Jan 15
Blues, Country, Indie Rock, Soul No Comments
Although it was the first time in some ten years that both primary contributors to Concert Central were actually at a concert together, we only saw a couple of songs. But the band still managed to make their goodness clear. A rootsy indie sound and fronted by a very lovely young girl with a great voice. Originally from Alabama but now in Austin
Oct 26
Art Rock, Funk, Hard Rock No Comments
WomanInCharge, true to form, didn’t invite me to this show (Dirty Projectors) but told me I was going… this band was darling darling darling – smiles washed over the crowd – had the stage presence of Matt & Kim: happy clean jumping dancepunk – the little girl with the long hair in a barrette and the green eyelashes painted under her right eye was fierce and inflamed with a voice that reminded me of Grand Ole Party and maybe CocoRosie – her compatriot guitarist with the 70s fluffed hair matched her energy – lots of drums, a keyboard, a whaw pedal, occasional trumpet, sometimes a saxophone – a synthy disco rock inferno – maintained hyped up stage presence until it was certain that the audience had been saved – they almost outshone the headiners
Jul 15
this band played music I would never ever listen to and I loved them – it was rousing brassy soul that Rockboy called R&B, as it was born at least – the red-headed lead singer seemed to be a former choir boy what with his slacks and shiny vest but his frenetic sweaty bug-eyed antics made him immensely watchable – not sure if they were doing covers or original material
Jun 07
Blues, Chicago Blues, Funk, Soul No Comments
may be the most professional slick band I’ve seen in Austin, and while that usually annoys me, it suits their music – they’re local but touring in support of the New York Dolls – lots of soul, some wah-wah 70s funk and then some Chicago blues – a brass section of saxes and a trumpet, two guitars, drums, etc. etc. – whole assemble was having a good time – Joe Lewis’ voice isn’t remarkable but he has a pleasing innocent fun demeanor on stage – he supposedly started as a blues singer in Austin with the likes of Scott H. Biram but found his success with the addition of the Honeybears
Mar 20
Dub, Pop, Reggae, Soul No Comments
this band has a gorgeous reggae-pop sound that I’ve come to crave – probably because of the touches of dub – singer’s voice is also a husky high-pitched delight – although my drunk compatriots were a bit of a distraction and my view was often blocked, the band did not disappoint a bit – music and lyrics can move from fun to more soulful and melancholy – they were a group of 3 to 5 clean-cut nice-looking white and black people – “Where’s your soul gone to?”
Mar 18
Modern Rock, R&B, Ska No Comments
I couldn’t pin a genre on this band if I tried. Their boyish joie de vivre was incredibly infectious and we made the boys stay because we were infected. They progressed from R&B to ska to blues rock. The lead singer had the tight jeans on, like all the boys do (much to my 30-something friends’ dismay), and a mohawkesque haircut and small tattoos on his neck and grins all over the place. I googled them and got this urban definition: “A female on the snow who makes you crack a fat even in sub zero temperatures.” Maybe that helps you pin them down… Oh no, it wasn’t Ski Bunny – the band on MySpace is entirely different – the schedule must have changed – I hate when that happens. Ok, so more specifically, it was 4 to 5 very young males… that’s all I’ve got.
Mar 18
Alternative Rock, Blues, Comedy, Country, Electronic, Pop, R&B, Rap, Rock and Roll No Comments
We’re all bickering on a hot street: WomanInCharge on crutches and no cabs in sight. Two of us head off towards busier corners to find a taxi when what to our wondering eyes should appear, but an oddly shaped taxicab coming so near. We whooped, climbed in and shortly realized that this was no normal taxi. It was shaped like a big box, had a stripper’s pole and fluorescent lighting. Even better, there was an interactive jukebox-style touch screen with a wealth of music videos from the 70s to 00s to choose from. 3 to 4 TV screens allowed a clear view for every passenger. The kind of random magic that only happens during SXSW… or anytime of the year for the lucky few who know to call 512-626-TAXI.
Mar 18
Funk, Modern Rock, Psychedelic No Comments
These kids today can’t get over the irony of including ‘clap’ in the name of your band. I’m over it. We were there because WomanInCharge said that NPR had recommended them, though we eventually wondered why we were relying on popular music advice from NPR. 7 members in the band, with stand-outs being 1) the 40-something paisley-shirted, scraggly-hair lead guitarist (it was noted that his porno appearance suited the music); 2) his 70s soul brother in big sunglasses and a polyester shirt on the keyboards; and 3) their 2 barely-legal females in 80s garb. WomanInCharge was probably correct in her observation that the girls were the attractive foil for a somewhat older collection of better male musicians. The girls, per the demands of their generation, were in high-waisted jeans and one even had horrid horrid shoulder pads on – they remained cool and unmoved by the music throughout the set – playing their tambourines like girls in a Robert Palmer music video. They started off straight disco but then devolved into psychedelia with bright moments of funk. An indie electronic / dance rock band from Brooklyn which was only evident when one of the girls did an old-school rap over a funky backbeat. 70s vibe all over the place. Liked them.
Mar 05
Gangsta Rap, Hip Hop, Motown, Old School, Soul, Underground Hip Hop No Comments
I liked this guy a lot but I’m not positive that’s his name – I thought he was calling himself Rick Undercut… he came out in a stupid fake long clumpy beard but he worked the crowd (unlike last guy), he moved quickly through his songs (which always pleases my quick-process style) and played a diverse mix of soul, hardcore rap, and sleazy 70s funk, he did a little bit of scratching but mostly was attentive and interactive, he had an unfortunately drab voice but it didn’t hurt him too much
Feb 27
Funk, Hard Rock, Texas Blues No Comments
I am embarrassed that I enjoy this band so much what with their unfair use of everything good in rock and roll: heavy bass lines, groovy blues licks, funky pick-ups, but to their redemption, they’ve also got talent, soul, authenticity, and diversity. At previous shows, they’d been more about the tight hopped-up songs (which they still did), but tonight there was only three band members (lead guitar, pedal steel and drums) and they did some extended intense jams as well as some lighter country numbers (Moonhanger songs?), with both guitarists exchanging vocalizing duties. I like Chili Cold Blood, I cannot lie.
Jun 11
soul/R&B, think they were high quality but just not my thing, didn’t fit the show either, nice little earnest singer
Apr 04
Blues, Classic Rock, Funk, Hard Rock No Comments
as good as I remembered, some kind of heavy-riff wah-wah-funk bar blues, from Sabbath to classic rock to…, apparently have another band that’s all old country (Moonhangers)
Mar 02
Blues, Rock and Roll, Soul No Comments
immediately striking and enjoyable, bluesy rock with rootsy jive
Jan 04
a testament to the diversity and quality that my favorite venue was offering for free week, chaos ensued from this point on but it was a string of be-horned guys doing funk-blues, possibly in a line and stepping in unison as if it were 1965
Dec 06
unimpressive rap/funk outfit at first – first rapper was too Tribe but the second rapper (he walked in late through a side door in his sweat suit and gut) was a little dirtier and much smoother – very interesting concoction of a band: keyboard, two guitarists, drummer, sax, trumpet, trombone and two rappers – though Mr. Rapper was good I think I enjoyed their departure into salsa the most – they did get people dancing in an unreceptive bar
Oct 20
Gospel, Rockabilly, Soul No Comments
Did not want to go see some old lady doing early rockabilly but how could I not love her? Tiny spunky 70 year old. Clear that she’d lived but still had the restraint of an older generation. Voice is an awesome blend of raw scratch and melody. Knew how to bring the party. She created an experience. Must mention that she dated Elvis Presley, though he wasn’t the husband helping her off the stage.
Apr 24
House, Modern Rock, Soul No Comments
they made my face smile mostly because they are indescribable, love them for the drone as in band above – they always make me think of New York diners and dark streets with car lights streaking, but they are more than that live – more black, some soul and some Seal though I won’t stand that by that, kind of a heavy rock band with a crooner singer, can’t describe them because they are that special
Nov 20
rock gospel, four guitars?, funny though they didn’t mean it to be way of talking
Sep 19
just didn’t impress, that bland white-boy soul rap aura (they’re black though) which annoys me, they’re actually more of a funk band
Sep 18
MandolinWoman is thankful each time she sees him b/c he will soon die and BestGirlFriend’s brother the blues aficionando adores him, 80 years old, good old strong gospel blues, a legend apparently
Sep 18
always link them to Aaron Neville 90s nastiness but they are a classic funk outfit, so I saw them
May 15
from New York, two saxes, trumpet, bass and two other guitars, drummer, put on an excellent show, continual stream of mildly gimmicky stage moves, all instrumentalists were attractive and of undisclosed ethnic background (NY) but could have stood to appear to be enjoying themselves, lead singer was a short fury of a black woman who controlled all Al Green style, some politics, some fun, some sad, I loved the whole spectacle, the soul funk makes me want to dance harder “within myself” than any other kind of music, LameGuitarGuy turned up his nose and said that the vocalist eclipsed the musicians and that his funk band was more jazz than soul, white boy
May 15
70s funk DJs (they weren’t seen but MyHero says there’s usually a guy with mic on stage ripping on people in crowd), people love this stuff, it is a new resurgence or has forever been loved?
Jan 18
a large collection of white boys—lots of brass, knew how to work the music to work the crowd, breakdowns, had the white hippie boys dancing
Jan 18
two girls put this event (Freaks the Funk Party) on to support their website and “community” of performers (white girl?), D-Madness is purportedly an Austin legend—plays drums, guitar, harmonica and sings at nearly the same time, him and a funk bassist
Nov 23
more interesting now that I know he was a tortured Afghan Whig rocker who tore up shows then went to a mental institution then started Twilight Singers, much harder live—different sound and vibe—love the recordings but the man was a good live show, odd combo of soulful jazz crooner and leering rocker, really like this band
Sep 21
religious acopella gospel, I was wanting that call and response soul-tugging gospel
Sep 21
good hard jazz funk but seen enough this weekend
Sep 21
Art Rock, Gospel, Jam Band, Psychedelic No Comments
triumphant hopped-up Pink Floyd, spiritual leaders for tripping hippies, hilarious—twenty-some people in white robes jumping like mad on the stage, energy++++, Up With People on psychedelics
Sep 21
Country, Outlaw Country, Rock and Roll, Soul No Comments
best of the females, rough voice, rough looks, entertaining lyrics, Heart and country, said “fuck” five+ times and threw fit when lost lyrics
Sep 21
Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz No Comments
jazz-funk overlaid with rap, rap annoyed—juvenile, slur-messy style—lyrics about school, harmonica nice addition, groove but always the same, Jack Johnson helped start show with two ballads
Sep 20
Funk, Rock and Roll, Soul Comments Off
MandolinWoman raved about their steel guitar—looked like a lap guitar to me (?), black near-ghetto-style boys with a white mustached guitar player, passionate and hard, gave shout-outs to Steely Dan, basically did excellent covers of Jimi Hendrix
new fiction by Andrew Marx
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