Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears are pretty hard to miss when it comes to combing through your local Austin bands. Rather than sport the hipster, low-fi trend that seems to be infiltrating the scene these days, these guys went in a completely different direction. Reigniting an old school genre, BLJ and the Honeybears capture live audiences with their eccentric frontman and a dance ‘til your drop energy. Fusing together both rock ‘n roll and funk/blues styles, these gentlemen are quite the spectacle, making them a must-see band at this year’s Fun Fun Fun fest. Here at the Austinist, Joe Lewis was kind enough to share some of his thoughts and experiences about the formation of the band, their live performances, and French cuisine. more ›

Austin blues/soul group Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears have released a video for their track “Livin’ In The Jungle” off their newest album Scandalous. Out on Lost Highway Records, Scandalous is the band's second full-length album. The band will be touring throughout the summer, playing a few early dates with Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings. more ›

Few local names are so known by Austin residents as that of Black Joe Lewis—hell, there's a decent chance he has more name recognition than the mayor—and he and the band that backs him, The Honeybears, are in the process of even further building their reputation both here and beyond with their latest album, the thoroughly enjoyable Scandalous. The album, on the respected Lost Highway label and produced once again by Spoon's Jim Eno, finds the group expanding their energetic old-time-meets-new-time sound, and to support it they'll be hitting locations all over the United States and Canada. The soul-rock outfit was on their way east to Atlanta when we called Joe up to talk about his SXSW experience, local pride, and the band's break with Austin-based management company C3. more ›

Before SXSW Music kicks into full-gear tomorrow, Austin’s own garage-rock, rhythm and soul, seven-piece, Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears, start the party tonight at our fair city’s iconic Continental Club in celebration of their sophomore album's official release. Scandalous is a consistently soulful sequel to their 2009 debut, Tell ‘Em What Your Name Is! Black Joe and the ’bears may be up to their old tricks with soul-revival songs about skirt chasing and misadventure (“Mustang Ranch” tells the tale of the band’s night at an infamous Nevada brothel), but their second effort showcases more variety--gritty garage punk, country blues and roadhouse rock and roll with throwback flare rooted in retro-funk. more ›

Austin’s soul-slingin’ seven piece, Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears, tore it up for a sold out crowd at Antone’s last night. They followed a charged performance by Hacienda, San Antonio’s retro-rockers, that ended with a guest appearance by producer and pal Dan Auerbach (Black Keys). more ›

Let's spare ourselves too much talk of bands that have been around the block for a decade or more, and take a look at some bands we may still be talking about ten years from now. Some you may have heard, some you may have heard of, and some this weekend may provide the perfect opportunity to discover for the first time. Basically, if we had to come up with a list of two acts every day that you absolutely must check out, especially those that are still mired in those not-standing-room-only (and potentially right up-close) daytime slots, this could be the list. more ›

Watch Black Joe Lewis perform "Sugarfoot" live on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. more ›

There are few bands currently performing that can't shake Austin the way Spoon can't. Even though most of the band lives elsewhere, their presence lingers on the streets, in the record stores and in the bars. more ›

Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears released their self-titled EP last month and thanks to the fine folks at C3 Presents, we’re giving away four copies of the brand new 10" vinyl. Check out our interview with Lewis and Zach Ernst at Fun Fest 2008 above, enter for your chance to pick up a free 10" below, then head on over to the Beauty Bar on Thursday for the official release party and enjoy live renditions of the band’s irresistible, intoxicating blues-soul-funk concoctions. more ›

There's never any shortage of options for fun stuff to do on New Year's Eve, but your realm of possibilities just opened up a little wider. Austin's own up-and-coming fun and bluesy Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears will be ringing in 2009 with some soul at Stubb's inside Wednesday night. You can come enjoy the buffet and a champagne toast, and if you get there early enough, you can even catch San Antonio rock and roll outfit Hacienda. more ›

September is a big month for locals The Black and White Years, starting with the much-anticipated release of their self-titled debut and continuing with their noon set at ACL on Saturday. The group’s funk-addled rock and roll makes for energetic sets and possibly dancing, so come prepared. more ›

One of Austin's most dynamic acts, Black Joe Lewis has been blazing a trail for local blues artists these past few years, and we're lucky enough to get another shot at seeing him live tomorrow night at the Parish Room, one of Sixth Street's cozier and more acoustically friendly venues. Lewis and his band, The Honeybears, use lyrics such as "You can make a Black Joe blue," not to mention a palpable passion and awareness of how they fit into the history of blues and soul music, to make themselves a consistently entertaining ticket. On top of all that, our friend Lewis is endorsed by Barack Obama. more ›

Happy fun-time Mates of State deliver their carousing popstar status to Emo's Outside this Friday night, in what is sure to be a rollicking good time of dancing and cheering and drinking fruit-flavored beverages. Using cooing dual vocalists, Mates of State have carved themselves a nice little pocket next to the likes of Los Campesinos!, New Pornographers, and Architecture in Helsinki, and they may be the best of the genre. Burgeoning breakthrough hit "My Only Offer," from their just-released album Re-Arrange Us, is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. more ›

Kick off this weekend early on Thursday at Antone’s with music from Black Joe Lewis, Bankrupt and the Borrowers, and The Best Love In Town on the special occasion of The Versatile Syndicate’s “Launch Party.” The entity is now open for business, and their agenda is to aid any artist in pursuing their dreams and professional development via booking/tour management, consulting, live production, and so on. This event is a part of the Austin Music Foundation’s Love Austin Music Month and cover for AMF members is $5. The rest of us mere mortals can get in for $10. The shindig also marks AMF's 6th Birthday; free cake and food (courtesy of Whole Foods Market) and free 2008 She Rocks Calendars while the goodies last. more ›

Emo’s Free Week bites back tonight with a smorgasbord of sounds from a variety of acts. Lions draw blood on the outside arena with chant-along chorus’ and scorching guitars. Their 2007 release No Generation allowed the band to voice their political views as well as display their rock n’ roll chops, and their live shows aptly roar with energy and fervor. Lions’ “Heavy Metal Lady” currently encourages the masses in homes everywhere to “unleash your inner rock legend” via Guitar Hero III and you can do the same at Emo's tonight! more ›

SXSW has announced via official mailing that there are a few bands confirmed for the festival aside from those we've mentioned already: R.E.M., My Morning Jacket, Daniel Lanois, The Black Keys, The Kills, My Brightest Diamond, Pato Banton, Vampire Weekend, Joe Lean + The Jing Jang Jong, Jens Lekman, Sia, $olal, Tech N9ne, and Mala Rodriguez have received the official nod. A couple of those names will look familiar to those of you following our ongoing coverage, but the big names are news to us as well. more ›

FRIDAY [8] music • Centro-Matic, Those Peabodys, Pink Nasty at Emo's (Inside) music • Anagen, Two Guy Trio at Stubb's music • The Midgetmen, The Boxing Lesson, Sounds Under Radio, Label Me This at Red Eyed Fly music • Fireside Creative Showcase with Shrapnel, Lone Star Porn Star, Nooner, Hundred Year Storm, Bayta Darell, and a chance to win a Gibson guitar autographed by (huh?) Chuck Norris at The Parish Room music • Rescue... more ›

music • Black Joe Lewis, Best Love in Town at Beerland more ›

THURSDAY [29] [music] Loxsly at Whisky Bar (link) [books] Barbara Robles presents The Color of Wealth: The Story Behind the U.S. Racial Wealth Divide at BookPeople (7pm) (link) [music] Everyone Knows Everyone Volume 3 with Those Peabodys, Visitors, Mars Wars Feat. Pure Filth, Young Love, Rory + The Artificial HeartS, Pirates Of Darkwater, DJ Shane and visual art a bunch of folks (including Austinist's own Justin "Juice" Cox and Jackie Young) at Emo's (link) [film]... more ›

Mike Shea at BookPeople (7pm) (link) [music] Awesome Cool Dudes, Daniel Francis Doyle, Zom Zoms, Ralph White at Emo's (link) [music] Tristan Prettyman, Michael Tolcher at The Parish Room (link) [music] Pete Yorn instore at Waterloo Records (6:30pm) (link) [music] An Irish Sing-a-long with Brobdingnagian Bards and Campbell Wilson at Cactus Cafe (Free, 8pm) (link) [film] AFS 20th Anniversary Screening: Godard's Weekend at Alamo Downtown (7pm) (link) [film] Rolling Roadshow: The Goonies at Central Market... more ›

F R I D A Y [ 2 7 ] [music] Explosions in the Sky, Octopus Project and A Hawk and a Hacksaw at Emo's (Sold Out!) [music] Brandi Carlile at Cactus Cafe (9pm) [music] Zilla featuring Michael Travis (String Cheese Incident) at Stubb's [music] Shake Your Ass Record Release Party with Chili Cold Blood, This Damn Town, Possessed By Paul James, Black Joe Lewis & Cool Breeze at Beerland [music] Chant, Exit, and... more ›

W E D N E S D A Y [ 2 5 ] [music] St. James Inc, Hurts to Purr and Mike Blackhurst at Stubb's (8pm) [music] Akron/Family, Mi and L'au, Shearwater at Emo's [music] "Old Man Night," with skate videos, DJ Vomitnoise, free pizza from Slices and Ices, and special raffles and giveaways at Beerland [film] Screening of Fearless Freaks director Bradley Beesley's "Hill Stomp Holler," plus a set by John Schooley at... more ›

SXSW.com released an updated lineup for this year's SXSW Music Festival earlier today, and it's one hell of a list. The SXSW committee hastens to note that "This is a partial list of performers confirmed to appear at the 2006 SXSW Music Festival. This list is current as of 1/13/06. All of this information is subject to change." International acts include: Masahiro Nitta, DMBQ, Ellegarden, Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re, PE'Z, The Emeralds (Japan)... more ›

M O N D A Y [ 7 ] TV · Screenings of episodes from Twin Peaks and Carnivale, with free popcorn! At Beerland (Free, 7pm) music · Pre-Election Day Party at Stubb's, with the Blues Crawlers, Daniel Kang, Booher/Davis, Pompeii and Roma 79 (10pm) music · Elizabeth McQueen and Jason Roberts at Threadgills (Free, 8pm) film · "The T.A.M.I. Show", documenting the 1964 Teenage Awards Music International - footage includes The Rolling Stones, The... more ›