Spray paint (Photo by John Anderson)
Spray paint
Hotel Vegas, Wednesday 21 (with porcelain ATX, discreet, gutter)
Chess Club, Thursday 22 (with screensaver, Michael C. Sharp)
Since drummer Chris Stephenson moved to Melbourne in 2017, Austin post-punks Spray Paint have played all five shows, local lone member George Dishner believes. “5ish,” sends the film production veteran. Co-frontman Cory Plump lives in Kingston, NY, where he runs Tubby’s venue/bar. The local trio recalls the progressive weirdness of Butthole Surfers with an abrasive unconventionality reminiscent of the fall. How’s it going a decade later for Dishner? “It’s kind of slowed down,” admits the singer/guitarist once infamous locally for his performances in underpants and donkey mask. Boasting a dozen LPs, EPs, cassettes and live albums, Spray Paint has been working on new material in a pandemic fashion. Set list for these two shows? Dry as a Texas summer, Dishner offers, “It’s gonna be all the Spray Paint songs.” –Raoul Hernandez
Why Bonnie
The Ballroom, Friday the 16th
After a winding journey between Texas and New York, Austin alternative/indie rockers Why Bonnie return for their first local performance since releasing their debut album last month. Written in a Brooklyn apartment by singer-songwriter Blair Howerton, 90 in November meanders into the past in search of a deeper appreciation of the past. The self-dubbed “shoegazeicana” quintet unleashes a fresh, buzzy new sound with delightful distortions and delicate Mazzy Star-esque flourishes. Why Bonnie’s mini-tour of Texas begins in the 512 with fellow indie boppers Font and On Being an Angel opening. –Kriss Conklin
Advantage of vampire sunscreen SPF 1000
Sunset Room, Saturday 17
What is darkness to you? This is the question that all the guests ask themselves (SPF 1000) Vampire Sunscreen, a budding podcast from the dark side of the mind of Laurie Gallardo. The darling KUTX host and producer indulged in her own “creative rumbles” with(FPS 1000) – who currently pilots on SoundCloud with eps including Nnedi Nebula and Kalu James. Not a forum for the miserable, the deep conversations focus on the darkness of life being necessary to enhance the light. Gallardo is raising funds for the capsule to grow with a special event featuring dazzling experimenters Octopus Project, James Bookert’s San Gabriel Project and a secret guest drawn from the host’s impressive Rolodex supporting the stage. – Kevin Curtin
DAWA 50k Glow Up Live Stream
Online, Sunday 18, 2-10 p.m.
In July, local support group DAWA (Diversity Awareness and Wellness in Action) announced the launch of a downtown podcasting and livestreaming studio. At 800 West 5th Street, Suite 100A, the new studios are available free to BIPOC artists, creatives, and organizations. To keep the creative production going, the organization is hosting an eight-hour live stream this Sunday, September 18 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. – including musical appearances from Mobley, Sir Woman, Shakey Graves, Tameca Jones and Chakeeta B (featured on page 64). Tune in to pre-recorded, live performances via Facebook (fb.com/dawaheals) or YouTube, or celebrate in person at the Love, Tito retail store.
For studio time, DAWA invites interested creatives to apply on dawaheals.org. Resources available include professional editing software, lighting, cameras and audio equipment for creating online content like live streams, videos and podcasts. Earlier this year, DAWA Founder Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone shared via press release, “We want to build a strong ecosystem that locates, grows and empowers the amazing artists and organizations that are underrepresented here in the city. .”–Rachel Rascoe
Heavy Meddo
Mohawk indoors, Wednesday the 21st
Since the dawn of this millennium, Bill Baird has released more than 50 works – under his own name or under the moniker Sunset or yet another moniker, Morton Williams Baird, or his once-Capitol Records band, Sound Team. The latest line-up Heavy Meddo reunites the prolific composer and music technologist with supremely ready-made guitarist Jonathan Horne, bassist Ethan Smith and Sound Team drummer Jordan Johns. New EPGood news spins fresh, free and fun with cartoonishly demoted vocals leading bouncy rocker “Tepid Ted,” while “Mirror Speech”‘s tranquil psyche resonates with cathedral-echo vocals dancing around a savory variation on the line bass “Under Pressure” and Horne’s chromatic guitar explosions on “Crowd Insanity”. Support for local cross-country skiers of choice Rotten Mangos and Juniper Berries.– Kevin Curtin
Gypsy Mitchell
C-Boy’s, Thursday 22
During the fatal second run of The Relatives, a psychedelic dual-headed gospel band from Dallas that resurfaced in the 2010s, the music bosses were introduced to Gypsy Mitchell – an unconventional guitarist with deafening flair. which deserved its own star. Now riding a solo tour, Mitchell has lit up the SoCo soul cave with his do-rag, copious gold chains and ornate guitar, which he plays behind his head (and with his teeth). Backed by the elite groove engine of Zach Ernst, Matt Strmiska and Scott Nelson, plus backing vocalists Goldie Pipes and Jenny Carson – all in velor tracksuits – Mitchell & Co. impressed with upcoming studio gear, including including “Movin'”.– Kevin Curtin
Front agnostic, sick of everything
Parish, Wednesday 21
“From east coast to west coast / Gotta go!Agnostic Front sang this on their comeback album in 1998something must give. This triple NYHC heritage bill comes from the East Coast to Central Texas next Wednesday, but that makes for an awkward hook. Still fronted by guitarist Vinnie Stigma and vocalist Roger Miret, AF remains the most brutal and human of the 80s core bands. Sick of It All and Crown of Thornz followed in their wake, bringing more metallic ballast.–Tim Stegall
Black noon and black country, new road
Mohawk, Saturday 17
Isn’t it humiliation enough that these bands, other Gen Z internet babies, lapped me up on my dreams, gaining indie fame through uncompromising progressive art-rock? Should I also be tasked with explaining the distinctions between the two UK exports to curious millennial readers (or worse)? OK very good. Both started out in a rather whimsical post-punk realm, but now Black Midi produces post-ironic cabaret-prog. Black Country, New Road’s style is more bleeding heart chamber music. The Red. Let’s make fun of their fans.
83% of the wardrobes of Midi fans are made up of clothes stolen from their grandparents. They gather in gangs outside of Ed Sheeran gigs and trotted together in an 11/8 time signature. Ask them how their day was and they might answer “Homeric”.
BCNR fans are the sensitive kind. They will make plans to start a Marxist community with friends they met through Animal Crossing, but are afraid to share the Google Doc. In therapy this week, there will be a serious discussion about whether Kanye can “cure”.– Julian Towers
Jeff Kashiwa
Jeff Kashiwa
Friday 16 & Saturday 17, Parker Jazz Club
Saxophonist best known for his work with jazz fusion band The Rippingtons. He is also a member of the saxophonist trio Sax Pack.– Derek Udensi
Mexican Independence Day Celebrations
Friday the 16th, Hotel Vegas
The Sixth Street venue honors the 212th anniversary of the start of the Mexican War of Independence with numbers such as Los Alcos, Easy Compadre and Suxxy Puxxy on 1 and 2.– Derek Udensi
Fantasma Group
Friday the 16th, Buck’s Garden
The Grammy Award-winning Latin funk band returns from Nevada to tackle the Buda venue. Mariachi Clasico opens.– Derek Udensi
Ken Carson
Saturday 17, Empire Control Room
The Atlanta native signed to Playboi Carti sparked a palpable internet buzz among underground rap fans thanks to his label owner’s co-signing, but kept that steam going with extremely high-energy live shows. Destroy Lonely, another signatory of Opium, gives his support.– Derek Udensi
