Back when the term emo wasn’t either an insult or part of the marketing lexicon for tween-targeting clothing stores, there was Sunny Day Real Estate. While not the originators of the fledgling genre, they’re a reminder that melodic, sensitive punk rock hasn’t always been synonymous with poor quality. Together, the band released two records in the mid-nineties that proved to be massively influential and Diary, their debut, even spawned what we used to call an “alternative rock” hit single in the song “Seven.” What happened next was much publicized; lead singer Jeremy Enigk took time away from the band to record his debut solo release Return of the Frog Queen and to actively become a Christian, and a year later the band reformed to craft two more albums before disbanding for good. Three former members of Sunny Day Real Estate, Enigk included, formed The Fire Theft in lieu of simply reforming their old band, but that group also appears to be in hiatus....

Austin's Electric Touch are something of an overnight sensation. They turned up on the local scene in late 2007, the product of former IV Thieves member Shane Lawlor (who moved here from Nottingham, England with his ex-band) and former Bojones members Christopher and Louis Messina. After playing a few gigs, the band quickly landed a record deal with Houston's Justice label along with gigs at SXSW, Lollapalooza, and ACL Fest. The band will also be touring for a month with Scotland's The Fratellis this fall....

Every once in a while a band manages to completely surpass the local initiation, breaking out into the national or international scene seemingly out of the blue. Though it's often the case that these bands -- despite well-educated marketing teams by their side -- fling themselves out into the wilds of pop fancy only to be thrown back home to local audiences who have never heard of them, it's not necessarily the rule. ...

After releasing a couple of stellar EPs, Wild Sweet Orange dropped its debut full-length We Have Cause To Be Uneasy late last month on Canvasback Music. The band recently performed on the Late Show with David Letterman on CBS while you can hear their thoughts on Fox’s American Idol series here. The Alabama outfit rolls into town this Sunday (Tickets) to wrap up our weekend with poignant ditties that highlight Preston Lovinggood’s songwriting skills, and crunching compositions that emphasize the group’s inherent talent. A couple of local bands, Electric Touch and Jets Under Fire, get things going at this inside show at Stubb’s; doors at 8 p.m. The Hush Sound headlines Antone’s on Sunday in support of its March ‘08 release Goodbye Blues....

Language Room fans rejoice: their new handmade EP is available at shows (next gig is Sept. 13 @ Red Eyed Fly), and they're heading into the studio soon to start work on a full-length, to be produced by Blue October's Matt Novesky....

Emmylou Harris has canceled her Wednesday, August 6 performance at Stubb's. If you bought a ticket online, you will be automatically refunded. Paper ticket holders will be refunded. At this time, there is no reschedule date. All other ticket buyers please contact Front Gate Tickets at 512.389.0315. ...

Brothers Benjamin Curtis and Brandon Curtis, along with Josh Garza, formed The Secret Machines in Dallas at the turn of the century after stints in a few bands such as UFOFU and Captain Audio. The trio relocated to New York, but Benjamin Curtis left the band last year to pursue his School of Seven Bells project....

When you wake up in the morning and decide it's time for a nice, warm dose of clever bandname wordplay, look no further than indie poppers Dear and the Headlights to find your fix. The Arizonan quintet have been building a steady stream of slow-building momentum this past year, and their very Okkervil Riverian sound will discover a wider audience with the release of their new LP—the aptly-named Drunk Like Bible Times—this September 30th. But, before that ultimate date, they'll be showing off some of their new wares, and knocking over tables in the temple, at Stubb's tonight. ...

Oh, we see—you didn't know Billy Bob had a band. You were probably more familiar with his turns in film, you know, that little flick he had called Sling Blade? It won some awards, right? And what about Bandits, or Monster's Ball? Maybe even Bad Santa rings a bell? But, regardless of whether you remember that particular piece of filmic glory or not, surely you recall his star turn aside Angelina Jolie, the one where he played Angelina Jolie's husband. There was word about them wearing vials of each other's blood around their necks, and the adoption of a child from Cambodia—an act which ostensibly set running the trend of Hollywood child-collecting. There also was an epidemic of questions such as "Angelina Jolie is married to him?" BUT ALL THAT IS BESIDE THE POINT. Tonight, at Stubb's, we get to hear Thornton's musical side, as he and his band The Boxmasters lay down some tunes....

This unassuming-looking man on the right is Nels Cline, an extraordinarily talented guitarist who seemed destined to drift in and out of pop music's subconscious with avant jazz's finest and punk rock's most legendary. A couple years ago, however, Cline made the leap into the relative mainstream, joining Jeff Tweedy and Wilco. ...

Despite extended hope and an appeal attempt, Boy George has been denied a US visa, postponing his U.S. tour scheduled for this summer and fall. The reason? He's waiting for a November trial in London, facing charges of false imprisonment relating to an April 2007 incident. His Austin date, slated for August 21 at Stubb's, has been canceled, and refunds are being issued through Front Gate if you've purchased with a credit card. [Boy George......

Austin’s You Were Always are big fans of anything Mark Kozelek, and it shows on their brand new 5-song EP, Ghost Lanes, for which they will be having a CD release show at Stubb’s indoors on Saturday night with The Midgetmen and The Bubbles....

We don’t really need Rob Garza and Eric Hilton to bring us any heat – but we doubt they can help it. The duo that is Thievery Corporation makes music so sensual that the audience (the very lucky audience – it’s a sold-out show) at Stubb’s on Tuesday will just have to get a little extra sweaty....

No introduction to Seattle act Grand Archives would be complete without a mention of Carissa’s Wierd. The latter band’s eclectic folk-pop was captured on three stellar records in the late 90’s through to 2002; Carissa’s Wierd disbanded in 2003 and Mat Brooke moved on to Band of Horses before eventually forming Grand Archives. The first set of Grand Archives’ demos appeared in March of 2007 while Sub Pop dropped their self-titled full length debut in February this year. Chock-full of rich harmonies, inspirational crescendos, undeniable hooks, and thoughtful lyricism, the record basks in a variety of lush instrumentation with a smooth dream-pop sound tying it all together. From the chirpy “A Setting Sun” to the downtrodden “Swan Matches”, from the freewheeling “Miniature Birds” to the epic “Sleepdriving”, Grand Archives is an impeccable soundtrack fit to pacify a wide array of emotions....

A trio of Austin acts will be ruling the proverbial roost at Stubb's tonight. The indoor show will start off with Jude Ross, followed by Leatherbag, and finally Dana Falconberry. The evening promises a solid set for a low low sticker price -- especially for those who have been finding themselves seduced by the backward looking AM gold stylings of other local acts like Brothers and Sisters. ...

Ladytron, touring behind their latest album Velocifero, brought a slightly new lineup to Stubb's on Friday night. The backing band may have changed a bit but they delivered the solid electronica-infused rock that has made them a critical darling. Datarock opened with a sweaty set of friendly Norwegian dance rock....

Ye old music fans, gather 'round! Come n' get a dose of weekly show previews! On Friday, Ladytron will be at Stubb's. Touring on their fourth studio album, Velocifero, Ladytron will be sure to bring their unique blend of glam/electro-pop. Norway's Datarock opens, and doors are at 7:00 p.m....

Stubb's indoors will host your fill of contemplative instrumental tunes this evening, so come out tonight to fulfill your recommended dose of dreamy lap-pop, spacey guitar work and thick reverb with a trio of performances from upcoming acts. ...

Stubb's has been heavy this year with big acts in relatively small confines: we've already seen Justice, R.E.M., Wilco, and The Raconteurs there and it's merely May 15th. The list will continue in August when the pride of Kentucky, My Morning Jacket, headline a scorchingly hot evening at the BBQ venue on August 24th as part of their Evil Urges tour....

A regular fixture on Austin's stages, Jeff Tweedy and Wilco certainly appeal to a broad cross-section of our city's music fans due to their sonic juxtapositions of alt.country, folk, and noisy Neil Young/Sonic Youth guitar rock. The group turned down their amps on last year's Sky Blue Sky, which found a pensive Tweedy retreating into gentle folk tunes after a series of critically lauded experimental albums like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and A Ghost Is Born. The new record was more of a polarizer: in a "year in music" wrap-up on KUT last year, KUT DJ David Brown named it one of his Top 5 of the year, while Austin American-Statesman music writer Joe Gross called it one of the year's biggest disappointments. ...

The question of what Jack White would sound liked backed by an entire band and not just the no-frills beats of his supposed sibling/actual ex-wife Meg White was answered when Mr. White, solo artist Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence and Patrick Keeler formed The Raconteurs in 2005 and released their hooky debut Broken Boy Soldiers in 2006. Since then, the band has toured everywhere, released their sophomore album Consoler of the Lonely at the tail end of March, and are on the docket to play the Austin City Limits Festival again this September. ...

The canceled Cat Power show that was scheduled for last Sunday, April 20 has been rescheduled for October 11, 2008. The venue (Stubb's) remains the same, we'll have more on opening acts, backing bands, etc. as information becomes available. ...

Earlier this year, Austin bar the Mohawk earned the "Best Bar in America" title from Esquire readers. Now, on the cusp of the summer tour circuits, Rolling Stone has declared Stubb's BBQ "Best Rock Club" in America. ...

Panic at the Disco brought their advertising laden tour to Stubb's on Saturday night. ...

We're sorry to report that the Cat Power show scheduled for Sunday evening at Stubb's has been postponed due to "damaged vocal chords." ...

This weekend culminates on April 20th, 4:20 even, and it’s no surprise than many of Austin’s inhabitants aim to celebrate this cultural holiday in fine fashion come Sunday. But before we get to that lofty milestone, local lawyer and musician Charlie Roadman hosts the Third Annual Marijuana Law for Musicians seminar on Friday at The Mohawk. The presentation is free and starts at 7 p.m. Come find out what you can get away with in Travis County and also sign up for a chance to win two free Radiohead tickets for their show in Dallas on May 18th....

Let's not mince words: when Cat Power comes to town, it's pretty much mandated by law that you attend. This is because not only will you be able to witness one of the most shockingly talented vocalists in the world, but you also may learn a thing or two. For those who don't remember, let's do a brief recap of what we learned last time the timeless (and timelessly eccentric) soulstress was in town: that Chan Marshall, the woman behind the voice, is on steroids, that she was born deaf, that she wants to shoot her monitors, that she likes to apologize to the crowd, that steroids make you angry (and that's why they make you stronger), and on and on she went with her pearls of wisdom. Pretty much, she's a spectacularly unpredictable bounty of non-sequiturs and stunning musicianship....

The week after SXSW is tough. Everyone is behind on their work and buried in email and errands, all of the out-of-town visitors have headed back to cold climes, and nobody has it in them to head out for a show just yet. To combat the post-SX gloom, we've compiled a list of major concerts coming to Austin in the next 90 days. This is by no means comprehensive (check Showlist Austin for that), but merely a warning about great upcoming events that will likely sell out - indeed, two already have. So peruse the list, hit the appropriate ticket outlet (or Craigslist for Feist or The Cure), and get ready to continue to rock....

Justice made a pre SXSW stop at Stubb's on a freezing cold Monday night, playing tracks off their bass resistant, a-typical French house album "†" to a sold out crowd intent on keeping warm by living the dream: D.A.N.C.E. If you can't view the Flash slideshow above, an alternate version appears after the jump.......

They Might Be Giants have been making music as a band since 1982. Their odd but endearing mix of accordian, saxophone, and guitars coupled with witty lyrics earned them a huge college radio following from the mid-80's on. Songs like "Don't Let's Start" and "Birdhouse In Your Soul" even became hits, and the duo toured and recorded ad infinitum. A second chapter of their story is quite unusual: TMBG are now famous in children's circles. In 2002, the group released "No!", a kids record they had recorded years earlier for fun. The record was a surprise smash, leading to deals with both Disney for a series of children's music CD's and Simon and Schuster for the CD + book Bed, Bed, Bed (which also features a pre-Juno Kimya Dawson). Having conquered the grownups and the kids, They Might Be Giants have also become in-demand composers for TV, doing the themes for "Malcolm In The Middle", "The Daily Show", and even some Dunkin' Donuts ads. We're unsure when the group sleeps, because they seem to be awfully prolific. ...