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Austin Ticket Giveaway: Girl In A Coma, Los Skarnales and Piñata Protest at Mohawk

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GIAC posterSan Antonio’s Girl In A Coma have left a permanent tattoo on the hearts of music lovers with their piercing songs and nuclear performances. They’ve blazed a singular trail since Nina Diaz joined the band at age 13 and have found champions and comrades along the way including Joan Jett who signed them, Morrissey, Sia, Tegan and Sara, The Pogues and Amanda Palmer who have hand selected them for tours. Girl in a Coma are that rare feral band, unaffected by trends, that has managed to stay wild and thrill us at every turn.

On Friday, June 12, Girl In A Coma will be performing a headlining concert in Austin at Mohawk. They will be joined by Houston’s Los Skarnales and San Antonio punkeros Piñata Protest. The best part? We have two tickets to giveaway to one of our lucky Austin Vida readers.

The giveaway will be conducted as a raffle from our email list. Just click “enter the drawing” below after submitting your full name and email address. Only submissions with full names will be officially entered. We will pick the winner from these submissions before 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, the day before the show. The winner will be notified via email from Austin Vida.

Mohawk is located at 912 Red River. All ages are welcome. Doors open at 7 p.m. The event will be on the outdoor stage. Advance tickets for this event are available for purchase online here.

Girl In A Coma

Los Skarnales

Piñata Protest

[5/16] Preview: Piñata Protest at The Continental Club

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PP posterSaturday, May 16, the big Latin music festival will not be the only place in town to see great Latin Alternative as San Antonio punkeros Piñata Protest headline a great three band bill at iconic South Congress venue, The Continental Club. They’ll be joined by fellow San Antonio punk band Fea, a side-project of members from Girl In A Coma. Mexican blues-rockers The Copper Gamins open the show.

After another touring stint opening for Reverend Horton Heat, the fellas from Piñata Protest are back on the road. This time around fans will get a look at new guitarist Jose Morales, a California transplant and formerly of punk band No Way Jose. After seeing them with their new lineup at Mohawk recently, fans will be happy to know the group is as rudo as they always were. Be ready for punk covers of your favorite mariachi classics and songs from their most recent album, El Valiente.

Fea is yet another newish Chicano(a) punk rock band from San Antonio that came together in 2014, but with two very familiar faces. Bassist Jenn Alva and drummer Phanie Diaz of Girl In A Coma started this band after frontwoman (and Phanie’s sister) Nina Diaz started working on her solo music. After adding their other two members, including vocalist Letty Martinez (Angela and the X’s), the quartet seems on point as they recently signed with Blackheart Records, Joan Jett ‘s label and label for Girl In A Coma. Fea are currently working on new material, but their first single is available for download here.

Early arrival is suggested as The Copper Gamins kick things off. Composed of singer, guitarist and songwriter José Carmen and drummer Claus Lafania, the duo sound louder than just a duo. Their blues infused, lo-fi garage rock will wake up your eardrums.

The Continental Club is located at 1315 S Congress Ave. Doors open at 9 p.m. $10 cover. 21+ welcome. Visit the Facebook event page here.

Piñata Protest

The Copper Gamins

Austin punkeros Sober Daze release new music video and announce unofficial SXSW performances

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Sober Daze
Austin punkeros Sober Daze. Photo stolen from their Feisbuk.

Earlier today Austin-based punkeros Sober Daze released their new skate/music video for “Live To Shred.” The single is their first from their forthcoming 7” split with San Antonio’s Knockin’ Chucks, scheduled for an April release from the group’s own Dazed Records. The 7″ will be made available in both vinyl and digital download formats.

Sober Daze was formed in Puerto Rico in 2002 by friends Peter Figueroa, Alex “Korn” Rivera, and Chris “Fatty” Bourcy. Shortly after they moved to Austin in 2003, they became notorious for their punk rock house parties with half pipe skateboard ramps and a tree house bar in their back yard at one point. The group currently performs as a four piece thanks to their addition of guitarist Alex “Rager” Loughborough in 2013.

Those in Austin can see Sober Daze live at the Punk Vs. Rockabilly 5 showcase on Mar. 16 at Flamingo Cantina and at the Eastside Throwdown Day Party on Mar. 20 at The Sahara Lounge.

Watch “Live To Shred” from Sober Daze below. Listen to more music from Sober Daze on Bandcamp.

[5/16] Preview: Piñata Protest album release at Antone’s

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The next nationally known musical act after Girl In A Coma to emerge from San Antonio was a group of four young vatos who love punk rock and Flaco Jimenez. In fact, the group learned to merge the two and create a new genre of punk coined as “puro pedo punk rock.” Not since Boston’s Dropkick Murphys has a punk rock band merged punk with music of their cultural heritage to such mainstream success. That group is the prolific Piñata Protest.

After a few years of Latino tastemaker buzz online and small tours to support their debut album Plethora, the quartet’s life as a band has changed exponentially. The group recently came off a co-headlining tour with Reverend Horton Heat and garnered national media attention from NPR. Currently Piñata Protest is set to release their second album on Saustex Records on May 21, El Valiente.

Before Piñata Protest releases El Valiente releases nationally, fans in Austin will be treated to a special Austin CD release show at Antone’s on Thursday night. They will be supported by their label mates Hickoids and also Black Eyed Vermillion. Copies of El Valiente will be available for purchase at the band’s merch table.

Antone’s is now located at 2015 E. Riverside. Doors open at 8 p.m. Show at 9 p.m. all ages are welcome. Advance tickets are available online here. Visit the Facebook event page here.

[8/17] Preview: Krum Bums & Los Skarnales play Nick Curran benefit at Red 7

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Nick Curran is blues-rockin’ bad ass that is embraced and loved by all who know him, but especially from the local punk rock community due to playing guitar for Dallas-based rockabilly great Ronnie Dawson. Curran also played with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, punk band Deguello and with Los Lowlifes.

In 2010, Curran was diagnosed with oral cancer. After a short stint being cancer free, the cancer returned in 2011. To assist Curran with medical expenses, a benefit concert has been put together by his friends and supporters tonight at Red 7 (indoor stage).

Headlining the benefit tonight at Houston’s Los Skarnales and Austin punk rock heavyweights, Krum Bums. Also on the bill are Hipsterectomy, Black Irish and Mr. Lewis & The Funeral 5. Austin’s punkeros from all walks of life will be moshing for a good cause.

Red 7 is located at 611 E. 7th Street. All ages are welcome. Doors open at 9 p.m. $8 cover. Music starts at 9:30p.m. Visit the official Facebook event page here and Do512 post here.

* For those who cannot attend this event but would still like to help Curran, his PayPal email address is [email protected]

[5/19] Preview: Los Skarnales, Heather Go Psycho & Viet-Ruse at Flamingo Cantina

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Now that we are over our Pachanga Fest hangover from last weekend, Latin Music month continues here in Austin with yet another killer Austin Vida showcase tonight at Flamingo Cantina. For the first time ever on an Austin Vida showcase we are presenting the biggest band to come out of Houston, Los Skarnales.  Yes, those vatos rudos you’ve come to know and love since 1994.

Opening the night’s showcase will be San Antonio-based reggae-punk band Viet-Ruse. The group fuses together elements from classic punk bands like The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers and The Jam with their barrio street style San Antonio bands are known for. Get to Flamingo Cantina early as Viet-Ruse perform at 10 p.m.

Following Viet-Ruse will be another San Antonio favorite, Heather Go Psycho (HGP). The all female punk trio appear to be the next coming of their idols Girl In A Coma, but with a unique sound and style of their own. Fronted by the dynamic Jacklyn Alexandra (lead vocals/guitar), HGP’s sound is reminiscent of early Hole and the original Tsunami Bomb lineup. Throw in a little pop-punk and you have the HGP sound. HGP take the stage at 11 p.m.

After our talented opening bands get you going, Los Skarnales will take over and own the night as they always do. The unique fusion of ska, cumbia, punk, rockabilly and barrio swing make for one of the best live shows we can bring you. There isn’t much more we can say about the vatos rudos from Houston that hasn’t been said already. Be ready to party all night at Los Skarnales perform at midnight.

Flamingo Cantina is located at 515 E. 6th St. Ages 21+ are welcome. Doors open at 9 p.m. $10 cover. Visit the event page on Facebook here and on Do512 here.

Free Week Photo Recap: Austin Vida showcase at Red 7

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Sober Daze live at Red 7 (photo by Chris Carrasquillo)

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.

Austin Vida presents first “Punk Rock Latino” showcase during Free Week at Red 7

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Free Week in Austin is an annual event that takes place during the first week of January. A  handful of the city’s independent live music venues waive cover charges and host an array of Austin’s best local artists. The idea is get Austinites a chance to see more Austin artists and provide the artists a chance to perform in front of large crowds. The hardcore venues on Red River also partake in the festivities, including Red 7.

Red 7 is one of the premiere Red River live music venues that is known for black t-shirts wearing crowds, their hilariously snarky blog and some of the best (craziest) concerts in Austin. We couldn’t be happier about presenting our long overdue, first ever Latino punk rock showcase on Wednesday, January 4. Given it is our first punk rock show, we wanted to make sure to bring you not only one of the best up-and-comers from Austin but also some of San Antonio’s best. After all, no one can argue that San Antonio is home to some of Texas’s best punk rock bands.

Opening the showcase will be San Antonio based Mariachis Del Infierno (MDI). Their music is rooted in Tex-Mex, rockabilly, punk and psychobilly. Whether they are singing in English or Spanish, MDI’s lyrics are evil and twisted. They are not your abuela’s mariachi band. Watch their music video for for their song “Zombie Querida” here.

Following MDI will be San Antonio pop-punk trio Heather Go Psycho (HGP).  At first they may appear to be following in the footsteps of their idols and hometown heroes Girl in a Coma, but once the music stops the comparisons will stop. Frontwoman Jackie Psycho’s voice is reminiscent of early Courtney Love and her raspy screams sound like one of those chicks who used to sing Tsunami Bomb. HGP will be performing in support of their debut EP, Favorite Record. Listen to the title track on their SoundCloud here.

The first Austin band to perform will be local pop-punk favorites, The Sweethearts. The female fronted group have been on a brief hiatus from performing with due to drummer Joel Nihlean’s departure, but they are back with Marco Lozano on drums and with new songs. Be ready to enjoy buzzsaw style punk rock with a nod to garage rock and the girl groups of the 1960’s.

Co-headlining our first ever punk rock showcase are the incredible “puro pedo punkeros” from San Antonio, Piñata Protest. While several quotable descriptions are out there to try and describe the band’s original sound, we like “the love child of Sid Vicious and Flaco Jiménez” the best. What the Dropkick Murphys do for the Irish, Piñata Protest due for Mexicans. If you’ve never seen hardcore punk rock with accordion, you’re in for a treat and some real pendejadas.

Headlining our showcase will be Austin based punk rock group Sober Daze. The group began in Luquillo, Puerto Rico in 2002 where members Peter Figueroa, Alex “Korn” Rivera and Christopher “Fatty” Bourcy attended high school. Known early in their career for epic punk rock house performances that included tree house bars and skateboard ramps, Sober Daze have slowly built up one of the rowdiest fan bases a band could have. The band is currently working on a new record and will be performing some of their new material from that record. No strangers to Free Week or Red 7, Sober Daze are the perfect Austin headliner for our first punk rock showcase. Watch this live video courtesy of our sister site, Red River Noise, of Sober Daze performing at Red 7 during Free Week in 2010.

Red 7 is located at 611 E. 7th Street. Doors open at 9:00pm. Free Admission.  All ages are welcome. Visit the official Facebook event page here and on Do512 here. This show is sponsored in part by the City of Austin, Pachanga Latino Music Fest. Media sponsors for this show are  SATX Music and Red River Noise.