INCEPTION OF LUSTROUS DAYS TO COME

     I will be the first to admit, the anticipation of a fresh start, a "new year", a chance to do things better, having learned from your mistakes and experiences,  is an idea, almost divine,... hallowed in it's own right.
     As this year comes to an end, bringing in a new, filled with "hope, prosperity, and eager beginnings", none more so than in a time like this, would it be accompanied by redundant cliche's, and a celebratory routine anticipated to execute an immediate change in ones life; losing weight, stop smoking, treat your neighbors better, make more money, etc.
      In all honesty, despite all the atrophies, I have no regrets. As a matter of fact,..  I wouldn't trade any of my experiences from 2012 for all the money in the world.
      This year taught me many lessons, ..lessons worth their weight in gold. I've met many, .. many people, some more interesting than others, some more dangerous than others, and some the wiser. I've made many new friends and acquaintances, spent time with older, procured friends and had the pleasure of hearing their stories. As a promoter, I got to experience many talents that have left me blissfully effectuated, anticipating, yearning for more.
       I look forward to doing things better, having new and different experiences in the new year, but I have to make one thing clear... I am very passionate and very grateful for everything that I've experienced that has made me who I am today.
       To all my friends and colleagues, I wish you a very happy new year, from myself and all the Gridlox Family.

BRING IN THE GRIDLOX!!!!

An incredible night,.. orchestrated chaos, ...a union of collective talents joined together to create an epic epoch for Gridlox and themselves.
     Gridlox Productions, Side Show Frank's Big Top, and Headhunters ATX presented BRING IN THE GRIDLOX! Friday October 19th. On the bill.... No Holiday, Violent Night, Shitty Advice, Desilu, Autumn Stay, Tiny Purple Fishes, and Destructive Guerrilla Force. The energy was indescribable. We had a couple of cancellations due to illness,( Pussy Factory, and Hipsterectomy) but the show was ignited, full force, without hesitation. THESE MUTHA FUCKAS were going to be heard and seen at any cost!
Desilu opened the show inside, with beatific, seemingly drug induced harmonics that seemed to mesmerize everyone.
Tiny Purple Fishes, my family from browntown, as usual, even lacking their original bassist, horn player and cellist, made due with a stand in bass player and stole everyone's attention.
No Holiday...My homies, Rex(drums/bu vocals), Tommy(lead vocals/guitar), Christian(lead guitar), and James...aka Wombat(bass), fucking killed it!!! These guys hadn't played a live show since the ATX Music Mag concert on South Padre Island, months ago. They forced a blast of energy, with their Intricate rhythms, and beautifully coordinated vocals, along with spurts of obnoxious,, smartass comments between songs, that makes them NO HOLIDAY!!!
Violent Night, an amazing collective of talented, hardcore guys... Gianluca, native of Milan, Italy,.. lead singer and drummer, brandished mathematical drum skills, while singing in perfect key. James, bassist, served violent guttural back ups, lending Anchorage to Fatty, and Ian, VN's guitarists, to complete this sick display of wonderful aggression.
Destructive Guerrilla Force played the back stage, and true to their rep, played raw, hard, ... and always seemingly, with an 'I don't give a FUCK!' attitude that forces my deep admiration and friendship to these assholes. Love you boys, Lugo, Matt, Sean, Richard, and Joey,...much love, from Gridlox, and myself,..Zig
My close friend from Harlo, Candido, led Shitty Advice in a rampage, at the inside stage. They were the last band. This was the first and only 'pit' the entire night. What can I say about these guys that I haven't already expressed in passed blogs? These guys are straight up hardcore, and will not let you forget it! Candi, Chris,..aka Panda, Curtis, and Korn,... got a soft spot in my heart, and lots of respect for you guys.
Side Show Frank's human suspension show, Jilly Bean and their crew, shocked, entertained, and enlightened fans with some crazy, psycho, feats, that pushed physical boundaries and defy the toleration of the human flesh. (sorry about the under covers pulling a Rodney King on one of your members). I'm contemplating participating in the human chandelier...Ha!
(Jesus Christ, this blog is taking forever!)
Autumn Stay!!! These are devoted members of the Gridlox team. Young,... pissed off,...calculated,....and straight up gorgeous. Best thing I've ever seen come out of Waco, TX, or anywhere with this style of blissful noise. Danie,... I have to admitt, your the sexiest front man/woman I've ever had the pleasure of working with!(Danielle Blizzard). Zak, Cade, ,  Stephen Troyce Harold Douglas, Jackson,....I've got huge plans for my little Gridloxians.
And finally......(holy shit!) Huge, huge.... kudos to my little sister, Brithe (cheez) Thompson, from the Hell Kats, for go go-ing and helping me organize this mess.
Share our blog, and spread the word...GRIDLOX AND CREW ARE HERE  IN YOUR MOST AWESOME DREAMS, OR YOUR WORST NIGHTMARES:)

LATIN FUSION AT EL SOL Y LA LUNA

First showcase,.... an incredible venue, El Sol Y La Luna, on 6th and Red River, the newest venue of the Gridlox local music circuit,..embraced Gridlox talents with open arms and an incredible  set up for sound. First up was The Undergrowth,....Rachel Gonzalez on bass, Adam,(drums), mike, (lead guitarist), with intricate, mathematical riffs, and  calculated, but obscure changes that would normally seem impossible, but with these guys,...  it flowed flawlessly, fluidly, ... almost, a rhythmic stellar alignment of melodic vibrations.
The next set were two guys,  new to our organization, Chris Rains,(cello), Adam, (Acoustic guitar) showed up, to fill a cancellation. Best choice I've made in a long time... these guys played heavily influenced by many of my most iconic influences, originals and covers, left us all with a new decipherment about how I hear music. I discussed  producing with Chris and incorporating the Cello in music from other Gridlox bands. Cello just happens to be my absolute favorite instrument, and believe it would add romance to an insurance convention, or a funeral. I decided to ask Chris to improve with the next band, Tiny Purple Fishes. He agreed. The outcome?????... Nothing less than legendary!! Chris pulled off a lead solo on his cello that almost suspended existence for 45 minutes, all eyes focused, ears in euphoric transcendence, one of the best performances, according to him, he's ever pulled off. TPF, shocked, kept looking back at this modest looking musician, refusing to believe what they were absorbing, and connecting with each other in mutual contempt, obvious on their faces,.. this was a match made in GRIDLOX!!!!!

EVER HAVE ONE OF THESE DAYS?

As I sit here at Coco's Cafe, http://www.cocos-cafe.com/index.html  listening to Cocorosie,  eating my fried chicken/curry with rice, I think to myself, ' why is there potatoes in my Asian food?' Ok,.... that's not whats really on my mind... Life has been pretty hectic,....I would dare to say, even chaotic  for the Gridlox household. My roommates and I are moving out of our home, and having to split up temporarily, which is difficult, since we are family. In addition, we are having to  transition from one company to another, which is difficult, especially with the hurdles we've had to jump. I think about Gridlox Productions and our goals constantly,... consciously, and in my dreams. I've sacrificed so much and I am driven, almost obsessed with making this happen, for all of us.
Last night made me think a little harder about why I exist. I attended a party in west Austin, thrown by my boys from Tiny Purple Fishes. I showed up with my friends, Audrey Cambell, and Chris Pashia (Before Dishonor). We ate, drank, played beer pong, (I know,....a little old for that shit), spent time with old friends, and made new ones. Jeremy Davis of ATX Music Mag, brought a friend, a really talented acoustic guitarist who entertained and spread intoxicating bless on a drunken entropy. Suddenly,... the party went from tumult,.... to harmony.
My point????... No matter how much drama, ... no matter how much stress, and turmoil,....drink, music, and good friends make you realize that nothing else matters as long as you have your own personal paradise.
Thank you Abel, Adam, Bobby, Jeremy, Audrey, Pash, Kimbo, Jennah, Brithe, Dirty Arn and everyone else that makes me happy to be alive.
Zig

DISTORTED SHADOWS

Seductive melodic blasphemy, a holy cathedral under siege, by sensual rhythms, this web woven by four of the darkest yet most beautiful sirens in the Texas industrial circuit.

Distorted Shadows thrilled the audience at Austin’s legendary dance club, Elysium, on August 7^th.  Jodi War’s, haunting vocals, hypnotized, and left onlookers with spine tingling chills not to be forgotten. Marla (bass) and Gunvor  (drum program) pumped the blood through this soulful calculated darkness, while Meredeath united ebony and ivory, black and white, good and evil on a whimsical structure of keyboards that made up this symphony of the macabre.

Gridlox Productions proudly thanks you Distorted Shadows, for bringing your talent to Austin.

Zig

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