Clubs EP recording Session: 1/7/2009

I show up at the Diamond Factory recording studio around 7 pm. It is the same place where San Marcos/Austin band Newlywed recorded their soon to be released Fear Country ep and from what I hear on entering, Clubs’ ep is getting the same treatment.

The studio is located in North Austin in an industrial park off of 183. Apparently there is a whorehouse nearby and I am told that I can get an expert handjob for 35$ or so. The front of the converted office suite is dark when I show up and even though I’ve been there before I am momentarily uncertain that I am in the right place. There are no signs of life other than an old couch, vcr/tv, and lots of empty candy wrappers in the front room, but I hear the faint sounds of a muffled guitar coming through the walls and I follow them into the main recording room. It is large and mostly empty except for an old, out of tune piano in the corner, a microwave, some soundproofing material mounted on the walls, and an Orange half-stack with three mics in front of it. The mics are running into the side room where Travis, the producer, is sitting with Clubs’ guitarists Alexander Beggins and John Nichols. I am told that bassist Foster Farmer and drummer Fran Aguera are already done with their parts. Nichols is recording a lead part for one of his songs and I sit down to listen. The song sounds surprisingly heavy and the unfinished track is already building into a multi-layered experience. Nichols is recording on a black SG, for a slightly thicker tone than his Telecaster ---which he uses live--- would produce. When the lead guitar part is finished Beggins takes the guitar and records a couple of brief overdubs of rhythm parts. They finish the song and even the un-mastered, vocal-less, results are intimidating. I stay for a bit longer and watch the band finish up the few remaining guitar parts, use Nichols’ phone to look up the whores-next-door, find that they are surprisingly attractive, do a half-hearted mental search for sleigh-bells, try some gross energy spray, then leave.

I’ll have to be content to wait until the as of now untitled ep is released to hear what the vocals/finished product sounds like, but in the meantime Clubs are playing the Newlywed cd release show on January 17th with Newlywed, Earth Eater, Cactus Peach, (and possibly a surprise guest??)

-S.B.

Newlywed - Fear Country: Release Date: 1/17/09

So driving from Austin to Houston is pretty fucking boring. You should know what I'm talking about if you've ever made this drive. I-10 sucks. So to lighten my hate for this terrible excursion, i popped in the new album from newlywed (a couple weeks before release date b/c i get special privileges). 100 miles later, i find myself starting over the album for the 5th or 6th time. It dawns on me, this album is fucking good. Starts strong, ends with what i personally think is the best song on the album. Incredible production value done by Diamond Factory's Travis Bonner. moving on...

1) Paranoia Will Destroia - great start to the album. Fierce, fast, hard, soft, sexy, soothing, mosh-worthy. Zach Brigham's top-notch vocals on this song, exercising his ability to sing and yell simultaneously, juxtaposed with the raging, brutal instrumentation provided by Jeff Blum, Fran Aguera, and Jordan Kennamer, exhibits a perfect beginning to the journey into the fear country. 9/10

2) Unholy - Possibly the most controversial track on the album, featuring brutal backing screams from guitarist Jeff Blum layered in an almost echo-like answer to Brigham's leads near the end of the song. Luckily, you can take a listen to this track before the release show on their myspace. 9/10

3) Clownfields - While still an impressive song, i feel this track may be the weakest on the album. Although, i should add that this song does prove an impressive example of Aguera's drumming. 7/10

4) Mirage Hotel - Another of the album's gems. One of, if not the best song on the album. Everything about this song is perfect in regards to the hardcore/punk rock/metal standards. It's angry. It's fast. And it makes you wanna get up and break shit. 10/10

5) Charcoal Soul - Brilliant song, i feel may be tied with Mirage Hotel for best song on the album. The song erupts with roaring bass, loud-as-fuck drums, and some nice feedback/walking guitar riff, and soon dilutes into droning guitars, and a dominating drum beat, all of which are lead with delicious screams and lyrics describing a suicidal, drugged-up mistress. 10/10

6) Meet Your Maker - Although the shortest "actual" song on the album, this one proves to be just as powerful as the rest. Like Clownfields, it does help propel the album as a whole, and while it doesn't add anything to the album, it certainly doesn't take anything away. 8/10

7) Noise - this is exactly what it says it is. Intro to the title track.

8) Fear Country - The title track, and i feel the best ending for the already sterling album. My personal favorite track, i truly love the end of this song more than any other moment on any of their other songs. the duality of Brigham's yell, matched against Blum's brutal scream gives me goose bumps every time i hear them chant "You will feel safe for the first time in years/You will feel safe for the first time in years" and while completing this album for the 10th time today, i finally feel safe wanting to go break shit with a hammer. 9/10

Overall this album shows much more musical merit, originality, and talent than their predecessor, Louder Than God, which i may, or may not, review some time soon. Up for download on SnoCap and will be released on iTunes, CDBaby, and Waterloo Records very shortly. The hard copy of the album will be released on January 17, 2009 at the Triple Crown in San Marcos, TX.

9.3/10

12/17/08 Cactus Peach @ Some Ranch Blanco, TX

First, props because this show was outside, in drizzle-sleet, and it was at some ranch in the country. Also, they bought a keg and there was some other booze and I got myself drunk. That being said let me add a disclaimer. Myself, the band and I believe the rest of the audience, were drunk during this show. It was cold; it was fun. Anyway, yeah, drunk. So, Austin natives Cactus Peach went on sometime around 10 or so. They were the only band playing and it was one of the members’, Michael Baine, birthday, so they decided to have a show out on his ranch. The first song started and was marked mostly by guitarist Garrett Bircher’s uncomfortably loud guitar. Zane, the other guitarist, and singer, had a good voice, but Im not sure how well the standard chord strumming really went with the bands large lineup (on this song: Micah S. on bass, Garrett on guitar, Zane on guitar/vocals, Michael on drums and Mr. Hollands Opus on Wurlitzer). There was a good, solid melody to the song, but nothing overly ear-catching and it seemed to drone on slightly. The best part of this first song was when I overheard NEWLYWED bassist Jordan K. comment to CLUBS guitarist Alexander B. that “this is a sick bass line” (in reference to Micah’s bass part). Alexander, who was very drunk, noted that this was due to the fact that Micah was a “real” bass player. LOLZ Jordan. Overall, I felt that the band’s first song could have been tighter. AGAIN, let me add, that everyone was fucked up and it was super cold and the sound system was pretty on the fly. Second song was a standout song. It was faster, it was catchier, it was far more technical, and Zane played drums and sang lead vocals. The drum beat was surprisingly complex for someone who was singing and playing, and a few Bane’s and Bircher’s guitar riffs were pretty sick, and all of the band’s parts went extremely well with the song. It kind of reminded me of a more coherent Broken Social Scene song. The third song had the same vibe as the first to me. I’d say that this band’s strength definitely lies in the technical part of their song writing, and that they should try and shy away from the standard chord strumming and utilize their musician fueled lineup. The fourth song was much like the second. Zane again played drums and the song was more uptempo. Like the second song, the drums’ timing was a little loose in parts, but, he was singing, playing drums, and probably drunk in nearly freezing cold weather. It was also their first show, so again, can’t really fault that. The fifth song seemed to be a standout song to many people (bell song?), it was notable because Garett played bells and it was super catchy. The keys on this song were really fucking sick (Baine) and the down tempo, but melodic, drumbeat was very nice (Opus). After that I got kinda drunk and am not really sure what happened. All that really stands out was Alexander B., drunk as nuts, getting on the microphone and going: “THIS IS OUR LAST SONG! WOOO!” yeah, he was that guy. Summary: this band sounded far better than anyone really has the right to when considering all the extenuating circumstances (drunk, cold, first show, lots of equipment, no sound guy). The guys were clearly all tone fiends, and the guitars (yes, bass included), sounded sick and went perfectly with the Wurlitzer and bells. This band’s greatest strength, musicianship and the ability of multiple members to play multiple instruments, was however, also its biggest weakness. Most of the members switched instruments on every song (even Bircher played bells one time. Micah only played bass. Guess micah’s a pussy), but this instrument switching often lead to uncomfortably long pauses without music. I feel that this wouldn’t have been a problem if theyd done all the songs that have the same lineup, in order, or maybe if the member’s not switching, had played catchy, short instrumentals.
Regardless, yeah, this band was pretty tight. Id recommend going to see them immediately once they start playing the local clubs. If they can work out their few issues, this band could be fairly well liked. Not bad at all for a first show.

3.5/5 (was gonna be a real solid 3, but they got me drunk, so I threw in a .5 extra ;) )

12/13/08 Ali Wagner @ The Coffee Pot San Marcos, TX

The night’s headliner, Ali Wagner was the sole performer listed on the venue’s bill (written in fancy chalk I might add). Her opening song, a cover of Coldplay’s “Green Eyes,” started off slow and ended after an amazing crescendo that really showcased Ms. Wagner’s vocal range and quality. A great mix of perfect timbre and dead on pitch, Wagner’s vocals were easily the best of the night, and probably the best I’ve heard in a while. While she was playing her first song, someone who’d been watching a show at the neighboring bar Lucy’s, walked by and remarked that “there’s better music in here!” During her set, Wagner also mentioned that she’s releasing an EP sometime in January. According to her myspace she has a full band, and I’m unclear as to whether or not the EP is being recording with a full band. After a couple of songs Wagner brought guest vocalist Audrey, of Arrgh!drey, back on stage and the two sang a duet that I can only describe as amazing. The vocal harmonies were so tight that I would have cried (if I were a lil bitch). The duo’s vocal capabilities reminded me of Texas natives Eisley and I was thoroughly sad when the song ended.Wagner’s lyrics, heavily reminiscent of mid-90’s-Lillith Fair-fem-pop(dashes!)/teenage poetry, were the only noticeably weak part of her set, but overall did little to detract from her amazing voice.For her last song, Audrey and Joy Sevilla returned to the stage (with Audrey on vocals, and Sevilla on bass), and the trio played a song with a nice doo-wop feel. The bass was a little loose on the song, and the eighth notes would have sounded less awkward as quarter notes, but this was more or less forgivable due to lack of drums. The song was rounded out by the, again, amazing vocal harmonies of Wagner and Audrey and was a nice ending to the night. Like Arrgh!dry, it’d be nice too see Wagner with a full band and bigger stage.

4/5

http://www.myspace.com/aliwagnermusic

12/13/08 Arrgh!drey @ The Coffee Pot San Marcos, TX

The first thing that struck me about San Marcos local Arrgh!drey, other than that the name was funny, was her baby blue Daphne Loves Derby shirt. That band’s mehhhh. Anyway, that’s not the point. Point is, she was a lot better than I expected. I was initially skeptical that Arrgh!drey (a portmanteau of a pirate noise and her name, Audrey) would impress me with her acoustic guitar and voice alone, but yeah, I was wrong. Her first song started with an upbeat chord progression, and I was instantly struck by how much better her voice was than I expected. The second song was marked by another bro, this time in a white polo, walking by the now crowded coffee shop and remarking “oh, man, I love this chick” *hair flip*. The chord progressions were standard fare; some walking bass notes, the usual four chords and capo use; however, this isn’t much different from even the best acoustic, folk influenced, singer-songwriters, i.e. Sam Beam. In fact, Arrgh!drey seems to be more than slightly influenced by the always amazing Iron & Wine, she and a guest cellist performed a cover of Mr. Beams “Flightless Bird American Mouth”. The cover was marked by slightly sharp vocals, but overall it was well received. By the end of her set Arrgh!dry, the singer-songwriter from McAllen, had really impressed me. Her voice was great, and she performed a feat I never imagined possible: getting a coffee shop crowd involved and attentive. She even managed to get a better portion of the shop to clap along after she dropped a beatbox into one of her songs. Apparently the band has a drummer, her little brother, who was not present. I’d definitely be interested to see what kind of show they could put on together. I’m sure that the girl who walked out of the Coffee Pot saying “Love it, love it” would be interested in it as well.

3.5/5

http://www.myspace.com/arrghdrey

12/13/08 Joy Sevilla Ft. Trey Warren @ The Coffee Pot San Marcos, TX

The best part of this girl’s set was when two bro’s in polos (is there any other kind?), fresh from partying on the San Marcos square, walked by the venue and one of em said to his butt buddy: “Man, I’m horny.” Ms. Sevilla’s vocals had a slight hint of jazzy feeling to them; which was nice, save for the fact that they were also too light and airy and ended up sounding like Feist and Cat Power got together, had an awesome lesbian-relations baby, but then that baby grew up and tried to sing like its mom[s], but lacked any sort of drive or conviction. The song Mr. Warren sang was accentuated by Sevilla playing a Squire P-bass while he strummed some fairly driving acoustic guitar chords. The music on this song wasn’t too bad, but again, the vocals lacked the drive that I felt was needed in an up-tempo, folky song. Overall, the duo combined for a decent enough take on coffee shop music, but there was nothing really memorable or outstanding. Read: background music while you drink an espresso (which, I discovered while listening to said background music, is actually only a really really gross tasting shot of super strong coffee and not, as I’d always thought, a full sized drink)

2.5/5

12/12/08 Earth Eater @ Capital Skate Park Pflugerville, TX

Brutal.

4/5

http://www.myspace.com/thisiseartheater