The National’s highly anticipated upcoming release Trouble Will Find Me is out proper on May 21st and the first video from the recording just set loose earlier this week titled “Sea Of Love”. Who doesn’t like kids that play air guitar?

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Speaking of favorite albums of the year so far, Dead Confederate return to revive rock-n-roll with their third full-length effort titled In The Marrow. A well focused, driven, powerhouse of a rock record, Dead Confederate pick up where they left off, in fine fashion. The first official video for “Vacations” has just been released and if this captures your idea of a vacation, then you truly should be a Dead Confederate fan.

I haven’t taken in as many albums this year as I have in the past, but out of the ones that I have taken in, The Cave Singers Naomi is one of the more compelling, moving, and inspiring bulks of songs that reached these ears. I’ve always enjoyed the band, but they have taken their unique sound, which seemed limited at first, to a whole new level. You can see a recording of the band performing several of these songs live on KEXP.

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..

So all you fools that like to get dressed up and play crazy or spooky, Divine Fits has a costume contest that might land you $500. Take it from me, skip the 6th street insanity and take in a rock show.  A rock show featuring Divine Fits at Stubbs. There will be a Dracula Costume Contest and the winner will receive $500 cash.

We’re calling it “Divine Fits’ Fiesta de Vampiros”. We’re encouraging fans to wear their best Dracula costume because the band is hosting a Dracula Costume Contest and will choose a winner prior to their performance. The winner will receive $500 CASH!

Lots of Halloween themed things happening during the show, including drink specials, so get your Booo on at Stubb’s. Sixth Street sucks….

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.

Absolutely love this band, and cannot wait till they come and destroy at Fun Fun Fun Fest. Two chances to see them that weekend, so don’t miss out.

Local band The Blind Pets, known to party and throw down pretty heavy live, just put out a promo video for their upcoming release “Heavy Petting”. Let’s hear it for bringing back some rock-n-roll with swagger…No known release date, so stay tuned.

I haven’t been taking in as much new music these days as I should be, and mostly because a majority of it bores me. This band out of Brooklyn named The Dig, has managed to hold my attention for awhile with their most recent release Midnight Flowers. Granted it may remind me of The Antlers at times, who I have a little love for, but this 4-piece has recorded a album that runs solid from front to back, which most bands fail to do on a regular basis. Catchy, accessible hooks with daydream lyrics, Midnight Flowers provides plenty of opportunity and substance to hang on to for it’s duration.

Catch The Dig this Thursday 10.18 at Mohawk with The We Shared Milk and locals Royal Forest.

Some clips of what went down at ACL Festival on the first day..

It’s getting to be that time of year again, time for one of Austin’s premier music festival that continues to sell out rapidly and draw folks from all over the globe. As we do every year, we be posting a list of band’s, probably lesser known by many, that we have on our list to check out. Some old favorites and some that are sparking current curiosity.

Now I’m generally not a fan of dance/electronic/rock duos, but vocalist Alice Glass is interesting to watch live. The girl rocks this genre like no other out there. Plus, what are your other options this time of day? Red Hot Chili Peppers? Regurgitated 90′s one trick pony antics by a band that should have quit when they were on top? Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to an aural and visual treat to end the fest with Crystal Castles. It’s a guaranteed dance party.

Sun 7:30 on The Honda Stage

It’s getting to be that time of year again, time for one of Austin’s premier music festival that continues to sell out rapidly and draw folks from all over the globe. As we do every year, we be posting a list of band’s, probably lesser known by many, that we have on our list to check out. Some old favorites and some that are sparking current curiosity.

Bad Books is the musical marriage of songwriters Kevin Devine and Andy Hull (Manchester Orchestra) the two have been working together in other factions of the music business, so Bad Books seems a natural progression. The band is filled out with other members of Manchester Orchestra so fans of that band, and I know that you are a grand passionate bunch of fans, will more than likely enjoy the similar sounds of Bad Books.

Sunday 3:45 on the Austin Ventures Stage.

It’s getting to be that time of year again, time for one of Austin’s premier music festival that continues to sell out rapidly and draw folks from all over the globe. As we do every year, we be posting a list of band’s, probably lesser known by many, that we have on our list to check out. Some old favorites and some that are sparking current curiosity.

Local blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr masters a genre that was the foundation of the Austin music scene for many years. As that genre has faded into the shadows of a scene that is bursting at the seams, Clark is the brightest hope for reviving it’s legacy. With a history of playing with most of the blues legends that come to mind, Clark has been establishing himself as the young saviour of the blues over the past few years, and is currently at the peak of his career threatening to become larger than life. Clark will be releasing his Blak And Blu recording on Oct 22nd, and will be hitting the late night tv circuit following.

The 2:15 time slot Sunday on the AMD Stage seems to a bit short.