Fall has arrived and you need something elegantly creepy with pumpkin spice on top. We're going to go out on a dead branch here and say you've seen one too many stories/shows/films revolving around chiseled man-boy vamps in high school; facebook-fed zombie apocalypse tactics probably aren't doing it for you anymore either. We all need an ominous slap in the face—a sinister cold shower! Thank the gods that The Invincible Czars are returning to the Alamo Lake Creek this Sunday to bend genres with their swoon-worthy original score for Fritz Lang's 1921 German silent film Destiny. Paying a little respect to our elders in both film and all-around eeriness—Lang and Death (Mr. Death, to be exact)—is just the thing to get us out of our tween trance. By the end of the night, we want everyone to be contemplating mortality and clutching a baby like actress Lil Dagover. Everyone have a baby they can bring? more ›

The Invincible Czars, from catchy name to daunting stage presence, are a rare breed. They bring bizarre, but methodical math-rock heavily influenced by classical music, polka, and even some country and jazz. Self-described as "a rock soundtrack to a sci-fi film with interruptions by a myriad of genres," we couldn't agree more. more ›

Let's take a moment and touch base with Josh Robins, musician and ringleader of the the Invincible Czars and Program Coordinator at the Austin Music Foundation. When he's not performing avant versions of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, he's bringing hands-on, real world experience to one of our most valuable local resources for emerging musicians. He's currently going through a rare major key songwriting phase, and attempting to finish reading the entire run of Dave Sim's Cerebus. more ›

Misprint Magazine’s “Company Holiday Party” at Club de Ville and “The Golden Arm Trio and Invincible Czars Holiday Show” at The Mohawk (both on Friday), and a “Christmas Disco Party” presented by Prototype Vintage Design at Red 7 and The Famousish’s “A Cross The Universe Xmas Party '08” (both on Saturday) all promise much merriment this weekend as holiday season events continue to dominate the options for choice activities in town this weekend. more ›

With December 25th fast approaching, two of Austin’s most unique bands pile on the Christmas cheer at The Mohawk on December 19th with the Golden Arm Trio & Invincible Czars Holiday Show. We caught up with Golden Arm Trio’s ringleader Graham Reynolds shortly before Fun Fest 2008 -- read our interview here. During Fun Fest itself, we coaxed in Laurie Gallardo from KUT 90.5 FM to have a brief chat with Reynolds -- watch the interview clip after the jump. more ›

Austin locals the Invincible Czars must bid adieu to their drummer of four years, Tommy Holton. Holton gives it one last go this Saturday for the band's show at Jovita's. Although he's making his official exit, recording for the band's forthcoming album, Fortissimo, had already been completed, meaning he'll live on at least in that. more ›

The Invincible Czars have long had a knack for blending rock with various genres to create entertaining concoctions and unexpected inventions. From ska to metal, from jazz to country, a Czars live show twists and turns through a variety of rhythms and tempos, all while demonstrating their astute musicianship. more ›

Flyer courtesy Downtown Austin Alliance Holiday Sing-Along, Tree Lighting and Congress Ave. StrollSaturday, December 1Texas State Capitol (1100 Congress Ave)6-9pm[info]The annual Holiday Sing-Along, Capitol Tree Lighting and Congress Avenue Stroll takes place tomorrow evening. Here's the schedule of events, courtesy the good people at the Downtown Austin Alliance: The evening starts at 6:00 p.m. when crowds gather on the south steps of the Capitol to sing the songs of the season during John Aielli's Holiday... more ›

Lick Lick and The Invincible Czars head up an evening of eccentric rock n’ roll tonight at Room 710. Self classified as “prunk”, the former concentrates on post-punk assembled with catchy guitar riffs and per their MySpace page, “Lick Lick are sure to make prunk a household term in 2007.” The band is set to join the likes of Tia Carrera, Gorch Fock, and Attack Formation on the local Australian Cattle God Records for... more ›

Austin Music Foundation is bringing back its Music Industry Boot Camp (MIBC) tonight, with a panel discussion entitled "Road Warriors: The DIY Approach to Successful Booking and Touring." This 33rd installment of the popular seminar series features five local (and popular) musicians, each well-versed in scoring that perfect last-minute gig in Omaha or knowing where to get a drink when your van breaks down in Kansas City. The lineup: Matt Drenik, Artist, Lions; Talent Buyer,... more ›

MONDAY [16] film • "The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico" at Alamo Downtown books • Teen Sci-Fi writers Scott Westerfield and Justine Larbalestier at BookPeople (7:00pm) books • The Harlem Renaissance, a panel discussion with Cary D. Wintz, Martha Jane Nadell, and Shirley Thompson at The Harry Ransom Center (7:00pm) film • "A Clockwork Orange" at Alamo Downtown film • Jim Jarmusch's "Down By Law" at Alamo Village food • Central Market... more ›

WEDNESDAY [7] music • The Shins, Viva Voce at The Backyard music • Love and Dancing, with Daetron Vargas, Disco Nihilist, Majora Y Minora, and John Gomi at The Peacock music • Spinto Band, Dios, The Changes at Emo's music • Invincible Czars, Bee vs Moth, Golden Arm Trio at Emo's Lounge music • Woodgrain Wednesday with Bavu Blakes, DJ Rapid Ric, D-Madness at The Parish Room music • Patty Griffin at Waterloo Records... more ›

THURSDAY [7] music • Shoot For the Stars and Kill Them VS. Cry Blood Apache, and Coma in Algiers at The Parlor food • Austin Farmers Market at Plaza Saltillo, 5th and Comal (4-7pm) film • TerrorStorm with Alex Jones Live at Alamo South (7pm) film • The Wire Season 4 Sneak Preview at Alamo Downtown (7:30pm, $10 food voucher to reserve) film • Raiders of the Lost Ark at Paramount Theatre (7:30pm) film... more ›

Hey you! Put down that GameBoy and keep your eyes on the road! You're gonna KILL somebody. Ahem. For those of us dangerously, illegally addicted to such handheld trivialities, but wish the sound card was a little punchier, look no further than tonight's featured entertainment at Emo's: a cover band 100% dedicated to 8-bit Nintendo soundtracks. Trade in those bloopy MIDI tunes for full-blooded rock action as The Advantage faithfully recreate the themes from such... more ›

TUESDAY [18] [books/crafts] Craftster.org founder Leah Kramer at Work*Shop (7:30pm) (link) [books] Larry Dierker presents My Team: Choosing My Dream Team from My Forty Years in Baseball at BookPeople (7pm) (link) [music] Invincible Czars, Stolen Babies, Giant Squid at Emo's (link) [music] Shane Bartell at Waterloo Records (5pm) (link) [music] Ben Lee, Say Anything, Dashboard Confessional at The Paramount Theatre (7pm) (link) [music] Bettysoo at Cactus Cafe (Free) (link) [film] AFS Essential: Sex & Lucia... more ›

MONDAY [17] [books] Michael Putegnat presents Laguna at BookPeople (7pm) (link) [music] Riverboat Gamblers, Only Crime, Complete Control, Los Dryheavers at Emo's (link) [music] English Beat at Stubb's (link) [music] The return of Dale Watson & his Lone Stars at Continental Club (10pm) (link) [music] Porter Davis at Cactus Cafe (link) [travel] Austin Travel Circle Meeting at Austin International Youth Hostel (Free, 7pm) (link) [film] Peter Whitehead's Daddy at Alamo Downtown (7pm) (link) [film] Hail,... more ›

FRIDAY [10] conference/music » The 18th Annual International Folk Alliance Conference comes to town! At the Austin Hilton Hotel (schedule) (Through Feb. 14th) music » Massive instore, featuring (2pm) Freddie Steady 5, (2:45pm) Lost Bayou Ramblers, (3:30) Whit Smith's Hot Jazz Caravan, (4:15) Juan-Carlos Formell, (5:00) Jordan Chassan, and (5:45) Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez at Waterloo Records (link) music » Ghostland Observatory, The Arm, The Blackheart Society plus DJ Erin at Emo's (link) music... more ›

M O N D A Y [ 1 4 ] music · Dios (Malos), Pilotdrift and Steeltrain at Stubb's music · The Lemurs and Tarantula A.D. at the Parish Room film · Spiderhouse Cafe screens "Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price" (RSVP, Free, 10pm) (Thanks, Kate!) shopping · Austin Museum of Art's Tax-Free Day music · Piebald, Hot Rod Circuit, Hit the Light and Valient Thorr at Emo's music · Nic Armstrong and the... more ›

When we were kids, "A Night on Bald Mountain" from Disney's Fantasia scared the bejeezus out of us. Yeah, we know, we're total pansies. But there is no more appropriate day to be scared than Halloween, which is why we're passing on the following information to you. From a press release sent to us by Austin’s own Invincible Czars: AUSTIN'S INVINCIBLE CZARS DEBUT ROCK VERSION OF "A NIGHT ON BALD MOUNTAIN" HALLOWEEN WEEKEND. Austin's... more ›

We're absolutely, undeniably terrified of this week. See you next Monday -- if we can still remember who we are. M O N D A Y [19] film · End of an Ear and Plexifilm bring you "Saint Etienne Presents Finisterre", a film about London by Paul Kelly and Kieran Evans, at the Drafthouse South Lamar. (Free! 9:45pm) music/party · Nic Armstrong & The Thieves take over Club DeVille all night long - and they're... more ›

Austinist remembers when its father came home from work late one day stinking of whiskey and cheap women, carrying a large, rectangular box under his arm. He had a smile on his face, which wasn't a common occurence during those times, and he walked with less of a limp than usual. more ›