It’s been two weeks since the 2008 edition of Fun Fun Fun Fest, but it seems a lifetime away. Looking forward to what Transmission Entertainment has in-store for us next year, and until then a photo recap of our Fun Fest 2008.

Saturday

Sunday

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I still find it a bit curious that a lot of people, when mentioning Fun Fun Fun Fest, are not aware of it’s existence. I guess that is still one of the reasons that it remains to be one of my favorite weekends of the year. While it still remains a bit of a secret, I would imagine the secret will be out soon enough. One of the more interesting blends of up and coming indie-rock, punk, comedy, dj/electronica along with some of the well established in the industry all wrapped up in an environment that is as welcoming as it is, as the name would suggest, fun.

Sunday promised to be full of all the previously mentioned, and it couldn’t have started off better than with two bands early on that are among my favorite to watch perform live.

Ume

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A week has passed and the dust, still austerely running ramped within my veins, has possibly settled and another Fun Fun Fun Fest has come and gone. The third installment of one of Transmission Entertainment’s biggest events of the year was a definite success, albeit the clouds of heavy shoes kicking up remnants of a grassless park.

With many of the acts unknown to me, I was perfectly happy to experience a breath of fresh air and attend the two-day event, even if that fresh air consisted of punk music and dirt (not a major punk fan myself, but I’m always open to anything good, which there was plenty of….but I’m not a fan of dirt).

Here is a recap of my personal festival experience.

Naturally, whenever you have a huge event in Austin, one must always begin those events with plenty of smaller pre-events. (And besides, weekends in Austin never start on Friday.) Thursday night I caught the end of Local Music is Sexy IV, with Brothers and Sisters, Foot Patrol, Lovely Sparrows, Leatherbag, Eastern Sea and more at Mohawk. But to be honest, I was being ebulliently entertained by some fellow Sonic-Itchers and guests, and didn’t really pay attention to the music on stage (honesty is such a great attribute in the bloggosphere). But the place was packed and I was glad to see so many supporters of local music, even if some, like myself weren’t listening.

Sunday was the first day I attended the event. (Due to the sorry excuse of physical protection I call my immune system, I popped in early Saturday and decided it would be wise for me not to stay.) It was an early Saturday night for me, so I met all the hung-over faces to the sounds of Ume opening up Sunday morning.

The thing I love about Ume is their ability to completely throw any preconceived notions about bands and how they’re supposed to sound right under the bus. Even in between songs, guitarist/vocalist Lauren Larson, bassist Eric Larson and drummer Jeff Barerra, maintain the most professional composure, keeping their talk to a minimum. However, music-goers attend concerts to hear musicians play, not talk, and Ume always gracefully exhibits that their music is what they came to do.

With Lauren’s honest vocals ranging from slight pleas to intense screams, and the band’s unfaltering weight carrying her through, Ume’s crowd began to grow once the trio took stage. Their gentle and complicated waves of highs and hard hitting slams of lows made me wish there were more bands out there paying homage to the underground sounds of an early 90′s Seattle scene.  And I can’t tell you how many times I heard people asking who they were, gladly accepting my position as an already established fan by replying, “This is Ume, they’re badass.”

Look out for their new release set to come out sometime next year and definitely check them out again as they open up for Marnie Stern at Mohawk on November 18^th along with local delicious, pop band, Sour Notes. You love guitar goddesses that can damage your hearing and remind you that you need to keep practicing your licks? Then don’t miss this show. Doors are at 9.

Considering my Sunday started off so well, I decided to keep it going, heading over to check out two of the freshest (as in new, aspiring and unbelievably talented) MC’s Austin has seen in a while.

photo: Sandy Carson

Local artists, Zeale and Phranchyze have been hitting the hip-hop scene well before they were able to legally drink, and to me, anytime someone has the power to entertain a crowd on stage at a bar with “X’s” on their hands says something about their focus. And now, at the ripe ages of 25 and 23, they’ve definitely both established themselves as some of the city’s top-rated MC’s (they represented Austin during last year’s World Rap Championship freestyle tournament, going all the way to the quarter-finals in New York).

Their set, which began with the early crowd straggling in, made a believer in me that hip-hop in Austin is still alive and convinced those stragglers, with the help of DJ Kid Slice to even wave their hands and nod their heads in the unseasonable afternoon. In a city where indie-rock and blues have easily become the staple sound, many local hip-hop fans will tell you that the scene is too small. But between Phranchyze’s eclectic rhymes and Zeale’s commanding flow, these two make it exciting to be apart of the hip-hop scene here. Their stage presence is impossible to ignore, their words are even harder to resist (even if they are rapping about customized shoes and robots) and their loops lay anywhere between Pink Floyd and what could only be described as an Alien’s regurgitated resonance. And by the end of their set, no one in the crowd was even thinking about the “Houston, Texas sound” and their slow attempts by the looks of how the crowd grew and moved. Austin has always been different, which is why so many people love it here. And Zeale and Phranchyze are helping Austin stay that way, packing the genuine hip-hoppers all the way to the back.

Check their myspaces for future album releases and definitely catch them opening up for the always-jazzy Digable Planets (you know you loved, “Cool Like Dat” back in the day) on November 19^th at Emo’s. Doors are at 9.

Unfortunately, that was all that my allergies could handle.

But to be honest, I was completely satisfied.

Next year, I say we all throw a fundraiser for grass at Waterloo.

Nope, the band isn’t called the quick list of the rest.

It’s a bit last minute, but here is a quick rundown of the bands that we are going to be checking out this weekend, and suggest that you might do the same.

Saturday 11.8

…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead @ 4:50 on Stage 1:

The Austin band shed is former label and is on the brink of releasing it’s first full length on their own label. The band made a splash in the music scene with it’s first couple of releases, but seems to be struggling to find that ground once again. Once known for out of control shows, with the destruction of instruments to be a nightly practice, this is the time to see why lies at the end of the Trail of Dead. More dead maybe?

MP3> …And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead ‘Will You Smile Again?’

Magnetic Morning @ 6:45 on Stage 2:

What do you get when you take Adam Franklin from the great, late Swervedriver and pair him up with Interpol drummer Sam Fogarino? I sure as hell don’t know right now, but I’m going to find out on Saturday.

MP3> Magnetic Morning ‘At A Crossroads, Passive’

Dan Deacon @ 7:00 on Stage 4:

Electronic freakout with Deacon, the master of blips, beeps, and warbeling is sure to have you caught up in the atmosphere of his music party. Only if you want to have a little lighthearted fun.

MP3> Dan Deacon ‘Wham City‘

Sunday 11.9

Ume @ 12:25 on Stage 1:

Originally from Houston, and now calling Austin home, Ume unleashes it’s melodic sonic dissonance early on Sunday, fleshing out new songs that will see release in EP form.

MP3> Ume ‘The Conductor’

St Vincent @ 6:30 on Stage 1:

Annie Clark aka “St. Vincent” took home the Female Artist of The Year @ the 2007 Plug Awards, for a reason. The former member of Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens touring band, steps to the front and delivers witty lyrical stories layered in left-field arrangements constructed with a myriad of instruments. She’ so damn cute as well!

It’s getting to be about that time. Time for the 3rd, and highly anticipated, installment of Transmission Entertainment’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, based here in Austin. All this week, you can find out which bands we are excited about seeing this coming weekend, and why we think you might want to fit them into your festival plans.

Two things about El Paso Hot Button you should know up front. First off, El Paso Hot Button hails from Oklahoma, not El Paso. What’s up with that, I’m not sure, but I’ll be sure to ask if given the opportunity. Two, El Paso Hot Button is the one man band creation of a guy named Mickey Reece. Reece plays the guitar, sings, and bangs out the beats on his custom foot operated drum kit.

I haven’t seen many a one-man band in my time, and I’m not sure exactly how Reece stacks up to the others that are out there, but I will say that the 2 times I have seen him are enough for me to get to the park early enough for his set. Always entertaining is the El Paso Hot Button and the music is infectious. It’s got a good beat man!

El Paso Hot Button Plays Stage 2 @ 2:20 on Saturday

MP3> El Paso Hot Button ‘Strobelight Honey’

MP3> El Paso Hot Button ‘James Ames Dame’

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If you have plans for this weekend’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, there are a few details that you might want to take a look at before you do. Keep in mind that there is a UT Football game taking place on Saturday, so it’s going to be a zoo anywhere near the stadium and parking is going to be limited early in the day.

Transmission has a list of things you might want to know: Fun Fun Fun Fest: Important Info

Save yourself some trouble and check it out.

We’ll see you there.

It’s getting to be about that time. Time for the 3rd, and highly anticipated, installment of Transmission Entertainment’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, based here in Austin. All this week, you can find out which bands we are excited about seeing this coming weekend, and why we think you might want to fit them into your festival plans.

The Scottish outfit, Frightened Rabbit, consisting of brothers Scott and Grant Hutchison, have churned out what is one of my favorite recordings of this year 2008. Midnight Organ Fight is slathered up and down with catchy Scottish folk inspired rock songs, while lyrically wearing it’s heart on it’s sleeve. It’s a drunken night of failed relationships, sexual promiscuity, broken hearts, and the never ending party with your best friends.

i’m working on erasing you
just don’t have the proper tools
i get hammered, forget that you exist
there’s no way i’m forgetting this

i’m working hard on walking out
shoes keep sticking to the ground
my clothes won’t let me close the door
these trousers seem to love your floor

The live performance seems almost effortless and brings a more upbeat mood than the lyrics would suggest. Get to know Frightened Rabbit @ this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest.

Frightened Rabbit take Stage 1 @ 2:45 p.m. on Sunday.

MP3> Frightened Rabbit ‘Fast Blood’

It’s getting to be about that time. Time for the 3rd, and highly anticipated, installment of Transmission Entertainment’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, based here in Austin. All this week, you can find out which bands we are excited about seeing this coming weekend, and why we think you might want to fit them into your festival plans.

I’m going to start with an obvious choice, but with election day being upon us, this band has made clear their political leanings with the release of a t-shirt bearing the image of one presidential candidate and the title of their song “Mr November”. This day will determine whether or not the t-shirt will be relevant for years to come, or become a collectors item and a lost dream for many.

The National have a sound that isn’t easy to describe, and neither do many of the bands in today’s musical climate that I would consider successful in staying relevant to modern music. Calling Brooklyn home, seems an obvious reality when one takes in the poetic, urban detailed lyrics and sounds of the band. Easily applied to the growing understanding of life, love, relationships, and changes as life works it’s way into longer years. Maybe the appeal of this band reaches more to a mature crowd, but as long as The National will be around, the younger generation will eventually catch up and understand. Understand and appreciate the band’s ability to capture with their music, a snapshot in time of life. His life, my life, her life, your life…life as most of us know it to exist. It’s the life you lead, stepping into that bar to meet your friends, settling in for an evening in the apartment wasting time with the television, walking down the street thinking about whether or not you can make the relationship last, or care to, while doing everything you can to hold on to every memory that you can.

Alligator was released by the band in 2005 to critical acclaim, and the follow up Boxer, released in 2007 confirmed the band as a recognized musical force to exist for years to to come.

The band makes few stops through these southern parts, averaging about 1 a year, and based on my experience with them at last year’s ACL Festival, your opportunity to see this show should not be squandered.

The National take Stage 1 on Saturday Nov 8th @ 8:40 p.m.

MP3> The National ‘You’ve Done It Again Virginia‘

MP3> The National ‘Mr. November’

MP3> The National ‘Squalor Victoria‘

Apartment Story

The list of Fun Fun Fun Fest afterparties is out. I can’t say that it’s nearly as exciting as last year’s opportunity to see The Murder City Devils tear up the Mohawk stage, but it has potential.  The potential for this guy, lies in the Saturday night lineup @ Mohawk with White Denim, Dead Confederate, and Apollo Sunshine. White Denim fans can wallow in the record release celebration and DC fans can wallow in some of the best new rock (I mean rock) currently coming out of Athen’s, GA. You know we dig the DC here @ the SIM.

Dead Confederate just finished up filming a video for the track “Start Me Laughing” and you can bet we’ll have it here once it hits release.

MP3> Dead Confederate ‘Start Me Laughing’

The full list of afterparties: Read more

It’s here, It’s official, and it’s rad! Check out the schedule, plan your weekend and save yourself some dough and buy the 2 day pass!

$59.99 for the 2 day pass or $34.99 for a single day pass. Students receive a discount.

Check back soon with the Sonic Itch for our recommendations and little insight as what to expect from the most anticipated festival of the year.

Somebody give me a drum roll please!

DAY 1/November 8th

Stage 1A                                                                   Stage 1B
The National (8:40-9:40)                   Atmosphere (7:35-8:35)
Deerhoof (6:30-7:30)                            Rival Schools (5:40-6:25)
Trail of Dead (4:50-5:35)                      Bishop Allen (4-4:45)
Centromatic (3:20-3:55)                       Sleepercar  (2:45-3:15)
Parts & Labor (2:10-2:40)                    Colourmusic (1:35-2:05)
Experimental Dental School (1-1:30)   Paul green school of rock (12:25-1:55)

Stage 2
Neil Hamburger (8:45-9:45)
Tim Fite (7:45-8:30)
Magnetic Morning (6:45-7:30)
Coldetowne comedy hr (5:30-6:30)
Golden arm trio (4:35-5:15)
Pepi Ginsberg (3:40-4:20)
Walter Schreifels (3-3:30)
El Paso Hot Button (2:20-2:50)
David Dondero (1:40-2:10)
Frank smith (1-:30)
Grampall Jookabox 12:30-1

Stage 3A                                                       Stage 3B
Dead Milkmen (8:45-9:45)              ALL (7:50-8:40)
Integrity (7-7:45)                            Adolescents  (6:10-6:55)
Municipal Waste (5:20-6:05)       Killdozer (4:30-5:15)
Swingin Utters (3:40-4:25)       Young Widows (3:05-3:35)
Krumbums (2:30-3)                        Broken Gold (1:55-2:25)
Mammoth Grinder (1:20-1:50)        Yuppie Pricks (12:45-1:15)

Stage 4
Ztrip (8:10-9:40)
Dan Deacon (7-8)
Brownout! (6-6:45)
Yacht (4:45-5:45)
Octopus Project (3:45-4:45)
Hawnay Troof  (3-3:30)
Dengue Fever (2:00-2:45)
Terp2it (1:30-1:55)
Richard Henry (12:30-1:25)

DAY 2/November 9th

Stage 1A                                                                     Stage 1B
Clap Your Hands (8:40-9:40)    Minus The Bear (7:35-8:35)
St Vincent (6:30-7:30)                       Black Angels (5:40-6:25)
Islands (4:50-5:35)                            The Annuals  (4-4:45)
Spinto Band (3:20-3:55)                 Frightened Rabbit (2:45-3:15)
Black joe lewis (2:10-2:40)                              27 (1:35-2:05)
Till We’re Blue or Destroy (1-1:30)                 Ume (12:25-12:55)

Stage 2
Tim and Eric Awesome show (8:45-9:45)
The cynics (7:45-8:30)
Ugly beats (7:10-7:40)
Matt bearden, chris Fairbanks, dragonboy suede (5:35-6:55)
Revival tour: chuck ragan (hot water music), ben nichols (lucero), tom gabel (against me), tim barry (avail) (3-5:30)
Kevin seconds  (2:20-2:50)
Altercation punk rock comedy tour (1:35-2:20)
Spot and Albert (12:30-1:30)

Stage 3A                                                           Stage 3B
Bad Brains (8:45-9:45)                     Bouncing Souls (7:40-8:40)
Cro-Mags (jam) (6:50-7:35)            Scared of Chaka (6-6:45)
DOA (5:10-5:55)                                High Tension Wires (4:35-5:05)
Leftover Crack (3:45-4:30)               Trash Talk (3:10-3:40)
Cute Lepers (2:35-3:05)                       Bitter End (2-2:30)
Camp X-ray (1:55-2:25)                      Born To Lose (1:20-1:50)
tba (12:45-1:15)

Stage 4
Clipse (8:45-9:45)
grupo fantasma (7:30-8:30)
kool keith/dr octagon (6:30-7:15)
franki chan (5:25-6:25)
toxic avenger (4:25-5:25)
J*davey (3:25-4:10)
Starlynx/bigface (2:10-3:10)
zeale and phranchyze(1:35-2:05)
shane tyson (12:30-1:30)