The Fray - The Opera House - Toronto, Ontario January 17th, 2012

Nick Lowe at ACL Live at the Moody Theater Austin, Texas

by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer It was difficult to tell who drew more of Austin's music fans to the Moody Theater, Wilco the headliner, or British songwriter Nick Lowe who has a relationship with Austin that stretches all the way to January 25, 1978 the Armadillo, when he and Dave Edmunds and their band Rockpile opened for Elvis Costello and the Attractions. That show turned out to be a seminal influence in Austin's own nascent alternative music scene, and sparked dozens if not hundreds of local bands. Noted in the audience were Austin Chronicle writer Raoul Hernandez, singer Aimee Walden and her guitarist husband Micheal Moyer, and Austin singer-songwriter-author Jesse Sublett, who like I was at that early Austin gig 30+ years ago. Click here for more pics of Nick Lowe.

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Guns N' Roses - Copps Coliseum Hamilton, Ontario Nov 28, 2011

Slayer thrashes Austin's Auditorium Shores

by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer Slayer's Kerry King has an infamous tattoo on his left bicep that he like to point out from time to time that says "GOD HATES US ALL" and I couldn't help but feel that sentiment as I rose from a bed that had spent most of the night spinning. I rarely drink anymore, and then usually only with Kerry so the skill set I acquired at college(s) had long ago run their course. As the hot water spraying on my forehead rolled down my neck and back, any soothing feelings I hoped for were blocked by the steady constant THROB THROB THROB at my temple and the naked glare of the incandescent bulbs above the sink. Though I was looking forward to the show, I knew it would be a long row to hoe to actually gear up, drive down, park and then hike the half mile across the river that is Austin's Town Lake down to Auditorium shores, with about 50 pounds of gear. THROB THROB THROB. Throwing my gear in the car I headed off into Austin, arriving at parking garage an hour later, at about 5:00pm. Popping into Thundercloud for some needed rations, a large chicken salad sub on wheat, provolone, and black olives, I washed it down with the largest Mountain Dew they had, along with 800mg of Ibuprofin. By the time I had passed the Occupy Austin camp and crossed the bridge the combination of calories, caffeine, pain killer, and blood flow had made my head clear just in time for - the dust.

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The Cure announce new live album

Still working on a new studio album, English alternative goth legends The Cure have announced a new live album release, taken from their appearance at this years Bestival 2011 on the Isle of Wight. Robert Smith said “We had such a great time in the Isle of Wight at Bestival that we wanted to release this show as a way of thanking fans and islanders alike." The album is scheduled to drop December 6th with all profits from the sale going to the Isle of Wight Youth Trust, a charitable organization offering counseling and support services to young people on the Isle of Wight. No word on whether a tour will follow to support the release, but we can hope.

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Hanging out with Slayer on Austin's 6th Street

by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer "No, I'm pretty sure I'd know if I'd seen someone like that..." The diminutive hostess at the Driskill's downstairs bar looked me up and down and her eyes told me I was way way under dressed to be hanging out at the Driskill. Camo shorts, Motorhead T-Shirt, and Black Converses were definitely not on the acceptable list at the ritzy 19th Century downtown Austin hotel that charges $300 a night and hosts Austin's largest ghost population. But I had no choice - the text said to meet at the Driskill, in the bar and so I pulled up a stool, ordered a Tanqueray & tonic, no fruit, and waited. After a second round, close to an hour later, I noticed that I was the last one there and they were closing up. The upstairs bar was still open, so I wandered up. The place was packed end to end with UT fans and wedding parties, the noise like a flock of geese at feeding time. Retreating down the stairs I grabbed a chair in the lobby, and started checking my phone messages. After a half our of this I began to compose an apology message, prepping myself to bail. It was a beautiful message, filled with flowery halve truths about being up early to milk cows and the like. Before I could hit the send button, under the phone I noticed a black pair of combat boots standing three feet right in front of me. I knew before glancing up it was - Slayer!

Slayer's Kerry King enjoys a Jägermeister on Austin's 6th Street.

Continue reading "Hanging out with Slayer on Austin's 6th Street" .

The B-52s at Stubb's BarBQ, Austin, Texas

by Jeff Barringer - Staff Photographer It's hard to go to a B-52's concert and not have fun, and tonight's gig at Stubb's was no exception. For a band that that is celebrating their 35th anniversary, they sound and look great, even if Fred isn't quite the dancer he was way back when they were just a "college" band out of Athens and I was a high school student hanging out Raul's and Club Foot. It's hard to see the band and not reminisce over their long career arc. I still miss Ricky Wilson's distinctive surf twang, and though the 52's have done well in finding fill in's, there won't ever truly be a replacement. If we are really, really lucky we will get to see the B-52's for a few more years before they retire like their compatriots from Athens, R.E.M. To catch them on their current tour check out http://www.theb52s.com Click here for more pics of The B-52s .

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