Red 7 is one of the premier hardcore venues, not only in Austin but arguably in the country. It is one of the few clubs that regularly hosts punk, metal and hardcore acts that the kids who wear black t-shirts love. I oughta know because I am a grown-up version of one of those kids. Some of my best live concert memories are from shows I saw at Red 7, which is why it was always a dream of mine to put on a showcase there during Free Week.
For our first punk rock showcase at Red 7, which took place on Wednesday, Jan. 4, we put together the mother of all Latino punk rock lineups. It took us about three years to find the bands and make this happen. Of course we had to invite a couple of our favorite bands from San Antonio, our sister city to the south and home to some of the best Latino talent in the world, to round out a perfect bill. This was my personal favorite Austin Vida Free Week showcase of the four we presented last week.
San Antonio pop-punk band Heather Go Psycho opened the show. Austin punk favorites The Sweethearts followed with their first performance in over a year and their first with a new drummer. The incredible Piñata Protest from San Antonio co-headlined and performed one of the best sets I’ve ever seen them play over the years. It looked like the diverse crowd agreed as some moshed and others watched in shock, perhaps expecting a Tejano band when they saw the band bring out their accordion. Austin-based punk band Sober Daze, three crazy dudes from Puerto Rico, headlined and brought their rowdy friends with them to close the night.
*This show was sponsored in part by The City of Austin, Pachanga Latino Music Fest, Red River Noise and SATX Music.
All photos by Chris Carrasquillo.
