Journalist and rock-band veteran of some twenty years chronicles the noise and clatter that is the Coastal Bend (Texas) music scene for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times web site. DIY road shows featuring regional and national acts are also noted.
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Overall rank: 738932 Number of inbound blogs: 7 Number of incoming links: 13 RSS: RSS feed Author: Richard Guerrero Richard Guerrero Last update: 2007-06-06 19:03:11 GMT Estimated value: $8,808
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Latest Posts
SHOW: sweet daddy does 'the make' (11.26.08)
Amped Up! readers are no doubt familiar with the name Sweet Daddy by now. The longtime Corpus Christi hard rock quartet has spent the last 16 years crafting some of the best rock 'n' roll this city has ever witnessed. Lately, the band's gig calendar has been limited to a handful of performances since the big "Quinceanera" show last October. And so it's worth noting that the band is playing at The Texan, a neighborhood watering hole near Ray High, on Wednesday, Nov. 26 -- the day before Thanksgiving. Why is it notable? Well, because Sweet Daddy is planning on playing their entire debut album in sequential order that evening, that's why. More importantly, you don't have to work in the morning! As if you needed a reason ...
Fun Fun Fun Festival, 2008 (The Recap)
This year's Fun, Fun, Fun Festival was without a doubt bigger (at least it seemed that way what with the long lines over at Port-A-Pottie Row). But was it better? Click on the link to see some of the highlights.
BANDS: Rock out at Coastalthon 2009
This one's for the local bands. There's a grand opportunity to be a part of something that might finally put this city's creative class on the map. Want details? Click the link.
BAY JAMMIN' CINEMA SERIES: "Live @ Pompeii" film
The city fathers have smiled warmly on us rock fans today. On page 11 in the "Around the Bend" section of the Weekend supplement of today's Caller-Times is a brief about tonight's Bay Jammin' Cinema Series, the last of a round of flicks the city shows at the Cole Park Amphitheatre during the summer. Who'd have guessed they would select a classic albeit obscure concert film about one of the most innovative rock bands of all time: Pink Floyd?
REVIEWS: Bill Drill Car tribute CD, Graveyard
The good news first, right? We've got a new Sweet Daddy recording. So what's the bad news? It's a cover and not the album or EP that the band has been threatening for years now. But still ... some Sweet D is better than no Sweet D.
Where Did the Brightly Feathered Ones go?
Bout five months ago, a sharp trio called The Brightly Feathered Ones were gigging weekly and really turning heads with their top-shelf late '60s blooze rock. Things have been rather quiet on the BFO front as of late but in lieu of live music, Amped Up! has located a few video clips on Youtube. Grab yourself a Lone Star and take a load off them dogs.
RADIO: Weekend Magazine with Joe Hilliard
Amped Up! is deep in the middle of another Hobo weekend and is pretty worn from the wear.
LOCAL361: David and the Black Panda
Welcome to the seventh installment of LOCAL361, the Amped Up! monthly feature that focuses on local bands and scene movers, shakers and rock 'n' roll deal-makers. This month, Amped Up! is pleased to present indie rock unit David and the Black Panda, a relatively new act comprised of members who've seen service in other outfits.
Record Store: The Disc Go Round
If you're still reading Amped Up! these days, you're quite familar with the author's rather ridiculous obsession with the phonograph and vinyl LPs. As a lover of all things rock and eccentric, Amped Up! struggled in recent years to fill this need as the city lacked a decent record store. No longer. Just a block down from its former location, The Disc Go Round has taken the opportunity to add new and used vinyl to expand its heretofore uninspired offerings. So what's the verdict? Click the link and found out.
LOCAL361: paul santos
Welcome to the sixth installment of LOCAL361, the Amped Up! monthly feature that focuses on local bands and scene movers, shakers and rock 'n' roll deal-makers. This month, Amped Up! is proud to present rock journeyman Paul Santos, a prolific songwriter whose insanely infectious power pop gems and anthems have informed a lifetime of rock projects. Click on the link to learn more about this one of a kind working-class hero.
The Ex talks to Pitchfork
A blog about a website's interview with a fairly obscure (albeit legendary) band from The Netherlands? Well, when it's the pioneering Dutch combo The Ex, it's worth the time, kids.
Starting out as a rudimentary radical punk band in 1979, the band has released more than 20 albums since 1980's "Disturbing Domestic Peace" LP. Unfortunately, The Ex are rarely ever covered here in the States which is why this interview is such a big deal. And of course, there's a local angle if you're willing to click the link.
SHOW: los crudos reunion, 05.17.08
Recovery from something like "Chaos en Tejas" takes time -- maybe a week, maybe a month if you lived all four days of it. Amped Up! only caught a small piece of the action (Saturday night's finale at Emo's) but it was enough to understand the full-on aural carnage that went down last week there in Austin.
LOCAL361: animalsounds
Welcome to the fifth installment of LOCAL361, the Amped Up! monthly feature that focuses on local bands and scene movers, shakers and rock 'n' roll deal-makers. This month, Amped Up! is proud to present AnimalSounds, a one-man indie songwriter whose music is as refreshing as it is compelling.
HOBO: Makes a Record
Life continues to compress -- timewise -- at Amped Up! Central with the addition of yet another junior assistant to the books. Add to this future rocker his ballerina big sis and well you've got half a band right there.
Hobo's first show, The Texan, November '07
Domestic bliss aside, Amped Up!'s also been busy with Hobo -- the honkedelic ensemble featuring Nate (from Sweet Daddy), Gil from Calallen, Gary S. II (from Autumn Heat) and led by our fearless songwriting hero, Freddie Allen C. II. We've been hard at work on a new vinyl EP (recorded last week at James Arriaga's studio) that just went in the mail today.
Why vinyl?
If you've ever seen Hobo in action, you know that it's all about old-timey spirit (see "Oh Brother Where Art Thou? if you need more detailed info) ... Freddie A.'s on dobro and voice, Nate's on a Pignose geetar (with a built-in speaker), G.S. II is our multi-instro man with lap steel and banjo duties, Gil keeps it simple and steady on a snare and ride and Amped Up! is now working his four strings through a battery-powered Pignose amp. In short, we are 100% portable and are available for street-corner performances, kids birthday parties and beach keggers. All you need is money. :)
Given this particular approach, it only seemed fitting to release a record ... you know ... something tangible that is more in keeping with the distant past. It's not that we're technophobes ... far from it. We record each show and usually have it up within a few days for band-members to study. The really good tunes end up on Myspace for free download.
But as a confirmed vinyl-nut, Amped Up! can testify to the warmth of a good turntable. Highs really sizzle and the music seems to carry a little more dimension than when it's featured on compact disc. Add to the sound the magic of seeing a little color spinning round and round and you've got yourself quite an experience.
And then there's the sense of accomplishment thing .... nowadays, anyone can release a CD-R ... Amped Up! can spend an afternoon dragging and dropping loops in Garage Band and have it online and burned onto a CD minutes after it's done. With vinyl, it takes several weeks to get the first test pressing and then another few weeks until you get the final product.
But fear not, digital boys and girls ... Hobo's new EP -- we're calling it "Hot Lettuce" on account of the cool green vinyl that it will be on -- will also come with an expanded CD version.
Some things are worth the effort.
ENDNOTES:
Did you catch the Pretty Little Flower gig at Arnold's? Well, if you missed out, you really missed out. Arnold has elected to move his record shop operation to the Trade Center on SPID in hopes of attracting more traffic. Ah well .... it was fun while it lasted. Thanks for the Macho, Hobo and Golden Meanies good times ...
Heads Up: Amped Up! will also have a few short pieces running the Caller-Times in the next few weeks. Got a couple of shorties on The Riverboat Gamblers (May 10 @ HoR), Hayes Carll (May 15 @ HoR) and Electric Touch (May 17 @ HoR). They'll all appear in Weekend.
Speaking of published pieces, the DIY blog series (DIY: The Rise of Hardcore Punk in Corpus Christi) that you read here has been picked up and is now being published by Citizine, an alternative newspaper based in Austin. Look for free copies of the issue featuring the first installment at Half Price Books or Yin Yang Fandango a little later this month.
Also in May, Los Crudos -- legendary hardcore quartet from Chicago -- is getting back together for one night only at Chaos en Tejas up in Austin. Crudos played two shows here back in the '90s and were one of the best reasons to be alive during that decade.
In June, make plans to catch Jason McMaster's band, Broken Teeth, at the Water Street Art Amp Music Festival. McMaster, who fronted Watchtower back in the '80s, hails from the Double C and so it will be a sort of homecoming for the veteran vocalist who made it all the way to the big league (Dangerous Toys, anyone?). And yes, Amped Up! still thinks Watchtower was the best underground metal band of the 80s (not thrash, not speed ... metal).
And finally, Amped Up! wishes to thank the individual who recently made the difficult decision to part with his crust punk LP collection by selling it to H-P. The Conflict and Nausea LPs were adopted with great pleasure and so you can rest assured that they are safe and sound.
Until next time, it's better live. It's always better live.
ABOUT THIS BLOGGER: Richard Guerrero's rock features have appeared in The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Go! Magazine, Maximum Rock and Roll and numerous college and DIY publications. The Amped Up! five-part blog series, "DIY: The Rise of Hardcore Punk in Corpus Christi" is being re-published by Citizine. His journal entry about his band Laughing Stock was published in Rachel Almada's book: "Anecdote: Stories from the Road." An active musician, he currently performs with Hobo and is presently at work on a solo disc under the name, Needle Points North.
Well don't despair. Pretty Little Flower and El Desmadre are driving in from Houston to help you make the most of your Saturday evening.
Pretty Little Flower, El Desmadre are going to play Arnold's Music and More along with Corpus Christi's own S.U.S. and Arbustos Deth. Show is free and all ages so get there by 6 p.m. and get in on all the fun.
Pretty Little Flower has made noise since '99 and are most definitely in the same league that Neanderthal and Spazz used to play in. PLF have toured the U.S on a number of tours and have even played in Germany and the Czech Republic.
---- Pretty Little Flower Discography---
*"Pulverizing Lethal Force" CD (No Weak S**t, Rescued From Life, Morbid Reality, Obsessed with Wickedness)
*PLF/Mass Grave split ep----released by the Mass Grave dudes (OUT OF PRINT)
*PLF/Disturbance Project split picture disc 7"---Towerviolence/Psychotherapy records
*PLF "Complete Grindcore Annihilation" collection cd----self released, along with Rescued from Life Records.
*PLF/ Uzi Suicide split 7"--R.S. Records (OUT OF PRINT)
*PLF/ Bizarre X split LP--Useless Records, MSSC Records, and others
*PLF/ Unholy Grave split 7--Rescued From Life Records, Psychowolf Records
*"Swarming Industrial Cancer" 7--Rescued From Life, Rat Gut Records (OUT OF PRINT)
*PLF/ Negative Step split 7 --Indecipherable Crap Records (OUT OF PRINT)
Here's a clip of PLF in Hamburg, Germany:
For their part, El Desmadre kick it old-school style ala Dr. Know with some cool double-bass action thrown in for good measure. El Desmadre launched in '03 and have been throwing down ever since. Check out the FIFH cover on their Myspace (Reagan Era, anyone?)
And don't forget about the locals ... Arbustos Deth is the coolest two-man grind unit I've seen in many a moon. Dig those pre-recorded beats! And S.U.S. is rad crusty hardcore that reminds me of Amebix. This one's gonna be talked about for years to come.
Until next time, it's better live. It's always better live.
------------------------------------------------------------- AMPED UP'S CALENDAR 4/27 Today is the Day/Complete Failure @ Compound
5/10 Riverboat Gamblers, Sweet Daddy, Right Turn Clyde @ HoR
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ABOUT THIS BLOGGER: Richard Guerrero's rock features have appeared in The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Go! Magazine, Maximum Rock and Roll and numerous college and DIY publications. The Amped Up! five-part blog series, "DIY: The Rise of Hardcore Punk in Corpus Christi" is being re-published by Citizine. His journal entry about his band Laughing Stock was published in Rachel Almada's book: "Anecdote: Stories from the Road." An active musician, he currently performs with Hobo and is presently at work on a solo disc under the name, Needle Points North.
