It's always a sad thing when an old friend stops hanging out. And that's the sentiment sure to be held this Thursday night as Brazos, one of Austin's most solid acts the past few years, hangs up their skins and axes for good. But let's not be too sad for them—the reason for their untimely departure from the Austin scene is that the drummer got into Harvard. Harvard! But really, their nearly flawless approach to pop-folk-rock (the band has existed for only a few years, but they play together like seasoned veterans) will be missed. But don't lose too much sleep—though the drummer will be departing for cooler climes, the rest of the band is sticking around, and new homes surely will be found for the tunes the remaining members write....

In a classy joint like the Monarch Event Center in Austin, a place which sometimes houses career fairs, ice balls and the occasional fund raiser, Saturday night six of Austin’s finest musical undertakings will perform for a little more than a dollar a band. All different forms of local rock will be represented, from pop to experimental to garage to countrified indie rock to other at the Tangled Snark Summer Party. Hey, rock and roll can be classy....

Zookeeper is the perfect nom d’arte for Chris Simpson. Technically Zookeeper is a band, a group effort, but Simpson is the one constant. He acts as frontman and ringleader for a pack of ragamuffin rockers associated with projects like Bishop Allen, Zykos, The Glass Family, 1986 and Sad Accordions. And Simpson knows how to write songs that capitalize on this unique amalgamation of talent. Zookeeper is more into performing than practicing, which makes each show a distinct and fantastic musical circus....