance. Dance. Dance.
Rise, captivate. Make a move. Dance. Dance. Dance. Dance.
Try, let it be. Make it through. Dance. Dance. Dance. Dance."*
~ diy-danna

* From the track "Seizure" - We Are From Nowhere (2003 LP).

Zom Zoms Share "One Brain"

One Brain
Zom Zoms
©2004 Omega Point Records

(out of 5)

Future Zom Zoms CDs should come with a warning label: If you're expecting to hear something familiar, you may experience alienation which includes feeling like a stranger in a foreign land, and occasional discomfort accompanied by bouts of manic head bobbing and jaw dropping awe. In other words, the zolo* and art punk sound achieved using new wave synthesizers and spiraling vocals won't have the usual catchy pop riffs of new wave. But for some listeners it may be a welcome holiday to a strange, dark and colorful land.
Listening to One Brain then reading a mediocre review proves that a lot of music critics are full of hot air. It's almost as if they feel guilty if they enjoy hearing something that challenges their personal sense of what is functional, fashionable and simply good. Usually I'm not critical of a previous reviewer's opinion. But in this case, I think one critic did a haphazard job in the case of reviewing Zom Zom's second CD release. While I do agree with Darcie Stevens on two points - this CD is reminiscent of Devo, and "...intelligent, quirky, and rhythmic"** - I can't agree with her dismissal of the CD as "annoying, repetitive, and noisy"**. Of course music is subjective, like any other art form, and everyone has different tastes in music. I also understand that the paper she writes for is limited in space when it comes to music reviews. But she insults an active listener's intelligence when her assessment of a band's music relies on ambiguous references to the differences between art and punk, and not references to examples (tracks) that make it good, bad or somewhere in between. This is why I'm breaking my own rule. Normally I don't mention or highlight more than 5 tracks on a CD. But thanks to the Austin Chronicle's murky review, this amateur blog reviewer will mention every track to make it clear why One Brain may be worth another listener's attention.

Live or on record, Zom Zoms are brilliant at capturing attention and polarizing an audience. They succeed immediately with the spasmatic intro "Wake of Zom Zoms". It lies disturbingly between the paranormal and psychosexual and caught me off guard (even though I heard similarly disturbing lyrics in a live version of "Hyper Lenny" a few nights before). "Pray to Zom Zoms" is an absurd song that masks the ridicule of idol worship with holier than thou vocal stylings. For me, it was the real intro to a band that thrives on off the beaten path lyrics, peculiar and exciting vocals, and of course, dynamic synthesizers. This isn't just chaotic noise. It's real music. Listen to "Hyper Lenny" more than once and you might agree. It's a work of dark humor that will remind you of a cartoon, and lead vocalist/guitarist Zom is the foley artist. The sounds coming out of his mouth are as cool and quirky as any classic Saturday morning surrealism fest. My favorite track "Static" has a great chord progression that sounds almost melodic, and the lyrics are brilliant. Following that is an awful train wreck of a song - "The Cockatoo Cries "Zom!"". It's a frivolous mess, but for some reason it's so horrible it's actually good when it all unravels. I thought about skipping "Recipes Resume" because the lyrics mean absolutely nothing to me. I'd like to believe that's the point of this song. I simply can't understand it, and probably wouldn't understand it all if they gave me the lyrics. But the funky rhythm is worth mentioning. "Steve Martin Is Going Nowhere" is a merciless and funny track. I like a few movies listed in the song, so it took a lot of composure not to scowl. But it took even more composure not to crack up laughing when the actor's less auspicious movies were mentioned. "Stubborn Beast Flesh" is as disconcerting as the title indicates, and the darkest and most deeply disturbing of all the songs. "Laser" had the opposite effect. The wordplay is absurd so of course I thought it was an original song, but now I am compelled to seek out the original version by Aviador Dro. The finale is a cover of a song by The Judy's - "TV". I heard the song before at The Record Rack when I was a little kid. I thought it was a cool song then. I still do. These three music artists share One Brain very well. Overall, there are some brilliant tracks that make this a very good CD to play often. I look forward to a new release featuring adventurous vocals and synthesizers from Zom Zoms.
~ diy-danna

Photo by Elizabeth Skadden

Zom Zoms Are (left to right):
Phil Philmapster - Fabulous Keytar, Synthesizer & Vocals
Zom Philmapster - Jaw-dropping Vocals, Guitar & Synthesizer
Zoms Frenchman - Incomparable CompuRhythm, Synthesizer & Vocals
A self-titled 12" Vinyl EP is now available through Wonk Records, or at Waterloo Records and End of An Ear. A New CD Coming Soon!
Visit the band's web site: tubezomzoms.com
MySpace: Zom Zoms

*See "Zolo Synthesis" 1997 by Terry Sharkie
** Austin Chronicle Review - October 22, 2004

AUX In ATX - Local Band's First Performance

AUX
July 16, 2005*
Hole In The Wall
Austin, TX

(out of 5)

I went to Hole In The Wall with a few friends and missed the first band, but we were just in time to see AUX, a brand new band from right here in the live music capital of the world. What did I enjoyed most about AUX? The fact that this was their live debut. The energy, obvious onstage chemistry, and love of music is something that the crowd appreciated too. They started off strong with the upbeat lead vocalist, Rodney, who also plays guitar. Bass and drums were a little sluggish at first, But the lead guitarist, Cole, swung his axe and by the end of the song the crowd was impressed. By the second song I began to see life in the rhythm section, and they sounded like they'd been practicing together for two years - not two months.
~ diy-danna

*Performance notes are missing so no further detail at this time, but this blog entry will be updated with AUX's debut highlights by 11:59 PM (CST) Thursday, July 21, 2005.