Everyone pile into the hot tub time machine and dial it back to the time when Phil Spector was behind the mixing board and not behind bars. Antone's is hosting this all killer no filler bill of Austin's finest on Saturday night.

Well, no need to drink a bunch of off-brand energy drinks with some Skol vodka, The Carrots music will do just fine. Channeling Spector's own Ronettes and Motown's The Supremes, The Carrots mix a little old school gumption with some new school "indie" rock sincerity. more ›

The team behind Austin Psych Fest has built a reputation for their selective showcases and epic parties and tonight is no different - they’ve prepared an all-star line up with members of The Dum Dum Girls and King Kahn’s BBQ Show as they celebrate the UFO Club/Night Beats split album release. Also on the bill is the premier performance of the UFO Club, the collaboration/side project of Lee Blackwell from Night Beats with Christian Bland from The Black Angels. more ›

Coming this Saturday evening: a free show curated by The Black Angels and put on by the bad boys and girls at Vice (and the not-so-bad people at Vitamin Water). more ›

Just two days before his unexpected passing in 2009, Sky Saxon performed a heartfelt show at Antone’s, backed by Shapes Have Fangs. From the front row, there seemed to be no portents that might have suggested this would be the final performance by the renowned founder of The Seeds. On Saturday night, the second anniversary of the garage-psych pioneer’s death, his final collaborators curated a tribute show at Red 7 that featured a few bands from Austin’s burgeoning garage rock and psych music scene. more ›

Though the style has exploded in the underground over the last few years, noisy and heavily distorted pop has been the Raveonettes M.O. for nearly a decade. The Copenhagen duo of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo carved out a niche for themselves with their highly melodic cacophony back when many bands were trying to emulate The Strokes' success. Their set at Emo's last night demonstrated why they're so good at what they do, as they brought many of their best songs, alongside material from the recently released The Raven and the Grave, to engulf the venue in a sugar coated haze. more ›

SXSW Music begins on the 15th and ends on the 20th. That is all we are really thinking about right now. Later this week we'll be previewing some of the more noteworthy day parties, and we'll also be putting together a post detailing our recommendations for the official events. more ›

If you’ve ever heard of Monotonix then you know that just about anything could happen at tomorrow night’s show. The maniacal three-piece from Tel-Aviv, Isreal have built a reputation for raucous shows that turn into chaotic parties, which have notoriously resulted in them being banned from most of the venues in Tel Aviv. Between their gnarly garage-rock and their debauched antics, these guys certainly know how to draw a crowd. more ›

Future Sounds and a bunch of other great participants (including us!) are presenting The Rumble this evening at Beerland. In the vein of other extravagant Rumble parties thrown across the country, this evening will feature loud bands and free food. And what free food! Batter Blaster is offering free chicken and waffles all night. It's southern-tastic! more ›

Historically, the fantastic Carrots have been an under-appreciated presence on the local music scene, and it hasn’t helped that over the last year their local shows have been few and far between, and their records as rare as a bottle of Old Potrero rye. Luckily for us, and for whatever reason, they’ve scheduled a spate of gigs that began with last Sunday’s Marquis De Sade bondage party, and continues through SXSW; tonight, the co-ed sextet will bring their cheeky take on doo-wop, girl group harmonies, and classic soul to Beerland to headline a homegrown lineup that also features Shapes Have Fangs. more ›

Hey now, no worries- that mist emanating from your mouth whenever you go outside lately is actually just the way your perfectly normal breath looks when the arctic apocalypse is coming. And the good folks at Red 7 have got you taken care of; they've moved tonight's Free Week show indoors. So not only can you save your cash for the Wreck Room's arcade games and some gut-warming drinks, but you can put a little more distance between yourself and the maudlin affair that was 2009 with some heartwarming retro-garage R&B. This year, the Free Week tradition which began at Emo's has spread throughout the Red River district to bring you more free shows than ever. Much like today’s skies over Austin, Tonight's Red 7 lineup has a grizzled mellow theme, led by the staid but infectious San Antonio group, Hacienda. They have collaborated extensively with Dan Auerbach to produce a 60s-entralled jangling pop sound that is equal parts control and quirkiness. more ›

If you're of the opinion that the holiday season just isn't psychedelic enough, you're not alone - or not alone in Austin, anyway. more ›

After enjoying Thanksgiving leftovers galore on Friday, it’s quite normal to wallow in the turkey induced comatose or hit the hay early. Not this year. Instead, muster up all your energy and head down to Beerland where local trio Woven Bones will undoubtedly revive, replenish, and then hypnotize with thunderous jolts of reverb soaked garage-rock. The band departs on a West Coast tour in December so this may be your last chance to catch ‘em in town this year. We touched base with vocalist and guitarist Andrew Burr earlier this week and learnt that the three current band members actually relocated to Austin from three different states. Naturally, we delved deeper to enquire about the band’s origins, and sought Burr’s thoughts on the recent vinyl revival as well as living in the “Live Music Capital of the World.” more ›

Ok, ok, it’s been said before, and it will all be said again, but something happens to a society on edge and at war, and that something is happening now, an subconscious shiver that plays out tangibly, and literally, not just on cable and the and radiowaves but in music venues across the U.S. Will 2009 ultimately be dubbed Year of the Freakout? There’s a case to be made there, as we all the meantime follow “Mad Men,” transfixed by characters grappling with identity issues, about to be caught in a riptide of racial politics and a national disgrace of a war. Hmm. Well, it’s a good year for Halloween, as citizens all over the political spectrum slog, wade, or tip-toe through suspenseful pauses. And the Black Angels, homecomers fresh off a tour with The Raveonettes, know this. That’s why they’re hosting a freakout, complete with an event poster featuring an ambivalent, Voltron-eyed Obama in a Jean Genet-esque pose. (We guess.) more ›

There's a big ol' bevy of music on tap at Beerland tonight, including local psychedelic soundsters Shapes Have Fangs, Italian blues-punk peddlers Movie Star Junkies, local bluegrass act John Schooley & His One Man Band, and Austin's own psyched out Americana act, the Transgressors. more ›

Used to be the word “garage” was the template and the starting point for most if not all of rock and roll. Whether the garage was literal was irrelevant - the term could apply to a basement, empty room or vacant storage space/warehouse, or really anyplace a band could put their roots down, plug in equipment and then plug away at songs without disturbing the peace. Back then, rough demos were cut onto cassette tape (putting a pillow over the built-in microphone helped stifle cymbal noise), and “in the garage” recordings were the first and easiest way to get the word out about a project. more ›

If garage and psych rock are your thing, you've got a buffet in front of you for a Friday night. In addition to the Monotonix/Strange Boys performance at nearby Red 7, you may also elect to follow your ears to the rumbling of Emo's inside stage, where a quartet of local bands will be giving it their rocked-out all. more ›

If they were a shape, it definitely wouldn’t be a square, maybe a trapezoid or a parallelogram. But, those are probably too complicated. Austin’s Shapes Have Fangs have a 60’s guitar pop sound that’s a little dirty around the edges and complete with timeless hooks that might sound familiar to anyone who’s up on their vintage rock and roll. The slightly scratchy production on recordings of the group’s gritty guitar jangles and solos, harmonious background vocals, and occasional spry piano works because it’s not overblown and it sounds like a party you don’t want to be missing. more ›

101X FM’s 4th Annual Independent Workforce X-Mas show isn’t the only entertainment on offer at Emo’s this Thursday -- the station presents the latest installment of its Homegrown Live series on the inside stage with a triple shot of local talent. more ›

Straight up punk rock may be all the rage at Beerland on most nights but pop melodies are in vogue this Saturday when The Strange Boys and Shapes Have Fangs headline with sugary sweet potions that will keep your heads bobbing in unison throughout. The sound of the '60s is unavoidable in both bands’ lo-fi garage-rock and we decided to catch up with each of them for a quick rundown on the state of affairs in their respective circles. more ›

Beerland, known for music, old school video games, and, um, beer, will host a kind and compact cluster of five bands this Friday night, with all five bands making names for themselves within the confines of our fine city. Headlining will be The Diagonals, a subtle and scratchy outfit that, despite their somewhat workmanlike stylings while on stage, carries an innate danceability. Beyond that, Diagonals vocalist Steve Garcia, in some of his more speed-speak moments, has been compared to a young Michael Stipe...you know, before Michael Stipe had that whole fifteen years of boredom thing. more ›

“Ever wanted to be a space ship pilot in an 8-bit Nintendo game?” With that subject title, the latest press release from local synth-pop outfit Built By Snow grabbed our attention well before we even ventured into deep space. The “rad dudes” rescue a princess in the brilliant video for “Underneath”, the first song on their debut EP Noise, eventually scoring cheeseburgers for their troubles. The video incorporates plenty of eye catching imagery and retro animation and the result is a hilarious conglomeration of pop culture influences. more ›

Spiderhouse (probably one of Austin's most representative coffee shop-bar-patios) is hosting a full evening of music and fashion this Saturday, dubbed Fashion Freakout. more ›

Photos of some of the items to be shown at Fashion Freakout at The United States Art Authority (next to Spiderhouse) on Saturday, February 16th. more ›

Once again, Beerland is delivering the goods this week with a four bands worth of impressive up and comers. For hyperactive guitar-led jams that feature whip smart drums and a keyboard backbone, look no further than Shapes Have Fangs. Also harnessing the kinetic energy of garage jams are Diagonals, whose frontman Steve Garcia also rocks in Peek-A-Boo records signees Black Lipstick. more ›

Tonight's KEXP sponsored Hot Freaks + Gorilla vs. Bear blow-out features Dallas' Ghosthustler and Cry Blood Apache. We have a feeling there will be a lot of sweaty dance-a-holics leaning on each other They Shoot Horses, Don't They?-style on Red River Tuesday night. As always, the shows happen each Tuesday night, with the headliners taking turns. Shapes Have Fangs will lead the way next week, but for tonight, grab $2 and head downtown. Doors will... more ›

Don't forget about Low Line Caller's Residency show at the Mohawk this evening. The Mohawk Residency series continues to bring fantastic local bands together on alternating Tuesdays for your almost mid-week pleasure, and tonight is a good one, considering Shapes Have Fangswill open with their Shins-ish arrangements, and Marc Ferrino of Black Before Red will add his vocal prowess to their usually instrumental set. While we're pondering the ramifications of mathematical entities having the ability... more ›

Following up on the tremendous success of last month's inaugural showcases (featuring White Denim and Peel), the Mohawk Residency Series returns in June to feature two more exciting local indie acts. Low Line Caller (with Marc Ferrino) and Tree Wave will each headline alternating Tuesday nights. The Residency Series is presented by Hot Freaks andGorilla vs. Bear, and sponsored by KEXP, The Onion, And/Or Gallery (Dallas), and yours truly. June 5 Low Line Caller with... more ›

FRIDAY [18] festival • Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrations at Palmer Events Center (11:30am-1pm) party • Nightster Launch Party with Riverboat Gamblers at Scoot Inn (Free Bud 8-9pm, Show at 10pm, 21+) art • Closing Reception: The Puppet Show - Puppets and portraits of Mexican artists by fourth-grade students at Sanchez Elementary at Las Manitas Avenue Cafe, 211 Congress (4:30-6pm) books • Milton Burton presents The Sweet and the Dead at BookPeople (7:00pm)... more ›

THURSDAY [25] music • Meryll, The Lovely Sparrows at The Parish Room music • Many Birthdays, Skiesfalling, The Ron Titter Band at Emo's music • The Laughing, Bello Ragazzo, Shapes Have Fangs, DJ Brian Tweedy at Stubb's ® music • Cartright, Pataphysics, Cavedweller, Smoke Detector at Beerland music • Ottmar Leibert at The Paramount Theatre music • The Missing Tapes, Student Film, Pompeii, The Onlys at Continental Club music • Lindsey Buckingham at Hogg... more ›

Of all the cafés in Austin, Progress Coffee has to be one of the most ambitious. Ambitious may even be an understatement considering what owners Joshua and Sarah Bingaman have done to establish their little eastside gem as a casual, cultural environment that’s equally welcoming to day and night crowds. In addition to serving deconstructed delicacies, traditional café fare, coffee, and booze, Progress Coffee also regularly hosts literary events, art exhibitions, and live music. They... more ›