Fun Fun Fun Fest has been setting the bar for “fun” in a music festival/event for the past couple of years, and with SXSW looming in the near future, I find myself looking forward the fall of 2010. March has somehow lost a bit of it’s appeal and luster.  For those of you who haven’t made it out to Fun Fun Fun Fest yet.. shame, and here’s what you have been missing…

For those of you not familiar, Get To Know In 7 is a quick 7 question interview that I come up on the spot when I have the opportunity to chat with a member of a band. Usually a band that I’m really digging at the time, and the questions aren’t the usual interview questions. Sure they might seem a little simple and dumb, but the answers can be interesting. I had the opportunity to present the 7 to both members of Twin Tigers and Dead Confederate, two bands that hail from Athen’s GA, when they were in town for Fun Fun Fun Fest a few weeks back. Read more

It’s been just over one week since Fun Fun Fun Fest 09 closed down, and left us with one of the most memorable festival experiences this year. These are the last images we left with on that wet and sloppy Sunday.

I wasn’t that familiar with Mission of Burma before, but the band’s set felt pleasantly familiar, and took me back to a time that I wish still existed.

As much of a fan I have been of Lucero’s for the past few years, I had all but given up hope that the band was capable of delivering a set in which Ben Nichols voice would last to the end, as well as the band remaining sober enough to play the songs to some recognition. I was pleasantly surprised to find them in great form, along with a horn section in tow, breathing new life into the road worn veterans who still deserve their day in the spotlight.

Crystal Castles set seemed interesting enough, but I was unfortunately distracted. Photo access issues that arose late in the day, were the only setback for the festival.

I haven’t really invested much time in the music of Of Montreal, which I should remedy, but the live shows are always an experience, fan or no fan. You can always count on great costumes, plenty of extras, feathers, and plenty of color.

Due to unfortunate circumstances, Valerie was forced to shoot from the crowd, but managed pretty well.

There was a conversation that I had with a friend of mine who was more than excited about the resurrection of the Detroit band Death, but had concerns about how good their show could be so long after their time in the 70’s.  Death quickly swept away any concerns when they took the Orange stage on Saturday night.

Arriving a bit late to the park, the band’s late start for their set didn’t upset any of the huge crowd of curious fans, many of whom weren’t even born before 1980. The band played tight and furious, to a the constant chants of “Death!” coming from the audience, an audience the size of which the band rarely if ever had played before. “Keep On Knocking” set the pace and “Politicians In My Eyes” closed out a set that had each member of the band grinning from ear to ear while receiving congratulations and high fives as they excited the stage. Well done Death, and well done Fun Fun Fun Fest.

Considering the fact that Athen’s Dead Confederate have only an EP and the 2008 release Wrecking Ball to their credit, seeing them at least a dozen times live, far exceeds any other band that has been around for that short of a time. Not that I wear this fact as some badge of honor, but for anyone that knows how judgmental I can be about live performances, it’s a testament to the band’s ability to deliver.

Taking the Yellow Stage, a scheduling decision much to my disapproval, the band drew a sizable crowd teeming with individuals obviously curious about the band’s performance. And as Dead Confederate are known to pay homage to other bands in means of covering their material, they launched into a lesser known track by a band that many may not be familiar with, including myself. “Smoke A Minor” by the band Officer May. The band then followed up with an unreleased newer song stirring curiosity as to if this was to be a preview of the next album from the band. Familiar ground took hold soon enough and the band performed all the Dead Confederate classics including the most accessible track for many, “The Rat” along with slower personal recording “Wrecking Ball”, and the ever present Sonic Youth cover.

While I could get descriptive of the performance from the band for those who haven’t seen them live, I’m more inclined to scold you for not having done so yet. The band’s constant touring schedule, and touring companions, including Dinosaur Jr, A Place To Bury Strangers, The Whigs, The Meat Puppets, and many more, should have given you the opportunity. What are you waiting for?

There’s word for a live album to be released soon, and the band is hitting the studio to record the follow-up to Wrecking Ball sometime around February. Expect the epic 6 minute plus songs found on the debut, to be replaced by tracks coming in around 4 minutes. This might be the change needed for the band to establish itself as one of the heavy mainstays needed in the world of rock-n-roll.

The announcement of the Jesus Lizard reuniting for a tour this year was some  of the most exciting music news for me this year and the very early announcement of them playing at Fun Fun Fun Fest ‘09 was both welcomed and torturous.

Bearing witness to the bands blunt,destructive but precision like force in the 90’s on several occasions, David Yow’s announcement “this is going to be really fucking good” previous to unleashing the first notes , sent chills. As if snapped back in time, Jesus Lizard launched into “Puss” as David Yow took to the air and the crowd. Like some twisted madman, Yow writhed atop the crowd recounting the tales of someone understanding their own brush if not their existence in a world of insanity.

It’s not all about David Yow’s intense performance either. Drummer Mac McNeilly and David Sims lay down the thunderous beat while the sometimes overlooked guitar talents of Duane Denison drove the songs like the teeth on a chainsaw. “Gladiator”, “Mouthbreather”, and “Nub” rounded out a set that couldn’t have been more well executed by the veteran rockers who showed us and reminded some, of how it’s really supposed to be done. Let’s hope that some young kid left inspired enough that he’ll convince us of that, in the near future.

Even if the rain didn’t put a damper on the Sunday activities as this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest, Saturday still would have been the highlight of the weekend for me personally. Dead Confederate, the revival of Death, Jesus Lizard taking to the Austin stage once again, were all on my list of “must” see acts, and not a single one failed to deliver beyond my expectations. A quick set of photos from the talented Valerie Fremin, and more on the festival to come soon.

It’s only a few days away, but I can assure you that every music geek in this town is already chompin at the bit in anticipation of this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest hosted and organized by Transmission Entertainment. It’s a mid-level size event that packs a wallop of value for your dollar, and brings some of the best in scene of punk (new and old), indie, metal, alt-country, electronic, dj, funny bone, and much more. I’ve already listed a handful of recommends, straying from some of the obvious like Jesus Lizard (HELL YEAH!), Shearwater, Of Montreal, Danzig (why not?), and many others. Here is a quick abbreviated list of many more and reasons to see.

• Sat 2:40 Times New Viking on Orange – Cuz vikings are cool. They’re on Matador as well. I like Matador
• Sat 4:05 James Husband (Of Montreal) on Yellow – of Of Montreal..duh!
• Sat 4:25 The Sword on Black – If Iron Maiden’s Flight 666 can’t put Metal back on the map then it’s up to these guys.
• Sat 5:10 No Age on Orange – I’ve seen them in the magazines and there are 2 of them.
• Sat 6:35 Neon Indian on Blue – Out of nowhere this guy is the next big thing?
• Sat 6:45 Yeasayer on Orange – Because they totally blew MGMT away on the inside stage @ Emos when I saw them.
• Sat 6:55 Fucked Up on Black – did you not see the finger in the bellybutton photo? All the way towards the end of the set.
• Sat 7:45 Face To Face on Black – Emo Punk kids wallow in the past that was nicer to them then, before Jimmy Eat World wrecked it.
• Sat 8:35 The Jesus Lizard on Black – Emo Punk kids see what the REAL mutha fuckin shit is all about! This is serious business friends.
• Sun 1:05 Black and White Years on Orange – A great reason to hit snooze on your alarm clock. Hopefully you caught Twin Tigers @ Mohawk the night before.
• Sun 2:15 Fuck Buttons on Orange – Another band with 2 dudes making a lot of noise. I remember the day when a 3 piece was pushing the limits. I’m an old fart.
• Sun 2:25 Astronautalis on Blue – Have you not been paying attention?
• Sun 3:00 Atlas Sound on Orange – Because I love Deerhunter and there’s something curiously interesting about this guy.
• Sun 3:50 WHY? on Orange – WHY not?
• Sun 5:20 Strange Boys on Yellow – Marble mouth 60’s folk psych rock from our hometown.
• Sun 5:35 Riverboat Gamblers on Black – Skinny legs hangin from the rafters and some jumpin for sure.
• Sun 5:40 Lucero on Orange – The whiskey and cigarette cured sounds of one of my favorite heartbreak bands moves from the backyard to the big stage this year.
• Sun 7:30 Crystal Castles on Orange – Because if you missed the other band with Crystal in their name, now you can make up for it.
• Sun 8:30 Danzig or Of Montreal? – You want a show or do you want a show? Decision time.

It’s all just a bunch of Fun, right? Looking forward to the weekend and seeing all of your beautiful faces in the park.

Athen’s Twin Tigers aren’t playing the actual Festival in the park, but are making an appearance at one of the official Afterparties on Saturday night, and I highly recommend you make a stop to see the Tigers at work. The band has a full length recording Grey Waves, set for release in early 2010 and it’s already secured a spot as one of my favorite releases for the year. Shoegazey, soft-punk, whatever you want to call it, it rocks.

Twin Tigers @ Mohawk Sat night with Voxtrot, Octopus Project, The Coathangers, Jazzus Lizard (Jesus Lizard jazz tribute band), and Walter Schreifelds Band. $10 and show starts @ 9:30

The band’s label Old Flame Records is offering a FREE download of the band’s new EP Automatic. http://oldflamerecords.com/tt/free/

MP3> Twin Tigers ‘Sexless Love’ (previously released version)

Seriously, the name alone is a great reason to mark this band on your schedule, not to mention that they have a great story. Three brothers from Detroit making punk rock in the 70’s that was years ahead of it’s time. Only a handful of shows scheduled for this recently reunited band, so seize this rare opportunity to see this legendary band.

Death on the Orange Stage Sat 6p.m.

MP3> Death ‘Keep On Knocking’

photo : michael maly

I’m not really a fan of the rap genre, but I caught this kid Astronautalis (Andy Bothwell) at the 2007 Wall of Sound Festival, and he entertained myself and the small crowd, thoroughly. He’s got his own songs, which he plays all the instruments (not live), but he’s probably more recognized for his free-style rap, in which he takes a group of random subjects from the crowd and creates a rap right there on stage. Pure fun.

Astronautalis on the Blue Stage Sun 2:25 p.m.

A video introduction with a great story and some freestyle: Read more

With this year’s Fun Fun Fun Fest so ripe with talent (has been in the past as well), the list of conflicts are sure to be in plenty. My first Saturday conflict happens around 4:20 with Red Sparowes taking to the Orange Stage a mere 5 minutes before The Sword takes the Black Stage. I’ve seen The Sword, and they are local, but selling out 2 nights at Mohawk recently will surely heighten the anticipation and add to the crowd for this performance. Red Sparowes, I’ve not seen, so….

Red Sparowes are from Los Angeles and their style of music is listed as post-rock. A new one for me. The band consists of members from Isis, Halifax Pier, Angel Hair, and Pleasure Forever.  A quick listen suggests for fans of Pelican and Explosions In The Sky.The song titles are quite inventive and interesting for sure.

MP3> Red Sparowes ‘We Left The Apes To Rot, But Find The Fang Grows Within’

Red Sparowes on the Orange Stage Sat 4:20 p.m.

The Sword may have home-field advantage, but have also just played 2 nights @ the Mohawk not long ago. You want Metal? The Sword has just that. Modern day axe maneuvering fitting for a time when Metal Gods like Mettallica and Iron Maiden ruled the scene.

MP3> The Sword ‘To Take The Black’

The Sword on the Black Stage Sat 4:25 p.m.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

This should come as to no surprise to anyone that knows me and my musical taste even slightly. Dead Confederate have been one  of my favorite bands to swing the heavy hammer of guitar rock into the current modern music scene in need of a good dose of “heavy”, since I first heard the EP version of “The Rat”. The band’s debut full-length appropriately  titled Wrecking Ball recorded here in Austin with producer Mike McCarthy, didn’t fair as well as it should have, being one of the most solid from front to back, rock-n-roll records produced in the past few years. Sure there’s hints of early Nirvana and early Pink Floyd if you listen hard enough, but the sound remains purely Dead Confederate.

The band’s live show sustains their popularity, as intense and well executed as the record multiplied by 10. Sharing the stage with the likes of Dinosaur Jr., The Meat Puppets, The Whigs, and A Place To Bury Strangers over the past year while constantly touring only confirms the quality of the band’s live performance.  A performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest will put the band in front of the largest Austin audience since they were invited to open for fellow Athen’s residents R.E.M. during SXSW 2008. A performance that you should definitely mark on your schedule of Fun Fun Fun Fest must see’s.

MP3> Dead Confederate ‘Start Me Laughing’

When: Day 1 Nov 7th @ 5:05 pm

Where: Stage Yellow

The little festival that could, and has grown into one of the most popular festival’s in Austin, TX has put together another cool event to benefit both fans and Caritas. A scavenger hunt taking place this Saturday 10.24, and it sounds like a ton of fun..

Details:

WHAT: Fun Fun Fun Fest Scavenger Hunt, brought to you by TE & FYF
Compete to win tickets to Fun Fun Fun Fest, VIP Upgrade and the chance to be made legendary and famous.

WHERE: Kick off at Red 7 (611 7th Street, next to Beauty Bar)
Ending location at Waterloo Park parking lot (12th and Red River)

DATE: Saturday, October 24

TIME: Sign up begins at 3:00P.M. and the hunt begins at 4:00P.M. sharp.

FEE:  No fee.  Five cans of food per person to benefit Caritas of Austin is the recommended donation. Items on the hunt will be donated to Caritas of Austin as well.

THE RULES:

·    Teams will be made up of 2 – 5 people.
·    Each team MUST have a name.
·    The Scavenger Hunt list will include 50 items, announced at kick off location.
·    Each item is worth a specific amount of points.
·    The team with the most points wins the grand prize and points will be totaled at end of the game.
·    All teams will be encouraged to dress in costumes.  This is worth 25 extra points (team portraits will be taken inside of Red 7).  Examples: Gangs from The Warriors, favorite band (ie Turbonegro, Run DMC, Devo, etc)…you get the point.
·    MUST bring a digital camera of some sort, cellphone camera are OK as well.
·    This is all ages and open to the public.

PRIZES:
·    The winning team will receive FFF Fest weekend passes for the entire team.  IF the teammates already have fun fun fun passes, your tickets will be upgraded to PIPs.
·    Over $500 in prizes and gift certificates to a number of our FFF vendors, such as: free haircuts from Birds Barbershop, gift card to Prototype Vintage, free food at Boomerang’s Pies, free funnel cakes and more from Snowie onsite at fest, free gift certificates for food at Frank, free popcorn from Cornucopia, gift certificates to Woodland restaurant and Jamie’s Spanish Village, free gift cards to Tiff’s Treats cookie shop, Kebabaliscious awesomeness, bags and cell phone covers from Incase, Alamo Draft house passes and much, much more!
·    FREE tickets to these TEN (!!!) upcoming Transmission Entertainment shows:

1) Islands @ Mohawk (10/27)
2) Jello Biafra (dead kennedys) @ Red 7 (10/28)
3) Black Angels @ Mohawk (10/30)
4) Municipal Waste @ Red 7 (11/12)
5) Thao and the Get Down Stay Down @ Mohawk (11/ 12)
6) Revival Tour w/ Chuck Ragan and more @ Red 7 (11/13)
7) Friendly Fires, The XX @ Mohawk (11/19)
Eyedea and Abilities w/ Themselves @ The Highball (11/19)
9) J. Tillman (of Fleet Foxes) @ Mohawk (11/27)
10) Cursive @ Mohawk (11/27)
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And FINALLY, the most amazing wizard statue in the universe (as seen @ funfunfunfest.com)

*The FFF Scavenger Hunt is brought to you by Transmission Entertainment and FYF