Start Spreadin' the News

Much like our friends who live in New York City, we rarely go above 14th Street. Only on truly special occasions do we venture into that hub of dive bars, bad food and overpriced clothing stores known as “campus.” Tonight, however, is one of those special occasions as three rocking bands hit the stage (er, platform in the corner) at the venerable Hole in the Wall. We know it’s smoky and loud there (yes, we're getting old), but the drinks are cheap and they have a shuffleboard table - sold!

Speaking of New York, the first band, Keiser Cartel hails from that great state. We aren’t cool enough to have heard their music before but a hip friend tells us “It's like June Carter and Jonny Cash doing Velvet Underground songs.” You had us at “Hello.”

Next up are locals The Early Tapes a three-piece who must have formed yesterday because there's hardly any information about them on the interweb. We listened to a couple of tracks on their profile page (which lists their influences as 13th Floor Elevators, The Doors, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young) and the singer has a rad, raspy voice. We can't tell if they're cute or not because we refuse to join MySpace but we're intrigued nonetheless.

Ending the night are Austin indie rockers 1986 who sound like a mix of Superchunk and Mag Earwhig!-era Guided By Voices. They also happen to feature our favorite local drummer, Cully Symington, who is in every single band in town. This may be your last chance to see them for a while as frontman, Giorgio Angelini, got a fancy job in…you got it, New York City. So buy the guy a drink (because plane rides are so much better with a hangover) and snag a copy of their excellent debut album while you're there.

Keiser Cartel, The Early Tapes, 1986
Hole in the Wall
July 12, 2005
Show at 9:00 p.m.