Preview: The Gary, Chake, and Monuments at Club 1808

The mysterious process of selecting a band name can only be the subject of conjecture among non-musicians. Case in point: local trio The Gary. How they came to name themselves after your dad is anyone's guess, but peculiar as it may be, The Gary's chosen handle is not the band's most interesting characteristic. There is, of course, the music to consider, principally that from their debut EP Chub, released earlier this year.

Already a solid power trio and still in their first year playing together, the band is developing a sound that skews heavily towards the late-90s guitar-driven indie-rock bands of Chicago’s venerable Touch and Go label. Silkworm is an obvious reference point, and although the reductive tendency here is to draw a straight line to the most obvious of influences, Chub is more than just a reverent ode to the band members’ rock heroes. Bassist/singer Dave Norwood’s world-weary lyrics, coupled with the band’s great instinct for restraint and the dry, stately tone of guitarist Trey Pool’s Fender Telecaster, make for a compelling if familiar sound.

Rounding out Club 1808's local showcase are post-grunge outfit Chake, and Monuments. Get over to the east side early, and park yourself close to the stage to witness this triumvirate of Austin up-and-comers.

The Gary [MySpace]
Chake [MySpace]
Monuments [MySpace]