Weekend Music Preview: Gabe Hascall @ The Mohawk & Unwrapped @ Lamberts

If you’re not familiar with Gabe Hascall’s contributions to Austin’s music history, then you best head to The Mohawk on Sunday evening when he performs a combination of new solo material as well as classics from his storied past. Hascall was a core member of The Impossibles. The band’s early ska output was a mainstay of the college and live music scene in town in the 90’s. After dealing with some internal issues, the band bounced back with 2000’s Return, boasting a new powerpop sound and a plethora of anthemic sing-alongs like “Enter/Return,” “(Never) Say Goodbye,” “Connecticut,” “This Is Fuckin Tragic,” “Oh Angelina,” and “Hey, You Kids!” The 4 Song Brick Bomb EP followed in 2001.

The Impossibles played its final two shows in 2002 (at Emo’s in June). Hascall and fellow Impossible Rory Phillips immediately turned their attention to a new project, the Grandaddy / Elliott Smith-esque Slowreader. The self-titled debut full-length arrived in September of that year and contained a somber collection of songs that showcased the duo’s maturity and their penchant for crafting poignant lyrics. Hascall has since moved to Portland while Phillips continues to make his mark in Austin with The Artificial Heart and the Everybody Knows Everyone shindigs. In fact, Sunday’s show is an EKE production. Check out Hascall’s new recordings (more akin to Slowreader than The Impossibles) on his MySpace page; enjoy them live in concert this Sunday at The Mohawk.