A Corpse Vanishes

One of the things I love about being in our circle of friends, (Austin Live Music Coop), is the spontaneity of a back yard BBQ with a few friends, good food and a humble jam session. My roommate/good friend Candido Santos of Shitty Advice casually organized a’ get together’ that made me realize that Lone Star Beer, fajitas, and a couple of amplifiers are worth their weight in gold.

My chef skills were requested at one point. I was asked to cut the meat, and finish the pico de gallo, which was difficult, because of the lack of ingredients. I managed. I picked chili piquin from the bush, behind the drummer, mid song, and diced some green apples, I found in the kitchen. Before I realized it, I found myself in a culinary meditation,..wielding a knife, mechanically, as I’ve done in kitchens for years. Something made me catch a snap….. It was the music. I’ve heard of A Corpse Vanishes, … heard that they had broken up as a band, but never had the chance to absorb their music, personally. I’m sure they have their reasons for their dissolution, but for the life of me, can’t understand why they would end this incredible orchestra of methodical energy. Jerms,(guitar/vocals) wove intricate rhythms, and strategic twangs on the guitar, while serving up powerful lyrics, intertwined with back ups from Chris (bass) and Ian (drums).  Chris showed a side I’ve never seen before. Being the bassist for shitty advice, Chris meshes in a different element, with Curtis, Candi, and Korn. With A Corpse Vanishes, the bass takes on a lead role to a  powerful, high energy, high speed,  horror-surf punk flavor that stands alone. I’ve asked them to play the Gridlox ‘breakout’ show, BRING IN THE GRIDLOX, at headhunters on October 19^th. Their performance would be an epic contribution to everyone attending.

Zig

Lords of Acid

I will be conducting a conference call interview with Murv Douglas, of Lords of Acid, and Diamonds n Scratch this week. If you would be interested in being on the call, we will do a 'first come, first  serve' for 30 people. You will be able to ask Murv 3 questions. Hit me up on fb.
Ziggy Garcia

AUDIO STIMULATION

      Many words come to mind when I think about the band, Tiny Purple Fishes;… soulful lyrics, incredible melody, intoxicating rhythms. … But one thing I cannot do is compare their music to anything I’ve ever heard.  I’ve listened to W.Y.S.T.F.L.T  a hundred times, and I’m always left in a happy trance, but frustrated, because my brain wants to recognize it. They’ve played a couple of Gridlox shows, and I’ve had intentions to ask what their influences are, but because they are also good friends of mine, the professional side of me clocks out, and I succumb to hugs, pitchers of Lone Star, and shooting the shit with my homeboys from the Valley.

       Last weekend, T.P.F. played my showcase at Mister Tramps with Von Roader,…perfect combination! Not to mention the fact that Marcus,(singer for Von Roader) and Adam, (singer/drummer for T.P.F.) knew each other from work, but never had the opportunity to get to know each other musically. This show was a beautiful marriage of euphoric rhythms, incredible personalities, and bronzed smiles.

      T.P.F.  Will creep up on your audio senses, blissfully and finish with an explosive finale of uncontrollable, rhythmic motion and happy chills.

Cheers to my boys from BrownTown, Abel, Adam, Bobby, and Iram. You guys make me happy.

Punk compilation, on the fly

Punk Compilation on the Fly

THE SPANISH SPEAKING UNDERGROUND HARDCORE SCENE

    Sunday the 19 of August, I was invited to the 7 annual ZONA URBANA, a show put on by the spanish speaking, underground hardcore scene. My best friend, Dirty Arn is the drummer for Ixteris korrosiva, who played second to the last out of 8 bands. They put on an awesome show, and were cheered on by a huge following.
    I have to admit, every time I attend one of these functions, I feel like I've stepped into the twilight zone, in a different country. I mean this in an absolute good way, of course. Its a culture shock experience to say the least. The Spanish speaking scene seem to be much bigger and more active than the local scene here in Austin. At this one event, there must have been close to 500 people in and out, through out the day. The venue, La Rumba on east Riverside probably had the capacity of 500 covers. The sound system was top of the line and I would be more than happy to put on an event there myself. It's an awesome place for live music.
     It seems that this scene of Mexicans, Hondurans, and Guatemalans, save up their energy for months, anticipating the next show, arriving with the entire family, and enjoying every last minute of it. Looking around,  it made me feel proud to see, Mohawks, and liberty spikes of all colors and sizes, spikes, and patches of men and women accompanied by their children.
     If you ever get the opportunity to attend one of these shows,..don't hesitate. You won't regret it.

Maximum Exposure for Success

   One of the things I always encourage when promoting a band is 'Self Promotion'. In promoting, I use many different means, including Facebook. An event page is usually the 1st step in my process. If I create an event page for a show, I would hope that the bands involved would share the page with their friends and invite them. It's free publicity and  its very effective. Show pride and confidence in your music.

       This weekend, Saturday the 11 was the first GRIDLOX PRODUCTIONS showcase at Mister Tramps. A pretty decent turn out, I thought.The showcase consisted of three local bands, and one surprise appearance by my good friends from Shitty Advice, . Autumn Stay, Violent Night, & Sober Daze Were on the bill.
Autumn Stay out of Waco, TX, showed about an hour before load-in. I was a little surprised to see a grip of 'teenage kids', hauling in equipment. Mind you, we booked these guys for Punx Picnic ATX, but I really didn't have a chance to watch, but a small hand full of performances, being as busy as I was. I didn't know what to expect. Turns out, these 'kids' were the band, and I don't care what anyone says, you won't see energy like this from any of us 'old punkers'. Swinging heads and hair everywhere, reminiscent of hardcore metal bands, from back in the day! These guys pulled it off with dark heavy riffs, power beats, and a well tuned, heavy wailing vocalist that is Danielle Blizzard.  Dani wasted no time in jumping off the stage and joining their fans on the floor, half way through the first song. Her aggression increased with every song, ending their set with a finale of an audience jumping in unison and an exploding applause. Thanks Dani, Zak, Cade, Clint, and Jackson, from GRIDLOX.
       After Autumn Stay, a technical problem surfaced at the worst possible time. One of my absolute favorite local punk bands, Violent Night, were next on stage. I don't think it took long for us to start having issues with the PA system after that. Being the awesome mother fuckers that they are, they still played with vocals, sporadically popping in and out. Of course, they pulled it off and it sounded incredible. This is one glitch that will never occur again. Our apologies to Gianluca, James, Ian, and Fatty.
    Next up was Sober Daze. These guys are coming up on their 10th anniversary and are one of the most well know and respected bands conceived out of Austin. At this point, they chose not to play, due to the pa problems. Hopefully I will get to catch their show again soon.
 
     It was still some what early, and most everyone at Mister Tramps were feeling pretty good. I had a chance to make my rounds and see some old friends as well as make some new ones. We had made an attempt to do a couple of interviews for the website, early that evening but thought, 'ehhh, we'll soon have other chances' so all of us from GRIDLOX decided to take it easy. A substantial amount of time with out live music had passed, when my roommate, GRIDLOX collegue, Candido Santos, also of the band Shitty Advice approached me and said with a grin and a question mark on his face. My whole band is here......' and to him I said, 'hell yeah'. They took the stage, despite the issues, which were minimal after the equipment cooled, and killed it!!! Of course Candi called to work the next day, with nothing more than a wisper. He had lost his voice, but he and his band had saved the show.
A huge thanks to Candido, Chris, and Curtis of SHITTY ADVICE.
zig

Von Roader

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXiEuRv2dt8

There are few bands that force my immediate attention, and most of the time it's short lived. Two weeks ago, my homie, Jeremy Davis of ATX Music Mag invited me to one of his show cases at an unlikely venue, so I thought, for nothing other than 90's spring break hip hop and a fraternity
'grab ass' session. Holy shit! was I wrong. ... kudos brother. Down stairs was some what,... what I expected, but less spring break, and more laid back. Sure, there were the expected late office partyers, stumbling and bumping into each other on a breakfast table sized dance floor, but upstairs was a different story. I showed up with a meager entourage of two friends, sweating bullets from the mid August, Austin humidity. What we walked into was nothing short of an experience that has etched itself into my memory for an eternity. (ok,...that maybe an over exaggeration). The first band was one that I'm familiar with. No Holiday, consist of good friends of mine, including Rex, and Chris, who are in my band, Coppola. The next performance,.... getting to the point, ..Von Roader! Holy shit! 3 guys, one on key board and drum program, one on bass, and the other on lead guitar/vocals. Marcus, focused on his lyrics, let loose in to a fluid, yet mechanical movement that seemed to be directly connected to the PA system. Just as fluidly, he would ease back to the microphone and bleed your attention dry. After the first 4 minutes minutes, caught up in the show, I looked around and realized I was in the middle of the dance floor and every one around me had 'flowed' into the vibe and were dancing as if they had been moving components of this spectacle all along.
Standing ovation from GRIDLOX, Von Roader!


Von Roader

GOTHIC INVASION FROM THE SOUTH

GRIDOX, in cooperation with ELYSIUM, the premier dance club in Austin, TX. bring you two of the Rio Grand Valley's best Gothic/Electronica talents.

Distorted Shadows, a 4 piece all girl band are breaking off a piece of Valley evil, with dergy/down tempo beats, and haunting echos. Their dark and alluring presence will keep you memorized for an eternity.

Venom Vampires, also from the RGV, bring it with a 'dark', and fashionable stage presence, heavily influenced by classic German industrial.

Come join us at Elysium.

Bands;

Distorted Shadows
https://www.facebook.com/DistortedShadows/app_2405167945

Venom Vampires
http://wowbobwow.bandcamp.com/album/e-x-o-r-d-i-v-m

Ziggy Garcia

9:12 PM  -  Public

Truly and exciting night....the combination of Reggae, Ska, Progressive Punk, and Spanish Hardcore, made for a versatile, and energetic crowd, everything from the skank to skateboarding in the pit. Los Local Locals brought it straight from South Padre Island. Lando, lead singer encourages a vibe like no other with his stage presence. Shea, (guitarist) and the rest of the guys have flip flop, board shorts, and dank smoke written all over their style.
No Holiday busted out with a new movement of 'new punk', tight and melodic. I really can't wait to see these guys again. Tommy, (guitar and Vocals) along with Rex (drummer and back  up vocals), harmonized in true fashion, with an energy I haven't seen in a long time.
Tiny Purple Fishes, broke bread at the table with a unique sound of punk that describes Austin TX to the 'T'. A trio, straight out of the Rio Grand Valley, taking contemporary punk to a new level.
Ixteria Korrosiva, fully spanish lyric, hardcore band, blasted, hard and heavy, with political rants against the establishment. The pit reigned with the crowds response in relativity.