Toadies

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Wednesday night was the beginning of a 3 night stay @ Stubb’s for the Toadies. Until just recently, it’s been a few years since the band has offered up any new recorded material, seven years I believe to be the number. Aside from the lack of activity, the popularity of the band has maintained if not increased over those 7 years. Evidence in the form of 2 sold out nights @ Stubb’s forcing a third show to be added, should prove that the love for the Toadies holds strong. That and the latest release from the band No Deliverance debuting @ #59 on Billboard top 200 and being the #4 best selling independent record.

Starting of this three day Toadie fest, was one of Austin’s local homegrown act Lions. Lions have slowly been increasing their swagger over the last couple of years gaining popularity locally as well as nationally keeping up a constant touring schedule, which currently has them on the road for the next few weeks with the Toadies. Scoring a spot on Guitar Hero 3 with the song “Heavy Metal Lady” surely did well for the bands appeal and their street credibility as well as having songs featured later this year in the Showtime series Californication and a new FX series Sons of Anarchy.

Lions hard work and refusal to do nothing more than rock as hard as they can, while promoting and believing in themselves relentlessly have proven a succesful formula for the band.  Watching the band take the Stubbs outside stage for the first time and working the hometown into a frenzy with their no nonsense style of knock down drag out rock-n-roll, made this Austinite proud. Rock-n-roll is at it’s least popular in years in the music industry, and Lions are doing their part to keep it alive and well.  Sure, most of the fans came out this night to see the Toadies, but the ones that witnessed Lions, surely won’t forget Lions and will be there for the next time they set foot on an Austin stage.

MP3> Lions ‘Get Out Alive’

Lions

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 6th, 2008 at 1:40 pm and is filed under austin bands, live shots, mp3's, Uncategorized.