Category Archives: Austin

That Gum You Like Is Back In Style

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Do you know who is in Austin right now? The answer is Not Me. The tickets are just outrageously expensive. And if I recall correctly, getting a media pass required a few gymnastic moves that I just can no longer muster. Where does the money go, anyway? According to the blog posts from a few favorite bands, they apparently don’t get compensated very well either.
In fact, the compensation issue compelled Camper Van Beethoven to come up with the idea of fan-sponsored songs just to make the travel and performance at SXSW doable this year.
Yeah… Camper Van Beethoven. Do you remember them? Or does the line blur between where CVB ended and Cracker began? Or do you think back and wonder whether that was a Wallflowers or Camper song that you loved so much that one summer?
“Influential” is one of the most commonly used words when discussing this 80’s/90’s alternative/punk/ska/pop/rock band. That’s why you hear them in just about everything you ever listened to growing up.

Download Camper Van Beethoven – I Hate This Part of Texas

I hate this part of the night when the music Mookie has put on creates some odd reality within my dreaming brain. Fear not lovelies: podcasts will return soon, and Mookie can’t wait to discuss this very topic.

But back to today’s post. Camper Van Beethoven released albums throughout the 80’s, disbanded in the 90’s, and began to tour again in 2002. New Roman Times was put out in 2004 and it’s actually a concept album. I don’t totally translate the character’s point of view in every song – supposedly it tells the tale of a disenchanted chap following his stint in the military – but at this point, it doesn’t matter anymore. Now this album is simply something you need to make sure you have heard as you enter our most futuristic decade ever: if you want your hovercraft, you better remember from whence you came.

Download Camper Van Beethoven – That Gum You Like Is Back in Style

Who could be calling waking me from my dreams
Of John Paul and Ringo, and Keenan Wynn
(No George)

Check your collection… Have you got them all?

It’s good to be back!

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So I’m finally back up and running after not having internet access for about 2 weeks. I had it last Wednesday, but was finishing up moving into my new place. So that said, here’s the latest in inanity with my ramblings on!

Do you guys have a song that just is never out of your head when it comes to a song that just never fails to make you happy? See, I have one of those, and I will be sharing that one along with two songs that have lately made me feel that way each time I’ve heard it.

First off is a song I am sure most of you reading this already know. Indie darlings Belle and Sebastian made what could easily be thought of as one of the top 10 songs of the last 15 years in the indie world. The track “The Boy With The Arab Strap” just appeals to so many different people as well as to many different emotions. It’s very rare that I find a song that doesn’t simply fade with how it makes me feel, and this is one of those rarities!

Download Belle and Sebastian – The Boy With The Arab Strap

Next up are two songs I’ve picked up on recently. The first is by a young woman from New Zealand named Annabel Alpers that goes by the stage name Bachelorette. This song reminds me so much of Stereolab back in the day, and I can’t help but feel very warm and happy with this song, entitled “Lifetime”. You can check her out here, also!

Download Bachelorette – Lifetime

The last track is one I’ve heard fairly often as of late. The group White Denim comes out of music-rich Austin, Texas, and it’s hard to really find a place that they fit in the genre spectrum. Honestly? Who cares? I have two genres in music. Stuff I like, and stuff I don’t. It’s that simple. So take what you will from their track “Regina Holding Hands”. It’s part of the former of the two genres I described. I would like to think it’d be one you all would like, as well!

Download White Denim – Regina Holding Hands

And again, buy some shit. If not, whichever deity you believe in will make your testicles small. That’s assuming they aren’t already small, like mine, of course.

I’ve had enough, so I’m giving up.

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Will Thompson, Sam Thompson, Stephen Ross, and Z Lynch make up the rock band The Steps.

I love the sound and look of this group.

The song Pull The Cord is my favorite off the album followed closely by Dagger (video below). It’s a rockin’ track that I think you will dig.

[The Steps – Pull The Cord]

I asked Stephen Ross, the bass player in the band, a few questions:

I thought for sure you would be from the UK. The look. The sound. But you are from Austin, Texas! With all your touring, have you found a place you might consider leaving Austin for? Would it take much to leave Austin?

Uh…London was cool. I mean, I think we all would want to move there, that’d be sweet. I think it would still take a lot to leave here because our family and established following is in Austin



Are you Dallas Cowboys fans?

I am- I’d like to see them in the Super Bowl. Kind of a new fan, though

I love the sound of this album. It’s going to be an album I have in playing in my car quite a bit. It seems like it’s going to be great to drive to. Do you know what I mean? What are you listening to right now? What album/song makes you think of driving fast?

In my car right now: The Whigs- Mission Control
What makes me want to drive fast: Camaro by Kings of Leon

[Kings of Leon – Camaro]


Dagger from The Steps on Vimeo.

The video was great. Not sure if i missed the answers to this one somewhere, but; How long did it take to make this video? What, if anything, would you do different on your next video?

It took about 12 hours to make. I would film it not in the freezing cold and maybe have us come out on top in the video (since we get killed).

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one thing to eat, what would you want an endless supply of, and why?

Well I guess I would have to think nutritious. You know those little clementine oranges? Those would be tight. Or a spicy ruben.

It’s SXSW time, and The Steps will be there. Catch their performance March 19th at 3PM

Get a head start and buy the album today. Play it LOUD!