Austin! It's a place that's become part of my plans over the past few years, because WFMU has been hosting a showcase with Aquarius Records regularly. I come for the music, and take away stories that are more interesting than watching a couple of bands and having someone puke on my shoes. At least the puke part didn't happen this year!! I arrived on Tuesday, after getting my bearings, some BBQ and listening to Motorhead soundcheck over at Stubb's, I sat down and made my skeleton plan for a week in Austin!
Wednesday I was out of the gate to EMO's to catch Dark Castle as my first band of this holiday. A crushing 2-piece from FL, they did not disappoint with their sludgy black riffs. I vowed to see them again this week. The rest of the afternoon at Emo's shaped up this way (at least what I saw): the all out assault that is Landmine Marathon, Salome - great crust/doom, Withered (vocalist Mike pictured right)- sinister and cold at it's best, Fucked Up (with a special appearance by Killah Priest and 9th Prince because GZA didn't make it), and Torche (pic left) closing out the day with their unique brand of "Godzilla does pop" - yay! I gobbled down a turkey dog with wasabi mustard and onions while walking and then prepared for the evening. It was already the highlight of my week - Montreal's VOIVOD is playing twice tonight- and the sun hadn't gone down yet! Voivod sighting #1 was at the Austin Music Hall (photograph of Snake, Away, and Blacky below), where my sonic metal heroes took the stage to a paltry crowd, slugging their way through a feverish set in front of Motorhead's
backdrop. Michael Monroe followed with some solo material and Hanoi Rocks songs, with an athletic stage performance, a dive into the photo pit and Ginger from the Wildhearts on guitar! Austin never filled their music hall that evening, so I got to see Lemmy and his Rickenbacker closer than I have been in a long time, playing Iron Fist, I Got Mine, Stay Clean amongst my faves. I scooted out of there a bit early to catch Voivod set #2 at Red 7 across town!
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