Monday, April 30, 2007
People in Austin don't even use his last name. They refer to him simply by his first, like he's an old friend. Like he's everyone's old friend. I'm not sure why I haven't yet written about him; he's Austin's most popular singer-songwriter.
Bob Schneider's style is forever evolving. He writes sappy sweet love songs, silly jangly tunes and raunchy, sexy numbers that I skip over when my mom's in the car. (Did I mention my mom loves him too?)
He's been a cornerstone of the local music scene for decades now, a veritable flesh and blood Austin landmark. I came to know of him when I spent my nights (literally each and every night) catching local music on and around the notorious Sixth Street. As a porous college student with an intrinsic love for anything creative, it made sense for me to take my study materials to the upstairs balcony of the now-defunct Steamboat and watch random local bands perform unfamiliar songs while studying. Pen in hand, I'd work on art projects or psych papers while noting bands, songs and the like that caught my attention in the margins. Friends knew of my bizarre study sanctuary and began cluing me in to various musicians worth noting around town. This is how I was introduced to the Scabs.
How someone coaxed me to see a group with such a visually-disturbing name is beyond me. At the time, the nine-piece band enjoyed a Tuesday night residency at the renowned Antone's, a venue that was, conveniently enough, all ages. As a partial social phobe, I was immediately turned off by the unbelievably packed club. The rambunctious nature of the college crowd was almost too much for a sober, slightly shy bookworm with a live music fetish. It wasn't until the end of the show after several songs with sexually explicit lyrics that I grew numb to the crudeness and began to appreciate the fun-loving party band that a dirty-talking Schneider fronted.
Since that time nearly a decade ago, this workaholic musician has kept me entertained with his unbelievable ability to morph into a variety of characters in the span of one show. He currently plays in a low-profile band billed simply as Bob Schneider, alongside long-time bassist and equally awe-inspring artist Bruce Hughes. Biting lyrics, astute rhymes and a certain unexplainable stage presence keep his live shows worthwhile, no matter the group he's fronting.
And if his musical ability isn't enough, he delves into both poetry and art.
Look for the latest musical creations on his MySpace where saucy, fun tracks are available for download.
Fans of Austin export Spoon need to sign up for their mailing list lickety split. If you're one of them, you're already stoked about the upcoming new album, dropping July 10th, but this will really get you going. Britt Daniel and Co. are touring the country performing secret shows with last-minute announcements going out first and foremost to the mailing list.
Their latest work has been titled "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" with a track list that includes:
Don't Make Me a Target
The Ghost of You Lingers
You Got Yr Cherry Bomb
Don't You Evah
Rhthm and Soul
Eddie's Ragga
The Underdog
My Little Japanese Cigarette Case
Finer Feelings
Black Like Me
If you don't want to add your email to another mailing list, just keep watching their MySpace page for band updates.
It doesn't matter that Chris Cornell is older now, more removed from the young and hip—he's still got it. He's still got that powerful, raspy voice that men admire and women swoon over. He proved it tenfold at his Sunday night show at Austin's beloved creekside stage behind Stubb's BBQ.
With not a cloud in the sky and an occasional cool breeze, the evening was perfect for a sold-out show, the sloped lawn holding an interesting mix of thirty-somethings anticipating old-school Soundgarden and college kids who know him best for his recent days with Audioslave. Personally, I was eager to hear the new solo stuff and maybe a little from his 1999 album, "Euphoria Morning." Oh okay, and I was waiting for the must-play Soundgarden anthems and at least a little Temple of the Dog.
Luckily, most everyone, self included, was satisfied. The set began with "Spoonman," a popular Soundgarden sing-along from 1991's "Badmotorfinger." The familiar favorite was the perfect starter—immediately the audience roared to life, throwing rock-n-roll fists in the air and singing strong. I love when concerts feel that way, when they provoke the otherwise quiet folk to let loose and join in. This contagious excitement is exactly what live music's all about.
Cornell's hour and a half set spanned his entire catalog, including "Rusty Cage," "Pretty Noose," Marley's "Redemption Song," "Like a Stone," "Black Hole Sun," and more. He even touched on "Euphoria Morning," playing its biggest hit, "Can't Change Me." And there I was, singing right along.
Cornell continues his tour through June, previewing songs from his impending June 5th release, "Carry On." Check out a couple of those tracks on his MySpace.
Monday, April 30, 2007
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Dodge on 04/30 at 12:51 PM
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Dodge on 04/30 at 12:48 PM
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Dodge on 04/30 at 12:45 PM
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I stepped outside the proverbial box Friday night, catching a show that I might not normally—a local industrial rock act named Subnatural. I'd never heard of them (not a surprise since it's not a genre I keep up with,) but many had as they were selected 5th Best Industrial Rock Band in the 2006 Austin Music Awards. Plus, the lead singer mentioned the impending Battle of the Bands rock-off they were taking part in a couple days later; turns out they won.
Continue reading "Austin’s Subnatural"
Sunday, April 29, 2007
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Dodge on 04/29 at 05:06 PM
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Dodge on 04/29 at 05:02 PM
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Saturday, April 28, 2007
