Is it just me or does it feel as if the folks at Fun Fun Fun Fest put together a festival that is catering to my own wants and desires? Taking a look at the schedule this year it’s mind boggling how many bands from earlier decades that are dear to my musical heart are bunched up with current favorites who are blazing new grounds for bands of the future.

Sometimes you just want to get your hardcore punk on, and this is going to be a great opportunity to do so. The Swedish 90′s band recently reunited (despite claims that it would never happen), earlier this year, much to the delight of their fan base. Several festivals later, Refused are poised to headline this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest on Saturday night, and promise to be one of the most talked about shows of this year’s festival. Apologies to any band that might be up against these guys in the lineup.

It’s gonna be intense..

Is it just me or does it feel as if the folks at Fun Fun Fun Fest put together a festival that is catering to my own wants and desires? Taking a look at the schedule this year it’s mind boggling how many bands from earlier decades that are dear to my musical heart are bunched up with current favorites who are blazing new grounds for bands of the future.

Quite honestly the only reason that I want to check out this band is because of that old fart in the photo..John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten). The guy was in The Sex Pistols and is one of the mouthiest, cockiest guys in the business and I can’t wait to see what might come out of his mouth. Forming Public Image LTD after the demise of The Sex Pistols, Lydon launched what many claim to be the post-punk era. Of course there are a handful of songs that Public Image LTD put out that I jammed back in the day, and while I’m not sure that I want to relive that chapter in my life, maybe hearing these songs once again will remind me of a time when I wasn’t as jaded about music as I’ve come to be later in life. Maybe there is hope in the form of a mouthy Brit.

Public Image LTD. play Orange Stage Sat 7:50 p.m.

Is it just me or does it feel as if the folks at Fun Fun Fun Fest put together a festival that is catering to my own wants and desires? Taking a look at the schedule this year it’s mind boggling how many bands from earlier decades that are dear to my musical heart are bunched up with current favorites who are blazing new grounds for bands of the future.

I’m starting with a band from the 90′s that probably didn’t get the recognition that they deserved back then, but still have managed to continue to put out solid recordings and stay relevant in a scene that sees little longevity. Superchunk formed in 1989, put out their first record in 1990 and 20 years later their latest release.  My personal musical relationship was secured in the mid 90′s with Foolish held strong through 2001′s Here’s To Shutting Up. Two decades of putting out quality records, it’s difficult to think that they are going to be able to play everyone’s, much less my own favorites.

Superchunk play the Orange Stage Friday @ 6:50 p.m.

What’s not to like about a band that consists of members from Deer Tick, Los Lobos, Black Lips, Dead Confederate, and more..? Diamond Rugs is the name of the band, and you can catch them here in Austin for Fun Fun Fun Fest…this is their video for “Blue Mountains”..

Fun Fun Fun Fest just got a bit more serious with fun. The full schedule has just been announced along with the release of single-day tickets and student discount tickets. Why you wouldn’t want 3 days of Fun is beyond me, but you have options now.

Check out full SCHEDULE

And then get your TICKETS

As if Fun Fun Fun Fest wasn’t already giving you three days of some of the best music at Auditorium Shores Nov 2, 3, and 4th, they are filling those nights with a slew of shows that will be FREE to Fun Fest ticket holders. The lineup just hit the interweb and boasts bands Superchunk, A Place To Bury Strangers, Surfer Blood, Peelander Z, Black Moth Super Rainbow, Ceremony, Dwarves, Blitzen Trapper and many more. I will admit, I’m quite confused as to how Sundress landed so high up in the listings? Above Surfer Blood, Lucero, A Place To Bury Strangers, and a bunch more of pretty established bands?? I think the band sounds fine, but what have they done on a local, regional, or national level??

FFF Nites will be taking place at your favorite local haunts like Mohawk, Red 7, Club de Ville, ND, and more.

Get your 3 day passes or your PIP passes now and keep an eye out for full line-up coming your way soon.

A Place to Bury Strangers twice in one weekend…F*** Yeah!!

It’s official…Fun Fun Fun Fest announced the lineup for the 2012 installment of Austin’s premiere indie-music fest via a bingo game late last night, and then officially on their website early today…and it looks SWEET!

Run DMC, Girl Talk, The Black Angels, A Place To Bury Strangers, Santigold, Public Image Limited, Refused, Bob Mould, X, and a ton more….

Check  out the lineup HERE

And get your tickets quick HERE.

Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, everyone’s favorite fest of the year, has released another quirky video set to conjure a chuckle or two while revealing more of this year’s lineup. I used to watch the heck out of some Love Boat when I was a wee one.

PIP package information below as well, with links to purchase.

P-I-P

It’s only three more bands leaked in this latest of comedic videos produced by the fine folks over at Fun Fun Fun Fest..but it only leads you to believe that there’s much more on the horizon..stay tuned

Fun Fun Fun 2011 is still fresh in many’s minds, but the Fun crew is already plotting and planning their next smash hit festival for 2012. Mark your calendars for Nov 2, 3, and 4 in 2012 for the next weekend of Fun Fun Fun happening at the expanded grounds Auditorium Shores.

A limited number of “earlybird” ticket are to be released soon, and those who purchased tickets last year will be notified via email when they become available…sit tight.

Keep an eye on the Fun Fun Fun Fest site for updates and register to receive updates.

And watch this little diddy of a tribute to FFF Fest 2011

Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 from Guerilla Suit on Vimeo.

Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011 edition has come and gone, and while the dust has settled (literally), a look back at what has become one of Austin’s hottest festivals showcasing scores of indie bands sprawling genres that appeal to audiences as diverse as the festival’s lineup.

Relocating Fun Fun Fun Fest from the friendly confines of Waterloo Park to a much larger venue Auditorium Shores, was met by little skepticism by some of us who have grown to love the comfort and convenience of the smaller setup. A setup that gave us relief from the larger festivals that aren’t as quite as forgiving when trying to experience as much as you can at a festival with the ease of accessibility. Would FFF Fest still be able to maintain that feel that we’ve come to love so much about the event? Would the grown spurt be handled well enough technically and operationally that the quality of the fest not be compromised? And the dust? Most of us dealt with it years ago at ACL Festival and the thought of repeating the experience weighed heavy.

I should begin by stating that my approach to the festival experience has changed quite a bit over the past few years. Being that I really enjoy experiencing my favorite bands and live music in general in smaller venues, the idea of standing in a field in mid day watching a band run through a set that in some situations doesn’t replicate their club performance in many ways, just doesn’t appeal to me much. My approach to festivals is catch the handful of bands that I really do want to see and hope it translates well enough, and spend the rest of the time trying to experience other artists that might not be of extreme interest to me, but have built themselves a certain reputation or “buzz”. That, and catching up with peoples, and enjoying some beverages and the occasional tasty food offerings. Tasty food offerings a definite must at a festival and Fun Fun Fun Fest probably had the best selection of food that I have experienced at a festival.

I was only able to attend the last two days of the event, and as I entered the wind swept compound of Auditorium Shores, the dust was almost enough for me to consider my even staying for too long. The constant grit in my beverage, and the idea of trying to eat any food in the dust storm, played heavy on my mind, but the pending performance by M83 outweighed any decision to leave.

Throughout the course of the afternoon few bands achieved holding my attention for very long. The middle of the afternoon presented two, of which I was hoping to gain more interest in, tUnE-YaRdS and Ra Ra Riot failed to change any previous opinion that have on the recorded material. I know..gasp!

The pleasant surprise of the day, not really knowing much about the band was The Joy Formidable. I believe that there have been some comparisons to a local trio fronted by an axe wielding blonde front-woman, and understandable to a degree, but the energy, stage presence, and full band sound was impressive for such an early set.

M83 provided a great sounding set covering a fine selection of tracks from the band’s most recent release Hurry Up We’re Dreaming, but the band’s sound and visual performance would have benefited from a later set time after sunset.

Girls continue to impress as they blossom into a band that embraces the challenge of the larger stage with a sound that has evolved from quaint, quirky, cute jangly band from California into a full sounding rock band, incorporating a little psych with loud guitars.

This year my interest in the half-pipe and BMX ramp was a bit more than in the past, and it was a nice change of pace for shooting photography than the crowded photo pits where photo assigned wristbands at times sported nothing more than an iPhone for shooting. It’s great to see more interest by other media sources in the local fest, but the organization and security of the photo areas was a bit inconsistent.

In the interest of keeping this fairly short…

Sunday bands that failed to move my interest into to the plus category. Mates of State and We Were Promised Jetpacks. Always heard great things, but maybe on a smaller stage?

Kudos to Ted Leo for working through an almost non-existent voice and delivering his always infectious, high energy, sets of post-punk from one of today’s hardest working in the business.

Cannibal Corpse…that’s right. The opportunity to see something that I probably wouldn’t have otherwise, and what a weird, humorous experience. Not to offend anyone, but wow. And that guy must  pay thousands to his chiropractor to keep that neck in shape.

Consider me a new fan of Boris and once more impressed with the progress of Blonde Redhead in regards to their live show.

Sure, the dust was an incredibly unpleasant unfortunate part of the event. The reported exclusion of many of the local media photographers from the last two acts on every stage seems a bit of a slap in the face of the locals that have been supporting the festival since it’s infancy, and hopefully will be revisited next year.

The food was amazing, the lineup continues to grow and bring bigger acts, and the feel of the park still maintained it’s comfort while providing pockets of diversity that allows the attendee to experience something completely different in every corner of the park.

Now what are the reported numbers and facts about FFF Fest 2011? Just released:

Check out the rest of our photos by Loren Root and myself…

Quite honestly, I’m not that familiar with much of Lykke Li’s music, but “Little Bit” from the 2008 Youth Novels recording has seen some serious spin time around my parts. Maybe because of the lyric “and for you I keep my legs apart, and forget about my tainted heart”? I can’t help it, I’m a guy. You have to admit, she is pretty sexy as well. I’ve been giving the music some serious consideration as well. I’m not that shallow. Curiosity sparked, so this young lady is on my list of artist’s to check out at this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest.

Lykke Li plays the Orange Stage Sat 11.5 @ 7:25

I had a wordy, descriptive post planned for recommending Murder City Devils as a must see at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2011, then I came across this video from their 2007 performance..Let it speak for itself.

A rare opportunity to see this great band.

Murder City Devils play the Black Stage Friday 11/4 @ 7:20 p.m.

Ever seen the Black Lips perform? I haven’t, and the band has a pretty solid reputation for putting on what some might call an “interesting” show. Interesting enough, that they fled India in mid tour fearing that they would be arrested and jailed for “homosexual acts”…hmmm. Debauchery will ensue.  Can’t say that I’m much familiar with the music, but sometimes a band’s reputation strikes up enough interest warranting some attention. That, and I need to see what “Flower Punk” sounds like live.

Black Lips play the Black Stage (?) Sun 11.6 @ 7:50

It’s official, our little festival is all grown up. Can’t make it to the hottest ticket in town this weekend, but want to catch some of the action? You are one lucky pup.

FOUR STREAMS PROVIDE A DIFFERENT MUSIC EXPERIENCE CATERED TO YOUR FAVORITE GENRES – FROM INDIE, METAL AND PUNK TO HIP HOP, ELECTRO, & MORE

AUSTIN, TX (October 31, 2011) – Fun Fun Fun Fest and Pitchfork announced today that the 6th annual festival in Austin, Texas will be streaming live on pitchfork.com November 4 – 6, 2011. This will be the first time ever that the music of Fun Fun Fun Fest, one of the most progressive independent music festivals in the country, will be available to those outside of Austin, and live.

Unlike other music festivals with similar live streams, Fun Fun Fun Fest will present 4 separate streams with each tailored to different musical tastes, streamed live on one of the most widely read music websites in the world that reaches 3.3 million unique visitors each month. Like the Fun Fun Fun Fest stage setups, each stream will provide a different musical experience, from punk and metal to indie rock and electronica, from bounce and hip hop to competitions and comedy. Fans will be able to toggle the streams to cater to their favorite styles of music, thanks to smart, the quirky, irreverent car.

When asked about the new partnership, Pitchfork had this to say: “Fun Fun Fun Fest has absolutely become one of the great festivals in the country, one that shares the same spirit of adventurous booking and music- and fan-community focus that we bring to our own Pitchfork Music Festival and our other events,” said Pitchfork President Chris Kaskie. “Pitchfork has produced a number of live streams in recent years, and we’re thrilled to be producing the Fun Fun Fun Fest live stream this year, for the first time bringing the festival to music fans outside of Austin.”

Pitchfork Fun Fun Fun Fest Live Stream Schedule

• Friday, Nov 4th at 12:20pm Central
• Saturday, Nov 5th at 12:10pm Central
• Sunday, Nov 6th at 12:15pm Central

To check out the Fun Fun Fun Fest live stream on Pitchfork, go to www.pitchfork.com. The stream will begin at these times:

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