In studying the history of metal, we constantly learn that the sinister sounds prevalent in the genre tend to be a product of their environment. The blue-collar culture and gloomy backdrop of Birmingham’s factories inspired Tony Iommi’s frightening guitar riffs (although that accident played its part as well). Pontiak might not fall directly into the same category as Black Sabbath but with thunderous riffs, eerie soundscapes, and miles and miles of slow burning psychedelic sludge, the Virginia based three-piece has carved a place for itself in Sabbath’s expansive family tree. Pontiak recorded its second full-length Sun on Sun in four days in a log cabin in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the raw texture and rumbling drone that marks record may well have been inspired by the landscape outside. The album’s aural aesthetic also reflects the unique acoustics of the makeshift studio and the result is an earth-shattering soundtrack to a day in the wild.... [continue]

Although you will never get another opportunity to experience the magic of Pink Floyd’s original line-up, live in concert, you may still be able to catch Roger Waters or David Gilmour peddling their wares solo, or attend the occasional special event for the ages. However, your best (and most realistic) bet to enjoy the plethora of Floyd classics in a mesmerizing setting might be Paramount’s LaserSpectacular: Featuring The Music Of Pink Floyd. The show began in 1986 in San Antonio and can now tag itself as the “Longest Touring Theater Show in History!” Tickets for the February 13th Laser Spectacular at the Austin Music Hall go on sale this Saturday but we have two tickets to give away today! Enter (further) below for your chance to be there on the 13th, and then duly begin your personal mission to obtain 3D glasses, and the odd hallucinogenic substance, no doubt.... [continue]

Australian non-profit organization The Movember Foundation believes that men just don’t take care of their health well enough and has initiated an annual event (“Movember”) each November around the world to raise awareness about prostate cancer. The entity was founded in 2004 and has since raised almost US $30 million all over the world. In the U.S., Movember has teamed up with Prostate Cancer Foundation to educate the masses. As per Movember’s U.S. website, “Men lack awareness about the very real health issues they face. Many feel they have to be tough - "a real man" - and are reluctant to see a doctor about an illness or to go for regular medical check ups. The aim of Movember is to change these attitudes and make men's health fun by putting the Mo back on the face of American men while raising some serious funds for the number one men's health issue, prostate cancer.”... [continue]

Three years after dazzling at our first Local Music Is Sexy bash, Visitors continue to coin undeniable pop ditties and fine tune their recording practices. Their debut full-length Secrets, chock-full of catchy melodies and introspective lyricism, is suitable for freewheeling mornings and late evening reflection alike, and the follow-up demos from earlier this year harbored a true gem of song in “Dreamin.” The band worked with Bryan Richie (The Sword) on the new recordings in March of this year but since we have not received any updates regarding an official release for those songs, we decided to check in with Jason Saldaña from the band earlier this week.... [continue]

Transmission Entertainment has quite a few gifts lined up for us as we approach Christmas but the Ice Cube show on December 14th at The Mohawk might possibly be the best present we receive this December. And we want to pass on the merriment by offering an early chance to win two tickets to this concert -- enter (further) below!... [continue]

Flosstradamus brought the dance party to Austin on a Tuesday recently and judging by the impressive collage of beats they bestowed upon us that evening at The Mohawk, Black & Tan best be prepared for a Friday night to remember. J2K (Josh Young) and Autobot (Curt Cameruci) started spinning as Flosstradamus in Chicago in 2005, and over the years, have gained prominence with their scintillating mixes. The duo flawlessly blends electronica, hip hop, and rock ‘n’ roll, and their collaboration has yielded some killer remixes -- check out Flosstradamus’ interpretation of Matt & Kim’s “Yeah Yeah” on their MySpace page. Flosstradamus’ star has risen from the early days of spinning at house parties and Town Hall Pub in Chicago, to gigs at major festivals like SXSW and Coachella. The Cool Kids, Amanda Blank (Amanda Mallory), and Young’s older sibling Melisa Young (better known as Kid Sister) are all expected to play a role in Flosstradamus’ much anticipated full-length. Should be quite the pseudonym fest. King Louie and Doneski support this evening at Black & Tan.... [continue]

After churning out three full-lengths as well as a rarities record and a live album in three years (and many other releases prior to 2005) as Bright Eyes, the talented (and oft-maligned) Conor Oberst utilizes his given name for his latest effort. The prolific Nebraskan helped create the legend of Saddle Creek Records in the '90s, and he co-founded Team Love in 2005, providing an outlet for the likes of Tilly and the Wall. His new self-titled album, however, was released on Merge Records this past August. The musicians that supported Oberst’s wistful ditties during the recording process in Mexico eventually came to be known as the Mystic Valley Band, and based on memories of their performance at this year’s ACL Fest and the ensuing aftershow, Stubb’s could witness a very special night of music on Friday. So come on down to Stubb’s, enjoy a tasty dinner, and warm yourself up with Oberst’s earnest tales -- doors are set to open at 7 p.m; The Felice Brothers and Rig 1 get things rolling.... [continue]

Dremnt The End specializes in slick dance-rock ditties powered by sizzling six-string output and catchy hooks galore. The band formed in Austin in 2004 and over the years, has garnered a sizeable legion of fans craving epic rock songs. Dremnt The End first showcased at SXSW in 2005, and in 2007, they finished in the Top 20 in The Dell Lounge pre-ACL Fest contest, The Sound and The Jury. The band’s huge sound, produced and polished to perfection, should translate into a scintillating live show, and we want you there! Enter the form (further) below for a chance to win two tickets to their concert at La Zona Rosa this Friday.... [continue]

Hip hop isn’t the only genre to get excited about this week -- metal is holding its own as well. There’s the highly anticipated Torche show at Red 7 tomorrow, and tonight, head to Stubb’s and take in screeching guitars, vocals that break the silence like only Queensrÿche once could, lyrics that hark back to the glory days of Manowar, Iron Maiden-esque “woh-oh-oh” chants, and general metal mayhem. This ain’t your father’s Twisted Sister or the RATT in your cellar. This is DragonForce and you too can bow to their heaviness tonight. Stubb’s opens its doors at 5:30 p.m. this evening; Turisas and Powerglove precede DragonForce on stage.... [continue]

One of the most prolific and respected rap artists of the last 15 years, Murs (Nick Carter) brings his vast catalog of hip hop classics to Emo’s tonight. Murs started out with 3 Melancholy Gypsies in the early '90s, eventually rubbing shoulders with a plethora of musicians under the Log Cabin Crew moniker and as the Living Legends collective. Over the years, Murs has demonstrated his talent and versatility on a number of solo albums as well as endless collaborative efforts, working with the likes of Aesop Rock, El-P, 9th Wonder, James Blunt, and Terror.... [continue]

Fun Fest is done and dusted but that’s no reason to stay home this weekend. On Friday, The Story Of celebrates the release of its new album at the River Revolution Party in a cabin on the banks of the Colorado River -- Until the Autumn was recorded at this cabin located at 7601 Shelton Lane (78725) in East Austin. Experience a full night of live music and DJ sets courtesy of local talent such as The Bright Light Social Hour, The Morakestra, DJ Thibault, and DJ Gmau. The Story Of is expected to take the stage around 11 p.m.; the agenda also includes a performance by The Heligoats from Illinois. A shuttle ($8 per person) will run from Progress Coffee to the cabin every hour on the hour starting at 9 p.m. (Enjoy the Progress November Residency series while you wait!) The event is free, biking is encouraged, parking for automobiles is $12 per vehicle, and overnight camping is an option as well -- full details here.... [continue]

The 2008 Fun Fun Fun Fest kicks off tomorrow at Waterloo Park and we hope you’ve been enjoying our artist profiles and interviews. The revelry actually starts tonight! First up, our esteemed music editor Paige Maguire leads a fantastic team of panelists for After The Jump: Following Bloggers Into Mainstream Media, presented by Austin CVB and Transmission Entertainment at Club de Ville on Friday at 7 p.m. Immediately following that, The Mohawk is the place to be for our very own Local Music Is Sexy bash. This year, Brothers and Sisters, The Lovely Sparrows, Leatherbag, and The Eastern Sea do our city proud on the outside stage before Foot Patrol (also from Austin) and a special guest move the party inside at midnight. Club de Ville hosts the soul samplings of the Waxploitation DJs after the aforementioned panel. On Saturday, finish up your day of unending live music with White Denim for a special Exposion release gig at The Mohawk.... [continue]

The 2008 Fun Fun Fun Fest is just around the corner and we hope you've been enjoying our lead up coverage. This year, a solid dose of comedy has been added to the usual punk, indie, hip hop, and electro entertainment on offer at Waterloo Park -- check out the detailed schedule here. And keep checking the Austinist for many more interviews and artists profiles all week.... [continue]

We kicked off our 2008 SPI Music Fest experience at the Dunes Stage at Schlitterbahn on Halloween in South Padre Island with funk 'n' punk courtesy of Mexico's 60 Tigres. The variety of costumes in the crowd included Alexander the Great and Wonder Woman, and plenty of nurses, fairies, devils, and a bat or two, making for a somewhat surreal afternoon. Add to that the plethora of cats that seem to have found home at the waterpark and it was truly unique beginning to this festival.... [continue]

Golden Arm Trio is the brainchild of Graham Reynolds, a legend for all his contributions to the music and arts community in Austin. Besides performing live in a wide array of settings around town, Reynolds has scored many a film in the past and continues to bring us innovative compositions and unique shows. The number of members in Golden Arm Trio and the different instruments utilized varies depending on the subject matter of the specific show but Reynolds' versatility and genius is a constant force that impeccably ties it all up. We caught up with the maestro this week to learn more about his inspirations, collaborations, and endeavors.... [continue]

We recently enjoyed another ACL Fest and this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest is a few days away but there is another music festival in Tejas this weekend -- the 2008 SPI Music Fest kicks off in South Padre today, with performances by the likes of Willie Nelson, Ghostland Observatory, Blue Öyster Cult, Alejandro Escovedo and Grupo Fantasma included at this imminent three day party. However, if you have no intention of leaving Austin, fret not, for our city is a nice little oasis of music this weekend as well -- carefully examine the “Halloween Special” Austinist Weekend Music Preview Slideshow above for details on many events in town over the course of Halloween weekend. Follow the jump to learn more about some of our choice picks but before you do, fill out the form below for a chance to win two tickets to see The Australian Pink Floyd Show at Austin Music Hall on Friday night.... [continue]

Jason Reece and Conrad Keely formed And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead as a duo in the mid-‘90s after moving to Austin from Olympia, Washington. Kevin Allen and Neil Busch joined soon after, but the band has undergone a few line-up tweaks since those early days. …Trail of Dead’s self-titled debut and Madonna were landmarks in the Austin music scene towards the end of the century; their rousing live shows were apocalyptic and exhilarating where no instrument or organism was spared if it interfered with the belligerent performance. The band has churned out one inventive record after another, sifting through noisy dream-rock, thunderous post-punk, and intricate chamber-pop during an illustrious even if sometimes underrated career. But there is little doubt in our mind that …Trail of Dead is one of the most influential and relevant bands to come out of our city despite often taking a backseat to the likes of Spoon, Ghostland Observatory, and more recently, White Denim. Although their live performances are not as intense as they used to be, there is no denying their talent and their penchant to deliver melodious rock ‘n’ roll mayhem at the drop of a dime. We caught up with Reece recently to quiz him on the state of the band and the city of Austin.... [continue]

Room 710 hosts a benefit show this Friday for Eliya Zay Herwick Nicol, a two year old Texan suffering from NEHI (Cell Hyperplasia Of Infancy), FTT (Failure To Thrive), and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease). Eliya Zay is being treated at the Houston Children’s Medical Center; the various bills along with the cost of the commute from their home in McAllen have caused a monetary crunch for the family. Help them out with a donation ranging from $5 to $10 at Room 710 on Friday -- Cher UK, The Meat Purveyors, Monkeytown, and The Sanguinistas are all scheduled to perform. The benefit kicks off at 9 p.m.... [continue]

Aussie singer-songwriter Missy Higgins and American piano maestro Ben Folds wear their hearts on their sleeves when it comes to their music, and we anticipate a couple of exhilarating sets this Saturday at Stubb’s. The cooling weather and the tasty BBQ along with Higgins’ affecting lyricism and Folds’ tongue-in-cheek approach should make for an extremely enjoyable evening. Higgins is supporting her second full-length On A Clear Night (released in the U.S. earlier this year on Warner Bros. + Reprise Records) while Folds will likely crank out tunes from his substantial catalog, including his third solo record Way To Normal (released last month on Epic Records).... [continue]

Ordinary in name but definitely not in game, Frank Smith could easily beat out the Joe Sixpacks of the world in any election if the agenda was bittersweet Americana ditties. Spearheaded by Aaron Sinclair, the Austin based outfit expertly assimilates introspective lyricism with pedal steel malaise, harmonica accents, and strains of the banjo to arrive at its brand of gritty alt-country. They might be fairly new to our town (having moved from Boston last year) but a look at their resume brings to light the fact that they have already released four albums, recorded a Daytrotter Session earlier this year, and received acclaims in the past from the Boston Phoenix and Boston’s Weekly Dig. Catch them early at Fun Fun Fun Fest -- they perform on Stage Two at 1:35 p.m. on Saturday, November 8th. Frank Smith will also open for The Redwalls at Club de Ville on October 31st. We caught up with Sinclair this weekend to quiz him on the band’s name, Juliana Hatfield, and the general awesomeness of Frank Smith.... [continue]