When we announced here on the Emo’s blog that legendary surf-rockers-from-another-dimension Man or Astro-man? were playing a reunion show at 603 Red River we advised that things might get a little out of hand. “This reminds me of our third show ever,” said guitarist Star Crunch (Brian Causey) at one point, “I remember it well, it was a house party right down the street from where I lived.” Whether that’s good or bad was never made clear, but it was obvious that Man or Astro-man rang in one memorable performance complete with beer-spraying fans and space suit costume changes. Check out more photos from their set below.
Since forming in 1999, the band’s membership has expanded and contracted while the sonic landscapes have grown with each release. My Education has released 5 full-length albums including a 12” vinyl collaboration with avant-hip hop duo Dalek. A staple in the instrumental community, they have been remixed by members of the bands Kinski, Pelican, Red Sparowes and Dalek. Don’t miss them tear up Emo’s East with their energetic blend of instrumental post-rock in the vein of vintage This Will Destroy You. Quiet Company, Follow That Bird and Speak round out a bill that will have you wondering, “How can this show really be free?” Don’t ask questions, just be happy your weekly allowance for beer money got a much needed boost.
After nearly two decades as the definitive venue in a city that is known as the live music capital of the world, Emo’s closed its doors last Friday, Dec. 30th. Though Emo’s outside hadn’t housed an act since DFA graffitied the walls during ACL weekend, Emo’s Jr. remained open until just before the new year with a series of concerts featuring the most coveted Austin bands from past and present. Noise-rock pioneers Killdozer played before a packed house for nearly two hours, ringing in a stellar performance that paid just tribute to the Emo’s legacy. Check out photos from the show below and keep watch for a slew of shows coming to Emo’s East in early 2012.
Clutch Commemorates Emo’s Closing via Rolling Stone
The chance to play one of the last shows at Emo’s was enough to draw Clutch away from a planned month of rest following a European tour in November, and fans from as far away as Brooklyn traveled to Austin to see the veteran metal band play both nights. Whether in the new, state-of-the-art hall or in the cramped, no-frills downtown spot, the audience got stellar, rock-solid shows.
You can read the full review of both shows via Rolling Stone.
9 PM | $5 | Emo’s Inside | with The Young, Gospel Truth, The Creationists, Crooked Bangs
For the founding members of Dikes of Holland creating with one another has never come difficultly. In and out of bands for years things always sort of clicked, just like their band name that was actually never supposed to stick in the first place. But it did, and so did their psyched-out, up-tempo approach to songwriting that finally got Dikes of Holland to where they wanted to be. Fresh off a west coast tour with Black Joe Lewis expect them to be well prepared to give you a proper homecoming.
Formed in 2005 by vocalist/guitarist Hans Zimmerman with the rest of the lineup in place by ’07, The Young’s early singles were followed by an appearance on Matador’s Casual Victime Pile compilation. Their subsequent full-length album Voyagers Of Legend was nothing less than the underground rock revelation of 2010, hailed as “an implacable psychedelic rock journey.. almost cruelly evocative.” They leave for a short west coast tour of their own the beginning of the new year, don’t miss one of the final nights of the Emo’s Apocalypse that is stacked with Austin talent.
9 PM | $15 | Emo’s Inside | with Flash Boys, Blunt Force Trauma
Agony Column’s self-proclaimed “Hellbilly Deathmetal Onslaught” began in 1987 at the stylistic crossroads of metal, punk, and double-barreled Southern rock. They were one of the few local Austin acts that fit in seamlessly alongside both Back Room headbangers and co-op party art punks. Although vocalist Richie Turner, guitarist Stuart Lawrence, bassist Pawl “Crow” Willis and drummer Charlie Brownell were an anomaly for their time, it’s easy to imagine them sharing bills with rebel raunch purveyors like Nashville Pussy had they formed a decade later. Riding in on the coattails of thrash and speed metal in the late 80s Agony Column played a bit slower than some of their thrash metal counterparts, sticking to more chugging riffs and focusing on groove rather than speed. Not partial to reunions, don’t miss your chance to see Agony Column play Emo’s one last time.
From other worldy jazz guru Sun Ra to German Rocket Scientist Wernher von Braun, Alabama has always had more than an ample share of connections to outer space. Such is the case with Man or Astro-man?, whose obsession with science fiction and groundbreaking technology (which at the time was an Apple Imagewriter II) propelled them into otherworldly status. Fusing 60s-era surf rock with new wave from the late 70s/early 80s Man or Astro-man? exploded in the mid 90s, having toured with everyone from Guided By Voices to Rockey from the Crypt and even making a fan out of fitness legend/Three’s Company star Susanne Sommers. With an outlandish live show that features space suits and extraterrestrial growths from all over the stage (maybe a tesla coil if we’re lucky?) they are sure to make the most of their last performance at Emo’s. Legendary Austin obscurants Fuckemos bring the irony and the absurdity so make sure to eat a heavy dinner, it’s gonna be long night.
12/14: Honky (J. D. Pinkus of Butthole Surfers) at Emo’s
9 PM | $5 | Emo’s Inside | with Whiskey Dick, El Pathos
The Emo’s Apocalypse continues tonight at Emo’s downtown with one of the rowdiest and rip-roarinest bands to ever call the Texas capital their home: Honky. While J. D. Pinkus is better known as the bassist for Butthole Surfers his self-proclaimed “superboogie” trio are unabashedly rock in the Austin spirit. Having toured with the likes of Fu Manchu and the Reverend Horton Heat Pinkus admits “we’re not trying to be groundbreaking; this is the most timeless music there is.” Expect a raucous performance from one of Austin’s down-and-dirtiest as they play Emo’s, a venue that has been a part of both Honky and Butthole Surfers’ tenure for over two decades, one last time. And make sure to look for Lindsey Kuhn’s limited edition silk-screened poster for tonight’s show, part of a special project he put together to commemorate the final days of Emo’s.
8 PM | $16/18 | Emo’s Inside | with Arkona, Polkadot Cadaver, Forged In Flame
For almost twenty years the members of Korpiklaani have taken the ancient folk music of their Samic culture and turned it into what lead singer Jonne Järvelä calls “old people’s music with heavy metal guitars.” Using real traditional folk instruments in conjunction with their onslaught of aggressive European metal Korpiklaani quickly took over their Nordic homeland in the late 90s/early 2000s. Having released their tenth studio album Ukon Wacka earlier this year Korpiklaani continue to dominate the folk metal scene, no one being able to come close to their spirited live shows and revelrous message. Check out their video for “Vodka” below and get ready to party Nordic style.
