One of the hottest bands on the indie-rock circuit in 2009 for sure, and 101x secured them for their annual December show. Chances are you’ll be hearing more Phoenix on the station over the coming year.

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.

Photography by Maurice

I think it’s safe to say that the modern rock scene has felt an increasingly growing void in regards to artists that embody the true sense of rock-n-roll based in the punk aesthetics that once dominated the scene. The controlled explosive spill of passion, pain,  heartache, and love, questioning everything in it’s path while just trying to understand, stated with guitars, bass, and drums. Colour Revolt is one of those bands bearing the burden of filling that void, whether it be knowingly, or willingly.

Since the band’s 2008 release Plunder, Beg, and Curse on Fat Possum Records, a year of constant touring, an ACL Festival appearance, and a 35 spot on Paste Magazine’s top 50 albums of 2008, the band has undergone some changes. Members Jimmy Cajoleas and Patrick Addison have moved on from the band, and into other aspects of their lives.

Sometimes change brings new challenges and discoveries of what you are really capable of, and this is the case with Colour Revolt, who aptly titled this tour “Alive” in response to questions that they had broken up.

Almost a year has passed since the band has taken the stage in Austin, Tx, and with the two members gone, and Robert Chisolm (Jonezetta) filling in on bass, the question arose as to how the band would achieve the sound of previous recordings and live outings. The challenge has spawned creativity for front-man Jesse Coppenbarger and fellow band-mates that is inspiring and hopeful. The fire and passion burns as intensely as before both with the previous material and the newer songs which have yet to see official release. Colour Revolt are definitely “Alive”, and some might say even more so than before.

From “Moses Of The South”

cause brother you are my weakness
i’ll listen and learn from your kindness
your wisdom is very thoughtless
but your window is worth looking out from

From the first minute I first heard the unique sounds of the Cave Singers, blending folk instrumentation and structure with punk inspiration, I was on board. The band returned to Mohawk on Saturday night to give Austin it’s first taste of the newly released material from Welcome Joy in it’s live format. Working within the boundaries of it’s format, the band displays it’s punk inspiration while performing live, applying all the emotion and energy you expect from a great show. The band leaned heavy on the new material which has managed to broaden the appeal with rich textures and a more full sound, for the most part of the set.

According to the band, the tour has been extremely successful, with large crowds, and some packed houses. Catch the band on their few remaining US dates, and look for member Derek Fudesco to be joining his old band Murder City Devils on stage here in Austin @ Mohawk on 10.10.

Our friends over @ Austin Town Hall have a fine review of the show: HERE

For those of you who read this blog much, you are very familiar with the awesome live music photos that our own Valerie Fremin has brought you over the years. Well, Thursday marks the opening of her very first photo exhibit! No Cover will showcase her favorites from over the years. Congrats to her, and I hope that some of you can make it by the exhibit at some point. It could be a quick stop on your walk to or from ACL this weekend, as it’s just around the corner from the Fest.

Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009

Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Location: House Wine

Street: 408 Josephine St

Austin, TX

I am so excited to be having my first photography show this Thursday @ House Wine. Please come by. Have a nice glass of wine and a look-see. John Grubbs will also be showing his music photography.

Complimentary cheeses and other yummies…

There will be super cool music too…

7-9 Mark “GumB” Williams cellist/bassist/looper extraordinaire

9-10 Will T. Massey & Richard Bowden for the “after party” My guys!!!

Peace & Love,

Valerie

photo : valerie@fremin.net

The heft of the bill on Thursday night guaranteed a solid attendance, yet with the Psychedelic Furs playing a block away and Ra Ra Riot only 4 blocks down, a sold-out crowd @ Mohawk for Scotland’s Frightened Rabbit proves that success finds it’s way mysteriously sometimes. Weather fitting a welcome home for the band did little to discourage the enthusiastic crowd, many of whom sang feverishly along with front-man Scott Hutchinson as he and band focused their attention on the release The Midnight Organ Fight.

Expect new recorded material from the band early next year.

Colour Revolt

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Colour Revolt have put out one of the most dense, guitar heavy, revealing records of this year, which is their first full length since signing to the Fat Possum label. Plunder, Beg, and Curse spends plenty of time in my listening rotation, as the complex structure continues to unravel and reveal it’s dark and beautiful layers. The band is just wrapping up a short tour as the opening act for the recently reformed Breeders, who also have a new recorded offering, Mountain Battles.

Colour Revolt

photo : valerie@fremin.net

No offense to The Breeders, but I attended this show to see Colour Revolt. The band grabbed my attention the first time I heard “Matresses Underwater” from the bands self titled EP, and each time I listen to any of the recorded material, I discover something different and new that I didn’t catch the last time. The live show does not disappoint, and evidence of my approval is clearly written on my face with a smile that lasts for the entire set. For those who know me, know that getting a smile out of me on any day is no easy feat. While I can’t say that there wasn’t a song that I didn’t enjoy, standouts for me were “Shovel to Ground”, “Change Your Face or Change Your Name”, and “Siren”. Colour Revolt are a part of the new Southern Rock movement where complex songs with great guitar tones and structure mingle with emotionally revealing lyrics constantly pushing and pulling on the subjects of love and religion. And they do it so well.

If you missed the band’s performance last week, the opportunity to catch the live performance arises once again later this month @ Stubb’s opening for Snowden. May 29th @ Stubb’s inside. We plan on seeing you there.

Mp3> Colour Revolt ‘Siren’

Colour Revolt

photo : valerie@fremin.net

The Breeders

photo : valerie@fremin.net

The Breeders

photo : valerie@fremin.net

The Breeders

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Manchester Orchestra are high on my list of favorite bands that I caught live performances by 3 times or more in 2007. Their commitment to playing 250 shows during the course of the year in 2007 made this possible, without my having to travel anywhere to catch these performances. They are also high on that list because I love watching this group of guys perform. I was hesitant at first, taking into consideration the audience I found myself surrounded by the first time I attended a Manchester Orchestra show. A sea of teenagers, a good portion of them young girls, anxiously awaiting the appearance of members of Saves the Say or Say Anything, unknowingly about to be witness to one of the best young rock bands of 2007. Manchester Orchestra took the stage early that evening, launching into “Wolves at Night” and tearing through a set of intense, hard rocking selections from their debut Like A Virgin Losing A Child. They finished the set with “Where Have You Been,” which ended with front-man Andy Hull seeming to question the whereabouts of whatever higher power he subscribes to while screaming at the top of his lungs. I have 2 gauges when seeing a live band that leads me to believe that what I have experienced is the real deal. 1) Hair stands up on the back of my neck, 2) I walk away shaking my head wondering what in the hell I had just witnessed, feeling as if I just got bulldozed by rock-n-roll. Manchester Orchestra accomplished tripping both of those gauges that night. Aside from the live performance, the guys in the band are quite possibly some of the nicest guys you could meet.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

Of course when I discovered that the band was to make it back to Austin for the 4th time since I first saw them almost a year ago, I immediately marked it on my calendar. Surely the year of constant touring had fine tuned the live performance, and hopefully new material would surface during this show. Speaking to Andy before the show, he confirmed that new material was to be played.

Once again, from the first note Manchester Orchestra launched into a set heavy with selections from Like A Virgin while mixing in a couple of new tunes. “Shake it up” and another selection that I didn’t catch the name of, confirmed the belief that Andy Hull is a master at his craft, and that new material will be a welcomed progression of his talent. As the band launched into “Now that you’re home” the crowd joined in, singing along with Andy, confirming that they were there not just to see the headlining act. They came to take part of the Manchester Orchestra experience.

photo : valerie@fremin.net

I have to take a moment to express the fact that I really hate writing show reviews sometimes. It’s hard to convey the experience no matter how great it is, and I’m struggling with this one. How do you convey the emotions that an artist or band sets loose in you, when you can’t understand how they manage to do so? How do you convey the fact that you are witness to a band that has managed to tap into something that most bands can only dream of coming close to accomplishing? Listen to the record, go to the show, and witness it for yourself. Manchester Orchestra are positioning themselves to be a band that is going to continue to build it’s audience and entertain through live performances that are engaging on many different levels.

The band wraps up this tour, including a performance @ Coachella this month, heads to the studio in July to record the follow-up to Like A Virgin, and will resurface in the fall for more live dates, most likely headlining their own tour. Check tour dates at their myspace page.

Oh yeah…..Rock on Grom!

photo : valerie@fremin.net

photo : valerie@fremin.net

The dreamy sounds of Great Northern transferred well in the live setting, with the band focusing mostly on material from Trading Twilight for Daylight. I attended the show mostly because of my love for The Afghan Wigs and Screaming Trees, but both Dulli and Lanegan proved why they still draw a size-able crowd. Greg Dulli has mellowed a bit with age, but the duo delivered a set of solid rock, leaning heavy on the Saturnalia material.

Enjoy photos via Valerie Fremin

photo : valerie@fremin.net

SXSW usually entails performances but some of the more recognizable bands in the current modern rock scene mixed in with the myraid of bands just scratchin as well as the current buzz. This year provided us with a couple of performances by My Morning Jacket, as well as an acoustic performance, or two, by Jim James. The band revealed some of its newer material off of the upcoming release Evil Urges during their performances, and all of the new songs that I experienced were great.

You can stream the entire performance from the band @ the Austin Music Hall during SXSW, which features quite a few songs from the upcoming recording @ NPR.org

NPR.org has several SXSW performances available for streaming including R.E.M.

Set list if you care:

• “Evil Urges”
• “Off the Record”
• “Gideon”
• “Highly Suspicious”
• “What a Wonderful Man”
• “I’m Amazed”
• “Thank You Too”
• “Golden”
• “Sec Walkin’”
• “Wordless Chorus”
• “Way He Sings”
• “Aluminum Park”
• “One Big Holiday”
• “Run Thru”
• “Smokin’ From Shootin’”
• “Touch Me Pt. 2″
• “Steam Engine”
• “Lay Low”
• “Mahgeetas”
• “Anytime”